A Self-Geas Scroll. This cursed contract, often used by magi to forge unbreakable agreements, is primarily employed for imposing restrictions and sealing mutual transactions. 'Success!' Waver thought, feeling a wave of relief as Kiritsugu Emiya produced two parchment scrolls. By presenting these, Kiritsugu had essentially signaled his agreement. Now, they only needed to iron out the specific terms.
"Ugh..." Saber sighed, swallowing another mouthful of food. She couldn't help but feel that the atmosphere was suspiciously peaceful. Knowing Kiritsugu's uncompromising nature, she expected far more friction between the two sides.
"Heh..." Across the table, Rider leaned back in his chair, watching the proceedings with a breezy, detached attitude.
...
After a series of discussions, Kiritsugu and Waver finally reached a formal alliance. [Based on the premise of the successful implementation of the following conditions, the oath will become a precept binding the subject of the technique, without exception...]
The document outlined the specific terms of mutual assistance required by both Kiritsugu Emiya and Waver Velvet. Once satisfied with the content, both parties signed their names to their respective scrolls.
"The contract is established," Waver noted. "Consider this our first real step forward."
Having completed this tense negotiation, Waver found himself reconsidering his view of the Magus Killer. Kiritsugu didn't seem as cold or unapproachable as the rumors suggested. He seemed... surprisingly professional.
"Though we will eventually return to being enemies, please take care of me for the time being, Rider," Saber said, appearing noticeably more animated now that the alliance was sealed. She was genuinely pleased to have established contact with this enigmatic 'King of Britannia.'
"I should be the one saying that, Saber. I'm counting on you to bear the brunt of the work," Lelouch replied with a smile, intentionally ignoring the loopholes in the covenant for the moment.
Kiritsugu stood up without a word, turning to leave. "I hope our next communication is just as civil," he said over his shoulder.
Saber looked at her Master, puzzled by his abrupt departure, but quickly followed after him.
"He might be known as the Magus Killer, but in the end, he's still human," Waver remarked, collapsing into his chair as he finally let his guard down.
"If you're so easily deceived by such a shallow display, you won't last much longer in this war," Rider's mocking tone cut through Waver's relief.
"What? Look at the covenant you just signed. It's riddled with vulnerabilities."
Confused, Waver picked up the scroll and studied it. "What do you mean?"
"You're far too naive," Lelouch sighed. "He played the role of a harmless negotiator just to lower your guard. Your attention was diverted, and you missed the most obvious flaw."
Lelouch pointed to a specific clause: [During the period of maintaining the covenant, both Kiritsugu Emiya and Waver Velvet shall not have the intention or behavior of killing or harming each other.]
"You don't think this actually protects you, do you?" Lelouch asked. "There isn't a single provision in this entire oath that restricts the actions of the Servants."
Waver's face went pale as the realization hit him. Kiritsugu was bound by the agreement, but Saber was not. At any moment, Kiritsugu could order Saber to eliminate him, and the contract would remain intact. "Then why didn't you point that out earlier!" Waver shouted, slamming his hands on the table in frustration. He had thought his first attempt at diplomacy was a masterpiece, but it was nothing more than a beginner's mistake.
"Calm down," Lelouch said coolly. "The fact that he left openings he can exploit means we have the same opportunities. Every blade has two edges."
Lelouch hadn't spoken up because he wanted those loopholes just as much as Kiritsugu did. A perfect contract would have limited his own strategic options. A crude, flexible agreement was exactly what both men desired—a facade of cooperation with enough room for betrayal should the need arise. At least they had a baseline for mutual help for now.
"You people... you have every move planned out before you even meet, don't you?" Waver muttered, looking at Lelouch's indifferent expression. He realized that the 'covenant' he had worked so hard on was merely a formality to the two of them. The result was already determined; the process was just a dance.
The young Waver was finally beginning to understand the true meaning of 'intrigue.' It was a weight he wasn't sure he was ready to carry.
...
"Something feels off."
"Hmm?" Kyoko Sakura jumped up from the sofa, watching Jonouchi fiddle with a deck of cards on the table. "What is it?"
She walked over and looked at the cards he was arranging. "What's wrong with them?"
"Two of my regulars finally showed up... but the rest of these cards are completely foreign to me," Jonouchi muttered.
Kyoko leaned in and read the names on the Monster Cards. [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] and [Time Wizard]. Even just looking at them, she could sense a dormant power within the card stock. She scanned the others—red and green cards she had seen before: [Skill Drain], [Dark Ruler No More], [Fiendish Chain], and [Monster Reborn].
"It's hard to believe such tiny slips of paper hold so much power," she admitted. Although she couldn't quite grasp the mechanics, she knew better than to underestimate them after her previous encounters.
"Where are you going?" Jonouchi asked as Kyoko headed toward the door.
"Out for food!"
"Don't steal anything."
"Tch, I won't!" she snapped back. Getting along with these paragons of justice was exhausting; she constantly had to restrain her old habits.
Ever since her family's tragedy, Kyoko had vowed to only use her magic for herself. To her, helping others was a fool's errand. But looking at Jonouchi, she couldn't help but be reminded of Sayaka Miki—another 'idiot' who believed in self-sacrifice.
"Well... I guess the world is big enough for two identical idiots," Kyoko laughed to herself as she stepped outside. "If I ever get the chance, I'd really love to see those two meet..."