Far away from the battleground-to-be that was Fuyuki city, a single magus observed the city from the window of his hideout on the outskirts of town.
Though spying on the competition would've been difficult for an ordinary magus, one Marisbury Animusphere was blessed with a very special boon. Though, how special would remain to be seen, alas the war had already started. Studying the location that was to become their field of battle had long since passed and prior investigations with the dedicated help of his companion led him to one simple conclusion.
"The real masterminds behind the Grail War seem to be keeping their hands clean."
"As we expected of them, Master."
Marisbury hummed in acknowledgement, carefully consulting the notes Heartless died trying to pass to him once more. He'd read through the dossier dozens of times over enough to have memorized it. Especially when they gave him the means to figure out the truth.
That there was more to this cycle of the age-old ritual than just another battle royale.
"I've confirmed the presence of the sixth Servant, Master." Marisbury shifted his attention to his partner as the man—nay, the Servant gave his report. "It seems your friend's companion riled up the last Master. I've sensed her fleeing the rough location of the last one to be summoned. Though I have yet to discern their identity, the magnitude of their mana signature suggests a problematic one."
The aged magus contemplated a bit. While it was unfortunate that Waver Velvet almost intervened in this issue, he couldn't say it was a bad thing to know one of the many players in the war. At the very least, knowing one's potential comrade amongst enemies was better than suspecting everyone else to be a foe.
Still, that the man's Servant blundered in pushing the seventh Master into successfully calling a bigger fish than his could handle alone… Marisbury was wondering if he should look a gift horse in the mouth.
'No matter.' He shook his head. "If all seven are in play, then we must move on with our plans, Caster." Putting Heartless' last project for him just above a candle, Marisbury willed his magecraft to set the pages alight. Once he was done torching the files, he cast the ashes out the window where he spied the city from. "No turning back now."
"Do you feel regret for taking this path?" His Servant prompted the question. "There is still the option to back out, Master."
"The die has been cast." The magus ignored the blank look of concern on the Heroic Spirit's face. Though he didn't express much, the man was somewhat aware of what his companion wanted to ascertain. "I may not know my opponent's names or hopes for the Grail… Nor do I think I'm in the right to choose this path over all others… But…" He took a tired breath in and sighed. "A decade ago, I may have thought differently. But the situation is untenable now. While we all minded our own business in the moonlit world, they have been scurrying in the darker shadows. The political situations and shifts of power over the years both hidden and otherwise might even be their doing as well. At this point, nothing is certain except for the fact that the world's balance is at risk."
The stakes included his position as Lord, as head of his family, and likely more. Whoever was behind the death of his former helper was an enemy Marisbury Animusphere couldn't ignore.
At the very least, the Lord of Clock Tower felt safer knowing he wasn't alone here. To fight shadows, he would need access to magecraft more powerful than any modern magi could utilize save for a few vampiric exceptions. Which was why he was internally glad his companion didn't voice any more protests.
However, that didn't mean he remained relaxed when the former royal, who wore an expression stiffer than homunculi, suddenly shifted his gaze to the city.
"Something wrong, Caster?"
"I sensed… something irregular. Two. Similar to Servants, but… not quite. Or rather, oddly formed." Vague as it was, rarely had there been anything the Heroic Spirit could discern as a threat. That he worded it warningly was something Marisbury noted. "One gives off an aura similar to my magecraft. Whatever it is, the air about them is from the time before even mine. Or maybe beyond."
"That's bad," Marisbury commented. Worst comes to worst, then perhaps this thing Caster sensed was the mastermind they were after. Hopefully not. He picked up his things and prepared to work. For now, they should stay low. Maybe build alliances with other Masters and try to find out whatever this thing is before eliminating it. "Let's go, Caster. Caution for now. We focus on scouting the city and enforcing our base of operation. This place will become our fortress if needed. Shore up our defenses and scope out the rest of the competition."
His ever-expressionless Servant didn't even give him the word of acknowledgement and simply returned to his work over spell circles. Marisbury sighed. He thought after going out of his way to find the only existing ring of the great king, that said king would be someone he could work with. He was, but he could stand to be a bit more talkative. There is so much one could have learned from someone of his status. But… oh well, at least as a Clock Tower Lord with his many connections managed to secure himself one of the strongest Servants one can hope for.
Seven summoned Servants. Two beings close to the Servant. One monstrous anomaly.
Though Marisbury wasn't aware of it, he was utterly and unfortunately correct in his assessment.
The Fifth Holy Grail War was shaping up to be even more destructive and complex than the last one.
***
Author's note:
Regardless of the chapter, you have seen all the servants and masters who are currently participating in the war. The Fifth war started and I'm pleased that people quickly deduced the identity of the Assassin in the last chapter. Can you guess who the Caster is? ;) Besides that, Salter is here and she has a bone to pick up with a few people. Poor Emiya Archer is yet to see the worst this timeline has to offer and make him suffer, who knows if he and Cu will even get to fight each other?
Beyond that, how is it going my fellow gacha addicts? How were your rolls this summer? Me? Nothing much, just got np2 Morgan from GSSR and got Vitch with few tickets during anny, new Halloween was very generous for me with both Zenobia and Jacques coming in 5 tickets, hehe-
But before you will click off, here is a small gift for you dear readers