Aozaki Aoko Case File [153]

Credits: Rey Kreuz

Due to a peculiar turn of events, Aoko had no choice but to immediately teleport herself, Mash, and Ritsuka back to the Grand Temple right after lunch.

Mash and Ritsuka looked utterly dazed as if they had undergone some indescribable baptism. Their understanding of the concept of spiciness now seemed fundamentally skewed. However, Aoko bore them no blame; in fact, she could empathize with the shock they had endured. After all, the three of them had encountered something completely unforeseen at the restaurant today.

To put it another way, Aoko had run into an event that absolutely shouldn't exist in this worldline.

Kirei Kotomine—administrator of the Fuyuki Church, son of the priest Risei Kotomine, and apprentice to Tokiomi Tohsaka, the overseer of the Fuyuki leyline—was working at Koushuuensaikan Taizan as a kitchen assistant!

"Well, well, who would've thought that someone like Mister Kotomine, with such a profound understanding of the essence of spicy cuisine, would apply here for a job? It's just impossible to refuse!"

... These were the exact words of the restaurant's mysterious, Batsu. Aoko couldn't help but think that, in certain ways, this peculiar owner and Kirei Kotomine shared a strange kinship.

The dishes the three of them ordered today didn't look particularly special. On the surface, they were still vibrant, aromatic, and flavorful—exactly what one would expect from fine cuisine.

"If you can't handle spicy food, don't force yourselves. These dishes are much spicier than they appear."

Aoko warned the Chaldea duo before they picked up their chopsticks.

"Are you kidding? I can handle spicy food!" Ritsuka declared with full confidence. "I eat spicy cuisine all the time when I'm in Tokyo!"

"I'll be fine too," Mash said, equally self-assured. "A demi-servant's tolerance is much higher than that of ordinary people. If Senpai can handle the spice, then so can I!"

It was precisely as they began eating that Aoko noticed Kirei Kotomine working in the restaurant. Standing at the kitchen entrance, wearing a chef's cap and apron, he observed the meal with an inexplicable smile. His gaze lingered on Ritsuka and Mash, watching them lose consciousness from the overwhelming spiciness of the food.

There was a strange fire in his eyes as if he had discovered a new purpose in the void of his existence.

Aoko's perception of spiciness was likely different from that of ordinary people—or rather, even the enhanced spiciness of Kirei's cooking only required her to drink some iced water to counteract it. Truthfully, she believed their understanding of spiciness was still far too shallow. Even the restaurant owner had likely made some compromises in terms of spice levels—at least, that was Aoko's opinion.

At one point, Aoko even overheard Dr. Roman's panicked voice through Ritsuka's communicator: ["Ritsuka! Mash! Your physiological readings are going haywire! What's happening?! Are you under attack?!"]

Out of concern for her little 'sisters' and their health, Aoko secretly used healing magic on the two of them after the meal, to prevent Dr. Roman and Da Vinci—on the other side of space-time—from worrying too much.

When Ritsuka and Mash returned to the Grand Temple, they had lost all memory of the concepts of spiciness. All they could vaguely recall was that Aoko had taken them to try some local specialty foods. The self-protective mechanisms of the human brain were truly remarkable.

This unspeakable memory was likely buried deep in their subconscious, in some inaccessible corner. Perhaps, one day, Kirei Kotomine—creator of these hellish dishes—would be waiting in the abandoned Fuyuki Singularity's Void Space, ready to greet the saviors of humanity.

...

Nightfall.

Kayneth and Waver, accompanied by their Servant, Lancer Karna, stood at the foot of Mount Enzou, gazing up at the Grand Temple hovering in the air.

"They managed to purify the Greater Grail!" Waver murmured in astonishment as he stared at the spherical object floating above the Grand Temple. "The Aozaki sisters truly are something else..."

"A magus family capable of mastering two True Magics simultaneously," Kayneth remarked. "Even if you told someone, they'd find it hard to believe."

As the two were deep in thought, two figures emerged from the Grand Temple and flew toward them: Artoria and Aoko.

"I had a certain level of confidence that you'd show up on time, Lord El-Melloi," Aoko said as she hovered in midair. "After all, for someone like you, reputation must matter a great deal."

"There are many qualities worthy of praise in the El-Melloi lineage," Kayneth replied proudly. "Cowardice, however, is not one of them."

"Good!" Aoko nodded in satisfaction. "Then I'll give you my word as well: I won't personally participate in this duel. I'll only act in a supporting role, providing status enhancements for Saber."

"Likewise, I don't object to Waver Velvet using his servant abilities to strengthen Lancer," Aoko continued. "The outcome will be determined by the duel between Saber and Lancer. Do you agree to these terms?"

Kayneth and Waver exchanged a glance and found no fault with Aoko's proposal.

"No objections," Kayneth said. "I have no issue with Miss Blue's terms."

"Excellent," Aoko nodded. "Then let the final act of this drama begin—I can hardly wait!"

As Aoko's words echoed, Artoria and Karna stepped forth from behind their respective Masters, rising to the same altitude in midair.

Artoria was the first to strike. With a firm grip on the reins of her mount, Dun Stallion, the King of Knights charged fearlessly at the Son of the Sun.

Karna, equally serious, unleashed his full power. With Mana Burst activated, his speed skyrocketed, and the two clashed at an incredible pace.

The clash between the Spear of the God-Slayer and the Sword of Promised Victory sent shockwaves through the surroundings. The sound of their weapons colliding echoed across the foothills of Mount Enzou, startling flocks of birds into flight as they fled from the impending devastation.

Kayneth stood tense, ready to use a Command Spell at any moment to support Lancer should he falter. Meanwhile, Waver had already cast a series of reinforcement spells—an invaluable aid in a battle of this scale.

Despite the significant loss of power Karna suffered after losing his golden armor, Waver's assistance enabled him to hold his ground against a fully empowered Artoria.

Artoria's combat style was bold and straightforward, favoring overwhelming force over intricate techniques. Her philosophy of a heavy sword has no edge; great skill resides in simplicity synergized perfectly with the support provided by her Master.

Meanwhile, Aoko didn't immediately cast all of her enhancement spells on Artoria. Instead, she opted for a more strategic approach—reserving her magic for key moments to deliver sudden, explosive boosts.

Thus, the intense battle between Saber and Lancer began, heralding the final act of this extraordinary war.