"Capture the Caster's master and force him to commit suicide with a spell…"
After hearing Solomon's words, Marisbury couldn't help but be a little surprised at the boldness and confidence of the King of Magecraft. He'd heard a bit about last night's battle between the Caster and the Heroic King. The Caster's true identity was still unclear, but there was a possibility of a connection to the Heroic King… That alone spoke volumes about the Caster's strength.
"Now that the Holy Grail War has begun, the Caster will inevitably be on guard and won't easily leave his Master's side…" Marisbury's eyes lit up with cold calculation. "How do you plan to lure him out?"
Solomon did not answer. The King of Magecraft smiled in amusement. "Isn't he quite skilled in battle? In that case, perhaps we should have him face off against multiple Servants at once?"
"Tonight is the first night of the Holy Grail War. From my observations, there are Masters who have just begun preparing for their Servant Summoning rituals tonight."
"That's why, before that happens, have them transfer their Command Spells to us."
Indeed, while Solomon's EX-level clairvoyance could not peer into Izaya's past or future, even the strongest Servant could not withstand the simultaneous onslaught and suppression of multiple powerful foes. Whatever secrets lay hidden within Izaya, so long as he was driven to death… all his secrets would be exposed without reservation.
"Marisbury, I'm looking forward more and more to meeting Caster… I want to see what secrets he hides that could influence this world's timeline."
Solomon lowered his gaze, staring quietly at the ten glowing rings on his fingers, his golden eyes full of pity. Soon, a cold smile curved his lips.
"It's rare to travel in the modern era… I hope he can enjoy it, even if just a little."
…
The Matou Household
The air was filled with a foul, fishy odor, like the innards of some living creature. This was the Matou family's underground workshop, a "nest" handed down through generations and used to raise "worms."
Matou Kariya knelt on one knee before the summoning circle, clutching his already battered body as he desperately recited the summoning incantation. His hair had long since turned pale with pain, blue veins throbbing with the explosion of artificial magic circuits. Yet no matter how much magical energy he poured in, the dark purple summoning circle never signaled the arrival of a Heroic Spirit.
"Heh… what a waste, what a pointless waste."
In the dim corner of the workshop, a withered old man stood silently, his face heavy like a dried corpse, weighted by the moment like water. His clouded eyes gazed out at Kariya, filled with disappointment at the decline of the family bloodline.
The Matou family had once known glory, but in this generation, the useless Byakuya was resigned to decline, and the half-starved Kariya could not even complete the most basic summoning ritual. Their only recourse was to seek out a foreign child to adopt—only then could the family survive…
Just as Zouken was cruelly planning for the future Holy Grail War—
"What a farce of a family, what a filthy stench of ink."
A cold, detached voice suddenly sounded from behind Zouken. His body froze, corpse-like, and he turned. What he saw were divine golden eyes boring into him.
Zouken stared at the man before him, voice gloomy. "You are—"
"No need for introductions. I've come to ask you to hand over the Command Spells you carry."
Solomon spoke lightly.
A stranger had come openly to the Matou household, asking for the most important command of the Holy Grail War? Zouken's expression darkened. "You're looking for trouble—"
Before he could finish, his body exploded, countless worms scattering in panic. Solomon raised his hand without chanting, and flames instantly filled the entire worm warehouse.
…
Fuyuki City
From the floor-to-ceiling windows, the jewel-bright nightscape of Fuyuki City stretched out. The luxurious suite atop this skyscraper had long since been transformed by Kayneth into the perfect magic workshop.
Lord of the Clock Tower, Kayneth, was preparing for the Heroic Spirit summoning like the strictest of scholars, carefully calibrating every rune in the magic circle, a confident smile on his face.
His fiancée, Sola, sat elegantly on the sofa, watching him with bored eyes.
Suddenly, a man's voice—out of place in this room—rang out.
"…What a splendid workshop, Lord El-Melloi. Seems you're well prepared for this 'banquet'."
From the deepest shadows of the room, a figure quietly appeared. With a slow smile, he said, "Would you mind telling me about the three Command Spells you hold?"
…
Einzbern Castle
Irisviel sat by the window, absentmindedly watching the wind and snow outside, recalling her recent conversation with Caster. As a "Lesser Grail" destined to house a Servant's soul, she was fated to lose her personality, to become a tool… But was it really so strange that she did not want to die?
…At the very least, no one had ever asked her before if she wished to live.
Yet, at that time, Caster had told her she could continue living as a human, without dying…
She didn't even need to ask; as long as she knew she was the "Lesser Grail," any Magus's first reaction would be to control her, keep her close. Only Caster… Only he wanted her to live as a human. Why?
Was it because he had no interest in the Greater Grail? Or… Was she more important to him than the Grail itself?
At that realization, the heart of the doll—supposedly devoid of emotion—unconsciously sped up.
"Caster… where are you…?"
Thinking of this, the beautiful silver-haired woman absentmindedly brushed her fingers across the back of her hand, where a brilliant red Command Spell glowed in the light. Silver hair framed her delicate face, a hint of weakness showing.
Boom!
At that moment, the castle's protective barrier suddenly rippled—
…An intruder!
Startled by the barrier's alarm, Irisviel instantly stood, her silver hair whipping forward as she transformed it into a familiar bird and sent it flying out the window. Before she could change clothes, in just her white pajamas and barefoot, her beautiful figure darted from the room.
Her tall, fragile beauty seemed even more delicate in the chill, silver hair cascading like a waterfall with lazy elegance.
"Don't be nervous—it's me."
A very familiar voice suddenly sounded behind her. Irisviel instinctively turned, and Caster's face was reflected in her surprised crimson eyes.
"Caster… why…?"
The Einzbern Castle's defensive boundary was open to Izaya; he shouldn't have needed to "intrude." Looking at the beautiful silver-haired woman before him, slightly surprised, Izaya spoke concisely:
"It's a long story. In any case, come with me down the hall first… I've found a way to break your chains to the Greater Grail."
…So soon?
Irisviel was shocked. The Holy Grail System was a special creation using the "Third Magic," and its fundamental purpose was to create a "hole" to reach the Root. In the end, unless one was an extremely advanced Magus, interfering with the Grail System was impossible.
Though her heart was full of doubts, seeing the reassurance in Izaya's eyes, Irisviel nodded quietly.
But when she followed Izaya downstairs, she was stunned.
In the grand hall, a figure had appeared at some point. The pure white classical dress fit the girl's slender figure perfectly, the layered skirt exquisitely crafted. At this moment, her posture was like a princess about to be crowned.
"So this is the 'Lesser Grail,' huh?"
Manaka looked the silver-haired beauty up and down, her voice sweet and pleasant.
"Based on the theory of the lost Third Magic, 'Heaven's Cup,' and constructed with high-purity ether and the greatest alchemy of past heads of house, it is a fully functional vessel…"
"Hm… it's truly a beautiful work of art."
"But it's a pity that from the moment it was created, it was fated to break."
Irisviel's body visibly stiffened, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself, didn't I?"
The golden-haired girl curtsied elegantly. "It's our first meeting, Irisviel."
"I am Sajyou Manaka, eldest daughter of the Sajyou family, and I love singing… For the past two days, I've been working hard to take care of you and my fiancé."
"…Fiancé?"
Irisviel unconsciously looked up at the smiling golden-haired girl, then at Caster.
"It's awkward to say, but I have a marriage contract with your Servant," Manaka said with a smile. "I came at his invitation, to help unravel your connection with the Greater Grail."
"And, there's something else I'd like to ask—"
[Under Irisviel's doubtful gaze, Manaka made a grand show of discussing the marriage contract, hoping to provoke Irisviel into breaking your contract herself.]
[However, after understanding the situation, Irisviel's expression turned unexpectedly complex, hesitant.]
…What did he mean by what he said to her that evening? To save her, he went to seek out his "fiancée," the girl Manaka. If she broke the contract with him, the girl would have a way to sever her connection with the Greater Grail and live on as a "human" instead of a doll.
Such a generous reward.
But that was just like him…
Irisviel had her own conclusions she wasn't willing to let go.
"I'm sorry, but I won't give myself to anyone until the Holy Grail War is over."
Faced with such a warm offer, the silver-haired beauty refused without hesitation. Her resolve shocked Izaya. He knew this woman possessed a tenacious heart beneath her frail exterior, yet even though she could be freed from the chains of the Greater Grail and survive as a human… she truly refused such a wonderful chance?
Irisviel gazed steadily at the goddess-like girl before her, a complex softness in her eyes.
"I don't know if you're really engaged, but if you want to exchange my Servant for my future life… I can't accept that."
She refused the "freedom" offered right before her, without hesitation.
Izaya and Manaka stared blankly at the silver-haired doll. Soon, a sweeter smile appeared on Manaka's face.
"As expected—even the greatest author, skilled in weaving 'scripts,' can't predict human emotions."
"You'd give up 'freedom' for the Holy Grail War? Even though it's doomed to be in vain?"
"It seems you're outside my 'script,' Miss Irisviel."
With that, the Princess of the Root raised her small white hand. She was graceful, gently leaning toward Caster's face. Her small, seductive lips pressed together, her palm approaching his cheek. Izaya could feel love and absolute confidence in the golden-haired girl's gaze.
As the Princess of the Root, if the unfinished Beasts of that time had appeared in the real world, she was certainly confident. She was omniscient and omnipotent, merely waiting for the conclusion of the Holy Grail War and her meeting with Izaya to ascend to the throne of the Beast.
However… Ever since Koyanskaya appeared, her script had changed.
For her, "watching her fiancé being snatched by someone" was absolutely the wrong script.
This world was polluted, only fit to be destroyed and rebuilt as a pure "new world" with just her and Izaya…
That was Manaka's current thinking.
The magical energy in the air began to grow restless, and even Izaya noticed the girl's "abnormality."
"It's not that I don't want to help you, brother."
Manaka slowly raised her face, gently pressing her forehead to Izaya's. Her deep blue eyes locked onto his.
"I really don't want to, but… I still can't accept you being with another woman."
Her voice was still ethereal and innocent, but seemed to have lost its warmth.
"If you won't let go, then help me remove all obstacles from my world!"
Without warning, the magic of the "Root" was activated. Without chant or magical fluctuation, centered on Manaka, the "real world" began to collapse.
The ground twisted, the castle's protective barrier went berserk, and the magical energy in the air rippled repeatedly. Irisviel was stunned by this godlike power—she hadn't imagined there could be a Master of this level in the Holy Grail War.
Izaya hadn't expected the girl to act so suddenly, but what surprised him more was that Manaka's attack wasn't aimed at him or Irisviel.
A ball of light, condensed from magic, formed in her palm. It was dazzling, containing the terrifying power to "erase" anything.
She lightly tossed the orb outside the castle.
In the next instant, the entire area around Einzbern Castle shook with a thunderous shockwave.
But as Izaya looked up, he suddenly saw a figure standing unharmed in the center of the charred, blackened crater. His long silver-white hair was scattered, the ten rings on his fingers shining with divine light.
He gently dusted off his clothes, speaking as if making a modest declaration. "This world's timeline can no longer be predicted by clairvoyance… Born connected to the Root, a princess… no, could she be called a Beast with the Principle of 'Corruption'?"
"To think I'd see such a special existence in the Holy Grail War… it's truly my honor."
Almost at the same moment, Izaya also looked up, staring straight ahead. Suddenly, he saw the silver-haired man, dressed elegantly, the ten rings on his hand gleaming in the dark night.
Izaya's pupils contracted slightly, and he stepped forward to shield Manaka and Irisviel. Vaguely, he already knew the other's true identity.
The opponent made no effort to hide his aura or identity, because he was utterly confident in himself. The instant he appeared, the magical energy in the air cheered, weaving a divine-level barrier.
If the Caster had already existed, he could appear as the "loophole-breaking Caster." In this world, there were very few Servants at this level. And those ten rings had long since revealed his identity.
—King of Magecraft, Solomon!
"Even standing before you, I can't see your future?"
Solomon laughed as he looked at Izaya before him. "In that case, let me take a risk and try again—"
As he finished, Solomon's golden eyes began to give off a peerless, luminous pattern. His gaze was especially deep, as if he could see through Izaya's body to his true nature in an instant…
Yet before he could see clearly, a sharp, stinging pain shot through his eyes. He closed his eyes on instinct, thick black blood flowing from his sockets.
"So that's it… there's something in your body that can't be directly observed, so clairvoyants can't see your past or future… Are you rejecting observation by clairvoyance?"
Solomon shut his eyes tightly, his voice growing very low. "But either way, your sins are full, and all the anomalies you've protected will be corrected by me."
It was not a declaration of war, but a final judgment after observing Izaya's anomaly. The young man before him had seriously altered the desire "to burn away all human reason" that he had held for years. As long as he didn't die, the world's timeline would remain in chaos, and clairvoyants would never see the future.
Izaya did not reply to Solomon, but instead dark resentment began to pour from his body, instantly engulfing the entire castle like a rushing stream.
This was Izaya's declaration.
"I don't care who you are—back off now, or…"
Izaya spoke calmly. "Die."
Ah…
The silver-haired King of Magecraft narrowed his golden eyes, stepping forward without hesitation. This was a declaration of war, the beginning of judgment.
Without chanting, without raising his arm, he simply gazed steadily at Izaya. Soon, behind him, dozens of rings of magical light appeared quietly in the air, their aura like divine chains lashing out from all directions at Izaya.
This was the highest level of sealing magic from the Age of Gods, enough to completely imprison even legendary magical beasts.
Yet the castle had long since been shrouded in Izaya's black resentment, which poured from his feet like living things, transforming into countless dark tentacles that lunged at the aura.
Fwoosh!
As that pure aura touched the most primal resentment of living beings accumulated over billions of years, it rapidly corroded like strong acid, and soon shattered entirely.
"So… it's not magic, just a mass of 'curses'? No… It's more like a primordial curse, isn't it?"
Solomon stared at Izaya in astonishment for several moments, the original "amused" smile quietly suppressed.
"Looks like I'll need to get a bit more serious."
As he spoke, he looked to Marisbury, who was hiding in shadow on the second floor of the hall. This was the signal to "start the plan."
Marisbury, hidden in the darkness, nodded unconsciously. His task was simple: Solomon would pin down the Caster directly, while he would sneak in and capture the opposing Master, Irisviel. This was the most orthodox and efficient magus tactic.
Still, why did Caster look exactly like Kayneth's student…?
But now, it didn't much matter.
Just as Marisbury was about to act, his eyes unconsciously glanced at the opposite corner of the hallway. The perfect, doll-like, golden-haired girl stood quietly, watching with a smile—clearly very interested in the confrontation.
The moment he saw her, the Lord of the Astronomy couldn't help but recall his previous experiences at the Clock Tower. Instinctively, his body tensed… It was an instinctive fear, like a creature facing a natural disaster.
Yet with the arrow nocked, the only thing to do was execute the plan. He hesitated no longer, quietly reaching out—while Irisviel still hadn't noticed a thing.
At this moment, on the other side of the battlefield, both sides had been locked in stalemate for a long time.
And just then, Izaya suddenly seemed to sense something and looked unconsciously toward Irisviel. Seeing Marisbury's movement clearly, his heart sank.
If the Lord managed a surprise attack, Irisviel would have no way to resist without defense. What's more, Manaka had no intention of intervening for now… After all, whether the silver-haired beauty lived or died was of no consequence to her.
At that moment, out of the corner of Izaya's eye, he spotted a small blue-haired figure coming down the beautiful spiral staircase in the hall, rubbing sleepy eyes.
—Tiamat!
She seemed to have been awakened by the earlier magical disturbance, and hadn't fully grasped what was happening. Seeing Marisbury moving toward Irisviel, Izaya hurriedly called out, a flash of fear in his eyes:
"Don't let him touch her, mother—!"
"…?"
Mother…?
Marisbury was stunned, following Izaya's anxious, fearful gaze to the innocent, adorable, blue-haired loli coming down the stairs.
Caster's mother?
That girl—could she be Caster's "weakness"?
Everything happened in a flash. Marisbury's eyes flashed coldly behind his glasses. Without pausing to think, he made a judgment in an instant. Without hesitation, he abandoned Irisviel, moving like a shadow towards the sleepy blue-haired loli.
Yet before his fingers could touch her shoulder, the blue-haired loli looked at him doubtfully, as if holding something in her hands.
Almost at that instant, as if staring into the eyes of some primordial giant, Marisbury's body froze on the spot. He stared at the adorable loli in shock.
Could it be… fear?
He was actually… scared?
It was instinctive, something any creature would feel when faced with her… Fear?
His thoughts turned to chaos, as the blue-haired loli's beautiful, clear red eyes looked at him with innocent curiosity.
"Huh?"
As she spoke, even the King of Magecraft, who was fighting Izaya nearby, stopped his attack in suspicion. He too stared at this natural loli.
A strange silence filled the hall.
After a brief pause, "Solomon" seemed to realize something. He muttered, "How can this be… Why is she here?"
"That's right… Tiamat?!"
Marisbury was dumbfounded. This name sounded familiar… Wait, wasn't Tiamat the creator goddess of Mesopotamian mythology?!
BOOM!
It was as if a thunderbolt had struck the Lord of the Astronomy's heart. His pupils contracted violently, his entire body covered in goosebumps, his scalp tingling.
In this instant, the first thought that appeared in his mind was—
How could there still be a Beast here?!
At the same time, Tiamat, still at the foot of the stairs, quietly continued her descent.