The Type-Moon Card Servant

"I've been monitoring them all day, and the only significant discovery is that the Matou family's Master has come out," Emiya Kiritsugu said casually to Mikaela, who was holding a cup of black tea, recounting what he had discovered that morning.

"The Matou family's Master is named Matou Kariya. A year ago, he was a freelance literary creator who enjoyed traveling and photography."

As Emiya Kiritsugu spoke Matou Kariya's name, Maiya Hisau, like a competent assistant, began to recount information about him.

"He severed ties with the Matou family a long time ago. If nothing unexpected happened, he shouldn't have been involved in this Holy Grail War. However, after learning something, he returned to the Matou family and became their Master for this war."

Having said that, Maiya Hisau silently took a few steps back, indicating that it was Emiya Kiritsugu's turn to speak.

"Actually, I initially thought this fellow was just forcibly summoned by the Matou family patriarch to participate in the Holy Grail War. But now it seems he was forced into it." Emiya Kiritsugu instinctively reached for a cigarette, as he always liked to take a puff when discussing certain matters.

"..." x3

Irisviel, Maiya Hisau, and Mikaela stared calmly at Emiya Kiritsugu. This caused the hand of the ruthless magus killer, which was reaching for a cigarette, to tremble slightly. In the end, he put the cigarette back and instead took out a camera and threw it to Mikaela.

Mikaela picked up the somewhat aged camera and flipped through the photos it contained. He frowned slightly and said to Emiya Kiritsugu, "That was a very reckless move."

Most of the photos inside the camera were of old furniture. Only the last few pictures showed Matou Kariya and Matou Sakura. Judging by the distance from which they were taken, Emiya Kiritsugu hadn't been particularly far from them at the time.

"I won't risk my life to gather intelligence," Emiya Kiritsugu said, unable to smoke. He picked up his black tea, took a small sip, and then looked at Mikaela, stating calmly, "There are people in this world who do things for money."

"..." Mikaela didn't say much, as Emiya Kiritsugu had made it clear that the photos weren't taken by him personally but were "hired" out. Whether the photographer was a regular person or a magus was of no concern to Mikaela.

Since the other party had accepted the money, they should know that it wasn't easy money to earn.

"Do you think we can sway that fellow?" Emiya Kiritsugu asked Mikaela, wanting to hear his thoughts. According to the intelligence gathered by the Einzberns, this man named Matou Kariya was a person with a relatively good disposition.

Emiya Kiritsugu had initially thought that his involvement in this Holy Grail War was out of obligation to the Matou family patriarch, forcing him to participate.

However, after seeing this photo, he immediately deduced that Matou Kariya might have been forced to participate in the Holy Grail War because of Tohno Shiro's daughter, 'Sakura' Matou. His goal was likely to get Matou Sakura away from the Matou family.

Yesterday, Mikaela had mentioned that Tohno Shiro might go to war with the Matou family for his daughter, and that the Matou family's Master might even assist Tohno Shiro in destroying the Matou family.

So, Emiya Kiritsugu immediately began investigating Tohno Shiro's daughter and discovered that Matou Kariya had previously harbored feelings for Tohno Shiro's wife, Tohsaka Aoi.

But perhaps Tohno Shiro was too outstanding, or perhaps the childhood friend could never defeat the one who arrived later.

Matou Kariya's love for Tohsaka Aoi was unrequited. In the end, he could only transfer this affection to her two daughters. Every time he returned to Fuyuki City, he would visit the Tohsaka residence and spend time with Rin and Sakura, doting on them immensely.

From Emiya Kiritsugu's perspective, Matou Kariya was more fatherly than Tohno Shiro.

At the very least... he gave up his carefree life and, like a tragic hero, threw himself into a war that did not originally belong to him.

"Yes," Mikaela placed the camera on the table and said calmly to Emiya Kiritsugu, "He won't miss any opportunity to save Matou Sakura."

"However... we need to plan in detail. I'll change my form first."

As soon as he finished speaking, Mikaela crushed a card and transformed into a cute, porcelain-doll-like blonde girl. She sat on the sofa, holding a pipe in her hand and putting it in her mouth.

"..." Emiya Kiritsugu's brow twitched slightly as he looked at the pipe in her hand, feeling something was off but unable to pinpoint what it was.

PS: "I don't want to write anymore!!!"

Chapter 29: This is Our Chance

"First, we have two plans."

Mikaela had now transformed into Victorious, the protagonist of "GOSICK." Although she looked like a child, her mind was incredibly sharp.

While thinking through the plan using Victorious's character card, Mikaela felt that the parts she couldn't figure out before suddenly became clear.

As a "transmigrator," Mikaela didn't believe the plot would unfold as she expected. The Holy Grail War was a war, and wars always had variables. If she relied solely on the "elements" from the original plot, Mikaela felt she might not even leave behind any ashes.

Therefore, communicating with the Master, formulating battle plans, and sharing intelligence were all very necessary.

Mikaela picked up the pipe and put it in her mouth. She took a light puff. Inside, there was no tobacco, only a puff of mint-like smoke.

That mint-flavored smoke was equivalent to the chewing gum people often ate, helping to refresh the mind and calm the nerves.

"The first plan is that Tohno Shiro learns about the Matou family's situation and brings his Servant to demand his daughter back from the Matou family."

Mikaela put down the pipe in her hand, her emerald green eyes looking at Emiya Kiritsugu and Maiya Hisau without any emotional fluctuation. She said calmly, "Although the possibility of this is small, it's not impossible. According to the Einzbern's intelligence, and after our meeting with Tohno Shiro today, he lost his composure once when he heard about the 'abnormality' of the Matou family."

"Can we rule out the possibility that he was 'losing composure' on purpose?" Emiya Kiritsugu interjected. He seemed to want to pick up a cigarette again, but Maiya Hisau, standing nearby, immediately snatched it away, saying in a flat tone, "My lady is still here. Don't smoke."

"..." Emiya Kiritsugu's face twitched slightly, but he clearly felt helpless against Maiya Hisau.

Maiya Hisau seemed a bit too rational. What did she take Irisviel for? Simple nicotine couldn't harm her in the slightest.

"We can rule that out," Mikaela said, seemingly not noticing Maiya Hisau snatching Emiya Kiritsugu's cigarette. She spoke slowly, like a wise elder, "Tohno Shiro's surprise wasn't feigned. He's not good at 'lying,' or rather, the concept of 'lying' doesn't exist in his life's creed."

"You can't be sure with magi," Emiya Kiritsugu, now without a cigarette, sat on another sofa and continued to drink the black tea he had just tasted. He said calmly, "If those magi truly want to deceive, they can use suggestion magic to imply to themselves, thereby achieving self-deception. As long as they deceive themselves temporarily, they can also deceive their enemies."

The fact that Emiya Kiritsugu could say this so earnestly suggested he had encountered such magi many times before.

"He didn't know we would suddenly bring up the Matou family, so we can rule that out. His surprise was genuine." However, Mikaela's words silenced Emiya Kiritsugu.

Tohno Shiro couldn't have known. When preparing for the meeting, Tohno Shiro certainly wouldn't have expected Mikaela and Irisviel to bring up the Matou family.

He would have only expected them to talk about the Assassin and the Church. Therefore, when Irisviel mentioned the Matou family, Tohno Shiro's expression changed completely. Mikaela, who had been watching Tohno Shiro's face the entire time, could say this with absolute certainty.

"Is that so?" Emiya Kiritsugu didn't say much more, but he wouldn't put all his hopes for victory in one place. He said calmly, "Then, the second plan must be about Matou Kariya, right?"

"Yes and no."

Mikaela nodded, once again bringing the pipe to its mouth and taking a few puffs. This made Emiya Kiritsugu's brow furrow in a familiar way, his gaze drifting to Maiya Hisau.

"Saber."

Seemingly noticing Emiya Kiritsugu's gaze, Maiya Hisau spoke up. She said calmly, "Can you stop smoking? Emiya Kiritsugu is already protesting."

"This isn't tobacco, it's a tool to help me calm down and think better." Mikaela looked at Maiya Hisau, then shifted its gaze to Emiya Kiritsugu and said calmly, "You only smoke when you're nervous and need to release pressure. If you'd like, you could engage in some passionate activity with the two of them to relieve your stress. I'll stand guard outside the castle to prevent other Servants from disturbing you."

"Releasing stress appropriately is also a good decision."

Seeing Mikaela's serious expression, Maiya Hisau quickly shut her mouth. Irisviel blushed slightly, while Emiya Kiritsugu's face darkened. He really shouldn't have thought about smoking!

"Alright, we'll talk about trivial matters later. Let's discuss Matou Kariya first." Putting down the pipe, Mikaela looked at Emiya Kiritsugu and said indifferently, "Actually, the second target isn't Matou Kariya. His value is about the same as Tohno Shiro's. When he prepares to make his move at night, we'll negotiate with him. Using the name of the Three Great Families, we'll form an alliance with him and then disclose part of our plan."

"A plan targeting Tohno Shiro." Emiya Kiritsugu understood. Although Mikaela hadn't finished speaking, he had a good grasp of the situation.

If Tohno Shiro backed down and didn't cause trouble at the Matou family's place, then they would ally with Matou Kariya to deal with Tohno Shiro, and at the same time inform Matou Kariya that they planned to get rid of Tohno Shiro.

"That's right. Based on the current intelligence, he definitely hates Tohno Shiro immensely." Mikaela glanced at the camera on the table and said plainly, "Hate him enough to dismember him a thousand times wouldn't be enough to describe the hatred in his heart."

"Then, what is this second plan you mentioned?" Emiya Kiritsugu was a little curious now. If the plan targeting Matou Kariya was similar to the one for Tohno Shiro, then who was the second plan targeting?

Mikaela didn't answer. Instead, it jumped off the sofa and trotted towards the tea-making area on its short legs.

A moment later, it returned with some newspapers. Ignoring the strange looks from the other three, it said calmly, "It's here."

"News?" Emiya Kiritsugu frowned slightly as he looked at the headlines. He hadn't been reading the news recently, focusing instead on observing the movements and residences of other Masters.

"Exactly."

Mikaela nodded and tossed the newspaper to Emiya Kiritsugu, asking, "The big event that's been happening in Fuyuki City recently, that is, the last Master who hasn't revealed themselves."

Emiya Kiritsugu caught the newspaper and then read about the events recorded within. His gaze sharpened slightly, and his tone turned cold. "A murderer?"

"To be precise, it's magical murder. The number of children he's killed recently has increased. It's likely that his magic power is insufficient to allow his Servant to exert its full strength, so he's trying to use 'living people' as 'magic batteries'."

Mikaela picked up the pipe again and said indifferently, "If nothing unexpected happens, the Church should have also discovered this. So, they'll likely intervene in this Holy Grail War, temporarily uniting the various Masters to eliminate that murderer and his Servant."

"Since they're intervening, the priest from the Church will surely offer something irresistible. Although I don't know the specifics of how it will happen, it's certain that all parties will take action. This is our opportunity."

PS: "Still owe 23 chapters, I feel like I'm going to die=A= Even without the recommendation ticket bounty, please vote more."

Chapter Thirty has begun.

In war, intelligence is of paramount importance. No one can deny the convenience it brings.

Good intelligence can even turn the tide of battle, giving those in despair new hope.

Currently, Mikaela and Emiya Kiritsugu are discussing intelligence that could reverse their awkward situation. All parties are currently holding back, knowing the principle that the first bird to fly gets shot.

Although Mikaela fought Diarmuid earlier, it attracted the attention of other Servants. However, none of them jumped out, merely wanting to see the background of the first two Servants to appear in this Holy Grail War.

Therefore, by the second night, if nothing unexpected occurred, no one would step out to fight.

For example, although Diarmuid would be anxious to present victory to his Master, Mikaela, while talking with Emiya Kiritsugu yesterday, suddenly discovered a 'missed' piece of intelligence.

That is!!! Kayneth's fiancée didn't come!!!!! That idiotic woman who dragged him down and screwed over the Clock Tower genius!!! She didn't come?!

The reason was! She didn't want to accompany Kayneth to fight in some rural area. She only wanted to stay at the Clock Tower and await her fiancé's triumphant return?????????

???????

The reason Mikaela had devised so many plans was precisely because Kayneth presented a variable, and this variable was no joke.

Because in the original story, Kayneth harbored jealousy and suspicion towards Diarmuid due to his troublesome fiancée. Because of this factor, their relationship was very strained. They couldn't even communicate normally, let alone utilize their strengths, and were killed by Emiya Kiritsugu.

But now, in Mikaela's eyes, Kayneth and Diarmuid's relationship was many times better than in the original story.

If the two truly combined their efforts, Diarmuid's combat power would likely skyrocket. Unlike in the original story, where he sighed and wondered why he couldn't gain his Master's approval, he would be like he was on steroids, eager to deliver victory to his Master!!!

When one variable appears, a second and third will follow. Therefore, to ensure its victory, Mikaela had to predict everything.

For instance... tonight's operation is an opportunity. It intends to use Caster and its Master to draw out all the hidden figures behind the scenes.

"In other words, you want to take a risk?" Emiya Kiritsugu put down the teacup filled with black tea, looking at Mikaela with a peculiar expression. He, who had always been cautious, actually wanted to actively seek out Caster and its Master.

"I can transform into a powerless young girl and let that murderer discover me, then use him to get killed."

After clashing with Diarmuid, Mikaela had a rough idea of its limits and decided to take the initiative to increase its side's chances of winning.

"Caster, without its Master, will surely become extremely frenzied, so..."

At this point, Mikaela's gaze fell on Emiya Kiritsugu. Its meaning was clear: if they wanted to gain the upper hand, some sacrifices were necessary.

A rampaging Caster would surely draw out the Servants hiding in the darkness. Although it might cause some casualties, compared to the actual benefits, their side would clearly gain more.

Being prepared versus being unprepared are two entirely different concepts. Their side would be actively intervening in the battlefield, while others would be passively drawn in. To deal with the mad Caster, they would have to reveal more, allowing Emiya Kiritsugu to formulate more precise assassination plans.

"Can we switch the battlefield?" Emiya Kiritsugu seemed to 'not' understand Mikaela's intention. He said calmly, "After killing Caster's Master, can you lure Caster to a deserted location?"

"…………"

Mikaela fell silent. It casually picked up the pipe and put it in its mouth, its emerald green pupils reflecting Emiya Kiritsugu's figure.

Emiya Kiritsugu also remained silent, calmly looking at Mikaela, seemingly displeased with the plan.

"This is war. If you want to obtain the Holy Grail, you must sacrifice something." Mikaela put down the pipe and looked at Emiya Kiritsugu indifferently. "Although I can lure Caster to a deserted place, I will inevitably be drawn into combat once more."

Honestly, even though Mikaela already knew he could fight temporarily with his weapon and Servant, every battle exposed a part of himself. Even if he tried his best to hide it, some people would still discover his "abnormality."

"I know. If possible, I'd rather not put people in danger." Emiya Kiritsugu, despite being a ruthless mage killer, didn't want ordinary civilians to be caught up in this merciless Holy Grail War for his own dream.

"You've grown soft?" Mikaela gave a strange smile, as if mocking Emiya Kiritsugu. In his impression, Emiya Kiritsugu would definitely not refuse this plan when he proposed it.

If this plan succeeded, it would lure out those hiding in the darkness while keeping their own side's information completely secret.

"I've witnessed too much death and tragedy. I don't want this Holy Grail War to involve those innocent people." Emiya Kiritsugu could coldly and ruthlessly trap and kill other Masters and Servants, but he would never harm ordinary people living in a peaceful world.

Mikaela was silent for a moment. He looked at Emiya Kiritsugu's determined gaze and sighed inwardly, saying plainly, "I'll try my best."

"But I also have something I want to tell you." Mikaela looked at Emiya Kiritsugu and said calmly, "If I 'personally' feel my life is threatened, then I absolutely will not help those ordinary people, because for me, obtaining the 'Holy Grail' is the most important thing."

"That goes without saying."

Emiya Kiritsugu knew what was more important. Without Mikaela, he would lose his qualification to participate in the Holy Grail War.

Although he pitied those ordinary people, if a sudden situation arose, Emiya Kiritsugu would immediately cut off his pity and send them to hell without hesitation.

"The Church is making a move."

At this moment, Maiya Hisau suddenly spoke. Her familiar, placed near the Church, had informed her... that the Church seemed to have something to announce.

"It seems things are about to begin." Mikaela also canceled his transformation effect, returning to his original appearance.

PS: "Still owe 22 chapters. The author needs to work harder today! Regarding monthly votes and 'blades' rewards... uh..."

PS: "100 monthly votes, one more chapter? Today only."

Chapter 31: Gambling Irisviel's Life

"Saber has already set out."