Fuyuki Church
Late at night, Kirei Kotomine received a summons from his father and slowly made his way into the chapel. The first thing he saw was his father, Risei Kotomine, pacing back and forth. Noticing the usually kind-faced Risei frowning with worry, Kirei spoke up:
"Father, what's wrong?"
"Ah, Kirei, you're here." Seeing his son arrive, Risei's furrowed brow relaxed slightly. "Tokiomi just sent word—the Holy Grail is behaving abnormally."
"Oh? Does this mean the Holy Grail War cannot proceed?" Kirei was slightly surprised. Then, he recalled the words his master, Lord DIO, had left him with before departing. Could it be… that even the Holy Grail War is not beyond his influence? Just what kind of power would allow such interference?
"No, the Holy Grail War will still take place. But for some reason, the Grail has already gathered enough mana ahead of schedule. Originally, the War wasn't supposed to begin for another year, but according to Tokiomi's calculations, the Grail's descent is now only a month away. We don't have much time to prepare." Risei's expression darkened. "To maintain control of the situation, Tokiomi and I must revise our plans."
As for how the Holy Grail War would proceed or what schemes his father and Tokiomi might devise, Kirei no longer cared. He had already found his purpose in life—and a man worthy of his eternal loyalty.
Yet, seeing his usually gentle father now consumed by anxiety over this sudden turn of events… for some reason, Kirei felt a faint thrill of pleasure. He silently watched Risei sigh and fret, no longer restraining himself from savoring this sense of satisfaction.
"Kirei… Kirei! Are you even listening?" His father's sharp voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"My apologies, Father. I was considering how to resolve the current situation."
"Sigh… I've burdened you. Originally, involving you was only because Tokiomi and I were confident in our plans. But now, with the timeline accelerated, everything is in disarray, and you've been thrust into this perilous unknown." Risei shook his head. "Right now, the priority is to regain control of the situation. This is our territory, after all."
"Understood." Kirei nodded.
"Then, go to Tokiomi. With only a month left before the Grail's descent, he has an important task for you."
"Very well." Kirei turned to leave but paused after a few steps, glancing back. "Father, given these sudden developments, I imagine the coming days will be taxing for you."
"Hm? Hahaha, are you worried about me? This old bones still have some fight left. Go on, don't worry." Risei chuckled warmly.
"Yes. Father, I've recently learned a new dish. Tomorrow, I'd like to prepare it for you."
"Oh? Really? Hahaha, this is the first time you've ever offered such a thing. I'll look forward to tasting your cooking, then."
"Rest assured, Father. You will be… most satisfied." Kirei raised his arm, and from Risei's perspective, it seemed as though he was wiping his face.
"Is he… crying? Since when did my son become so sentimental?" Risei wondered.
What he could never have guessed, however, was that Kirei was desperately trying to hide the wide, gleeful grin threatening to split his face.
A grin of pure, unbridled euphoria.
The sudden acceleration of the Holy Grail War sent shockwaves through everyone involved. But what was Takashi Kuroda, the mastermind behind it all, doing at this moment?
"Master, you really do prefer this outfit, don't you? Eyes can deceive, words can lie, but certain… reactions never do."
"Hehe, you didn't actually think we bought these clothes just for ourselves, did you? Consider this a reward for letting us have our fun today~"
"Mmmph…!" (A certain purple-haired girl, hiding in a corner, refusing to speak.)
"Well then… let the battle begin!"
Battle! Without a doubt, a fierce and intense clash was unfolding in one of the Matou household's rooms!
Like a legendary hero of old, the protagonist faced both a relentless onslaught and a two-on-one assault—yet he held his ground with ease.
Finally, amid the sound of enthusiastic applause and popping champagne, the battle reached its climax. The two goddesses were left thoroughly marked—proof of their defeat. The victor, beyond any doubt, was Takashi Kuroda.
The only regret? A certain purple-haired girl was still circling the battlefield, still waiting… still denied her chance to feast.
"Between my Natural Body and the blessings of a goddess, I can take on Bajiquan without flinching. A battle of endurance like this is nothing."
Wiping his sweat, Kuroda had to admit—black stockings and white stockings were like stacking attack speed with critical hits. Absolutely devastating. At this rate, popping champagne after every battle might become a daily routine.
"Hmm… can't afford to get lost in decadence, though." Slapping his cheeks, Kuroda's post-climax clarity had his rationality at its peak.
"Host, today's gains have been substantial. You've acquired multiple skills, items, and even recruited Kirei Kotomine. Every step you've taken has been flawless—truly progressing toward becoming a proper villain." The System chimed in.
"You're wrong, System. I haven't been flawless." Kuroda shook his head. "I recruited Kirei on a whim, but he's a complicated factor. Given the atrocities he commits in the Fifth War, I can't just let him run wild. Now that I've removed his psychological restraints, I also have to take responsibility."
"I exploited his desire for happiness and pleasure to bring him under my wing, but I don't want him sinking to the depths of casually toying with innocent lives. That's why, even as I freed him, I placed another lock on him. I used the concept of 'money' as a moral brake, keeping him balanced between pleasure and basic human decency. Then, I gave him the abstract goal of 'heaven'—something to strive for, rather than fixating on inflicting suffering."
"This is also a warning to myself. Don't lose sight of my own heart. Don't become an arrogant madman who treats life with contempt." Kuroda's eyes narrowed slightly as he reflected.
"Then, Master, what's your next move?" the System asked.
"Now, we wait. Priority is resolving Kariya's situation, then observing who else appears in Fuyuki. If there's an opportunity… I might take a little trip next door."
"Next door? Where?"
"Misaki Town. Doing the math, she should be about 13 by now. Probably already on Souren Araya's radar."
"Ah, I see. Then, I have a question—should I ask it?"
"Go ahead."
"Are you planning to enter the Root with your whole body… or just part of it?"
"The hell?! We're having a serious conversation, and you're making dick jokes?!" Kuroda snapped.
"Hahaha, same difference~" The System laughed.
"The Root isn't a priority. But securing a powerful ally? That's another story. Snatching up that 'treasure girl' would be ideal—though poor Mr. Kokutou would be out of luck."
"Actually, Host, there's another option. The Root's avatar might be hard to meet, and even if you do, she might not help. But there's someone else who'd cling to you for life the moment she sees you." The System giggled.
"Shut up! I swear, this uneasy feeling I've had—like I need to leave this world ASAP—might just be her noticing me. At my current level, I can't handle her. No way in hell am I going to Tokyo!" Kuroda said firmly.
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