Inside the sanctuary of the Church, Tokiomi Tohsaka received a status update from Risei Kotomine, Kirei's father and the Church's overseer. Having recently endured both a scolding from Gilgamesh and the destruction of his home workshop, Tokiomi had little choice but to maintain a low profile here for the time being.
"Based on our estimates, if Caster fails to secure any ley lines or other sources of magical energy soon, he will be forced to exit the war," Risei reported. "Lancer's Master is also confirmed dead, and with no new contract detected, she is no longer a major concern."
"As long as Kirei and Assassin cooperate with Archer to defeat Berserker, victory will be within your grasp," the old man continued. As the overseer, Risei was supposed to be an impartial judge, but his long-standing ties with the Tohsaka family led him to practice blatant favoritism. The referee and the contestant conspiring together—it was a level of unfairness that would have outraged any rival.
"However, we still have no lead on Berserker's Master," Tokiomi admitted with a frown. "While we suspect the Matou family, we've found no evidence. They are the most mysterious group in this war, and it's giving me a headache. I tried to lure them into an alliance, but they simply ignored me. Historically, our families weren't on such poor terms, so I don't understand their current silence."
"It's quite simple. I have a plan to draw them out," Risei said, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"Oh?" Tokiomi looked intrigued. He trusted Risei implicitly; if the old man spoke with such confidence, there was surely a scheme in motion.
"Instruct Kirei to have Assassin hunt down either Caster or Lancer."
Tokiomi's brow furrowed, but he soon relaxed as he grasped Risei's intent. "I see."
"Due to their lack of Masters and dwindling magical energy, both Servants are on the verge of disappearing," Risei explained. "If they are pressured by another Servant, they will be forced to take extreme measures to survive. That will be our opportunity."
The elderly man's face remained kind, even as he spoke of cold manipulation. "When Caster or Lancer is forced to prey upon ordinary citizens to replenish their mana, the Church will issue a formal wanted order. We will command all other Masters to join a siege against them."
"And the reward for their participation... a Command Spell. No Master would refuse such a bounty. In the chaos of the hunt, you will be able to identify Berserker's Master with your own eyes. At the same time, it provides a legitimate excuse for me to grant you an extra Command Spell."
It was exactly the kind of calculating move Tokiomi expected. "An opportunity indeed."
"We must act quickly, before they can form new contracts. With Assassin's stealth, cornering them should be easy."
The plan was elegant: it would reveal the wildcard Master, eliminate the unstable remnants of Caster and Lancer, and bolster Tokiomi's resources. It was a perfect strategic triple-play.
"Once Berserker is out of the way, Saber and Rider will be manageable," Tokiomi mused, a faint smile of triumph crossing his face. The Root... the ultimate goal of every magus. This time, success was within reach.
"I will contact Kirei immediately and give Assassin the order."
...
"Assassin, report on your progress."
"Target located. The situation is more favorable than anticipated."
"Good. Do not alert anyone yet. Return for now; my mentor has a new objective for you."
After receiving the call from Tokiomi, Kirei summoned Kenshin—the man serving as Assassin.
"Hunt down Caster or Lancer?" Kenshin asked, his voice carrying a hint of doubt when he heard the details.
"My teacher specifically instructed that you are only to pressure them, not kill them," Kirei explained. "They must be pushed to the very brink of survival."
"I suspect there's more to this than a simple hunt," Kenshin replied. His instincts as a legendary killer warned him of a deeper conspiracy.
"Indeed. My teacher intends to use them as bait to draw out Berserker's Master. He wants to force them into breaking the rules so the Church can call for a joint execution."
"In other words... you want Sessha to force Caster or Lancer into slaughtering innocent people?" Kenshin's eyes turned cold as the full weight of the plan hit him. He was well aware of 'Mana Replenishment via Killing,' but it was a path Servants only took in the direst of straits.
Kirei noted Kenshin's expression. "You seem dissatisfied."
"Of course!" As the Hitokiri Battousai, Kenshin once walked a path of blood, but his life with Tomoe had changed him. He loathed the idea of involving civilians in his conflicts. To force another Servant to commit such atrocities was something he could never condone.
"Do not refuse just yet. I will not use a Command Spell to compel you," Kirei said calmly, understanding his Servant's temperament. "As a priest, I find this method distasteful myself. However, I cannot yet openly defy my teacher and father. You must understand my position, Assassin."
Kirei was learning that appealing to emotion was often more effective than raw authority. "We can comply with their orders, but we do not necessarily have to do it in the way they envision."
Kenshin's killing intent ebbed slightly as he listened to Kirei's suggestion. "Explain."
"The goal is simply to ensure they are charged with a crime. Have there not been many false accusations throughout history?"
Kenshin remained silent, digesting Kirei's words. It was a compromise he could live with. He didn't need to actually force them to kill; he only needed to create the appearance of a chase and 'witness' a crime. If the Church confirmed the charge, the result would be the same. Whether Caster or Lancer actually committed the act was irrelevant to the plan. They were merely pawns, destined to be sacrificed.
"My teacher has already sent familiars to track them. Once their locations are confirmed, you will be notified to act. Be ready."
Kirei watched Kenshin walk away, feeling a chill. That sudden surge of killing intent was a reminder of why he was known as the Hitokiri Battousai. 'Truly... understanding emotion is essential,' Kirei thought. If he had been more rigid, Assassin's blade might have claimed his head before he could even utter a Command Spell.