Chapter 18: Based on my many years of experience, this must be a gas leak.
The sound of sirens cut through the night as the haze gradually dissipated, revealing the ruins of the once-grand Tohsaka family villa.
What remained was nothing more than devastation — bomb craters littered the ground, and the hill had been cleaved in half by explosions, causing a landslide. It resembled the aftermath of a small-scale modern war.
Father Kotomine Risei, the priest overseeing this Holy Grail War on behalf of the Holy Church, grimaced as he surveyed the scene. A "gas leak" could no longer explain this level of destruction.
It was far more plausible to suggest heavily armed terrorists had clashed with local forces than to attribute it to an accident.
"Father Risei, is this really a gas leak? How could a pipeline in this rural area explode like that?" asked a bewildered officer from the Fuyuki City Police Department, gesturing to the demolished hill.
"As a distinguished family, it would be reasonable for the Tohsaka household to have more extensive gas pipelines installed, wouldn't you agree? The landslides were likely a secondary effect," Father Kotomine Risei responded calmly.
"But we received reports of golden light in the sky," the officer persisted.
"That's merely hallucination due to excessive gas inhalation," Risei explained. "I've encountered similar cases in my younger days. In Fuyuki, people have even claimed to see figures from ancient history. But we must rely on science in these matters. Seeing golden light in the sky at night is simply not reasonable."
The officer hesitated before conceding. "I suppose you're right..."
"Exactly. With my years of experience, I assure you this is undoubtedly a gas leak," Risei affirmed, his voice steady and reassuring.
Meanwhile, a disheveled Tohsaka Tokiomi stood watching the scene from a distance, leaning on a cane and covered in dust. Despite everything, he had allowed Illyasviel to leave — not out of mercy but a necessity. The secrecy of the Holy Grail War demanded discretion. Prolonging such a spectacle would not only tarnish the Holy Church's reputation but invite hostile attention from others.
Furthermore, his friendship with Kotomine Risei compelled him to avoid complicating the priest's responsibilities. His pride as a once-noble magi demanded at least that much dignity.
"Do you think a mongrel like you can command me?" Gilgamesh, standing before Tohsaka Tokiomi, sneered while savoring wine from a golden goblet. "I could crush that serpent before her venom reaches you."
Tokiomi knelt respectfully. "My King, your wisdom is unparalleled. However, Caster's warning was prudent. If we do not erase all traces and discourage onlookers, other Masters may exploit our missteps."
Gilgamesh snorted but allowed Tokiomi's reasoning to stand. "Very well. You show glimpses of comprehension at last. I shall tolerate your errors this time."
Signaling for Tokiomi to follow, he decreed, "Stay within ten meters of me until dawn. That is my command."
"Understood, my King."
Elsewhere, Illyasviel crouched a few hundred meters away, camouflaged with green branches. Negotiating a retreat had been strategic; further combat risked jeopardizing Kotomine Risei's management of the aftermath.
Still, she begrudged the necessity. Despite slowing Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasms and lowering his agility, she couldn't overpower him. A prolonged fight would spell mutual ruin.
"Humph! I may not beat you yet, but I'll take down your Master!" she resolved. "Third time's the charm! If I fail again, I'll swallow the Grail whole!"
Her determination surged even as she kept an eye on Tohsaka Tokiomi's retreat. Yet stealth soon failed her.
"Finally found you, Assassin."
Before she could react, Kotomine Kirei seized her hood, lifting her off the ground like a kitten. Dangling helplessly, she blinked at him innocently.
"Good evening, Master," she offered sheepishly, finger pointed guiltily at him. "What a coincidence! Out for a stroll too?"