The Gemstone Old Man shrugged, then continued.
"On the first night Assassin fakes his death, then Saber and Lancer fight at the docks but Rider stops them, and then Ryusei Ryunosuke and that Caster act rashly and are collectively punished by the Servants. Later, Kenneth gets backstabbed by Emiya Kiritsugu, and Tohsaka Tokiomi is betrayed by Kotomine Kirei — I've sampled that kind of boring progression plenty of times."
"So you mean—"
Merlin already understood what the other was getting at.
"You're asking me that knowing full well. Merlin, your clairvoyance can't fail to notice this, right? You even personally contacted him using the Mother of Kanzaki City's absolute future sight, didn't you?"
"Ahaha — caught my little trick, have you?"
"I'm no fool. A change that big, I could sense it."
The Gemstone Old Man puffed his whiskers and replied, half-annoyed.
"My cross-world observations made me notice this huge deviation in the timeline; the original world-line was massively influenced, and that piqued my curiosity. Not only the Fourth Holy Grail War — the fate of some rather unfortunate girl in Kanzaki seems altered, and people like Aozaki Touko are involved too. Out of curiosity, I came to ask you: what do you make of these odd events, Merlin?"
"Ahaha, what do I make of it? Of course I'm sitting home watching it all unfold."
"Sitting home watching, huh…"
The Gemstone Old Man shook his head. "As always, you're a hermit no matter the era. After being shut away so long, Vivienne really did turn you into the most ancient of shut-ins."
"Eh, I may be a shut-in, but I can't help it — I don't possess the Second Magic, so I can't come and go from Avalon at will."
(Though in Merlin's mind he muttered that the title of 'most ancient shut-in' really fit Scáthach more, since she was far older.)
"Rook, given your temperament I knew that — once changes and your naïve king are involved, you won't merely watch. Especially when the deviation is as strange as this, how could you resist getting your hands dirty? You even used the Mother of Kanzaki City to arrange contact — proof enough, right?" the Gemstone Old Man pressed.
Having pierced the truth, he laughed: "Since that's the case, shall we cause some trouble together? These amusing anomalies don't happen very often."
"Join in causing trouble…? You mean you want to dive into the War yourself? Team up with me as Master and Servant? Not only am I not dead, but even if I were, I wouldn't want some lecherous old man as my Master," Merlin retorted, turning up his nose.
The Gemstone Old Man blew on his beard, annoyed. "What are you talking about? If I wanted the Grail so badly, I wouldn't bother fighting for a tainted cup. Besides, bullying the small is beneath me."
"Bullying the small, huh? If you underestimate that young man, you might get surprised," Merlin warned.
"If I were to act, you think I'd give him that chance?" The Gemstone Old Man didn't deny it, scarcely hiding his ire.
(Prophetic foreknowledge — big bully's honor, indeed.)
"So what do you want to do?" Merlin asked.
"Just make this Grail War more interesting, and while we're at it, solve a small nuisance that bothers both of us. Sound good?"
"The Grail and Artoria… that might actually work."
Merlin stroked his chin, thought a moment, then nodded.
"Right. I agree — that boy hides a lot, and he's got a very powerful trump card. Even I would raise an eyebrow at it."
"Since you agreed, we'll both participate. For the two of us this will be quite the show — so why not wager on it?" the Gemstone Old Man proposed.
"Betting? Hmm — I'd usually accept, but if it's you I'd be at a disadvantage. You can observe parallel futures while my Clairvoyance only sees the present."
Merlin rubbed his chin.
"Bah, don't be ridiculous. That boy's peculiarity is such that even you can't fully observe him — across parallel worlds he's unique. So actually, the advantage is yours."
Ignoring Merlin's interruption, the Gemstone Old Man went on and stated his wager plainly: "Let's bet on the future he chooses and whether he fulfills our individual goals."
"If I win, you'll willingly transform into 'Melly' for a while and help me test the latest magical-girl transformation device. If you win, I'll find a way to sneak you out of Avalon for a bit. Deal?" he said.
"Ugh… being taken out of Avalon is tempting, but 'Melly'…?" Merlin paused, thinking.
After a moment, Merlin's gem-like eyes flashed and a warm smile spread across his face.
"Sounds amusing. I'll bet. Either outcome suits me."
—becoming a woman? No matter — dream-spirits have no fixed gender.
"Haha, that's the spirit. Going out or becoming Melly isn't such a bad thing. Enjoy the moment."
"All right, I'll stay for a while. My dusty office is getting boring; I'll rest at your place."
"You're staying here?" Merlin asked, startled.
"Of course. If we're to observe fairly we can't be apart. Don't worry — feed me and I'll be content." The Gemstone Old Man flopped onto Merlin's bed, snacked on some senbei that seemingly appeared from nowhere, and started rifling through Merlin's collection.
"'The Legends of Arthur', 'How to Become a Streamer', 'One Hundred Ways to Be Popular', 'The Net Scammer's Guide' — what is all this nonsense? No magical-girl discs or books anywhere?"
"Of course not," Merlin said, exasperated, itching to hit the old man.
"You old codger, you're wicked!" he snapped.
Chapter 12 — For the Old Worm, an Unbreakable Alliance (2/2)
"The rotten body creaks like branches, the aged soul has wandered far. Turning back, one finds the road already lost."
"…Heh — you really surprised this old one."
A hoarse, crooked voice echoed across the tower at night.
"Magchiri Sorgen — that's a familiar name. I haven't heard it from another in many years."
When Zouken Matou heard that oddly familiar, nearly-forgotten name, his movement froze for a moment. He stared at the young man who had suddenly appeared in Fuyuki and disrupted his plans; dread crept into his eyes.
The Matou household's heirs had been useless and rebellious; the family's magecraft had stagnated. Zouken had already given up on entering this Fourth Holy Grail War and had pinned his hopes on the next. Finding a suitable successor was nearly impossible.
He intended to lure Sakura Tohsaka to the Matou line, gradually alter her with magic marks, and shape her into a tool for the Fifth Grail War. But before his scheme could begin, Rovie shattered it — the Clock Tower alchemist had beaten him and adopted Sakura.
Zouken's rotten soul flared with rare anger, but he had no way to storm the Clock Tower and seize her back. He had to swallow his pride and look for other options.
Then a strange letter arrived addressed "Magchiri Sorgen — personal." That forced him to investigate: who would dare know his hidden name?
At the tower meeting, Rovie revealed himself bluntly.
"Yes. I sent that letter. I also know your true name — the century-old prodigy, Magchiri Sorgen. It appears you are the Matou head, Zouken."
"Hoh. I did not expect a Crowley noble in the Clock Tower to know so much — even to unearth my buried name." Zouken's voice carried both surprise and bitterness.
Rovie remained calm. "I called you because I want to offer a partnership: will you work with me to win the Grail War? You've little time and few options. Someone like Sakura Tohsaka is rare. Rather than wait to decay, why not seize the last chance?"
Zouken hesitated. Rovie's words were true — without Sakura, waiting was pointless. Cooperation raised their prospects. Still, suspicion flickered.
"Is this a trap to force me into cooperating?" Zouken demanded.
"There's some coercion," Rovie admitted. "But mostly I saved her — her Imaginary (Virtual) attribute is too precious to be butchered into your schemes."
Rovie's calm admission told Zouken his secret plans had been seen through — a terrifying realization. Zouken had kept his identity and plots secret for centuries; not even his descendants knew. How had Rovie learned so much?
"If we cooperate, what do you want from the Grail?" Zouken asked warily.
Rovie answered: the Grail's accumulated mana is vast after many cycles; with seven Servant sacrifices, reaching the Root is possible. Zouken's wish — to regain life or extended existence — could be satisfied if they divide the reward. Rovie, however, didn't seek the Root; he was fascinated by the war itself. If doubt remained, they could bind the agreement with a magical writ.
Zouken finally agreed to consider it. Rovie showed three fresh, red Command-ink lines on his hand — signs of his ability to act as a Master — and declared he intended to summon a Caster with a top-tier catalyst.
"Come to the Matou house in a few days. I'll give my answer," Zouken said at length.
Rovie expected no other result. Left with no real options, and enticed by the chance of victory, Zouken had to agree. Even if Rovie's adoption of Sakura was a trap, the opportunity was too great.
Zouken dispersed into the night like insects. Rovie's face showed only a flash of disgust — he found it sad that a once-idealistic companion had rotted so far. Still, practical gains mattered: to win, he would take whatever advantage he could — even seeing an old friend's decay was a mournful thing.
Chapter 13 — You Old Codger, You're Such a Rascal!
"The Tower of Atonement creaks, light piercing the world."
"Heh — this development is amusing. Quite an interesting human," Merlin said, opening his eyes in the Sea of Stars.
"I remember Vivienne built that tower to be sealed forever. How did someone sneak in?" he wondered aloud.
"After many parallel worlds, Avalon's position can be approximated. With the Second Magic's aid, entry isn't impossible. Compared to the Other Side's shore, it's easier to reach," the Gemstone Old Man replied, lounging and sipping tea.
"You shouldn't insult the Lady of the Lake. But still — though it's called a prison, Avalon is remarkably pleasant. Flowers and towers hardly fit imprisonment; your sentence seems comfortable, Merlin," the elder teased.
Merlin replied wryly that being confined for a thousand years wasn't all roses; he missed good conversation even if he had flowers. The Gemstone Old Man teased him: after so long, Vivienne had turned him into the oldest shut-in.
"You won't sit idle when changes and your naïve king are involved, will you? You'll intervene," the Gemstone Old Man said. "You even used the Mother of Kanzaki City to make contact — proof."
Merlin grinned. "I'll admit I'm watching."
"Then shall we make the War more interesting together? Solve a little annoyance while we're at it?"
Merlin balked at joining a grubby old lecher — but the Gemstone Old Man merely laughed; he had no intention of greedily seizing the Grail. He proposed a wager: Merlin's prize would be to become "Melly" for a while and help test a magical-girl transformation device; if the Gemstone Old Man lost, he'd arrange Merlin a brief outing from Avalon.
Merlin, amused and unbothered by gender changes (dream-spirits have no fixed sex), agreed to the bet — both would participate in order to observe and stir the War's development. The Gemstone Old Man settled in among Merlin's odd collection of books and snacks, and the two set out to entertain themselves with the coming chaos.
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Our War Chapter 14 — The Snow Castle
Ssshh—!
Wind and snow hammered the glass and made the wooden window frames creak.
In a snowbound forest of Western Europe lies a private estate belonging to the Einzbern family.
Germany — Einzbern Castle.
Snow fell slowly from the sky. In the wide courtyard two figures, one black and one white, of different sizes, chased each other playfully.
"Kiritsugu, come catch me—"
A little girl like a snow sprite nimbly darted among the buildings and melted into the drifts.
Behind her, Emiya Kiritsugu was playing, chasing after her.
A moment of calm before the storm — before heading to the battlefield he wanted to spend time with his daughter.
Nearby, a blonde woman stood in the winter snow holding a cup of coffee. After taking a small sip her eyes brightened and the single ahoge on her head bobbed with joy.
"Coffee… such an interesting taste. Not as sweet as Merlin's flower tea, but still delicious. Modern cuisine really has improved," she said.
Her voice was clear and mature. As Kiritsugu approached, having handed the girl to his wife, he greeted her.
"The Holy Grail War is about to begin. Are you ready, Saber?"
"Of course. The moment you summoned me I prepared myself for battle," she replied solemnly.
She was very beautiful — golden hair, emerald eyes, wearing a blue dress. Though petite, she carried the bearing of a battle-hardened knight.
This Servant goes by many names in this world: King of Knights, Artoria Pendragon — the wielder of the Holy Sword, the guardian of human order.
If anyone else had summoned such a powerful Servant, they'd be elated and shout, "We're set — we've got this War won!" Given Saber's class and renown, she's among the strongest.
Yet for Kiritsugu, her summoning did not bring pure joy.
Though Artoria's strength is top-tier, the bond between Master and Servant felt forced, like a hastily paired duo.
Kiritsugu paused, then gave Saber a curt nod.
A savior of Britain who stood against catastrophe and protected Camelot for decades — radiant and noble.
Compared to him, Kiritsugu felt painfully exposed.
He closed his eyes briefly. He already suspected — he and this King would not see eye to eye.
In the War, if you cannot connect with your Servant, even the greatest power is useless.
Kiritsugu inwardly blamed Ahaad-ou for ordering the summoning. Some rotten man like him was more suited to using an Assassin-class, he thought.
Shaking his thoughts off, Kiritsugu exhaled heavily. He knew that to win this Grail War he'd have to rely on himself alone.
…
The tender time didn't last long.
After seeing their daughter off to his wife's care, Kiritsugu led Artoria into a private room and grew serious. Addressing the Saber who sat on the sofa, he spoke:
"Saber, I don't want to interrupt your precious rest. But this War isn't child's play. We must do tactical coordination and preparation. You understand?"
"Of course, Master. Filling one's belly is part of readiness, but I am a knight and can judge priorities," Artoria replied gravely.
Kiritsugu nodded, then opened an encrypted laptop and projected classified documents across the room. Irisviel, who'd just soothed Illya to sleep, peered at the projections with curiosity.
"Since everyone's here, let's begin. First — Aozaki Touko: once praised as a 'magus prodigy' who revived medieval puppet technique and the Norse rune base, attaining Grand rank. She visited Einzbern two months ago under the pretext of mutual exchange, forcibly took some homunculi, and broke into the archive to steal materials related to the Third Holy Grail War."
When Kiritsugu said the name of that nightmare woman, his hand trembled. Two months earlier, Touko's assault had left a heavy mark on him.
At that time he'd not yet summoned his Servant; with only some homunculi and weapons, he and his aides had faced her.
Despite the Einzbern grounds and Kiritsugu's battle experience and secret armaments, Touko had shown the terrifying weight of Grand rank.
The homunculi under her hand were mere puppets; within two skirmishes she'd subdued them, dissected their tech, and adapted it. His secret Origin Bomb became a joke in her presence.
Kiritsugu had been baffled — how had his Origin Bomb been discovered and prepared for? How did Touko already expect it?
"Aozaki Touko… the Aozaki family manages the Fifth Magic in the Far East. This generation's Fifth Mage is Aoiko — her sister — who bears the epithet [Ao]. Touko, because of her sister's special case, did not receive [Ao] but rather [Aka] — her title, I recall, is—"
"Don't you dare say that name, Irisviel!" Kiritsugu snapped, cutting his wife off just before she misspoke.
"Eh?" Irisviel and Artoria were startled.
"Master, is that Aozaki Touko really so dangerous?" Artoria asked, alarmed after hearing Kiritsugu's reaction.
Kiritsugu broke out in a cold sweat and answered, "Saber, as a hero of old you may not understand this, but Irisviel — that title is taboo in the magus world. It is a name that must not be uttered in any era or place."
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