Chapter 9: Kirei is Apathetic

—He offers a prayer.

His demeanor could be described as dignified. At the very least, it is not a posture one would feel ashamed to show others. To the extent that Kirei Kotomine himself can take pride in it, it is refined. No one has ever found fault with Kirei. In other words, it is safe to say that he has achieved at least that much.

Kneeling on one knee, hands joined in prayer before his chest, head bowed—he simply prayed. Whether it was at the pulpit where a missionary delivers a sermon, before a massive pipe organ, or toward the stained glass above—or perhaps toward the stone statues believed to resemble Christ or Mary found nearby. Beyond such things, he prayed to the one and only God, who was likewise believed to exist.

He should not doubt. He knows that. At least, it is not the thought of a devout person. And Kirei must be more devout than anyone else. However, his thoughts continued, faster than denial could form.

The Holy Grail War. Servants. Heroic Spirits. Wishes. All of it is dull. To be precise, there is nothing here to catch his interest. Nothing to wish for. Nothing at all. He was somewhat surprised when the Command Spells appeared on his hand, but that was the extent of it. Had it not been for the request of Tokiomi Tohsaka, with whom he shared deep ties, he likely would have discarded them immediately. In short, there is nothing here either.

Kirei began to harbor slight doubts only after he had actually summoned a Servant. It wasn't that there was anything special about the Servant Assassin. If anything, he simply couldn't hide his surprise at the fact that he was able to summon anything at all. Though, anyone with a common knowledge of magecraft would likely follow the same train of thought. Who would ever believe that a Heroic Spirit—a being whose existence has been spiritually sublimated to a higher stage—could be summoned in a near-perfect state? To be blunt, until he witnessed that moment with his own eyes, he thought it was, at best, an exaggeration, and in reality, nothing more than a delusion. He could hardly be blamed for secretly making arrangements for a psychiatric hospital and only canceling them after the summoning was successful.

Now, standing before the actual existence of a Heroic Spirit, Kirei thinks—without voicing it, without even confiding in his own father—what exactly are these beings?

Great figures of the past or famous people. Characters from legend and mythology. Putting it into words makes them sound very trivial. Indeed, no one would gratefully worship a hero they could meet any time just by turning a page. One only receives "divine favor" while calling upon them. Well, I suppose they are immensely useful for making the hearts of young boys and girls race. In that sense, he reconsidered, they might offer more "blessings" than an incompetent gods.

For now, the biggest surprise was the fact that a Hero—or at least, someone believed to be one—could actually be summoned.

Great men, celebrities, legends, myths. Characters from such things. Why are they called forth? No, why do such things even exist? A Heroic Spirit has meaning precisely because they do not exist. For such things to truly exist makes them entirely meaningless. If they exist as physical entities, no one can believe in them blindly.

For example, there is the Divinity Skill. To be clear, for Kirei and Christians in general, this is an impossible notion. Yahweh is the only God; there is no such thing as "divine bloodline" unrelated to Him. However, even if he were to overlook that—he was told that the blood relatives of those believed to be gods in other religions also exist as Heroic Spirits.

First, he gave a faint, mocking laugh. Ridiculous, he thought. He desperately suppressed his twitching lips and laughed as if it were a natural occurrence, as if it were nothing. Then, he thought it pathetic. And then, he cursed it.

What is God?

The one and only, omniscient and omnipotent Creator. A transcendent phenomenon that encompasses everything from the thinkable to the unimaginable. That is God. That must be God. God must be like that.

However, legends that should not exist were here. Myths that should be impossible had descended into the physical world as concrete entities.

Absurd. It shouldn't even be something to think about. At least, not for him.

Without realizing it, he had put strength into his hands. He focused on relaxing them and tried to concentrate on his prayer again. But it was nothing more than a futile effort. Once again, a mist settled over his heart.

Even if they were from other religions, the fact that they were defined as "gods" remained the same. They, too, had to be transcendent beings. However... God was proven. It had been proven that God is there. If that is the case, then does it not mean that God is, in fact, within sight of mere humans? Not a supernatural existence without shadow or form, but something else entirely.

—Stop. Someone inside his heart spoke.

Faith is something formless and unconditional. At its core is the unwritten rule that God cannot be understood and only shows the path. That is precisely why people do not doubt His existence and can believe blindly. That is why they are saved.

(That's right. God does not reach out his hand to me. That is because He is God equally to all things in the universe. A formless guide that leads everything).

However, if God were to exist... if He were to purely exist there...

Could that truly be called God? Could one continue their faith? The proof of God's existence is merely cruel... is it not simply despair? One could pray innocently precisely because He was everything and yet no one.

A God who can be seen and reached. Who would rejoice at such a thing? An idol beyond dreams, without shadow or form—is that not why one can seek salvation, curse the fact that they are not fulfilled, and thereby comfort themselves?

God shows only the path. However, even that was absent for him. And yet, he had at least been able to pity himself. If he were to learn that God is far closer to humans than he thought, what was he supposed to believe in?

(I had no emotions, and I could not feel empathy. My sensory structure is different from other humans... A clear defective product that should not exist in God's eyes.)

Until now, he had been able to think of it as a trial. A trial given equally to all things by God to find the meaning of life. But it wasn't. It truly was just a defect.

Pathetic. Sentimental. Deep in his heart, he had realized the world was like this. He had simply continued to deceive himself. Even if he noticed it, he could just continue living while praying in the same way. This time, praying to something other than God.

Suddenly, a lingering unease appeared in his chest. A single hope remained.

(Kiritsugu Emiya)

He ruminated on that name only within his heart. A man who might perhaps hold the same answer as himself.

It could be called a stroke of luck that he had learned a way to contact him. He didn't know the source of that information which had appeared out of nowhere, but it was likely some sabotage effort by another Master. Since he had no interest in the outcome of the Holy Grail War, it didn't matter if it was an act of sabotage against him. He immediately tried to contact him repeatedly, but unfortunately, it never turned into a proper conversation. Even when he went directly to Einzbern Castle, Saber would appear before he could even speak with the women who seemed to be Kiritsugu's entourage. He could obtain no useful information.

As long as he couldn't confirm that, no matter how small, there was still hope. At least, right up until the point where he was absolutely certain that there was no salvation for himself.

Until he could confirm it, no matter how small, there was still hope. At the very least, he was at the very brink of being certain that there was no salvation for him.

He abruptly stopped his prayer. It had degenerated into a mere habit, and he could no longer find the significance in continuing it.

He stood up smoothly and turned around. He stepped out into the external world, which was still dim and intensely cold. For a Master who had dropped out in name only to walk outside naturally carried a risk to his life. However, there was a reason he couldn't just give up and hide away in the Church.

During the middle of the previous night, he had received word from Tokiomi Tohsaka that he was heading to Einzbern Castle. Kirei had wanted to accompany him if possible, but he knew that would likely not be permitted. He also knew that Kiritsugu Emiya would likely not appear where people gathered.

And then, a short while later. Word came from Assassin that an abnormality seemed to have occurred with Tokiomi. Without understanding why, he tried to contact him, but there was no reply. Judging it to be an emergency, he activated a Command Spell. He tried to teleport Assassin to Tokiomi's side, but a priority order was issued before that. Without knowing what happened, Assassin was annihilated. For the remaining ones that likely existed, the "Path" (connection) was made extremely weak, and he couldn't even grasp how many were left.

He rushed to the location that seemed to be the scene, but there, only a single left arm was lying on the ground. Along with a slight residue of Mana, the person known as Tokiomi Tohsaka had vanished forever.

For the time being, he brought back the arm that had the Magic Crest and reported to his father that Tokiomi had likely died. After performing treatments to keep the arm from rotting, Risei collapsed. He seemed to age decades in an instant, looking pitifully weak. Kirei thought dispassionately that if left alone, he might die of old age just like that.

The supervisor of the Holy Grail War, the administrator of the church, having withdrawn, was no reason to abandon his responsibility. Although, since he was a participant in the Holy Grail War, he couldn't act as a supervisor in that capacity either. As a man of the Church, he had to at least find the culprit who killed Tokiomi Tohsaka.

He breathed in a cupful of cold air, absorbing vitality.

To be honest, it was a nuisance. It wasn't that he felt no debt of gratitude toward Tokiomi. However, they weren't close enough for him to investigate at the risk of his life during this period. If not for Risei's plea and his sense of duty, he certainly wouldn't have moved.

It was cold-hearted, perhaps. But Kirei could not understand gratitude, affection, anger at murder, or grief. Expecting him to act based on emotions he did not have was unreasonable.

After confirming his body was full of energy, Kirei began to run. Even if he was moving at a somewhat abnormal speed, there was no need to be so careful in the early dawn when few people were awake. Furthermore, since the path to his destination was full of deserted places, even being careful felt like a chore. Even if someone were to find him, it would merely look like he was running fast. Any number of excuses would work.

Once he shifted gears, his body operated nimbly. He passed behind the Church, went through a small grove, and reached a hill of low weeds. On the way, he encountered a river dividing the battlefield, but he simply crossed the bridge. There were no other places to pass, and surely he couldn't run on top of the water.

Making a slight detour, he began to run again.

He ran right along the edge of the forest, heading back to the scene.

The city was far away, like a miniature. He stopped in the forest where a few trees grew. It wasn't particularly deep.

He knelt. Yesterday, this place had been stained with blood. Now the ground had been overturned and covered with leaves; no trace of the brutality remained. The blood he had recovered confirmed it belonged to Tokiomi. In other words, however unlikely, the possibility that the arm alone was his could be dismissed.

It wasn't that he had hoped for Tokiomi's survival. He just thought that if he didn't have to consider troublesome "what-ifs," he could at least be grateful for that much. To whoever it was that killed Tokiomi.

For a while, he searched for magical traces. After confirming they did not exist, he looked up.

There were many things he had to think about. At the same time, many things he had to investigate.

While checking the sky, which had become somewhat brighter, he cast his gaze to the side. Through the gaps in the trees, he could see the silhouette of the city. In other words, it was not a very deep part of the forest.

"Why this location?"

If one were to avoid risks, this location was far too half-hearted. By committing the crime in such a shallow area, there was a possibility of being seen by a civilian. Even with a Bounded Field (Kekkai) erected, someone at a distance with sharp intuition might find it. The Bounded Fields used by magus are, after all, merely human techniques, far from omnipotent.

If they didn't want to be found by other Masters—specifically, the Einzberns—they should have stayed outside the forest. While it was far from the forest where the Einzbern castle stood, it was still a point of contact. Even without a full-scale Bounded Field, it wouldn't be strange to have devices to detect intrusion.

In other words, there were risks from both sides at this location. Going deeper or leaving the forest—either would be a wiser choice. What could be the reason for intentionally increasing the risk?

There were still problems.

"How did he kill Tokiomi-sensei? He shouldn't be an easy opponent..."

That man certainly possessed skills that could be called first-rate. At the very least, if Kirei were to compete with him in magecraft, he wouldn't have a one-in-ten-thousand chance of winning. Even if limited to combat, his win rate would be 50% at best. And if they fought, the surrounding area would turn into scorched earth.

He looked around. A useless act he didn't even need to confirm. Even after checking everything, there was no strange sight. The silence characteristic of a forest remained there as always.

(The opponent neutralized Tokiomi-sensei in an instant. Or, he launched a surprise attack during a gap in his reconnaissance...)

A person going to a place that could potentially become a battlefield would surely not fail to be on guard. Naturally, he should have deployed at least one search-type magecraft. The magecraft used by a first-rate magus, even if used casually, cannot be underestimated. Though improvised, if used seriously, it would be nearly impossible to do anything about it.

To put it mildly, it was not the work of a human. He laughed it off as absurd.

"If someone can do that, they could even fight a Servant..."

Someone like those with divine blood. Or someone who had touched the divine. Someone who had transcended normal limits.

Thinking that way, perhaps it wasn't such a big deal. A magus who was just a little beyond human could fight on even terms. Though amazing, they weren't at some great height. He was made to think it was merely that much. He didn't know who that thought was directed toward.

He stood up and lightly brushed off the leaves stuck to his fingers. Even if he continued to stare down the ground, there was nothing more to be gained.

(Assuming such a formidable magus existed. What was the motive for killing Tokiomi-sensei? If they said they wanted to fight a Servant, that would be a simple explanation.)

But that wouldn't be the case.

Instead of doing something as roundabout as killing Tokiomi, they could just go and fight normally. If they did that, they would be killed without mercy. It wouldn't be a reason for doing this. Conversely, they would only be ganged up on by Masters who feared an attack after dropping out.

Furthermore, the inexplicable actions taken by Assassin afterward couldn't be explained either. He did something with the high-priority Command Spell that Tokiomi held. He could predict that much, but he couldn't guess what more there was to it.

Well, this was fine. It was just an absurd hypothesis, no different from a delusion.

That said, the possibility that seemed most likely was itself quite pathetic.

(The attacker was someone Tokiomi-sensei knew. A general term, an old acquaintance... plus maybe one other factor. With this, they induced a lapse in guard and a lack of concentration, and finished him off.)

This would at least explain the reason the location was here. One reason was that without any significant use of magecraft, the risks from both sides were minimized. Another was that they had no leeway and couldn't choose the location.

If one wants to induce a lapse in guard, they must not deploy any grand magecraft. And a person who was forced to kill Tokiomi during the Holy Grail War would surely have no leeway. They had crossed an extremely dangerous bridge and moved in a direction to gain benefit. Indeed, if one had Tokiomi's current situation and a certain amount of information about the Servants, they would think it was an unparalleled opportunity. And then, the biggest problem remained.

Who was that opponent?

Magus are exclusive beings. They are also self-centered beings. There are hardly any Magi who could be called friendly. And Kirei is one of the few acquaintances Tokiomi had.

Therefore, the number of people who could approach without being greatly suspected is limited. If he filtered that list to include people with the skill to ambush Tokiomi and then further filtered it to those who would actually execute it, there would be no one left.

(What a nuisance.)

He sighed, resting his head on his fingers. If he didn't, he felt he would lean over listlessly. Especially considering the possibilities he was about to entertain.

He lowered the probability one notch. That is, he removed the part about 'someone likely to execute it.' This narrowed it down to those with the capability to execute it. Naturally, Kotomine Kirei was among them. Well, the possibility of that would require the premise that Kotomine suffered from acute sleepwalking, and even in that state, could exhibit full cognitive and combat ability.

Doing so, the prime suspect that emerged was Zouken Matou.

Naturally, there was the question of whether that old man truly had the possibility. The monster known as Zouken that Kirei knew was cautious to an extreme. To the point where he might miss an opportunity because of it.

Suddenly, he remembered. A fact he had learned while handling the aftermath at the Matou estate. Hadn't Sakura Matou been abducted and Kariya Matou fled? But they were merely a failure and an adoptee; it didn't seem like a fatal blow. At least, it wouldn't be a reason to be cornered, nor would it be a reason to lay hands on Tokiomi.

But it wasn't as if he had any other leads. For now, he would have to at least try to question him. Naturally, while remaining on maximum alert.

Kirei's skills as an Executor (Daikousha) were fatal to Zouken Matou. If he knew Kirei was armed, he wouldn't try anything foolish.

And then, a new question.

"Now that I think about it, where is Zouken now?"

He didn't recall contacting him after the collapse of the Matou estate. That was because he couldn't afford to spend that much effort on someone who wasn't even a participant in the Holy Grail War. To think that would backfire now.

While thinking for a while about ways to contact Zouken—from normal contact to luring him out with threats—he suddenly realized.

“How trite, how stupid. Anyone who knows reality would dismiss this as nonsense—like a detective novel. The culprit would never use a trick; the more complicated the plan, the more clues it leaves. The kind of ‘realism’ that is actually unrealistic. Meaningless and absurd.”

He slowly lowered his arms. He didn't relax. He slightly bent his joints so that he could perform the optimal and fastest action, whether extending or retracting. Likewise, he bent his knees. The slight hunch was to increase his defensive strength in an emergency. Naturally, these are not parts of the human body that should take an attack, but they are still far more reliable than taking a direct hit to the abdomen.

He quickly scanned his surroundings. The scene was identical to before. However, the air hanging there had subtly changed.

"I feel like there was a maxim or a joke about the culprit returning to the scene of the crime, but to think there was actually a fool who would execute that."

"Then the answer is simple, isn't it? It's not that I returned without meaning, but that I had a clear intention. For example, to make contact with someone trying to investigate this incident."

Kikikiki— an unpleasant sound echoed. A raspy, cracked voice, different from an electronic sound over a speaker. It wasn't one he was used to hearing, but it wasn't as if he had never heard it. It was the voice of that monster parasitic on magecraft known as Zouken.

He concentrated his nerves, making sure not to overlook even the rustling of leaves. However, he couldn't grasp the opponent's position. Most likely, only a Familiar (Tsukaima) or something was present here. That was natural.

However, the nature of a magus is such that one must not let their guard down just because they aren't physically present. He gripped the ungainly hilts of swords in both hands. Without even needing to concentrate, simply as an extension of his movements, mana was flowed into them. They extended in an instant, reaching the length of general longswords. They were known as Black Keys (Kokken), the representative miracle held by Executors. That said, it was hard to say they were easy to handle, and few people used them seriously.

He didn't know how useful the Black Keys would be in this place with many obstacles. But it would be better than touching something directly.

"Now, Zouken Matou. I'll ask you directly. Did you kill Tokiomi Tohsaka?"

"I-It wasn't me, believe me! ...If I said that, would you believe me?"

Kikiki— another sound like a mocking laugh. There was no way it wasn't unpleasant. But if this truly was Zouken Matou, he had no leeway to care about that.

He took that roundabout response as an affirmation and increased his level of alertness further. A single insect was caught in his search spell, which he had increased in precision. As expected, it seemed he was only watching through a familiar.

"Why did you commit such a foolish act? Without justification, I shall make you a target for subjugation."

"Hoho... that sounds as if you're saying if there were justification, you wouldn't subjugate me."

Kirei replied calmly to the taunting voice.

"That is what I'm saying. If such a thing exists."

To that reply—for some reason, a laughter echoed as if he found it irresistibly interesting. It was the same tone as always, meaning it should have been unpleasant. However, for some reason, he could not derive any emotion from it.

"Interesting. Very interesting, Kotomine Kirei."

"Is the glint of the sword that will pierce you so amusing?"

It wasn't a very meaningful retort, but he made it anyway. If the conversation lasted longer, he might be able to trace the main body back from the familiar. Since their original abilities were different, the possibility was extremely low.

He cast a glance at the miracle that dwelt like steel. The power of the sword, down to its reflecting luster, was no different from before. If one believes the Church's claims, these blades can be created because one has faith in God. It existed naturally even now, when his faith was wavering. It was natural. Such things were merely a magical reaction. God never had any power over this from the beginning. It was utterly trite. Just as trite as questioning Zouken while holding this stance.

For a moment, he even doubted what he believed and what he was doing—but he quickly regained his composure. This was not a question of belief. It was simply a matter of duty.

"You said that if I had a just cause, you would not exterminate me and would stand aside, did you not? Without seeking revenge for your teacher."

"...What are you trying to say? That is just common sense."

"Ku, hahahaha! You truly do not understand! Humans are not such creatures. They are beings that possess reason yet prioritize emotion—in a sense, the closest to God and yet the most animalistic of beings. There is no one in this world, no human, who would withdraw due to 'reason' when a benefactor, a family member, or a sibling has died!"

Creak. He felt as if something had made a sound. Even if he didn't know where, he could understand that it was important and fatal for him.

There was no need to listen. Since no information could be gained, he should just crush the insect and switch to searching for Zouken Matou. Since he knew the culprit, he had to go to the Matou estate from here and investigate for traces. Since the Holy Grail War was still being conducted normally, there was little time he could spend on searching. He shouldn't have any leeway for unnecessary things.

However, no matter what. He couldn't bring himself to interrupt those words.

"What do you know?"

"What? I don't know much. At most, just the information I succeeded in extracting from that Tohsaka brat. Even with just that much, I can tell you are broken. Like a machine, no emotion is involved in your actions. To begin with, it even looks as if such a thing 'doesn't exist.' Kah-hah."

—I've been seen through. For the first time.

Until now, his mentor, his colleagues, his superior, his father, and even his deceased wife had not noticed the truth unless he confessed it himself. This old man said he had seen through it from the slight knowledge he had snatched from Tokiomi.

Was that truly it? Had he found what no one else had noticed? It wasn't a story that could be easily believed. However, even while holding the Black Keys, Kirei no longer felt like attacking.

"That fellow was poor at understanding human subtleties. For better or worse, he was magus-like, but it seems he had become dull from that. Such a simple thing... he didn't even notice that his own disciple didn't hold respect for him in the true sense of the word. How comical."

The insect-like, grating laughter wouldn't stop. However, that which had been clinging to his brain until just now passed through like a lie. The only object of his concentration was Zouken's words.

"—Absurd. Is that all you have to say?"

No. That wasn't what he wanted to say.

But Zouken, as if seeing right through him—no, he was seeing right through him—continued with a leisurely laugh.

"What is it, do you have some reason to hurry me? There is always a hesitation in your actions. Not doubt, but hesitation. As if you were groping for something that should naturally be there."

It was easy to deny. He was used to deceiving his heart. He had always done so. However, what meaning would there be in doing that here? The reason for doing that even at the cost of crushing an opportunity to know himself.

In fact, Kirei was fascinated by those words. That was likely exactly as Zouken intended. Even so, he couldn't stop. Before the "answer" he had searched for throughout his life, everything else grew hazy. To the point where duty, mission, and everything else vanished. Like an uncertain god being weathered away.

"That is only natural. A vessel is not something one can peer into just because they try. Especially for someone like you..."

"Stop stalling."

"You won't even try to cover it up anymore? Kah-hah."

Zouken grinned. Even without seeing his face, Kirei could clearly sense that the man was ecstatic.

Out of frustration, he gripped his fingers tighter. If he was tensed in such a pathetic way, combat was entirely impossible. However, even that didn't matter anymore.

"To begin with, you have misunderstood your own vessel. Seeking understanding? Human-like emotions? Your own humanity? All of it is such a misunderstanding that it makes my sides split!"

He mocked him. Likely with the kind of mockery meant to insult him. It didn't matter. If he wanted to laugh, let him. After all, the organs for feeling such things did not exist.

The answer. His heart sang out with all its might, simply seeking it. He didn't care about the content; all he wanted was a simple answer. Most primordially, most ultimately. He wanted to know "who" he was.

"—There is nothing in you."

"...What?"

"Did you not hear me? I am saying your vessel is simply a Void."

Utterly joyfully.

Zouken said, while laughing.

That there was nothing in Kirei Kotomine.

"What, why do you look so surprised? Human emotion is the repetition of experience and reaction. What is 'human' is something that gradually accumulates in that way. Whether the bottom of the vessel has fallen out, or whether it cannot accumulate... you are a natural defective product."

The Black Keys tumbled to the ground. His fingers were trembling. Even the sounds in the forest had vanished. The light filtering through the gaps in the trees felt like an invitation to eternal darkness.

Void—in other words, a virtual image. A hologram. Existing yet absent. Emptiness. A dish that is only a vessel. A severed floor. And—himself.

Ambiguous, vague, clouded, and lost. Something that exists is not there. Something that is only a form because it exists. Yes, it was just like... for example, like God. Not the one that humans had come to reach, now covered in fingerprints and greed. The one that was only the vessel of God in a dream long ago. Not even Yahweh or Christ, just a receptacle for a concept.

It was just like—

"You are merely a doll. Even that which you thought was your own will is nothing more than a mimicry of someone, of something. You who possess only a false self can, after all, be nothing more than a receptacle for someone else."

He had been seeking the answer. What had begun at some unknown point had, before he realized it, grown to the point where he pursued only that. Perhaps, not knowing forward or backward, he had been moving as if pushing aside a mist.

However, this was the end of that. Here was the finish line. He had been able to learn his own nature. A reaction device that was merely a Void, a dry dish.

Zouken was still saying something. However, to Kirei, it no longer mattered.

He didn't know if that answer was what he had been seeking. No, it likely was what he had been seeking. Because that is what a reaction is. Neither right nor wrong, good nor evil, pros nor cons, he accepted it as it was. This feeling might be what it's like to be refreshed. There was no longer any need to worry. After this, what he had to do was decided.

He simply had to fill it. His own vessel. Fortunately, he possessed that which would more than fill his vessel.

"Now, Kotomine Kirei. I shall require your cooperation."

Words full of self-confidence, without a single doubt of failure.

Kirei's reaction could even be called cold. Simply with utter dispassion, he confirmed that Zouken was still there. For him, Zouken was already something without any value. However,

"Very well."

He answered.

Likely, this would be necessary. This old man was important for obtaining the final piece he sought. Something else said so.

He began to walk, following behind the crawling, moving insects.

His heart throbbed. It was a first-time experience. Finally, he had been able to know himself. After this, he only had to pursue it. When he obtained it, surely that would be the time he could feel true emotion.

Keeping that certainty within his heart, he praised the "content" that filled his vessel, all alone.

---

It was something obvious from the start. Well, it’s not like I’m any good at searching, anyway.

I did stop by the Kotomine Church (I only saw it from afar, didn't go inside), but the only one I could confirm was the father; naturally, Kirei was nowhere to be found. Seeing Risei Kotomine’s haggard state, I might even need to consider the possibility that Kirei has already been dealt with. I looked for Tokiomi as well, but he wasn't at the mansion either. Well, since Kirei is Tokiomi's lifeline, it wouldn't be strange if he were out searching too.

First off, the possibility that Kirei himself ordered this is almost zero. For them, there is nothing but disadvantage. Originally, they had the trump card known as Archer. But that’s gone now, and they have to use Assassin, even if he's a somewhat weaker ace. In such a state, no one would think to simply throw Assassin away.

Then, there’s the possibility that Kirei was defeated. The top candidate for that would be Kiritsugu, but frankly, I don't think he’d want to make contact with Kirei. From his perspective, Kirei is just a completely deranged stalker. If I were being followed by someone like that, I’d either run or kill them—I certainly wouldn't get close.

It’s also possible that Kariya used Berserker to eliminate him. If that were the case—setting aside whether they could actually encounter him—they could almost certainly finish Kirei off. But that still doesn't explain the reason to crush Assassin. Kiritsugu, who likely gave Kariya the order, would want Assassin for himself. If he used Saber to pin down a Servant while he and Assassin went for the assassination, he could kill any Master other than Sakura. He would surely try to pull Assassin into his own camp.

I reconsider the slim possibility that Kirei and Tokiomi were eliminated at the same time. Tokiomi wasn't hiding the fact that he was going to Einzbern Castle. If someone was planning to make contact with me, that scenario is also possible.

Well, these are all just low-credibility guesses.

The reason I’m wandering around town like this is to find some kind of hint. Even so, it’s only slightly better than doing nothing at all.

"Archer, did you find anything?"

"I’m seeing the same things you are."

So, well. It’s fine that Lancer is following me. Actually, it’s not fine.

Kayneth has turned his Workshop into a fortress and begun analyzing the "fragment of the Grail." At that time, I lent him a few Noble Phantasms to make up for the tools he lacked. The gleam in his eyes was truly irritating. It even made me consider the possibility that he might not return my Noble Phantasms. Well, even if that were to happen, I could retrieve them whenever I wished. In any case, we’ve moved onto what is, in a sense, the main subject: creating the ritual formula for extracting Angra Mainyu. Since this requires a Magus's skill, Lancer is useless for it. Kayneth must have thought it was better to have him exploring outside than to let a combat asset sit idle. There was likely also a hidden motive to keep him away from Sola-Ui.

By the way, Lancer can return in a few minutes from anywhere in the city if he runs at full speed. He says he's faster than Vimana for a short burst if he ignores the strain—which is quite terrifying. He doesn't hold the title of “Fastest” for nothing. Currently, Kayneth's workshop has enhanced its search capabilities and will not allow a surprise attack like last time. This is also one of the reasons he is exploring away from the base.

“Don’t say that. With all this commotion, we might miss something. Ah, sorry, but I’ve got things to do. Can’t keep you company.”

“Do you realize half of this is your fault? I’ll take it, so hurry up and hand it over.”

It was a pedestrian street, one road away from the main thoroughfare. Instead of a large department store, it was lined with small, stylish, privately-owned shops. And it was just before noon. In short, there were a lot of people.

On the right, women of all ages swarmed in piles; on the left, a crowd of people bowed their heads as if they were in a cult. It was less of a joke and more of a nightmare. To think I was at the center of it—honestly, it was a miracle the police hadn't been called.

"It’s quite a sight when you two are together..."

“It’s chaos...”

“That’s not something the cause of this should be saying, you know.”

The person who spoke from behind was the reason why the two Servants who absolutely shouldn't be brought into a crowd were dragged out.

Lancer following me is fine. We’re allies, and he can act as a shield if needed. But Rider tagging along is just plain annoying. Case in point: he’s causing trouble right now.

Initially, we were concentrating our search on the outskirts of the city. Even there, the area was too vast, so it was barely more than an extended walk. Unfortunately, this Master and Servant pair found us there. I couldn't exactly cause a scene in the middle of the day, and naturally, I had no intention of letting them join. The best outcome would have been for us to just separate, but for some reason, Rider started insisting on coming along.

Honestly, I hated it. However, when Lancer suggested it would be better to keep an eye on Rider's actions, I couldn't think of a reason to object. He's not the type to scheme if left alone, but there's a different kind of fear in not knowing what he might do. Certainly, keeping him in sight provided a sense of security.

And before I knew it, I’d been talked into entering the city—ending up in this mess.

“To make people submit to you just by existing... Hmm, quite impressive.”

"What do you mean ‘impressive’? You’re the one who caused it in the first place."

I glared at him fiercely. But Rider, the man himself, looked utterly clueless as to what the problem was.

"People are just gathering, aren't they? Is there a problem?"

"Did you even listen to why we came out to the city? Besides, I hate this kind of thing..."

Even if I told him, he wouldn't understand. I gave up and snatched the "offerings" being handed to me. Since I didn't specify what I wanted, the offerings were varied. Still, since most of what was passed were documents, the fact that I could store them in the treasury without being noticed was a saving grace.

“I’m surprised. So you have things you dislike, too.”

I wondered what he was talking about with that genuinely surprised look, but then I remembered. They were heroes, no doubt about it. Drawing attention was an utterly ordinary part of their daily life. In fact, Lancer's way of politely turning away the women was very practiced. Waver looked deeply uncomfortable, whereas Rider was completely at ease. I wasn't as bad as Waver, but it wasn't a comfortable space.

"It’s a pain."

“Ah, that fits your nature. Somewhat easily bored, or perhaps not one for things that last.”

Rider casually agreed to my casual remark. His gaze was constantly darting around, taking in the surroundings. The conversation was secondary; the main point was simply enjoying the modern era. Naturally, the truth about Assassin was nothing more than a trivial matter to him.

Letting out a sigh, I surveyed the surroundings. Even ignoring the people who voluntarily gathered, there were still too many. I wouldn't be able to accomplish any of my goals here.

Rider was behind me, and next to him, naturally, was Waver.

Skill performance can sometimes be interpreted broadly. For example, the reason Saber was the first to notice the hidden Assassin while other Servants did not was likely because her Instinct triggered the moment he hid, treating the area as a combat field. In my case, it was simply because of Gilgamesh's power.

Among Rider’s skills, Military Tactics exists at Rank B. This provides an advantageous check against Noble Phantasms that target multiple people or a wide area. In the original story, when he took Saber’s Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm, his chariot was blown away but he survived; this skill likely played a part. Well, there’s the mystery of why Saber’s Instinct A didn't let her land a direct hit, but that’s another matter.

It can be rephrased as an "Instinct" skill limited to specific situations. Its activation conditions are being on a battlefield and involving multiple people or two or more targets.

With the four of us here now, if I were thinking of killing Waver the moment I saw an opening, Rider has the ability to create a situation where I cannot. Likely even unconsciously.

If Rider had been eliminated here, the Holy Grail War will become much easier. Skill modifiers are truly troublesome. They aren't as flashy as Noble Phantasms, but they do good work in key moments. For better or worse.

Well, if I think about it positively: with Kayneth currently possessing the fragment of the Grail, it’s not ideal for major changes to occur. If things go wrong, it could affect the analysis. There’s no rush, and in a one-on-one, I almost certainly won't lose. Knowing when to quit is key.

"We won't find anything like this. Let’s go inside somewhere."

"Let’s do that. This is the first time I've been this tired just walking outside..."

Waver’s voice, full of exhaustion, backed me up. Since he’s likely the least accustomed to this situation, it’s only natural.

“Oh, that’s a fine idea. Speaking of which, isn’t it almost lunchtime? I’d love to eat something truly delicious.”

“Rider... we don’t need to eat, you know?”

"Listen, Lancer. Just because we don't need to doesn't mean it’s bad to eat. We’ve finally manifested in this world; what’s the point if we don't enjoy a meal? So, Archer. Do you know any good places?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"Because you clearly know the modern era best. Don't you have anything?"

"If you want something fancy, you’ll need a reservation or it’ll take time. If we just go somewhere nearby, they’re all about the same. Anywhere we can relax is fine, isn't it?"

Fortunately, it was still before the lunch rush. Any typical shop wouldn't make us wait too long.

"That’s a shame. Hmm, since we’re here, I want to try this country's cuisine. Alright, let’s go there."

As he spoke, he strode past us. Waver followed in a panic. Even if they weren't in combat, with two enemy Servants present, he knew it was bad to be separated.

Ignoring my own situation, Lancer's female followers seemed ready to be angry about the interruption. But while they looked like they had complaints, none of them could voice them. Everyone who looked directly at Rider immediately gasped. As expected of someone with monstrous A-Rank Charisma.

Originally, I was supposed to have Charisma Rank A+ as well. When I think about that combined with Golden Rule... it’s so terrifying I don't even want to think about it.

The restaurant Rider chose was, by some strange twist of fate, an Okonomiyaki shop. I didn't know if it was the same one from the original story, but it was a very "Rider-like" choice.

Just by entering the shop, we caused a scene. Even discounting Charisma and the Concealment skill, we were a group of four foreigners, including two handsome men and one giant. Of course, anyone would be startled if a group like that suddenly walked in.

I forcibly conveyed to the frozen waiter that we were four people and preferred a private tatami room (zashiki). The flustered employee rebooted and led us to the back—the innermost spot, secluded from prying eyes. Surprisingly considerate, which mildly surprised me.

“You’re used to this.”

"I just do as I please."

I replied without minding the voice that sounded exasperated.

Lancer probably didn't mean it as a criticism. For him, the mindset of "training over entertainment" likely comes first. That kind of inflexibility is probably why he doesn't mesh well with Kayneth. Even if I pointed it out... well, it wouldn't change. His strictness with himself is like a law of nature.

Taking off my shoes, I took a seat at the back of the room. Naturally, Lancer was next to me. The Rider pair sat across from us.

I reconfirmed our positions. Both my back and the opposite side were walls. Not just partitions, but a solid, independent room. The only place visible to others was the hallway side, unless we intentionally hid. And even that hallway led only to an emergency exit, meaning there was little foot traffic. The back of the hallway was a wall, or rather, the kitchen. I had seen the counter seats on the way in. If I just kept the curious part-timers away with a glare, we could exchange some information, even if we couldn't have a grand discussion.

"Ah, this looks delicious! Hmm, but this one’s hard to pass up too… What an intriguing dish. It’s giving me quite the dilemma."

“H-hey, Rider! We don't have that much money on us!”

"What nonsense are you spouting, boy? This is Archer’s treat."

“Huh!?”

Waver, who had let out a strange cry, looked at me.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

I gave a half-hearted answer while looking at the man next to me who was monopolizing the menu. He was scrutinizing every single item with an overly serious expression. It was bothersome. This guy, it turns out, was the type who could never decide when out for a meal.

Giving up quickly on him ever deciding, I took out the laminated side-menu list. Naturally, there weren't many rare drinks. I decided on the safe choice of Oolong tea and quickly put it back.

“But, are you sure?”

"Doesn’t matter."

Lancer obviously has no modern currency, so it was natural I’d be paying. Even the clothes he was wearing came from my pocket. And I had no expectations of financial contribution from people living by sneaking into a commoner's house. Thinking about it rationally, Masters aren’t the type to be carrying large sums of cash anyway. If they had that kind of wealth, they’d have already spent it all on preparations before the Holy Grail War began. At the very least, they wouldn’t have cash to waste on luxury dining. I was the only one with that luxury.

Besides, I was the one who invited them. Knowing they had no money, I wouldn't be stingy after being the one to suggest it.

"But..."

"Then can you pay? It looks like that big guy over there intends to order without restraint."

"Urgh."

He stifled his breath immediately. Since he had just hinted at being broke, this was the natural outcome.

However, I glanced to the side. Unlike Rider, who was trying to order a mountain of things, Lancer hadn't even decided on his first item. "That one, no, this one..." he muttered, clearly having no intention of letting go of the menu.

If I waited for him, the meal would never start. Especially since the lunch rush was about to start and people would be pouring in.

I thought about waiting, but then decided against it and pressed the call button. If I wait, nothing will happen, so what's the point of wasting more time?

“Hey, Archer, aren’t you a little too impatient?”

“That’s right. I haven’t decided on my order yet!”

“…Just pick your drinks first, you buffoons.”

I threw the drink and appetizer menu at Waver. He caught it in a panic and immediately started looking for something to drink.

At this moment, the fact that I didn’t punch Lancer in the face deserved some kind of award.

He was complaining when we first entered, but now he's already gotten used to it. I wonder if cuisine has some power to make Servants act strange. ...Well, I can't say I don't understand the feeling. Japanese people's obsession with food is abnormal. There are times when even a convenience store bento tastes delicious after returning from overseas.

The middle-aged staff member—probably the manager or floor leader—approached and bowed deeply. It was about the earlier stares from the staff. Rude, sure, but given our circumstances, I didn’t mind.

"I shall have this ‘lemon squash’!"

"I’ll take iced coffee."

"Cola for me."

“Oolong tea, and...”

Lightly tapping the menu that Lancer was still holding with the back of my finger, I said,

“Everything.”

“...Huh?”

The (provisional) manager, whose expression had been amicable, returned to a blank face and asked again. I tapped the menu again and repeated myself.

"I mean everything except the drinks. Bring them out as they’re ready."

“O-oh, yes. Please wait a moment.”

He rapidly tapped the handheld device in his hands. He was confused at first, but he must be a professional, as he quickly recovered. In that regard, the Servants and Masters were lagging—they were still stunned.

“How would you like the toppings?”

“Bring them separately.”

“Understood.”

Once he had adapted, he finished taking the order fluidly. After turning on the hot plate on his way out, the manager left.

“Mumumu, what a magnificent order. I can't let myself be outdone!!”

“What do you mean, ‘Mumumu’? I wasn't challenging you.”

“Your sense of competition is completely misplaced...”

Rider smiled widely, and yet, for some reason, he was shooting me a challenging glare. He truly loves grand gestures.

"But I see… ‘Everything,’ huh. So that’s an option too."

“Hey, cut it out!. Don't you dare do that if I'm paying! You hear me? Absolutely not!!!”

“Is that what they call a ‘setup’?”

“No, it's not! Where the hell did you even learn that…?”

Waver clutched his head at Rider's behavior, sending me a look that said, "Look at the extra trouble you've taught him." But whatever way he orders next time is none of my business. I casually deflected the look.

“As grand and extravagant as ever, or maybe just lazy. That must be your nature.”

Lancer handed me the menu with a resigned tone. I took it and, while dealing with a feeling of immense dissatisfaction, put it back in its stand.

To begin with, the reason I ordered everything was because of someone who couldn't stop agonizing over what to pick. If you want to say I'm reckless with money, I'll admit it. My sense of money is warped to a surprising degree. But regarding this matter, I didn't want to hear it from the guy who had almost forgotten his purpose.

...It's a bit late for this, but Lancer might be somewhat useless outside of combat.

“Thank you for waiting, customers.”

It wasn't a long wait. The manager from before returned with a tray full of items. He set the food down, went to get more, and repeated the process. The mountains of okonomiyaki dough and toppings that were continuously placed on the table were quite a sight. If the table hadn't been a six-seater, we would have had trouble finding space. And this wasn't even everything yet.

After neatly lining everything up on the table, he finally placed a sheet of paper with instructions on how to cook.

“Customers, since you have a large order, we can cook it for you here if you’d prefer, but how would you like to proceed?”

"Hmm? Isn’t the fun in cooking it yourself? No need!"

I was about to ask him to do it, but Rider refused first. I could have called him back and asked, but it wasn't worth making a scene. It would take time, but it wouldn't change much, so I gave up.

Lancer and Rider were already reading the paper intensely and began cooking. Their expressions were so serious that it made me feel a bit sad for the Holy Grail War. Leaving the okonomiyaki to cook on the iron plate, I picked up some appetizers. I secured the hiyayakko (cold tofu). Well, they're all similar. Since the items that don't need heat are brought out first, they're basically all cold.

Listening to the sound of the batter cooking—not a very loud sound—I began to break apart the tofu bit by bit.

"...Geez, can you really finish all of this after ordering so much?"

"It'll be fine."

Waver, across from me, had looked dissatisfied. He probably didn't expect a response to his grumbling mutter. He was visibly startled by my voice.

I didn't answer for any particular reason. It's normal for Servants to talk. But the other two were so serious about the okonomiyaki that I couldn't speak to them. So, my response was just a whim to kill time, nothing more.

"What do you mean 'fine'? How?"

Waver asked with a mix of fear and curiosity. In fact, since I had been looking for a chance to kill him, his caution was correct.

"Simply put, we can use magical energy to digest food. Well, if we fill our stomachs, we'll feel full, and whether we want to eat that much is a separate issue."

When comparing the magical energy consumed for digestion and the magical energy gained from it, the amount gained is higher. Eating in large quantities to ingest magical energy was not impossible. However, since the difference in expenditure isn't significant, the efficiency is terrible. At the very least, it wasn't a method one would choose to do.

"Heh, I see... Hmm? If that's the case, can you decompose anything with magical energy?"

"That's impossible. What we can decompose is limited strictly to food."

I don't fully understand this either, but according to the Grail's knowledge, that's how it works. For instance, even if I ate a random stone, I couldn't digest it. The designation is strictly limited to things classified as food. Since Servants are non-biological entities, you'd think any object would suffice, but what's impossible is impossible. I don't mind, though. There will absolutely never be an opportunity to do something like that, and I won't allow one.

"Even if it were possible, no Servant would do it. Do you think there’s a Master out there who would use a Command Spell to order their Servant to 'eat all the trees growing around here'?"

"Ah... true, that’s impossible. They’d definitely get killed."

I flipped the okonomiyaki once the surface began to bubble. Rider and the others seemed to have gotten the hang of it and were examining which toppings to put into the next batch. They were truly enjoying themselves.

Even if Servants are non-living, they haven't lost their human senses. If we had lost our sense of taste and touch, there might not have been much resistance. Unfortunately, everything from our previous lives is perfectly intact. How many Heroic Spirits would not be enraged if told to eat whatever is around for the sake of magical energy? At the very least, I would break the contract immediately.

I sprinkled sauce and bonito flakes over the cooked okonomiyaki. I'm not used to eating it, so I just did it randomly. When I took a bite, it was better than expected. This shop was a good choice.

I quickly finished the first one and dropped the next patty onto the hot plate. No toppings this time. There's no need to take away the fun of toppings from those who are looking forward to them, and I prefer the plain version anyway.

More of the remaining food arrived mid-meal. By that time, the restaurant had become quite noisy.

“Hey, Archer, and Lancer. I have something I’d like to discuss.”

Having filled his stomach a bit, Rider spoke up, seemingly having some leeway. Still, he didn't let go of his spatula—impressive.

I had half-expected this. No matter how much of a hedonist Rider is, he wouldn't have called out to us just to play. He was in a state where his Master could be killed at any moment. There had to be a reason and a purpose.

Well, judging by his behavior, enjoying the modern era and the food was also part of his purpose.

“Would the two of you be willing to form an alliance with me?”

"No."

I said it with a firm attitude even while poking at my yakisoba. Before Lancer or Waver could even open their mouths.

"Hmm," Rider pondered, flipping the spatula in his right hand. With unnecessarily precise movements, he flipped the okonomiyaki. The one that had grown 30% in volume due to too many toppings let out a quiet sizzle in the silence.

"I shall ask for your reason."

"There is no merit in teaming up with you. Not in your abilities, nor your Master's."

Waver was the one who flinched at the harsh words. I felt bad for using him as a comparison. To say Rider is weak is essentially saying his Master’s magical energy supply is low. Even without that, there is a heaven-and-earth difference between him and Kayneth as Magi.

"Hmm... though I say it myself, I believe I am strong."

"You know that's not what I'm talking about, right?"

"Well, I suppose so..."

"What do you mean, Rider?"

Waver asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

“Boy, among Saber, Lancer, and Archer, who do you think I’d choose to ally with?”

“Huh? Wouldn't it be Archer? No matter how you look at it, he’s got the highest specs.”

“Wrong. The ones I need are Saber or Lancer.”

Waver still looked puzzled. Well, that's natural. This is something you can't truly understand unless you experience it. Even I don't feel I absolutely need him, but having Lancer here makes a world of difference in terms of security.

“What types like me and Archer require is someone who can act as a shield. Only with a tough, sturdy defense and the power to halt the enemy’s advance can our firepower truly be utilized.”

“In game terms, he and I are the backline. I wouldn’t say two backline members are weak... but compared to having a balanced frontline and backline, it's not even a comparison.”

Suppose I teamed up with Rider. The only strategy we could take would be a continuous area suppression. Between me firing from a distance and Rider repeated charging, there's no other way to fight. If we fought while worrying about hitting or being hit by each other, if the enemy were strong, it might actually make things easier for them.

On the other hand, if I ally with a frontline Servant, I just have to shoot into the momentary opening created when the enemy is pinned down. There's no need for careful coordination, and the security of not being attacked allows for precise shooting. For Rider, too, the only difference is that his “shot” is a chariot charge, but the action is the same. Furthermore, even if the enemy is hiding somewhere, I can smoke them out, and the frontline Servant can finish them. With Rider, however, that just degrades into meaningless destructive activity based on the hope of an accidental discovery.

The only exception is the combination of Ionioi Hetairoi (Army of the King) and Gate of Babylon (Treasure of the King). I can imagine that combination being powerful. But even that wouldn't be much different from me firing directly from the Gate of Babylon. There's no merit for me.

In terms of combat and everything else, this is simply the most meaningless combination to form an alliance with.

“But that’s not a reason why Rider wouldn’t be necessary, is it? At least until you’ve defeated Saber and Berserker.”

There was pure doubt in Waver's question, but more than that, his face showed that he didn't like being told Rider wasn't needed. After all, the closest Master-Servant pair is right here.

"The main reason I teamed up with Lancer is because his Master was Kayneth."

I saw him flinch slightly at the name of the person he dislikes most. But he recovered quickly. Considering the incident at Einzbern Castle, he’s grown quite a spine.

"What I really needed was a capable Magus. I'm glad Lancer was Kayneth's Servant... but even if he hadn't been, I would still have proposed an alliance."

"And that relates to the 'abnormality' of the Holy Grail?"

His gaze was sharp and filled with certainty rather than doubt. Well, after saying this much, he’d figure it out. Besides, I didn't think subtle deception would work on Rider anyway.

Clack—the sound came from the spatula still in Rider’s hand. He cut the jumbled mess of okonomiyaki into four equal parts and, with a practiced hand, sprinkled sauce and bonito flakes. He slid them over to us, whose hands had stopped moving. The Servants ate normally, but Waver’s face was turning pale. He must have overeaten. Hang in there. I'm not helping.

"Archer, what exactly is this 'abnormality' of the Holy Grail?"

“I told you I have no definitive proof.”

"But you have a guess. Speak it. My Master is involved too; I won't let you say it doesn't concern us."

Lancer was reheating some fried chicken on the iron plate, but his gaze was serious. It was just a step away from hostility.

His Master already knew the situation. But from the perspective of a protector, he couldn't believe it without knowing the circumstances.

"You've heard that the Holy Grail is supposed to be colorless, right?"

"Yeah, my Master mumbled something about that the other day. I didn't really get what it meant."

"I don't fully understand it either. Well, even if you don't get it, just think of it as water."

As I spoke, I held out a glass. It contained ordinary tap water.

Waver, a Magus himself, leaned forward with the most interest. Despite his pale complexion, he was concentrating intensely. He seemed to be the type to finish what was served, as he no longer had any okonomiyaki in front of him.

But because he finished it so quickly, he was being served the next one. He didn't notice that Rider was gleefully cooking another okonomiyaki right next to him. He had a surprisingly low capacity for learning in strange areas.

"The Holy Grail functions because it is water. The important thing here is that the contents are water. With juice or other things, the Grail won't function normally."

"So you mean it's like this?"

Rider tilted the sauce bottle he was holding and poured it into the glass. The black lingered for a moment, but once stirred, it dyed everything black. And once mixed, it cannot be returned to normal by ordinary means.

"If it were just sauce like you did, it’d be harmless. In fact, even if there's an effect, it's likely within the margin of error. But—"

“If poison were thrown into the water, it would be fatal.” Lancer was the one with the most serious expression. Perhaps because of his experience fighting on the front lines, he felt the terror of it most deeply.

"And the ritual of the Holy Grail is just a guide. When a Servant is summoned without a catalyst, the fact that the one summoned has a nature closest to the summoner is a characteristic of the Grail being colorless."

"So that's why...!"

Waver realized.

"Even if I could accept a murderer being made into a reserve Master, for a mass-murderer Servant to be summoned is a different story. 'Nature' isn't just about getting along or having the same hobbies. It stems from somewhere much deeper and more rooted. In other words, if a mass-murderer was summoned to a murderer, then the current Grail is biased toward slaughter and destruction!"

"If you were to make a wish on something like that, it would probably rush toward the result by choosing a process that fits its contents."

Having a sharp Magus here is very helpful. Just by giving him bits of information, he reaches the conclusion on his own. If only he had more magical energy, it would be perfect. What a pity.

Waver’s face contorted at the startling truth. But immediately after, it contorted for a different reason. Another okonomiyaki had been slid over by Rider. He was almost in tears, but looking after him is his partner's job. I ignored it.

Then, I turned to Lancer. In our crossing gazes, a hint of something like bloodlust began to mix.

"That's why I can't say Kayneth is absolutely safe."

“Then...!”

"But it's even more dangerous if we're near. Servants are manifested by the Holy Grail. If things go wrong, we might be absorbed and eliminated the moment we touch it. But for a magus, there's still a way to handle it. As long as we are Servants, there is nothing we can do."

“Damn it! I never thought my own powerlessness could be this frustrating...”

He clenched his fist in frustration, crushing the disposable chopsticks in his hand. For someone starved for loyalty, being forbidden to protect his Master must be an unimaginable stress.

Rider had called the waiter and placed an additional order without me noticing. Sake, beer—he was ordering every kind of alcohol they had. His Master next to him was turning pale for a reason other than overeating. Ordering "everything" is a death sentence for a broke Magus.

Rider watched the waiter leave with satisfaction and then immediately turned back to us.

“However, listening to your story, it sounds like a completely hopeless situation. Even I, who barely understands it, can tell this is no ordinary matter.”

“That’s why I needed the cooperation of an extraordinary Magus. I’ve also provided him with every tool he needs.”

“Hoh, you still possess more things? Is there any chance you’ll finally introduce yourself?”

"Pass."

Gilgamesh already has abilities that are impossible to counter. But no fool would give an enemy the chance to devise a plan.

My life is on the line. In that case, "it would be nice to win" isn't enough. I must be extremely careful and aim for an absolute victory. That is, if the prize is worth the effort.

"What will you do if that fails?"

His tone was playful, slightly testing. But his eyes were dead serious. They said that depending on the answer, he would definitely come to kill me.

"Then I’ll have no choice but to destroy it. I have no intention of letting this circus cause massive damage to others. Though it would be a shame."

"So that is the 'I'll do something about it' you mentioned before. Umu, I suppose that’s how it is."

"You remembered that?"

It was just a word I’d mumbled while drinking.

Rider nodded in satisfaction and drained a large mug of beer that had just been brought. He shouldn't have expected much from the taste, but he drank it as if it were delicious. He wasn't tasting the liquid so much as the atmosphere.

He let out a hot breath, and with foam still around his mouth, he slammed the mug onto the table. When he makes a face and lets out a satisfied "Kuuh!", it makes me want to drink too.

“Of course. I had been curious about it. Relying on others doesn’t suit my nature, but there’s nothing I can do about this particular matter, it seems. I shall wait patiently for good news.”

My heart wavered for a moment, wondering if I should order a drink too. No, I had just sworn not to drink again the other day. Getting badly drunk and becoming depressed once was enough.

"Hey, Archer. That... 'Grail Analysis'? Did it have to be Professor Kayneth? What about... for example, Saber’s Master?"

Waver spoke while hesitating, and at the end, as if to cover it up. Even without looking closely, his feelings were obvious. Is Kayneth really that great? And could it not have been him? He has pride, and you could say it’s stronger than most. But he also realizes his own immaturity. That’s why he’s so hesitant.

Should I sugarcoat it, or speak plainly? After thinking for a bit, I decided to drop the euphemisms. I am not a Magus, and I cannot understand their values.

“If we measure purely by skill, Saber’s Master’s priority is third.”

After answering, I wondered if they even knew Kiritsugu was Saber's Master. But then I realized it didn't matter. Even if Irisviel were the true Master, the order wouldn't change.

"Who’s second?"

"The guy who summoned me."

"Then wouldn't he have been better... Oh, he was the type who seemed like he'd betray you, wasn't he?"

"Yeah. Besides, he had a beard."

"Just how much do you hate beards...?"

I hate how shaggy and incredibly annoying they are. Besides, he gave off a massive "suspicious" vibe from the first impression.

"By the way, you’re fifth. Below you are a total amateur (Sakura) and a dying man (Kariya)."

"Ugh..."

He looked like he wanted to argue, but in the end, no words came out. He likely has the self-awareness that his own ability is closer to the bottom. Since it's a matter of life and death for me, I'm choosing based on skill. In other words, it's a completely blunt opinion even by another's standards. It’s a bit too heavy for him to brush off with "you just don't understand."

Well, since the top four are monsters, there's nothing to be done. Especially the top two, who are combat-specialized magi and genius who can hold their own just with their magecraft skills. Trying to compete with that is reckless. Well, since such monsters normally exist in the Holy Grail War, participating itself was probably a mistake.

"Well, even if we were to team up, it wouldn't be with Saber's camp regardless."

"Why? Is there something else going on with that pair?"

There is. Mainly Kiritsugu. But even excluding that, there's a reason why it's hard to team up with Saber.

"The Saber class is truly the most excellent."

The one who started speaking in my place was Lancer. No matter what he said, he's the one with the deepest connection to Saber. At the same time, he’s likely the one most obsessed with her.

“The overwhelming kenki (sword aura) that makes your skin tingle just by standing before her. A ferocity that never loses its clear purity. Above all, her unwavering swordsmanship makes my heart pound with the desire to settle the match with her, rather than fight alongside her...”

"Nope, you moron. Okay, Rider, your turn." I cut off what was essentially a fanboy rant. What I wanted was tactical analysis.

“Hmm, since I’ve been nominated, I suppose I have no choice. I shall explain. Saber is, you see, nearly a perfect all-rounder."

"You say all-rounder, but didn't you say she was a front-liner earlier?"

“That position merely maximizes her potential, but it doesn’t mean she can’t fight from the back. In the truest sense, she doesn’t need to coordinate with anyone. She can fulfill every role by herself.”

Beside us, Lancer was secretly sulking. That's what happens when you don't answer seriously (though he probably was being very serious).

“I don’t know if this applies to all Saber-class Servants. But there’s Excalibur, and the highly versatile and flexible wind Noble Phantasm. The wind, in particular, can cover all ranges if used skillfully. Her parameter and skills are lined up with the highest ranks. Small attacks won't scratch her, and anything dangerous will be dealt with by Instinct. See? She’s troublesome, isn’t she? She is absolutely not an opponent you should confront head-on.”

Rider continued.

“Archer mentioned front-liners and back-liners, but I believe they can be described as Technique-type and Firepower-type. Firepower-types, like me, Archer, and Caster, overwhelm the enemy with sheer force or numbers. Conversely, Technique-types cling to the enemy with learned skill and land a single decisive blow without missing an opening. ...You must understand by now, right? Saber merges these two at a high level.”

Saber is strong just from charging alone. Though not very conspicuous, Invisible Air (Barier of the Wind King) is completely flexible and invisible, making it extremely difficult to deal with. Lancer is probably the only one who can fully seal it. Even if you manage to deal with that, the main attack, Excalibur, remains. Even Ionioi Hetairoi (Army of the King) would be powerless against it. Even if his army wasn't completely wiped out, Rider would be directly hit. Even if he sacrificed his chariot to dodge once, there wouldn't be a second time. And if Kiritsugu is Saber's Master, she could fire it twice if forced.

I believe Rider's decision not to use Ionioi Hetairoi against Saber in the original story was correct. Once the army is deployed, if Excalibur targets Rider, it's over.

The gap between their Noble Phantasms is vast. Rider’s chariot is already less than 70% as powerful as Excalibur. Plus, charging-type and projectile-type Noble Phantasms deal damage differently. Think of it like a tank ramming versus a rocket launcher—even if their power were equal, the tank would take the brunt of the damage.

Fundamentally, Rider's choice of Noble Phantasms is too one-sided. The handling of EX-Rank and A++-Rank Noble Phantasms is terrible. Since his main weapon is a chariot, fighting in a detailed manner is impossible. Even if his instantaneous firepower is excellent, the longer the fight goes on, the more disadvantageous it becomes. That said, if he used the army and the chariot at the same time, his magical energy would be depleted in an instant. No, I don't even know if he can use them simultaneously while deploying a Reality Marble. If he did all that and then the enemy retreated using a Command Spell, it would be the worst.

Lancer is the opposite. He can continue fighting regardless of the battlefield, but he lacks a decisive attack. Truly, Saber's combination of the almost all-rounder A-Rank skill and the Anti-Fortress A++ attack is so well-balanced that it's unfair. Aside from Gilgamesh, there's almost no Servant who can face her head-on and defeat her.

She has such terrifying all-rounder specs when you look at them again, so why does she end up feeling like a let-down overall? Fate/Zero Saber must be under some strange curse.

“Alliances with Saber would only lead to us being cheapened and exploited. Cooperation only has meaning when you complement the areas that the other cannot reach.”

“In a sense, Berserker was a good draw. Since the option of cooperation was never on the table, they don't have to worry about unnecessary things.”

And this must be the reason Rider came to talk to us. Although we're a balanced pair, our type—focused on specialization—still has an advantage for him.

“I’ve made a lot of unnecessary talk. But, well. For that reason, I refuse the alliance. ...However, I’m willing to form a temporary ceasefire agreement.”

“I thought your position was that we should simply defeat the enemy as usual. What caused this change of heart?” Lancer asked.

"You're about to hear that now."

Rider remained silent, looking sullen.

Most of the food was gone. The clattering of the waiter clearing plates and the slightly quieter atmosphere of the restaurant after the peak hour echoed around us. It wasn't particularly pleasant. But it was certainly good for creating a pause in the conversation.

When the plates were taken away and one source of noise disappeared, Rider finally spoke.

“...So you noticed?”

"How could I not? You were too unnatural. You invited us to the shopping street in town just to take a break. On top of that, you're trying to 'sell' yourself? At least, not the Iskandar I know. You're the kind of person who makes others sell themselves to you."

No one disagreed with my words. Regardless of how much they noticed or how specific their thoughts were, everyone felt something was off with Rider. It was a hesitation that was different from cowardice.

"I have no proof, you know?"

“I was speaking without proof myself.”

"I have so little proof that it can't even compare. After all, the only reason is my 'intuition'."

Normally, that would be the kind of thing one laughs off. But there are some things you can't just laugh away.

"Since when? What kind of feeling, and how strong?"

“...That's a strangely specific question. Have you found something again...? Last night, as the banquet was ending, my anxiety began to grow little by little. Now, it's just a feeling, but I've come to believe with certainty that things will be bad if we stay like this. That’s why I tried to form an alliance somehow.”

“H-hey! You didn’t tell me a single word!”

“Even if you say that, there truly is no reason this time. Boy, how would you have reacted if I’d told you this?”

"Well, I’d be confused too, but..."

Seeing Rider’s genuinely troubled face, Waver, who had been half-angry, lost his momentum. He understood that Rider hadn't failed to consult him because he was unreliable, but because he simply didn't know what to do.

A Servant's intuition cannot be underestimated. Moreover, I might have been mistaken about something. Especially if this anxiety began "around the time of Assassin's attack."

The Military Tactics skill—the activation conditions for this might have been different from what I thought. I had always thought it was something that activated at a combat level. "Combat" in this case meaning from just before the battle starts. In other words, I didn't think it activated during the preparation stage. But if it functions at a tactical level in the true sense... For example, if it can sense through intuition that someone, somewhere, is plotting something fatal against a Servant, then Rider's anxiety is a factor that cannot be ignored.

The situation might be more dangerous than expected.

"—Rider. You remember Assassin’s inexplicable movements yesterday, right?"

"Of course, it was only yesterday, I haven't forgotten..."

I glanced at Lancer. This matter is information we've gathered on our side. It's not something I should speak about based on my decision alone.

After confirming his nod, I continued.

"We can't find Assassin's Master. Also, the Master who summoned me, who is closely connected to Assassin's Master, is missing too."

“...Is that true?”

Not "dead," but "missing." If they were simply killed, it could be dismissed as just another casualty of the Holy Grail War. But if they disappeared with their status unknown, we have to suspect more.

Was one of them targeted, or both? Either way, there's no way the Holy Grail War is unrelated at this timing. A further problem is that there are no suspects.

No matter which group it was, there's no reason to hide the fact of the killing. Even if it were a third party, the meaning of the concealment is unknown. In short, everything was a mystery.

Still, I thought I could leave it alone if it didn't concern my Holy Grail War. But looking at Rider's reaction, that chance is very slim. On the contrary, we should be prepared for an incident that goes beyond the Holy Grail War.

“Yes. That’s all we know, too. That’s why we were exploring the city. In any case, we haven't grasped the situation."

"I wasn’t entirely convinced, but I didn’t think it was something we needed to worry about more than the enemy Servants. However, it seems we can’t afford to ignore it anymore. So, Rider. I can't form an alliance, but I won't attack you until this matter is resolved, and we'll exchange information. How about that?"

“Hmm, that’s acceptable. Is that all right with you, boy?”

“Ah, it’s fine. The guy from the church is a member of the Executors, right? For a guy like that to...”

"Don't worry about that. If it comes to it, I shall blow them away!"

With a loud thwack, he slapped Waver’s back. The force was too much for his thin frame, and his upper body danced violently. While rubbing his back and looking up at Rider resentfully, the look of fear was gone. They really are a good duo.

"Wait a moment, I'm contacting my Master with the situation... I've received permission. Until this matter is resolved, I swear we shall not cross spears."

“Hmm. I shall give my thanks to your Intuition. Accept it.”

“Heh... I don't know if you're humble or arrogant, you incomprehensible man.”

Rider let out a boisterous laugh and slapped his thigh. His previous anxiety seemed to have completely vanished.

"Now that it’s settled, we should get moving. Boy, how long are you gonna laze around? Come on, let’s go."

"Wait, Rider! I’m still full—"

"Full? Why’d you eat so much then!?"

"Because you kept shoving food at me! Hey, wait up!"

They left in a noisy rush. Rider in that state is honestly the type I'm not good with. But compared to him being strangely demure, it was far more like him.

Now that they were gone, there was no reason for us to stay. I took the check, settled the bill, and walked out. Avoiding the crowds, we entered the back alleys, and this time I deployed my Noble Phantasm to resume the search. Given the high probability of danger, I wouldn't be so foolish as to hold back and miss information.

"I wondered what would happen when we met Rider, but in the end, I'm glad we did."

Lancer said, his eyes three shades sharper and his nerves fully on edge. He had entered a semi-combat state. Perhaps that’s how he switches on his Mind’s Eye. Either way, he was reliable.

"Yeah. If we hadn't known, it might have been too late."

The amount of information being sent from the Noble Phantasm is vast. Searching with my own senses on top of that is making me feel little dizzy. The stream of information and this physical location. I'm starting to lose track of which reality I'm standing in.

A dull sense of wrongness spread through my brain. Even after doing all this, I likely won't find anything. If I could find it this way, I would have discovered the life or death of Kirei and Tokiomi long ago.

The current situation is definitely one step behind. Even if our trump card is more powerful, it's meaningless if we don't know when to use it. Normally, whoever made the move would do so at a time when it's hard for Servants to act. No, maybe I should change my way of thinking. Not "when," but "who" they would target. If I think that way, there are still ways to handle it.

“Lancer.”

“What is it?”

He asked without looking back. I kicked a weed-covered path and answered.

“I’m thinking of setting up one... no, two insurance policies. Just in case something happens.”

---

Is misfortune something that comes in a series?

There is something called Murphy's Law. It's a simple thing, merely a humorous concept. But in reality, or perhaps in fiction, it had a sense of realism that couldn't be dismissed as just a joke. Including the tendency to interpret anything negative that happens when one is already down. It serves as a lesson.

Misfortunes do not come in a series. They are all independent events that should have had individual solutions. The only constant in the series is the person experiencing them.

Therefore, there is no connection between these events.

The trigger was certainly the traitorous Servant, Archer. No one could deny that he was the starting point of this downfall. And it would not be wrong to hate him.

Still, they had tried to recover. An irregular double-Master setup, and preserving Assassin as much as possible. Distributing Command Spells while considering re-contracting with Servants after a Master’s elimination. Similarly, problems piled up one after another. The usurpation of Sakura Matou. Influenced by that, Tokiomi began to lose focus on the Holy Grail War. Furthermore, the alliance between Archer and Lancer, and Saber and Berserker. The chances of victory were being whittled away.

The ultimate blow was Tokiomi's death. He died last night under unknown circumstances, and only his left arm was returned. It is currently enshrined at the center of the mausoleum, preserved with a magical ritual to maintain the Crest.

The arm lay there isolated, illuminated by a pale light. The first time he looked down at it, he felt the life force draining from his own body. It was over... everything. The arm lying there was perfectly useful for delivering a crushing, brutal reality.

It was extraordinarily convenient for grasping the truth. In the sense that the fact could not be mistaken, it was excellent. The mark looked like it had been chewed off from the base of the shoulder. The Magic Crest, unique in the world. The only thing resembling a keepsake was the single staff he possessed. Everything pointed to the owner being Tohsaka Tokiomi.

There was no room for error. No room for doubt, and no need for confirmation. Therefore, there was no hope.

Perhaps if there had been even a small gap for denial, something would have changed. He might have desperately denied it and searched. He might have sat slowly and drank tea, thinking there was no problem. Perhaps he would have collapsed and wailed loudly. But it was none of those. He was simply forced to accept his own powerlessness as his spirit drained away.

Yet, at the same time, his heart felt a certain peace. The misfortune would not pile up any further.

As a silver lining, Risei Kotomine's beloved son, Kirei Kotomine, was alive and well. Kirei alone was safe.

Misfortune does not come in a series. And Archer was not related to this. Their Holy Grail War was over, and thus, misfortune could no longer accumulate. All that remained was to quietly fulfill his role as the supervisor.

And yet—

“...Why?”

The word escaped his throat. It wasn't intentional. The shackles of his heart simply broke, causing his throat to tremble and his tongue to move of its own accord.

It wasn't intentional. Perhaps it wasn't even conscious. Without understanding anything, the emotion simply vanished as a wail of sorrow.

“Why!”

Such a helpless scream would reach nowhere. No one would even try to catch it. Even Risei himself couldn't believe his cry held any meaning.

His soul was wailing. It was a scream.

It was supposed to be the end. Everything. Nothing more, nothing beyond, should have existed.

A moment of peace is necessary. No matter how fleeting, a person cannot live without it, and one who lacks it is not human. For Risei Kotomine, the time ahead was supposed to be just that. Nothing more could happen. Nothing, at all, could happen. Thinking so, he fell to his knees on the floor and clutched the base of his right arm.

He stared at the cleanly severed cross-section of his arm, bleeding and exposing the muscle from the shoulder.

“Why—answer me, Kirei!”

He turned the meaningless sound he had made into a meaningful word this time.

He simply screamed, as if vomiting blood. The fact that he wasn't actually vomiting blood from his mouth was baffling to him. Why was the blood coming from his arm and not his mouth? How could this have happened? Why was his beloved son so... serene?

“Father.”

The usual word. His expression, voice, gestures—everything was unchanged. If it weren't for the Black Keys in his left hand, the arm in his right, and the splatters of blood on his face, one might have thought it was a bad dream, that's how normal he was.

Despite having severed his own father's arm, Kirei showed no signs of agitation. He was utterly serene—like the ripple-less surface of water, as if praying to God.

“I apologize. But I absolutely needed this.”

Saying this, he stroked the arm and the Command Spells floating on it with a look of affection. Why did his emerging smile feel like religious devotion?

“Why...! Even now, do you still desire the Holy Grail!”

“...The Holy Grail? Ah, now that you mention it, the Holy Grail War is ongoing. Such a thing no longer matters to me. It may be necessary as a preliminary step, but it has no value in itself.”

He declared, his smile deepening. He dropped the Black Keys and slightly spread his arms. His expression was gentle, devoid of any impurity.

(Who is this...?)

Kotomine Kirei? Someone pretending to be him? I didn’t know, but that was impossible. And yet, I had never seen Kirei like this. A man who no longer seemed identifiable—he looked almost like a saint.

“Father, please believe me. I have found the truth. Something more certain than God. The Command Spells are necessary for that. I resorted to force because I thought you wouldn't hand them over, but in the end, I'm sure you will approve, too.”

He was mad. It was unclear what had driven him to this madness. But Kirei was certainly not sane.

Kirei took a step forward. His next action was completely unpredictable. There is nothing more futile than trying to guess a madman's next move. Therefore, all Risei could do was jump back with all his might and immediately flee. With every step, a wrongness beyond mere pain shot through his right shoulder. If he let his guard down, his knees would buckle then and there. Still, he just kept running. Not because he wanted to live. His regrets would not allow him to die.

Leaping outside into the setting sun, he wondered. How had it come to this? Misfortune was supposed to be over. Nothing, at all, could have continued it. This was impossible. It shouldn't be happening. Why did Kirei have to become like this? Answer me, God—

He couldn't speak. His vision blurred. He didn't know where he was going, but even if he could see, he had no destination. He could only let his feet carry him, as his mind was not functioning correctly.

If that emotion were to be given a name, it would be hatred.

Misfortunes exist wherever they may, and they accumulate. He understood that there was a possibility he would be the one to experience them. So was he supposed to accept it? No one in the world—not even God—could do that.

So, he simply cursed. As the flame of his life was about to extinguish, he squeezed the curse out from the depths of his soul.

For the first time in his life, the devout servant of God—Kotomine Risei—utterly, purely, without impurity, cursed.

He cursed the God named Fate.