บท 13: Chapter 13
The Tohsaka estate stands atop a high hill in the mountain town of Miyama, and in its underground lies the workshop of Tohsaka Tokiomi. Inside the workshop is a device resembling a Y-shaped pendulum. Unlike traditional scientific equipment, the pendulum swing is adorned with magic jewels passed down in the Tohsaka family, as well as ink soaked in jewels along the hanging rope. The stones and ink play the role of a fax machine.
The stone paired with the jewels on this pendulum has already been given in advance to the spy prepared by the Tohsaka family for the Holy Grail War. When this stone is placed in the pen holder and writing begins, the resonating jewel begins to shake and the ink drops precisely reproduce the writing on the rolling paper below, reflecting the text written in the distance. This is the operating principle of this device.
Now the magical stone pendulum is resonating with the stone in London on the opposite side of the earth. The apparently irregular, back-and-forth motion reproduces the reporter's strokes correctly. Tokiomi, who discovered the spy report, picked up the paper and read the written text word for word.
"Every time I see this thing, it feels incredible."
"Heh, you'd think a fax machine would be more convenient. But with this, you don't need electricity or worry about breakdowns, and you don't have to worry about leaks at all. You don't need to rely on any new technology, we magicians have tools that are just as convenient and have been in use for a long time," Tohsaka Tokiomi said.
To Kirei, the fax machine that anyone can use is much more convenient, but the premise of this convenience, "that anyone can use it," is certainly not within Tokiomi's consideration. In his view, it is natural for the aristocracy to have more technology and knowledge than the common people... Tokiomi, who still holds this ancient view in this era, is truly a "classic magus" through and through.
"The latest report from 'Clock Tower.' The child prodigy Lord El-Melloi has summoned a Servant using a new Holy Relic and is on his way."
"It's not just that, Einzbern has also boarded the plane. It's just that the sudden appearance of Caster, who completed the seven Servants caused the Holy Grail to activate nearly a year earlier than usual. This is not normal."
"It just means that the Holy Grail system has enough magical energy stored to start the ceremony, so the Holy Grail will gather the seven people regardless of the time. The one who was brought in just to make up the numbers is just a small matter, nothing to be afraid of."
Tokiomi is a uniquely optimistic individual and Kirei has been working closely with him for over two years. As such, Kirei has a deep understanding of Tokiomi's habits and tendencies. While Tokiomi is very careful and meticulous in planning, he can be careless during the execution phase, often leaving certain details entirely in Kirei's hands. Despite this, Kirei has become accustomed to this dynamic.
"Take care. Kirei, did anyone see you when you entered my house? Remember that we are still publicly seen as being in a hostile relationship."
According to Tohsaka Tokiomi's arrangements, they deliberately released the twisted facts.
For nearly two years, Kirei was selected by the Holy Grail, but as per Tokiomi's wishes, he carefully kept the brand on his right hand hidden until this month. He publicly revealed that he had received the command spells and pretended to be a fellow competitor for the Holy Grail, breaking with Tokiomi.
"Please don't worry, there are no servants or magical devices that are monitoring this house, visible or invisible. This..."
"I can guarantee." As a third voice spoke, a black shadow appeared next to Kirei, revealing a twisted figure that seemed to appear and disappear.
The tall, thin figure had previously accompanied Kirei in the form of a spirit, but now it had materialized in front of Tokiomi. This being, with magic that surpassed human understanding, was a Servant. Dressed in a black robe and white skull mask, the strange man exuded an otherworldly presence.
Yes, he is the Servant known as Hassan of the Hundred Faces, summoned earliest during the fourth Holy Grail War. He made a contract with Kirei Kotomine and performed the duties of "Assassin."
"A little obstructive magic can't fool this Servant Assassin, Hassan," he said, assuring Tokiomi. "There are no traces of being tracked or monitored around my master Kirei. Please rest assured." Hassan knew that Tokiomi was above Kirei in position, belonging to the position of ally master, so he respectfully reported while lowering his head.
"As soon as a Servant summoned by the Holy Grail appears, my father, Risei Kotomine, will immediately find out exactly which class he belongs to," Kirei explained. Risei Kotomine, Kirei's father currently serves as a special priest dispatched to the Fuyuki Church to oversee the Holy Grail War. He also has been given a magical device by the Church called the spirit plate, which has the function of displaying the attributes of heroic spirits.
The identity of the Master can only be confirmed through their own investigation, but the number of summoned Servants, their class, and other details can be obtained by the supervisor through the "Spiritual Plate" as long as they appear on the land. Fortunately, the supervisor has already formed a cooperative relationship with Tohsaka Tokiomi and is acting in their favor as the referee.
"According to my father, there are already five Servants in Fuyuki City at present, so Saber and Lancer, who have not yet appeared, will inevitably be in the hands of Einzbern and El-Melloi. However, due to the war being advanced by one year, other magicians are still far from taking action. The only ones to worry about are the Matou family, as they are likely to be fully prepared like us. Additionally, since you plan to pass Sakura on to them, there is no guarantee that they will not use her as a hostage to threaten us."
"Matou Zouken has already entered into a magical contract with me," Tohsaka Tokiomi explained elegantly. "In exchange for my handing Sakura over to the Matou family, they will abandon their participation in the Holy Grail War and even agree to assist my family."
"So the Matou family is now your ally?" Kirei asked.
Tokiomi nodded. "The current generation of inheritors in the Matou family are weaker than those of the past. I want to give Sakura to them to prevent the Clock Tower from sealing them off later on. Additionally, Matou Zouken wouldn't mind having a child with Sakura's excellent magical aptitude. That's why I made the request and he agreed."
"It's not surprising that you're the most prepared Master," Kirei praised. "Due to the changes at the start of the Holy Grail War, other Masters haven't made any moves yet, but you've already fully prepared and even secured alliances with three Servants on your side."
"It's a pleasant surprise that the Matou family will cooperate, even though this isn't much. However, this place is surrounded by other summoned familiars placed by other Masters, so it's just a matter of time." Tokiomi revealed a smile.
Kirei nodded and added, "This place, along with the Matou residence and the Einzbern villa, has been determined to be the Master's base."
One of the advantages of the three great families against foreign magi is that they operate in the shadows. This gives them a significant edge in espionage wars, especially during the prelude to the Holy Grail War when they can utilize their home base. While Kirei has no doubt about Tokiomi's intelligence network, he must still be cautious of the unknown Master who summoned Caster and forced the Holy Grail War to start a year earlier.
If they encounter such an enemy, Kirei's Assassin will be able to play a vital role. "It's alright here. Assassin, continue to be on guard outside. Pay close attention," Kirei instructed.
"Understood." After receiving Kirei's instructions, Assassin once again blended into the void and disappeared from the room.
As servants, it is within their power to freely switch between physical and spirit forms. Assassin, in particular, has a special ability that sets him apart from other servants - "Presence Concealment." When he disappears, no one can track his movements. For Kirei, who summoned Assassin not to win but to support Tokiomi, the assassin is the best choice.
Tokiomi and Kirei emerged from the basement and walked into the dimly lit living room, chatting about everyday matters.
"By the way, where did Gilgamesh go?" Kirei asked. The reason why Tokiomi can face the Holy Grail War, which began a year early, with such grace and calm is because he holds the trump card of Gilgamesh in his hand.
"The king... went to assess the public sentiment," Tokiomi hesitated, unable to bring himself to say "taking a walk" as a form of entertainment.
As a self-proclaimed noble magus who respects power above all else, Tokiomi treats the hero king Gilgamesh, who is a servant, with the courtesy of a lord even though he is the Master. In addition, he cannot understand why the noble Gilgamesh is so passionate about "taking a walk."
"Since you're acting as a subject," Gilgamesh's voice took on an arrogant tone as his figure appeared beside Tokiomi, "you dare to speak ill of this king behind my back? Tokiomi, your guts have grown a lot."
Tokiomi immediately performed a noble etiquette, "I dare not, Your Majesty."
"Heh," Gilgamesh chuckled, laying on the classical leather sofa with gold thread inlays. "This king is in a good mood now, so I'll spare you of your guilt."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Tokiomi breathed a sigh of relief. As the Master, he did not want to be split up with his servant, but as a self-proclaimed noble, he also didn't want to offend the king unless necessary.
Sitting on the sofa, Gilgamesh poured himself a glass of red wine and leaned back, gently swaying the wine glass as he watched the red liquid swirl within it.
It is natural for the noble hero king to be obsessed with walking, as he is always difficult to understand, especially in a world full of mixed breeds. Even those who call themselves heroes, those who achieve kingship, or those foolish things celebrated as gods will never understand.
The wise king, once praised by everyone, eventually becomes a tyrant in the epic.
They will never understand his sadness, his helplessness, his anger, his expectation, his disappointment, his loneliness, and everything else... because the only person who could understand is no longer there. However -
"As an entertainment program, it has not yet come to an end."
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