Chapter 252: Dangerous Man
"Trust? We don't need trust. This is war, and we are fighting for our own interests. Only interests are the strongest bond, don't you think so?"
Instead of anger, Tokiomi responded casually with a smile.
Hearing that reasoning, Kiritsugu's gaze flickered slightly.
"But given Archer's current condition, what do you have to face Lancer with?" Kiritsugu asked again.
"Don't worry..."
Tokiomi revealed the back of his right hand, where only one clear red line remained; the other two had noticeably dimmed.
"I've used a command spell to heal Archer. Although he hasn't fully recovered, he's still fit for battle. Additionally, Berserker will be joining us when the time comes."
"If that's the case..." Kiritsugu stood up after a moment of silence and extended his hand toward Tokiomi. "I accept."
"Kiritsugu!"
The room door suddenly swung open.
Irisviel and Artoria soon entered, with Maiya following behind, wearing an expression of resignation.
"Iri?" Kiritsugu glanced up with a slight surprise on his face. "How come you're back already?"
"I suppose this lovely lady is Lady Irisviel von Einzbern." Tokiomi stood up and gracefully bowed to Irisviel with a polite smile on his face. "Greeting, I am Tohsaka Tokiomi, the head of the Tohsaka family. How is Lord Acht doing these days?"
Irisviel, eyeing her family's former ally, showed a hint of wariness and nodded slightly.
"He has been well..."
"Is that so? Well, that's a relief." Tokiomi smiled. "After this Holy Grail War is over, I plan to visit your family. Despite our philosophical differences leading us to part ways, we were once the families that created the Holy Grail War together. I'd like to revive the glory of our ancestors and rekindle the alliance from two hundred years ago, if possible."
Hearing that, Irisviel's eyes narrowed slightly.
"When that time comes, the Einzbern family will welcome the esteemed head of the Tohsaka family."
"Haha, I believe that day will come." Tokiomi smiled, stood up, and confidently walked out of the room.
Artoria watched his retreating figure, her brows furrowing slightly.
Meeting Kiritsugu's gaze, Maiya nodded, opened the door, and caught up with Tokiomi.
"Mr. Tohsaka, let me escort you out."
"Haha, that would be much appreciated."
Listening to the fading footsteps of the two, Kiritsugu exhaled slowly.
"Tohsaka Tokiomi, truly a confident man..." Kiritsugu muttered while sitting back in his chair.
Though Tokiomi spoke of visiting the Einzbern family after the Holy Grail War, his self-assured tone and nonchalant attitude clearly conveyed a different message which was—I'll visit the Einzberns after I win the Holy Grail War.
Talking about rekindling the alliance and achieving what the three founding families failed to do in two hundred years, what kind of authority did Tokiomi think he had? But if he did reach the Root with the Holy Grail's help, perhaps there was a chance he could accomplish such a feat.
That man, seemingly warm and gentle on the surface, had already revealed the demeanor of a victor in his every move and gesture.
Was he so certain he would win in the end?
Thinking like this, Kiritsugu furrowed his brows slightly.
If it were anyone else making such a display, he would dismiss it as blind and foolish confidence. But Tokiomi was different; he carried the pride and confidence of a mage, yet he wasn't devoid of cautiousness, evident in the numerous preparations he made for the Holy Grail War.
Tokiomi wasn't one to make unfounded boasts; his composure and confidence were built on solid foundations.
With that in mind, with only one command spell left and Archer not in his peak state, what made Tokiomi so sure he would emerge victorious? Was it because of Berserker, or did he hold some other unknown trump card?
"Archer's Master..." Artoria suddenly spoke, her attractive eyebrows slightly furrowed. "I don't know why, but that man gives me a dangerous feeling."
"Dangerous?" Kiritsugu raised an eyebrow.
Tohsaka Tokiomi, at most, could be considered a skilled mage. How could he make a Servant at Saber's caliber, feel danger?
"Not the kind of danger based on strength..."
Artoria carefully chose her words, searching for the right description.
"Although that man seems gentlemanly and has a noble air, I always feel like he's a bottomless black hole, ready to spew something out at any moment."
Hearing her explanation, Kiritsugu was perplexed, hearing someone described as a black hole for the first time. Nevertheless, he paid it no mind; regardless of who or what that man was, that man would eventually become his enemy, and all he needed to do was eliminate anyone standing in his way.
This was for the redemption of all humanity!
Kiritsugu silently clenched his fist.
"Oh right, Kiritsugu, there's something I need to tell you!" Irisviel remembered her reason for barging in. "We encountered Assassin!"
'The last remaining Servant finally showed up?' Kiritsugu's expression became serious. "Tell me the specifics of your encounter."
Irisviel nodded and recounted the ambush by Assassin on their way back.
After hearing it, Kiritsugu fell into silence for a moment, then turned to Artoria.
"Any distinctive characteristics of this Assassin?"
"High-rank Presence Concealment, even my Intuition couldn't detect them. Fast, at least not below A rank in Agility. They used a knife, but I'm unsure if it's a Noble Phantasm or just a disguise." Artoria explained.
"What about their appearance, such as gender?"
Artoria carefully recalled, despite the heavy mist and poor lighting.
"They wore black clothes and a red hood on their head... Couldn't see the specifics."
"Is that so...?" Kiritsugu pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Tohsaka Tokiomi approached us for cooperation, clearly thinking we're the least threatening. Yet, even Assassin is targeting us first. It seems like we're being underestimated."
"Archer's Master approached us for cooperation?" Artoria widened her eyes.
"Yes." Kiritsugu nodded minimally. "He wants to ally with us and, together with Berserker, eliminate Lancer first."
"What's your answer, Kiritsugu?" Irisviel asked nervously.
"I agreed." Kiritsugu answered calmly. "Lancer's group currently holds the absolute advantage. If we don't defeat them first, we have no hope of obtaining the Holy Grail."
"B-But..."
Irisviel hesitated, unsure whether she should reveal the harsh truth at this moment.
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