"Ugh..." Waver adjusted his casual clothes, his heart racing with anxiety. He had just received a response from Saber's Master, who expressed a desire to meet and discuss a potential alliance. 'If you are afraid, you can refuse,' Rider had told him, giving him the choice, though Waver knew this meeting held significant strategic value.
Basing his expectations on Kiritsugu Emiya's notorious reputation, Waver would be lying if he said he wasn't terrified. Kiritsugu was a ruthless man, known for killing magi through any means necessary. To negotiate with him was akin to asking a tiger for its skin.
'Calm down, Waver Velvet!' he scolded himself. 'You are Rider's Master. There is no reason to be afraid.' He took a deep, shaky breath, trying to steady his nerves before finally stepping out of the room.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Rider. I'm ready to go now."
Rider, currently clad in casual long sleeves, glanced at Waver. "Hmph. Not flinching in the face of such a man is worthy of praise. Let's hope you can maintain that confidence until the meeting is over."
"I won't embarrass you, Rider. I am your Master!" Waver declared with more conviction than he felt.
"Good..."
...
"Choosing such a conspicuous location... can we consider this a gesture of sincerity?" Kiritsugu Emiya sat at an outdoor table with Saber, watching Waver and Rider approach. This was a busy shopping street; any conflict here would inevitably involve the public.
Kiritsugu's eyes scanned the area. 'No magical traps... no hidden explosives.' He was naturally cautious, and only after confirming the safety of the perimeter did he relax slightly.
"The Magus Killer, Kiritsugu Emiya," Waver began, imitating Rider's poised and elegant posture as he sat down. He knew he couldn't show any weakness. "You've killed many magi, but you've never intentionally harmed civilians. Even if you wanted to kill me right now, you wouldn't do it in a place like this."
Kiritsugu's hand paused as he was about to light a cigarette. It was clear Waver had done his homework. While many ways to eliminate the youth flashed through his mind, he admitted it wasn't the right time. He and Saber were in desperate need of allies. In the previous skirmishes, it had become clear that Assassin and Archer were working together. Against those two, fighting alone was a recipe for disaster. The combination of Archer pinning down Servants while Assassin targeted Masters was a lethal threat.
'No resentment?' Kiritsugu wondered, glancing at Waver. This student of Kayneth had clashed with his instructor at the Clock Tower, yet he showed no sign of hostility toward the man indirectly responsible for Kayneth's death. Did he not know, or was he simply prioritizing the war?
"Ah-woo!" Saber, meanwhile, was not interested in the tension. She had already begun devouring the food on the table.
'Has she never eaten before?' Lelouch thought, watching her in astonishment. He had never seen someone with such an insatiable appetite.
"Let's get to the point," Kiritsugu said, leaning back and ignoring his unlit cigarette. "I want to hear what you have to propose."
"I'll be direct," Waver said, crossing his arms. "The status of the war is clear. I'm proposing a temporary alliance between our groups."
Saber tilted her head, her ahoge twitching slightly. She looked at Rider, who was calmly sipping coffee, and felt a sense of unease. 'The unknown King of Britannia... why is he so silent?'
Kiritsugu was also trying to read Lelouch. Though he didn't know the King's true name, Saber's reaction suggested he was a former ruler of Britannia. While the history of Britannia wasn't exceptionally long, he couldn't quite place this young King's identity. This "Emperor" felt fundamentally different from the historical figures he knew.
"Assassin and Archer are already an established camp," Waver continued. "Their Masters, Tokiomi Tohsaka and Kirei Kotomine, share a mentor-disciple bond. Dealing with them individually is nearly impossible. You don't want to be caught in a pincer attack by two Servants, and neither do we."
Kiritsugu remained expressionless, but he didn't disagree. "And your terms?"
"I don't know what your ultimate wish is, but surely you don't intend to exit the war prematurely," Waver said, pressing his advantage. "The deaths of your wife and assistant, as well as the loss of my mentor and his fiancée... these are the stakes. We need this alliance to survive."
Waver had spent a long time considering these points. For an alliance to work, there had to be mutual benefit and equality. He knew Kiritsugu was a rationalist; the Magus Killer wouldn't refuse a hand extended in friendship when he was already backed into a corner. No other group would trust him, and Saber alone couldn't handle Archer and Assassin simultaneously.
Kiritsugu realized he was Negotiating from a position of weakness. This youth had seen through his situation entirely. Aside from the unrevealed Masters of Caster and Berserker, everyone else was an enemy. The Rider camp was forcing him to choose: join them, or risk everything on the unknown.
'No wonder...' Kiritsugu thought, looking at the silent Emperor. Rider didn't need to speak because the logic was already undeniable. As long as Kiritsugu remained rational, there was only one possible answer.
"Very well. Let us discuss the specific terms of this agreement,", Kiritsugu said, pulling a parchment scroll from his coat. It was a Geis contract...