"Matou-dono, I'd like to discuss the other participants in the Holy Grail War. It's a critical matter, best discussed in the privacy of your residence."
Emiya Kiritsugu scanned their surroundings. They were in a bustling diner, hardly the place for such talks.
"Ho ho ho, no worries, Mr. Emiya!"
With a snap of fingers from Samuel, disguised as Matou Zouken, the two were suddenly isolated, enveloped in a pseudo-"Temple."
"…"
Kiritsugu silently observed, impressed. The old man's skill was astounding—no ritual, no chant, just a snap, and a complex barrier formed, transporting them to another space.
"Mr. Emiya, speak freely."
Samuel, as Zouken, smiled faintly.
"Very well, Matou-dono. This is my compiled data on the Holy Grail War's participants."
Kiritsugu pulled a stack of documents from his briefcase and handed them to Samuel.
The first page featured a man in priestly garb: Kirei Kotomine.
"This war's contestants are formidable. There's Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, a Clock Tower Lord, a Color-ranked magus recognized by the Mage's Association. His methods are extraordinary."
Kiritsugu produced a file showing a man with striking lemon-blond hair, standing with haughty confidence.
"A corpse in a tomb."
Samuel glanced at it, delivering his verdict.
Not just from memory, but based on the dossier, Kayneth's arrogance without absolute strength made him a dead man walking in the Grail War.
"For you, perhaps, but to us ordinary magi, he's a significant threat."
Kiritsugu shared the sentiment. Based on Kayneth's documented prowess, he'd devised countless ways to exploit his outdated arrogance. Unaware of Kayneth's true strength, though, he'd be more cautious if he knew.
"And this… your old friend, the Tohsaka, Tokiomi Tohsaka. He's tougher than the Lord, having prepared for years, with an ally in tow."
"This world's… ahem, Tokiomi, that fool! No matter. He's too obsessed with the Grail War to take risks. Not worth mentioning."
Samuel's memories confirmed Tokiomi's fixation on the war led to his cautious downfall.
"Is that so? Then this one… the Einzbern family's contestant."
Kiritsugu presented another file.
It showed a woman nearly identical to Justeaze, ethereally beautiful, almost inhuman.
"I know little of the Einzberns, so I can't judge."
"Hm…"
Samuel hummed, intrigued by the woman's image. He glanced at Kiritsugu. "Have you considered allying with the Einzberns, Mr. Emiya?"
"I did, but they refused."
Kiritsugu's face remained impassive.
"Haha, looks like I'm the fallback option!"
"…This man, Kirei Kotomine, Tokiomi's ally, also bears Command Spells. Formerly a Church Executor, his father, Risei Kotomine, oversees this Grail War."
"Tch, Tokiomi's pulling out all the stops!"
"…The Grail only chooses those who desire it, correct?"
Kiritsugu asked abruptly.
"Correct."
"Then can he truly be just an ally?"
Kiritsugu tapped the table.
"Hahaha, who knows?"
Samuel's faux-Zouken laughed in sync.
"Now, Matou-dono, to the main point…"
Kiritsugu rolled up his sleeve, revealing a blood-red cross-shaped mark in three segments on his arm.
"Rumor has it the Matou family designed the Command Spell system. Their importance to Masters is obvious. Can you… do something?"
Samuel smiled. This was Kiritsugu's true aim—more Command Spells.
His hand brushed Kiritsugu's, and a new red segment appeared beside the original three.
The Matou family held texts on the Command Spell system, typically powered by the Greater Grail's mana, granting three spells. Samuel forcibly conjured a fourth, linking it to the Grail.
…
"Kiritsugu, even we could join the Holy Grail War, couldn't we? Why this?"
In a Fuyuki hotel, a spirited woman with short green hair dressed herself—Maiya Hisau, Kiritsugu's aide.
Though her words were incomplete, Kiritsugu, her long-time partner, understood. Sitting on the bed, he took a deep drag of his cigarette, exhaling a ring. "You're right, Maiya. We could compete alone, but you know I must win, so…"
"No chance to increase our odds can be missed."
Maiya finished naturally.
"Exactly. That's why I chose to work with the Matous. As one of the Three Families, creators of the Grail War, they're different from ordinary participants. Their intelligence alone sets them apart from far-off magi. They might even manipulate the war. My guess was spot-on…"
Kiritsugu raised his right hand, revealing a red pattern like three shuriken extending outward, now encircled by an extra arc.
The Command Spells, vital for Masters, appeared on his hand three years ago. Until yesterday, they were just three shuriken—three spells.
"Kiritsugu, that old man… something's off. Is partnering with him wise?"
Maiya's eyes held wariness.
"No choice. Ten years ago, I heard the Einzberns were recruiting, but when I arrived, they'd already passed. I don't know what happened, but since then, the Matous were my only option among the Three Families. That Tohsaka wouldn't bother with a mere magus like me. For that wish!"
***
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