Though the decline of the El-Melloi family had made it difficult for Reines to gather intelligence on the participants of this Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City, a few key figures were still easily identifiable.
First was the local powerhouse, the Tohsaka family. Thanks to Zuke's interference, their circumstances were far better than in the original timeline, and Rin Tohsaka was undoubtedly participating in the war.
Next was the Einzbern family. Last time, their externally recruited "Magus Killer," Kiritsugu Emiya, had been effortlessly slaughtered by Zuke. Now, the Einzberns were surely making a comeback.
As for the Matou family, their situation was less clear. After the death of Zouken Matou, their estate had briefly become a breeding ground for insects before being cleaned up by the police and fire department.
Currently, the Matou residence was still occupied—by Kariya Matou's elder brother, Byakuya Matou, and his son, Shinji Matou.
However, Byakuya and Shinji had almost completely severed their ties to magecraft. Their Magic Circuits were so underdeveloped that they were practically no different from ordinary people—making their participation in the Holy Grail War unlikely.
In the original timeline, Byakuya should have died before the Fifth Holy Grail War, but this time, he had survived—suggesting that his original demise was closely tied to Zouken's machinations.
Now that Zouken had been killed early by Zuke, Byakuya, a character who had almost no role in the original story, was somehow clinging to life.
Beyond the Three Great Families, there was one other participant Reines knew of.
---
"This is…?"
Following Reines to the entrance of a large mansion on the outskirts of Miyama City—one that didn't appear in the original story—Zuke couldn't help but ask curiously.
"This is the residence of another participant from the Mage's Association," Reines explained without hesitation.
"The Mage's Association was granted two slots for this Holy Grail War. One was taken by me, and the other by Bazett Fraga McRemitz of the McRemitz family."
As she spoke, Reines seemed to recall a minor incident and let out a derisive chuckle, as if mocking some fool who had overstepped.
"Speaking of which, when I secured my spot, some nouveau riche tried to buy my entry with money. I refused, of course."
Zuke remained silent. He knew the "nouveau riche" Reines was referring to was Atrum Galliasta—a man from the Middle East whose family had struck it rich in oil.
After joining the Mage's Association, Atrum had been dismissed as a mere upstart, leading him to seek validation through the Holy Grail War.
In the original story, he had summoned Caster (Medea) as his initial Master, only to be betrayed and killed by her. Medea was later picked up by Souichirou Kuzuki, a teacher in Fuyuki City.
This time, however, Atrum's spot had been taken by Reines, meaning Medea might not even be summoned at all—let alone end up with Kuzuki.
As for the owner of this mansion, Bazett, in the original timeline, she had been the initial Master of Lancer (Cú Chulainn) before Kirei Kotomine severed her hand and stole control of him.
With Kotomine already dead this time, Bazett had effectively escaped her grim fate—at least, Kotomine wouldn't be crawling out of hell to ambush her again.
---
Just as Zuke was musing over Bazett's original fate and following Reines toward the mansion's entrance, a voice suddenly called down from above:
"Hey now, miss. Even if you and my Master seem acquainted, I can't just let someone waltz in with a Servant without her permission."
Both Zuke and Reines looked up to see a blue-clad spearman gripping a crimson lance, his sharp gaze locked onto them.
With a cocky grin, the man—Cú Chulainn—pushed off the rooftop and plummeted downward, his spear aimed straight at Zuke in a warning strike.
He wasn't trying to kill Zuke outright—after all, Reines seemed to know Bazett—but the sudden attack was meant to intimidate.
Yet, instead of reacting with alarm, Zuke simply smiled.
—SLAP!
The moment Cú Chulainn's spear tip grazed Zuke's arm, he pivoted effortlessly, letting the weapon pass harmlessly by.
Then, in a motion so casual it was almost insulting, he backhanded Cú Chulainn across the face.
—BOOM!
The impact sent the Celtic hero flying like a ragdoll, crashing into the courtyard fountain and shattering the stone statue in the process.
"Guh—?!"
Cú Chulainn spat out a mouthful of blood—his face nearly caved in from the sheer force of the blow.
What terrified him most was realizing: Zuke hadn't even used a fraction of his strength.
That casual slap had felt like swatting a mosquito—yet it had nearly obliterated his skull.
"What kind of monster is this guy?! Is he a Berserker?!"
"You should be grateful your abilities aren't worth my attention, Cú Chulainn," Zuke remarked, amused, as he watched the spearman struggle in the wrecked fountain.
"Since the Holy Grail War hasn't officially started, killing you now would be pointless. So do yourself a favor—don't provoke me."
As Lancer, Cú Chulainn was undeniably among the upper echelon of Servants—but his skills offered nothing Zuke desired to absorb.
His entire combat style revolved around his Gáe Bolg, but even its cursed thrusts paled in comparison to the sheer destructive force of Zuke's energy-formed spears.
"Incredible…!"
Reines, who had witnessed the entire exchange, couldn't hide her excitement.
Though she had heard Waver speak of Zuke's strength, seeing it firsthand was another matter entirely.
The way he had effortlessly humiliated a Heroic Spirit like it was nothing—just as Waver had described—filled her with growing satisfaction and anticipation.
Meanwhile, Cú Chulainn, still lying in the destroyed fountain, forced himself to stand, his body trembling slightly.
With a final wary glance at Zuke, he leapt to a second-floor balcony and vanished inside.
He hated to admit it, but there was no denying the truth:
Against Zuke, he stood no chance.
And with a monstrous Servant like this in the war, the outcome might as well have been predetermined from the start.
To be continued…
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