The Curtain Rises (5.5k Words)

[—Ultimately, I will step into that abyss.]

Freedom and happiness are two very broad terms.

All human beings experience joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.

Whether you are an elderly person or a child who has just begun to understand things.

Everyone knows it, but what exactly is that feeling like?

Kirei Kotomine was unaware of this.

From birth, he was very different from other humans, and completely opposite to children of the same age.

While his peers were feeling joy and happiness from small things like praise, gifts, and encouragement, he, despite receiving the same things, simply stood by and watched, his expression one of silence.

He couldn't understand why other people could smile over such trivial things. He also found it even harder to comprehend what their inner world was like, and how it differed from his own empty and devoid of anything.

This is the biggest problem that has always puzzled Kirei Kotomine.

In the past, he simply followed the dogmas recorded in the book and tried his best to play his role on the stage called the world.

As a clergyman, one must be fair and just, and above all, upright; as a husband, one should naturally love his wife and stay by her side until her death; as a student, one should unconditionally respect his teacher and do everything in his power to help him.

These are not what he truly thinks, nor are they what he wants to do.

For Kirei Kotomine, this was nothing more than a set of rigid doctrines recorded in books; he was entitled to do so, and logically he should do so.

But...

After repeating this for so long, even he, who was indifferent to everything, couldn't help but think, and his heart began to waver and waver.

What exactly is it that I want to do?

He is incapable of feeling joy or pain in the world. Nor does he endure anything for any reason; everything he does is purely and simply...

It's just imitation.

Just like in this era (in reality), those who feel lost about their future are engaged in a frenzied competition, learning everything they can in university, just so they might be able to make a difference in society in the future...

I've always had a confused state of mind.

However, not many people could sense this emotion in his heart. Even his father and teachers did not realize that in their eyes he was still a saint worthy of cultivation and someone they could entrust with their future.

When he was at the Church, a colleague and senior colleague who always argued with him about whether to have Mapo Tofu or Curry for dinner once asked him the same question.

"Kirei, don't you have anything you want to do?"

Perhaps it was because of his excellent grades, second only to hers back then, that he attracted her attention? As for the more specific reasons, Kirei Kotomine was not clear about them.

He answered the blue-haired girl's question without hesitation, "I want to inherit my father's position and join the Eighth Sacrament."

This answer was so standard, as if it had been rehearsed a thousand times. And that was indeed what he was thinking at the time. After all, there was nothing wrong with a child inheriting his father's position, continuing to shine and dedicate himself to the Lord.

However, the blue-haired girl, who was extremely sensitive to malice and soul due to some tragic past experiences, realized that this was probably not his truest thought.

This junior... seems to be far more naive than he appears on the surface.

Even the well-informed Merlin Solomon from the Burial Agency once gave Kirei Kotomine this evaluation in private.

'This junior is either a saint or a demon.'

Because she had lived a long time and seen too much, and because she had traveled between the world of humans and the Dead Apostles for many years, Mei Lian had a vague sense of the demonic nature that remained in Kirei Kotomine, and her feelings about it were far more profound than those of Ciel.

But...

Even if they discover it, so what? Some things can't be corrected simply by discovering them. Even with their great power, it's difficult to provide proper guidance.

Mei Lian himself is not human. In his view, the existence of demonic nature in humans is undoubtedly a perfectly normal thing, so why is there any need to guide them? Or perhaps he is also looking forward to seeing what special beings like Kirei Kotomine will become in the future?

Meanwhile, Ciel's heart was also overwhelmed by anger and rage. She herself could not get out of her own heart, so how could she give Kirei Kotomine the right guidance?

Therefore, they all chose to observe the situation regarding Kirei Kotomine's problems. Even though they vaguely sensed that he might be an unawakened demon, they did not take any action rashly.

Ciel could only pray for him silently.

However, Mei Lian was not worried about this matter.

Because in that mysterious and barren Far East, there is no one who can discover and guide this demonic power...

Perhaps Kirei Kotomine's fate is simply to live a mundane life as the priest he portrays?

Perhaps he will remain lost and confused until his death?

That might not be so bad for him.

After all, this was the right way to live, so neither of them interfered too much.

As the two had predicted, Kirei Kotomine continued to live a confused yet correct life for a very long time. If there had been no external interference, he would likely have lived a peaceful life.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. By sheer chance, he was drawn into a Magecraft ritual called the Holy Grail War, where he met someone who could detect the demonic nature within him and guide and amplify it.

At this moment, that demonic nature had fully blossomed, overflowing continuously from that physical form.

The longer the suppression lasts, the more terrifying the counterattack will be.

The more you suppress your feelings, the more ferocious they will be when released; the more you crave something, the sweeter it will feel when you get it.

At this moment, after the fragment of pleasure filled the emptiness in Kirei Kotomine's heart, he was completely immersed in this pleasure.

"This is pleasure, what a wonderful feeling..."

So much so that even his usually expressionless face had begun to unconsciously display a strange smile.

"Now, I am completely happy."

He has completely understood.

"Hmph, so he's already dead."

Sitting alone in the park, Gilgamesh couldn't help but sneer after realizing that his contract with Tokiomi Tohsaka had been abruptly broken.

He hadn't expected that the pieces he had placed on a whim would play their role so quickly, which surprised Gilgamesh.

It seems that the demonic nature accumulating within that self-proclaimed desireless youth is far greater and more intriguing than he imagined.

'It seems he's unleashed a formidable monster.'

A slight smile curved his lips.

However, it's good that Tokiomi Tohsaka is dead; now he doesn't have to worry about anyone plotting against him. He had originally planned to personally execute this clown as the opening act of the bloody battle, but Kirei Kotomine beat him to it.

'Master and disciple killing each other... What an interesting scene. It's a pity we didn't see Tokiomi Tohsaka's expression before he died. It must have been one of utter despair and sweetness...'

Gilgamesh murmured to himself.

At that moment, in the hazy darkness of the night, a young man with traces of blood still on his body was slowly walking towards him.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Gilgamesh glanced sideways, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

"Have you arrived, Kirei?"

Gilgamesh was not surprised by the young man's appearance, nor did he show much emotion, as if he were talking about something completely ordinary. He then spoke coldly.

"I never expected you to kill Tokiomi so easily. It seems that idiot was even less useful than I thought."

"Or rather, he seems to genuinely trust you, Kirei?"

Gilgamesh's tone was filled with endless sarcasm when he mentioned Tokiomi Tohsaka, that despicable fellow. To him, Tokiomi Tohsaka's death was undoubtedly a trivial matter that didn't matter at all.

He's just Magus; there are countless people who could replace him, and he wouldn't even bother with them.

"There's nothing we can do. Our teacher is just a Magus who studies theories. He has never experienced a real life-or-death battle. Without Servant protecting him, even the weakest Assassin clone would have a chance to kill him."

"In my opinion, compared to everyone else, the teacher is the least suitable Magus to participate in this Holy Grail War."

Kirei Kotomine smiled calmly and answered Gilgamesh's question as if nothing had happened.

Clearly, he had completely recovered from the panic of killing Tokiomi Tohsaka, and the smile on his face was that of his true self, a smile with pure, demonic charm.

"Oh? You've already learned to make fun of people so quickly? And you're even casually making fun of the teacher you just killed. Kirei... you've really improved rapidly."

Gilgamesh slightly, seemingly extremely pleased with it.

"So, you came to see me with the intention of being prepared, didn't you?"

Immediately afterwards, he squinted and looked at Kirei Kotomine in front of him, asking a question.

"Of course, after killing the teacher, the next step is naturally to sign the contract. The banquet has just ended, and I'm sure the other Magus are already impatient. Now, sign the new contract, prepare to defeat all the enemies, and then witness Archer personally killing the remaining Lancer, Saber, Rider, Caster, and Berserker."

"Let's truly achieve the goal of single-handedly destroying the entire Holy Grail War!!"

Kirei Kotomine opened his arms and looked at Gilgamesh in front of him.

'Can he single-handedly fight against the entire Holy Grail War?'

"Hahahaha—!! Not bad, not bad, really not bad. Kirei, you certainly haven't disappointed me. To me, you're much more interesting than that useless Tokiomi Tohsaka. That's fine, I'll personally lend you my support. I've also felt an indescribable pleasure in this Holy Grail War."

Gilgamesh and laughed loudly, undoubtedly feeling extremely satisfied with the outcome at this moment.

Moreover, this Holy Grail War not only features interesting opponents, but also treasures that he has never owned and coveted. Such a grand occasion has long made him want to take the initiative.

This Holy Grail War is indeed much more interesting than he expected.

"Then let's begin."

"Your body obeys my command, your name will be bound to my covenant. If you follow the principles of the Holy Grail, then answer me, Gilgamesh."

Both sides agreed, and Kirei Kotomine then extended his palm, revealing the two Command Seals that he had just taken from Tokiomi Tohsaka.

"Similarly, I swear that your destiny will be infused with my blood. Kirei Kotomine, now you will be my new Master, so be grateful to me."

At that moment, Gilgamesh did not hesitate at all, and stretched out his palm to directly collide with Kirei Kotomine's Command Seal.

—Whoosh!!

A blinding red light suddenly flashed, and then powerful magic spread between the two of them. Gilgamesh completed his contract with Kirei Kotomine.

"Very well, the boring clowns have finally left the stage, and now it's my turn. Next, I will unleash my full power and wipe out every single one of those scoundrels who covet the Holy Grail! Kirei Kotomine, just watch."

"As a reward for your actions, once the matter is accomplished, I will mercifully bestow the Holy Grail upon you."

Sensing the completion of the new contract, Gilgamesh felt his body become incredibly full of magic. He spread his arms, embraced the sky above, and then laughed wildly.

"No objections, King of Heroes. Go ahead and cause a ruckus, let me experience more joy and continue to fill the void. For this, I am willing to become a clown to make you laugh."

The corrupt priest smiled.

The pleased king wore a mocking expression.

The connection between the two was brought infinitely closer at this moment.

Now that things have come to this, no one cares about Tokiomi Tohsaka, who lies in a pool of blood, probably long since consumed by the flames of betrayal, dying with his Tokiomi Tohsaka in disbelief.

The war has begun.

Meanwhile, in the Tohsaka Residence is about to burn out and collapse in the flames.

Two figures, seemingly carrying something, hurriedly emerged from the raging inferno.

The jet-black Berserker carried Tokiomi Tohsaka as they ran relentlessly through the streets. Behind them, Matou Kariya noticed Tokiomi's faint, dying breath and kept slapping him across the face, trying to rouse the blood-loss-prone Tokiomi Tohsaka- death state.

—Slap, slap, slap!

The crisp sound rang out continuously under the night sky, with more than a dozen slaps delivered in a row, to the point that Matou Kariya's palms were slightly sore.

However, this also managed to bring Tokiomi Tohsaka, but Tokiomi Tohsaka opened his eyes and saw Matou Kariya appear in front of him, he thought it was a hallucination...

"It really is you... Kariya, I never thought I would meet you before I die..."

Even though he believed it was just an illusion, at the end of his life, Tokiomi Tohsaka used his last strength to tightly grasp Matou Kariya's hand, and then uttered his last words in a trembling voice.

"Be careful, Kirei ... help me take care of... Gu, Aoi, Rin..."

His last words escaped his lips, and the last ounce of strength in his body turned into a pool of blood that spilled from the corner of his mouth. Tokiomi Tohsaka of lucidity, suddenly weakened again. Startled Matou Kariya quickly slapped him again, hoping his previous tactic would have some effect. However, Matou Kariya's slaps weren't Fionn mac Cumhaill's Water of Life; they clearly couldn't forcibly pull the already dying Tokiomi Tohsaka back from the brink of death, and their effect was gradually fading.