Fate/Zero:Act 1 Part 3
282:14:41
At the same time, at the far away land of the east across the sea; another person is receiving the same report by the spy in England as Kiritsugu.
Being a legitimate magus Tokiomi Tohsaka would not resort to using the new technology of the vulgar world like Kiritsugu. He is adept at using the Tohsaka family's exclusive secret technique of communicating over long distances, a jewel magic passed down through the generations.
Towering in Miyamachou of Fuyuki is the Tohsaka mansion. In Tokiomi's workshop set up below ground, an installment of experimental equipment similar to what is commonly known as the black pendulum was prepared. The difference between common physics experimental equipment and this is that this pendulum's massive bob contains a magic jewel of the Tohsaka heirloom, and it was constructed so the ink flowing down from the string can moisten the jewel.
The rock paired with the jewel of this pendulum is currently in the possession of Tohsaka's spy. If this rock was placed in front of a roller and start writing, the matching pendulum's jewel would start to undulate, the ink dripping down would write perfect and errorless text on the Rollin paper underneath. That's the type of structure it was.
Right now the jewel on the pendulum and the rock on the other side of the globe in London are undulating in sync, and through watching this strange repetitive motion without a pattern, the reporter's writing began to smoothly and accurately resurface.
Tokiomi, noticing this occurence, picked up the paper without waiting for the ink to completely dry and began browsing what was recorded on it.
"--No matter how many times I look at this setup it always make me feel like it's unreliable."
The Kotomine Kirei who's been standing guard off to the side all this time expressed unscrupulous sentiments.
"Oh, so do you think fax is more convenient?
If this method was used it would not matter even if the power was out, there won't be any breakdowns. There's also no need to worry about the report being divulged. Without need to rely on new technology, us magi have long ago possessed apparatus not inferior to modern tools today."
Even so, as Kirei sees it fax that can be used by anyone is more convenient. "Anyone" can use it, this inevitability is definitely something that Tokiomi cannot comprehend. It's perfectly reasonable that the techniques and knowledge of aristocrats and commoners are different... even in the present, Tokiomi still bears this outdated mode of thinking, he is truly a legitimate "magus".
"The newest report from the "Clock Tower". The "genius" Lord El-Melloi seems to have obtained a lost relic. If that's the case then it's confirmed that he will be participating. Hmph, this is truly a thorny opponent. So it's clear, there are now five Masters including myself..."
"It really makes me worry that there's still two positions empty until even now."
"Why, it simply means there are no suitable bearers for the Command Seals. When time is running out, the Grail will randomly fill the seven slots regardless of quality. For the sake of having enough people, there should be two small characters. There's no need to be alert."
That's really suited to Tokiomi's optimism. Having been his student for three years; Kirei now understands his master very well. Although he's very thorough in preparation, he has a habit of missing small details once in action, and taking care of these small details in his stead is probably his responsibility, Kirei has long since understood this.
"But speaking of being careful--Kirei, nobody saw you as you entered this house, right? In appearance, we're already enemies."
Completely according to Tohsaka Tokiomi's plan, the reality was twisted and announced. The Kirei who's been chosen by the Grail three years ago; according to Tokiomi's order carefully hid the insignia on his right hand, all the way up until this month before he announced the fact that the Command Seal is present on his hand. From that moment on, he severed his ties with Tokiomi as a contender for the Grail.
"No need to worry. Regardless of being able to see or not, there are no familiars or spells surveying this house. I--"
"--I guarantee that."
The voice of the third person cut in, and at the same time a black shadow appeared beside Kirei.
The heroic spirit that's been accompanying Kirei in spirit form all this time, has at this moment appeared in front of Tokiomi.
That skinny and tall shadow has a great difference in prana compared to humans. He's "something inhuman". A weirdo wearing a long black cloak and a white skull-like mask to shield his features.
Yes, he is the first heroic spirit to be summoned in the fourth Grail War, the Servant Assassin who made a contract with Kotomine Kirei--Hassan Sabaha.
"No matter what tricks they play, they cannot hide it from my -- the heroic spirit of the spy Hassan's eyes. My Master, Kirei does not have any aura of being followed by an enemy around him... you can relax."
As if understanding Tokiomi's position was higher than that of his own master Kotomine Kirei; Assassin politely reported with a bow.
And then Kirei said.
"As soon as a Grail-summoned heroic spirit appears, no matter which class the heroic spirit belongs to, it would definitely be reported to father accurately and without error."
Father Risei was the supervisor of the Grail War, appointed as the head priest of and dispatched to the Fuyuki Church. Currently he is in possession of a magical device known as the "spirit board". It has the function of displaying the attributes of the heroic spirits summoned by the Grail.
The identity of Masters can only be confirmed by reports from people, but the quantity and class of appearing Servants, no matter where they are summoned; will definitely be displayed on the "spirit board", to grant the supervisor better control of the situation.
"According to my father, my Assassin is the only Servant to have been summoned so far. Other magi taking action is still yet to come."
"Yeah. But this is only a matter of timing. Sooner or later there will be familiars of other Masters coming and going around this room. Because here and the Matou mansion, as well as Einsbern's dwelling are already confirmed locations of Masters."
Compared to the three imperial families, the advantage of foreign magi is that their place of concealment is unknown to others. Because of this, during the early stages of the Grail War, no matter what family it is they will use spies for reconnaissance.
It's not like Kirei distrusts Tokiomi's information network, it's just that they have to be on guard for the possibility that the remaining two mystery Masters are using wise measures to conceal themselves. If facing against an opponent with this kind of strategy, Kirei's Servant Assassin can utilize his powers to the greatest limit.
"You may leave. Assassin, continue keeping watch outside. Be very cautious."
"Understood."
Receiving Kirei's command, Assassin once again assumed spirit form and left the room. For a Servant who is a spiritual entity to begin with, it is possible to transform freely between spirit form and physical form.
Assassin has the special ability of "presence concealment" that other classes of heroic spirits do not have. He is unrivalled in being able to move undetected.
To Kirei whose responsibility is not to pursue victory but to provide backup for Tokiomi, summoning Assassin was the best choice.
That is the battle plan.
First let Kirei's Assassin go around thoroughly investigating the battle stratagem of other Masters and their Servants' weaknesses. After obtaining a method of certain victory against each enemy in this manner then Tokiomi's Servant will be used to defeat each one accordingly.
Because of this Tokiomi must summon a Servant possessing great offensive abilities. As for which heroic spirit he has his eye on, Kirei never heard him mention this.
"The holy relic I prepared will arrive tomorrow morning."
As if understanding Kirei's doubts from his expression, Tokiomi said so without waiting for him to ask.
"I found what I was expecting. The Servant I will summon would certainly be advantageous against all of the enemies'. If it is a heroic spirit, then it will have no chance of victory against this guy."
Tokiomi being secretly happy in this manner, his face was brimming with the unrivalled confidence he was born with.
"The summoning ceremony will be held tonight -- if no other Masters are spying on us, Kirei, you can be present too, as well as your father."
"Father too?"
"Yes. If 'he' is successfully summoned, then our victory is assured. I want to share this happiness with everyone."
This sort of haughty confidence can unconcealedly show what can be said to be Tohsaka Tokiomi's hereditary characteristic. Regarding his oversized ego, Kirei feels somewhat in awe yet somewhat in admiration too.
Suddenly Kirei noticed the pendulum's jewel. The jewel's movement on the Rollin paper did not cease, it was continuously writing.
"There seems to be more to come."
"Yeah, ah, this is the investigation regarding another matter. This isn't the newest information -- it's probably regarding my request for him to investigate Einsbern's Master.
Information on the Einsbern family who's cut off all contact with the outside world is difficult to obtain even in London's Clock Tower. But Tokiomi has already said before there was a lead on that Master. Tokiomi rolled up the paper beside him and put it atop the writing table, then picked up the Rollin paper containing new text.
"...This was something that happened nine years ago. The Einsberns who have been proud of their bloodline's purity suddenly found a magus from the outside to be their son-in-law. This has even instigated much debate within the Association at the time, but to be able to see the truth of this matter, other than me, would only be the old head of the Matou household.
The magi of the Einsbern family who only excel in alchemy were not suited to combat since the start. This was also the contributing factor to their losses in the previous Grail Wars. These people seem to have finally lost their patience.
This magus they found seems to really 'fit the requirements'."
After browsing through the paper quickly while talking, Tokiomi passed the paper to Kirei. After seeing "Investigation report: Emiya Kiritsugu" as the title, Kirei's eyes narrowed slightly.
"This name... I've heard it somewhere before. Supposedly this is a dangerous person."
"Oh, does the Holy Church also know of this? The 'Magus Killer' Emiya was really notorious at the time. Not belonging to the Association in appearance, but in fact was the Association's higher ups' killing tool."
"So in the words of the church he would be a sort of executor, right?"
"Even worse than that in nature. He is a freelancing assassin who underwent special training to kill magi. Because only magi are most comprehensive of other magi, he will use methods most incompatible with the rules of magi to kill other magi... he is the sort of man who will utilize despicable measures non-chalantly.
There was obvious hatred in Tokiomi's voice, yet Kirei began to bear interest for this man Emiya Kiritsugu. He did hear rumors about this man, it seems he has opposed the Holy Church in the past, and there have been people who told Kirei to be very careful of this man.
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