The Mother of Kanzaki City shook her head slightly. This was the first time she'd encountered something so abnormal.
She hadn't expected there to be someone in the world whose future even her eyes could not see — it was truly surprising.
Rovie raised an eyebrow and offered a wry smile.
"It's fine. This is probably because of something about me," he said.
"Perhaps."
The Mother of Kanzaki City nodded, smiled, and—playing with the conversation—added: "Although I couldn't see your future, I did glimpses of some very interesting things while observing you. Want to hear them?"
"Interesting things?" Rovie perked up. "Please, go on."
"Mm. As I watched your future, a strange man briefly appeared in the mist."
"A strange man?" Rovie became alert.
"Yes — a handsome man with long white hair."
The old woman smiled and painted the scene with vivid detail. "I saw a vast, beautiful field of flowers, full of blossoms I've never seen on this earth. In that luxuriant sea of flowers stood a white tower."
"As if sensing my gaze, the handsome man, who'd been resting against that tower, slowly opened his eyes and locked eyes with me, smiling. He wanted me to deliver a message to you—"
Rovie drew a cold breath. By now he had a pretty good idea what this was about.
"Aha — how amusing. An existence that managed to evade my sight and the attention of the whole world, living separately in a world that isn't truly yours… I've never seen such a phenomenon, big brother."
"But sadly, your future isn't recorded within this world," the old woman continued.
"Instead of wasting time hunting absolute future-sight or clairvoyance, why not participate directly? The future is interesting because it's unknown. Rather than being omniscient, only by experiencing it can you savor its beauty. Both I and those two kings think so."
"Traveler from beyond the world, if you seek amusement, then throw yourself into it — only by taking part will you know the real delight."
"In the not-too-distant future, I may come calling on you myself. Expect it eagerly."
The Mother of Kanzaki City spoke in a deliberately teasing tone perfectly mimicking some recluse who dwelt in a white tower, and Rovie's eyelid twitched.
From the description and the irritatingly familiar cadence, Rovie already guessed the man's identity.
He also roughly understood how they communicated — the so-called clairvoyant chatroom. Those with absolute future-sight, Clairvoyance EX, or near-omniscience often converse that way and can even transmit messages across eras by virtue of their abilities.
So he'd been noticed by some tower-dwelling shut-in? Someone saying they'd meet again — could Merlin be planning to appear as a Servant in the Fourth Holy Grail War?
No way, right? Merlin wouldn't personally go out and fight… would he?
Rovie couldn't make a firm conclusion. Trying to reason about nonhuman beings with human logic was always fraught.
"Looks like you know that odd man," the Mother of Kanzaki City said, arching an eyebrow at Rovie's reaction. "Is he someone you know?"
"No — we've never met." Rovie shook his head. "Not an acquaintance. He's just one of those tower-dwelling net-scammers."
A being who lived beyond the world and chatted from a tower — impressive, indeed.
"How curious," she smiled again. "Although I can't see your future, I can see how you alter possible futures. For example — today…"
"Because you severed those thugs' hands in the alley and removed their ability to menace others, you indirectly changed the fate of a girl who would otherwise have suffered. That has in turn altered many downstream events."
"I can't definitely label that act, but in my eyes it's a good thing. Your action earned my approval, which is why I came out to meet you and to offer some advice."
The Mother of Kanzaki City fixed her gaze on Rovie and spoke seriously.
"Do as you desire for them; that will be your law."
"So don't hesitate. Follow your heart, young man. Do what you wish — I believe you will reap rewards in the end."
Rovie blinked at the familiar phrase. It was the very maxim he'd murmured to himself the day before. How odd to hear it echoed here.
He knew the old woman's words had layers of meaning, yet diviners always spoke in vague riddles — infuriatingly so. Couldn't they just speak plainly?
He was about to press for more when the Mother of Kanzaki City gently lowered her veil and smiled.
"Alright, thank you for your time, ma'am," Rovie said.
"Oh? I thought you might grill me a bit longer," she replied.
"I had planned to, but on reflection it's unnecessary. Knowing every detail of a prophecy brings no benefit. I'm tired of hearing predictions anyway — things will sort themselves out."
"You're wise," she said, approvingly.
"If you require payment, say so — consider it my thanks."
Rovie had achieved his purpose and received some unexpected insight. He didn't press further when the woman chose to be taciturn.
"The fee's written plainly: two hundred yen per person. I'm just a street fortune-teller — how much could I possibly demand?" the Mother of Kanzaki City replied, feigning innocence.
Rovie placed a large bill on the table. "Here — the fee you asked for. Keep the change."
She accepted the money, nodded with satisfaction, and grew fond of the young man before her.
"Farewell, young man. May our paths cross again."
"Goodbye, ma'am."
After Rovie walked away, the Mother of Kanzaki City sighed, then murmured to herself:
"What an interesting young man. I haven't seen that kind of situation in a long time. Life's long — you meet all sorts of curious things."
"Though I can't do more for him, I wish he reaches the future he hopes for."
She breathed out, and her figure melted into a wisp of white smoke, disappearing without a trace.
Chapter 11 — The Visitor (1/2)
"There are no coincidences in this world, only inevitabilities."
…
Germany.The Einzbern Castle.
"Do you mean that famed Grand puppeteer — Aozaki Touko?"
One night, Emiya Kiritsugu and his wife Irisviel were called from sleep to appear before the head of the Einzbern family, Ahaad-ou.
"Yes. That Grand-rank puppeteer, a scion of the Fifth Magic — Aozaki Touko. She recently sent word via a puppet: she's passing through Europe, heard that Einzbern's homunculus technology is superb, and plans to visit soon to observe."
Ahaad-ou looked to the two in front of him and spoke slowly.
"That notorious Grand puppeteer intends to come personally…"
Kiritsugu's expression went grave. Touko's reputation was no secret to this veteran magus of life-and-death.
"Is she truly coming only to see our homunculi?" Irisviel asked.
Einzbern's tradition predated the Common Era; their lineage traces to workshops created by disciples of the Third Mage. Though abandoned and neglected over time, the pure ideals of those homunculi led the remaining workshops to continue, giving rise to the modern Einzbern house.
They retain the extraordinary homunculus techniques derived from the Third Mage. It was natural that a Grand puppeteer would covet such know-how. Yet intuition told the three present that the matter was likely deeper than the stated reason.
Ahaad-ou suspected other motives — perhaps Touko intended to join the coming Holy Grail War as a participant.
At that thought, Kiritsugu's hands trembled. If Aozaki Touko were a competitor, the forthcoming war would be far more dangerous than anticipated.
"Could she be a contender? Aozaki… Aozaki Touko? I hadn't imagined even the Fifth Magic's successors would enter the Grail War. Fate is unpredictable indeed," Ahaad-ou murmured.
As a successor to the Third Mage, Einzbern nonetheless hoped to witness wonder again. If a Fifth-Magic descendant came seeking to observe, Einzbern should receive them properly.
"Aozaki Touko's visit must be entertained. Kiritsugu, you will host her. Be mindful of safety," Ahaad-ou instructed.
"I understand," Kiritsugu answered. He accepted the task: facing Touko might be dangerous, but for Einzbern there was no more suitable agent than him — a magus who constantly walked the edge between life and death.
If she truly aimed to compete in the Grail War, there would be no choice but confrontation. Kiritsugu resolved: whatever the opponent, the outcome wouldn't change. He would defeat anyone in his path to seize the Grail and save the world.
…
Late at night in Fuyuki.
On a tall rooftop, Rovie murmured while gazing out at the bustling city below.
"A lively city… even at night. Despite its short history, it thrives — the mark of progress."
A hoarse voice answered from the shadow, and an old, stooped figure with a walking stick emerged — an appearance like a withered corpse, skin pallid and decayed, radiating rot and frailty; the old man looked like he might die standing.
Though long retired and seldom seen by his kin, Rovie — who had various intelligence advantages — knew who the elder was and the secrets he'd hidden for years.
"Heh. Since humanity first came into being, people have tried conquering everything. First land, then sea, then sky. Of course they'll seek to conquer the night, too."
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