Time unknowingly crept into the evening.
Unaware that the relationship between the three girls in the Sajou residence was shifting in a strange direction, Aozaki Rin and El-Melloi II were still in the sewers, tracking Caster.
"How many is that now?"
Watching the young man destroy another magic circle with his spear, the wrinkles on El-Melloi II's brow deepened.
"The forty-third."
Aozaki Rin replied, a hint of confusion on his face.
He hadn't expected there to be so many of these strange magic circles. Even after tracking them for so long, he and El-Melloi II didn't seem to have destroyed them all yet.
More importantly, they still hadn't figured out the specific purpose of these spells. The way the incantations were constructed, aside from traces of summoning circles and alchemy, seemed more like some kind of otherworldly text, carrying a twisted feeling.
And similarly, they had not caught a single glimpse of Caster.
"...In any case, we've destroyed that many already. Let's call it a day for now, go back, rest, and replenish our strength. Or, do you want to make a trip to the Great Grail while we're at it?"
Knowing that the young man basically believed his identity now, El-Melloi II was no longer so formal and asked for his opinion.
"Let's go to the Great Grail. If the Grail is corrupted and its descent will cause a disaster, then this Holy Grail War should end here. I was planning to go to the Church afterward anyway. I believe that if the supervisors understand the situation, they will also stop this ritual."
"And as for Caster, just the two of us might not be enough."
After thinking for a moment and making a decision, Rin understood that if Caster continued to hide in the sewer system, it would probably be difficult to catch him in a short time.
And during this time, Caster's actions of involving innocent people would likely not stop.
Of course, if the Holy Grail were dismantled directly, the Servants summoned in response to it would naturally disappear.
But when Rin had asked El-Melloi II how long that would take, his answer was, "It depends."
If there were no obstructions and any one of the Three Founding Families was willing to cooperate, the dismantling could be completed in less than a day.
But that would be giving Caster another day to commit his atrocities.
Coupled with the possibility that the Three Families might not cooperate, Rin could only plan for the worst. He intended to use the power of the Church to stop everything and have Caster withdraw as soon as possible.
"That's not an unworkable plan."
El-Melloi II nodded, not refuting the young man's opinion.
It wasn't that he thought the boy's plan would be carried out smoothly, but rather that he believed that with the Spear of Longinus in his hand, whatever the boy said, the people at the Church would probably treat it as the word of a saint and carry it out.
"In that case, let's leave here first. Also, if possible, when we get to the Church later, could you pretend to be my Master, Mr. El-Melloi II? I don't want my identity to be exposed, nor do I want others to think that my sister might be the Master."
Rin asked earnestly. After a second's hesitation, El-Melloi II agreed.
"...If it's just that, it's not a problem."
Understanding what the young man was worried about, El-Melloi II didn't mind. After all, the general situation had been determined. Now, they just needed the Church to persuade the other Masters, or to act directly.
I hope everything goes smoothly...
Praying silently in his heart, El-Melloi II left the sewer area with Rin and headed towards the Fuyuki Great Grail.
...
Fuyuki Church.
As the local priest and the main supervisor of this Holy Grail War, Kotomine Risei's heart was currently filled with fear and guilt.
The reason for all this was the mysterious Servant who had appeared last night wielding the Spear of Longinus.
If it were anything else, Risei might not have been certain. But as someone who had previously worked for the Eighth Sacrament Assembly and had come into close contact with countless "holy relics," the moment he saw that spear, he knew it was the real deal.
However, since the very first Holy Grail War until now, there had never been a precedent of a Saint-type Servant descending.
It was for this reason that the Church had always disregarded the counterfeit Holy Grail, believing that the Lord was indifferent to it, and had allowed the ritual to continue, merely taking on a supervisory role.
But now, "Saint Longinus" had descended.
As an existence who had come into contact with the Holy Son and repented to become a saint, did his appearance in this Holy Grail War mean that there was something abnormal about it, requiring his special intervention?
Risei didn't know. Last night, he had already reported the situation in Fuyuki to the Holy See in the Vatican.
Although it had caused quite a stir in the Holy See, and they were discussing what this phenomenon meant, the final conclusion was—
The Fuyuki Church was to unconditionally cooperate with His Excellency, Saint Longinus's actions.
As for their so-called supervisory position, it had ceased to exist the moment the Spear of Longinus appeared.
The reason Risei felt uneasy was that he had, out of personal feelings, secretly given considerable help to his friend Tokisaka Tohsaka in this Holy Grail War. To help him achieve victory, he had even let his own son, Kotomine Kirei, become his student.
Lord, I confess my sins. But please, instruct me. Why did you have His Excellency descend? Is it to deal with some incident? Could it be that a disaster is about to befall Fuyuki? If so, please have mercy on Your lambs and bless them so they may pass through this trial safely. Amen...
Making the sign of the cross on his chest in repentance and prayer, Risei let out a light breath and rose from his kneeling position. He was just about to contact Kirei to ask if he had found any trace of "Saint Longinus."
Just then, a soft knock suddenly sounded at the church's main door.
"I'm sorry, the church is about to close for the day. If you have any business, please come back tomor... His Excellency, Saint Longinus?! I was not aware of your sudden visit. What may I do for you?"
Opening the door to see the masked young man the Church had been searching for, Risei, amidst his shock, quickly lowered his head, made the sign of the cross on his chest, and said respectfully.
Although he was slightly startled by the old priest's reaction, Rin knew that the identity he was currently masquerading as was "Lucius Longinus." So, after preparing himself mentally, he signaled the old priest that there was no need for such reverence. He organized his words and said with a serious expression.
"Actually, I have come this time to ask a favor of the Church. I wish for this Holy Grail War to end here."
-------
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