The drums and horns had faded into the distance

--------------Sometime before-------------

"Sakura, how have you been this past year?"

"It's alright, sister, don't worry. Matou Family Uncle Kariya, Uncle Kariya-- "

"It's Uncle Kariya who's in charge! That's great! I was worried you might get bullied, but if it's Uncle Kariya, then there won't be any problems."

"Yes, Uncle Kariya is very reliable..."

"That way we can see each other often in the future. Even if we change our surnames, we'll still be sisters by blood, and that will never change in this lifetime!"

"Yes, let alone this life, even in the next life, and the life after that, we'll always be sisters!"

"Sakura, you're talking nonsense again. There's no way it could be such a coincidence; it's practically a miracle..."

Miracles can happen, if you truly believe.

"You're talking nonsense again... But if it were really possible, it wouldn't be bad."

"Yes."

"Eternal sisters? That sounds amazing... Wait a minute, if Uncle Kariya becomes the leader, won't he have to fight Father?"

"... There's nothing we can do about it."

"But... isn't this extremely dangerous? We could easily lose our lives! I don't want to see either Uncle Kariya or Father die!"

"..."

"Sakura! Go and try to persuade Uncle Kariya! I heard he's never studied Magecraft; his father might kill him!"

"..."

"Oh dear, I'll go! You've always been bad with words—let's both go together! Uncle Kariya will definitely listen, right? He's never refused our requests before!"

"Elder sister..."

"Don't suddenly hug me! And don't cry! I don't know why I feel like crying when you're like this..."

"It's alright, sister—let's trust Uncle Kariya and Caster (vaguely mentioned), he'll handle it."

"Sakura... you're under a lot of pressure too... so cry it out, your big sister is here for you... waaaaaah... waaaaaah..."

(On the other side)

"So, Yanye, do you still want to kill Tokiomi?"

"..."

"If Tokiomi dies, what will happen to Aoi and Rin? And what about Sakura, who has finally recovered some of her mental strength?"

"..."

"Revenge is pointless, Yanye. You're already carrying a very important burden, aren't you? Is it really okay to sacrifice your future for the sake of the past?"

"..."

"It's not like we're just going to let him off the hook. Someone like him needs to be taught a lesson so he realizes his mistakes."

"..."

"Yeah, give him a good beating, wake him up. And while you're at it, I'll teach you a really useful trick in this situation—"

-----------------Now-----------------------

Kariya Matou stood before Tokiomi Tohsaka, his lifelong rival, who now appeared disoriented; a single, simple move would be enough to take him down.

However, at this moment, Yanye inexplicably recalled some conversations with that quirky Caster. Although that guy seemed a bit unserious, he was genuinely sincere towards Sakura.

Thanks to her, his own heart did change. Although he hadn't completely given up the idea of killing Tokiomi for revenge, the thought of letting Sakura live a good life took precedence.

Caster deliberately let himself hear Sakura and Rin's words.

"Hmph, although I think you're being a bit nosy, thanks anyway!"

Yanye extended his clenched right fist, striking an odd pose, and then—

"Friendship-Breaking Hadouken!" (①)

At the same time, a crisp explosion rang out from the grove of trees beside the Tohsaka Residence's garden, seemingly the sound of a sniper rifle firing.

"Bang!"

-------------------------Remember Kiritsugu was camping out there?------------------

It wasn't too late, but the sun had already set. At this time, there were practically no pedestrians to be seen anywhere in Fuyuki City.

However, there are always exceptions. At this moment, a thrilling drama of speed and passion is unfolding on the highway from the suburbs to Miyama Town.

"Wruuuuuuuuu!"

The Mercedes-Benz' powerful engine was roaring menacingly; the grass and trees on both sides of the road were flattened by the airflow from the speeding car, and even the passengers inside were...

"Aaaaaaah! It's too fast! It's terrifying! Caster, help me!"

"Aaaaaaah! It's too fast! It's terrifying! Takumi Fujiwara, save me!"

"As expected of His Majesty, he can remain calm even in such an environment. I realize my training as Knight is still far from sufficient."

"No, you've misunderstood Sir Lancelot. I'm just used to it..."

"You say you're used to it! Has Your Majesty been using such a terrible mode of transportation lately? I'm truly sorry to have to put you through that."

And the master who controls this wild beast—

"Hehehe, look at Saber! The scenery around her seems to be moving backward on its own! Caster, Berserker, and Sakura-chan, what do you think? I told you this was the fastest way!"

Then--

"Don't look back while driving, Alice! Alice wheel, turn the steering wheel!"

"My king, you should have Riding skills, why don't you drive?"

"It's so scary, so scary, so scary! Uncle Kariya, please help me!"

"It's so scary, so scary, so scary! Schumacher, help me!"

After a journey that was thrilling yet ultimately safe, or rather, teetered on the brink of danger countless times, the car finally entered the building, and Irisviel was finally able to slow down.

Aside from Sakura, who was still exclaiming "So scary, so scary!" due to extreme shock, Berserker and Jizi were both looking up at Saber with immense admiration.

"Your Majesty truly lives up to your title; I still have a long way to go."

"It's so sweet that I treat you like a cute, gluttonous person with Ahoge. Are all the ancient Heroic Spirit monsters who can get used to this kind of speed?"

After conveying the above message with her eyes, Jizi began to try to comfort Sakura. However, just as she was about to use a calming Magecraft, she suddenly shuddered as if she had received some kind of message—

"It seems the battle at the Tohsaka Residence is over. So, everyone, I must temporarily step away from the group."

Upon hearing this, Sakura sat up abruptly, forcibly suppressing her earlier palpitations, and said, "Dad and Uncle Kariya— "

"Don't worry, it's alright."

As she spoke, Jizi's body gradually became transparent, as if she were about to disappear.

"Miss Caster," Alice, knowing her husband's plans for tonight, turned back somewhat awkwardly and said, "Kiritsugu... he..."

"Don't worry, I won't do anything to him."

Jizi's body grew thinner and thinner until it finally disappeared completely into the air.

"The Caster has already passed, so I'll probably be summoned there soon. I'll leave Alice and this little girl in your care, Sir Lancelot."

Leave it to me!

"A truly reliable Knight, Saber used to have such a subordinate—"

"I told you not to look back while driving, Alice! Steering wheel!"

-----------------Female Driver Divider------------------

Because the infrared sight malfunctioned, Kiritsugu had to switch to an inefficient conventional sight, making him practically blind in the night. However, thanks to Tokiomi Tohsaka's final magic Magecraft that illuminated everything, he was still able to lock onto the target.

Surprisingly, Kariya Matou emerged victorious. Although it was unclear why Tokiomi had held a clear advantage, faltered at the crucial moment, it was irrelevant to the Magus Killer.

The aim was already fixed on Yanye; once he dealt with Tokiomi, Kiritsugu would make his move.

They've gone over there! Looks like it's time to make a move. One, two!

"Bang!"

Did you hit it?

After the bullet was fired, Kiritsugu's vision was filled with light. He initially thought it was the effect of Tokiomi or Yanye's Magecraft, but this level of intensity was somewhat unusual. Unfortunately, since he couldn't see what was happening on the field, he had no way of judging.

What's going on? Is there someone else lurking in the shadows?

After what felt like an eternity to Kiritsugu —the strange light faded, and what appeared before Kiritsugu eyes was—

"Caster!!!"

The eerie Mask and cloak, along with the enormous Scythe, quickly confirmed Kiritsugu's identity as the intruder. But why was she there—wait, what was she doing?

Because of Caster's obstruction, the previous sniping shots missed everyone, and the bullets were now in Caster's hand. Caster looked around and then waved in his direction!

We've been discovered!

"In the name of the Command Seals, Saber, come to my side!"

Without any hesitation, Kiritsugu called upon Saber, because the distance was instantaneous for a Servant, and having been discovered, he had no chance of escape; he could only rely on Saber to fight back.

Unfortunately, he was unaware that his wife and Servant had both been turned against him...

----------Sometime before------------

(Actually, it was around the time when Yanye threw something to Jizi before Tokiomi went to provoke Tokiomi)

Kariya Matou tucked the thing Caster had thrown at him inside his clothes, then asked, "Is it alright to give me this? Didn't you say you need it to move?"

Caste replied, "Otherwise, it's a pipe dream to expect you to have the power to defeat Tokiomi."

What Jizi threw to Yanye was none other than the Mask that represented his true Gap of Self-Isolation of OTAKU (②).

Separating the Mask from the body, and even transferring the right to use it to others, is a very dangerous move for Jizi Yanye, who controls the Mask (the real body), can not only use it to exert a portion of Jizi's power, but also, if he so desires, can even directly erase Jizi's existence—of course, Yanye himself is unaware of this.

Because Yanye wears Mask, he can reveal some of Jizi's abilities, one of which is immunity to fire. Of course, since it's borrowed, he can't actually manipulate fire. As for that strange Magecraft, it was accomplished using Jizi's "Thousands of Delusions" (Power-of-YY). He desperately wanted a Magecraft system that could suit Sakura, and that feeling was so strong that he actually created the "Shadow" Magecraft —or so he thought. In reality, Jizi mixed in some of her own ideas.

Jizi wants to create something, she must have a clear understanding, knowledge, or obsession with it. Yanye himself doesn't know what "shadow" Magecraft is, so he can't create it at all. However, he has a strong obsession, so Jizi chose one of the abilities that best fits "shadow" from what she knows.

Coupled with that gesture of raising both hands every time it's activated, yes, that's the signature move of the Demon King Nevermore — Shadowraze!

With fire immunity and Shadowraze, Yanye has the strength to fight Tokiomi head-on. However, Jizi herself must be on another battlefield. If her body is too far from the Mask, her magic supply will not be able to keep up. At this time, Sakura has no choice but to make do.

This is why, despite the danger of the battle, Jizi insisted on taking Sakura with her.

Then, handing the Mask to Yanye also served another purpose: to be able to instantly appear beside Yanye when necessary. Originally, it was intended as a precaution to ensure Tokiomi Yanye, and it could also be used to defend against Kiritsugu's black spear.

So far, everything has been going according to plan.

---------Notes--------

① Kamijou Touma's ultimate move can cause both physical and mental damage, and has a high chance of changing or even completely reversing the opponent's personality, thoughts, and style of behavior. It is an essential tool for murder and silencing witnesses at home or on the go.

② Who still remembers Jizi's ability settings? I had to go back and look it up before I remembered... And the true name of this Noble Phantasm contains my deepest malice.