[—A decaying body creaks like branches, an aged soul wandering far. Looking back, it finds the path home long lost.]
...
...
"…Heh, quite surprising."
In the night, an ancient, eerie voice echoed atop the tower.
"Makiri Zolgen—a name I haven't heard from another in ages."
Hearing that familiar yet distant name, Matou Zouken paused visibly.
His gaze scrutinized the mysterious youth who'd disrupted his plans in Fuyuki, filled with wariness.
Due to his family's rebellious and incompetent heirs, the Matou magecraft had stagnated, unable to produce a decent magus.
Zouken had thus abandoned the Fourth Holy Grail War, pinning hopes on the next.
But with Kariya's betrayal for a woman and Tsuruno's utter ineptitude, no amount of time would change the outcome.
Due to various reasons, Zouken couldn't appear publicly, and his frail body couldn't handle intense combat. So, he sought talent externally for the next war.
The Tohsakas, fellow Holy Grail founders, had two prodigious daughters, and their head, Tokiomi, was troubled by their inheritance. For Zouken, it was a godsend.
He set his sights on Sakura, planning to use the promise of a Magic Crest to lure Tokiomi into adoption, then reshape her through magecraft into a tool for the Fifth Holy Grail War.
But before he could act, Roy intervened, shattering his plans.
A Clock Tower alchemical noble had preemptively adopted Sakura.
Learning this, even Zouken's decayed soul flared with rare rage.
Yet, it was futile…
The Crowley family, tied to a Lord, far outstripped the current Matous. He hadn't the audacity to storm the Clock Tower for Sakura. Swallowing his anger, he began seeking alternatives.
Just as he was about to give up, a strange letter arrived, addressed to Makiri Zolgen, with a meeting location.
Compelled to uncover the truth and the one who knew his identity, Zouken came to the tower, where Roy awaited, revealing himself openly.
"Indeed, I sent the letter. And I know your true identity—a magecraft genius from a century ago, Makiri Zolgen." Roy spoke calmly. "The same person as the current Matou head, Zouken."
"Ho, I never expected the Crowley lord from the Clock Tower to know so much, even unearthing a name I'd nearly forgotten. Such means are truly far-reaching…"
"But calling me here at this time isn't just to confirm this, is it? Your purpose in Fuyuki is far from simple. It seems Tokiomi, that useless heir of Nagato, hasn't noticed."
Zouken eyed Roy, sneering at Tokiomi.
"What do you want with me?"
"Oh? Forgetting your own name—you've truly fallen, haven't you? A former champion of justice reduced to this pathetic state. But that's irrelevant. My reason for calling you is simple."
Unfazed by Zouken's demeanor or hidden killing intent, Roy asked with a cold smile.
"Makiri Zolgen, how about partnering to win the Holy Grail War? You've no other options, have you? Talents like Sakura are rare, and with your state, time's running out. Even if you found another, you lack the time to train them…
"Instead of waiting to die, join me. This is your last chance to fight."
"You mean… ally to seize the Grail?"
Zouken's eyes shifted, his brazen smile fading.
"Of course. We've no enmity. What else would I be here for?"
"…"
Zouken fell silent, pondering Roy's words. After a long pause, he rasped, "Are you serious?"
He hesitated, for Roy spoke truth. Without Sakura, waiting was pointless. Teaming with Roy offered better odds, but…
"Did you adopt Sakura to cut off my path, forcing me to ally with you?!"
Realizing a near-truth, Zouken's withered eyes narrowed, staring at Roy with disbelief.
"Mm, that was partly to corner you. But mostly, I saved her because I wanted to. Her potential is vast, and her Imaginary Numbers attribute is rare. Why let you ruin it? Forcing a rare physique to fit your flawed plan—only you'd waste such a treasure."
Roy spoke calmly, conveying he knew Zouken's plans and secrets, shocking the old man further.
His identity and plans were always secret, never revealed in centuries—not even to Kariya or Tsuruno.
How did this man know so much?!
Zouken stared into Roy's enigmatic, smiling eyes.
Clairvoyance?!
To predict this much—what kind of monster was he?!
"…If I agree to ally, what about the Grail?"
Suppressing his turbulent heart, Zouken continued.
He couldn't deny he was tempted. Allied with Roy, with a Servant's power, they'd hold a massive advantage in the war.
With Roy's unfathomable strength, their chances were high. But he couldn't trust the Grail's outcome…
"No worries, Elder Matou. I've investigated. Since the Holy Grail ritual's inception, its amassed mana is unimaginable."
"After sacrificing seven Servants' souls, its power could reach the Root. From my understanding, you seek new life, immortality in essence. That wish is enough for both of us to share."
Roy smiled calmly.
"I don't intend to use the Grail to reach the Root. I'm only interested in the war itself."
"If you're uneasy, we can sign a Magecraft Oath."
"…"
"What Servant class do you plan to summon? Have you secured a Master's eligibility?"
Zouken asked after a long silence.
"Caster, for certain reasons. Don't worry about quality—I've prepared a top-tier catalyst."
Roy removed his glove, revealing three vivid Command Seals recently taken from a murderer, speaking calmly.
"…Fine. Visit the Matou residence in a few days. I'll give my answer."
After a prolonged internal struggle, Zouken made his choice.
"Mm, I await your response."
The outcome didn't surprise Roy. With no alternatives and high stakes, Zouken had no choice.
Even knowing Roy's schemes, with Sakura's adoption as a trap to force cooperation, he was powerless.
It was an open gambit, unsolvable for Zouken.
Had Roy merely threatened him with his secrets, Zouken would've fought to the death rather than comply.
He agreed because, as one of the few who knew the Holy Grail War's truth, with centuries of magecraft and Roy's aid, this plan far surpassed his own.
Compared to a bleak future, this was a rare opportunity.
Leaving those words, Zouken's decrepit form dissolved into worms, scattering into the night sky.
Even Roy's calm eyes flashed with undisguised disgust.
No matter. Victory was all that mattered. Even if Zouken would eventually betray him, Roy would triumph.
How tragic…
The champion of humanity, decayed by time into this repulsive state. Time was truly fearsome.
In that case, rather than letting you rot as an worm in the shadows, I'll send you off, letting you depart this world as a man.
A fitting farewell for Makiri Zolgen, the champion of justice.
***
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