After that night, Tokiomi and Fuyuki's Church detected mana traces from Roy and Zouken's clash, sending inquiries. To conceal their plot, Zouken didn't expose Roy.
He claimed a familiar went rogue during magecraft experiments, now resolved.
Though Tokiomi and Risei Kotomine weren't convinced, as it occurred on Matou land, they had no grounds to intrude or search a magecraft family. The disturbance didn't upset the balance between the magical and mundane worlds, so they dismissed it as a gas pipeline explosion due to age.
The news spooked Fuyuki residents, prompting gas line checks.
…
…
"Almost ready? Your magical array?"
Alone in an underground warehouse, Roy heard a familiar voice.
Turning, he saw a red-haired woman in a trench coat—Aozaki Touko.
Seeing her after so long, Roy smiled.
"Touko-senpai, it's been a while."
Calmly, he asked, "My commission done?"
"Of course. Who do you think I am? A homunculus family can't stop me."
Buoyant after completing Roy's task and looting Einzbern homunculi for experiments, Touko plopped beside him, pulling a freshly bought beer can from her coat, chugging it.
"So refreshing! Nothing beats an ice-cold beer when you're in a great mood!"
"…Don't people drink when they're upset?"
"Who fed you that nonsense, Crowley?"
Touko propped her feet up, unfazed. "Drinking when upset numbs you, letting you forget troubles briefly. Drinking when happy lets you savor joy. Beer's a fine thing."
She raised her can, murmuring.
"Or you just like alcohol's taste…"
Roy shook his head. "Though scripture does call wine the blood of the divine."
"Anyway, to business. I can guess, but was your trip smooth? My intel useful?"
"Your intel was spot-on."
Touko, lounging on the chair, laughed at his question.
"The Einzberns' magi are mediocre, but Emiya Kiritsugu's tricky. No wonder he's called the Magus Killer."
"An Origin of Binding and Severing, special bullets from his bone dust, 7.62mm sniper rounds, a modified hunting pistol base—if it hits a magus…"
Touko shivered. Any magus would fear it.
One shot, and instinctively using magecraft to escape or heal meant a gruesome fate.
No wonder Kiritsugu's reputation. He had substance.
Touko raised a brow. Learning of Kiritsugu's Origin and bullets startled her, and she was grateful to her kouhai for sharing, not sabotaging her.
In the magical world, many hated Kiritsugu, eager to kill him for revenge.
This intel's value far exceeded the five million Roy lent her.
Touko's gaze softened with goodwill.
Honest partners were rare among magi.
Though her unique condition meant a hit wouldn't kill her, losing a body was costly.
"You seem to know Kiritsugu, that desperado, well…"
Finishing her beer, Touko burped unceremoniously, lighting a cigarette. "I've heard of him—a madman who'd risk his life for money. How'd you cross paths?"
"A secret."
Roy shook his head.
"But Kiritsugu's not as simple as he seems. He's a justice-seeker craving redemption."
Taking the file Touko handed him, Roy reviewed it.
"Hm… I see. The Einzberns are stirring trouble as always."
"You joking?" Touko asked, incredulous.
"What's his goal in the Grail War?"
Roy continued, "One man's power can't save the world, so he pins his hopes on the legendary Grail, a so-called omnipotent wish-granter, near-miraculous. A respectable guy."
Roy knew Kiritsugu well.
His wish wasn't wrong; the tragedy stemmed from the tainted Grail.
To Roy, Kiritsugu was dedicated, not foolish.
In a trolley problem—300 lives on one track, 200 on another, with no power to stop it—both choices were grim.
Flee or die under the trolley—there was no right answer.
Debating it deeply meant losing.
"I get the picture. Time to prepare."
Roy closed the file, standing.
"Touko-senpai, Fuyuki's about to get chaotic. If you don't want trouble, leave soon."
As he prepared to go, Touko called out.
"Hey, is the Grail really as magical as they say? An omnipotent wish-granter?"
Extinguishing her cigarette, Touko asked earnestly.
"If it's just reaching the Root, with enough mana and sacrifices, it's achievable."
Roy smiled, guessing her intent. "Entering the Root doesn't mean exiting. Creating a Magic isn't easy, and some things are better let go. Don't join the war for petty desires and oppose me…"
"If you're short on cash, I can help. You spend lavishly, but I can support one person."
"Ho, you know everything, huh." Touko raised a brow, sighing.
She'd been intrigued by the Grail War Roy described.
Everyone has regrets and wishes. An omnipotent wish-granter tempts all, Touko included.
But Roy's warning reminded her—miracles had limits.
Using it against her sister wasn't simple.
As her friend, Roy didn't want to fight her and hoped she'd let go of the past, living freely as the wind-like woman she was.
Whether she'd come around wasn't for him to decide.
He had to focus on the intel from Touko—about the Third Holy Grail War's Servant: Avenger.
Learning it was Avenger Angra Mainyu, not Ruler Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, confirmed this was the Fourth War timeline he knew, not the later red-black free-for-all where Fionn stole the Grail.
This made choosing Caster wiser.
With Angra Mainyu summoned, the Grail was tainted by All the World's Evil, twisting wishes—the black Grail, culprit of Fuyuki's fire.
This wasn't what Roy wanted. He needed a stable, vast mana source—the true Grail.
Thus, he'd killed one Master candidate, Ryunosuke Uryuu, and locked onto Caster. Though weaker in combat, Casters excelled in magecraft and special scenarios, like now—
All the World's Evil, the tainted black Grail, was tough for other Servants, but for a skilled Age of Gods mage, it was a manageable challenge. With time and preparation, purifying it via magecraft was feasible—his reason for choosing Caster.
He'd aimed for Medea, with her Grail-purifying record, but her relic, the Golden Fleece, was either owned by a Middle Eastern tycoon or locked in the Clock Tower's vaults, out of reach.
So, he targeted other mages, like his infamous ancestor Aleister Crowley, though that failed.
Thus, he settled on other Age of Gods mages.
Using a Rune-engraved relic to summon Ireland's mad dog, Cú Chulainn, as a Caster.
Though less suited than Lancer, Roy trusted Cú's character and strength.
Respect him, and he'd repay with loyalty—a fitting Servant.
With Roy, bearer of the Book of the Law, leading the purification, and Cú, master of all Runes, assisting, purifying All the World's Evil was no issue.
So…
After his talk with Touko and planning, Roy stood, approaching his pre-drawn summoning circle.
He completed the final runes with mercury and blood, placed the relic at the center, and stepped back beside Touko, both watching for the miracle.
Time passed quietly. As the clock struck twelve, Roy rose…
"Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill."
A mystic chant flowed from his lips—
"Bound by fate, your sword my command."
"If you heed this truth, answer now."
"Uphold virtue, vanquish infamy."
"Chained by locks, bound by words."
"Yield to restraint, guard the balance."
"I summon you—heed my call."
Come, Cú Chulainn, Ireland's fierce hound… let's win this Holy Grail War!
With me, no matter who stands before us, we'll never lose!
I'll lead you to victory, unrivaled.
—Whoosh!!
As the chant ended, the summoning circle spun wildly, blinding light erupting.
"This… is Heroic Spirit summoning? Incredible…"
Touko, watching beside Roy, was awestruck.
Such a ritual was unheard of…
Finally, the light faded.
Mist swirled, mana's torrent confirming a connection.
In the circle, a graceful figure emerged faintly through the fog.
The contract's bond told Roy he'd succeeded, but…
As the figure stepped from the mist, clad in tight purple-black robes accentuating a lithe yet strong frame, a night-dark veil hiding a stunning face, wine-red eyes captivating without enchantment…
Even without charm, she exuded a demonic allure…
She stood elegantly in the mist, smiling at him.
Roy's eyes widened.
"Him?"
"No, her!!"
Seeing the Heroic Spirit answering his call, Roy froze in shock.
***
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