Nighttime
Einzbern Territory
Sensing a powerful mana approaching, Artoria, barely recovered after a day's rest in the castle, frowned.
"Kiritsugu, a Servant's presence is nearing fast."
"I know."
At Artoria's warning, Kiritsugu, exhausted in the castle, took a drag from his cigarette. His dark-circled eyes glanced skyward, sighing, his thoughts unreadable.
He'd expected a Servant attack. After all, he and Tokiomi had blown their base sky-high.
With such a grudge, Kiritsugu wasn't surprised—retaliation was inevitable.
His real worry was the hopeless situation. His ambush had destroyed their base, even the building. It should've been a success.
But someone had foreseen it, reinforcing the workshop's core with defensive magecraft, saving its people and assets.
Worse, the workshop held not just Lancer, but Scáthach and Iskandar—top-tier Servants. A rugged, barbaric redhead wielded a Reality Marble, an absurd trump card, derailing their plan.
His Reality Marble not only protected Kayneth's base but wiped out the numerous, stealthy Assassins.
Their plan—two Servants ambushing one for a quick win—lost a Servant early, leaving Saber to struggle alone.
She nearly fell to Scáthach's spear, escaping only when Berserker's madness caused chaos, preserving one Servant.
Last night's plan ended in crushing defeat.
Not only did they make no progress, but Saber was gravely injured, and a precious Command Seal was lost, leaving Kiritsugu anxious.
He couldn't find Irisviel, eliminate any foes, or match their strength—a total deadlock.
His anxiety grew.
Since joining the War, troubles never ceased.
First, Aoko Aozaki raided the Einzberns, stealing Third War data while deflecting his Origin Bullet. Then, the cautious yet formidable Lord El-Melloi disarmed his Origin Bullet, sealing his trump card. And Irisviel was taken by someone unknown, with no clues.
Even Artoria, Camelot's guardian hailed by Jubstacheit, underperformed, battered by various foes. She nearly died to Scáthach, and their alliance with Tokiomi yielded nothing, facing a fierce counterattack. Kiritsugu's unease turned to despair.
Could he win this War?
Was it possible?
Maybe… not. Even surviving was a question.
He wondered why every plan veered off course.
He faintly sensed an unseen hand manipulating the War, forcing everyone to its rules. He lived in its shadow, seeing no hope, driven to a dead end.
His hollow eyes stared at the cloudy, starless sky, oppressive and unreadable.
He couldn't read omens, but even if he could, this sky offered nothing.
His thoughts became a whisper.
"Irisviel… where are you?"
Kiritsugu murmured, as if reaching Irisviel, examined by Aoko Aozaki under Fuyuki's stadium.
Though surrender seemed viable, Kiritsugu's heart refused.
His wish—to save humanity—remained unfulfilled. He couldn't fall yet.
Despite the darkness ahead, he had to push through.
He bore too much—his father, foster mother, wife, assistant, and countless hopes. He had to respond.
Just a Holy Grail War, a fight against filthy mages. He'd never lost before and wouldn't now!
Exhaling heavily, Kiritsugu turned to Saber. "Prepare for battle, Saber. They're coming for us. We can't avoid it—only fight."
His voice was calm, but Artoria heard his pain and tremor.
She knew her Master was all-in.
"I've requested aid from the Tohsakas, but I can't guarantee they'll come."
Kiritsugu donned his jacket, gearing up, speaking to his assistant entering the room. "Maiya, leave through the back. This will be a brutal battlefield, possibly my grave. You don't need to die with me. Take our earnings and live well."
To Hisau Maiya, his longtime partner, Kiritsugu gave what might be his final smile.
"Wait, Kiritsugu, let's escape together! You've done enough. No one will blame you. You don't have to face unbeatable enemies!"
Seeing Kiritsugu's resolve, Maiya shouted.
Unbeatable enemies…
Kiritsugu shook his head, unmoved. "Sorry, Maiya. Escaping together is impossible. With Rider's mobility, fleeing is a fantasy."
"And talk of 'unbeatable' means nothing. I only know it's my turn to sacrifice for justice."
He spoke calmly, nodding to the hesitant Artoria at the door.
"Saber, let's face our final battle."
"I understand, Kiritsugu."
Meeting his gaze, Artoria nodded solemnly. "I may not agree with your actions, but as long as our contract holds, I'm your Servant."
"Let's fight this last battle together!"
Inspired by Kiritsugu's resolve, Artoria burned with fighting spirit.
In this dire moment, the once-strained Master-Servant duo set aside differences, uniting for the War's final stretch.
"Kiritsugu…"
Maiya reached out, wanting to speak, but—
The predicted mana reached the castle's gate.
"They're here." ×2
Kiritsugu and Artoria exchanged glances and stepped outside.
…
Castle Gate
"Master, what's coming?"
Artoria, poised for battle, eyed the approaching mana, her power radiating.
"A sports car… a vehicle, less practical than military ones."
Kiritsugu answered calmly.
"Master, should I strike first?"
As the car neared, Artoria's mana surged, her butler outfit transforming into blue-silver armor, Excalibur gripped tightly.
Kiritsugu, meanwhile, readied an RPG, aiming for a preemptive strike.
"Hey, Einzberns, is this how you greet guests?" As he prepared to fire, a white megaphone emerged from the car, its occupant shouting.
"Guests?"
The call stunned Kiritsugu and Artoria, their expressions odd. They paused, glancing at each other.
The red sports car sped past, drifting with a tail-light flash, stopping neatly at the gate.
"Yo, we meet again, Saber."
A graceful female voice sounded. A tall, purple-haired woman in formal attire stepped out, accompanied by a black-haired youth Artoria didn't recognize.
Roy greeted Kiritsugu. "Long time no see, Mr. Emiya."
"…"
"Lancer?"
Recognizing the woman, Artoria spoke.
"Indeed. You look lively, Saber. I'm relieved."
Scáthach, stepping out, squinted at Artoria's chest, noting her near-full recovery, marveling at her resilience.
But Roy's expression was odd. He looked at the wary Kiritsugu, puzzled. "Don't you remember me, Mr. Emiya? We met on the first night."
"Of course I do, Lord El-Melloi's student. I just didn't expect you to be Scáthach's Master. You fooled everyone. I thought Aoko Aozaki allied with the Matous to summon Scáthach and Berserker, but it was you, unnoticed by all."
Kiritsugu nodded, sighing. "You had Aoko infiltrate the Einzberns for data, then joined the War yourself. Controlling everything from the shadows—brilliant."
Seeing Roy, Kiritsugu's fragmented clues fell into place.
"Indeed, but I didn't hide intentionally. You just never considered me. And you overthought it."
Roy shrugged, smiling. "In the War, some target Masters. Without caution, you'd die unknowingly, right, Mr. Emiya?"
"…"
Kiritsugu didn't respond, knowing Roy mocked him.
Looking at the silent Kiritsugu and odd Artoria, Roy asked curiously, "What's with this stance? Expecting an attack? Surprised to see us?"
He scanned Artoria's Excalibur and Kiritsugu's RPG, noting their killing intent and resolve, finding it odd.
"No… it's… never mind. Why are you here?"
Seeing Roy's expression, Kiritsugu faltered, exchanging glances with Saber, then asking, "You're not here to attack?"
Had they arrived as Servants, Kiritsugu and Artoria would've fought to the death. But their formal attire confused them.
They couldn't grasp the situation.
"Hm?"
Scáthach, smiling, looked surprised.
"Didn't Rider tell you?"
"Tell us what?"
Saber was baffled.
"The Banquet. Didn't he invite me, Archer, Lancer, and Berserker to your castle for it? You didn't know?"
Even Scáthach was stunned, unsure what happened.
Roy, watching, covered his forehead, chuckling bitterly. He knew what went wrong.
That Rider…
"What?"
Artoria's expression shifted. She and Kiritsugu, confirming their ignorance, asked slowly, "Banquet? Rider didn't tell us. That's… odd."
Scáthach, dressed up for the Banquet, was speechless.
"Wait, Queen of the Land of Shadows, explain this in detail…"
Veins bulging, Artoria sheathed her weapon, gritting her teeth.
…
Confirming Scáthach's lack of hostility, Kiritsugu relaxed, his sweaty palm easing off the gun.
He looked at the smiling Roy, unsure what to do.
This was a chance to act. At this range, a surprise shot could kill him.
If Roy died, Scáthach would vanish, breaking the deadlock.
But…
After his recent failure against Kayneth, Kiritsugu couldn't confirm if this Roy was real. His Origin Bullet was known, so Roy would be prepared.
A failed shot would mean a Servant and Master duel…
Having seen Roy clash with Kayneth at the port, Kiritsugu knew he wasn't an opponent he could face head-on. A mistake meant elimination.
Sighing, Kiritsugu, confirming their lack of hostility, turned to leave.
"Take the castle. Hold your Banquet or whatever. I've got business, so I won't stay."
He started to leave, but Roy blocked his path.
"What's that mean?"
Kiritsugu frowned, wary, his fingers nearing a hidden gun, ready to act.
"No need for that, Mr. Emiya."
Facing the gun, Roy showed no fear, even amused.
Smiling at the tense Kiritsugu, he said calmly, "Truth is, besides the Banquet, I'm here to propose a deal."
"A deal?"
Kiritsugu's expression grew odd, recalling his disastrous deal with Tokiomi.
He didn't refuse outright, asking, "What deal? Ally to split the Grail?"
His tone held a hint of excitement.
Dream on.
Roy scoffed inwardly.
In Kiritsugu's position, only Tokiomi would ally with him. Roy knew Kiritsugu too well.
"Not the Grail. Something else."
Under Kiritsugu's hopeful gaze, Roy shook his head, pointing to his chest. "I want what's inside you, Mr. Emiya. I'll offer a price you can't refuse."
"What?"
Kiritsugu frowned.
He knew what Roy meant—a key asset in his fight. Though unsure how he knew, Kiritsugu wouldn't agree, no matter the offer.
"Don't rush to refuse, Mr. Emiya."
Before Kiritsugu could object, Roy's smile faded. His fingers flicked, producing a white photo, handing it to Kiritsugu.
"That item's important, but it's just an object."
"Life holds things more valuable than objects. Think it over. I'll await your answer."
Roy shook his head, patting Kiritsugu's stiff shoulder, then walked past without another word.
At the castle gate, Kiritsugu clutched the photo, staring at the familiar figure, his voice trembling.
"Irisviel…"
The lost treasure returned in another form, awaiting his choice.
***
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