"Have you made a choice?"
"Yes, I will withdraw from the Holy Grail War. It is not necessary to achieve victory to learn the Tohsaka family's shame. This time, I cannot forget what truly deserves my attention because I am fixated on the immediate goal."
Tokiomi gently stroked his daughters' heads.
He revealed a kind smile.
"I see, so instead of choosing to participate in the Holy Grail War, you ultimately chose your family? That's not a choice a magus would typically make, but I don't dislike it."
Moran nodded in acknowledgment.
If Tokiomi had insisted on participating in the Holy Grail War out of obsession with the path of magecraft, Moran wouldn't have said anything about it.
However, he would not mix personal feelings into the Holy Grail War.
For someone like Tokiomi.
Perhaps, to become a father worthy of his daughters, he first needed to become a perfect magus.
And the desire to become a perfect magus.
Was destined to lead him down a sorrowful path.
Now, after Moran's test, Tokiomi prioritized his family over the path of magecraft. He temporarily set aside the shame of his family and would not tread the path filled with death.
This was undoubtedly a choice more in line with humanity.
It was the answer Moran wanted to see.
After all, he didn't want to see his disciples, Rin and Sakura, experience the pain of losing their father at such a young age.
"In fact, even if I don't participate in that Holy Grail War, I can aim to dismantle the Holy Grail ritual base in Snowfield City. In a way, this is also a form of retribution. They once shattered the path of magecraft pursued by our ancestors, so this time, I will shatter their wishes."
Tokiomi said with a tone full of pride.
He was not giving up on washing away the shame.
After realizing that he could not intervene in this Holy Grail War, he chose a more suitable strategy.
Just like the Nazis once took advantage of the situation.
Tokiomi was merely doing what the enemy had done before.
Always maintaining elegance and composure.
This did not mean he would stubbornly step into a pit he knew was there; that was not elegance but foolishness.
"Giving up participation in the Holy Grail War and aiming to dismantle the Great Holy Grail in Snowfield City. Not bad, Tokiomi, you've learned to shift your perspective; you've made some progress. You should thank your daughters and your wife."
"I have learned a lot; I am very grateful.
If it weren't for you, Lord Moran, raising this question, I would have made the same mistake of neglecting details as in the past. Here, I have even more to protect. I will personally achieve the Tohsaka family's path of magecraft while becoming a father that Rin and Sakura can be proud of."
Tokiomi's gaze was filled with gratitude and assurance.
With a newfound confidence and awareness.
Rin and Sakura, who rarely heard such words, were somewhat at a loss, not expecting that their father's troubles stemmed from them.
At the same time, Tokiomi had completely come to trust Moran.
The questions he raised not only served as a test but also made him realize the importance of family in his heart.
If it weren't for his wife, Aoi Tohsaka, bursting into the room.
Bringing Rin and Sakura with her.
He might have made a choice more in line with a magus and resolutely decided to participate in the Holy Grail War.
Of course, Tokiomi and his wife did not need to say much.
Just a glance exchanged was enough to understand.
"Lord Moran, if you wish to utilize the Great Holy Grail base left behind in Fuyuki City, then let me guide you. Allow me to do this small service for you. Otherwise, I truly have no way to repay the kindness you have shown me."
Tokiomi's respect was beyond measure.
Regarding the temperament of the Third Magician before him, he truly couldn't see through even the first layer.
He had the coldness and ruthlessness of a magus.
His killing intent and dominance were as overwhelming as a king.
Yet that turbulent emotional undercurrent contained warmth, like flowers growing from a sheer cliff.
Behind the coldness lay an unexpected fervor.
He possessed a humanity far beyond what a magus should have.
On the surface, he seemed inhuman, but in reality, he was more human than anyone else, giving off that impression.
Tokiomi also couldn't quite grasp his feelings.
"Let's go and take a look at the remnants of the miracles created by the three great families; that would not be without its fun."
"Yes, it is an immense honor to receive your acknowledgment."
Tokiomi slightly bowed and led the way.
He led Moran and the others toward the original location.
That was the ritual site in Fuyuki where the Greater Grail's foundation was inscribed, situated in a large cavern beneath Mount Enzou.
Soon, they arrived there on foot.
The Great Cavern was, as its name suggested, a natural cavern located underground.
No trace of mystery could be seen here.
However, there were subtle signs of excavation, suggesting that the cavern had been damaged many years ago.
"Back then, the Nazis and the leader of the Yggdmillennia clan, Darnic Prestone Yggdmillennia, jointly conquered Fuyuki.
According to the records of my ancestors, the Heroic Spirit they summoned was a descendant of Nuada, the Celtic god of war, the leader of the glorious Knights of Fianna—Fionn mac Cumhaill."
Tokiomi explained the past to Moran like a guide.
These were secrets that even the Clock Tower hadn't recorded, details about the Third Holy Grail War.
The reason the Nazis were able to strike at the heart of the matter was thanks to Fionn's Fintan Finegas Noble Phantasm.
The salmon fat on Fionn's thumb, if licked, would instantly grant immense wisdom. He used this Noble Phantasm to directly gain the wisdom to see through the location of Fuyuki's Greater Grail.
After learning the exact location, the Nazis directly led an army and mages to invade, unscrupulously plundering the fruits of the Three Families' century-long efforts.
"We've arrived. This is the original place where the Three Families formed their covenant under the witness of my ancestor, Zelretch."
Tokiomi stopped in the center of the Great Cavern.
Only a missing core could be seen here.
The Nazis had directly dug away the entire foundation using magical means and an army, their crude methods were truly infuriating.
"Ugh... this is where our ancestor, Justeaze... sacrificed herself to fulfill the Einzbern's long-cherished wish..."
Irisviel's face showed a trace of sadness.
Her memory database contained information about Fuyuki's past. The Einzbern's Homunculi could access this record.
She knew the Three Families' desires back then.
The former aspirations of the three families had long dissipated, and even the foundation forged by ancestor Justeaze with her own flesh and blood had been trampled upon by outsiders.
She couldn't help but feel sad and moved.