[There is no coincidence in this world, only necessity.]
...
...
Germany.
Einzbern Castle.
"You mean the renowned Grand puppeteer… Aozaki Touko?"
One night, Emiya Kiritsugu and his wife, Irisviel, were roused from sleep and summoned before the Einzbern patriarch, Jubstacheit von Einzbern.
"Indeed, the magus granted the Grand rank by the Clock Tower, heir to the Fifth Magic, Aozaki Touko. She recently sent a letter via puppet, stating she's passing through Europe and, hearing of the Einzberns' homunculus techniques, plans to visit soon to observe."
Jubstacheit addressed the couple slowly.
"That infamous Grand puppeteer, coming in person…"
Kiritsugu's expression grew grave.
The name Aozaki Touko was no stranger to him, a magus killer walking the edge of life and death.
"Is she truly here just for the Einzberns' homunculus tech?" Irisviel asked, puzzled.
The Einzbern lineage dated back before the Common Era, an ancient tradition founded by disciples of the Third Magic's wielder as a workshop.
Though later abandoned for various reasons, the remaining homunculi, pure in their creators' ideals of human salvation and miraculous revival, kept the workshop running, forming one of the Holy Grail War's three founding families.
Their mastery of the Third Magic's homunculus techniques naturally drew a Grand puppeteer's interest.
Yet, instinct told the trio this wasn't so simple.
Her interest in homunculus tech was plausible, but her timing was suspicious.
With the Holy Grail War nearing, the Einzberns had prepared thoroughly.
Jubstacheit had provided Kiritsugu financial support and mobilized the family's resources to secure a top-tier Relic for summoning a legendary king to fight alongside in the war.
Yet, at this critical juncture, with everything ready, a renowned Grand puppeteer with no prior ties to the Einzberns suddenly announced a visit. Anyone would find it surprising.
Could she have ulterior motives, like…
Perhaps she's a participant in this Holy Grail War!!
Realizing this, Kiritsugu's eyes widened, his hands trembling, emotions turbulent.
If Aozaki Touko, a [Grand] puppeteer, was a rival, this war would be far more dangerous and difficult than imagined.
"Sigh, a potential participant… Aozaki Touko… Aozaki, Aozaki… Even the Fifth Magic's heir might join the Holy Grail War. Fate is truly unpredictable."
Jubstacheit sighed, murmuring the Aozaki name.
Like the Third Magic, the Fifth Magic's wielder had passed, but successfully passed their magecraft and miracles to their heirs.
The Aozaki sisters, Aoko and Touko—one inherited the Fifth Magic, mastering the miracle of Blue; the other forged her own path. Compared to the Aozakis, the Einzberns' decline was stark.
Jubstacheit longed to witness the Third Magic's return, bringing closure to their centuries-old workshop.
"As heirs of the Third Magic, we can't be discourteous to a Fifth Magic heir's visit."
After consideration, Jubstacheit addressed the pensive Kiritsugu beside Irisviel. "Kiritsugu, you'll receive her. Be cautious."
"I understand. I'll be careful."
Under Irisviel's worried gaze, Kiritsugu nodded, accepting the task.
Facing Aozaki Touko, a [Grand] magus, alone was dangerous, but as a magus killer accustomed to such threats, he was the best choice among the Einzberns.
If she was here for the Holy Grail War, evasion was impossible. The only option was to compete for the Grail.
For Kiritsugu, no matter the foe, the outcome was unchanged. He'd defeat all obstacles, win the Grail, and save the world. That was all.
...
Fuyuki City, late at night.
Atop a towering building.
"Quite a vibrant city… even at night, it's so lively."
'Its history is short, but it can't hide its thriving spirit. That's progress.'
As if musing to himself, Roy stood atop the tower, overlooking the bustling city below, letting out a sigh.
Compared to London's quiet, eerie nights, he preferred this modern urban sprawl—the proper environment for humanity.
"But as time progresses, the darkness humans once feared is being conquered. Colorful lights encroach on the night's domain, hastening the dissipation of hidden mysteries…"
"Is that truly a good thing for us?"
A raspy voice emerged from the shadows. A hunched, withered old man, leaning on a cane, stepped from the tower's darkness.
His ghostly voice matched his corpse-like face, exuding decay. His frail body seemed barely able to walk, as if he might collapse any moment.
Though he'd long vanished, leaving his family to an incompetent heir and retreating behind the scenes, rarely seen even by his kin, Roy, with his foresight, knew his identity and long-hidden secrets.
"Heh, since their dawn, humans with boundless potential have sought to conquer all—land, sea, sky, and naturally, the night."
"Now, they even reach for realms magecraft struggles to touch—the cosmos beyond the stars."
"That's progress, the wheel of history, an unstoppable tide. We can only embrace it. As a human, seeing humanity conquer the night and the planet fills me with pride."
"Heh… a magus, yet you don't reject technology, Lord Crowley."
Matou Zouken shook his head, chuckling oddly.
"Not all magi reject progress. I simply accept it. And I hold a truth dear: all humans are as stars."
"You, who lived through the age of technological revolution, should understand humanity's greatness better."
"But compared to progress's changes, those in you seem far more earth-shattering, don't they, former champion of justice, Makiri Zolgen?"
A faint, mocking smile on his face, Roy spoke as if taunting the old man, his words a dagger piercing Zouken's long-buried truth.
Zouken's withered eyes contracted sharply.
***
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