Blonde hair danced in the wind and snow.
Sajyou Manaka gazed forward with a pure and sweet smile.
She saw this Assassin—who thought she was hiding her presence to the utmost.
She politely addressed her as "Miss Assassin."
From beginning to end, she kept smiling, looking like a harmless angel.
Yet, Assassin could see not even the faintest hint of a smile in the girl's deep blue eyes—only a godlike indifference.
Unconsciously, the Assassin took half a step back. Goosebumps prickled her skin, and a chill suddenly swept down her spine. Her entire body screamed an alarm, and deep within, she even felt the urge to run.
Something's wrong—! Is this girl really just a Magus? She was clearly a Servant, but, standing before this blonde girl, she felt primal fear and unease.
For the Old Man of the Mountain, Assassins' stats were generally weak; in the Holy Grail War, they usually specialized in information gathering and assassinations. Most Assassins weren't weapons of mass destruction, but had "instant kill" effects that could trigger under certain conditions.
Assassinating a Master should be easy.
But now—
Am I... actually afraid of her...? Even if this was just her clone, an ordinary Magus shouldn't match up to her instincts.
But as this thought flashed through Assassin's mind, suddenly, the girl's pure and sweet voice rang in her ears.
"I just happened to not have summoned a Heroic Spirit yet... so, for now, serve me, would you?"
"Would you kneel for me, Miss Assassin?"
Almost instantly, Assassin realized—with horror—that her magical body was submitting to her short command, completely out of her control. She couldn't even think of resisting. It felt as if a goddess was forcing her to kneel in humiliation beneath the girl's skirt.
Sajyou Manaka raised her right hand and lightly tapped her fingertip to Assassin's forehead.
Boom!
In the next instant, the contract between Assassin and Kotomine Kirei, maintained by the Holy Grail System, was easily overwritten—rewritten by a power directly from the "Root"!
At the same time, in the prayer room, Kotomine Kirei seemed to sense something. He suddenly looked up. He hadn't been praying, merely following Tohsaka Tokiomi's orders—using Assassin to gather information throughout Fuyuki City.
But at this moment—
Snap.
It wasn't a real sound, but in an instant, the dozens of magical threads between Kotomine Kirei and Assassin vanished, like spiderwebs swept away—almost as if he'd never owned Assassin at all.
Kotomine Kirei slowly stood up, looking down at his own hand in disbelief, his face blank with confusion.
"Did my connection to Assassin really just... disappear?"
Defeat? No, even if he died, all the clones shouldn't be destroyed at the same time...
With these thoughts, Kotomine Kirei quietly picked up the receiver of an old-fashioned landline phone.
"What is it?"
A very low male voice came from the other end.
"Sensei, my connection to Assassin was severed without warning, but there's no backlash from a destroyed spiritual core, so Assassin should still be alive."
"Also... I was just making plans to contact the rumored fourth Master—the blonde girl suspected to be involved in the Holy Grail War... I suspect she's connected to this."
A long silence passed on the other end.
"I see." Eventually, Tokiomi's voice replied, hoarse. "Revise your plans and wait until you learn the truth. Take no unnecessary action."
"Understood, Sensei."
After hanging up, Tokiomi slowly leaned back in his chair, frowning deeply. He felt that something had been off since before this Holy Grail War began.
There was no doubt Archer made his move against Caster tonight. The barrage of Noble Phantasms Gilgamesh unleashed tonight had nearly drained his mana circuits.
What he couldn't understand was... Was there really someone who could face a Servant of Archer's caliber head-on in a serious one-on-one and not fall behind? Could Caster's Reality Marble alone really trap the King of Heroes?
And now, not only had he received news about Assassin's severed connection with Kotomine Kirei, but...
What is going on...
Tohsaka Tokiomi rubbed his brow.
"Hmph... Tokiomi, you're bolder than I thought."
At that moment, a dissatisfied, cold snort echoed through the workshop. In its center, golden light particles condensed from midair. In the next instant, Gilgamesh, clad in golden armor, descended quietly by the power of magecraft.
Where once there had been an arrogant smile, his face was now gloomy as water, his red, snake-like eyes cold as he stared at Tohsaka Tokiomi.
The head of the Tohsaka family felt a chill in his heart and immediately bowed deeply with utmost humility.
"My King, I am relieved to see you victorious."
Always that respect and humility—yet always so hypocritical.
Gilgamesh clicked his tongue in irritation, as if still remembering the embarrassment of his recent "retreat."
Tokiomi, cautious as ever, asked,
"My King, forgive my impertinence... but I sensed you expended an enormous amount of mana. What did you encounter in Caster's Reality Marble?"
"And do you know Caster's true identity?"
Gilgamesh glanced at him coldly.
"Just a nameless nobody."
Tokiomi was slightly surprised, staring intently at the King of Heroes. This was truly odd... Knowing Gilgamesh's temperament, after being hit by a Reality Marble, he would inevitably be furious...
He was prepared to keep apologizing. But seeing the King's reaction, he realized Gilgamesh was annoyed at being hit by a Reality Marble, but not particularly angry.
Sensing the doubt in Tokiomi's eyes, Gilgamesh didn't dwell on the topic.
Caster had made Gilgamesh extremely uncomfortable with that Reality Marble, but if the King hadn't used it himself... the result would have been obvious.
Unlike the "wise king" of Uruk, this era's Gilgamesh pursued only his own pleasure—a true tyrant. And as a tyrant, Gilgamesh had a certain trait: he talked big.
Frankly, even if he knew he'd lose fighting Tiamat, he'd still want to fight.
Tiamat? He's fought her before! It's just a matter of being open about it.
Just as Tokiomi's thoughts were spinning, Gilgamesh's commanding voice suddenly rang out.
"As for Caster and his Master... Don't touch them for now."
"…?"
Tokiomi looked at the Golden King in shock. The Holy Grail War was a brutal game of mutual destruction; he could never forget how proud this King of Heroes was. And now he was saying—don't approach Caster?
This time, it seems the Einzbern family really drew a good card...
"Understood, my King."
After Tokiomi replied respectfully, an interesting thought suddenly occurred to him. Incidentally, only four participants had appeared tonight: himself, Irisviel, and Kotomine Kirei. Plus, there was that suspected fourth Master Assassin had encountered—the mysterious blonde girl. The Matou family hadn't made a move tonight.
Come to think of it, shouldn't they still be observing in secret? If that's the case, I'll have the Matou family investigate Caster in detail...
…
A warm embrace pressed against Izaya's face, letting him feel the weight of a human heart.
Honestly, this really was something...
The warmth of Tiamat's skin came through that passionate embrace, thrilling and wonderful. Her faint body scent was almost dizzying.
Within Tiamat's bountiful, straightforward heart, Sajyou Izaya gave a helpless sigh. Being treated as a child was awkward, but it was also to put Tiamat at ease.
According to Izaya's knowledge, unlike other Beasts, the Mother Goddess of Creation—Tiamat—never intended to target humanity from the beginning. She loved children dearly, perhaps even to the point of doting on them, wishing all children would return to her arms. When she realized she'd been abandoned by human civilization, she yearned to create "new children"... because she needed a home.
And Sajyou Izaya realized this, and considered a compromise.
This Reality Marble could serve as Tiamat's future home, and the "children" she wanted could be created by Sajyou Izaya.
Tiamat—like most Beasts—was just like that. If you didn't want to become their enemy, you had to be prepared to accept all their love.
Sajyou Izaya had already decided, ever since his first encounter with Koyanskaya: To save humanity, we must accept all the love of the Beasts!
Within Tiamat's contented heart, Sajyou Izaya gradually closed his eyes, feeling at peace.
After a while, he suddenly remembered something important.
Incidentally, he'd taken Irisviel out tonight, and had also had a big fight with Gilgamesh. The other Masters must have noticed.
This raised a question—
Would the other Masters want to send their Servants to confront a Servant who could fight the King of Heroes, or even drive him away, head-on?
The answer was obviously no.
What's more, Irisviel wasn't skilled at magical combat; if she encountered danger, it could be fatal...
Thinking this, Sajyou Izaya suddenly looked up at Tiamat's beautiful face.
At that moment, she seemed immersed in the joy of having a "child," hugging Sajyou even tighter, her rosy love shimmering in her crimson eyes as she gazed at her child.
"My child, call me Mama."
Sajyou Izaya was taken aback, thinking the title sounded a bit surreal... After thinking for a moment, he decided to change it to something softer.
"Could I just call you Tia?"
"Tia..."
Tiamat softly repeated, then immediately beamed, her bright red eyes shining with joy.
"Ah... and it's a lovely name, too. Well, whatever—since all of you are my children anyway... Let me rub you~"
Held even more tightly by Tiamat, and surrounded by her unique feminine scent, Sajyou Izaya nearly drowned in her fragrance.
But this wasn't the place for old stories... He still had to hurry home. After all, it was Irisviel's mana he'd used up by unleashing his Reality Marble.
"Tia, do you want to leave here with me?"
Sajyou Izaya suddenly asked.
Tiamat stared blankly for a moment, looking at the child in her arms with doubt, tilting her head innocently.
"There's a way... To leave here?"
"Of course, your true body can only stay in the independent world called the 'Distant Beast's Cradle,' but you can project a small part of your power into the outside world, right?"
Under Tiamat's shining gaze, Sajyou Izaya smiled.
"You'd lose all your power and massive body, leaving only your basic personality... But if it's just a clone leaving this Reality Marble, that's a simple matter, right?"
Now, every faction was likely targeting Caster's domain, and even Einzbern Castle. No matter how strong the defenses, they couldn't withstand all-out attacks from every side.
But so what? Wasn't there not just a barrier—but also Tiamat's trump card at Einzbern Castle?
Just thinking about it brought a faint smile to Izaya's face.
…
When Sajyou Izaya lifted the "Distant Beast's Cradle," the original, pitch-black sphere of the Reality Marble quietly faded from the streets of Fuyuki.
What entered his view was the worried face of a silver-haired beauty.
When Sajyou Izaya deployed the Reality Marble, he'd already set up a special safe zone for her. This field existed between the "Reality Marble" and the "real world," protecting her from the internal battle, but if any external enemy tried to pass through, as the owner, he would instantly know.
Upon seeing Sajyou Izaya, her eyes lit up with joy, and she hurried forward.
"Are you alright, Caster?"
Even Irisviel, who had been "confined" to that castle all year, knew how dangerous the "King of Heroes" was. She'd just been preparing to use a spell to restore Sajyou Izaya's mana.
"I'm fine. But tonight's fight might have been a bit much for you."
Sajyou Izaya shook his head and smiled.
Irisviel carefully checked the man for injuries, and, seeing none, finally sighed in relief and smiled.
"As long as you're safe, that's enough... Don't worry about mana—I still have plenty."
As the "Lesser Grail," Irisviel was a walking, high-level mana core. She held an enormous reserve, her only flaw being a lack of combat ability.
After she finished, she suddenly remembered something important. When she first summoned Caster, her grandfather had been angry and dissatisfied. After all, Caster's stats were weaker than the "Three Knight Classes." But this man before her...
Didn't he just fight the King of Heroes and not fall behind? No, Archer was actually the first to leave... Could a nameless Servant really do that?
"Did you have fun tonight, Master?"
At that moment, Sajyou Izaya's voice pulled Irisviel out of her long reverie.
"Ah... Mmm..."
The silver-haired beauty quickly recovered and, under the man's gaze, nodded shyly.
As an artificial human who'd never once left the castle, just walking the empty streets tonight was a beautiful experience for her.
And to think... so much trouble had been caused just to bring her outside tonight.
Now, all the other Masters were surely suspecting Einzbern Castle of some secret plot to send Irisviel out. Yet neither Tohsaka, Matou, nor anyone else could have imagined that Sajyou Izaya was just out having fun with Irisviel tonight.
While everyone else was fighting and scheming, the two of them had snuck out for a date on the eve of the Holy Grail War... No one would ever have guessed.
"Unfortunately, Grandfather is already very angry..."
At that, Irisviel lowered her voice.
After all, she was not only a Master, but also the most important "Lesser Grail" in this Holy Grail War. If she fell into enemy hands, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Sajyou Izaya gently brushed the snowflakes from her silver hair.
"Let him be angry... After tonight, he won't interfere with you anymore."
"You're my Master... As long as I'm here, I'll help you do anything you want."
Irisviel looked at the man in surprise. Under the snowy night's light, his gentle black eyes seemed to hold a reassuring magic.
From deep in her heart, an emotion she'd never known before welled up—a warmth like sunlight in winter, filling her with peace and trust.
She hurriedly averted her eyes, a faint blush blooming on her delicate, snowy cheeks.
"Mmm~"
She answered shyly, almost inaudibly, her deep fear of her grandfather melting away in the man's words.
At that moment, Sajyou Izaya suddenly said,
"By the way, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about, Master."
Irisviel, her eyes still moist, looked up unconsciously.
"What is it?"
"I plan to summon a special 'familiar' to guard the castle, so it might put a little extra strain on your mana after that..."
"I'll do whatever you arrange, Caster."
Irisviel nodded gently, then asked curiously, "But if you're here, do we still need a special familiar to guard the castle?"
"Just in case."
A fleeting look of doubt flashed in her bright red eyes, and she unconsciously asked,
"Is it really that dangerous...? That familiar... is it that strong?"
Sajyou Izaya pondered for a while, then compared a small distance between his index finger and thumb.
"Well, in terms of power... let's just say something like that."
Irisviel tilted her head, still not understanding what kind of familiar he was planning to summon. But from tonight on, she had absolute confidence in the man's judgment. After all, in that cold castle, the only one she could trust was the Servant she'd summoned... At least, the bond of their contract was there.
Sajyou Izaya stretched his right hand out over the snow-covered street. He once more immersed his consciousness into the "Cradle," and from his palm, dark resentment appeared, condensing into a phantom seed in the air with elegant motion.
She'd seen it once before, but even now, Irisviel's ruby eyes were speechless with shock at the sight.
"Let's go, let's head back."
He turned and gently scooped up Irisviel with a soft voice.
"—!"
Her pale cheeks flushed instantly, and even her ears felt slightly hot. She buried her face in the man's arms, casting a sidelong glance at the shrinking nightscape of Fuyuki at her feet and the snowflakes drifting by.
Her initial shyness gradually faded, replaced by a childlike joy in her eyes. The wind and snow blurred their figures, and the street returned to its deep midnight silence.
Right where the two had disappeared, a snowflake suddenly paused in midair. Immediately after, more snow gathered, beginning to condense around the flake.
Amid the wind and snow, Sajyou Manaka's figure quietly appeared. Her white skirt fluttered in the wind as she raised empty eyes to the dark night sky—toward the direction where Izaya had disappeared.
"Ah... so that's how it is."
"Well then, Caster... Onii-chan..."
Sajyou Manaka lightly tapped her cherry-colored lips with her fingertip, her eyes shining with a moist glow.
Suddenly, she thought of something very interesting.
If he became mine... what would I want to do with a Command Spell?