Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tsukahara Meiji continues to dream about Loxia, a girl from the past.
• Loxia is confined to a luxurious but lifeless room, contemplating suicide.
• Robin Hood, a boy with messy brown hair, appears and accidentally prevents Loxia's suicide attempt.
• They meet regularly, with Robin Hood taking Loxia to explore Sherwood Forest, leading to a deep bond between them.

Character Developments

• Loxia: Initially melancholic and suicidal, she becomes more lively and happy under Robin Hood's influence.
• Robin Hood: Shows his intelligence and thoughtfulness in planning their outings, revealing a depth beyond his carefree exterior.

Significant Themes

• Freedom vs. Confinement: Loxia's imprisonment contrasts with Robin Hood's freedom, highlighting the theme of confinement vs. liberation.
• Bonding and Friendship: The deepening relationship between Loxia and Robin Hood explores the theme of friendship and its transformative power.

Character Interactions

• Loxia and Robin Hood: Their interactions are initially awkward but evolve into a close friendship, with Robin Hood becoming Loxia's guide to a new world outside her luxurious prison.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Loxia, a young lady from a powerful family, meets Robin Hood, a cheerful boy from the common folk, under a giant oak tree.
• Robin Hood informs Loxia that they can no longer meet, as he plans to rebel against the corrupt king and her father, a viscount, is involved in the plot.
• Loxia, feeling trapped in her luxurious but loveless life, decides to join Robin Hood's rebellion.

Character Developments

• Loxia: Realizes the emptiness of her life and decides to take control of her destiny by joining Robin Hood's rebellion.
• Robin Hood: Shows his serious and determined side when discussing the rebellion, but maintains his usual lighthearted demeanor.

Significant Themes

• Freedom vs. Confinement: Loxia's desire to escape her gilded cage and live freely is a central theme.
• Rebellion: Robin Hood's decision to rebel against the king highlights the theme of challenging oppressive power structures.
• Family: Loxia's lack of connection with her family and her decision to leave them explores the theme of what makes a family.

Character Interactions

• Loxia and Robin Hood: Their interaction under the oak tree leads to Loxia's decision to join Robin Hood's rebellion, marking a turning point in their relationship.
• Loxia and her family: Loxia's lack of connection with her family, particularly her father, highlights the theme of family and her desire to break free from their influence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Loxia compares Tsukahara Meiji to Robin Hood, but Meiji finds the comparison unfitting due to their differences in strength, intellect, charisma, and appearance.
• Loxia reveals that the similarity lies in their souls, particularly their selfless nature and willingness to sacrifice for others.
• Tsukahara Meiji receives a mysterious text message about a failed online order, potentially hinting at a treasure or an ambush by Karl.
• They decide to investigate the location indicated in the message, with Meiji resolving to use his Command Spells to escape if necessary.

Character Developments

• Tsukahara Meiji: Struggles with self-doubt but ultimately accepts Loxia's praise of his selfless nature.
• Loxia: Shows admiration for Meiji's character and provides guidance and support.

Significant Themes

• Selflessness and sacrifice for others.
• The fundamental nature of one's soul and character.
• The potential for growth and change in abilities and talents.

Character Interactions

• Tsukahara Meiji and Loxia: They engage in a conversation about their similarities, with Meiji initially dismissive but eventually accepting Loxia's perspective. They also discuss the mysterious text message and decide to investigate together.
• Tsukahara Meiji and Tohsaka Mina: Meiji considers taking Mina with them but ultimately decides against it, showing concern for her safety.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mina wakes up after a day of sleep and asks Meiji about the time.
• Mina goes to the bathroom, and Meiji realizes she's not just washing her face but engaging in a full grooming routine.
• Mina takes a bath, washes her hair, and changes her clothes, showing no urgency despite the ongoing Holy Grail War.
• Meiji is eager to leave, but Mina's low blood sugar and disorientation cause her to forget he's there when she exits the bathroom.

Character Developments

• Mina: Inherits her grandmother's traits, including low blood sugar upon waking and dedication to maintaining her appearance. She's disoriented and forgetful due to low blood sugar.
• Meiji: Anticipates the danger of delay but is also excited about Loxia's new weapon. He's embarrassed by Mina's unexpected appearance.

Significant Themes

• The importance of appearance and grooming for women, as seen through Mina's meticulous morning routine.
• The contrast between Mina's focus on her appearance and the urgent situation they're in.

Character Interactions

• Meiji and Mina: Meiji is impatient to leave, but Mina's disorientation and grooming routine cause a delay. Meiji is embarrassed when Mina exits the bathroom wrapped only in a towel, and Mina is startled to find Meiji there.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tsukahara Meiji and Tohsaka Mina find Loxia in the house, who had changed into the previous owner's clothes that didn't fit well.
• Mina apologizes for her earlier behavior due to low blood sugar.
• They discover a clue leading to a warehouse with a computer displaying a password-protected message.
• Tsukahara Meiji finds a news article about an artist imitating Da Vinci's paintings, leading him to deduce that the artist might be Caster Da Vinci.
• He successfully logs into the artist's homepage using the provided password.

Character Developments

• Tohsaka Mina shows embarrassment and remorse for her earlier actions, displaying a more human side.
• Loxia, despite her coldness towards Mina, remains professional and protective of Tsukahara Meiji.
• Tsukahara Meiji demonstrates analytical skills by connecting the password to the artist's homepage.

Significant Themes

• The theme of identity and disguise, as Caster Da Vinci hides behind an alias.
• The theme of the past catching up, as Da Vinci's actions in the past (painting the original masterpieces) are connected to his current actions.

Character Interactions

• Loxia's protective behavior towards Tsukahara Meiji highlights their Master-Servant bond.
• Mina's apology to Meiji and Loxia's coldness towards her show a dynamic between the three characters.
• Tsukahara Meiji's deduction about Caster Da Vinci's identity is a collaborative effort with Mina, showing their growing partnership.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tsukahara Meiji finds Da Vinci's last will and testament in his email, containing blueprints for the Oak Bow.
• Da Vinci's death is foreseen, and he leaves behind detailed assembly instructions for the Oak Bow, with no emotional or motivational speech.
• Matou Aya's plans fail due to Saber's intervention, Abner's unexpected wide-area attack, and Tohsaka Mina's escape. She becomes furious and decides to send Lu Bu to destroy the enemy's Workshop.
• Lu Bu leaves, and Matou Aya prepares to use worms to fill Lu Bu's wounds, which also serves as a safeguard against betrayal.

Character Developments

• Tsukahara Meiji feels regret and admiration for Da Vinci's dedication to science and lack of self-centeredness before death.
• Matou Aya becomes increasingly frustrated and enraged due to her plans failing, leading her to make impulsive decisions.
• Lu Bu, despite his initial high-handedness, decides to follow Matou Aya's orders to avoid leaving a bad impression.

Significant Themes

• Dedication to one's work and lack of self-centeredness (Da Vinci)
• Frustration and impulsive decision-making due to failure (Matou Aya)
• Obedience and loyalty in Servants (Lu Bu)

Character Interactions

• Tsukahara Meiji and Da Vinci (through his last will and testament)
• Matou Aya and Lu Bu (Matou Aya sends Lu Bu to destroy the enemy's Workshop)
• Matou Aya and her puppet (Matou Aya uses the puppet for her own safety while Lu Bu is away)

Key Plot Points and Events

• Matou Aya, now possessed by Matou Zouken, is confronted by Karl (alias Matou Zouken used previously).
• Karl reveals he was hired by Matou Aya to destroy the Winsted family and steal their Magic Circuits two years ago.
• Matou Zouken, using Matou Aya's body, reveals he had planned to use the Winsted Magic Circuits to create special offensive tools to rebel against him.
• Karl attacks Matou Zouken, but his bullets have no lasting effect due to Matou Zouken's Life-Preserving Worms.
• Matou Zouken, enraged by the loss of his Magic Crests, plans to mentally torment Karl before killing him.

Character Developments

• Matou Aya: Originally naive and optimistic, she wanted to save her mother from Matou Zouken's control. Now, she is possessed by Matou Zouken, her consciousness still intact but forced to endure immense pain.
• Matou Zouken: His obsession with power and longevity drives him to possess his granddaughter and seek revenge on Karl. His magical abilities are significantly reduced due to the loss of his Magic Crests.
• Karl: He is driven by a desire for revenge against Matou Zouken for hiring him to destroy the Winsted family. He is reluctant to recall his past with Matou Aya but still harbors feelings for her.

Significant Themes

• The corrupting influence of power and immortality.
• The consequences of one's actions and the cyclical nature of revenge.
• The struggle between good and evil within a family.

Character Interactions

• Matou Aya (possessed by Matou Zouken) and Karl: Their interaction is marked by hostility and a shared history of betrayal and manipulation.
• Matou Zouken (through Matou Aya) and Karl: Their interaction is one of mental torment and power struggle, with Matou Zouken aiming to crush Karl's spirit before killing him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Karl confronts Matou Zouken, who has taken over Matou Aya's body.
• Karl shoots at Zouken, but his bullets have no effect, as Zouken uses Aya's body to absorb the damage.
• Karl uses an Origin Bullet, a Noble Phantasm from Emiya Kiritsugu, to disrupt Zouken's magic circuits and control over the worms.
• Karl throws a grenade into Aya's chest, destroying both Aya's body and Zouken, who is now bound to it.

Character Developments

• Karl shows his strategic prowess and understanding of his enemies, using Zouken's pleasure-seeking nature against him.
• Matou Zouken's true nature as a cruel, manipulative, and pleasure-seeking individual is further revealed.
• Matou Aya's consciousness is still dominant within her body, but she is unable to control her actions due to Zouken's influence.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of prolonged life and the loss of humanity.
• The manipulation and control of others for personal gain.
• The importance of understanding one's enemies to outwit them.

Character Interactions

• Karl and Zouken engage in a battle of wits, with Karl ultimately outmaneuvering Zouken.
• Karl's dialogue with Zouken reveals his understanding of Aya and his desire to avenge her.
• Karl's final words to Aya show his respect and affection for her, despite her current state.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Rider Lu Bu, ordered to destroy a workshop, feels a sudden foreboding about his Master's safety.
• Lu Bu's body is invaded by insects, causing him to lose consciousness and go berserk.
• Lu Bu, now a rampaging Berserker, causes chaos in the city.
• Saber Artoria arrives and attempts to stop Lu Bu.

Character Developments

• Lu Bu's regret for hiding Saber's situation and his desire to regain his Master's trust.
• Saber's determination to uphold Chivalry and protect civilians.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of hiding the truth (Lu Bu's regret).
• The struggle between duty and personal feelings (Saber's determination to protect civilians despite the Holy Grail's importance).

Character Interactions

• Lu Bu and Saber's intense, action-packed battle, with Saber trying to subdue the berserk Lu Bu.
• The civilians' fear and attempts to escape the chaos caused by Lu Bu.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Artoria (Saber) and Lu Bu (Rider) engage in a street fight, with Artoria struggling due to the narrow space and civilian presence.
• Lu Bu, controlled by a maddened insect, uses a car as a projectile against Artoria.
• Artoria uses her Intuition and physical prowess to counter Lu Bu's attacks and eventually climbs up a building to change the terrain.

Character Developments

• Artoria shows her adaptability and resourcefulness in changing the battle environment to her advantage.
• Lu Bu's aggressive and powerful fighting style is further highlighted, with his 'Dynasty Warriors' skill allowing him to target Artoria's weak points.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between Artoria's chivalry and the need for decisive action in a chaotic situation.
• The contrast between Artoria's noble knightly code and Lu Bu's brutal, unyielding nature.

Character Interactions

• The crowd's sympathy and concern for Artoria, viewing her as the 'friend' against the savage Lu Bu.
• Artoria's internal struggle in facing Lu Bu, disdaining his nature yet acknowledging his martial prowess.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Artoria (Saber) and Lu Bu (Rider) engage in a battle defying modern physics, running and fighting on the walls and rooftops of tall buildings.
• Lu Bu, riding his warhorse Red Hare, chases and attacks Artoria, showcasing exceptional skill and strategy.
• Artoria uses her Noble Phantasm, Wind King Barrier, to propel herself upwards and evade Lu Bu's attacks.
• Lu Bu employs clever tactics, such as running in circles to mislead Artoria and attacking from unexpected angles, demonstrating his formidable combat prowess.

Character Developments

• Artoria: Shows her agility, reflexes, and strategic thinking in evading Lu Bu's attacks and using her Noble Phantasm effectively.
• Lu Bu: Exhibits his exceptional martial skills, strategic mind, and adaptability in battle, proving why he's considered the "Strongest in the Three Kingdoms."

Significant Themes

• The importance of adaptability and strategy in battle.
• The advantage of knowing one's enemy and their environment (Lu Bu's "home-field advantage").
• The tension and mental strain caused by uncertainty and unpredictability in combat.

Character Interactions

• Artoria and Lu Bu: Their battle showcases their respective skills and strategies, with each trying to outmaneuver the other. Artoria's disdain for Lu Bu's lack of loyalty is evident, while Lu Bu demonstrates his formidable combat prowess and tactical acumen.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Artoria (Saber) is unable to fall from the building due to the battles' impact on the city.
• The Holy Grail War's rules are broken, with no barrier and bystanders present.
• Abner's condition worsens after his battle with Matou Aya, leaving him unable to support Saber effectively.
• Saber realizes she can't defeat Rider in a direct confrontation and needs Shirou's help.

Character Developments

• Artoria (Saber) accepts her need for Shirou's support and asks for his strength.
• Shirou acknowledges his desire to fight alongside Saber and accepts his role as her Master.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between Masters and Servants, and the importance of their bond.
• The consequences of breaking the rules of the Holy Grail War.
• The passage of time and the changes it brings to individuals.

Character Interactions

• Artoria (Saber) and Shirou reconnect and acknowledge their need for each other's strength.
• The crowd watches the battle between Saber and Rider, interpreting it as a movie filming.
• An old man in red clothes (presumably a bystander or a neutral party) tries to evacuate the crowd from the dangerous area.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Saber (Artoria) and Rider (Lu Bu) engage in a fierce battle on the rooftop of a building.
• Saber disarms Lu Bu by exploiting the structural weakness of his halberd.
• Emiya Shirou intervenes, blasting the rooftop with his Noble Phantasm to protect the crowd.
• Saber and Lu Bu continue their battle, with Saber gaining the upper hand.
• Lu Bu uses a strategy to make the rooftop collapse, causing Saber to lose her footing.
• Lu Bu retreats, and Saber and Shirou decide to meet at Abner's workshop.

Character Developments

• Saber demonstrates her skill and determination in combat, pushing Lu Bu back.
• Lu Bu shows strategic thinking and uses the environment to his advantage.
• Shirou exhibits concern for the crowd's safety and retreats to avoid military intervention.

Significant Themes

• The importance of understanding one's opponent's strengths and weaknesses in combat.
• The consequences of excessive magical power consumption.
• The need for caution and strategic retreat in battle.

Character Interactions

• Saber and Lu Bu's intense battle highlights their skill and determination.
• Saber and Shirou communicate telepathically, showing their understanding and cooperation.
• The crowd's reactions emphasize the extraordinary nature of the events unfolding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group (Tsukahara Meiji, Loxia, and Tohsaka Mina) assembles firearms according to Da Vinci's blueprints.
• Karl defeats Matou Zouken and feels empty after accomplishing his goal.
• Rider (Lu Bu) goes on a rampage, killing humans to absorb their souls for Magic Power.
• A mysterious mastermind, hidden and critically injured, observes the Holy Grail War, planning to become humanity's savior.

Character Developments

• Tsukahara Meiji finds joy in assembling firearms, showing his otaku nature and curiosity.
• Loxia shows patience and determination in assembling the firearms, despite finding it boring.
• Karl accomplishes his goal of killing Matou Zouken but feels empty, revealing his second reason for participating in the Holy Grail War.
• The mysterious mastermind's resolve strengthens as he nears his goal of saving humanity.

Significant Themes

• Obsession and determination: Karl, the mastermind, and Lu Bu are all driven by their obsessions, showing the power and danger of determination.
• Unity and alliance: The alliance between Karl and Tsukahara Meiji highlights the importance of unity in the face of powerful enemies.
• Sacrifice and cost: The mastermind's willingness to sacrifice himself for his goal, and Lu Bu's desperate measures to replenish his Magic Power, emphasize the high cost of their obsessions.

Character Interactions

• Tsukahara Meiji, Loxia, and Tohsaka Mina work together to assemble firearms, showing a sense of camaraderie.
• Karl's interaction with Matou Zouken reveals his determination and the twisted fate between them.
• The mastermind's interaction with Saber Surtr shows his trust in his Servant and his resolve to save humanity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Introduction to X, a former assassin trainee from a brutal training camp.
• The Mage's Association creates artificial versions of Emiya Kiritsugu to replace him after he joins the Einzbern family.
• X's training involves survival skills, combat, and magic cultivation in a controlled jungle environment.
• In his second jungle trial, X and his peers are told only half can survive, fostering a "kill or be killed" mentality.

Character Developments

• X: Trained to be an elite assassin, he demonstrates adaptability and survival skills. His Magic Circuit, "Spiral," enhances his power but has limitations.
• Emiya Kiritsugu: Although not present, his reputation as a formidable and dangerous magus is established. The Mage's Association seeks to replicate his abilities.

Significant Themes

• Survival of the fittest: The training camps' brutal methods aim to create the strongest survivors.
• Adaptability: X's training emphasizes versatility in combat and survival skills.
• Manipulation: The Mage's Association uses children as test subjects to create powerful assassins.

Character Interactions

• X interacts with his peers in the training camp, competing for survival.
• X meets Matou Aya after his second trial, though the specifics of their interaction are not detailed in this prologue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Matou Aya joins the X training camp to restore the even number of personnel.
• Aya's exceptional performance in a morning training run catches everyone's attention.
• X, the protagonist, observes Aya's arrival and its potential impact on the camp dynamics.

Character Developments

• Matou Aya: Introduced as a new character, Aya demonstrates exceptional physical prowess and determination, challenging the status quo of the camp.
• X: X's thoughts reveal his strategic mind and unique perspective on the camp's dynamics. He views Aya's arrival as a potential catalyst for change.

Significant Themes

• Survival of the Fittest: The camp's purpose is to train children to become assassins, with only one survivor expected. This theme is emphasized through Aya's arrival and the camp's dynamics.
• Hiding Strength: The children hide their true abilities to avoid being targeted. Aya's open display of strength challenges this norm.
• Entertainment and Passing Time: X's perspective highlights the camp's monotonous nature and the children's need for recreational activities, even if they're violent.

Character Interactions

• Aya and the Camp: Aya's arrival sparks various reactions from the camp's inhabitants, ranging from admiration to schemes to use her as an advantage.
• Aya and X: Aya and X's first meeting is marked by Aya's determination and X's strategic observation of her impact on the camp.

Key Plot Points and Events

• X, a trainee, engages in a sparring match with another trainee.
• X's opponent holds back, aiming to lull X into a false sense of security.
• X realizes he's being targeted and decides to display overwhelming force to deter future attacks.
• X observes other trainees sparring, including Matou Aya, and notices her opponent holding back.

Character Developments

• X demonstrates exceptional combat skills and strategic thinking, analyzing his opponent's moves and understanding their intentions.
• X's opponent shows restraint and deliberate weakness, attempting to deceive X.
• Matou Aya displays agile and fluid fighting skills, suggesting prior training with longer weapons.

Significant Themes

• Deception and manipulation in combat and alliances.
• The importance of maintaining focus during battles.
• The value of understanding one's opponents and their true strengths.

Character Interactions

• X vs. his opponent: X analyzes and criticizes his opponent's moves, understanding their strategy.
• X vs. Matou Aya (indirectly): X observes Matou Aya's fighting style and notices her opponent holding back, drawing parallels to his own experience.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Matou Aya demonstrates exceptional speed and skill in her first melee combat, defeating her opponent quickly.
• The trainees try to gauge Aya's strength to determine if she's a threat or an easy target.
• Aya swaps weapons with her opponent and uses Reinforcement Magecraft (Iron Arm) to deliver a powerful kick, incapacitating her opponent.

Character Developments

• Aya shows remarkable combat skills, strategic thinking, and confidence.
• X remains cold and distant, showing disdain for Aya's excitement and ignoring her attempts to engage in conversation.

Significant Themes

• The survival of the fittest: Trainees try to determine who's strong or weak to decide whether to eliminate them or keep them around.
• The importance of alliances and unity in a fight to the death.
• The danger of underestimating opponents and the fear of the unknown in human interactions.

Character Interactions

• Aya and X interact briefly, with Aya admiring X's speed and skill, while X remains cold and dismissive.
• The other trainees watch Aya and X, trying to understand their strengths and intentions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The trainees are thrown into the jungle for the second Great Purge, with the new rule that they must bring back at least one head or left ear to survive.
• X, an exceptional trainee, demonstrates his formidable strength by killing two opponents in quick succession, instilling fear in the others.
• The trainees form pairs to protect each other and ensure they meet the kill condition within sight of others.

Character Developments

• X showcases his incredible speed, power, and strategic thinking, revealing himself as a formidable opponent.
• Matou Aya, initially naive and cheerful, becomes more cautious and aware of the deadly situation.

Significant Themes

• Survival of the fittest: Trainees must adapt to killing to survive, and only the strongest will prevail.
• The law of the jungle: Trainees must remain constantly vigilant to survive, as even allies can turn into enemies.

Character Interactions

• X and Matou Aya: X uses Matou Aya as an ally to reduce his risk of attack, while she becomes more attached to him, possibly developing feelings.
• The trainees: They form temporary alliances to protect each other and ensure they meet the kill condition, but trust is fragile, and enemies can become allies or vice versa.

Key Plot Points and Events

• X and Matou Aya find themselves in a new jungle environment, different from the previous one.
• X uses his survival skills to find a water source and a suitable campsite.
• Matou Aya brings a wild boar back to their campsite, putting them in danger.

Character Developments

• X demonstrates his survival skills and strategic thinking, showing he's more than just a fighter.
• Matou Aya shows her naivety about survival skills but proves her magical prowess by creating a water blade to fend off the wild boar.

Significant Themes

• Survival: X's skills and knowledge are crucial for their survival in the jungle.
• Trust and Deception: Matou Aya's actions hint at her hidden agenda, challenging X's trust in her.
• Power Dynamics: The wild boar incident highlights the power imbalance between humans and nature, and between X and Matou Aya.

Character Interactions

• X and Matou Aya work together to survive, with X taking the lead due to his superior survival skills.
• Their dynamic shifts when Matou Aya brings danger to their campsite, forcing X to protect her and reassess her reliability.
• The wild boar incident foreshadows future interactions between X and Matou Aya, hinting at her hidden motives.