Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

"I've already made it very clear."

Shirou said, "My Master has no intention of joining either you or Yggdrasil. He's just here to say hello."

Now that the matter is settled, it's about time I stepped down.

As he said this, he rose from the church pew.

No, we can't let him leave so easily...

At the very least, we should ask him for his real name!

Kotomine Shirou was extremely anxious and blurted out, "Saber, can you tell me your real name?"

"……what?"

Shirou stopped and frowned. "Why do I have to tell you my real name?"

Oh no, was I a little too hasty?

Although he knew his words and actions were inappropriate, he couldn't care less about that now.

From the moment Kotomine Shiro first saw Amamiya Shirou, he had an inexplicable bad feeling about this boy who was about the same age as him.

If you do nothing, you will definitely regret it in the future!

Kotomine Shiro said, "This exchange of feelings and information is just a small perk I'm giving you, as the supervisor of the Holy Grail War, for making this special trip to visit me."

The young priest continued with a fake smile.

"We've gathered seven Servants on our side, and the Thousand Worlds Tree has gathered six—"

If they knew of your existence, they would definitely send pursuers to you and your Master.

I will try my best to persuade the magicians in the association, but I cannot guarantee that they will not also consider you as one of the targets to be eliminated first.

Saber, are you planning to fight the other thirteen Servants all by yourself?

No matter how strong you are, it's impossible for you to do that.

Shirou immediately understood his intention and a smile appeared on his lips.

"Are you going to sell out information about your companions in a deal with me?"

"...You can think that way too."

Kotomine Shiro gritted his teeth and said, "So, is it a good suggestion for you?"

"I reject."

Shirou coldly replied, "Father Kotomine, I will not make a deal with you."

He had long regarded the white-haired boy in front of him as the most dangerous person to be wary of in this Holy Grail War, and he would not accept any tempting benefits offered by the boy.

“…………Tsk.”

Upon hearing Shirou's words, the "Red" assassin revealed a displeased expression.

"Do you really have no intention of cooperating at all? Didn't you come here specifically to obtain information?"

"I said I was just here to say hello."

You all think too highly of yourselves. Goodbye.

With those words, Shirou waved goodbye and left the church.

"Wait... Saber! You stop right there!"

Behind me came the assassin's angry shouts and the sound of high heels slamming on the ground.

Who does this woman resemble...?

Shirou ignored Assassin's shouts and walked out of the church.

Volume 5, Chapter 197: Am I the legendary King Arthur who married my sister Morgan and forcibly took my teacher Merlin?

"This is really baffling; he must have sensed something."

After the church doors closed, Kotomine Shiro immediately dropped his characteristic benevolent smile.

"But Shiro, shouldn't you be able to see through that Servant's true name directly?"

When Kotomine Shiro asked the red-haired boy for his real name, the "Red" Assassin initially thought it was just an act to lower the boy's guard.

But seeing his anxious reaction after not getting a reply, Assassin realized that Kotomine Shirou really wanted to know the other person's real name.

"My 'True Name Interpretation' skill did not work."

Kotomine Shiro frowned and said, "That Servant seems to possess the ability to conceal their true name. Although I can read the parameters, that's all—"

Assassin said, "I think it's better to eliminate uncertainties as soon as possible. Even if we act now, it's not too late. Sending someone to handle it might be a good approach."

"Let's forget about it. It's too early to start a fight now."

Shiro decisively rejected the woman in black's merciless proposal.

"He's not a companion."

Thinking about Shirou's attitude just now, Assassin was still indignant: "That guy said he didn't belong to any side, but who knows what he really thinks?"

Kotomine Shiro shook his head: "No, I think he's serious."

Although there was no conclusive evidence, he believed that the red-haired boy Shirou was not lying to him.

“Since he said he wouldn’t go along with others’ corrupt practices, he will stick to that principle to the end…that’s the kind of person he is.”

"..."

Assassin gave his Master a meaningful look, his feelings a mix of emotions.

At this moment, Kotomine Shiro looked into the void not far away.

"Show yourself, Lancer of 'Red'."

The young priest read in a low voice, and a man appeared randomly in a corner of the church.

Her long, pure silver hair was flawless, her body was seamlessly integrated with the golden armor, and a cloak that swayed like flames draped over her back.

His stance was flawless, as majestic as a martial artist who had reached the pinnacle of mastery, and his sharp gaze was like an arrow piercing straight at Kotomine Shiro.

"What brings you here, Father?"

"I want to entrust you with an equally important task: please eliminate the Ruler of this Holy Grail War for me."

If necessary, you are allowed to use your Noble Phantasm at your own discretion.

The Holy Grail War, which broke out on Romanian soil, was a seven-on-seven monster war between "Black" and "Red".

At this scale, it becomes impossible to rely solely on external forces to oversee the ritual. The Holy Grail will summon an additional class, Ruler, to act as judge, based on its own logic.

Just as the Assassins in the Holy Grail War are often assassins of the leaders of churches, the Ruler class is usually held by noble Catholic saints.

They will not join either side; they act solely to uphold the concept of the "Holy Grail War."

To exclude arbitrators who maintain a neutral stance—a request that usually raises questions—Lancer, however—

"learn."

The silver-haired spearman simply said a few words and accepted without any resistance, then his figure disappeared from the church.

"As expected of the man known as the 'Hero of Charity,' he accepted it without any explanation."

Assassin said with a seductive smile.

The hero who gives alms —

The one who holds this title is Karna, the tragic hero recorded in the ancient Indian epic poem Mahabharata.

Born of the sun god Surya and the human woman Gunti, he was given golden armor by his father as proof of their father-son bond, truly a born hero.

Within the framework of the Holy Grail War, he can be said to be the highest standard that a Servant can reach, the pinnacle of Heroic Spirits.

Kotomine Shiro nodded in agreement, saying, "Ah, heroes come in all shapes and sizes."

If it were Rider, he definitely wouldn't accept this mission.

Even when threatened with Command Seals, he is the kind of hero who "means no" and carries out his beliefs to the very end.

Another ace in the "Red" camp is Rider, whom Kotomine Shiro considers even comparable to Karna.

He was not a rebellious hero like a berserker, but he was also not a knight who served the king.

He openly disregarded even the king's orders when he was dissatisfied; and he took up arms again to avenge his murdered friend.

The young priest believed that a hero with such a personality could not possibly accept the order to team up with Lancer to hunt down Ruler.

"By the way, Assassin, how are 'them' doing?"

Kotomine Shiro abruptly changed the subject, inquiring about the creature hidden in the church's basement—

The situation of the Red Faction Masters who have had their Command Seals and Servants taken away.

"No need to worry, Master. Those guys are sleeping like babies."

In response to his question, Assassin gave a seductive smile.

"Then I'm relieved. Please continue to 'take care' of them. Also, continue to increase the surveillance of familiars. Not targeting the Yggdrasil, but—"

"It's that red-haired boy, isn't it? Honestly, I still need to prepare the 'city'."

"I'm sorry, I always leave you to do this kind of work alone."

But we must not be defeated in this war; we must properly handle all uncertainties—”

After Assassin became a spirit, only Kotomine Shiro remained in the church.

He leaned back in his chair, pondering the boy he had just met.

He's a truly enigmatic person.

Even though it was only their first meeting, those twilight-colored eyes seemed to see right through him, revealing his past and true nature.

This is something even the heroes who can see through human lies and give alms have failed to do!

Is this also a skill of a Heroic Spirit?

Could it be that he possesses the legendary highest level of "clairvoyance"?

If so—

Too dangerous.

After all, one can see through the other party's conspiracy with just one glance.

Since we are powerless to defend ourselves, it is extremely dangerous.

Moreover, his fighting prowess... Kotomine Shiro believes, is probably comparable to Lancer and Rider.

In terms of Servant stats alone, the red-haired boy is far inferior to Lancer and Rider, and even Saber, who is of average quality, is unqualified.

however……

Kotomine Shiro clenched his fist.

If possible, I really hope he can become my strength.

If I had such a servant to help me, my tragic wish would be greatly advanced—but I always felt that the possibility was extremely slim.

So the priest continued to devise strategies for confronting Shirou.

Everything is for the purpose of realizing one's own ideals.

In order to eliminate the conflicts in the world.

For the salvation of all mankind.

The saint who has abandoned hatred—Amakusa Shiro Tokisada—is still constantly devising plans to realize his ideals.

……

……

After leaving the church, Shirou and Sajou Aika met and he explained to her what he had seen and heard.

"Hey... The priest of that church is someone that even you, Saber, are interested in. I should have gone to meet him too."

Sajō Aika muttered, poking her chin with her finger.