Chapter 27: The second Bomb

"So, in that guy's case… luck really is on my side."

Roland didn't care that someone was watching. His expression twisted into an ecstatic grin, almost manic in its joy.

A chance to leave this world. A trial that could elevate his authority. A brand-new power. For Roland, recovering his first Contract Spirit meant everything.

As long as he reclaimed that soul, peace....eternal peace, would be within reach. The joy was so overwhelming, even his nails, which often grew uncontrollably, halted their unnatural growth.

The reason he had remained so calm, even after being pulled into the chaos of the Holy Grail War, was because he'd discovered traces left behind by the wild Contract Spirit. Any action taken with hope in one's heart always led to good outcomes.

Back when he was roaming the streets of Fuyuki City, he'd found nothing. But the moment he began to truly prepare and scheme for the Holy Grail War, the very thing he had long sought appeared, right before his eyes.

Roland gently brushed his fingers across the back of Hisau Maiya's hand, taking in her trembling legs, crippled by fear, no longer able to support her weight. He smiled down at her, charming and dangerous.

Identifying Hisau Maiya hadn't been difficult. After spending time matching various faces to the images in his memory, Roland's ability to recognize people had sharpened considerably. Her medium-length hair, her typical use of firearms, it had all made it easier once she was exposed.

And once he knew she was here, there was no doubt who the Contract Spirit belonged to. On the surface, this woman was just Emiya Kiritsugu's companion/assistant/lover. But underneath… their connection was more like the one between the brain and its vital organs, inseparable, intimately bound.

That could only mean one thing: Emiya Kiritsugu was close.

And Roland's suspicions were confirmed when Maiya made a subtle gesture toward her communicator. A short time later, the presence of a Contract Spirit was detected.

Roland didn't need any more evidence. The lost Contract Spirit… was inside Emiya Kiritsugu.

The only variable now was whether Kiritsugu had a Heroic Spirit nearby. Thankfully, Roland had his own source of intel close at hand.

"Well then, Miss Hisau Maiya," he said, voice silky and venomous, "now that you understand your situation, why don't we have a nice chat?"

"Let's start simple. Just one question first. Is it true that Emiya Kiritsugu summoned Saber?"

"Kill me."

Maiya's voice was cold and flat.

"No matter what you threaten me with, it's all the same. I'll never betray Emiya Kiritsugu."

"Even if I use Emiya Kiritsugu himself?" Roland asked mildly. "Then let me show you a little trick."

Still smiling, Roland pulled a coin from his pocket and flicked it into the air.

The coin exploded midair into black particles, which scattered like melting snow before they could fall.

Maiya's eyes widened. Suddenly, she understood how her gun had disappeared.

"This is my Stand's ability, Killer Queen," Roland said gently. "Anything she touches… becomes a bomb."

"This wasn't the power I originally wanted, but I have to admit, it's the pinnacle of assassination."

No, more than just the pinnacle. It was divine in its precision.

Maiya, a seasoned assassin, had long mastered the art of using anything, from crude tools to sophisticated weapons for the sole purpose...

To kill. Even a bamboo stick could be lethal in her hands.

But even she was bound by the limitations of humanity. She still had to plant bombs, stab, shoot, she still had to act.

Killer Queen, however, needed only to touch. To walk past a target's path in advance was enough to ensure a kill.

No one would ever know. No one could react. Even Maiya herself couldn't have predicted she'd step on an invisible bomb just walking down a path.

Wait… no one?

"You've figured it out, haven't you, Miss Maiya?" Roland said, flashing a devilish grin. "I could've killed Emiya Kiritsugu the moment I saw him. He wouldn't even know how he died. And now… the only person who can warn him is you."

Maiya's eyes burned with hatred, but Roland only smiled.

"You don't want to see Kiritsugu die cluelessly, do you?"

"…What are you after?"

At last, Maiya broke. Even if she thought of herself as a weapon… she still had a heart.

"It's just a simple exchange," Roland said, tone light. "I'll ask questions. You just confirm what I already know. If I ask something you think is too much, don't answer. That way, you're not really betraying anyone, are you?"

Suspicion flashed in Maiya's eyes, but in the end, she nodded, reluctantly.

"Good," Roland said, satisfied. "First question, same as before: Emiya Kiritsugu's Heroic Spirit is Saber, right?"

"…Yes."

She didn't know how Roland had deduced Kiritsugu was the real Master, but hiding the class now was pointless.

"Second question. Saber is stationed with Irisviel, acting like she is the Master, correct?"

Maiya sighed and nodded again. This plan wasn't supposed to be compromised. Where the hell had he gotten this information?

"Perfect. Let's move on to the third—"

But before Roland could finish, Killer Queen's vision alerted him, he noticed a faint buildup of mana at Maiya's fingertip.

A split second later, a weak magic bullet flew toward him.

"She's a mage?!"

Even having read the source material, Roland hadn't known that. Instinctively, he had Killer Queen step in front.

The slow, almost weightless magic bullet never had a chance. Killer Queen dispersed it with a casual punch.

A feint.

Roland caught on immediately. Magic bullets were basic spells. Without proper aptitude, they were nearly useless. Maiya's aptitude was obviously poor, her spell was no more dangerous than a floating balloon.

She wasn't trying to fight. She was trying to run.

Even in the face of death, even after submitting, this woman still radiated that innate charm.

As he defended, Maiya had already taken a few steps back, her face expressionless as she watched him. But what caught her off guard was that Roland's smile hadn't wavered at all.

"Sigh… what a pain it is not knowing the ins and outs of magecraft," he muttered. "Compared to a pro like you, that Ryunosuke guy is just a deranged freak with no skill."

Despite being tricked, Roland didn't seem angry. In fact, he seemed amused.

"You're trying to buy time, waiting for Kiritsugu to find you, right? But that's not going to happen."

He took a step closer. His voice was low, dangerous.

"Why do you think I only took fifteen minutes of leave?"

He dropped the act. The smile that emerged now was openly insane.

"Fifteen minutes. That's all I need to handle both you and Emiya Kiritsugu. While I was chatting with you, I sent someone very reliable to greet him."

As he spoke, Roland glanced at Killer Queen.

A badge that had once sat in a small groove on her left hand was now gone.

"Sure, the second bomb isn't invincible. But it's far from easy to deal with. If Kiritsugu's unlucky, this could turn into a dark comedy, a bomb expert blown up by a bomb."

He gave Maiya a slow, almost disappointed look as he approached.

"Now then… let's continue that little conversation of ours."