Tokiomi Tohsaka found it perfectly reasonable. All the benefits seemed to be on his side: he would gain an ally in the Holy Grail War, and his younger daughter's future would be settled as well.
He would not have to pay any price, merely make a few public declarations. It was practically as if the goddess of fortune had smiled upon him.
"I am very satisfied with this cooperation. What are the specifics? What tactics will we use when the Holy Grail War begins? Do you have a concrete strategy?"
Hearing this, I knew Tokiomi Tohsaka had completely taken the bait. It was time to reveal my true intentions.
"Of course, Father-in-law." I directly called Tokiomi Tohsaka "Father-in-law," leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.
Before he could react, I continued, "The Magic Workshop I asked you to secretly build will serve as my base during the Holy Grail War."
Tokiomi Tohsaka suddenly realized something. "You had already begun planning this back then?"
"I had considered it," I said. "But neither side had enough bargaining chips at the time. Now, though, the conditions are right, aren't they?"
Tokiomi Tohsaka suddenly burst into laughter. "Yes, the conditions are right now."
I continued, "I hope you can conceal my existence. When Sakura turns five, I will publicly take her away, pretending to return to Tokyo while actually hiding in the Magic Workshop until the Holy Grail War begins."
According to what I knew, the Holy Grail War required seven Masters to summon seven Servants to fight. The summoned Servants were divided into seven classes: Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker.
However, there also seemed to be other special classes, though under normal circumstances, there were only seven.
I intended to summon Berserker, abandoning reason in exchange for greater combat power. I would use it to eliminate as many other Servants as possible and increase Father-in-law's chances of victory.
Besides, Berserkers generally did not seem very intelligent. They would not hold back in battle. Once it was eliminated, its so-called wish would no longer exist, so it would not count as me deceiving it, would it?
Tokiomi Tohsaka said nothing after hearing me out, and I continued, "I probably will not leave my Magic Workshop easily."
When the time came, I hoped Father-in-law could provide me with intelligence. Then I took out a satellite phone capable of video calls, a new product developed through investment in the electronics industry.
We will use this to communicate. Familiars or arranged messengers must all be treated as fake. Father-in-law, you must remember this. Please hide this phone well and do not let anyone know about it.
As for the specific tactics, we will need to determine them after confirming the Servants we summon. Everything right now is merely empty talk.
Tokiomi Tohsaka laughed heartily. "Very reasonable. Rest assured, I will keep your identity secret and will not let you encounter danger. If anything changes, we will contact each other. For now, we will proceed according to your plan. The rest depends on the identities of the other Masters."
"At present, we can confirm four: you, me, Matou, and Einzbern. There are still three remaining. Once we confirm their identities, we can formulate the follow-up plan."
After reaching a preliminary agreement, we drew up a simple contract. Its contents stated that I would come to propose marriage when Sakura turned five.
Tokiomi Tohsaka would publicly announce the matter, which would also serve as a smokescreen, making others believe that he was relocating his family because the Holy Grail War was about to begin.
With the direction settled, Tokiomi Tohsaka happily invited me to dinner. However, I declined, as there were still many matters to handle. I believed Tokiomi Tohsaka was the same.
After taking my leave, I began to think about it. My Holy Relic was Dojigiri Yasutsuna. The one I summoned would most likely be a samurai, most likely Saber or Berserker.
I hoped I could summon Berserker Minamoto no Raikou as I had envisioned. Gilgamesh possessed the Chain of Heaven, which could restrain Minamoto no Raikou. Minamoto no Raikou's Divinity was Rank C—not high, but she would still be restrained by it.
Minamoto no Raikou also possessed Mystery Killer, which could suppress Gilgamesh. They countered each other, I supposed. In any case, there would be no need to face Gilgamesh before Tokiomi Tohsaka died.
After returning home, I invited the Elder Council to a meeting in my own name for the first time and told them everything exactly as it had happened. At first, they were delighted to hear that we could become in-laws with the Tohsaka Household.
After learning about Sakura Tohsaka, they became extremely excited. After all, the children born from that future marriage would undoubtedly possess outstanding potential.
However, when they heard that I intended to go to Fuyuki City to participate in the Holy Grail War, a brief silence fell over the room before they began voicing their opinions one after another.
Some said it was too risky and asked what would happen if I encountered danger. Others said there was no need to help the Tohsaka Household; we could win the Holy Grail ourselves and fulfill our own wish.
The Holy Grail War might not have been well known throughout the world and had even been mocked as nothing more than a ritual from some backwater in the Far East, but it was still relatively famous in Japan. Everyone present knew more or less about it.
Amid the various voices, a low shout suddenly rang out. "Enough. Remember, we are merely elders. We may only offer advice; everything must be centered on the clan head."
"The clan head has already made his choice. We only need to provide some reference. The clan head's willingness to tell us is a sign of trust. Even if he had not informed us, there would have been nothing we could do about it. Understand?"
Every voice fell silent. As expected of the former clan head; his prestige remained. I could not help sighing inwardly. Then I said, "The situation will not change. I will carry out the terms of the contract. This meeting is only to inform all of you."
"The main purpose of this meeting is to let you know the future plan. When Sakura Tohsaka turns five, I will go to Fuyuki City and secretly hide there. You only need to proceed as usual."
"As for the risks, what in this world has no risk? You could choke to death just by drinking water. The only difference is the degree of risk. I have already made it clear that I will remain hidden and will not expose myself easily. The risk has already been reduced to its lowest level."
"Do any of the elders have anything else to say?" It seemed like dictatorship, but it was actually a symbol of the family's unity.
Other families might scheme against one another over heirs and personal interests, but that would never happen here. This was a team that truly considered the good of the clan and could be trusted.
No one present spoke. "Then it is settled. In truth, there is no need for any of you to worry, because I have made every preparation I can."
"Whether or not Tokiomi Tohsaka wins the Holy Grail War, as long as I return alive, that will be our victory."
Then the former clan head spoke. "Then let us wish the clan head success in battle in advance."
By the time the meeting ended, it was already very late. I returned to my room, where Fujino had already fallen asleep.
I became somewhat absorbed as I watched Fujino's sleeping face. Although Necromancer gave me a high probability of revival after death, I had never tested what the exact results would be. If I revived immediately after dying, would I continue being attacked?
Could missing arms and legs regenerate? Would a shattered heart recover? Otherwise, what if I revived only to die again immediately? Without actual verification, I could not feel at ease, but I was not about to mutilate myself.
Forget it. Time to sleep. There would always be a way when I got there. With that, I slipped beneath the covers. Fujino seemed to sense my arrival even in her sleep and wrapped her arms around mine before continuing to sleep. How could someone as happy as me possibly die?