[—My death will come eventually.]
…
…
"Phew…"
Exhaling a heavy breath.
Irritated, very irritated, extremely irritated.
That was the man's mood.
In a Fuyuki safehouse, having just sorted his weapons and assembled his Stinger RPG, Emiya Kiritsugu snuffed out his cigarette. He turned to the night sky outside, blowing a deep smoke ring.
The Holy Grail War had begun, and their deadly struggle had started.
Though accustomed to life-and-death battles, he held no attachment to his own life.
Emiya Kiritsugu, aspiring to be a hero of justice since childhood. To that end, he killed his birth father and adoptive mother to protect more people, forging a path of no return.
Ah…
Killing his father, his mother, the one who loved him most, he'd set himself on an irreversible road.
Since that day, his fate was sealed—his life's purpose reduced to saving the world.
Kiritsugu knew he didn't fear death. Perhaps he should've died when he killed his parents…
He would die, no question. His life, stained with too many sins for justice, he wouldn't deny or reject.
But not now. Before death, he'd strive for the legendary miracle, fulfilling the wish buried in him since childhood…
To save the world, bringing true peace to this era.
He sought nothing else.
For this miracle, Kiritsugu married into the Western European Einzbern family, aiming to join the Grail War through their slot, dedicating himself to the cause.
Though he'd suspected, when ordered by Jubstacheit to summon that one, his vile nature would clash with the king's.
But summoning her revealed a discord beyond imagination.
The King of Knights, protector of human order, Britain's Artoria Pendragon, a mythic legend—was a woman.
This shocked Kiritsugu, feeling deceived.
Brief interactions confirmed his bad premonitions.
Rigid chivalry, disciplined knightly spirit—her every action exuded Artoria's nobility.
Heh… no need to probe further. Kiritsugu knew her nature wouldn't accept his methods. Her naivety matched Irisviel's, but it deeply disappointed him.
Not for her strength.
A Heroic Spirit's power stems from legend, and Artoria, famed in Celtic myth, was undoubtedly top-tier.
But Kiritsugu saw no compatibility between them. Their meeting might've been a mistake.
In the Grail War, strong allies amplify power through synergy. But a mismatched pair, no matter how strong, would only hinder each other.
The path was clear: to win, he'd rely on himself. Artoria was merely support, holding off other Servants. The bullet deciding the war's outcome was his.
The Grail War's foes weren't just reborn heroes. Targeting fragile Masters was wiser.
And he was an expert at that.
In magecraft duels, he'd be crushed by the likes of Grand puppeteer Aozaki Touko, the El-Melloi Lord, or even traditionalist Tokiomi Tohsaka.
But in lethal assassination… that was his forte.
In this war, he'd show those magi why he was called the Magus Killer.
Thinking, Kiritsugu loaded bullets into his gun.
He glanced outside, his weary gaze drifting to the deep night sky.
…
…
Elsewhere, on Fuyuki's beach.
Under moonlight, a white-haired woman, elven in beauty, danced lightly, leaving footprints in the sand, her laughter like silver bells.
Having just left the castle she'd never stepped beyond, everything was fresh to Irisviel.
The starry deep blue sea under the night sky, the salty breeze unlike cold winds, filled her with wonder.
Pure as a blank canvas, she easily absorbed new colors, experiencing newfound joy.
To Irisviel, this was… freedom.
Something she'd never had.
"Irisviel…"
Watching her joyful steps, Artoria, in a black butler suit, was entranced by her pure smile.
That purity stirred memories Artoria had buried.
Wasn't she once such a girl? The early Artoria, pure as a lily, as beautiful and untainted as Irisviel now…
Reflecting, Artoria recalled her long, transformative journey.
As she reminisced, her gaze sharpened, sensing something. Her calm eyes flared, and azure battle aura erupted from her petite frame, turning toward a direction.
"What's wrong, Saber?"
The azure gusts swirled wildly, air humming.
Irisviel, strolling ahead, sensed Saber's fierce aura and turned to ask.
"A Servant's actively emitting their presence, inviting me—no, all Servants in this city."
Artoria explained.
"Should we check it out, Irisviel?"
"A Servant inviting us… the one from today?"
Irisviel recalled the purple-haired Servant.
"I don't know… Their aura is strong, sharp, but I'm no Caster. I can't identify them by mana alone. We'd need to go see."
Artoria shook her head.
"What do we do? Should we go?"
"Wait, Saber, let me ask Kiritsugu."
"Alright."
As Irisviel prepared to call her husband, her phone rang—Kiritsugu, sensing the anomaly. After a brief talk, she nodded to Artoria.
"Kiritsugu sensed the mana too. He says to head to the port. He'll join us soon."
"So it's the port? Got it. Let's go, Irisviel."
Following her Master's orders, Artoria nodded, gently taking Irisviel's hand like a knight, escorting her to the challenge.
…
In the underground parking lot near Fuyuki's sports arena.
Roy worked on perfecting his workshop's ritual array, awaiting an opportunity… or an answer.
"A challenge? Someone's thinking the same… Bold and intriguing."
Scáthach, flipping through a fashion magazine, stood and looked outside, murmuring.
"You sensed it too, Queen Scáthach?"
Roy, noticing the anomaly, paused to ask.
"Yes, some brazen fool's openly releasing mana, likely to draw challengers. Interesting. I was planning to strike first."
Scáthach squinted, speaking slowly.
"Someone beat you to it? No surprise, you've been reading magazines since returning."
Roy's eyes narrowed, suspecting an answer.
This world line hadn't changed much…
But, dear professor, I left you a letter warning you away. Why head toward this dead end?
Thinking of a certain lemon-haired figure, Roy sighed.
Too late to say anything now. His professor was here, unlikely to back off, probably for him…
"How about it, Caster? Shall we check?"
"Of course. A challenge like this demands a response. And… I sense their clear, flowing mana and spirit. They're a worthy foe."
"Fighting such a warrior in this era is what I crave."
Scáthach nodded, her eyes blazing with pure battle intent.
"Then let's go. Bring Touko. I'll support if needed. Also, something unusual's happening at the Tohsaka manor tonight…"
***
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