"Have I changed that much?"
'Too much—like a completely different person.'
Aozaki Touko, calming herself, re-examined Roy, a flicker of curiosity in her crimson eyes.
Two years ago, she could never have connected the stoic, cold research fanatic with the young man now sharing fries with her.
If she had to describe it, he was practically a different person...
Such a drastic change—had something happened to him?
She knew of the tragic deaths of Roy's parents, the previous Crowley family heads. She also knew details others didn't.
At the time of their deaths, she happened to be in the same region, pursuing a powerful Phantasmal Species. She was alone, without a mercenary group or magus team.
Later, Clock Tower magi, using specialized tracking methods, located the legendary Phantasmal Species first, attempting to subdue it. The result?
It's clear now. Trying to capture a top-tier Phantasmal Species with millennia of mystery, using modern magecraft weakened countless times, was utterly fanciful.
The hunt ended with the hunters becoming prey, the Clock Tower team annihilated. Touko herself retrieved the two heads' bodies from the primeval forest and brought them back to the Clock Tower.
This was how she connected with the Crowley family and Roy.
"...I see. Change isn't necessarily bad. Call it growth from my experiences."
"Without my elders' protection, I had to step up and stand on my own."
Roy spoke calmly, his memories of past events vivid but never willingly mentioned.
"Your growth is downright absurd—like you've swapped personalities."
Touko quipped sharply, hitting the mark, but sensing Roy was dodging the topic, she didn't press further.
She suspected he, like her, had adjusted his personality, resulting in his current state. But that was none of her business.
They were magi, after all. Having secrets was normal. Prying into another's mysteries without permission was akin to declaring war, no matter how close they were.
With enough trouble already, Touko had no desire to alienate a friend willing to help despite her Sealing Designation.
Still, she was curious why Roy came to Japan.
"Why's a Clock Tower magecraft noble like you, who should be holed up in your mansion researching, coming to a mystically barren place like Japan?"
Touko's eyes shifted, and she teasingly extended her hand. "Don't tell me you heard your senpai was strapped for cash and came to bail me out?"
"Hah, if you paid back the material debts you owe me, I might consider bailing you out some more."
Seeing Touko brazenly ask for money, Roy's forehead creased with exasperation, swatting her restless hand.
"Stingy..."
Touko retracted her hand, grumbling, reaching for a cigarette but stopping when Roy pointed to the no-smoking sign. She sighed, grabbing another fry.
"Fine, no more jokes. You didn't contact me just to eat fries together, right?"
"Naturally."
"Then spill it. What's so urgent you came to Japan for? Need a custom puppet, or are you in some trouble? Tell me so your senpai can have a laugh."
'This woman...
'Even after years on the run, her awful personality hasn't changed. Can't the Department of Policies try harder?'
Seeing Touko's smug, infuriating grin, Roy's forehead creased again.
But she was right. He sought her out for a reason.
Without holding back, Roy reached into his pocket, pulling out a bank card and sliding it to her. "This card has five million, password 777777. Should be enough to hire you once."
"..."
Touko's expression froze at the sight of the card. After a moment, she said, "Heh, you think I'm that cheap? Five million to brush me off? I'm—"
Despite her words, her body was honest, swiftly pocketing the card.
"Pounds."
"..."
"I'm not familiar with Japanese exchange rates, so it's in pounds."
"Hiss... I knew my dear kouhai wouldn't let his senpai work for free. That's more like it!"
Pocketing the card, Touko's face bloomed like a chrysanthemum, her tone shifting to endearment.
Senpai, just how broke are you?!
Roy's forehead creased at her shameless behavior.
"Tell me, what do you need help with? For pounds, I'll get it done."
After pocketing the money, Touko's demeanor turned serious.
Seeing her agree, Roy nodded, scanning the surroundings for suspicious figures. Casting a spell to repel bystanders, he lowered his voice, using magecraft to ensure only they could hear, and asked, "Aozaki-senpai, have you heard of the Holy Grail War?"
'Holy Grail War...'
"I've heard some things." Touko rubbed her chin, pondering briefly before recalling details.
"It's some magecraft ritual set up by the Tohsaka, Matou, and Einzbern families, tied to Heroic Spirit summoning."
"But the ritual's concept was so outlandish, the Department of Spiritual Evocation dismissed it as fanciful. I recall it's documented in the Clock Tower, under Eulyphis's care."
"Good. That's enough. As expected of the only [Grand] puppeteer, your knowledge is vast."
"Cut the flattery. What's your deal with the Holy Grail War?" Touko rolled her eyes.
"My commission is simple. I want you to visit the Einzbern family and investigate the identity of the Heroic Spirit they summoned in the Third Holy Grail War. You don't need their True Name—just their class will do."
Roy had decided to participate in this Holy Grail War.
Thus, gathering accurate intelligence beforehand was crucial.
He suspected whether this world's timeline matched the Holy Grail War he knew.
The Nasuverse had countless parallel worlds, each with distinct developments.
For example, Magical Girl Illya, CCC, and various derivative works aside.
Even within broadly similar Nasuverse timelines, differences abounded.
For instance:
Some worlds had a male Merlin and female Artoria;
Others had a female Merlin and male Artoria;
Some lacked the Twenty-Seven Ancestors, with Zelretch overpowering Brunestud;
Some had no Holy Grail War;
Some had an untainted Holy Grail;
Others had a Grail corrupted by Avenger's malice;
Some even had the Grail stolen early;
...
In Roy's memory, the world's variations were endless, and the Holy Grail War was no exception.
Over the past two years, he'd sent people to gather intelligence on it.
But aside from known trivialities—Emiya Kiritsugu joining the Einzberns, the Matou's declining magecraft, the Tohsakas' two daughters, and the upcoming Fourth Holy Grail War—he'd gained little of value.
So, with the war nearing, he sought his capable senpai to investigate the Third Holy Grail War's details.
Most crucially, what did the Einzberns summon?
A normal Heroic Spirit, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, or the troublesome Angra Mainyu...
This investigation would shape Roy's approach and strategy for the war.
This world was maddeningly complex, always spawning endless possibilities and chaotic parallel worlds.
Hearing his request, Touko's expression shifted. Noticing his bare hand, she asked, "You're a Master in this Holy Grail War?"
"Mm."
Roy nodded. "Strictly speaking, not yet, but I know how to obtain Command Seals and join the war."
"I see..."
"Fine, a trip won't hurt. I've been curious about the Einzberns' homunculus tech. This is a chance to see it up close."
Finishing the last fry, Touko stood, striding off briskly.
Before leaving, she called back to Roy, "Be careful. My gut says this ritual isn't simple. Don't capsize in the gutter."
"Oh? Is senpai concerned for me?"
Roy was mildly surprised.
"Sort of. If you die, I won't find anyone else to let me borrow money."
"You..."
Watching Touko's retreating figure, Roy shook his head helplessly.
"What a woman, like the wind."
Sighing inwardly, he glanced at his pocket watch and the snowy, gray city outside.
'Hope she finds something. Next, I just need to track down one more person for intel.'
All that remained was...
"The Holy Grail War... now that's something to look forward to."
Rising slowly, Roy grabbed his still-warm suitcase and stepped into the gray city.