Japan, Fuyuki City.
A man in a black coat looked up at the bustling streets, then crushed his cigarette butt under his heel.
This was the main battlefield of the Holy Grail Wars, the site of the upcoming war in ten years.
Kiritsugu Emiya was here because two of the three founding families were located here:
The Tohsaka and Matou families.
Kiritsugu had to participate in the Holy Grail War; Einzbern was just one option. Since that option was taken, he'd find another.
Kiritsugu had detailed information on the Matou and Tohsaka families; after analysis, he decided on his target.
Tohsaka was impossible; Tohsaka Tokiomi was in his prime, recently married, and had two daughters; he wouldn't need outside help.
But the other family was different.
The Matou family, the last of the three founding families, was in decline. Not only was their family fortune dwindling, but their two heirs had no interest in family magic and had moved out of the Matou ancestral home.
The Matou's Grand Mage must be troubled; the Holy Grail War was imminent, yet they lacked a suitable participant.
Following his map, Kiritsugu soon arrived at the Matou estate. The inconspicuous old house was even more gloomy than he'd imagined; no wonder the heirs had moved out.
The current Matou head was Matou Zouken, but he was an ordinary person with no magical talent; he'd learned nothing of the Matou family's magic.
Though Zouken was the head, the real power lay with the Grand Mage, Matou Kariya, host of Crest Worms.
His magic wasn't popular; perhaps that's why his descendants rejected Matou magic?
Kiritsugu didn't care; Crest Worms was fine; as long as it granted him the power to participate in the Holy Grail War, it was acceptable.
He opened the Matou gate and entered the gloomy house.
"Well… well… a rare visitor. It's been years since anyone visited the Matou family."
As if expecting Kiritsugu, the house's sole inhabitant, a decaying old man, spoke.
Decaying was the only word to describe him.
Before Kiritsugu stood a strange figure:
Bald, his limbs as thin as a mummy's. Deep-set eyes shone with a sharp light; his appearance and behavior were unusual.
According to Kiritsugu's information, the old man was listed as Matou Zouken's father. But the family tree showed Matou Kariya's name for three generations back.
Unless something was unusual, this old man had lived for centuries.
Calling him a monster wasn't an exaggeration.
But Kiritsugu showed no fear, calmly observing the old man's greedy eyes.
Kariya was indeed envious, coveting the young, strong body before him.
Kariya had lived for centuries but his body deteriorated; he frequently changed bodies. When his body was damaged, he'd resurrect using another's body.
Kiritsugu's body was a great boon to Kariya.
If not for the faint magical energy emanating from Kiritsugu, Kariya might have attacked.
But Kiritsugu's potential status as a mage made Kariya hesitate; if he was sent by the Mage's Association, killing him would be disastrous.
Kariya knew that if his existence and actions were discovered by the Mage's Association, he would be sealed.
That was as good as death; Kariya wouldn't allow it.
"I apologize for the late visit. My name is Kiritsugu Emiya; you may have heard of me."
"Oh? The infamous mage killer? Did someone send you to kill me?"
Kariya narrowed his eyes, wary of Kiritsugu.
Kiritsugu's reputation was built on the blood and corpses of mages; even Kariya wouldn't underestimate this man, whose magical energy wasn't particularly strong.
"No. I have a request."
Kiritsugu shook his head, indicating no hostility.
"Oh? What request?"
"The Fourth Holy Grail War is in ten years, correct?"
"Yes… but the Matou family may withdraw."
Kariya sighed.
"My sons are useless; they have no interest in Matou magic. We lack a participant for this war."
"Then… what about me?"
"Eh?"
Kariya was startled by Kiritsugu's words.
"If I represent the Matou family, what do you say, Father?"
The term "Father" stunned Kariya; the old man laughed.
The raspy laughter echoed; then, it stopped.
"Interesting… interesting. But… since you call me Father, are you prepared to inherit Matou magic?"
"Yes… Crest Worms. I'm prepared."
Kiritsugu stared at Kariya, unwavering.
He was prepared to sacrifice everything for the Grail, to fulfill his great, sorrowful wish!
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