#7-8

I am back in China. It's been 7 years since I last visited this ancient nation.

Oh how I miss the ethereal scenery... Sadly, this tranquil country is now hell on earth. World War II is near, and this Far East nation has already fell into bloodshed. I was truly lucky to be born into a peaceful and quiet era in my previous life...

It's time.

My Magic Circuits flared up as the sky darkened the instant the light of my Mental Trigger fades away. The wailing sky was crying, trying to warn the people of the impending catastrophe.

The 1938 Yellow River flood was created by the Nationalist Government in central China during the early stage of the Second Sino-Japanese War in an attempt to halt the rapid advance of Japanese forces.

It's a man-made natural disaster, and I am merely lending a helping hand by being the one to start it for them. Yes, I am just lending a helping hand. I didn't create it. The stationed soldiers didn't even notice me sneaking inside.

Forgive me.

For starting a flood, you have inevitably killed 743,316 humans +373,858,000 EXP

Ahhh, the rain.

The sky is weeping. The land is screaming. The innocents are dying, and the nature is howling.

You have all my apologies. No matter how this slaughter was supposed to be start by your own government... You have my utmost sympathy. You are not wrong. You are guiltless. You have all the rights to blame your leaders. You have all the rights to hate me.

So then, good night. Please have a sweet dream, o'nameless and sinless ones...

...I am sorry.

Despite saying that I will do anything to attain eternal life, I am still not used to murder.

Right now, I am simply glad that I do not have to see the faces of the ones that are about to die, or else, I may falter in my path to eternity.

How pathetic can you be, murderer-

No. Cheer up, Fenric. You are the one who chose this. You will hold onto these memories forever, and one day, you will get used to bloodying your hands. You will get used to the most foul and heinous act so-

One day. One day. One day...!

"...What?"

"Oh, have you never heard of this?" A blonde young man beside me spoke up in surprise.

"No, Rain, I have never heard of it." I showed a interested face and replied.

"Ah, yes, as I was saying." Rain coughed and continued. "There are no Magicians alive. The last known Sorcerer was the Master of the Second Magic Kaleidoscope, Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg. He apparently died after his battle against the King of Vampires, Brunestud of the Crimson Moon in the 7th century."

"Thankfully he managed to defeat the Ultimate One of the Moon or god knows what would have happened to this world." Rain finished sharing his knowledge and gulped down a cup of tea. He then went back to his lunch meals while discussing the same topic with our other classmates.

What? The Old Man of the Jewels is dead...? Is this timeline different from the canon? But the history I learned of are all the same. The existence of Type-Mercury and the Dead Apostle Ancestors, the birth of Arcueid Brunestud, and first two Holy Grail Wars have not changed.

Is this a timeline infinitely close to the main one? Shouldn't the unknown Fourth Magician also exist? What about the Blue? Will Aozaki Aoko's grandfather still discover the pathway to the Root?

Something, something must have happened to Zelretch. There is no way that someone like him would just kick the bucket. To even kill the Magician who have access to the Operation of Parallel Worlds, you'll have to be an Ultimate One, a world-destroying alien, or a-

Cosmic Entity? Don't tell me... Did those two kill each other?

No, Zelretch shouldn't be as powerful as a nigh-omnipotent Cosmic Entity. Did the Fourth Magician help him? The Removal of Concepts? The Manipulation of Principles? The Absolute Control over Space, Time, and Mystery? I don't know about the Fourth, but it's said to be extremely destructive, even more so than the Fifth. Then isn't-

"Argh." I-It hurts. What? Hmm? There's a big bruise on the back of my left hand, and the burning pain is gone... It's as if nothing has happened. No, the pain wasn't fake, I can still properly feel it.

"Are you alright, Fenric?" Another young man beside me asked.

"I am fine. Thanks for asking, Yuwir." Seeing my careless smile, he simply nodded. What are these, these red marks- Don't tell me-

"Hey. Hey, Fenric." Yuwir tapped my arm and whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Look over there. There, see those Finns? They are the ones I have talked about the last time in class." He gritted his teeth and pointed at a pair of sisters that just entered the canteen. "They are the shameless hyenas that came into power during the Renaissance Era. Thanks to them, my family lost quite a bit of fortune in the Middle East."

The young women both have blonde hair and amber eyes. They wore fancy dresses that probably cost more than someone's car. The older one has coiled hair while the younger one wore ribbons. Aren't they...

The Edelfelt sisters?

They must be. Although they looked slightly like Rin and Sakura, their stunning appearances are closer to Luvia. The haughtiness, the overbearingness, and the gracefulness, their elitism attitude is quite obvious here.

However, I was not admiring their voluptuous figure. My focus was on their hands where strange red tattoos were imprinted. The elder sister concealed hers with white gloves, but I could clearly see the imprints on the younger sister's uncovered hand. I then glanced at the back of my left hand.

Yes, it seems like I have just received my own set of Command Seals. It's time to bring the plan forward.

(Recommendation: Fate/Zero OST - Point Zero)

"Let silver and steel be the essence. Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation."

Honestly? I want to summon Tamamo. Who doesn't want to summon the devoted foxy wife? Too bad, I have to win this war. She might be a fragment of a highest-ranking god that still exist and is a Heroic Spirit of Japanese origin, but I do not think that I can win the war without her achieving her three-tailed form.

Nuke Servants like Karna and Hercules are also out of the question. I'll definitely die from excessive Prana consumption before the war even end. Ultimately, it comes to the quality of the Servant you are going to summon. And there are two classes that almost always make it to the final round.

It's Saber and Assassin.

"Let rise a wall against the wind that shall fall. Let the four cardinal gates close. Let the three-forked road from the crown reaching unto the Kingdom rotate."

It's not a lie when they say that Saber is the best class. They have high parameters, Magic Resistance, and powerful Noble Phantasms, and most importantly, they don't deplete their Master's Prana as fast as Berserkers do. The previous war's Master of Berserker did actually die from excessive Prana consumption.

Assassin often make it far into the war because they always catch their enemies off guard. Just look at the kill count of Cursed Arm Hassan... Three Servants.

He, a Servant of the weakest class, have managed to end False Assassin, Caster, and even Lancer through mere tactics. He also played a huge part on Saber's downfall. I do not care if it's through dirty means like taking hostage or ambushing, all is fine as long as the enemies are killed.

"Heed my words. My will creates your body, and your sword creates my destiny. If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason, then answer me."

However, I can't summon Saber nor Assassin. I know the information on their Masters and I don't want to change history. The Lancer slot is left to Darnic. Berserker does not exist, and that is good. Ruler or Avenger taking its slot? That is bad. In the end, only Archer, Rider, and Caster remains.

Just in case I can't acquire a catalyst, let's think strategy.

First thing first, Caster is out. I don't want to deal with Magic Resistance and the Caster-class is mostly made up of Magi. Unless I got lucky and summon friendly Servants like Cu Chulainn or Xuanzang, then there is a chance of me being betrayed. A small chance, but a gamble I will not be taking. No thank you.

The Rider-class is good. They usually have the strongest Noble Phantasms and most of the known Riders are agreeable. If I can summon Achilles... No. Not enough Prana. I can only supply someone on his level for a while and I'll be exhausted just by maintaining his existence.

Finally, Archers, the Servants of the Bo- Projectiles. They are... okay? Excluding the freakish Gilgamesh, most of the ones that I know of are average Servants. Not powerful nor weak. I can't maintain Arjuna, and Divine Spirits like Ishtar can't be summoned... Shall I just call for Billy the Kid and give in to fate? Haha. No. Not funny.

A magic circle was carved onto the ground. It shined brightly as the the wind howled and roared while a storm of magical energy overflowed the glowing circle. Seeing the ritual working, I fed all my Prana into it and yelled out the summoning incantations.

"I hereby declare! That I shall be all the good in the world. That I shall defeat all evil in the world."

Finally, I chose a Servant who suited me the most.

A legendary great hero from Ancient Persia. A warrior of King Manuchehr who was referred to as the last king of the Age of Gods in West Asia, and as the strongest archer, he brought an end to the war between Persia and Turan that had spanned for 60 years.

The brave warrior of salvation who bestowed peace and tranquility to the people of both countries. He accomplished the great feat of saving thousands of people during battle.

He has an anecdote where it is said that in exchange for a special move that exceeds the limits of humans, he ended up perishing by having his body burst and scatter in all directions.

"From the Seventh Heaven, clad in the three great words of power, come forth from the circle of binding, Guardian of the Heavenly Scales!"

Surging wind and blinding lights engulfed the entire workshop as the summoning process was successfully completed. The overflowing magical energy settled and the light dimmed down, revealing the figure of the Servant who was summoned.

"I am the great hero of the East-" He was a man with brown skin and eyes full of life. He wore a blue-green chestplate, black-red gloves and greaves in addition to a similar-looking bow. "-Arash! Best regards, Master!"

Yes, it's my suicide boy.

"Let's win this war, Archer." I smiled and lend him my hand while simultaneously activating my Master vision.

Class: Archer

True Name: Arash Kamangir

Gender: Male

Title: Arash the Archer

Height/Weight: 185cm 75kg

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Strength: B

Endurance: A

Agility: A+

Mana: E

Luck: D

Noble Phantasm: B++

Class Skills:

Magic Resistance C

Independent Action C

Personal Skills:

Robust Health EX

Clairvoyance A

Bow and Arrow Creation A

Noble Phantasm:

Stella: Lone Meteor B++

Great, as I expected. His physical parameters are high, he is a friendly and understanding guy, he has useful skills including Magic Resistance, it doesn't take much to maintain him, and when it gets really dangerous, he can use his Noble Phantasm to bring the opponent down with him.

His ultimate suicide attack is Stella: Lone Meteor, though classified as Anti-Army, it in fact has the power of an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm, and when taking into consideration its range, it would probably even correspond to an Anti-Country Noble Phantasm!

Expendable and low cost. He's the greatest disposable tool, I'd say. Plus, he's actually an Archer that wields a genuine bow. No, he can even make his own bows and arrows! He's the perfect Servant for me!

Then what about [Analyze]?

Name: Arash Kamangir, Arash the Archer

Strength: 40

Endurance: 50

Agility: 50 (50~100)

Yes, this is the status of a high-ranking Servant. Me? Someone with stats at 2-3 times above the average man? Hah. I am simply a joke in front of Archer.

Look at that Agility, he has long since broke the sound barrier... Jesus christ. This is why I don't want to get close to any Servants. The moment they spot you, you're going to die no matter what you do.

You can't rush in, you can't fight back, you can't survive a serious hit, it's dead end anyway. That's why I chose to be a sniper. Even if I can't fight a Servant, I can still kill their Master if I was lucky enough.

Hmm, thinking about it. What if I use [Analyze] on his Skills...?

Magic Resistance C

The Skill that grants protection against magical effects. Differing from the Resistance effect that merely rejects Magical Energy, this ability cancels the spells altogether.

He can cancel spells with a chant below two verses. However, he cannot defend against Magecraft on the level of High-Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals.

Ah, it's works. Nice.

Below two verses? Does this mean that Cinder Maelstrom can affect him if it hits him? But that Endurance... It probably won't even hurt much.

Independent Action C

The Skill to remain independent even when rejecting the Magical Energy supply from one's Master, and the ability that allows for action even in the absence of the Master.

It is possible for a Servant to stay in the world for one day without a Master.

I don't have to worry about him betraying me. I already know that Arash isn't someone who will do that.

Robust Health EX

The Skill that are made up of anecdotes of "not receiving a wound on the battlefield" and "never becoming sick even once since birth". It is also a composite Skill and includes Poison Resistance.

Arash, who is strongly endowed with the vestiges of the Age of Gods, was born with an especially robust health. END parameter is ranked up and attacks received have their damage reduced.

So this is why his Endurance is so high. I am not jealous, I swear that I am not jealous! Envy is a sin of man, envy is a sin of man. Repeat after me, envy is a sin of man.

Ugh.

Clairvoyance A

The Skill that connotes superior visual perception and dynamic occipital capture, such as to supplement the long-range aiming of projectile weapons.

For Arash, who has A Rank in this Skill, one type of future sight (predicting the future) and even mind reading is possible.

Classic Archer Skill.

Thanks to my perk, I do not have to worry about him reading my mind. He'd probably distance himself or even kill me with how insane I am. Precognition is nice. It is limited but if it works well we can predict our enemies' movements while also exposing their bases.

Bow and Arrow Creation A

The Skill for designing and creating a bow and arrows.

The goddess Armaiti gave him the wisdom but the designer and the creator of the bow was Arash. As long as he has the materials, he can instantly make a bow and arrows. A bow needs physical materials, however, arrows can be made by using his magical energy. Because of this, Arash can intermittently fire a countless number of arrows.

This. This I can abuse. I haven't spend a single cent on the catalyst because I merely borrowed it from a friend. 'For educational purposes' works quite well, you know? Hahaha.

I will go talk to the same merchant I got my materials from last time. He should be able to get more, and if I use my whole fortune, I should be able to obtain 550 grams of mithril. Yes, I may have robbed some wealthy fellows, but no one can trace it back to me.

Perhaps after acquiring the materials, Archer can also teach me the Skill? He was summoned with a bow already so he doesn't need to make another one for himself. He can probably craft a magical bow blessed by the wisdom of the goddess for me. Good idea, Fenric.

Stella: Lone Meteor

Owner: Arash Kamangir

Type: Anti-Army

Rank: B++

Range: 1~99

Maximum number of targets: 900

The "Ultimate Shot" used by Arash. A famous legend of an arrow shot with all of Arash's might. It is a maximum range, long-range attack that literally "Divides the Earth", bringing an end to all kinds of strife.

In legends, the "national borders" between Persia and Turan was created by means of Arash's ultimate arrow, having divided the land. Such ultimate arrow's shooting range is indeed 2500 km. It is said that, in exchange for this special move that exceeds the limits of humans, he lost his life by having his body scattered in all directions.

Though classified as Anti-Army, it in fact has the power of an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm, and when taking into consideration its range, it would probably even correspond to an Anti-Country Noble Phantasm.

However, it can only be employed once for its usage always results in Arash's death, simultaneously destroying him and the Noble Phantasm, and in a sense, it is a "Double Broken Phantasm"

Ahhh, suicide boy, I'm glad I summoned you before the war will start. Now let us bond as Master and Servant, let us be intimate with each other so that you will believe me as a saint and become a Servant that will readily sacrifices his life for me!

---

"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.

"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...!'