At the Tohsaka Residence, after receiving confirmation from the spirit-formed Assassin that there was no surveillance, Kirei Kotomine stepped into the villa's entrance hall.
After exchanging a few polite pleasantries with Aoi Tohsaka, he headed straight for the basement that served as Tokiomi Tohsaka's workshop.
Although there was still plenty of time before the Holy Grail War began, the house already carried the tension of an approaching storm—visible in the complex, cumbersome spells throughout the courtyard and the jewels in the workshop radiating immense magical energy. This also matched Kirei's usual impression of his mentor: thoroughly prepared in the grand scheme of things, yet somewhat careless when it came to the details of actual implementation. Making up for those "minor details" had been one of Kirei's most frequent tasks over the past three years.
"Since you came at a time like this, I presume your summoning ritual is complete. What kind of Servant did you summon?" The question came with Tokiomi's usual aristocratic smile.
"In terms of the Assassin class, its attributes are highly compatible. However, I still do not know what Noble Phantasm it possesses or whether its personality can be controlled. For now, it is able to follow my instructions. It is currently outside, familiarizing itself with the surroundings while standing guard and keeping watch." He gave his usual rigorous reply.
"In other words, nothing has happened outside the plan. My holy relic will arrive soon as well. The grand ritual is about to begin. I will surely claim the final victory and fulfill the long-cherished wish of Magi to reach the Root."
While outwardly agreeing with his mentor, whose confidence bordered on arrogance, Kirei was considering something else. Since he could not find the "meaning" he sought in his mentor, whose will could be considered among the firmest within the bounds of "humanity," would those inhuman beings—the Heroic Spirits—have an answer? What wish did that Servant, the one who had voiced the same doubts buried in his heart, hold for the Holy Grail? And what about the other six?
Perhaps he could gain something from this magnificent farce. With that sudden premonition, Kirei Kotomine's lips rarely pulled into an awkward curve.
Jizi: In every possible sense, you've hit the truth!
Pacing soundlessly back and forth across the roof tiles while studying the magical formations set around the estate and committing them firmly to memory, Jizi suddenly felt an inexplicable urge to sigh.
Should she say that Tokiomi Tohsaka truly lived up to his reputation? Setting aside all the mistakes he had made... ahem, she meant setting aside the practical applications of the spells, the lines traced by the flow of magical energy alone could be considered a remarkably fine work of art, couldn't they? And within them lay all manner of exquisite designs, like a clock crafted by a master artisan. Though Jizi could only see the paths of magical energy and their outward appearance, unable to penetrate the mechanisms within, that did not hinder her appreciation for something of value.
"No matter how sophisticated you make it, it'll still end up in my hands." It was hard not to feel a little sentimental when something she admired was going to be destroyed by her own hand. Still, Jizi knew that if she wanted to achieve her goal, then never mind magical formations—even the lives of characters she had once liked, the lives of completely innocent people, or the beautiful wishes in the hearts of outstanding people—she might have to trample them all one by one. If she did not put away her usual indecisiveness and her sentimental habit of mourning flowers like Daiyu, then completing the mission would be absolutely impossible. Whether she herself could meet a good end was another matter entirely.
"Though perhaps I only regret things made with their creators' heart and effort, like the gifts my little sister used to give me. As for killing a person or two, I don't seem all that opposed to it." Jizi quickly shook off her previous mood—one of her few notable traits, really. Thinking about it carefully, F/Z itself was a story of beautiful things being twisted and trampled amid clashes of ideals. None of those people with normal values—relatively speaking, compared to everyone else—met a good end. Luck E, stupid Saber, Tokiomi... "So I'd better hurry up and reshape my own values. Shut-in Jizi has already been ironed to death by an iron!"
Whether it was because her imagination was too wild or because she simply did not care about anything except her little sister, once Jizi identified her psychological problem, her thoughts quickly scattered into the unknown distance like a derailed bullet train. "Wasn't he supposed to introduce me to Tokiomi? Why is there still no movement from Mapo? Two men alone in a sealed basement—what kind of play are they planning? So I was overthinking it earlier, and Kirei x Tokiomi is the correct answer? Guard duty is so boring. Besides, cut cake hasn't even arrived in District 11 yet, so what's there to guard against? Hurry up and come out so I can kill some time—aha, what have I found?"
If one were to ask Kirei Kotomine what sort of person Tokiomi Tohsaka was, the answer would probably be something like, "An outstanding magus, a man of clear resolve, and one with perfect manners and bearing." If one asked Aoi Tohsaka, it would be, "A considerate husband and a competent head of the household." Yet no matter how many complimentary words those two used, they would still mention his flaw: "Although he has a good grasp of the overall situation, his disregard for minor details often leads to mistakes." After all, as the people closest to and most familiar with him, they could tolerate his faults, but they certainly would not fail to see them.
However, there was one person who, despite being incomparably close to him, overlooked his obvious flaws due to excessive admiration. No matter what he did, she would hypnotize herself into believing it was "perfect"—the perfect magus, the perfect aristocrat, the perfect teacher, the perfect father. That was the Tokiomi Rin Tohsaka saw.
This father had recently been preparing for something important. Not only had he strengthened the defenses of their home, he had also created a large number of mana-storage jewels. Before long, he would even send both her and her mother to the Zenjou Family. For a father who always handled every situation with composure to show such grave vigilance, the severity and danger of the matter were easy to imagine.
Even so, Rin Tohsaka believed without question that her father would succeed with his usual elegance. And as her father's daughter, what she could do for him was complete her studies and take good care of herself, so that he would not have to worry about her.
Then, after getting dressed properly, arranging her appearance, and tying her braids, today's Rin Tohsaka was elegant and perfect, just like her father!
Originally, she had planned to go to the basement and practice magecraft without disturbing her father, while also spending as much time by his side as possible before being sent to the Zenjou Family... It was not because she wanted to be spoiled! How could someone raised under elite education from childhood possibly have such thoughts? She merely wanted to learn more of her father's style, and was there any better method than learning firsthand through his words and example? Unfortunately, Kirei had apparently arrived and was discussing important matters with her father, so she could only go play in the garden... Not play, of course. She was merely improving herself by observing the spells her father had arranged! The heir of the Tohsaka Family, who demanded strict self-discipline at all times, could not forget her training even while playing—no, relaxing.
The Tohsaka Residence's layout and decorations exuded refinement everywhere. Although ten years later little more than the surface would remain, it still possessed a solid foundation now. Rin Tohsaka silently praised her home once more, then began studying the defensive formations distributed throughout the courtyard according to her plan.
"As expected of Father. With defenses this tight, no one could possibly break in... Eek, who are you?!"
It did not take much thought to know that Jizi had suddenly appeared before that inexplicably confident little girl, intending to relieve her boredom.
"The summoning ritual is nearly prepared. When the time comes, be sure to attend with your father and witness the moment an ancient hero descends. I would like to share that excitement with you."
"Very well, Master. Father surely feels the same way. Then I shall take my leave today. Next, I will have Assassin familiarize itself with Fuyuki City's geography to facilitate later intelligence-gathering work."
"Indeed, I leave it to you. Assassin is an important part of the early plan, though I know you will not make any mistakes, Kirei. Let us end things here for today."
After the master and disciple had spent a long time alone in the basement—emphasis on alone—they finished their conversation. As Tokiomi Tohsaka escorted his prized student and assistant to the entrance hall in accordance with etiquette, he heard his daughter scream. What followed was another burst of chaotic commotion. Just as he reflexively prepared to activate the house's defenses, Kirei Kotomine, who had already grasped the situation to a certain extent through shared senses with his Servant, stopped him.
Then Rin Tohsaka's breathless yet proud voice rang out. "Father, I caught a thief!"
Was it an illusion? The elegant gentleman seemed to spot several dark lines on the face of his disciple, who had never shown much emotion.
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