The Holy Grail has nothing to do with the Church, but its existence is far too terrifying to ignore. The Church couldn't just turn a deaf ear.
To prevent the Grail from falling into malicious hands and causing catastrophe, the Church decided to entrust it to someone they could trust—Tokiomi Tohsaka.
At this point, Kirei Kotomine began to understand.
> "First, the Tohsaka family has long been affiliated with our Church.
Tokiomi's character is reliable, and—most importantly—he already knows how to use the Grail."
Kirei's father, Risei Kotomine, explained.
Tokiomi nodded.
> "Reaching the Root is the sole wish of our family… it is my ultimate pursuit."
Although publicly Kirei and Tokiomi seemed rivals in seeking the Grail, in truth, they were working side by side.
Kirei would become Tokiomi's disciple—and yes, suspicions might arise if they were too close—but conflicts and even strife between siblings were commonplace among magi.
A Master is chosen by the Grail's will. In other words, only someone who truly desires its power would be accepted.
Kirei couldn't understand why the Grail chose him.
Perhaps it was because his father was the Guardian, or maybe the Grail recognized Tokiomi's motives—this was just speculation.
At the time of Kirei's birth, Risei was over fifty and childless; having such a son filled him with pride.
Tokiomi observed:
> "His position could have kept him away from the Holy Grail War… yet he was forcibly drawn into it."
Risei murmured to himself:
> "Perhaps, in a hidden way, it's a blessing for him."
Tokiomi asked why.
Risei sighed:
> "Kirei's heart carries pain. Two months ago he lost his wife—married less than two years ago—and now he's in a new country, new environment. This mission may help pull him out of his grief."
Compared to his father, Kirei had no strong convictions or lofty ideals. In his twenty-some years, he'd never had a goal worth pursuing. Material comforts or bodily pleasures felt hollow. He sensed a void within; even believing in God, he felt salvation was unreachable.
He overcame despair through self-discipline, pushing himself to the point of self-harm. The more he hurt himself, the stronger he felt—until he became one of the elite Church Executors. His role brought admiration—even from his father—but inside, he felt nothing but emptiness.
This, he realized, was his own brand of spiritual Mapo Tofu—bland, hollow, and empty.
How could someone so aimless be chosen by the Grail? By rights, he shouldn't have been.
Kirei was conflicted, troubled by this paradox.
---
Meanwhile, Shirou had completed most of his preparations. He planned to head to the airport after lunch and reach Fuyuki City by evening.
A gentle vibration in his pocket distracted him—
Shirou seized the sleek black phone.
Caller ID: "The Cutest Lisephyr"
He sighed and answered:
> "Hello—Moshi moshi, Shirou-kun?"
Lisephyr's sweet voice came through, this time with "-kun" added formally.
> "Yes? Lisephyr, is something wrong?"
He asked.
> "I've already talked it over with my father—I'm going to Fuyuki too! You're going, right? Let's go together?"
He could feel Lisephyr humming with excitement over the phone.
> "Such a clingy little tsundere!" Shirou thought with a slight headache.
Fuyuki City is hardly a place to "go for fun"—the Holy Grail War is about to begin, and dangerous undercurrents run deep.
Still, with his current power—and the Yorifis family as a shield—to a degree, no one from the Tohsaka or Matō families could harm him.
Though incredibly powerful, his real weakness was his six-year-old body. Facing full-fledged Servants alone would be hopeless.
> Let her come, then. He shrugged mentally.
After a brief pause, he replied:
> "Okay—this afternoon, I leave. Lisephyr, you can come too."
Soon enough, Shirou was in a luxurious car heading to London Airport, flanked by a magus from the Yorifis household.
That magus, naturally, was delegated care duties and errands.
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