Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Scheming!
"So, you're saying Caster's Master is already dead?"
"That's correct."
Temporarily seeking refuge inside the church, Tohsaka Tokiomi received this inside information from Risei Kotomine, Kirei's father. Tokiomi had just been thoroughly scolded by Gilgamesh, and his carefully prepared workshop at home had been completely trashed. So, he had no choice but to hide out here for a while.
"Based on estimates, if Caster doesn't find a leyline or another method to replenish his mana, it won't be long before he disappears from the war," Risei continued. "Lancer's Master is also dead, and we haven't detected any new contract with another Master. She's not a concern."
"As long as Kirei works with Assassin and Archer to take down Berserker, victory will be yours."
Risei Kotomine, as the supervisor of this war, was supposed to maintain a neutral stance and ensure the fairness of the Holy Grail War. However, because of his connection with Tokiomi, he leaned towards favoritism, breaking the rules of impartiality.
The referee and the competitor joining forces—it was clearly unfair to the other participants.
"But Berserker's Master remains completely hidden," Tokiomi replied, frustrated. "It's assumed to be someone from the Matou family, but we can't observe anything directly."
This particular Master-Servant duo was the most mysterious. Tokiomi had tried to lure them out by proposing an alliance, but they simply ignored him. Despite the Tohsaka and Matou families not being outright enemies, the current situation was perplexing.
"Don't worry, I have a plan to force them out," Risei said with a calm smile.
"Oh?" Tokiomi, who trusted Risei's wisdom, perked up. If he had a suggestion, there was likely a solid plan behind it.
"All you need to do is have Kirei send Assassin to hunt down Caster or Lancer."
Tokiomi frowned for a moment but then relaxed as he realized where Risei was heading.
"Because of their dwindling mana and the loss of their Masters, both Caster and Lancer are on the verge of being eliminated from the war," Risei explained. "If they're attacked by another Servant, they'll be forced to take desperate measures to survive. That's when we make our move."
With a kindly smile still on his face, Risei continued, "Once Caster or Lancer resorts to killing innocent people to replenish their mana, the church will issue a bounty, calling for the other Masters and Servants to join in on a coordinated hunt."
"As a reward for their participation, I will offer each of the contributors an additional Command Spell."
"I don't believe any Master would refuse such a reward. That will also give me the opportunity to identify Berserker's Master with certainty. And in the process, you'll even gain an extra Command Spell."
As expected, the old man's plan was exactly as Tokiomi had imagined.
"This opportunity won't last," Risei added. "You have to act before Caster or Lancer form a new contract with another Master."
"With Assassin's capabilities, forcing them to that point won't be difficult."
It was a perfect plan, but it was contingent on Caster and Lancer remaining Masterless. If either of them formed a new contract, the plan would fall apart.
"This way, we can lure out Berserker's Master, eliminate the unstable Caster or Lancer, and even recover a Command Spell," Tokiomi said, a sly smile forming on his lips.
"Three birds with one stone."
"Afterward, all that's left is for Archer to keep Berserker busy while Assassin goes in for the kill on his Master. Victory will be ours!"
"Berserker's defeat will leave only Saber and Rider, both of whom are manageable."
With the smile growing wider, Tokiomi could already see his future victory.
The Root—that ultimate aspiration of all magi—was now within his reach. This time, Tohsaka Tokiomi would succeed!
"I'll contact Kirei now and instruct him to have Assassin begin the hunt for Caster or Lancer."
---
"Assassin, how did the task go?"
"I found more than expected."
"Good. For now, don't alert anyone else. Return here; I've got new orders from the teacher."
Upon receiving the message from Tokiomi, Kirei called Assassin—Kenshin—back.
"We're to hunt down Caster or Lancer?" Kenshin asked, a trace of doubt in his voice.
"The teacher specifically instructed to only hunt, not kill," Kirei clarified.
"The idea is to push one of them to the brink of death."
Kirei slowly laid out the plan.
"Something doesn't feel right about this..." Kenshin muttered, his instincts as an assassin sensing the deeper plot behind the simple orders.
"We need them to do something that warrants a bounty being placed on their heads. The teacher wants to force Caster or Lancer to reveal Berserker's Master."
"Hmm?"
"By forcing them into a corner, we hope they'll resort to killing innocent civilians to replenish their mana," Kirei explained further.
Kenshin's gaze grew cold, and he understood what they were planning. "So, you want me to push Caster or Lancer into a situation where they murder innocents?"
His tone was heavy with disapproval.
Kenshin knew well the dark opportunity of "murder for mana." He had been summoned with knowledge of the Holy Grail War, including the grim realities that Servants, in desperate situations, might choose to slaughter the innocent for survival.
"You don't look too pleased," Kirei noted, observing Kenshin's reaction.
"Of course I'm not!" Kenshin shot back.
In his days as Battousai, Kenshin might not have cared, but after his time with Tomoe, he had developed a strong aversion to senseless killing, especially when it involved innocent people. Unless it was absolutely necessary, he would never willingly harm the innocent.
Forcing another Servant to kill civilians—it was an approach Kenshin could not condone.
"I'm not going to order you to do it. I won't use a Command Spell," Kirei assured him.
Despite his icy demeanor, Kirei knew how to handle the situation. He was aware of Kenshin's principles and respected them enough to avoid direct confrontation.
"As a priest of the church, I also dislike this method. But right now, I cannot oppose my teacher or my father's plan."
"Understand my position, Assassin," Kirei pleaded, using his deepening grasp of emotions to find the right angle to appeal to Kenshin.
"We can follow their orders, but we don't have to carry them out exactly as they want."
"?"
Kirei's words managed to ease some of the tension, and Kenshin's murderous intent began to recede.
"The important thing is that Caster or Lancer appears guilty. How often in history has an innocent person been condemned for crimes they didn't commit?"
Remaining silent, Kenshin slowly grasped what Kirei was suggesting. It was a twisted but acceptable compromise.
There was no need to force Caster or Lancer to actually murder civilians. Kenshin only needed to "pursue" one of them and then "witness" their supposed crime. Afterward, the church could issue a decree and rally the others to take them down.
Whether Caster or Lancer actually committed the crime didn't matter. They were simply pawns in a much larger game.
No matter how much they pleaded innocence, Caster and Lancer would inevitably be trapped in this conspiracy.
"The teacher has already sent familiars to track them. Once we have confirmation of their location, we'll act."
"Understood."
Expressionless, Kenshin nodded, although Kirei could feel the tension in the air. He had come dangerously close to provoking the wrath of the famed "Hitokiri Battousai."
Kirei had learned an important lesson: emotions, it seemed, were essential.
Had he hesitated or pushed too hard, Kenshin's blade might have found its mark long before Kirei could have even reached for a Command Spell.
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