Words and Ju: Where did "Listen" come from?

"I don't understand what you're babbling about!" After hearing Caster's heartfelt confession, Saber merely showed a fleeting look of confusion before holding her invisible sword before her, declaring to the intruder, "If you're here to challenge me, then I accept as the Servant of the Saber seat!"

"What? You don't remember me?" Caster's eyeballs bulged even further, and his owner's sadness could be seen in his glassy pupils.

"You've mistaken me for someone else. I've never met you before." The other party's hurt expression didn't seem fake, but Saber didn't have the luxury of paying attention to it. Her response was direct and to the point.

"Ah~♂~Ah~ As expected, divine arrangements are always filled with malice! Although the Saint has reappeared before me, her memory has been stripped away, forgetting her beauty, forgetting her comrades—is this your script?"

Completely disregarding the fact that there was a Servant ready for battle here, Caster turned around, looked up at the sky, and swung his fists furiously at someone unknown. It was also fortunate that both Saber and Irisviel were people with moral standards far above average. If Kiritsugu were here, he would definitely have ordered Saber to strike down the opponent while their guard was down.

"I didn't expect a Servant who isn't Berserker to be a lunatic. Iris, what should we do?"

"That... if Saber is fine with it, we should engage them here."

The battlefield was their home turf, and the opponent was Caster, who Saber had an advantage against. Therefore, Irisviel gave the order for a frontal assault after only a moment's consideration.

"Why would I have a problem? But Iris..."

"I know. There were two presences before, but I can't sense them now. They should have left, but we still need to be careful, Saber!"

"Leave it to me, Iris. Please witness the strength of your knight!"

Meanwhile, Caster, in his self-muttering, seemed to have made up his mind: "Saint, I will definitely make you remember! Please forgive my current disrespect!"

A tentacle coiled towards Saber, but the invisible sword easily sliced it in half. Then, what Saber saw was an astonishing army of demons and monsters—

"Hmph, a disorganized mob!"

And then, a blue lightning bolt struck into the midst of them.

"Saber appears to be a golden-haired girl who wields an invisible sword. Judging by her tone and fighting style, she was likely a knight from medieval Europe in life, and definitely not an unknown figure. Her attributes are all around A-rank."

"Caster still only shows the ability to summon sea monsters. Although they are all low-level monsters, their numbers are astonishing. Just this amount of Mana warrants serious attention."

"Besides the Servants, there are only the Einzbern's homunculus and maid present. The Magus Killer has not shown himself."

In the basement, lit only by dim magical lamps, Tokiomi Tohsaka listened to his disciple's report with a frown.

"How does Saber's strength compare to Lancer and Berserker?"

"If we only consider raw strength, she is no match for Berserker. In terms of skill, both are roughly similar. As for Lancer, setting aside any special bonuses from Noble Phantasms, Saber should be stronger."

"Can you glean any more information about Saber's identity?"

"Her armor has a distinct British style. Although the sword is invisible, judging by her moves, it's a heavy cavalry sword with a double-edged blade. Such swords were very popular before the widespread use of cavalry, so we can probably deduce that she lived in the 5th or 6th century AD, or perhaps a bit earlier. In that era, when speaking of knights—"

Kirei's voice paused here, and Tokiomi finished for him:

"The Arthurian Legend? The Fenian Cycle (1)? Or the Ulster Cycle (2)?"

"Yes. However, there don't seem to be any famous and highly skilled women who match Saber, such as Scáthach or Macha. (3)"

"It doesn't matter. This information is enough. I am very impressed with your reasoning ability."

Tokiomi casually praised Kirei, but Kirei shook his head, "It wasn't my reasoning. All of the above are Assassin's analytical results."

"Oh?" Tokiomi showed a rare expression of surprise, then nodded thoughtfully.

"Once the victor between Caster and Saber is determined, have her return. Tell her to be careful during the next operation, as she is an important asset to our side."

"It's already over. Caster evaded Saber's fatal blow using a Familiar substitute and then left."

"Then that's all for today, Kirei. Get some rest early."

"As you command, my master."

... Get some rest early♂...

Kirei Kotomine did not go to rest as his master had instructed. After confirming that his movements were not discovered by anyone, he assumed a stance and, with his arms tucked in, jogged towards the Fuyuki Hyatt Hotel. According to Assassin's report, Kiritsugu Emiya had stayed there for a long time previously. Connecting this with the fact that Lancer's Master, Kayneth, had also chosen to stay there, and that Kayneth, though severely injured tonight, had not yet been confirmed dead, Kirei was certain that there would be some drama unfolding there tonight.

He wasn't sure why he felt compelled to be an audience—or rather, he wasn't sure what he could gain from that play. However, if he could observe and understand Kiritsugu Emiya more deeply, he might gain something from him.

To act for an uncertain goal, he was becoming a bit strange himself. Could this also be the work of the Holy Grail?

Kirei Kotomine sighed this way, not only because he had gained some self-awareness regarding his "unexplained obsession with Kiritsugu Emiya," but also because of his Servant.

Ancient heroes summoned to the present world with the power of the Holy Grail—such individuals must surely have extraordinary aspects. Although that Assassin acted like a collection of bad tastes, the perceptive Kirei had noticed that even when meeting someone for the first time, she could respond with the most appropriate attitude.

The elegant etiquette that impressed Tokiomi, the interaction and care that made Rin drop her mask, the submission that temporarily appeased the King of Heroes—all these made Kirei Kotomine confirm that Assassin possessed extremely high discernment of people. And such an Assassin, when interacting with him, had repeatedly, unintentionally shown apprehension or even fear.

Kirei asked himself if he had done anything to make heroes afraid. If not, then Assassin's fear could only stem from "Kirei Kotomine" himself—meaning, Assassin at least knew the essence of "Kirei Kotomine," knew what kind of person he was.

The unknown brings fear because you don't know what will happen.

The known brings fear because you know too well what will happen.

Where did Assassin's fear originate from?

It was precisely for this reason that Kirei maintained a certain degree of curiosity towards his Servant and adopted a lenient attitude towards some of her actions—for instance, for a period before the battle in Fuyuki Port, Assassin's communication was completely cut off. Even as her Master, he didn't know where she was or what she was doing.

For example, when he tried to contact Assassin for first-hand intelligence after Kayneth was sniped by Kiritsugu Emiya, Assassin took about five or six seconds to respond—what could a Servant do in five or six seconds?

However, Kirei Kotomine did not report this to Tokiomi afterwards, nor did he question her.

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For example, why did Assassin pursue Caster? Based on Caster's later performance at the Einzbern castle, his obsession was with a being he called "Saint," referring to the famous Joan of Arc. Although Assassin's identity had some questionable points, it was certainly not the savior of France. This means Assassin knew Caster's obsession the moment they met. (4)

This further confirmed my previous deductions.

Including the deductions about Saber's identity, many of Assassin's actions were meant to showcase its importance and abilities to Tokiomi, subtly distancing itself from me. Kirei, meanwhile, pretended not to notice and even fanned the flames.

Interest? I actually have such a thing. It seems my previous feeling was correct; I can find what I'm seeking in this Holy Grail War.

His movements were still standard, jogging with his arms swinging so that his elbows weren't exposed in front or his hands in the back, but an arc, unnoticed by himself, had formed on the priest's lips.

"The hotel! The hotel collapsed!"

The panicked shouts of the crowd were faint yet piercing amidst the sound of collapsing reinforced concrete.

Kiritsugu Emiya stood with his back to the crumbling building, smoking a cigarette, a rather incongruous sight. However, no one noticed him at that moment.

The Master Killer walked slowly, opening his communicator to ask his assistant a question:

"Maiya—"

"Run!"

Before his brain could even process it, his body reflexively dodged. After rolling forward a distance, Kiritsugu looked back and saw a pool of silvery mercury where he had just been standing.

Having failed to capture the target, and to avoid attracting attention, the mercury spread out in all directions, seeping into the asphalt.

There was no longer any need to confirm Kayneth's condition with Maiya. Not only was the target not killed, but he had also discovered Kiritsugu and counterattacked.

Catching a glimpse of the metal railings on the windows and fire escapes of the buildings on both sides of the street, which seemed to be covered by a silvery-gray fluid gradually approaching him, Kiritsugu didn't hesitate any longer. He quickly used Time Alter and fled the scene at maximum speed.

"Maiya, the operation failed. Evacuate!"

He would worry about why Kayneth could escape the explosion while heavily injured and pinpoint his location after he was safe.

"Why didn't you ask Kiritsugu Emiya for help?"

On the thirty-eighth floor of the yet-to-be-completed Fuyuki Central Building, Kirei Kotomine held a Black Key against the neck of the restrained woman and asked in a monotone voice that didn't sound like an interrogation.

"..."

Maiya had already been defeated when Kiritsugu Emiya transmitted the retreat order. However, she hadn't asked for help, merely responded with a "hm" before hanging up.

"I'm not the type to be good at interrogation. Generally, if I can't get the information directly, I'll eliminate the person."

"..."

"It's not a question you can't answer, is it? Why didn't you ask Kiritsugu Emiya for help?"

"..."

"Is this also classified information? The kind you'd protect with your life?"

"..."

The woman's gaze was firm, and it seemed impossible to get any response from her.

"Then—"

"Master," Kirei Kotomine's final attempt was interrupted by a voice in his consciousness. "Although I know it's tactless to speak up at a time like this, the situation is rather urgent—Lancer is heading your way. It's still possible to leave now."

"..."

Kirei, having been an acting priest, was naturally skilled. However, Maiya, who had followed the Master Killer through countless battles over the years, was no ordinary person. Subduing her had caused some commotion. With a Servant's senses far beyond those of ordinary humans, it wasn't strange for him to notice a slight disturbance.

Putting away the Black Key, Kirei Kotomine no longer paid attention to the injured and immobile Maiya and turned to leave.

...Notes...

① Diarmuid originates from here.

② Cú Chulainn—my apologies, it's Cú Chulainn—originates from here.

③ Scáthach is Cú Chulainn's master (only master, not also aunt). Macha is a super tomboy who could win a race against a warhorse while pregnant, and she gave birth immediately after winning.

④ Actually, Jizi "knew who the other person was before meeting them," but the Master couldn't deduce anything as unscientific as time travel.

...Behind the Scenes...

Master: You did that on purpose! Interrupting me when I could have finished the chapter!

Jizi: Do you want to play "Holy Grail Uncensored"?

Master: I just want to prove I have normal orientations.

Jizi: There's nothing abnormal about being gay~

Master: ...Let's start with "Assassin Uncensored" then. I happen to have two Command Spells left, enough for a two-part episode.

Jizi: Holy crap! Why do I need a two-part episode when I'm not Wang Yuanji? — No, that's not the point. Author, have some dignity!

Author: Everything in the behind-the-scenes will not truly happen, don't worry about it...

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