"I truly didn't expect you to come as a Servant to the Holy Grail War. Your name was never engraved on the Throne of Heroes… How did you manage it?"
Sitting gracefully on the sofa, the blonde girl wore a bright smile. Her eyes, brimming with curiosity, met the gaze of Izaya.
Throne of Heroes is a database that records and preserves the souls of heroes independently from the timeline. There are usually only two ways to become a Heroic Spirit: One is to accomplish great deeds and be praised by future generations. The other is to make a direct contract with the Counter Force and become a "Guardian" after death—though such spirits are more like "Janitors," constantly dispatched to handle various threats.
As Manaka born to connect with the Root, she could confirm the identity of any Heroic Spirit in Throne of Heroes via the "Root." But Izaya was not among them.
"Forget it. It doesn't matter why Brother became a Caster… What matters now is that you make a contract with me as soon as possible,"
Manaka smiled warmly at Izaya in front of her.
"Manaka, I want you to know… I already have a Master,"
Izaya responded, glancing at the nearby Assassin who was secretly observing them.
"And don't you already have a Servant?"
"Who said a Master can only have one Servant?"
Manaka tilted her head innocently, asking rhetorically.
The reason most magi summon only one Servant is due to the rules of the Holy Grail War and the limits of their own magical energy. Normally, a magus can only provide enough mana for one Servant… However, Manaka with nearly infinite magical power, even contracting with seven Servants at the same time would not be a problem.
"Don't you want to be mine?"
The air seemed to freeze. Izaya noticed a fleeting dimness in the girl's eyes as she spoke, as if something had flickered out.
Miss Hassan, witnessing the scene, felt her heart grow heavier. For a moment, she even imagined this girl, no different from a "god," might use the power of the Root in the next instant.
"How could that be, Manaka."
But in the next moment, Izaya's voice was especially gentle.
"I'm just thinking about how to achieve a perfect victory."
"Perfect victory…?"
Manaka tilted her head.
"Yes," Izaya nodded lightly. "Didn't you notice? The Great Holy Grail in this Holy Grail War has been tainted. If you use that 'tainted' thing as the crown of victory, won't it leave an indelible 'stain'?"
To Manaka, she was akin to a god composing a play, bestowing the title of "King" upon the final victor of the Holy Grail War. In this play, everyone has a clear role, perfectly executing her "script." A tainted Grail is like a drop of ink—an intolerable "blemish" for a girl who seeks perfection.
As expected, upon hearing the word "taint," for the first time, a look of disgust appeared on the pure face of Manaka.
Soon, she lifted her head and gazed at Izaya. "Brother, is there anything I can do?"
"It's simple," Izaya flashed a bright smile. "Sever the connection between the Great Holy Grail and the Lesser Grail, and create a new Lesser Grail that can purify the 'black mud.'"
The now-tainted Great Grail still lies underground. Once six Servants are eliminated, the black mud known as "All the World's Evils" will consume Irisviel, erasing her personality.
So…
Before that, sever Irisviel's connection to the Great Grail. For Manaka, this is more beneficial than harmful.
However, after hearing this, Manaka frowned slightly, then looked up at Izaya with suspicion.
"That's a reasonable plan… But why do you always want to help your Master?"
At the end, a strange glimmer appeared in her deep blue eyes.
[Remaking a new Lesser Grail… Manaka is seriously considering your suggestion, but she is also uneasy about your words. Your next answer will greatly influence the outcome. Please think carefully.]
[A: Honestly tell Manaka you really want to save Irisviel.]
[B: Take her hand, tell her you only love her, and Irisviel's life doesn't matter.]
[C: Firmly state you will do what you must.]
Izaya fell silent for a moment.
Option B seems reasonable, but for a character like Manaka, she might happily remember every word—including the fact that Irisviel means nothing to him. By then… as for Manaka, "Irisviel" would surely be treated as a disposable pawn.
As for C… even more unrealistic. At least at this stage, it's impossible to make Manaka obedient.
Thinking this, he quietly chose option "A."
…
[You told Manaka you want to help Irisviel, but before she could speak, you took her hand and explained:]
"If not for Irisviel, I wouldn't have met my fiancée in Fuyuki… Regardless, I want to repay her kindness."
[After hearing this, the Princess of the Root was inwardly delighted but shy. After careful thought, she nodded to your proposal.]
The blonde girl lifted her face and smiled. "Alright… It's for our 'perfect victory', and because it's Brother's wish… Yes."
"I'll accompany you to Einzbern Castle."
…
The light of the summoning circle faded, and the figure of a noble quietly appeared in view.
He wore ancient Israelite-style clothing, with pure white and gold as the main colors. His pale silver hair hung loosely over his shoulders, giving off a dangerous impression. His white hair, brown skin, and abyssal eyes made him stand calmly in the center of the summoning circle, staring at the Master who summoned him—Marisbury, Lord of the Clock Tower.
That indifferent expression seemed to show he would never be interested in anything, no matter how much time passed.
"I didn't expect this… I really didn't expect it to be you… What luck!"
Even Marisbury, as a Lord, unconsciously clenched his hand hidden in his sleeve in excitement.
The King of Magecraft, Solomon… He had prepared a relic related to Solomon, but he should have known Caster was already present in this Holy Grail War. If the King of Magecraft is not here as a Caster, then…?
Soon, Marisbury regained composure, slowly lowering his arm, an almost "devout" reverence appearing on his face.
"I never thought, after thousands of years, the one to answer my call would be you… Lord Solomon."
Marisbury elegantly placed his right hand over his chest and continued, "I am your Master, Lord of the Clock Tower, Marisbury Animusphere. My wish, my enlightenment, will be presented without hesitation before you."
"If it's you… the Animusphere family's lifelong wish will surely be fulfilled."
But Solomon only glanced faintly at him. With just that look, it was as if he had seen through Marisbury's whole life, his lineage, his long-standing wish, and even the "end" of his future.
"No, Marisbury,"
That peerlessly indifferent, calm voice echoed with an undeniable "truth."
"I have no interest in your long-standing wish, nor do I care about that wish-granting machine."
"Besides, you weren't the one who summoned me. Instead, I chose you."
Marisbury was bewildered by these words.
"You chose me… Why?"
"There's an abnormal phenomenon in this world that I must investigate. I came to see what's happening."
Solomon stretched out his hand, slowly placing one of his rings onto Marisbury's hand. On his hand, ten rings shone with a holy radiance—light that could not even be seen.
His expression was calm and compassionate, as if he had descended not onto the cruel battlefield of the Holy Grail, but into a temple, listening to the prayers of the faithful.
"Now, listen to my arrangements. Your long-cherished wish shall be fulfilled."
As if seeing the confusion on Marisbury's face, a cold smile appeared on Solomon's indifferent face.
"You want to ask me why I need to see the future myself when I can already see it? Why do I need to act?"
"You're truly good at reading people's minds… I am indeed confused."
Marisbury bowed his head respectfully. "Of course I am confused, but I won't ask about your secrets… and I promise to obey your arrangements."
Standing in the center of the magical workshop, the King of Magecraft's expression showed nothing, only gazing into the distance.
"Tell me… Who are the Masters participating in this Holy Grail War?"
Marisbury answered in surprise, "...The Tohsaka family, the Matou family, the Einzbern family, and my 'colleague,' Lord El-Melloi, Kayneth of the El-Melloi family, has also arrived."
"That's already wrong," Solomon said quietly. "You should have entered the Fifth Holy Grail War… Marisbury, you 'saw' the ten years before I arrived in Fuyuki, didn't you?"
"Was there anything that made you want to participate in the Holy Grail War?"
He continued questioning.
Marisbury's heart pounded violently, and he looked up in disbelief.
"I really can't hide anything from you… Lord Solomon."
Soon, that disbelief turned into heartfelt respect.
Not long ago, a terrifying battle broke out at the Clock Tower, involving Koyanskaya and Manaka. One was a Beast, the other—rumored to be connected to the Root.
That great battle finally made the Clock Tower Lords realize the crisis and their own powerlessness.
To confront a Beast… he alone was no match.
"You want to establish a Human Order Security Organization… Right."
A faint arc appeared at the corner of Solomon's mouth.
Marisbury was somewhat surprised and subconsciously asked, "You know?"
He quickly followed up, "What do you see in the future… Did Chaldea go smoothly?"
"Success, but also failure. Because in the end, it wasn't you who established the Human Order Security Organization."
The silver-haired man was briefly stunned, his eyes widening in shock. "Then who…"
Solomon slowly shook his head. "That man is beyond the scope of clairvoyance."
"Because of him, the world's timeline—past and future—has changed dramatically."
"He is… the variable in my perfect plan."
Finally, a cold smile appeared on Solomon's face.
"So… he must die."
"Who are you talking about…?" Marisbury couldn't help but ask.
"I've seen him… Moreover, he's already participating in this Holy Grail War and has even taken my position. If not for a few tricks, it wouldn't have been easy to use this materialized realm."
Solomon paused, then continued, "However… he is cunning, so there's no need for a direct confrontation."
Even as "Solomon," there is a "ceiling" to the power of a Servant. He had witnessed last night's fight between Izaya and the King of Heroes.
"To deal with Caster, rely not on power but on outwitting him."
Solomon said slowly, "No matter how strong a Servant is, they cannot resist a Command Spell… That is his greatest weakness."
Marisbury's eyes brightened slightly. "You mean…?"
"Let's head to Einzbern Castle."
A strange smile appeared on Solomon's face.
"First deal with the Master… then have him commit suicide."
…
The night in Fuyuki City was silent and cold.
Heavy snow covered the quiet port town with a soft white carpet.
In the middle of the deserted commercial street intersection, accompanied by barely noticeable ripples in space, a lone figure quietly appeared on the snowy night.
She wore a pure white long coat, trimmed with luxurious fox fur at the collar and cuffs, perfectly accentuating her thrilling figure. At her feet were a pair of high-heeled boots, each step leaving deep footprints in the snow. Her signature long pink hair fluttered freely in the snow.
—Koyanskaya.
She strolled slowly through this seemingly "boring" human town, her enchanting golden eyes casually scanning her surroundings.
"Compared to when I was with Izaya-kun at the Clock Tower… a place like this really is boring."
After a while, the woman sighed disinterestedly.
If not for his wish, she never would have come to such a small town. After receiving the Holy Grail, she made a vow to establish Chaldea. However, it's a bit odd for a Beast to forge a Guardian's body… If he's with her…
Just thinking of that image, a possessive smile instantly appeared on Koyanskaya's beautiful red lips.
But at this moment—
The woman's elegant steps suddenly stopped, and she looked up unconsciously.
Soon, her gaze sharpened.
On the cold night wind, an extremely familiar "warm" breath vividly came to her senses.
She was momentarily stunned. "Izaya-kun's presence… Why is it in this city?"
After a brief hesitation, Koyanskaya's immense perception quietly expanded instantly, scanning the magical fluctuations left throughout the city over the past several hours.
"Oh my…"
Soon, her beautiful eyes narrowed involuntarily, and her smiling face filled with delight and excitement.
The King of Heroes, the King of Magecraft, the Princess of the Root, and even another Beast's aura.
They're also in the city?
"It seems this city is much more interesting than I thought…"