The establishment of the Time Travelers Alliance began in the first year of Conan

Chapter 328 And so, Kiritsugu Emiya became a champion of justice (Seeking monthly votes)

If we say that miracles can always happen in the alliance, that the best of both worlds can always be achieved, and that a perfect ending can always be reached.

So, as for Kiritsugu Emiya—his abilities are really limited.

Even Hisayu Maiya would probably find it hard to believe.

This man, with his stern face, dull eyes, short, weathered stubble on his chin, and a face full of stories, was once cheerful and happy.

During this man's childhood, he and his beloved father, the "Sealing Designated Magician" named Emiya Norikaze, lived a life of hiding and dependence on each other while being hunted by the Mage's Association.

At the time, young Kiritsugu was unaware that his father, in order to develop a magic that could "extend the lifespan of the body," had set his research focus on beings called "Dead Apostles."

All he knew was that after he and his father changed their names and came to a small island in Southeast Asia, he finally ushered in a peaceful and happy time.

That was a warm and unforgettable memory.

For example, there's that girl named Xia Lei.

Kind, lively, cheerful, and intelligent, this "big sister" figure who always took care of him quickly won Kiritsugu's heart.

"What kind of adult does Kiritsugu want to become when he grows up?"

Perhaps this is the beginning of everything.

"...That's a secret, of course."

This is how I answered at the time.

Perhaps it was because he hated his dreams being ridiculed as naive, or perhaps it was because he didn't want to reveal his feelings to Xia Lei.

Then--

The familiar, gentle smile was replaced by those twisted, bluish-black veins, and the vibrant, healthy body was transformed into an inhuman contortion and spasm.

An unexpected incident occurred during the experiment to turn the child into a dead apostle.

"I'm so scared... I can't do it myself... Please..."

"Kill me...please..."

His beloved girl, his dearest family member, gasped and struggled in agony, begging Kiritsugu Emiya to kill him.

But how could Kiritsugu, who was young at the time, have accomplished that?

So the boy sought help from the priest at the island's church, and this message obviously ended up in the hands of someone who should never have known about it.

Finally, those agents and hounds from the [Sanctuary Church] and the [Magic Association]—

They wiped out all the residents of the island.

For an ordinary magician, this would simply be an accident during an experiment.

But after learning that his father still wanted to continue his research, and that his father, who deeply loved Kiritsugu, was unprepared to take young Kiritsugu and flee this "land of conflict," he realized that Kiritsugu was not prepared to do so.

Kiritsugu Emiya's life was completely changed at that moment.

He shot and killed his own father.

—The first laurel tree felled by the man.

……

What happened next was much "simpler".

Natalia Kaminski.

The mage who rescued Kiritsugu from that hellish village then stepped forward to negotiate with the Mage's Association.

Finally, in exchange for handing over 80% of the magical achievements of the Emiya family in exploring time manipulation, Kiritsugu, who inherited the remaining portion, became a magician assassin specializing in hunting down magicians.

As for Kiritsugu Emiya, he quickly came to understand this rapidly growing child.

The tragedies and deaths caused by magicians like his own father were as common as drinking a glass of water every morning.

—Then what was the point of killing my father back then?

Therefore, the only valuable thing Kiritsugu could find in the "laurel tree" he had cut down was—

Only by killing all these magicians can salvation be achieved.

So he felled a second laurel tree.

That was precisely the object Kiritsugu needed to rescue—the plane that was at an altitude of over 3,500 feet.

The Dead Apostle magician known as the "Messenger of the Demon Bee" was ultimately killed by Natalia.

But he cleverly hid the swarm of bees that had transformed into dead apostles on the plane.

In the end, all three hundred passengers on the plane except Natalia turned into ghouls—along with a swarm of flying bees that could quickly turn anyone who stung them into a "zombie."

Perhaps God wanted this overconfident person to taste the bitter fruit of his actions.

—The exact same situation as it had been on that small island has happened again.

……

In fact, for Kiritsugu at that time, the choice of "killing one to save a hundred" was not difficult.

After losing contact with Natalia.

Kiritsugu then scurried around the black market, managed to acquire a surface-to-air missile from the underground market in New York, and immediately boarded a small boat to get directly beneath that flight path.

Even if Natalia hadn't revealed her care and maternal love for Kiritsugu at the last moment...

Perhaps this man wouldn't be so extreme as he is now, but would continue to uphold his indifference and ruthlessness until he dies one day in the crusade against the magician.

But the result is often the opposite.

At this final moment of life and death, this teacher, whom Kiritsugu had always considered exceptionally strict, began to stammer for some reason.

"Well... to use your words, kid, seeing you become like this, I... also feel a little guilty."

She gave a bitter smile.

"You are completely unaffected by your mindset when you take action. Even the most talented assassin needs to prepare, but you had this talent from the start."

However, Natalia's words did not bring Kiritsugu any comfort at this moment.

On the contrary, that rare emotion chilled him to the bone.

—It's too late.

Why did it take you so long to find out?

Such a thought immediately popped into Kiritsugu's mind.

The hellish scene that Kiritsugu had vaguely envisioned in his mind was now rushing towards him once again.

He instinctively wanted to hang up the call.

But it can't be done.

Every word contained sincerity, apology, and unspoken care...

This forced him to listen to Natalia continue.

The waves on the sea seemed to have no effect on the figure on the small boat. But the man's heart had been completely torn apart by this sudden "confession".

With a hoarse voice, he asked the teacher, who seemed like a completely different person, for confirmation.

"Isn't this talent good?"

Natalia was somewhat moved.

"While it's not necessarily a bad thing, if it crosses a certain line, it's more like it's letting the talent dominate the thoughts of the person themselves."

"If someone discovers they have a talent for music from the beginning, they are less likely to try techniques other than painting, and are more likely to embrace—"

She thought for a moment.

"...If you hold the idea of ​​not wasting this talent and have a 'I should do this' mentality, then your life path will be firmly bound to this path, and you will be pushed forward like a machine."

"so……"

Natalia sighed heavily, and then, somewhat awkwardly, confessed her feelings to Kiritsugu once again.

"Seeing you like this, I feel somewhat guilty."

This is a rare occasion for Kiritsugu Emiya, who was both his mentor and foster mother, to talk about his past.

She recalled the beginning and end of her relationship with the child, smiled, and said:

"Tsk, speaking of which... before I met you, I was alone for a long time..."

This usually strict teacher's tone had lost its former sharpness, carrying a strange awkwardness.

"How should I put it? This feeling... isn't bad."

"Moreover, I didn't expect this mission to cause such a big commotion. It seems... I really have become complacent."

Recalling how her mission had gone wrong, resulting in the deaths of more than 300 passengers, she was unusually weary.

"Maybe I'm getting old and it's time for me to retire."

Kiritsugu, on the other hand, felt that Natalia's assessment of him couldn't be more accurate.

He didn't even know how he aimed, locked on, and then put his finger on the trigger.

—And so everything happened naturally.

In fact, to prevent Natalia from discerning his thoughts and intentions from his silence.

Kiritsugu had no choice but to take the initiative and try to distract her: "If you retire, what will you do then?"

"If I retire..."

The voice on the other end of the line became unusually gentle and kind.

"Maybe from now on, I really can only try to play the role of a mother well?"

His body instinctively sensed the opponent's "relaxation," and [Emiya Kiritsugu] immediately swung his final axe—

He pulled the trigger.

Then, the second laurel tree was felled.

However, unlike the first time it was her own father, the second time it was her own adoptive mother.

……

For large targets like large passenger planes with fixed routes and low speeds.

The missile hit its target with ease.

As the warm light of dawn rose in the distance, the two broken wings fell from the sky like leaves scattered from a fallen laurel tree.

The broken branches, made of a fractured alloy frame, crashed heavily onto the morning sea in just a few seconds, falling into the shimmering "moon surface".

Kiritsugu Emiya let the launcher in his hand fall off.

Until this moment, the man, who had been held hostage by his own "talent," finally realized the choice he had made.

On this deserted sea, he knelt on the deck, his heart filled with the "joy" of having saved so many people, and he wept with overwhelming joy.

What a joyous thing!

Presumably, even the airport passengers and staff will never know that someone unknowingly protected their lives.

—Hehe, they must be thanking Kiritsugu for his sacrifice and resolve in their dreams!
"What a joke...what a joke! You bastard!"

Accompanied by helpless crying and screams of despair at the unacceptable reality.

And so, Kiritsugu Emiya could never turn back.

If he stops, it means that all the painful choices he made in the past, and all the sacrifices he made, have become meaningless.

This boy, who aspired to be a "partner of justice" in his childhood, from then on—

They were then constrained by the idea that "the sacrifices made to achieve justice should not be in vain."

Fortunately, a detective and a certain force have now arrived here.

Moreover, they don't even want to sacrifice themselves, let alone let the sacrifices made to achieve justice go to waste.

after all--

Since someone wants to be a partner of justice, how can justice itself sit idly by?

……

Kiritsugu Emiya finally finished smoking his cigarette.

Meanwhile, inside the inn, Hisayu Maiya stared at the grimoire in her hand, remaining silent for a long time.

If the few words about the future presented in this book left Hisayu Maiya still somewhat skeptical...

So, after she saw the past of that man, [Emiya Kiritsugu], and saw the effects of the spells displayed in this magic book.

Hisayu Maiya then had no doubts about joining that faction.

Furthermore, this woman, who was responsible for helping Kiritsugu complete his intelligence mission, was very clear about the value of what she had in her hands.

—That spell alone, called [Detect Evil], is enough for me to join it.

Maiya was well aware of Kiritsugu's inner thoughts, and her thoughts were the same as Kiritsugu's.

As long as it can bring true peace to the world.

One's own sacrifice is undoubtedly acceptable.

Therefore, compared to an ordinary and mediocre mage assistant, this force that calls itself the "CYZ Alliance" can obviously provide Kiritsugu with greater assistance.

"even……"

Looking at the invitation written on the page, she murmured to herself unconsciously, "Or rather, it's about making myself and Kiritsugu members of it."

……

In reality, the situation she was facing left Hisayu Maiya with a vague sense of bewilderment.

If there really were an organization in the world with the goal of "saving the world," Maiya believed that neither she nor Kiritsugu would hesitate to join it.

Let alone saving the world.

If there were any truly "conscientious" magic organizations in the world that acted according to a more practical program, they would have joined long ago.

Unfortunately, there wasn't a single one.

To give a more vivid example:

It's like two steadfast warriors, on a planet that has been completely "corrupted" and they know they can never be liberated, sacrificing everything to find a possibility of success.

And just as one of them was about to face a hopeless ending, following the trajectory of fate towards failure and death.

His assistant found a transmitter whose authenticity was unknown.

And after startup—

An interstellar fleet bearing a flag arrived without warning.

Furthermore, this organization appears to possess an absolute insight into the future, as well as a seemingly comprehensive plan to save the world.

"From other universes and worlds..."

Looking at the information written in that magic book, Maiya found it hard to say whether she was more surprised or absurd.

Whether this is a stroke of good fortune or a sinister temptation from some devil, it doesn't matter.

Finally, as words reappeared on that blank page, Maiya gathered the scattered thoughts in her mind.

"Don't think, just follow Kiritsugu's and your own thought patterns, and intervene in a 'reasonable' way with minimal intervention."

Seeing this highlighted premise, Wu Mi memorized it and immediately began to act according to the Alliance's instructions.

This is also why the alliance chose to interfere with her, rather than with Kiritsugu Emiya.

This "tool" of "Emiya Kiritsugu" is even more ruthless than Kiritsugu himself.

Moreover, compared to [Kuyu Maiya], his "persona" is far too complex.

Kiritsugu was never a "cold" person. He wanted too many things, wanted to achieve too many things, and cared about too many people and things.

Whether it's Illya, Irisviel, or even an ordinary tragedy, it can all ignite Kiritsugu's resentment.

For [Kyuu Maiya], Kiritsugu is her everything.

And if even the league itself only made a new decision a minute ago—

The brevity of time and the hasty planning have certain advantages in a sense.

As it stands now, for the universe, the character design and historical inertia of Mai Hisa seem to remain unchanged.

As the bright silver Möbius strip on the book cover flashed, the seemingly bulky book cover immediately appeared "shriveled".

Then, it transformed into a very ordinary shorthand notebook, which was laid out in Maiya's palm.

With the same pen that had appeared in her hand, Hisayu Maiya lightly marked a certain item on the first page.

The technique called "Cognitive Cocoon: Common Sense Tampering" alters one's own memories and common sense accordingly.

This technique, which consumes at least 8 strings each time, can implant logically consistent false common sense or memories into the target's consciousness.

For example, temporarily ignore any information about the [CYZ Alliance].

Then, she looked up.

……

"Boom... boom..."

The rhythmic coded signal sounded, just as it had been agreed upon with Kiritsugu.

Hisayu Maiya immediately stood up, walked to the door, and opened it.

The door was quickly opened and then closed.

"How is the situation?" Kiritsugu got straight to the point.

Mai nodded.

"All the equipment has been prepared and tested. In addition, some discoveries have been made regarding the surveillance of the familiars."

She glanced at the shorthand notebook in her hand and lightly ticked off the item for the "Emiya Kiritsugu" project.

In Hisayu Maiya's mind, she had simply completed an ordinary task.

She simply checked the box next to her recorded plan to "meet with Kiritsugu".

But in reality, this tiny movement is the confirmation command for activating the [Earthly Resonance - Seal Leap] spell.

The [Spell Seal] technique has been detected.
The [Leap Terminal] is constructing a physical reunion node with the target.
As the observatory’s internal [jump terminal] responded, a barely perceptible yet all-pervasive fluctuation silently spread to every inch of the room.

Meanwhile, deep underground, a magnificent creation slumbering within the planet's core slowly awakens.

That which is "buried" deep underground—

That "neutron pipeline" is about 2900 kilometers long.

Now, it is silently shifting towards the foundation of this small hotel.

Just like that bold statement, "Shoot an arrow to the moon."

There was no terrifying roar, not even the slightest vibration.

This "thin line" with a cross-sectional area of ​​1 square centimeter, with Gaia's irresistible will, shuttles between the rock layers and the mantle.

Its terminal's "view probe" quickly extends towards that physical node.

Any obstacle in any sense, whether it be molten lava, hard rock, fluffy soil, or even creatures wriggling underground.

Nothing could stop the "probe" from moving.

They were as if they didn't exist in its eyes.

In the face of this "thread" made of neutron matter, all matter on Earth is like a vacuum in the universe.

The density is close to zero.

Eventually, the end of the pipeline moved to the hotel's foundation.

Immediately afterwards, the neutron line, which should have been indestructible, abruptly and almost gracefully bent.

This pipe, made of neutron matter, now exhibits a flexibility that defies the laws of physics—

Or rather, it couldn't be more in line with the laws of physics.

Because its curvature is not a true deformation of itself, but rather the changing spacetime around it directs it to move in the shortest direction—that is, the location of the [seal].

It flows like water along the cracks on the inside of the wall, and through the pipes of the fire protection system or the sanitation system.

The tip of the probe, like a forked nerve, split into even more fine, invisible strands of silk, quietly enveloping the room.

One of them was so thin that it weaved through the gaps in the fibers inside Hisayu Maiya's clothes.

Finally, it was quietly connected to that shorthand notebook.

……

Clearly, all of this requires a significant investment of the CYZ effect.

Given the importance of this meeting, and to ensure everything went smoothly, Conan used approximately 1000 flying strings, or one tenth to the power of twelve CYZ effect, as preparation.

And if there is any corresponding counterattack, he can add more at any time.

Conan's bottom line is the CYZ effect of a 1 microstring, which is one ten-thousandth of a string.

According to his analysis of TDD, if more than 1 microstring CYZ effect is needed, it would exceed the usual amplitude of the current environmental RSI value fluctuation.

This means that Kiritsugu Emiya has been "targeted".

Therefore, considering the instability of Kiritsugu's character design.

The alliance will immediately change its plan to have [Kuyu Maiya] act alone.

Fortunately, this plan finally went smoothly.

Kiritsugu did not notice anything unusual about Hisamu Maiya.

Or rather, just as the league predicted.

His attention was immediately drawn to the box spread out on the bed the moment he entered the room.

Pistols, submachine guns...

Plastic explosives, smoke bombs...

All kinds of weapons, along with all the necessary equipment, were neatly arranged on the sheets in the open boxes.

Of course, his brows furrowed at Maiya's "careless" "display"—but this was clearly not a sign of doubt about whether Hisa Maiya had betrayed him.

Kiritsugu frowned because he knew that Maiya couldn't possibly be unaware of the risks of such a direct confrontation.

There is only one possibility for such a comprehensive presentation.

In other words, something happened that left Maiya with only a short time to complete the inventory of the equipment?

Of course, Kiritsugu would never know that the real reason Maiya did this was that all the weapons were being silently tampered with by the connected "threads".

All unforeseen factors must be kept under control by the alliance.

……

As Hisayu Maiya began adjusting the television and connecting it to the recorder.

Kiritsugu walked to the bedside.

He reached out and picked up the guns, then began to check the condition of each piece of equipment with natural and practiced movements.

Calico-M950, Glock-17...

Magazine, safety, barrel, gun body—Kiritsugu skillfully disassembled, reassembled, and aimed them.

He was somewhat surprised that he hadn't regressed at all in the past nine years.

These guns seemed to have come to life; their feel and condition were unbelievably good.

The bullets even seem to have a mind of their own, flowing smoothly and actively into the magazine, where they are immediately held in place by a snap-on latch.

Just as he picked up the heavy Walther WA2000 Bull Sniper Rifle, began assembling the sights, and started trying to aim, Hisayu Maiya's voice rang out from behind him:

"Last night, the Matou family mansion was attacked."

Kiritsugu paused as he picked up the semi-automatic sniper rifle, then laid it flat back on the bedsheet.

"Was there any footage recorded?"

"Yes, the familiar happened to capture the scene at that time."

Hisayu Mami nodded and played the video she had just "recorded".

Although the image is in black and white and somewhat blurry, the light of the explosion under the night sky is still clearly visible.

The smoke and dust drifting into the sky, the plumes of smoke shooting straight into the clouds with the shockwave, and even the video footage were all slightly shaken.

The scene after dawn was even more breathtaking—

The entire mansion looked as if it had been torn apart by some enormous force, with a rift-like mark running across the center of the courtyard.

"Some kind of powerful Noble Phantasm?"

Kiritsugu mentally compared the amount of explosives needed to achieve this effect, and his heart sank.

"Can you confirm the identity of that heroic spirit?"

“The exact identity cannot be confirmed at the moment,” Maiya replied calmly. “However, it can be confirmed that this was the result of losing control during the summoning of Berserker.”

She paused, then continued, "The head of the Matou family has announced that, due to this incident, the Matou family will officially withdraw from the Holy Grail War."

Well, all I can say is that the Alliance used Zouken Matou to test the extent to which character designs could defy historical inertia and what the possible consequences would be—and they didn't hold back at all.

Kiritsugu Emiya frowned. "Where is the Master of the Matou family? If the Heroic Spirit goes out of control, didn't he use Command Seals to restrain the Servant?"

"According to the information released by the Church, this uncontrollable situation was caused by the conflict between the Master and the head of the family."

Hisayu Mai paused for a moment, then handed the shorthand notebook in her hand to Emiya Kiritsugu.

"What is confirmed at this point is that Bererker's Master is [Matou Kariya]. I have recorded the specific information, take a look—"

Everything seemed reasonable and not abrupt.

Without any suspicion, Kiritsugu Emiya reached out and took the grimoire disguised as a shorthand notebook.

And the instant the two hands touched the shorthand notebook—

Time suddenly seemed to slow down around us.

Kiritsugu instinctively wanted to react.

But the voice that immediately rang in Wu Mi's ears made his body react even before he could "think about whether it was right".

"Kiritsugu, if you want to save the world, don't move."

At this moment, [Emiya Kiritsugu] allowed himself to remain stagnant.

This man is so "pitiful and pathetic" that his "ideals" can drive him to do anything.

(End of this chapter)