Kuzuki Souichirou, a man of few words.
His profession was that of a teacher, instructing in World History and Social Studies at Snowfield City University. But before this, he was a member of an assassination organization.
Proficient in various killing techniques, he left the organization after completing numerous missions, feeling a sense of boredom.
Afterwards, he came to Snowfield City, lodging at the Ryuudou Temple located between Snowfield City and Fuyuki City, while also becoming a university teacher and the student council advisor.
His personality, shaped by years of assassination work, made him taciturn. He was always very blunt, so much so that if there was a single typo on an exam paper, he would terminate the entire exam… a kind of pathological bluntness utterly devoid of reason.
No, perhaps it should be said that a personality like his was the correct one, and conversely, we who have been stained with other colors by society's melting pot are the mistaken ones.
But regardless, one ultimately couldn't bring themselves to dislike him… in fact, he held considerable prestige among the students.
After class, returning home and eating takeout mechanically like a robot, Souichirou felt a slight pain on the back of his hand.
It was a strange kind of pain, different from the pains he endured during training. Rather than simple pain, it was more like... a proclamation of something to him.
Boom!
As the pain subsided, the black Command Spell appearing on the back of Souichirou's hand made him freeze.
"What is this?"
In that moment of astonishment, Souichirou looked towards the pitch-black depths of the courtyard. Someone seemed to be there.
"Who's there?"
Speaking while rapidly moving simultaneously, his long experience as a killer told him he was definitely no match for the enemy lurking in the dark.
Wondering if he had been discovered by assassins from his former organization, he found a figure had abruptly appeared right in front of him.
"Well, human, so you are my Master? You look really weak."
Dressed in the distinctive divine garments of Mesopotamia, his eyes were full of disdain for Souichirou's existence.
Black flames of vengeance flickered around his form. Gazing at the vast Snowfield City, summoned from the depths of hell, the Mesopotamian god named Marduk had appeared.
…
The Holy Church.
Ever since the battle in Snowfield City concluded, Kotomine Kirei had been living in this city.
He did not return to his former 'home' in Western Europe… if it could even be called a home.
"The leyline fluctuations in Snowfield City have started again. The Holy Grail War... has it restarted?"
Twenty years ago, Kirei was a participant in the Fourth Holy Grail War in Snowfield City, having summoned the Hassan-i-Sabbah as his Servant. He witnessed the battles of the King of Heroes and saw many unbelievable events.
After that, the truth of the Holy Grail War left him feeling... bored.
Yes, devoid of any emotion. Even the death of his own wife left him speechless. He lived on mechanically until today, when he discovered the ley lines of Snowfield City were agitated once more. It seemed the previous seal had reached its time limit.
"How interesting. Clearly the Holy Grail War is supposed to occur once every sixty years, why has it started again after a mere twenty this time?"
Unclear about the purpose behind the Holy Grail War's restart, Kirei only knew that this war would be more grand and vast than the last, because the leyline fluctuations and magical turbulence were unprecedented in history.
It was utterly unimaginable that this was a battle for just seven Servants.
According to Kirei's calculations, the magical energy this time was sufficient to summon over twenty Servants.
In other words, the magical energy of the entire world was converging on Snowfield City at this moment, unfolding this monumental war.
"Kotomine, those Einzbern folks... how have they been these years?"
Interrupting Kirei's thoughts, a golden-haired young man holding a wine glass had features as radiant as a celestial being. His crimson eyes held unfathomable emotions.
Sitting down beside Kirei, the oldest King, Gilgamesh, also seemed lost in thought.
"The Einzberns? Not very clear. I've had little contact with them."
After the Tohsaka Family's accidental demise, Kirei no longer had any reason to visit the Tohsaka Residence.
Originally, he had only gone there because of Tokiomi. Now, knowing that Rin and Sakura were under the care of the Einzberns, he naturally didn't go.
"Little contact? That sounds like something you would do."
Snorting derisively, always feeling that beneath Kirei Kotomine's calm exterior lay an essence of madness, for some reason, Gilgamesh found staying with Kirei far more enjoyable than with Tokiomi.
"Speaking of which, King Gilgamesh, I have no particular desire to win this Holy Grail War. I merely wish to know why the sealed Root has been activated again."
"Hahaha! So-called victory and such, how utterly boring they are in this world. If one wishes to witness true charm, then only battle is what this king yearns for."
Casually pulling the Uruk Great Grail, its origin also a Holy Grail, from his Gate of Babylon, showing his disdain for the so-called Holy Grail, the King of Heroes, appearing once more in Snowfield City, declared that he had only one thought in his heart: to fight Ryuya again.
That's right. Even though he suffered a crushing defeat back in Snowfield City, in Gilgamesh's view, a king who loses in battle is not disgraced… the true disgrace is a king who falls and never rises again.
Growing stronger and fiercer with each battle, his obsession drove him to appear in Snowfield City once more.
Chatting with Kirei about various trivial matters over the years, and strangely enough, even though Kirei was a man of few words and the King of Heroes an arrogant braggart, their conversation was unusually compatible.
"Hmm?"
While the conversation was relatively pleasant, Gilgamesh suddenly frowned.
"Kotomine..."
"I can feel it too, King Gilgamesh. Someone is here."
The area around the Holy Church was protected by numerous bounded fields, which would sound an alarm immediately upon intrusion.
Sensing the bounded fields being broken, Kirei was taken aback. He had a feeling that the destruction of these fields... was done intentionally by the other party.
"Who is it?"
Noticing Gilgamesh had already vanished in a flicker, knowing he had rushed out, Kirei quickly followed the King of Heroes' trail.
A moment later, arriving at the back of the Holy Church, he found Gilgamesh standing solemnly in place, and before him was...
"Well, if it isn't that guy from last time... Kotomine Kirei, right?"
"I shouldn't have remembered incorrectly."
Green hair, green eyes, dressed in pure white robes, possessing a natural, pure beauty… only one person could make the King of Heroes act this way. It was none other than Enkidu from Uruk.
Locking eyes with Gilgamesh, Enkidu smiled, looking completely relaxed.
"You are Enkidu. Why have you come here?"
Finding it strange that Enkidu would seek him out, and not seeing anyone else accompanying Enkidu, Kirei was lost in thought when...
Boom!
A violent explosion right beside him startled him. He hadn't expected an ambush so close to him. Kirei felt that if this attack had been aimed at him, his life would likely already be over.
But... this attack seemed less about killing him and more about a show of force, evident from the fact that the King of Heroes showed no reaction at all.
His mind instantly considered multiple possibilities. Just as Kirei was about to ask Enkidu something, a familiar yet cold voice rang out.
"It's been a long time, Otou-sama."
Standing before Kirei Kotomine, the girl named Caren Hortensia spoke.