Chapter 661: Initial Success of the Teachings (Bonus) (Patreon)

The inside of the coffin was a world of its own, quite different from its seemingly narrow exterior. Otherwise, it couldn't possibly accommodate Shinji, who was larger than the coffin itself.

Saying it was a world of its own is no exaggeration. The coffin's interior formed a small world. Although the area wasn't large, it had a pond, grass, trees, wildflowers, and a pitch-black night sky with a bright, hanging moon.

At the center of this world stood a miniature castle, identical in appearance to the Millennium Castle Brunestud where the True Ancestor resided. However, its footprint and height were significantly reduced. Without considering its external appearance, it was essentially a two-bedroom house.

This description involves no rhetorical devices; it's a straightforward statement of fact. Shinji could swear to any being that this was indeed a two-bedroom house because the interior layout was a complete replica of the Matou residence. Of course, a luxurious mansion like the Matou house couldn't be entirely moved inside. Only a few parts were replicated, such as Shinji's room and the sofa and coffee table in the living room, complete with a fruit platter identical to the one at home.

At this moment, Arcueid Brunestud, with her blonde hair and red eyes, dressed in a white sweater, was lying on the sofa, engrossed in a handheld game console.

Yes, this small world was Arcueid's creation. The appearance of the Millennium Castle Brunestud and the layout of the Matou residence were almost perfectly replicated by her will. The only things not created by her were the handheld console and some household appliances, which she couldn't understand and had to bring in from the outside.

Hearing the door open, Arcueid casually pressed pause, tossed the console aside, and leaned over the back of the sofa to stare at Shinji, resembling a sulking Persian cat.

"I'm so bored, Shinji. When can we go out?"

"It's not even been a day. Didn't I prepare so many games for you? Have you already beaten them all?"

Shinji sat down beside Arcueid, peeled an orange, and popped half into his mouth, offering the other half to her.

Arcueid didn't take it; instead, she leaned back and opened her mouth with an "ah."

Shinji, resigned, tore off a segment and tossed it up.

With a flash of white light, Arcueid appeared precisely beneath the segment and swallowed it whole, then mumbled, "No, I don't know why, but I'm just bored."

"If you're bored, why did you insist on coming along? And after coming, you don't want to be active during the day. If it weren't for the old man sending this coffin, I wouldn't know what to do."

"Because the sun is uncomfortable. Besides, I want to play in that world. If I get too far from you, I can't get in."

The world was Arcueid's creation, but the space containing it was opened by Zelretch. Only this Second Magician could easily fold space and fit a space the size of a football field into a coffin.

As for why a coffin and not something else, it was because Arcueid, influenced by human art, believed that vampires should sleep in coffins. Zelretch modified the container's appearance accordingly.

This act of sending the coffin confirmed two facts:

First, Zelretch had been keeping an eye on the Matou family. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent the spatial tool so timely.

Considering the ending of the Heavens Feel route in Fate/Stay Night, where Tohsaka Rin faced judgment for using the Second Magic artifact Jeweled Sword, and Zelretch suddenly appeared after centuries of absence to resolve her crisis, he's likely a voyeur rivaling Merlin.

Second, Zelretch had a significant relationship with Arcueid.

In Tsukihime and related works, there's no direct information on this. It's only known that Zelretch visited the Millennium Castle Brunestud during Arcueid's childhood and seemed to have taught her for some time. It appears the old man didn't hold any hostility towards Arcueid for being a copy of the Crimson Moon; instead, he seemed to care for her. It's unclear what this most enigmatic being on Earth is thinking.

With the spatial tool and a small world, Arcueid wouldn't be bothered by the sun and could sleep during the day without interruption. Shinji could carry Arcueid with him without worrying about the lively princess causing trouble.

Most importantly, having this UO candidate ensured Shinji's safety. Walking around casually might be an exaggeration, but moving normally without provoking anyone would be absolutely safe, no matter the corner of the real world. This confidence is why Shinji dared to come to this country, claiming to be fully prepared.

After all, a black box designated by a certain mushroom, and the country with the most intact legacy of mysteries. It's said that on the XZ Plateau, closest to the heavens, there are various secret realms, preserving complete circles from the Age of Gods, making it the most challenging region on Earth. This is why Shinji only brought Arcueid and no one else on this trip.

Of course, Shinji would never tell Arcueid this, or she would get even more smug, like a proud fox with her tail in the air. Even without being told, she always behaves that way. Now she started calling out to Shinji again, "Ah, ah, ah—"

"And you're not bored now?"

Shinji rolled his eyes and repeated his earlier action.

"Not bored."

Arcueid responded enthusiastically.

This was one of her favorite little games to play. It all started when Sakura, while snacking, pouted and asked Shinji to feed her, which prompted Fujino and others to follow suit. Arcueid found it amusing and wanted to join in, but she was seated far away, so Shinji simply tossed the snack to her, and somehow, she caught it with her mouth.

From then on, she got hooked and couldn't stop. Not only did she seize every opportunity to play, but she also started tossing snacks to herself, coming up with various tricks like Serpentine Step, Cat's Water Shake, Cat's Turnaround, and Crow Takes Flight—names coined by Shinji. In his eyes, Arcueid had many similarities with Altera, especially when acting silly. Multiple people had advised her to stop playing like this, saying it was like teasing a dog, and even showed her similar footage, but the princess only grew more interested. Perhaps, to a True Ancestor, humans and animals were no different—they were all life forms on Earth without any inherent hierarchy.

"Then you keep playing while I go to Mooncell. I promised to tell Altera what happened today."

Soon, after tossing the remaining orange segments, Shinji left the sofa and headed towards his room.

"Humph, it's that annoying person again. You can't go," Arcueid pouted, pulling Shinji's arm.

"If you go, I'll come out and cause trouble for you."

Unfortunately for her, Shinji wasn't fazed: "If you cause trouble, I won't bring you any good food. The cuisine here is more abundant. I've already inquired, and the pancakes and baked buns here are delicious especially those baked buns. They're golden, with a crispy crust, soft and chewy inside, savory and fragrant... just thinking about them makes my mouth water."

"Gulp," Arcueid involuntarily swallowed, her pout softening.

"I-I won't cause trouble, okay?"

"Then be good and listen. Once I finish my task, I'll take you to try all the delicious food!"

"Really?"

"Really, as true as 24K gold."

"Then I'll endure a bit longer. If I can't stand it, use this to tie me up."

Arcueid made a silver chain appear in her hand, the same tool she used to bind herself when she slept.

The princess's teachings were starting to show results.