The Counter Force Makes Its Move

"Kotomine!!!"

He could not understand why, at this point, the man would do something so pointless.

"The war won't end until only one pair remains." Kirei Kotomine spread his arms as though embracing the world. His lips parted, mockery showing in his smile. "Let me guide you, Shirou Emiya~."

It was utterly absurd. Yet anyone could sense that the man was carrying out his duty, guiding others forward as a priest should.

Absurd.

Ritsuka Fujimaru stared coldly ahead. The sight of Kirei Kotomine reflected in her eyes filled her with anger, but even now, she maintained a Master's composure.

Chaldea had records on Cú Chulainn and the others. Furious as she was that her companions had been attacked, what mattered most now was figuring out what Kirei Kotomine was up to.

She stopped Gilgamesh at once.

"We aren't participants in this Holy Grail War!" Ritsuka Fujimaru said. "Kirei Kotomine, what are you trying to do!?"

Vile as that man was, he would never pull a stunt like this—a desperate "self-destruction" on the brink of defeat—without some deeper purpose.

"To ensure the Holy Grail War proceeds normally, of course. I may not look it, but I am the overseer of the Fuyuki Holy Grail War."

"That makes five Servants eliminated. With the power of more than twenty Command Spells, I'd planned to take out a few more Servants as well, but the restrictions here forced me to settle for those third-raters."

"That extra Cú Chulainn was a pleasant surprise, though. Heh."

Kirei Kotomine gazed at the Chaldea group. When his eyes reached the version of himself using Rasputin's Spirit Origin, his smile faded and his expression turned solemn.

Shirou Emiya froze. At this point, what did it matter whether the Holy Grail War proceeded normally?

Then realization struck. He looked toward