The Third Holy Grail War (Part 1)

"Relax, Master. Your shoulders are stiff. Yes. Yes. That's right. Now pull. Slowly." At Archer's words, I pulled the bow's string and relaxed my grip. "Steady. Steady. That's it, now let it fly!"

Whoosh! I exhaled and let go. The arrow traveled through the skies and across the field. It then embedded itself into the target. "Bull's-eye!" I shouted gleefully.

"Great job, Master!" Arash patted me on the back. "For someone who is so mediocre with the blade, you're awfully talented with the bow. No, should I perhaps say that you're awfully talented with ranged weaponry?"

"That's not helping, Archer. Some motivation would have been nice instead." I stumbled and lowered my bow.

"You're just going to become cocky if I were to say anything nice." Arash chuckled and slapped my shoulder. However, his hand stopped in mid-air and his expression turned solemn. "It's time isn't it, Master?"

I glanced at the serene range and smiled knowingly. "Yes. Yes, it is."

[Name: Fenric von Leiqritus, (No Title)

Level: 25

EXP: 1,883,204,738/3,355,443,200

Strength: 2.9

Endurance: 3.1

Agility: 3.9

Od: 330/330 (330)

Circuit Quality: B (1.5)

Circuit Quantity: C (22)

Circuit Composition: Dynamic

Origin: Limitlessness

Elemental Affinity: Fire, Earth, Water, Distortion

Sorcery Trait: Divine Chant

Innate Talent: [Infinite Potential], [Absolute Composure]

Skills: [Analyze], [Presence Concealment A+], [Marksmanship A], [Human Anatomy Understanding A], [Magecraft B], [High-Speed Incantation B], [Territory Creation B], [Torture Techniques B], [Eye of the Mind (True) C++], [Item Construction C], [Enchant C], [Familiar Creation C+], [Protection from Arrows C], [Poison Resistance C], [Human Observation C], [Presence Detection C], [Clairvoyance D+++], [Projectile D], [Bow and Arrow Creation E]

Status Points: 85]

I have bought a house in Miyama Town of Fuyuki City. It's not a mansion like the ones Rin, Sakura, or Luvia lived in, but a normal house suitable for a family of four. A extravagant residence like theirs simply screamed "Teehee~ I may be an enemy, so please monitor me~"

So far, I have confirmed all seven participating Mages. Firstly, the two Edelfelt sisters have already summoned their Servants and moved into their residences in Fuyuki two days ago. I have also identified the two Sabers.

It's Lancelot.

To be more exact, the young Lancelot and the old Lancelot. The elder sister summoned the older Lancelot, who is clad in a black knight's armor similar to the one from Fate/Zero while the younger sister's Saber wore a purple and golden knight armor.

I am not surprised. Lancelot is described as the perfect knight, and the two probably decided to summon one of the Round Table Knights or even King Arthur herself seeing how famous they are.

The Assassin pair is exactly like how it was described in Fate/hollow ataraxia. An American puppet master with the name of Isaac summoned one of the nineteen Hassan-i-Sabbah. He's a midget whose height is no greater than that of an adult's knees.

Additionally, Darnic was spotted in his German officer uniform yesterday. By his side was the great hero warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill himself.

The two unknowns are the Tohsaka and Makiri Masters. Caster and Rider were confirmed to be summoned seeing that I have detected a massive Prana spike a few hours ago.

Lastly, the Einzbern Master. The pale homunculus has arrived with her Servant yesterday. It's funny how she and her Servant ran into Darnic the moment they entered the city. Sadly, they did not start a fight since the encounter was during broad daylight.

So, who was her Servant?

It's Ruler: Amakusa Shirou Tokisada.

No, it is not a coincidence nor luck. It's me, Fenric! I have been spreading a certain rumor in the Clock Tower since I enrolled and the Einzbern must have heard it as well. "Hey guys, guess what I found? There was in fact a villager named Angra Mainyu in the past!"

Well, I did not actually say that but you get the idea. Rumors sure spread fast no matter where you are.

The Einzberns are not members of the Mage's Association but they still have their spies and contacts in it. They have definitely attempted to verify the truth after hearing it and knowing that the Avenger-class Servant they were going to summon was merely a fake, they immediately changed their plan and went with Ruler.

You should thank me, superior-hair-Shirou! Thanks to me, you now have a chance at the salvation of humanity! Hooray! I can't wait to trample on that pitiful dream of yours!

I know all these information because I have postponed my studies and moved to Fuyuki right after I summoned Arash. The Magi aren't strict with attendance and it's actually quite normal for someone to travel the world and come back after many months and years.

Except for Distorted World, I did not put down any other Bounded Field nor traps in this house. Erecting a normal barrier would not defend me against Servants but it will instead notify everyone else with its Prana leakage. Typical Bounded Fields are simply useless unless I can set up a perfect one that can prevent all magical energy from escaping.

It's the same reason why I did not use magical surveillance cameras. No, I did not use normal cameras either. It's 1939, surveillance cameras aren't invented and manufactured yet. I also can't hypnotize people and let them observe the city because the signs of mental interference spells on them would be too obvious.

In the end, I used familiars. Not only aerial animals like birds and bats, but also frogs, rats, and insects. They are minimal as only 25 of them are spread throughout the city and they would only respond when I ordered them to.

They are not monitoring the others actively or passively. I have installed them with spells that enhances our mental connection so that I can tapped into them and use [Presence Detection] whenever I'm free. At C rank, I can detect anything within 3 kilometers via Mana and wind so it's better than the Remote Viewing spell I've learned.

They normally act like the animals that they are and will only show signs of intelligence whenever I linked with them. It's the perfect disguise and I would have made more if not for being afraid of the Caster-class Servant's detection magic.

Then, what's my plan for this war?

It's simple. I will wait, wait in my house and do nothing. That's it. I know that they will eventually kill each other and I do not have to join in the chaotic mess that will soon occur. Do you know that the Nazis and the Imperial Japanese Army will join in the fray when the war is at its peak? Hell no, I'm not going to get involved with that. No way, nuh uh.

Darnic will smuggle his Mage associates into Fuyuki, and under the orders of the Führer himself, an army of Germans will also follow Darnic into the country. Unfortunately, Japan isn't on guard because Germany is their soon-to-be ally.

Additionally, I know that a hidden war for the Holy Grail will break out in Tokyo while the Masters and Servants fight to their death in Fuyuki City. Although most of the soldiers won't come to Fuyuki, elite Nazi squads will definitely be lurking around here.

At some time, the streets will even be covered in bombs and landmines. Crazy bastards. And I know that it will get even uglier because it took the Holy Church a lot of efforts to cover up this incident as the third war is the reason behind the incorporation of a Church supervisor.

Even though I am not participating in the chaos myself, I will order Arash to attack the other Servants and Masters. Don't I get 10% EXP from the kills? How many experience points will a Servant give? Aha.

-x-X-x-

"Hmm."

A young woman was enjoying a cup of red tea within a luxuriously decorated western room. The teacup held in her hand seemed to be even more expensive than a diamond ring.

"What's wrong, My Lady?" A violet-haired man asked. He was knelt down like a knight and was showing respect to the person he has swore to protect during his time in this world. He was Saber, the younger version of Lancelot.

"What do you think will happen after we defeated all the other Servants?" The younger Edelfelt, Annelia, asked.

They have summoned the same class of Servant since they possesses the Ore Scales Sorcery Trait, which allows them to share the family's Magic Crest and lineage. Ore Scales allows them to summon two aspects of their Servant while still remaining as a single Master.

Although the Servant they summoned were slightly weakened, they were able to acquire a fragment of the Round Table and summon the strongest Servant class, Saber. There was nothing to worry about since they will definitely be victorious with two of the strongest Servant helping each other.

"Your will is my command, My Lady. I do not mind striking down my counterpart as we both have similar wishes." Lancelot responded in a grave tone while still facing the ground.

"To meet your king and to receive the punishment you deserved, huh?" Annelia put down the teacup and gazed at the sky through the room's window. "It's not like I don't understand your wish considering your legend..."

"Fine." She moved her gaze to the kneeling knight and smiled. "Assist me in winning the war and triumphing over my sister then I'll grant you your wish."

"I am grateful, My Lady." Lancelot lowered his head. "My sword is your will, and my destiny is of yours. I hereby swear once more to protect you with all that I have."

...

"Be careful of Lady Annelia?" A black knight exclaimed in surprise. "What do you mean by that, My Lady?"

"Just follow my command, Servant." A young woman with coiled blonde hair voiced out coldly. She's the older Edelfelt sister, Eineline "That incompetent girl has always wanted to surpass me despite not having the talent. She may betray us the moment we have our guards down."

"...Betrayal?" The older Lancelot asked.

"Yes. Betrayal. Although our plan was to cooperate until the other Servants fell, it's highly likely that our alliance will break apart before even half of them perishes." Eineline played with her hair and sighed. "At that time, I want you to destroy her Servant while... I trample on her." All of a sudden, her expression turned to one of pure sadism.

"...Thanks to this ritual, I'll finally have the chance to show that little girl who is the superior one." She stared out of her window, towards the direction of her sister's residence as a cruel smiled formed on her face. "What do you think, my dear Annelia?"

...

"You better win and bring me the Grail, Kaito." An old man stepped out of the shadows. He was so withered that his bald head and limbs looked like he was mummified, yet the light deep in his eyes filled his spirit.

"I know that, grandfather." A man in his thirties answered. He has curly blue hair and gray blue eyes, his appearance was extremely similar to a more mature and solemn Shinji. His name is Matou Kaito, the Holy Grail War representative of the Makiri family.

"All right. Since you have mastered our family's Magecraft, I will not interfere anymore." Matou Zouken snickered and his silhouette disappeared into the shadows. He did not believe that his grandson would win, but he was the best candidate they have produced in fifty years. If worse come to worst, he just have to find another himself.

'Useless. You're all useless.' Zouken frowned in the shadows. His family lineage has deteriorate so much that the quality and quantity of their Magic Circuits are barely up to the standards of an average Magus. At this rate, he would have to take in the descendant of another Magi family into his.

'Just watch me, old worm. I will win this war, and then I'll use the Grail to grant my own wish! Why would I hand an omnipotent-wishing device to you when I can have it all for myself?' Kaito laughed inwardly. He would win this war, and he would use the Grail to become the richest man in this world so that he could live a carefree life without anymore worries!

...

"Bless me, ancestors, for I will triumph in the Heaven's Feel ritual and bring glory to our family. I will reach the Origin, and I will visualize the desires of our blood."

Tohsaka Hisahito, the third generation head of the Tohsaka family proudly stood before the paintings of the two previous family heads and saluted. Despite appearing in his forties, he was in truth a man who was near his eighties. His grey-black hair and grey eyes shone brightly and the jewels in his hand glowed in a threatening light.

He was not afraid of losing his life. He has already retired and the child he has sired was already the fourth head for over a decade. In addition, his promising grandson and the heir to their family was talented and has mastered intermediate Jewel Magecraft when he was only fifteen.

As of now, the other Tohsakas have all moved out of Fuyuki City. It's time for the old monster to fight in the tournament and finally attain their family's goal. He will win, and he will pass down his legacy. The Holy Grail is his, and the Tohsaka shall be known as the Magi who have reached the Akashic Records!

And perhaps, he could capture the little girl from Edelfelt and forced her to birth a child for his grandson? He did overhear that their lineage produce high-quality Circuits after all. Ha, ha, ha, ha.

...

Clink. Clink.

The sounds of metals sounded out within the dim room.

A muscular man in his thirties was tinkering a french doll. The puppet looked extremely creepy. Its lifeless eye stared at its creator in silence while the sound of metal constantly rang out.

Clink. Clink.

The construction Isaac was fiddling with was a tool of death equipped with various killing mechanisms. He could control it as if they were his limbs, and there were many weaponry installed within the french doll.

He inspected the poisoned blades inside the doll's arm, he then checked the machine gun on its chest. Lastly, he adjusted the flamethrower behind the puppet's mouth.

Even though he was a accomplished Magus, he preferred the usage of modern weaponry because they were simple to use and they do not expire easily. He could also find their replacements with little effort.

Clink. Clink.

However, many did not know how terrifying he was. In this makeshift workshop, behind the surgery table and countless furniture, was a wall dedicated to his greatest works. On the wooden shelves he carefully picked, was his love, his life, his proudest creations! What were placed on the shelves was in truth-

-an army of french dolls.

...

"Why do you participate in this bloodshed, Master?" A black-haired young man was staring at the snow-covered forest. Amakusa Shirou Tokisada stopped and picked up a walnut while taking in the beautiful scenery of a winter wonderland.

"Why do I participate in the Holy Grail War?" The homunculus' long silver hair swung to the side as her apathetic red eyes moved to her Servant's figure.

"Do you not have a wish, Master?" The Japanese saint smiled benevolently and asked.

"I am participating in the Holy Grail War in order to recover the miracle of the Einzbern family." The homunculus replied unemotionally.

"What about your own wish, Master? Isn't the recovery of the Third Magic the dreams of the Alchemists and not yours?"

"I do not have my own wish. I am created for the purpose of retrieving the lost Heaven's Feel."

"I see." Amakusa Shirou smiled though with less vigor. "But even then, artificial being or not, I do hope for you to find your own wishes and miracles. Having a dream and being able to chase after your own ideals is a wonderful thing... Perhaps, one day, you will be able to smile too, Liliyasviel."

At her Servant's kind words, the humanoid puppet merely tilted her head in confusion.

...

"Do you not mind lowering your head to a Mage like me?"

A man in his late twenties was conversing with a blonde man who was in the prime of his life. "You are a great hero of divine descent and the leader of the famed Knights of Fianna. Won't you be ashamed at obeying a simple human like me?"

"I am the hero of Erin, but I am also a knight. I will not hesitate to serve someone, and if I can work for the good of the innocent, then I have no complaints." Lancer, Fionn mac Cumhaill, simply smiled and nodded at his Master's question.

He served the High King of Erin, Cormac mac Airt, and attained appropriate achievements to be celebrated as both the leader and greatest knight in the glorious Knights of Fianna so there was no trouble for him to lower his head and assist another man in his quest for power once more.

"I see." Darnic Prestone Yggdmillennia smiled and extended his hand. He was truly glad to have summoned such an obliging Servant. "Then may us be victorious in this war, Lancer."

While Fionn accepted Darnic's gesture of friendship, he didn't know, didn't know that deep down inside, the Mage has already planned for his death.

'Anything! I'd do anything for my clan...! Those imbeciles at the Mage's Association shall know, know that the Yggdmillennia clan are not to be looked down upon! I will not just win the Holy Grail War, but I will seize it for my clan, and we shall prosper for all eternity...!'