Under his mask, Lelouch couldn't help but feel pleased with how things were progressing. So far, everything was going according to the plan and on schedule. The Masters were frightened, confusion prevented them from openly challenging him. Master of Lancer, enforcer Bazett Fraga McRemitz was crucial for this part.
She had come here under orders of her masters in the Association and the Church to observe and investigate their missing personnel. As part of the war, she is to act as their representative as well. A person of authority, even as a participant. If Zero could put her into a bad position, one where she could do little but listen to his rules, the rest would fall in line.
'Illya was instructed to stay disengaged, not to take off her mask or easily accept my proposition for a way out. She wants to take care of Shirou Emiya, I shall let her do so. With her hiding our alliance, she won't have issues forming teams with others. Since Assassin and Saber's masters are already working together, Illya becoming the third wheel of their group will be beneficial.'
The German princess wanted to get away from her family, be free and now take her 'little brother' with her. Lelouch didn't care about her ambitions as long as she followed his instructions. Their drones already confirmed that Matou was in cahoots with Emiya. The fact that the brother of Sakura Matou went inside Emiya's residence today only confirmed it.
'The fact Sakura decided her brother would make a better attendant was unexpected but played into my hands. The boy isn't an idiot, but too eager to show off. I'm curious if he can command Assassin or not. Still, the lack of knowledge of new servants' names is problematic. Intelligence was able to close the era gap to the Edo period for Assassin, Ancient Greece or Rome for Berserker and potentially Scandinavia for Lancer. Archer is still the most confusing, his gear doesn't match with what they thought should be China or Central Asia based on his blades.'
An issue that shall resolve itself once Lelouch manages to put said servants on the path of hunting down Caster. Eventually, they will reveal their true names. Caster and the unknown master were a mystery, one that neither Nobu nor Lelouch could allow to ignore. Checking all foreigners who come into Japan in the last few months was a waste of time, if it was an experienced magi then they could easily sneak into the nation.
'Three of the masters here are teenagers, inexperienced and most likely still on high alert about everything. Bazett Fraga is a different matter, but being an enforcer with an impressive history made her predictable in a way. She will think and act like the enforcer, taking into account all risks and realizing she has no time to check proof of all of them. She might not trust everything I said, but she cannot afford to underestimate me. Others will look up to her, waiting for her reaction. With so many masters still alive and in one place, no one wants to be the one who instigated a fight and went against the rules of the war. Especially if other masters might be coaxed into going after the troublemaker first.'
With Nobunaga playing her part in the plan, and a certain old face walking right into the trap Demons prepared for an overworked professor, the night was going smoothly. A few more words from Zero and those masters will serve their roles in the Grail War.
"Now, onto the matters of missing masters-"
"Wait-! You can't go in there yet!" Kaguya's shout was clearly heard by everyone.
As Zero was about to begin talking, the loud sounds of someone shouting and walking were heard from outside. Moments later the door was wide open as a new, unfamiliar face stared down at the masted masters inside. Poor Kaguya quickly appeared behind the newcomer, distressed
"Lord Zero, please forgive me. This stranger appeared out of nowhere and started walking towards your office. I tried to stop him without alerting K-"
"You have done a good job." Zero raised his palm to stop her. "It isn't the fault of the host that their guest is lacking manners in the first place."
Lelouch claimed down his assistant, his focus never leaving a new person. Adult man, with grey hair, and a cold and distant look despite having a smile on his face. Of course, the Demon Emperor had seen this face before in photos taken by his spies and people in Europe.
The fact that the newcomer wasn't wearing a mask was already promising to be a hassle.
"With all due respect to our friend in the dark mask, I did not have a lot of time to understand what was going on. My servant sensed the presence of multiple servants at one place and I had to act quickly. After all, as Lord of Clock Tower, I still view it as my responsibility to ensure younger magi won't get into trouble and make the wrong decision."
"Wait." the mask that was supposed to be Rin Tohsaka's looked between Zero and the newcomer. "You're Lord?!"
"Oh, I almost forgot to properly present myself. Ladies and gentlemen, let me formally introduce your visitor." the man bowed his head low enough to be respectable. "Marisbury Animusphere, the head of the Animusphere family and Lord of the Department of Astromancy within the Clock Tower. Master of Caster."
The way the man presented himself, an absolute lack of care for his own anonymity, it was clear what he wanted to achieve.
The way the masks of Fraga, Tohsaka and Matou looked at each other was enough to see their surprise was strong. However was it enough to break the atmosphere of sheer disparity in power between them and Zero?
'Trying to intimidate them to your bidding, is it? A Clock Tower Lord isn't someone you can easily challenge, let alone attempt to kill, at least in the case of a young magi and an enforcer. Is he aiming to undermine my plan to set up authority as overseer?'
Rin Tohsaka and Bazett Fraga were more closely tied to the magus organization than the others. If they got into their idea of hiding behind the name of Animusphere, it would be three masters and three servants who might attempt to go against the design of the overseer. Lelouch only needed that role to serve a limited time before discarding it, once either enough servants were slain or all true identities were revealed. Having three masters team up against his goals will be dangerous, make it four if certain the professor will decide to team up with another Lord. Still, Zero couldn't allow this man still his show, the night was meant to belong to Demons, not Lords.
"I did not expect for someone of your status to be a part of this war. Please take a seat, Lord Animusphere." Zero pointed towards the new chair staff brought inside the room. "Your visit is quite unexpected, considering your location is one that remains unknown to me, the overseer of this war. Although, it is not unwelcome. In fact, a man of your status might need to ensure this war will stay hidden from the mundane world."
"How so?" Marisbury asked simply as he sat down before picking the refreshments placed nearby. "Your inability to find me is thanks to the efforts of my Servant. After all, it is nothing but strategy and skill to stay out of other people's eyes when you don't want to be spotted. Can I try it? My lips are parched."
"Please, enjoy yourself, Lord Animusphere." Lelouch grimaced.
"Thank you very much, good sir." Marisbury smiled before drinking. At this point, the rest of the masters were simply watching two men. "Oh? Is it Appleton Estate? Hmm, you have great taste, dear host."
"Hearing such praise from the Clock Tower's elite is a rare compliment. But please, call me Zero."
Marisbury thought about it for a second, still sipping the drink.
"Zero...Hmm, forgive me but I can do no such thing. Over the years I learned that the best way to do business is to address other people directly. You will have to pardon me, but it isn't within my nature to indulge the fantasies of others. Nothing against this event of yours, this masquerade isn't something that sits well with me."
"Then I suppose I should feel less guilty being unable to send you a mask. A shame for a tool to simply be left in the box." Zero politely laughed.
"Perhaps. Or mayhap I would have taken it with me, as a souvenir at least, if you were able to deduce my location." Marisbury's small smile was starting to irritate Lelouch. "I might not enjoy being a part of someone else's game, but I do appreciate it when others like yourself indulge me in my own. Thankfully, the timing of this little soiree of yours is impeccable. Would you mind a borrow a moment of your time as I wish to make an announcement of my own."
Lelouch knew he couldn't just decline it. For others, it would have looked too defensive. And so, Zero nodded.
"Splendid! In that case, dear masters of Fifth Grail War, I have a proposition to all of you." Marisbury paused, making sure they got interested and were anticipating his next words. "I will not try to forcibly dissuade all participants partaking in this conflict, but I will present you with a guarantee. Shall you surrender to me after losing your Servant, I will spare you and take you under my wing. An offer under my tutelage, so to speak. I will guarantee you protection against any threats post-surrender and maybe even ask you to join my Department. Surely magi who managed to become Masters and join the war of this caliber are worthy to attend the Clock Tower."
Some of them looked at each other, while Emiya dared to ask.
"But why? Aren't we a competition here? I know I don't want to kill anyone in this room, but that still begs the question. Why offer to recruit us, your enemy and rivals?"
'A very suspicious offer, one veiled with an opportunity for betrayal.' Lelouch narrowed his gaze at the young man across him. The thought that he may be sharper than he seems in the report coming to mind.
"Good question, young man!" Marisbury clapped before blinking. "Sorry, the force of habit from my time of teaching, but you do remind me of my students a little bit. Regardless, just like you, I do not wish to kill people without absolute necessity. This war, the Grail you see, it's merely the easiest path for me to achieve my goals of doing something good for our kind. If it was possible, I would have liked to avoid fighting entirely and would simply make a deal with other masters. Surely, there must be quite a lot a Clock Tower Lord can offer in exchange for letting me win the Grail. Besides, with how many promising magi were lost in the past decade, I must also think of this as an investment into our kind's future.'
'You are a fucking bastard, Marisbury Animusphere.' Lelouch bit his tongue. 'Trying to use my platform to set yourself up? You aren't even inviting them to a form team, merely surrender to you. He might as well scream: Go on, little masters. Fight to your heart's content and don't worry, I, Marisbury Animusphere, am more than willing to give you a free pass. Shoot your shot and see if you can win, if you can't that's fine. Unlike this scary person in a black mask, I offer safety for free since you might be promising students for me.'
The man was ruining his plan, taking his role of center actor in tonight's show. Lelouch had to analyze the situation and see how he could undermine whatever authority Marisbury managed to gain. Killing these masters was always an option, but if the Demons revealed their hand too early and were careless, they would force half of the masters into forming a team, one led by Marisbury. Matou and Emiya were fighting together, Illya might be able to show herself in there but that left Archer, Lancer and Caster working as a group. Expecting the worst, Lelouch had to count Waver and his Rider into it as well. Four servants, two lords and one enforcer shall not be underestimated under any condition. Not to mention-
'Lord Marisbury Animusphere was reported to be a careful man, one who didn't have too many enemies inside Clock Tower because he never stepped out of line unless he was assured of his victory. He isn't someone who will blindly charge into the enemy's territory without a plan, a backup and more...And he is master of Caster, the class that is worst for direct confrontation… Either his unmatched confidence is not without merit or this is a gambit.' That he couldn't tell at a glance worried Lelouch every passing second. 'Shall I decide to cut to the chase and simply have him killed, his Caster shouldn't be able to stop me if they're within my Territory... Unless this Heroic Spirit is someone too powerful…'
Memories of Caster Gilles de Rais from the previous war returned to Lelouch. The fallen-from-grace French hero wasn't someone one would call a powerful servant, and yet his Noble Phantasm was as destructive as it was grotesque. What if the Caster of this war is even more powerful?
'He and I are both in blind waters and yet Marisbury is confident enough of his success. Blind naiveite… No, it can't be it someone of his peerage, it must mean he is confident in his Servant's abilities. Nobunaga isn't here right now, she must be at the port for the next scene of this play. Still, he is unlikely to attack me. If he wanted to fight, he would have his Caster do so instead of coming here. Is this attempt to seize the attention away from me merely a ploy to undermine what he thinks might be my end goal? Or does he truly hope to win over some masters tonight?'
Still, Lelouch and Nobunaga had a special show for these masters. One that was meant to show them that the new overseer is not merely a rich person with an army of informants.
"It is always admirable to see that not all of magi kind is full of psychopaths who only care about themselves. Sadly, even despite being a Lord of the Clock Tower, such a respectable person as yourself cannot ensure the rest of your ilk will have some kindness for their fellow men."
"Hmmm…" Marisbury didn't look too pleased nor did he seem offended. "Oh, so you have promised the same protection for them, have you, dear altruistic arbiter."
"That's why I wish to use my power and resources to hide this war from the masses, after all. The sorcerous Isles of Britain is already full of hawks just in London alone." Zero looked between Masters, making sure to pause on boys from Emiya and Matou households. They were locals and surely understood the danger of Fuyuki becoming the focus of the moonlit world's attention. "Then again, little stopped me from taking care of magi who were already too dangerous and threatening my own. Even former members of the Clock Tower could do little but attempt to flee from me, so much good that it did them." Lelouch shrugged, though to his audience, it may have come off as a scoff. "Kurou Adashino was truly a unique, but equally dangerous person all on his own… The Clock Tower agrees, I see."
Perhaps he'd spent enough time around Nobu to inherit her more sadistic characteristics. Or maybe it was his own nature flourishing without any barriers being there to hold it. Either way, he did find joy in seeing the perfectly false smile drop from Marisbury's face for a moment, a cold expression slipping through the faps of politeness. The mask came back on immediately, but Lelouch knew he got under man's skin just a bit.
And it was a nice feeling.
"Speaking so brazenly of taking the lives of our affiliates while in the presence of a Clock Tower Lord is quite a bold move. Dear host, please do not forget that I'm still an authority figure that is meant to ensure peace back home."
"Indeed. 'Back home'. Not here. Not in Fuyuki. The city that is run by and is flourishing thanks to me. While I appreciate your kind words of warning, Lord Marisbury Animusphere, let us not forget who is the guest to my city." He didn't revel in asserting his position. It was just a statement of fact. "But while you're here, do indulge my curiosity on how things fare amongst Lords. Say, how would one react should they learn their fellow had come all this way, participating in a foreign ritual, seeking a powerful artifact. Would they feel threatened by that Lord, I wonder? Surely the balance of power isn't so skewed at the moment that the established peace would be tipped over should it come to light a euro-centric magus attempted to steal one of Japan's own sacred treasures? Another round of colonialism in this modern age is in poor taste, after all. Especially when only you get to walk away with a win."
"..." Marisbury didn't stop smiling, barely blinking. "You are absolutely correct, forgive me for saying something so out of place. This war is indeed quite special, let's ensure it won't get ruined by parties outside of it. That would only complicate everything for simple people."
The last part wasn't addressed to Zero, but to Bazett who was still silent.
'On that matter, we can agree, Marisbury.' Lelouch was getting exhausted, the rum was looking more inviting the more he had to hear Marisbury. "I can see why you might feel uneasy with me wearing my mask. After all, I wouldn't trust someone to guarantee rules and safe zones if I couldn't see their face. I wouldn't trust a person who hides their face, period. Human nature, and all."
"But aren't you the one who made us wear—"
"Hush, idiot!"
Lelouch smiled at the antics of Emiya and Matou boys. He could see that even with the mask on, Tohsaka was face-palming. He could see from the side glance that Illya was fighting the urge to giggle. The two adults in the room weren't amused.
Bazett was the one who asked him. "Then why won't you take it off? Wouldn't that make it easier for us to trust your words?"
Others stayed silent but were surely agreeing with her. Lelouch was sure even Illya was curious about how he looked under his mask.
"You aren't wrong. I have little reason to hide my face from you. In reality, only a few living souls know my identity and none of them can do anything dangerous with it." Zero placed his hand against the back side of his helmet. "I was planning to eventually take it off and reveal myself before participants of the war. But..."
"But?" Rin Tohsaka nervously muttered.
"But I love my theatrics and there is someone I wish to… Let's say 'impress'. To watch their reaction as I take off my mask and unveil the drama held together by this lone referee." He kept a finger pressed to his mask where his lip would be, some not seeing it but seemingly able to tell he was smiling. "Call it an act disguised as a 'love letter', if you will."
The children seemed confused, appalled even. The expression on Bazzett's face reflected as much. But Marisbury smiled. Oh, did he smile. Unhinged and amused, but also knowing and curious.
"Hm. I will accept those terms. I do not plan to retire early, but I see no need to press you further than my colleague."
"You can't be serious—"
"Oh, but I am, Master of Lancer. I am."
Bazett gave the Clock Tower Lord a sidelong glance before shrugging and giving up.
'Confident you need not reveal me now. Brazen bastard, hm.' Lelouch nodded back in faux gratitude. "Please entertain my eccentricities. I know not where that person is watching from, or if they will see, but I can tell you this. Should you survive long enough in this war, you are all invited to the reveal. Until such a time, you will enjoy the company of Zero...Now, I think it is time we watched something informative together. Can't keep talking forever or we will miss the very interesting show."
"Show?" Illya was curious, she didn't know about this part of his plan.
"Indeed! After all, I'm sure all of you are interested in learning who is the Master of Rider and seeing his Servant in action, right?"
It was obvious what their answer would be. Even Marisbury was silent, waiting for Zero to continue. And so the masked man did.
"Now. where is this remote controller-?" Zero looked around his desk, actually looking for it. "Don't tell me we lost it again..."
"Agh!" Zero glanced at Matou's fake master. "W-what's that-?!"
He was scared as his finger pointed at the huge window behind Zero. Other masters were on alert too, with Bazett even standing up in a defensive position, ready to fight.
"Hmm?" Lelouch turned around to see the giant silver claw behind the window. Its long slender and deadly fingers were holding something. "Oh, here it is! Thank you, Q1!"
Zero moved to open the window as the giant claw's fingers carefully gave to its master his lost item before the claw moved out, moving up and disappearing from the eyes of other masters. However, now they knew there was something or someone above their heads. It was easy to see how frightened they were by it.
Matou. Of course it was the Matou boy.
However, Tohsaka wasn't feeling better either. "W-what was that, Zero?"
"My bodyguard. Please, do not mind them."
Zero simply waved off their dread and activated the remote controller. A moment later the wall with trophies on it moved aside, revealing a giant TV screen behind it. With another press of a button, the screen was showing quite familiar to some in the room. Fuyuki's port. It was a live broadcast from several cameras. The drones were really useful when Lelouch and Nobunaga wanted to see how the city was fairing.
With a smirk under his mask and a note of sadism in his tone, the Demon Emperor asked his quests/future victims.
"Who wants to see Waver Velvet, or as he goes by these days, Lord El-Melloi II, another Lord of the Clock Tower, be used as an example as to why you don't come to terrorize territories under my protection?"
Illya was the only one who raised her arm.