Each One's Weaknesses, the Initial Objectives

Over dinner with Sakura and Fujino, Fujino suddenly mentioned that there had been another gas explosion somewhere in Fuyuki City today, killing several people, and that children had gone missing somewhere else. It felt like trouble had been breaking out everywhere ever since the Holy Grail War began.

I agreed that it was perfectly reasonable. After all, when had a Holy Grail War ever been any different? Battles between Servants could far too easily affect ordinary people. It was supposed to be a secret war, so naturally, any ordinary people who learned of it had to die to preserve that secret.

The next morning, I held a video conference with Tokiomi Tohsaka. Sakura sat beside me, happily greeting her father.

Getting to the point, Tokiomi Tohsaka and I analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of each Master and Servant. We unanimously concluded that Morgan was involved. Gilgamesh and Mother had voiced the same judgment, believing she had been summoned by the Matou Household.

As for the other Servants, Gilgamesh dismissed them all as mongrels. That was because he had never fought Mother when she was going all out. Otherwise, he would learn what it meant to be specially attacked by a sun god.

Knowing the plot, I knew Kiritsugu Emiya would help deal with Kenneth, while Iskandar would eliminate Hundred-Faced Hassan. Of the six, the two weakest would be eliminated first.

As for the remaining four, each was fairly formidable. Gilgamesh had Ea and the Chain of Heaven. Iskandar possessed Divinity at Rank C, so the Chain of Heaven would restrain him completely. Mother also had Divinity at Rank C; even with her superb martial skill, victory would be difficult.

The only thing we could exploit was his personality. We would have to deliver a killing blow while he was off guard.

It would be best if Iskandar could be taken out according to the original plot. If not, we would have to redirect the disaster and get the other Servants to wear him down.

Iskandar's greatest weakness was that Waver could not provide much support. Though I wanted to support Waver's theories, Casters really did need generations of Inheritance to display sufficient foundations—unless they had cheats.

As for Saber, he was unquestionably the protagonist of this work and its sequel. If we wanted to kill him, even fate itself probably would not allow it. Besides, the only thing Saber had that posed enough of a threat was his Noble Phantasm, Excalibur. In terms of martial skill alone, Mother was inferior to no one.

Caster was the greatest variable. Morgan, one of the chief culprits behind Britain's destruction, possessed a legend no less renowned than King Arthur's. Her true identity was the Fairy Queen, appearing as Caster.

If she created beings like the Shadow Servants—Faerie Lancelot, Fairy Knight Gawain, Faerie Tristan, and the like—we would be in trouble. Even if they could not use Noble Phantasms, sheer numbers could still be deadly. Morgan had to be our priority target.

Having thought everything through, I told Tokiomi Tohsaka that Morgan had to be killed first and informed him of my concerns.

After hearing me out, Tokiomi Tohsaka said, "If things develop as you say, then Caster truly will be the greatest obstacle. But if we expend too much strength, only for others to profit in the end, wouldn't that be more loss than gain?"

I really wanted to say that I had seen the plot and knew the outcome—even knew how he would die. Instead, I said, "We can first investigate discreetly to see whether there have been any recent disappearances."

After all, it was not impossible for Caster to do something harmful to society. When the time came, we could ask Risei Kotomine, in his capacity as overseer, to gather everyone and launch a joint attack on Caster.

If there really is nothing, we can reveal my conclusions to the other Masters and let them take the lead. If things truly are as I suspect, then we cannot afford to hold back either.

Tokiomi Tohsaka said, "That is indeed a good proposal. Then who do you wish to choose for the probe?"

I said, "It would be best to send Iskandar. His personality is the most forthright, so he will be easy to bait. His Master is inexperienced too, so they seem easy to fool. Besides, Rider counters Caster."

Tokiomi Tohsaka said, "Good idea. Then we shall proceed on both fronts. I will speak with the overseer. If conditions permit, he will use his authority to call upon all Masters to oppose Caster together."

I continued, "Leave Rider to me. I have a way to make them investigate voluntarily."

After confirming the plan, I ended the call and began putting it into action. Yuan Shikai did not make boasts lightly. Based on the restoration provided by willpower, the next Servant to die according to the plot would certainly be Caster.

But Morgan should not commit such utterly heinous acts. That meant Zouken Matou had to be behind them. Combined with what Fujino had said last night, I could basically conclude that something was wrong here.

It was simple. In the original work, Ryunosuke Uryu and Gilles de Rais had done it. Now that they were gone, who else could it be? At the very least, every Servant except Assassin could be considered honorable.

Years ago, the Genji Family Group had already contracted the installation of every streetlamp in Fuyuki City, secretly placing surveillance cameras inside them. Our investigation had located the address where Waver and Iskandar were staying.

This time, I also intended to appear in person to demonstrate my sincerity. I did not dare show myself before just anyone, because I believed they would not do anything against me. That was all.

When I arrived at the house where they were staying, I could hear them arguing noisily upstairs. I really envied this couple. What a shame they could not make it to the end.

I rang the doorbell, and a kind-looking grandmother opened the door. Smiling, I told her I was Waver's friend and had come to discuss something with him. She smiled and invited me in, saying, "Please wait a moment. I'll go call him for you."

Before long, Waver and Iskandar came downstairs. Waver asked uncertainly, "Who are you? What do you want with me?"

I replied, "I am Yuan Shikai, Berserker's Master. This should be our first formal meeting. It is a pleasure to meet you." As I spoke, I extended my right hand for a handshake.

Waver immediately jumped back behind Rider and said, "What are you plotting? Are you here to challenge us?"

Awkwardly withdrawing my hand, I said, "No, I would like to ask you for a favor. If it is convenient, let me treat you to a meal. We can discuss the matter at the table."

After arriving at a restaurant owned by the Genji Family Group, I said, "Eat whatever you like. It is on me." Then I asked, "Mr. Iskandar, would you like some wine? I am quite experienced at discussing business over drinks."

Iskandar said, "There is wine? Then we definitely need some. You really know what you are doing, kid."

Waver said, "You are being far too rude! Someone is kindly treating us to a meal—how can you be so casual?" As he spoke, he clasped Iskandar's hand in both of his and shook it like a little girl. I am definitely shipping this couple.

I said, "It is no trouble. This restaurant is one of my properties, so please eat as much as you like. Besides, I have a favor to ask of you, and I hope you can help me." With a clap of my hands, everything arrived on command: fine wine and delicious dishes filled the table. "Eat first. Once we are done, I will explain the situation in detail."

Waver, who had initially been rather reserved, finally let go of his restraint after tasting such delicious food and began fighting Iskandar for it. Still, the more they acted like this, the better their relationship seemed to become.

The meal lasted about an hour. Then Iskandar suddenly said solemnly, "Tell me your request. If it is something I can help with, I certainly will. Consider it payment for this meal."

I smiled knowingly and said, "There is no need for that. You can come here anytime in the future and eat for free." Then I handed over a dossier containing general information on every Master and Servant, along with notes on what kind of people they were.

I continued, "The Holy Grail War has only just begun. Aside from that battle at the docks, there have been no large-scale conflicts. Yet children are disappearing throughout the city, and people are dying in gas explosions everywhere. Do you know why?"

Though Waver did not look particularly capable, his mind was quite quick. He immediately said, "You mean it was deliberate? Or rather, that one of the Masters or Servants did it?"