Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

Sera explained, "It was Mr. Shirou who told us not to go back yet. He said that Miss Irisviel might be in danger tonight."

Irisviel suddenly realized: Oh, so that's how it is!

She happily hugged the toddler in her arms: "Really... you can even order our maid around now, and you still say you're not my child!?"

"Then, Mr. Shirow asked me to pass on a message to you."

While using her giant axe to blow away Hassan who was charging at her, Sera whispered a message to her mistress behind her.

"Mr. Shirou said it would be fine to use the third Command Spell tonight—"

Let Tokiomi Tohsaka believe you've used up all your Command Seals.

"……Understood!"

Since it was Shirou's order, Irisviel did not hesitate at all.

She clenched her right hand, causing the deep red marks to reappear on the surface of her skin.

"Give the command with a command spell—"

"Saber! Wipe out all the enemies in one fell swoop!"

A powerful surge of magic swept through the parking lot.

Responding to the Master's command, the holy sword in the King of Knights' hand emitted a light even brighter than daytime.

"Is this what you meant by... wanting me to die in a grand way? You're really going all out."

Bai Mao Hassan clutched his injured abdomen, gazing at the golden pillar of light shooting straight into the sky before him, a wry smile playing on his lips.

"I'm definitely going to complain to you later, just you wait... Shirou."

The King of Knights roared.

The supreme Star Sword is unleashed in the girl's hands, revealing its true name.

"Excalibur—the sword of valor!!!"

The next second, dozens of Hassans of various appearances were swept up in the dazzling torrent of light and disappeared completely.

……

……

The underground workshop of the Tosaka family in Fukayama-cho.

After witnessing Saber's holy sword light through farsight magic, Tokiomi Tohsaka fell into a long silence.

Although I knew Saber's holy sword couldn't be bad, I didn't expect it to be this powerful.

Judging from the magical reaction just now, if Saber gets serious, destroying the sea monster in one blow would be no problem at all.

Before that torrent of light, even the king's treasured thousand treasures were meaningless.

To truly defeat Saber, Gilgamesh must use that sword.

—This is intelligence returned at the cost of Assassin's sacrifice.

Although the best outcome of killing either Shirou Amamiya or Irisviel was not achieved, it was enough to learn about Saber's Noble Phantasm, and even consumed two of Irisviel's Command Seals.

You could say they made a profit.

However, when Tokiomi Tohsaka confirmed with Kirei Kotomine that Assassin's Spirit Origin had been completely destroyed, he couldn't help but feel "regret".

Perhaps, Assassins shouldn't have been discarded like expendable pawns; they clearly have many uses.

Rather than confronting Shirou and Saber, those two monsters with immense firepower, going underground might be a better strategy.

Why...why did I act impulsively and send the Assassins to their deaths?

Looking back now, I realize that my actions tonight were far too reckless and completely out of character for the Tohsaka family.

Since entering the Holy Grail War, Tokiomi Tohsaka has felt increasingly anxious every day.

"No, it's pointless to go back on your word now..."

Tokiomi shook his head, reminding himself not to lose his composure.

The situation itself is not as hopeless as it seems.

If Kotomine Risei's information is correct, the Einzbern family has exhausted all of their three Command Seals.

As for Shirou Amamiya, everything about him is still a mystery—

But don't forget, he collapsed from exhaustion immediately after his battle with the King of Heroes tonight.

Faker... might not be as scary as he imagines.

And most importantly, he now has the means to control Rider.

The incident dates back to the night before last.

Kirei Kotomine suddenly sent a report, indicating that he had finally located the Rider faction's stronghold.

Since Rider always drives his tank across the night sky over Fuyuki City, it's impossible for the Assassins to track him from the ground.

Of course, even the familiar's birds or bats couldn't keep up with his speed.

The Holy Grail War has been going on for several days, and it's really unacceptable that Waver Wilvet, a third-rate magician, can't find his workshop.

However, the night before last, Kirei Kotomine finally located his hideout—which turned out to be a completely unrelated house.

Rider's Master used a suggestive spell on two elderly foreign men, making them mistake him for their grandson.

It even implicated innocent civilians; this is utterly reckless. After hearing the report, Tokiomi Tohsaka was speechless.

However, Kirei Kotomine stated that these two elderly people seemed to have value to be used by our side.

Upon hearing this, Tokiomi Tohsaka immediately understood his disciple's meaning and frowned: "You mean to capture those two old men as hostages?"

Kirei, do you think Rider's magician would abandon the Holy Grail War for an old man he'd only met?

"No, I don't think Rider's Master would go to such lengths."

Kirei Kotomine stated, "But using them to instigate a war between the Rider and Saber factions has already..."

That's enough.

Nothing is more enticing than seeing Saber and Rider fight each other while you reap the benefits.

but……

The disciple's plan plunged the magician into a deep dilemma: I'm actually going to drag innocent civilians into this for the sake of victory... This is really not right.

His sense of responsibility as a modern aristocrat and his principles as the head of the Tohsaka clan prevented him from doing such a despicable thing.

Therefore, Tokiomi Tohsaka did not agree to Kirei Kotomine's plan.

But he didn't object.

In other words, it means tacit approval.

"Remember, whatever you do, do not hurt the two elderly people."

Tokiomi Tohsaka said this.

……

……

"What's wrong, Rider?"

As soon as he returned home, Rider sensed that something was wrong.

The red-haired giant looked around the living room suspiciously, then ordered his Master to find the owners of the house, the McGeekens.

Of course, no matter how much Weber shouted for his grandparents at home, he received no response.

Earlier today, a man dressed as a priest knocked on the door of an elderly person living alone.

He used the message that "the church gave out eggs" and a little hint that magic had taken the McGikens away.

When Rider and Webber returned, the house was empty, with only a note on the table waiting for them.

"If you want to find the two old people, come to the Einzbern Forest."

"Damn it! Shinji, you bastard!"

Weber angrily tore the note to shreds.

"It wasn't enough that they just deceived me and Mr. Kenneth; they even dared to kidnap my grandparents..."

No, although they aren't my real grandparents, you actually...! You bastard! Unforgivable!

With tears welling up in his eyes, the clock tower boy stomped his feet and cursed loudly.

Rider stared at the debris on the ground, lost in thought.

"Kid... do you really think this was the work of that red-haired brat and Saber?"

How could a man who had conquered half the world be fooled by such a clumsy trick? He could tell at a glance that someone else had taken the McGikens away.

"Hey……"

Weber asked blankly, "No, isn't that right?"

"Of course not... but never mind."

The Conqueror King smiled as if he had been relieved: "Anyway, it's all the same who I fight, so it doesn't really matter."

Webber was speechless upon hearing this: "That's not how it works at all! Are you going to come and challenge us before we've even figured things out?"

"Haha, don't worry, don't worry."

The giant slapped the boy hard on the back with his big hand, almost knocking him off the sofa.

The Conqueror King narrowed his eyes: "Although I don't know where these thieves came from, they dare to fool the people around me..."

Don't think this is the end of it. I won't let this go easily.

……

……

It was already 11 p.m. when Shirou and his party returned to the castle in the suburbs.

Saber was quite tired from the two battles and the Holy Sword Unleashed that night, so she soon returned to her room.

Irisviel led Shirou back to the guest room, and just as she said goodnight to the boy and was about to leave—

"Irisviel, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

The red-haired boy poked his head out from under the covers and asked.

"?"

Irisviel blinked in confusion, then covered her mouth as if suddenly realizing something.

"Shirou...did you already know?"

The red-haired boy nodded, indicating that he already knew the inside story that Irisviel was the Lesser Grail.

Because Shirou knew too many inside stories that others didn't, Irisviel wasn't too surprised.

She simply murmured, "I knew it."

"I'm fine, I'm just a little tired tonight... Shirou, thank you for your concern."

No, no, no, I wasn't concerned about you.

Shirou thought to himself: I'm concerned about whether Assassin has entered your body.

Tonight, all the hundred-faced Hassans are dead—

not at all.

Loli Hassan is still alive, in a hotel in Fukayama-cho.

Due to Hassan's excessive protection, even Kirei Kotomine, the Master of Assassins, was unaware of his existence.

Because she is an ignorant and powerless being, Loli Hassan doesn't even have any magic consumption; she can sustain herself simply by eating snacks.

Moreover, according to Assassin's older sister, the way Loli Hassan exists is extremely unique.

She is an individual who can maintain the world even if all the other Hassans are killed.

As long as Loli Hassan isn't killed, she can live indefinitely.