Operation Meeting

The blonde girl sat upright in the Emiya residence living room. Her skin was as fair as snow, and she possessed golden hair, jewel-like emerald eyes, and a peerless beauty that required no adornment.

She had pinned up her hair with a blue ribbon, giving her an air of gentleness, grace, and dignity.

Dressed in a white shirt, a belted knee-length skirt, and black pantyhose, she looked exactly like a high school student studying abroad.

However, having already encountered quite a few Servants, Sasuke could clearly perceive that this blonde girl was also one of the Servants participating in this Holy Grail War.

Seeing this, Shirou Emiya introduced her to Sasuke:

"Mr. Uchiha, this is Saber, whom I mentioned to you earlier."

Out of consideration for Sakura still being present, Shirou Emiya did not explicitly point out Saber's identity as a Servant.

Saber?

Sasuke understood, but what he couldn't grasp was why a Servant would bother dressing like an ordinary human.

Could it be that Heroic Spirits were also interested in this world?

Sasuke couldn't be bothered to ask further.

Noticing that Sasuke seemed to have seen through her identity, Saber stood up gracefully and looked at him with a serious expression:

"Thank you for looking after Shirou the other day. If there is ever anything you need from me or Shirou in the future, please let us share the burden with you."

Clearly, Saber was referring to the time Sasuke blocked Rider's attack at Homurahara Academy.

But if it hadn't been for Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya at that time, there was no telling what might have happened to Kaoru Sakura, who had been brutalized by Rider.

Therefore, Sasuke replied quite calmly:

"That is exactly what I wanted to say."

Although Saber looked like nothing more than a young girl, the aura she exuded was not something an ordinary person could possess.

Generally, such an aura only appeared in leaders who governed nations or individuals of great prestige and exceptional ability.

In Sasuke's view, since Saber was a Heroic Spirit from the past, she must have been quite renowned.

Just as Sasuke had perceived Saber, Saber had also discovered the extraordinary nature of Sasuke.

Saber had heard from Shirou and Rin that Sasuke was an extremely powerful magus who had easily killed Rider and her Master, Shinji Matou.

Furthermore, he possessed Mystic Eyes of unknown capability.

However, Saber could not detect any magical energy from Sasuke; the man must have possessed an extremely powerful concealment technique.

Even so, Saber could still discern Sasuke's extraordinary nature from his clean, precise footsteps and steady breathing.

His close-quarters combat ability would certainly not be lacking.

At this moment, Rin Tohsaka in the kitchen looked toward Sasuke and gave a dry cough:

"Mr. Uchiha, could you please come over here for a moment?"

Hearing this, Sasuke turned and walked toward the kitchen. Rin Tohsaka set down the ingredients in her hands and spoke to the approaching Sasuke in an extremely low voice:

"While we are here, aside from Saber and the two of us, do not mention anything related to magi."

"Once they have all left, we will hold a strategy meeting."

Sasuke naturally understood; Rin Tohsaka had already arranged his cover story as a friend Shirou Emiya had met in the shopping district.

Inviting a friend over as a guest was an easy enough explanation to provide.

However, that part of the evening had little to do with Sasuke.

As the meal was nearing completion, Shirou Emiya's guardian also arrived at the Emiya residence.

Taiga Fujimura, Shirou Emiya's guardian and a sister-like figure, worked as an English teacher at Homurahara Academy.

Upon hearing that Sasuke had helped Shirou Emiya, she was very grateful to him.

When it came time to eat, Sasuke began to understand what Kaoru Sakura had told him earlier.

Even though it was just a simple home-cooked meal, it tasted exceptionally delicious thanks to Shirou Emiya's cooking.

Sasuke couldn't help but think: if Kaoru were to find out that his Shadow Clone was currently enjoying a gourmet meal at the Emiya residence...

The situation would certainly not be peaceful.

The evening passed quickly, and both Taiga Fujimura and Sakura were staying at the Emiya residence for the time being.

To ensure the success of tonight's operation, Shirou Emiya had already discussed a plausible excuse with Rin Tohsaka.

After sending Taiga Fujimura and Sakura away, the atmosphere in the living room changed entirely.

A map of Fuyuki City was now spread across the dining table, and everyone sat around it with varying expressions.

It was only just now that Sasuke learned the girl named Sakura was actually Shinji Matou's sister.

So, Sasuke asked directly:

"That girl earlier is Shinji Matou's sister?"

Hearing this, Shirou Emiya, thinking Sasuke might take his anger over Shinji out on Sakura, hurriedly stood up to explain:

"Sakura is not like Shinji."

"Sakura is innocent; she knows nothing of these matters."

Shirou Emiya no longer held any objections regarding the death of Shinji Matou.

However, Shirou Emiya could guarantee that Shinji Matou's younger sister, Sakura Matou, was innocent.

At this moment, even Saber took the initiative to speak in her defense:

"I am also willing to believe in Sakura."

Since arriving in this world, Saber had developed quite a fondness for Sakura Matou, who came over every day to help Shirou Emiya.

Furthermore, Sakura Matou had been eating and staying at the Emiya residence for some time, and Saber did not feel there was anything unusual about her.

Rin Tohsaka, standing to the side, did not speak. Although her expression suggested she had something on her mind, she ultimately remained silent.

Although Sasuke harbored doubts, since Shirou Emiya and Saber could both vouch for her, he did not wish to stir up unnecessary trouble.

After all, Shinji Matou and Rider, who had harmed Kaoru, had already been executed by his own hand.

Therefore, upon hearing the words of Shirou Emiya and Saber, Sasuke responded with a detached expression:

"If she is truly innocent, I naturally have no reason to strike at her."

"Shall we discuss how you intend to deal with Caster and Assassin instead?"

Since Sasuke had gotten straight to the point, and Rin Tohsaka was not one to beat around the bush, she stood up and pointed to the areas circled in red on the map:

"These circled locations are all areas that Caster has attacked."

"Moreover, the influence of the barrier Caster created is not limited to Ryudou Temple; it has spread to the surrounding areas as well."

"The life force of the residents living around the barrier is being plundered by Caster to serve as magical energy."

"If Caster is allowed to continue unchecked, I fear that the people living in Fuyuki will not be spared."

After explaining all of this, Rin Tohsaka looked up at Sasuke with a serious expression:

"Therefore, whether it is to achieve final victory or to protect Fuyuki, Caster must be eliminated."

"Furthermore, over the past two days, Shirou Emiya and I have deduced that Caster's Master is, in all likelihood, our school's world history and social studies teacher, Soichiro Kuzuki."

"Kuzuki's residence is Ryudou Temple. Initially, Shirou Emiya and I planned to ambush him on his way home from work to determine if he was indeed Caster's Master."

"However, starting yesterday, Kuzuki took leave from school citing illness, which only increases the suspicion that he is the Master."

"According to the intelligence you provided, Uchiha, it is highly probable that Kuzuki is the Master of either Caster or Assassin."

"To prevent them from succeeding, Shirou Emiya and I have decided to launch a full-scale assault on Ryudou Temple tonight."

"Therefore, we would like to request your assistance."

"What do you think?"

Sasuke, sitting opposite the group, remained expressionless and spoke with a detached air:

"If you had told me this a day earlier."

"They would have been dead by last night."