Magician in Type-Moon

Fuyuki City has a national highway that runs away from the city and extends westward from Fukayama Town.

Ahead of the road lies a vast, undeveloped forest. The national highway meanders through the tranquil woods until it crosses the county border.

At first glance, this forest looks like state-owned land, but in reality, it is privately owned by a foreign company that exists in name only, and whose actual existence is uncertain.

Legend has it that deep within this secluded forest lies a 'fairy city'.

Normally, this would just be a ghost story. After all, the area has been photographed several times from the air to measure the land area, but the so-called castle has never been photographed in this primeval forest.

Only a very small number of magicians know that this castle really exists.

This is the 'Fairy City'—Einzbern—which welcomes its master every sixty years and serves as a wartime base.

When the Holy Grail War began in Fuyuki, Einzbern's Yobs, disdaining to establish a base on the direct territory of his rival Tohsaka family, used his wealth to buy the entire sacred land closest to Fuyuki.

The entire primeval forest was set up with a barrier, isolating it from the outside world, and a secondary city was rebuilt here from Einzbern in its entirety.

Today, this place once again serves as a base for the Holy Grail War, inhabited by Irisviel and others.

Inside the castle, Kiritsugu Emiya was explaining various intelligence reports about Fuyuki City, with a map covering the entire city spread out on the table in front of him.

The meeting was held in a reception room. Thanks to the meticulous preparations of the maids, everything from the tablecloth to the teacups was spotless, and the vases were filled with bright and beautiful flowers.

No one would have guessed that this room was located in a castle that had not been inhabited for sixty years.

"There are two centers in the earth's veins: one is the Tohsaka family's residence, and the other is Mount Sonozo. Both of these places have been occupied by people."

"But there are two other places where the Holy Grail can be summoned: the New Metropolitan Museum and the Fuyuki Church."

Everyone around listened quietly. Artoria stood opposite Kiritsugu Emiya, while Irisviel and Maiya Hisau stood on either side of Kiritsugu.

“Mt. Enzo is centered around Ryudouji Temple and has several powerful barriers. Because of these barriers, spirits that are not natural spirits, such as Servants, can only enter through the approach to the temple. Be careful when using Saber.”

"As for the Tohsaka family, although they don't have such a strong barrier, it's not an easy place to take over because the Master, who is suspected of being an Assassin, is colluding with Tokiomi Tohsaka."

Regarding the precautions for Saber, Kiritsugu Emiya didn't even glance at the girl in men's clothing, treating her merely as a tool to be manipulated.

The atmosphere was somewhat heavy, partly because Matou Ike had outmaneuvered them in yesterday's battle, and partly because Kiritsugu had completely rejected Saber's request to join the fight before the battle even began.

"So, in the later stages of the war, we need to occupy one of these four locations as a base beforehand?" Irisviel asked, trying to break the silence.

“That’s right, but it seems that only the new capital and the church can be considered as targets now.”

"So Saber, is there anything you don't understand?" Irisviel cleverly diverted Kiritsugu's attention to Saber, hoping to thaw the ice between the two.

"I want to know when I can participate in battles, instead of just sightseeing all day like yesterday." The young Servant was somewhat serious, her eyes fixed on her Master.

She wanted to know what had caused her Master to distrust her so much.

“Saber…” Irisviel looked at the knight as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

To this, Kiritsugu Emiya simply smiled, seemingly not taking his Servant's words to heart at all, and said to Saber without even looking up:

"Since you are so eager to get involved in the fighting."

"Then let's go hunt down the Lancer who doesn't have a Master first."

After Kiritsugu Emiya fled last night, his companion Maiya Hisau remained on the battlefield. By arranging familiars in advance, she watched the entire event, even capturing the scene of Rider's Master crying at the end.

Such patience allowed Kiritsugu Emiya's side to gain information that other Masters did not know: Lancer did not sign a new Master.

"You wouldn't be so heartless as to deal with a Servant without a Master, would you?" Kiritsugu finally looked at the cross-dressing girl opposite him and used a simple and clear provocation.

"Can..."

......

The Tohsaka family residence.

The huge mansion now houses only two people; Tokiomi Tohsaka's wife and daughter had long ago been sent to the Edfeldt family in Europe for refuge.

In the corridor next to the reception room, Kirei Kotomine was reporting news to Tokiomi Tohsaka.

"Kirei, it's rare to see you with an expression different from usual today. Did something pleasant happen?"

A golden servant appeared in spirit form deep in the corridor, blocking Kirei Kotomine's slow-moving path.

Upon seeing the Servant who suddenly appeared before him, Kirei Kotomine suppressed the slight upturn of his lips.

"It's nothing, it's just that the news that Professor Tokiomi requested to follow up has arrived."

"Oh, what kind of intelligence is so exciting?"

Even as winter approached, Archer wore only a thin casual outfit, with a dazzling string of gold jewelry around his neck.

"It's news about Lancer. This Servant seems to be tracking Assassin."

Kirei Kotomine, having informed the person before him that the Heroic Spirit before him was his teacher's Servant, had already informed him of the situation.

"Just because of this?"

"Of course, this is important news for the teacher right now. As long as Lancer can be eliminated, the teacher's long-cherished wish can be brought one step closer to reality."

The golden-haired Heroic Spirit stopped what he was doing, raised an eyebrow, looked at Kirei Kotomine with interest, and asked him:

"Is that really all there is to it, Kirei?"

Kirei Kotomine paused for a moment, without giving a direct answer, but instead walked to the reception room and opened the door. Tokiomi Tohsaka was there waiting for Kirei's message, and they were preparing to discuss their next move.

For Kirei Kotomine, what he was thinking about more was Lancer's motivation for tracking Assassin.

A Servant is willing to take revenge for their Master. In this short contract period of only a few days, I want to know, I want to understand, I want to comprehend.

How could two people who were completely unrelated develop such a deep friendship? Is it just because of the tacit understanding they developed during the past few days of fighting?

I want to see, I want to witness, and I even want to... destroy...

God, I am guilty...

Chapter 51 "King and Minister" (Please add to your favorites! Please recommend!)

Tokiomi Tohsaka was sitting at the table, holding a quill pen, writing a letter on a piece of paper to send to his wife and daughter, informing them of his situation.

Kirei Kotomine did not disturb him immediately after entering the reception room, but stood aside to wait. At this moment, Archer exited his spirit form from the sofa and sat opposite Tokiomi Tohsaka.

Noticing their arrival, Tokiomi Tohsaka looked up, put down his quill, and asked what was wrong.

Kirei Kotomine bowed slightly and began to report the situation:

"Teacher, regarding Assassin, he is currently being hunted down by Lancer."

"Assassin? What's the situation on his end?" Tokiomi Tohsaka frowned slightly.

"Since Assassin left Ryudong Temple last night, he has been resting and preparing to continue tracking Rider's side."

"After tracking down their base, they were discovered by Rider, seemingly because they had picked up some kind of aura during that battle."

"Shortly afterward, Lancer appeared and began hunting down Assassin, and continues to do so to this day."

Listening to his disciple's report, Tokiomi Tohsaka stood up, walked to the window, and began to ponder.

He was somewhat surprised by the news about Kiri, but quickly came to terms with it.

Although he was somewhat puzzled by the feelings between Master and Servant, he was still able to accept the situation.

As he pondered, he glanced at Archer sitting on the sofa through the reflection in the window, seemingly harboring some kind of expectation.

However, Archer simply sat quietly on the sofa with a slightly mocking smile.

This amused attitude left Tokiomi Tohsaka somewhat helpless, wondering what he was really hoping for. Perhaps it was already incredibly lucky that the Heroic Spirit would listen to him at such a crucial moment.

Pulling his wandering thoughts back, Tokiomi Tohsaka began to seriously consider his next move.

It seems that Lancer has not yet signed a contract with Rider's Master, but the two may already be mixed up.

If we can take care of Lancer now, it might be a good opportunity.

After some consideration, Tokiomi Tohsaka turned to Kirei and asked him:

"Kirei, what are your thoughts on this? After all, Assassin is your Servant."

"I think we should get rid of Lancer as soon as possible, so that this Holy Grail War can truly begin to reduce the number of people involved. This way, you, teacher, can embark on the path to the Holy Grail sooner, and I can also get out of this struggle sooner."

Kirei Kotomine was speaking a little faster than usual at this moment, a subtle difference that he himself seemed unaware of.

Tokiomi Tohsaka assumed that his disciple had grown tired of the conflict that had suddenly drawn him into.

But Gilgamesh chuckled softly, noting Kirei Kotomine's difference in mind, as if he had discovered something interesting.

"Kirei, are you still not used to this duel between magicians?"

"I'm sorry, Kirei, this Holy Grail War really shouldn't have included someone like you. I'm deeply sorry for that."

"But I still hope we can hold on, everything is for the sake of the Tohsaka family's tragic wish."

Tokiomi Tohsaka bowed slightly to his disciple to express his apology.

"Teacher, please make a decision as soon as possible."

Tokiomi Tohsaka nodded, pondered for a moment, and then made his decision:

"Perhaps we could use Assassin as bait to lure him into the trap, and then..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tokiomi Tohsaka interrupted himself, turning to Gilgamesh sitting opposite him and bowing slightly as a sign of respect.

Kirei was already used to this.

"My lord, would you be interested in a hunting game?"

Gilgamesh sneered, his tone laced with sarcasm:

"Tokiomi, you've become far too audacious lately. You think you can get away with dealing with these homeless stray dogs? Do you really expect me to clean up their mess for you?"

Tokiomi Tohsaka lowered his head even further, like a subject truly receiving a reprimand from the king.

What's even more interesting is that these actions actually came from his true feelings. As someone who maintained a noble demeanor, he genuinely held the highest respect for this ancient king, the hero king.

“My lord, please see the truth. I am not asking for your help, but merely wish to let you witness the enjoyment of this hunt. The duel between Lancer and Assassin might provide you with some amusement.”

Gilgamesh's smile faded slightly, clearly unimpressed by such rhetoric. Tokiomi Tohsaka, noticing the Heroic Spirit's lack of reaction, continued:

"This move is also to punish another person who has usurped the throne."

Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, a hint of interest in his eyes. "Oh? Someone actually dares to call himself king before me?"

"That's right. That Rider who calls himself the King of Conquerors might help that Lancer in this hunt. I think this opportunity will not only allow us to demonstrate the power of the King, but also let you witness his defeat firsthand."