Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan

The death of Assassin naturally surprised Kirei and Tokiomi, who had been waiting for the good news. Unexpectedly, Assassin was eliminated when it was trying to hunt down Caster.

"....."

Frankly, Tokiomi felt that Assassin was useless, especially since it died while unable to tell a single clue about Caster.

Even if you died, then you should tell us the information about Caster!

Tokiomi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself since being angry wasn't elegant, and it didn't fit his personality. However, the victor of this Holy Grail wouldn't change. Even if Caster was powerful enough to eliminate Assassin entirely, he didn't think that this Servant could defeat his Servant, Archer.

Moreover, it was a Caster.

It was one of the weakest classes on the Holy Grail.

If Caster wanted to defeat Assassin, then it might need to use its everything, and currently, it should be at its weakest period.

So, this Holy Grail was as good as his.

When his perception changed, Tokiomi also felt better, and somehow the loss of Assassin wasn't something bad.

"It's okay, Kirei. You don't need to worry."

Tokiomi thought that Kirei was depressed since Kirei had lost his Servant.

"Yes, teacher."

Kirei lowered his head as he held his palm, trying to hide the Command Spells that didn't disappear while feeling confused about why he was chosen again. He lost Assassin, but could he still continue?

What did the Holy Grail wish for him to do?

Yet, the words he exchanged with Acher suddenly echoed on his mind.

Tokiomi didn't notice this, but then, watching his student who was depressed, he thought to give him something to cheer him up.

"Now that you mention even since I have become your teacher, I have never given you a gift, right?"

"Teacher?"

Tokiomi's sudden magnanimous words startled Kirei.

However, Tokiomi only smiled as he picked up the thin, long black box in the corner of the room.

When Tokiomi left, Kirei also hid the Command Spells on the back of his hand with his simple "Magecraft." It was only for a moment, so Tokiomi didn't notice it and returned with the box.

"Open it and see. This is my personal gift to you."

Kirie opened the box.

The velvet-line interior neatly lays an exquisite dagger.

"This is—

"The Azoth dagger. It has been meticulously crafted from heirloom jewels. After it is filed with prana, it can be used as a Mystic Code. You have learned and practiced the ways of the Tohsaka magecraft; use this as the proof of your graduation."

"...."

Kirei held the dagger in his hand and examined it carefully. His gaze fell upon the sharp knife edge and, for a long time, did not move away.

Kirei's face, devoid of expression, must have seemed full of gratitude from Tokiomi's perspective.

"My benefactor... I will truly never be able to repay your great care or live up to your expectations."

"To me, you are the best reward, Kotomine Kirei. With this, I can set forth for the final, decisive battle with no regrets."

Tokiomi said with a clear smile, then got up from the sofa.

Kirei believed that moment to be an arrangement of fate.

If one were to say that it had been a mere congregation of coincidences, then how could it have been that Tohsaka Tokiomi chose precisely that time and place to provide Kotomine Kirei with that dagger in the form of a gift? Was it all not an indication of inevitability?

"I am truly sorry to have delayed you for so long—"

—Now Tokiomi was facing the direction of the guestroom exit, completely defenseless with his back to Kirei. Could this be a coincidence as well?

"No, you do not need to worry, teacher."

—Or could it be said that this was inevitable, that this was fate? That no matter how much he could have prayed or hoped, everything would have eventually been drawn toward the abyss of betrayal?

Kirei began to laugh loudly, a laugh more cheerful than ever.

"I am happy that I can stay here."

Not even Kirei himself knew he could laugh so heartily. Moreover, the dagger in his hand struck the defenseless back in front of him.

"...ah?"

The Azoth dagger that had been a proof of love and trust slipped between ribs to pierce Tokiomi's heart. This one strike by an Executor who had experienced countless battles could be said to be deathly precise. There was no intention of murder, and there was no sign of it. Perhaps even Tokiomi, who had been stabbed, could not understand the significance of this wave of pain in his chest for a brief moment.

Tokiomi staggered forward. Turning his head, he saw only Kirei, smiling brightly, his hands stained with fresh blood—but there was never the slightest indication of understanding in Tokiomi's eyes even till the end. With only a dazed expression devoid of anger, he collapsed onto the carpet.

In his final moments, his magus must have stubbornly believed his own understanding to be accurate and refused to accept the real truth. Unerringly believing in the path he had chosen, moving forward without the slightest hesitation every time—what a man, to not wake to the truth even after having fallen into an endless abyss.

A sparking aura suddenly surged beside Tokiomi's rapidly cooling corpse. Shining with radiant light, the golden Servant materialized in front of Kiri.

"Hn, what a disappointing ending."

A condescending expression seeped out of those red pupils. Archer nudged the corpse of his former Master with the tip of his foot.

"I was anticipating he would make a last retaliation before death. Look at his expression. Completely at a loss. He wasn't aware of his own stupidity even till the end."

"That being his Sevant was in spirit form at his side. It was not illogical for him to let his guard down."

Haring Kirei's quip, Archer began to laugh loudly.

"Already, you have learned to make jokes? Kirei, your progress is truly great."

With a serious expression, Kirei asked Acher.

"You really have no qualms about this, Gilgamesh, King of Heroes?"

"Only until I grow tired of you. Once you cease to be interesting, you will meet the same fate as this carcass lying here. If there is anyone here who should be coming to a realization, it is you by right."

The reply was extremely sharp, but Kriei showed no sign of wavering and nodded.

Indeed, he could not entrust his life to such a dangerous character. It could be said that this was a deal with the devil. A domineering and violent Sevant with neither morality nor loyalty, whose interests were difficult to judge.

But—precisely because of this, they were a perfect match.

Those at the pinnacle of morality had not brought Kirei the rest of the answer, it was this Heroic Spirit, who was completely at odds with morality, who could become the goal for which Kirei would fight from now on.

Kirei rolled up one sleeve, revealing the COmmand Spells on his arm, and chanted solemnly.

"Let thy body rest under my dominion; let my fate rest in thy blade. If thou submittest to the call of the Holy Grail, and if thou wilt obey this mind, this reason, they thou shalt respond—"

"I so swear. Thy offering shalt be my flesh and blood. Kotoromine Kirei, my new Master."

Prana supply opened the moment the contract was completed. The Command Spells on his left hand, functional once again, glowed anew, accompanied by a burst of pain.

The pact was ended, and so the strongest, most wicked team involved in the fight for the Holy Grail—here, under conditions unknown to all others—was born.

"So shall we begin, Kirei? You shall command and draw open the curtains to this farce. As your meager prize, I will grant you the Grail."

"No problem. King of Heroes, you will certainly also draw pleasure from this. Before you find the answer you anticipate, enjoy the jubilation of this battle to your heart's content."

The gazes from the red pupils filled with a delighted light, and the black pupils immersed in gratitude intertwined with each other.

Yet—

Aoi Tohsaka closed her mouth tightly with her two hands, breathing haggard as she was in tears, watching the collapse of her husband.