"I didn't expect that the Hero King would actually be summoned. It seems that in this Holy Grail War, I will finally have the chance to witness a miracle."
Late at night, the streets were shrouded in silence as Kotomine Kirei walked beside his father, a rare sight in itself. The two had just left the Tōsaka residence, where they had watched Tōsaka Tokiomi complete his summoning ritual.
"Yes," Kirei responded with respectful composure. "For such a powerful king, Master's three years of preparation have paid off."
"That makes six Heroic Spirits now."
Kotomine Risei pulled out the spirit disc entrusted to him by the Church. As the official overseer of the Holy Grail War, it was his privilege to monitor the status of the Servants. But with the Church so deeply aligned with the Tōsaka family, it had become little more than a tool for bias.
"Only the Caster class remains unclaimed," Risei continued, narrowing his eyes. "I suspect the Grail has yet to find a suitable Master for it. Whoever is assigned to that role must be someone unremarkable, just a filler. If we find any trace of him, eliminate him without hesitation."
Though dismissive, Risei's words carried weight. As the supervisor during the previous war, his experience lent his opinions authority.
"I understand, Father."
"Now then, have Assassin wait at the airport. The three local families have their own entrenched bases and tactics. They won't act recklessly or reveal too much. But an outsider... they'll have no choice but to enter the city through conventional means."
As Risei spoke, he rubbed his forehead, as if brushing off old dust, the burden of memories from a war once fought.
"The Tōsaka and Matō already have their positions secured. No foreign Master would dare enter enemy territory without their Servant. If we're lucky, Assassin will catch one the moment they land."
"I'll arrange it immediately."
There was no hesitation in Kirei's reply. Years of training as an executor had forged in him a resolve of steel
Watching his son's departing figure, Risei felt a mix of satisfaction and quiet unease. At times, he wondered whether the late birth of Kirei had led him to spoil the boy. But seeing the man's composure in battle, such worries felt unwarranted.
"One more thing," Risei added, his tone lowering with gravity. "Stop your early morning runs. The war is about to begin, and you are now a Master. You cannot afford carelessness. I know you've made... 'friends' recently, but dragging innocents into this for your own comfort will only end in regret."
"Yes, Father."
Kirei did not look back. He simply melted into the night.
——
"So that's why you came to the shop so late at night?"
Roland stared at the solemn-faced Kirei, puzzled. The man had walked in during the night shift just to tell him he'd be away for a while.
Knowing about the Holy Grail War, Roland wasn't surprised. What did catch him off guard, however, was Kirei's tone.
When had they grown close enough for such farewells?
They didn't exchange phone numbers. They had no mutual contacts. Their interactions consisted of morning jogs and brief encounters at the convenience store.
And yet... Kotomine Kirei now looked at him as if saying goodbye to a dear friend.
"Yes. Please take care, Roland. If you're scheduled for night shifts, consider turning them down."
Kirei paused, then added, "...If something ever confuses you, the church is always open. Seek refuge there if you must."
His eyes lowered, glancing, perhaps involuntarily, at the gloves Roland always wore.
"Really? Thank you." Roland smiled, seemingly unaware of the gaze.
Kirei said no more. He turned, his coat billowing slightly as he stepped out into the cold night.
Once he was out of sight, a voice emerged from the shadows behind him, low, rasped, yet composed.
"Master, that man gives off a dangerous presence. If there's even a slight chance he might enter the war, it would be wise to remove him now."
"No."
Kirei's voice was like the edge of a blade.
"You are not to harm him. If he's ever in danger, protect him, even at the cost of your own life. Whether Roland becomes an enemy or not is irrelevant. Guard him with your existence."
There was no anger in his tone, only a chilling clarity.
The figure in the shadows didn't argue. "Understood."
Silence stretched between them, until Kirei finally spoke again.
"Assassin, don't you wonder why I accepted a pact with my Master, only to contemplate betrayal?"
"I do not need to understand. My role is to obey."
"Even if my wish is shameful? Even if I don't desire the Grail? Even if I plan to betray the very man who trusted me most?"
Kirei's voice deepened, his shoulders trembling slightly.
"Every time I see the passion in Tokiomi's eyes... I can't help but imagine how pathetically he might die in pursuit of that dream. And when I think of it, when I see it in my mind....I feel something."
His breath hitched, face shadowed.
"Excitement. Ecstasy. Joy."
"If that is your desire," Assassin replied without hesitation, "then I will carry it out."
To human eyes, Assassin was no saint. But his loyalty was absolute. Whether the command came from virtue or depravity, he would obey it.
Among the many Hassans of the past, he was an anomaly, meek in origin, but resolute in obedience. A man who made a pact with darkness to seize his place in the war.
"Then I promise, by the name of Hassan of the Cursed Arm, I will deliver to you Tōsaka Tokiomi's head."
——
Roland had no idea of the twisted vows exchanged in the shadows outside his store. After Kirei's departure, the shop fell quiet again, and he resumed his tasks.
"So, that guy came all the way here just to say goodbye? Looks like most of the Heroic Spirits have been summoned by now."
He knew Matō Zōken planned to officially hand over the magic circuit and the catalyst tonight. The war was about to begin in earnest.
"I'll need to quit after today. Hah... I understand the situation, but it still bothers me."
Roland flexed his fingers. The sensation of his nails pressing against the inside of the gloves was beginning to grow uncomfortable. Slowly, he removed them, revealing fingers far too still—too pale.
With a soft sigh, he reached for the nail clippers.
But fate refused him even that small peace.
Ding.
The door chime rang once more.
"Welcome—"
He looked up, ungloved hands resting against the counter.
What greeted him was the cold steel of a gun barrel, leveled directly at his forehead.
Hisau Maiya stared him down with icy precision.
"Don't move," she ordered. "Follow me quietly. Any sudden gestures, and I'll shoot."
But instead of fear, panic, or confusion, Roland only blinked calmly. Then he smiled, as if her arrival were no more disruptive than an overzealous customer.
"Sorry, can you wait just a moment? I need to inform my boss I'm taking the rest of the night off."