Chapter 1

Emiya Shirou sat quietly under a tree as the men lowered the coffin into the ground. Fujimura Taiga or Fujinee, his soon to be guardian stood beside him, her eyes puffy. Shirou passed her a tissue and she nodded in gratitude while blowing her nose.

He had no idea how should he react to it. His father, Emiya Kiritsugu had passed away in a mysterious manner. He knew he should be crying like the others but why? Why wasn't he crying? Was he glad that his father was finally able to rest in peace?

Shirou hugged himself tighter as the rain grew heavier. Most of the mourners had went back including Fujinee who claimed she had some business to do regarding of his father's will. Some came towards him, offering their condolence and others gave his some advice. But none, none was able to console him. Although his face might no be showing the despair, his heart hurts, a lot.

Kiritsugu was his saviour, the man who gave him a second chance in life. He could never repay him for his deed. It can never be repaid. Unless...

Shirou suddenly had an idea. He remembered promising his father to be a hero of justice. Perhaps he could be one but how? He had not learn much about magic, so how was it possible for him to be a hero?

Just then, he heard footsteps. The red head looked up, surprised to see a foreigner standing right in front of him. Beside him were two other foreigners nicely dressed in western style clothes. Each held a black umbrella. The old, tall foreigner with shoulder length snow white hair and pale skin stared at him, his black eyes scanning Shirou's appearance.

"Excuse me...who are you?" Shirou asked, not aware that the foreigner might not understand Japanese. The man indeed looked gigantic to him, as if he was a midget staring at three giants.

The old man chuckled. "Hello, little one. I am Jubstachiet von Einzbern, the eight head of the Einzbern family." He spoke, in a deep yet crystal clear Japanese.

Shirou titled his head, not able to catch his name. "Jubs...von...Einz...?" He stammered. It was his first time speaking to a foreigner and the name sounded too alien to him.

"I see. Emiya Kiritsugu have never told you about me." Jubstachiet muttered while rubbing his beard.

Shirou's eyes widened when he heard Jubstachiet mentioning his father's name. "Wait, you know my old man?" He exclaimed.

"As much as you do, little one." Jubstachiet faked a smile. He didn't want to show to Shirou his hatred over Kiritsugu, the man whom had betrayed him. He needed to convince the boy that he was on the good side. Or he might risk losing Shirou from joining the Einzbern. IIyasviel will not last long and he needed a human heir. Kiritsugu's adopted son looked promising to be the heir after his men had spied on him. The boy has talents.

"Anyway, come. You must be wondering about magic aren't you?" Jubstachiet asked, adding more excitement into the boy. Shirou nodded and chased after Jubstachiet. He grabbed the man's hand much to his surprise. Jubstachiet always thought he looked scary to kids and they will never dare to approach him. It seemed that he was wrong. Or was Emiya Shirou different?

"Of course! I want to learn them! They are so cool!" Shirou exclaimed, his eyes shining in joy.

Jubstachiet raised his eyebrow upon hearing the word 'cool'. For over two centuries, he have not heard of anyone using the word 'cool'. Even his servants had not mentioned of the word to him. What on Earth does it mean? Cold? Anyway, he chose to ignore the child as they headed into a car, which Jubstachiet hated the most. Modern invention reeks to him. But he had no choice. It was the only transport vehicle available.

As the car sped away from the cemetery, he glanced at the red head who was jumping up and down in excitement. He looked around the car, his eyes gleamed with curiosity. The sight of the boy somehow reminded Jubstachiet of his younger days in Germany. He was often excited when his father brought him on the ship or on a horse. Everything was always exciting to him until when he became the head of Einzbern. Suddenly, his perspective of the world drastically changed. The world no longer seemed a happy place to live. It was gloomy and dark.

He felt a tug on his sleeve. "So, mister. Where are we heading to? Since you know my father, you must be a good person!" Shirou said in an innocent voice.

"Well" Jubstachiet hesitated, trying his best to think of a way to arrange his words which suits a child's understanding. "I am a magus too, little one. You father told me to teach you the art of magic. I wondered if you interested to learn real magic?"

"Oh yes! Of course!" Shirou instantly replied.

This is going well, I suppose. Jubstachiet rubbed his beard.

"You see, little one. You are an orphan now aren't you?" He spoke, watching the child's reaction. The boy nodded weakly when he heard that. "I thought perhaps you might like to be my grandson. Well, I live alone in my castle and I needed-" before he could finish his words Shirou immediately replied.

"Yes, sure. I would love to be your grandson! Please take me in! I have no family anymore!" Shirou begged, his tears filled his eyes. "Besides, I want to learn magic!" He cried.

That was far easier than I expected...Jubstachiet whispered to himself. He was expecting to face a stubborn headed child who will go against the idea. But Shirou's immediate acceptance was really surprising.

"That would be great, little one!" Jubstachiet pretended to be overjoyed. He patted the boy's wavy red hair and shook his hand. He was not really used to attending a child so it was kinda awkward for him to interact with Shirou. He only learned that trick of patting the boy's head from one of the servants just now. Jubstachiet was glad the trick work as Shirou instantly like that.

"So where are we heading mister?" Shirou asked.

"To my castle. It is a huge house in a forest" Jubstachiet replied, heaving a sigh of relief that his task has finally completed. He waved his hand, signalling his driver to speed up. He couldn't stand to sit in a moving box for a long time. He desperately needed to have his feet back on ground.

"Is that the castle in the forest in Fuyuki?" Shirou blurted out. He had heard of rumours from his friends about a mysterious castle built out of nowhere in the forest. Some said it was haunted while others said the owner had left Japan.

Jubstachiet was utterly surprised to know that Shirou knew about the existence of his castle. However, it wasn't the right castle he was referring too. Guffawing, the old man said "No, little one. We are heading to another castle."

"Cool! Where is it?" Shirou's eyes widened.

"Germany. My fatherland" Jubstachiet said, proudly.