---
Tohsaka Tokiomi assumed he had suffered a tremendous blow, so he didn't pay much attention to it.
"We need to revise our plans…" Tokiomi said with a troubled expression.
"With the priest dead, we've lost the support of the supervisor. Our advantage has been greatly weakened."
"I've decided to seek cooperation with Saber's side. What do you think?"
Gilgamesh crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, his face full of disdain.
"Unnecessary."
With that, he turned into spirit form and left.
Kotomine Kirei, on the other hand, didn't particularly care. He had no strong feelings about the Holy Grail War anyway.
Although—
After talking with Gilgamesh, his inner desires had been awakened, and Command Seals had reappeared on the back of his hand.
But since he had no extra Servant at the moment, he didn't pay much attention to it.
"I'll follow your arrangements, teacher," Kirei said.
"Very well. I'll plan things out first. Go get some rest—you must be grieving," Tokiomi replied with a smile.
And so, Kirei left.
---
Meanwhile—
After Haruka Kasugano pointed out that Kiritsugu Emiya was likely staying in a hotel by the seaside,
Kayneth and Diarmuid searched through the suitable hotels in the area.
But from daytime until midnight,
They found nothing.
"Damn it! Why does that useless informant have to become unreliable at a time like this?" Kayneth cursed.
"Sola… my Sola, where are you?"
Diarmuid continued searching the surroundings, unwilling to believe he couldn't find Kiritsugu.
At that moment,
Kiritsugu Emiya was hiding in a nearby hotel.
He had already noticed that Kayneth and Diarmuid were searching for him in the area.
Although he had no idea how Kayneth knew he was nearby,
If he stepped outside now, Diarmuid would immediately detect him.
Helpless, he had to order Artoria and Irisviel to come provide support.
About ten minutes later,
As Diarmuid checked each hotel, he happened to reach the one where Kiritsugu was hiding.
He was just about to enter—
When Artoria appeared behind him.
"Lancer!" she called.
Diarmuid immediately turned around. "Saber, so you are here!"
"Tell me—where is my Master?"
Artoria looked confused. "What Master?"
"You don't know?" Seeing her puzzled expression, Diarmuid realized she truly didn't.
Inside the hotel, Kiritsugu was equally confused.
Maiya Hisau had failed to capture Sola.
So why was Lancer saying Sola was still missing?
Could it be that the one who knocked out Maiya that night wasn't Kayneth's subordinate?
Kiritsugu suddenly felt a sense of crisis.
In this Holy Grail War, there seemed to be an unknown faction operating behind the scenes.
---
For the moment, Kiritsugu couldn't make sense of it.
Looking at the current events,
Only the attack on Maiya had been unexpected…
Could it have been Kotomine Kirei?
No. Based on Maiya and Irisviel's earlier descriptions, Kirei's target was Kiritsugu himself. Kidnapping Sola didn't align with his objectives.
Could it be Tohsaka Tokiomi…
No. As a local magus with such a powerful Archer, he had no need to abduct Sola.
Kiritsugu suddenly thought of Caster's mysterious Master.
Up until now… Caster's Master had never appeared!
And after Caster was defeated, that Master hadn't gone to the Church to seek protection either.
Was it confidence in his concealment abilities? Or distrust of the supervisor?
Though… Kiritsugu himself didn't trust this generation's supervisor either.
But these were only speculations. He had no certainty.
Seeing Saber arrive, Kayneth grew anxious again.
"Lancer, this is your fault! You were dawdling. Now that Saber's here, we've lost our chance to kill that man!" Kayneth scolded.
Diarmuid tried to explain through telepathy: "My lord, Saber seems unaware of Miss Sola's whereabouts."
"She's lying! Kill her!" Kayneth shouted.
Diarmuid didn't know what to do. He was certain Artoria truly knew nothing about Sola.
"Saber, shall we settle this now?" Diarmuid asked.
"Very well. I accept. But your Noble Phantasm…" Artoria questioned.
"No matter. Let us both fight at full strength," Diarmuid smiled.
"Mm." Artoria nodded, as if having found a kindred spirit.
And so the two engaged in an exhilarating duel.
Watching them enjoy their one-on-one fight, Kayneth clenched his teeth in rage.
"Lancer, you're enjoying yourself again… Can't you just kill her properly?"
Kiritsugu observed Kayneth's position and realized he couldn't get a clear shot.
Maiya had also taken a high vantage point, but although Kayneth was in a wheelchair, his combat experience was exceptional. His hiding spot was well concealed, making it impossible for her to snipe him.
Kiritsugu grew troubled.
Saber was clearly enjoying the fight. This was a waste of time. He needed to figure out a way to eliminate Kayneth efficiently.
Not far from there, Circe was observing everything.
She transmitted the scene to Haruka Kasugano.
Haruka Kasugano began analyzing the situation.
The current developments only occurred because he had disrupted the original course.
Since Sola was in his hands, Kiritsugu no longer had leverage over Kayneth, preventing events from unfolding as in the original storyline.
But—
Kayneth had to die.
If he didn't, Sola might still be rescued, and she wouldn't remain under Haruka Kasugano's control to generate rewards.
Who knew how this strange system judged things?
What if once Sola left, all his current rewards were revoked?
The second reason Kayneth had to die was—
If he didn't, how would Artoria completely lose trust in Kiritsugu?
After all, it was because of Diarmuid's suicide that Artoria truly split from Kiritsugu, and even Irisviel began to feel estranged from him.
So Kayneth and Diarmuid had to die in front of Artoria and Irisviel.
But how…
Haruka Kasugano hurried back to his rented apartment and entered Sola's room.
The room was extremely bare—aside from a bed, there was nothing.
Sola had no clothes and could only curl up on the bed.
After being violated by Haruka Kasugano and left unclothed for two days, her sense of shame had gradually broken down.
When she saw him enter, she didn't even try to hide herself, only staring blankly.
"Are you here to humiliate me again?" Sola demanded.
"Not for now. I'm here on business," Haruka Kasugano smiled.
He then took out Circe's recording crystal.
Recognizing it, Sola panicked and hurriedly covered herself.
"What are you doing? Are you going to record my disgrace and use it to threaten me?" she shouted.
"I wouldn't stoop that low. Just your face is enough," Haruka Kasugano laughed.
He grabbed her by the hair and recorded her disheveled face.
After that, he left.
Sola remained frozen in confusion.
He… didn't continue?
Strange… why did she feel disappointed?
She shook her head and lay back down to sleep.
---
Meanwhile, Artoria and Diarmuid were still enjoying their duel.
Both were moved by the other's chivalric spirit, engaging in a knightly battle.
Kayneth and Kiritsugu watched in frustration.
Couldn't they finish sooner?
At that moment, someone knocked on the door behind Kiritsugu.
Knock, knock, knock.
Kiritsugu was startled. Holding his submachine gun cautiously, he approached the door.
"Relax, Mr. Emiya," Haruka Kasugano called from outside with a smile.
"Who are you?" Kiritsugu asked.
"I'm the one who took Sola," Haruka Kasugano replied.
"You… Then why are you here?" Kiritsugu couldn't understand.
If Haruka Kasugano intended to kill him, there was no need to knock and talk.