It Is Said Today Is The Author's Birthday

Actually, it's not just said to be true—Epigraph

-------------------------------------------------- Happy Shopping --------------------------------------------------

When Kirei left the unfinished building with an indescribable emotion and returned to the church after confirming everything was in order, he was presented with a strange scene.

The Golden King, who should have been Tokiomi's Servant, was now sitting in his own seat as if he were the master, even pouring himself a glass of wine. As for Kirei's Servant, she was doing as she had done many times before, playing an unknown ballad on a guitar whose beauty even someone like Kirei, who appreciated art, could sense, all to please the king.

"Archer, why are you here?"

The one asked did not answer, but instead swayed the red wine in his glass to the rhythm of the music and slowly drank it down.

"Compared to Tokiomi, your collection, though not as numerous, is of higher quality. It's quite improper for a disciple."

It was then that Kirei noticed the row of opened red wine bottles on the wooden table—Archer had already tasted all of his collection.

These were his own personal collections, some of which were treasures whose value could not be measured by money alone, and he had spent a great deal of effort acquiring them. Now they were being wasted like this—or, from the Hero King's perspective, it was an honor for the wine to be tasted by him—yet Kirei felt no regret or heartache.

Were these things he collected simply to fill the emptiness within him, and therefore meaningless if they didn't achieve the expected effect?

"What is it you want?"

"I was bored and wanted to listen to some music."

The king's perfunctory answer was clearly not enough to convince Kirei.

"Then you could have had Assassin go to the Tohsaka Residence."

"That was the original plan, but I suddenly realized I wasn't the only one who was bored." The king raised his wine glass to his eyes, looking through the liquid. His already crimson eyes took on a more alluring hue. "What is it, Kirei? Are you finally tired of simply following Tokiomi's arrangements?"

"Are you dissatisfied with the contract only now?"

"Hmph," the contempt in his red eyes was undisguised. "Although you summoned me here, provide me with mana, and treat me as a subordinate, I naturally respond in kind."

"……"

"However, that Tokiomi fellow is an extremely uninteresting man."

After a long silence, Kirei finally found words to reply.

"That is your opinion, but as fellow Heroic Spirits, some hold a different view."

The music abruptly stopped.

The Hero King and the priest simultaneously turned their gazes.

Assassin, her attitude before Gilgamesh's appearance had already made Kirei curious. Although he was her Master, she was more willing to obey Tokiomi's orders, and even offered suggestions from Tokiomi's perspective (①). This question had never been answered, and now, with Gilgamesh's presence, he could finally ask.

After a moment of consideration, Assassin replied in a slightly fearful voice:

"I, I merely respect the strong."

"Oh?" This time it was the Hero King who asked, "Do you consider Tokiomi to be strong?"

"If viewed from the perspective of history, he is merely one of the common people. However, in this current era, the head of the Tohsaka family certainly deserves the title of strong."

"I thought I would hear something interesting," Gilgamesh shook his head slightly and sighed, "As expected, mongrels only have this level of insight."

Despite being insulted so directly, Assassin showed no anger, instead lowering her head even further.

"I am deeply sorry that I cannot satisfy Your Majesty."

The Hero King no longer looked at her, seemingly resolved to ignore any existence that failed to amuse him.

"Assassin, Father wants you to go and monitor the Caster team again."

Realizing he couldn't get more out of her, Kirei dismissed his Servant—after all, the Church was indeed planning to deal with Caster.

"Yes, Master."

Jizi bowed respectfully, then turned into a black mist and left the church's basement, leaving the two men discussing a pleasant problem to continue their philosophical journey.

-------------------------------------------------- Philosophical Interlude --------------------------------------------------

"Kirei, you seem very interested in Assassin?"

"I did not summon her using a holy relic, so I am curious about the wish of this Heroic Spirit that the Holy Grail matched with me, theoretically the one with the best compatibility (②)."

"Then what is your wish? According to your words, hers should be similar to yours, right?"

"I have no wish."

"How is that possible? Are the Command Seals on your hand just doodles?"

"Perhaps the Holy Grail made a mistake."

"Or perhaps your self-perception is mistaken."

"Are you saying I don't even know my own wish?"

"Heh heh… Let's not talk about that for now. What do you think of Assassin?"

"Perhaps after witnessing your strength, she has accepted her fate, knowing she has no chance of winning the Holy Grail, and thus acts obediently."

"So, in your eyes, she still has a wish?"

"……"

"Find out, Kirei. Find out Assassin's true wish—and the wishes of the others as well. While investigating the strategies of the other teams, also investigate the motivations that drive them to pursue the Holy Grail."

"I thought you weren't interested in Assassin."

"Her pathetic performance was worse than any actor I've ever seen. But then again, I can't expect much from such a boring situation, so I'll humor her for now and see what kind of script she ultimately brings. I'm not expecting much, but it might be enough to pass the time."

"Are you saying Assassin has some hidden agenda?"

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"Hmph, who knows? You should go do what I told you, Kirei. Find out their wishes, and then tell me about them. It's not that difficult, is it?"

"And then?"

"Then perhaps you'll be able to feel what I can feel."

"And that's how I'll know my wish?"

"...Heh."

"...Alright, Archer, I promise. But it will take time."

"That's fine, I can wait."

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－ What's so interesting about surveillance that it needs to be written down, so－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

"Hello? Rin-chan, did you miss me?"

"..."

"Hahaha, I was just saying hello, why are you reacting like that?"

"..."

"I'm so sad~ You just promised me the future..."

"..."

"Is that expression strange? It's perfectly normal, you're just being suspicious and thinking it's weird, aren't you~?"

"..."

"Hahaha, hearing Rin-chan's tsundere remarks always cheers me up."

"..."

"Nothing happened, I'm fine. Mr. Tohsaka is also living each day with great spirit and elegance."

"..."

"Is there something wrong with you?"

"..."

"Don't beat around the bush, tell me what happened."

"..."

"You don't have to say it, but promise me you won't act rashly on your own! If there's anything you can't discuss with your parents, contact me first!"

"..."

"Who's acting like a mother! Just promise me, don't act on your own!"

"..."

"You can even use the landline, so I'm sure you can overcome the challenge of a mobile phone! You're the heir to the Tohsaka family!"

"..."

"Yes, that's the spirit!"

"..."

"Well, you be careful too! I'm hanging up now~"

"..."

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－ Please imagine Rin's tsundere lines, and now that time has come after the Caster kill order was issued－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

Located about thirty kilometers west of Fuyuki City's bustling streets, deep within a forest, stands a European-style castle rumored by the uninformed to be a "City of Myths."

Most ordinary people in Fuyuki City dismiss it as an urban legend. Although there are vivid testimonies from eyewitnesses, the idea of "a castle in the forest that is meticulously maintained despite no one living there" is still too incredible.

Except in the eyes of a small "informed minority." And that "small minority" naturally means the number of people isn't very large.

Therefore, the number of visitors to Einzbern Castle has historically been less than ten.

However, that record seems set to be broken today.

First, a strange man with a group of children, then a handsome man with dual pistols. Counting the priest and the assassin now standing at the edge of the forest preparing to enter, there are at least twenty to thirty people.

"Master, you might expose yourself like this."

"Are there anyone else in the forest besides Saber, Lancer, and Caster?"

"Rider's aura is also approaching—it seems Lancer invited them."

"Stay vigilant at all times."

After a conversation that went nowhere, the priest entered the forest with the standard movements of a morning jog. The Assassin left outside, after confirming no one else was nearby, revealed a strange smile.

"Enjoy yourself, Kirei."

① Jizi: I don't care about Tokiomi's life or death, what I want is Rin's affection! Rin-chan, prpr!

② It's a shame Marbo doesn't know Jizi is a fake; their compatibility is not high at all.

Happy birthday to me.

Happy shopping.