"The five Corrupted Servants are currently stationed at a location outside Fuyuki City and haven't moved, likely waiting for the Bounded Field of Spirit Retreat to fail. In fact, the Bounded Field is already deteriorating for unknown reasons. If we don't act, once it collapses completely and the Corrupted Servants invade the city, we'll lose any chance to resist."
"All five Corrupted Servants are gathered together? How are we supposed to fight that?"
"No, you misunderstand. They aren't together—each is stationed separately. They seem to be acting independently as well. The city's magi sent numerous familiars to scout, and though all were destroyed, the Servants showed no intention of moving. For all of you, this is clearly an opportunity."
"I see. So we should gather as much combat strength as possible and defeat the Corrupted Servants one by one?"
"Exactly."
Roy understood their plan.
The five Corrupted Servants were stationed at five different locations outside Fuyuki City, waiting for the Bounded Field of Spirit Retreat to fail before invading to seize the Greater Grail. However, their independent tactics gave the group an opening.
First, they would gather as many allied Servants as possible, then gang up on each Corrupted Servant one at a time to eliminate them.
After that, the Masters of this Fifth Holy Grail War could fight among themselves.
"Here are the locations of all five."
Attendants brought in a mobile blackboard with a map of Neo-Fuyuki City attached. Five spots around the city were marked, each indicating the location of a Corrupted Servant.
The intel on each was clear at a glance.
"The Master who succeeds in defeating a Corrupted Servant will be rewarded with a Command Spell!"
Rin Tohsaka glanced meaningfully at Kirei Kotomine.
Kirei Kotomine gave a light hum and rolled up his sleeve, revealing an arm densely covered with over twenty crimson Command Spells, their intricate patterns etched into his well-trained muscles.
Roy narrowed his eyes.
What, did you kill your dad or something?
"Then, I'll leave the rest to you, Rin."
Kirei Kotomine bowed politely to the group.
"I wish you all victory—and I genuinely mean that."
With those words, he walked out of the meeting room, a mysterious smile on his face.
What, were you planning to give us fake blessings?
Secretly cursing us, huh?
Jerk.
"Anyway, that's the situation."
Rin Tohsaka stood up and looked at the other three.
"First, we gather as much combat strength as possible to deal with the Corrupted Servants outside. The remaining three teams won't be part of this discussion. Any objections to this plan?"
"So boring."
"Huh?"
"I said, it's boring!"
Illyasviel von Einzbern looked utterly disinterested.
She stood up, brushing off nonexistent dust from her skirt, then beamed brightly as she approached Roy.
"What's your name? I'm Illyasviel von Einzbern!"
Her sparkling eyes remained fixed on Roy, not sparing Rin so much as a glance.
"Roy."
"Roy… got it!"
Illyasviel repeated the name softly, then cheerfully waved her hand.
"I live in a castle outside the city. You can visit anytime—I'll open the Bounded Field for you! Well then, I'm off!"
"Wait a second, Illya. There's something I want to ask you."
Roy suddenly called out to her.
"What is it?"
Illyasviel, about to leave, turned back curiously.
"Do you know a man named Kiritsugu Emiya?"
"Kiritsugu Emiya?"
Illyasviel tilted her head, looking completely puzzled.
"Who's that? I don't know him!"
"Never mind. Sorry for wasting your time."
"No problem! You can waste my time as much as you want, Roy!"
Illyasviel giggled, waving as she headed for the door.
"See you later!"
"Hey, Illyasviel!"
"You're so annoying, Rin."
Illyasviel stopped and glared at Rin in disdain.
"Like I said, I don't care if Fuyuki City lives or dies. Those Corrupted Servants are just after the Greater Grail, right? Then we can fight after the Bounded Field fails. My Berserker is invincible anyway!"
Completely ignoring reason, Illyasviel left as she pleased.
"That little brat!"
Rin gritted her teeth.
"What about you, Bazett?"
"I agree with prioritizing the elimination of the Corrupted Servants."
Bazett nodded. "No matter what, we must remove the threats to Fuyuki City's safety first. The city council—no, Mayor Tohsaka's decision is undoubtedly correct."
"So you're saying…?"
"However, I refuse to work with the two of you."
Before Rin could feel relieved, Bazett abruptly changed her tone.
"Frankly, I can't tell if the intruder who broke into the Great Hollow that night is among you. Without proof, I won't jump to conclusions, but I'm not willing to take the risk of cooperating with people I can't trust. I'm sure you feel the same."
Rin had no rebuttal.
If she were in Bazett's shoes, she wouldn't work with someone who might stab her in the back either.
Bazett's refusal was perfectly reasonable.
"Of course, my goal aligns with yours. I'll take on the task of defeating the Corrupted Servants as well. For now… I'll target the Corrupted Lancer first. After that, whether it's the outcome of the battle or the next target, we can communicate through familiars. Is that acceptable?"
"You're right. Let's do it that way."
Rin sighed and nodded in agreement.
Bazett left as well.
Now, only Roy and Rin remained in the meeting room.
"Ugh! Seriously! Bazett's one thing, but that little brat completely looked down on me!"
Rin clutched her head, her twin tails swaying wildly.
As fellow members of the Three Great Families, this grudge couldn't be left unsettled!
Roy smiled faintly but said nothing, letting her vent for a while.
Logically speaking, among the current Three Great Families, the Matou line was finished, the Tohsaka line had only Rin left, and Sakura in Misaki City was no longer a Tohsaka. Only the Einzbern family could still be considered thriving.
After all, their entire clan consisted of homunculi—it'd be harder for them not to have a large population.
"Careful, your elegant image is slipping."
"I know!"
Rin grumbled and slumped onto the sofa.
"So? Was it really you who broke into the Greater Grail that night?"
"Hahaha!"
Roy laughed heartily but didn't answer.
Though he said nothing, his silence spoke volumes.
"You're really something else."
Rin could only sigh in exasperation.
She didn't hold Roy's secrecy against him. He clearly had his own reasons, and since she wasn't anyone special to him, she had no right to criticize.
"Mount Enzou has over a dozen layers of multi-system Bounded Fields from all over the world, and the curse concentration around the Greater Grail is terrifyingly high. How did you manage to infiltrate in one night, summon a Servant, defeat Bazett, and leave without anyone noticing?"
Roy remained silent, still smiling.
He clearly had no intention of explaining.
"Fine. In that case, let's split up for now and regroup tonight to hunt the Corrupted Servants. Sound good?"
"No problem."
***
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