Tactics, Contract, Resolve

Tokiomi Tohsaka found it perfectly reasonable. The benefits all seemed to lie on his side: the Holy Grail War gained another ally, and his younger daughter's future was settled as well.

He did not even need to pay any price—just make a few public statements. It was practically like being favored by the goddess of fortune.

"I'm very satisfied with this cooperation. So what are the specifics? What tactics will we use when the Holy Grail War begins? Do you have a concrete strategy?"

Hearing that, I knew Tokiomi Tohsaka had taken the bait completely. It was time to reveal my true intentions.

"Of course, Father-in-law." Calling Tokiomi Tohsaka "Father-in-law" outright left him at a loss for words.

Before he could react, I continued, "The magecraft workshop I asked you to secretly construct 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 the idea, but neither side had enough bargaining chips at the time. Now, though, the conditions are all in place, aren't they?"

Tokiomi Tohsaka suddenly burst into laughter. "Yes, the conditions are in place now."

I continued, "I hope you can conceal everything about me, Father-in-law. When Sakura turns five, I will publicly take her away, pretending to return to Tokyo while actually hiding in the magecraft workshop until the Holy Grail War begins."

From what I understood, the Holy Grail War required seven Masters to summon seven Servants to fight. The summoned Servants were divided into seven classes: Swordsman, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker.

There seemed to be other special classes as well, but under normal circumstances, there were only seven.

I planned to summon a Berserker, sacrificing its rationality to increase its combat power. I would use it to take out as many other Servants as possible and raise Father-in-law's chances of victory.

Besides, Berserkers generally did not seem very intelligent. They would not hold back in battle, and once one was eliminated, its so-called wish would cease to exist. That could not really count as deceiving it, could it?

Tokiomi Tohsaka said nothing after hearing me, so I continued, "I probably will not leave my magecraft workshop easily."

When the time comes, I hope Father-in-law can provide me with intelligence." I then took out a satellite phone capable of video calls, a new product developed through investments in the electronics industry.

"We will communicate through this when the time comes. Familiars and messengers are to be treated as fakes. Father-in-law, you must remember this. Keep this phone hidden, and do not let anyone know about it."

"As for the specific tactics, we can only reach a conclusion after confirming the summoned Servants. For now, it is all just empty talk."

Tokiomi Tohsaka laughed heartily. "Very reasonable. Do not worry—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 participants: you, me, Matou, and Einzbern. Three remain. Once we confirm their identities, we can formulate the subsequent plan."

After reaching a temporary agreement, we drew up a simple contract. Its contents stated that when Sakura turned five, I would come to ask for her hand in marriage.

Tokiomi Tohsaka would publicly announce the matter, using it as a smokescreen to make others believe that, with the Holy Grail War about to begin, he was relocating his family.

With the direction settled, Tokiomi Tohsaka happily invited me to dinner. I declined, however, because I still had many matters to handle. I trusted that Tokiomi Tohsaka was the same.

After bidding farewell and leaving, I began to think. My Holy Relic was Dojigiri Yasutsuna. It would most likely summon a warrior—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. Her Divinity was Rank C—not high, but she would still be restrained by it.

Minamoto no Raikou possessed Mystic Slayer and could suppress Gilgamesh as well. They countered each other, I supposed. In any case, there was no need to face Gilgamesh before Tokiomi Tohsaka died.

After returning home, I convened a meeting with the Lineage elders in my own name for the first time and told them everything exactly as it was. 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, any children born from the marriage would surely possess outstanding aptitude.

But when they heard that I intended to go to Fuyuki City to participate in the Holy Grail War, the room fell silent for a brief moment before everyone began voicing their opinions.

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 wish.

The Holy Grail War might not have been well-known around the world, and some had even mocked it as merely a ritual in the rural Far East. But it was relatively famous in Japan, and 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 can only offer advice; everything is to be decided by the clan head."

"The clan head has already made his choice. We only need to provide some reference. The clan head told us because he trusts us. Even if he had not informed us, there would be nothing we could do about it. Understand?"

Every voice fell silent. As expected of the former clan head—his prestige remained intact. I could not help but sigh inwardly. Then I spoke. "The situation will not change. I will act according to the contract. I am only informing you all now."

"The main purpose of this meeting was 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 continue as usual."

"As for the risks, what in this world carries 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 is already at its lowest."

"Do any of the elders have anything else to say?" It looked like dictatorship, but it was actually a symbol of the Lineage's cohesion.

Other Lineages might scheme against one another over heirs and personal interests, but that would never happen here. This was a truly trustworthy team that placed the group first.

No one present spoke. "Then the matter is settled. In truth, there is no need for you all to worry, because I have made every preparation I can."

"No matter whether Tokiomi Tohsaka wins the Holy Grail War or not, as long as I return alive, that will be our victory."

Then the former clan head spoke. "Then let us wish the clan head glorious success in battle in advance."

By the time the meeting ended, it was already very late. I returned to my room, where Fujino was already asleep.

I found myself absorbed in watching Fujino's sleeping face. Although necromancy gave a high probability of resurrection, I had never tested what the actual results would be. If someone were resurrected immediately after death, would they keep getting beaten like a corpse?

Could missing arms and legs regenerate? Would a shattered heart recover? Otherwise, what if I resurrected only to die again immediately? Without actual verification, I could not put my mind at ease—but I was not about to mutilate myself.

Forget it. I should sleep. There would always be a way when the cart reached the mountain. Saying that, I slipped beneath the covers. Fujino, seeming to sense my arrival even in her sleep, wrapped her arms around mine and continued sleeping. How could someone as happy as me possibly die?