Morning,
Einzbern Castle
In the Grand Hall of the rebuilt castle, an unusual, but insanely powerful, crowd had gathered.
On one side was Black Von Einzbern, flanked by dea the Caster on his right, and Sakura and Rider on his left. The two homunculus maids were standing behind his high-back chair with disgust and shock on their faces, their gazes kept lifting to see that man…
That man was one of the figures standing opposite Black.
Shirou and Rin sat on a large sofa, Archer, Saber, and… Assassin, without a hood and the bandages, standing behind them.
Berserker was still nowhere to be seen.
After last night's falling out, Sakura had invited Shirou and Rin back to Einzbern Castle, stating it to be much secure given the enemies' vast powers.
First, you sowed the seed of doubt in Sakura's heart regarding the Evil existence that attacked us, dea said in Black's mind. I'd thought you wanted her to act against that boy… I was wrong.
Instead of festering that doubt, you planted the idea in her to tag along with you and clear things up with Shirou face-to-face… That hadn't made any sense to … But now… You planned for this mont, didn't you… Master?!
Black sighed.
Not exactly, he replied. Not in this manner. Shirou Emiya has gone beyond my imagination… It would be hard to finish what I had planned for him.
Not only had Black failed to cripple Shirou's Magic Circuits, but, after coming here, Archer had already helped the boy strengthen them even more.
Now, with that absurd Sword Origin perating through his entire body, along with fully awakened Magic Circuits, Shirou Emiya was a threat at a Heroic Spirit level.
And, if it was indeedZelretch behind his unusual state, and not so random tiline divergence, then it was even more troubleso.
For now, Black needed to take care of two greatest threats to his existence in this tiline… before the entire hell erupted, beginning the end of this Holy Grail War.
First, it was Assassin — Emiya Kiritsugu — Illya's father before he beca a Heroic Spirit, and the Pri Character of the last Holy Grail War.
Black didn't know what conversations had taken place between Shirou, Rin, and their Servants after arriving here.
However, from the way both Assassin and Shirou kept looking at him with hateful, murderous gazes, it seed the Heroic Spirit had recalled its past fully.
Now, they wanted the soul resting in the Grail Heart within Black.
"… If you want to work together," Rin said, knowing the delicate stalemate, "then you must return that girl's soul to us…"
Sella and Leysritt nodded heavily at that.
"That is out of the question," Black rejected flatly.
Assassin's fingers balled into fists, and Shirou's teeth creaked as he rubbed them against each other.
Black's eyes landed on Archer. "Surely there's one among you that recognizes the hideous situation we are in, right?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "Or do you take my coming for truce to you as a sign of my weakness?"
"What do you an?" Rin asked.
Black Von Einzbern was the Lesser Grail, a fact now known to all because of the Grail Heart sensed by Assassin within him.
There always remained a chance that the Holy Grail would manifest through Black, instead of the Greater Grail's husk that rested on top of the leyline, deep under Mount Enzo.
For this simple fact, it was inevitable that all those who stood on Dark Sakura's side would co after him — to let her devour him.
Then there was Sakura, seated next to him.
The Dark Sakura would co for her sooner or later as well.
And even though Shirou and Rin were willing to stand up for this Sakura, it still left Black himself in a precarious situation.
Even with Berserker, dea, and Rider by his side, he might not last against so many enemies.
So, it was obvious that he needed Shirou and Rin, and their Servants' help the most.
Of course, so were shrewd enough to recognize that the opposite was true as well.
Archer and dea had sensed it quite a long ti ago. Assassin would have sensed it as well, had it not been because of anger overwhelming his senses.
"He ans that before doom cos for him," Archer said, crossing his arms.
dea giggled, finishing Archer's words, "… you will already be dead."
Rin's eyes widened.
"… Count the number of Servants here," Black said.
Shirou's angry face suddenly gained a confused expression.
However, Rin, whose eyes had widened, almost stood up, her face paling.
"If we are to ignore the Blackened Saber, there are ten Servants in Fuyuki City," Black continued. "Out of those ten, six are right here. Sakura has the Imaginary Elent. With as her protector, the only one who will co after her is The Shadow, not other Heroic Spirits. And I am stronger than an ordinary Heroic Spirit. With Caster, Rider, and Berserker backing us up, even Gilgash and Ruler-Class Servant will think twice before attacking us…"
"… On our side, we have ," Archer said, closing his eyes with a sigh. "Old man has already shown his trump card… And Saber is barely strong enough to hold back her evil counterpart…"
Even Shirou, forgetting the hate for Black he carried within, realized what Archer ant.
If a large-scale fight truly broke out, then — he and Rin would be the first ones to die…
"I give you my word that I will release the girl's soul," Black said, "transferring it to other homunculus… It's up to you to believe that or not. Regardless of Lesser or Greater Grail… only one Master and Servant can win this War. But before that War, we must settle the matter with those evil bastards who want to end the world… because…"
Black stared into their souls, leaning forward. "All evil must perish…"
…
Outside the Einzbern Castle, Kai took shape, clasping his hands behind his back.
Finally, it was ti to take care of the second threat against his existence…
… It was ti — to give Zelretch an answer.
*****************
AN: Up to 60 more chapters are available in advance across three Tiers. [Use the link in my webnovel profile to access all options]
You can even subscribe Trial Tier for just 1 dollar to have an experience of exclusive chapters for an entire month. I hope a few of you will consider supporting the work.
100 Power Stones/day: 1 Bonus Chapter next day
User Comments
0 comments from readers