As if reading the question in Kirei's expression, Tokiomi spoke before he could ask.
"I found what I was hoping for. The Servant I summon will definitely be, and overwhelmingly, more powerful than any other enemy's! If it's a Heroic Spirit, there's no way they can win against that guy!"
Tokiomi's face was brimming with an innate, invincible confidence.
"Tonight, we will hold the summoning ritual—if there are no other Masters' surveillance, Kirei, you and your father may also be present."
"Father will also come?"
"Yes. If 'he' is successfully summoned, our victory will be assured. I want to share this joy with everyone."
This level of confidence, verging on arrogance, could be openly displayed, which could be said to be Tohsaka Tokiomi's innate personality. Kirei was both surprised and admired his grand demeanor.
Suddenly, Kirei noticed the pendulum's gem. The gem was still moving on the vellum, continuing to write.
"It seems there's more to it."
"Hmm, ah, this is an investigation about something else. It's not the latest news—it's probably about the Master of the Einzbern Family that I asked him to investigate."
Information about the Einzbern Family, who had cut off contact with the outside world, was hard to obtain even at the Clock Tower in London. However, Tokiomi had previously mentioned having a clue about that Master.
Tokiomi rolled up the paper in his hand and placed it on the desk, then picked up the vellum with the new writing.
"...This happened nine years ago. The Einzberns, who prided themselves on the 987% purity of their bloodline, suddenly brought in an outside Magus as an adopted son-in-law. This matter once caused a lot of debate within the Association, but only I, and the old patriarch of the Matou Family, saw through the truth of the matter."
The Maguss of the Einzbern Family, who were only deeply skilled in Alchemy, were not good at fighting. This was also the main reason for their failures in past Holy Grail Wars. It seems those people finally started to get impatient.
The Magus they found now seemed very'suitable.'"
After speaking and quickly scanning the printed paper, Tokiomi handed it to Kirei. Seeing the title of the investigation report: "Kiritsugu Emiya," Kirei's eyes narrowed slightly.
"This name... I think I've heard it somewhere. He's said to be a very dangerous individual."
"Oh, even the Church knows about him? Speaking of which, Kiritsugu Emiya, the 'Magus Killer' who hunted Maguss, was infamous at the time. On the surface, he didn't seem to belong to the Association, but in reality, he was a convenient killing tool for the upper echelons of the Association."
"According to the Church, he's like an Agent, isn't he?"
"His nature is even more sinister than that. He's a freelance assassin specifically trained to hunt Maguss. Because only a Magus can truly understand a Magus, he uses methods that are most contrary to a Magus's rules to hunt them. He's the kind of man who can casually employ despicable tactics."
Tokiomi's tone revealed clear disgust, yet Kirei, on the contrary, began to develop an interest in Kiritsugu Emiya. He had indeed heard rumors about him; it seemed he had even opposed the Church in the past, and someone had once told him to be extremely careful of this man.
Looking at the handed-over document, most of it was a tactical analysis of Kiritsugu Emiya—his methods, and the accidental deaths and disappearances of Maguss presumed to have been killed by him, primarily an analysis of his tactics. As he read, Kirei gradually understood why Tokiomi disliked this man. Sniping and poisoning were just the beginning.
Bombings in public places; shooting down planes with many passengers—all these unbelievable reports. There were also speculations that previously reported indiscriminate terrorist incidents were actually crimes committed by Kiritsugu Emiya merely to hunt down a single Magus. Although there was no definitive evidence, the listed data made it highly credible, and it was nine times out of ten his doing.
The word 'assassin' was very apt. Conflicts between Maguss often escalated to mutual slaughter, but those were usually pure magical contests, typically resolved through a series of procedures that conformed to duel rules. In this sense, the Holy Grail War was also like this; although called a "war," it was not disorderly slaughter, but rather had a series of strict iron rules and regulations.
Records of battles conducted through "conventional Magus" means did not even appear in a single line of Kiritsugu Emiya's combat history.
"Magic, precisely because it goes against the ordinary laws of the world, must adhere even more strictly to the rules of its own world."
A hint of anger permeated Tokiomi's calm voice as he asserted.
"But this man, Kiritsugu, is utterly unscrupulous. He has no pride as a Magus. Such a character can never be forgiven."
"You mean... pride, right?"
"Yes. Even this man must have undergone rigorous training to become a Magus. If so, he must also possess the conviction to overcome and surpass hardships. Such an original intention should never be forgotten, even if one succeeds later."
What Tokiomi said was wrong. There were still fools in this world who could devote themselves to rigorous training without any specific purpose. Kirei knew this better than anyone.
"—Then for what reason did this Kiritsugu Emiya become a killing tool?"
"Well, it's probably just money. Since joining the Einzbern Family, he's retired. He's already earned enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life, which is only natural. The report should also mention that he wasn't only involved in assassinations. It seems he would earn pocket money all over the world whenever he had the chance."
As Tokiomi said, at the end of the report, in addition to incidents related to Maguss, many of Kiritsugu Emiya's experiences were listed. Indeed, Kiritsugu's figure had appeared in almost every conflict zone imaginable in this world; it seemed he not only served as a killing tool but also worked as a mercenary, earning a large sum.
"...May I borrow this document to read it carefully?"
"Ah, of course you may. If you can analyze it thoroughly on my behalf, that would be a great help to me. I still need to prepare for tonight's summoning ritual."
"Yes, disciple takes his leave."
After Kirei Kotomine left, Tokiomi, who had just appeared elegant, noble, and confident in front of his disciple, stood under the faint light of the magical gems. His tall, graceful figure reflected an undeniable sadness.
It wasn't a worry about victory, but because his child, who had left home privately two years ago, was coming back... Soon, father and daughter would meet, but unfortunately, the location was a battlefield.
Two years ago, the great fire at the Matou Family occurred on the same night as Rin's private departure from home. Even without concrete evidence to hold the Tohsaka Family responsible for the incident, Tokiomi believed that his talented eldest daughter must have already obtained the Matou Family's command spells.
What could a seven-year-old child do? Ordinary children would only go to school, play games. Heirs of magical families would still be learning various magical theories to lay the foundation for their future path.
But to what extent a seven-year-old Rin could achieve, even her father, Tohsaka Tokiomi, could not be certain. Because ever since she started dabbling in magic, this daughter had fundamentally overturned all common understandings in the magical world. Just considering her ability to forcefully break the Matou barrier at the age of five, she absolutely could not be treated as a child.
"The allure of the Holy Grail is so irresistible, even you, Rin, will go mad for it."
The dazzling red wine, like a gem, swayed and undulated in the cup with a gentle swirl.
On one side was his daughter, on the other the Holy Grail; on one side was a father, on the other a Magus. Even Tokiomi, who possessed the most orthodox Magus's ideology, was plunged into the painful worry of indecision.
He couldn't easily tell himself, as he had told Sakura, that he could ensure Rin's safety by simply killing the Heroic Spirit she commanded and letting the Church protect her, and then the family could be reunited.
War is always cruel, and no one can guarantee that they won't be the next corpse, even Tohsaka Tokiomi, who believed he had already secured victory.
"Rin, I hope you know when to retreat from a difficult situation."
Between the two opposing choices, Tokiomi clearly chose the latter.
Kirei left the underground workshop and returned to the first floor. In the hallway, he encountered a young girl laboriously dragging an oversized suitcase.
---------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the story has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 chapters in advance over on my Patreon: patreon.com/TLHimejima1
Every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone and let me know.