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The yellow headlight of Kirei Kotomine's motorcycle illuminated the asphalt road, his gaze fixed on the man standing beside a black Hummer—Kiritsugu Emiya.
"We finally meet, Kiritsugu Emiya," Kirei said, his usual impassive expression unchanged, though his voice held a strange mix of emotions.
Kiritsugu, looking at the priest—tall, his dark hair cut short, his face a mask of indifference, his presence radiating an unsettling intensity—dropped the cigarette from his lips.
"Kirei Kotomine."
He glanced at the laptop inside the jeep. On the screen, Kirei still stood in the Church basement, reporting to Tokiomi Tohsaka.
"A clone, then? So, you weren't truly allied with Tohsaka. Tell me, Kirei Kotomine, what is your purpose here?"
"I simply wanted... to see you," Kirei replied, his voice soft, his gaze fixed on Kiritsugu with an intensity that made the Magus Killer—uncomfortable.
"....."
Silence.
Maiya Hisau, watching Kirei's expression in the rearview mirror, felt a shiver run down her spine. Though she considered herself a tool, devoid of emotions, even she found Kirei's words disturbing.
Kiritsugu, his skin crawling under Kirei's intense gaze, felt a wave of revulsion wash over him.
'Was this guy—hitting on him?' Having spent years in the Middle East, witnessing the comradery—of soldiers in the field, he was familiar with the concept.
"I crave you, Kiritsugu Emiya," Kirei continued, his voice a strange mix of longing and something darker.
Kirei wasn't lying.
He craved Kiritsugu, this man who walked a path so different from his own, hoping to find fulfillment in his suffering. But his words, his delivery.
Kiritsugu, his face a mask of disgust, raised his submachine gun, aiming it at Kirei. He finally understood why he couldn't comprehend Kirei's actions. He was normal. He couldn't understand the mind of a—Pervert.
Despite his condition, he still preferred women. And facing a man who desired him—his only response was violence.
Kirei, his hands clasped before his chest, six black keys—conceptual weapons, capable of channeling magical energy into blades that could harm even Heroic Spirit—held between his fingers, stood unmoving, his expression calm, his demeanor confident, as if he were untouchable.
Kiritsugu's eyes narrowed.
Relying solely on firearms against a Church Executor, a trained killer of Dead Apostles and other supernatural beings, might be unwise.
And Lancelot... Kiritsugu could sense his Servant's disapproval, his reluctance to intervene. Lancelot hadn't materialized the moment Kirei appeared.
He wouldn't actively harm Kiritsugu, but he wouldn't protect him either.
Summoning a knightly Servant had been a mistake. But Zouken Matou had only provided him with that catalyst. And complaining now was pointless; the old monster was dead.
Kiritsugu looked at the Command Spells on his hand, his brow furrowed.
Was using one to control Lancelot, to force him to eliminate Kirei worth it?
——
Inside Einzbern Castle.
"Pffft... HAHAHAHA!!!"
Haru, watching the scene unfold through a crystal ball that displayed the highway, burst into laughter, his arms tightening around Kiyohime.
"As expected, whenever Kirei and Emiya meet, things get interesting."
"Haru-sama, is their relationship—like Rider and his Master?" Kiyohime asked, her lips twitching. As a Heroic Spirit born from a tale of love, she found this arrangement—unsettling.
"Oh my—how intriguing…" Illyasviel's eyes sparkled with interest as she watched the confrontation on the crystal ball.
Haru froze.
Had Rider and Waver's relationship—awakened some latent tendencies in Illyasviel? It seemed every woman had a fujoshi hidden within.
He'd deal with that later. Right now, it was time to end the Holy Grail War.
"Saber."
"Yes, Haru?" Saber looked at him, her brow furrowed in question.
"Lancelot is with Emiya. Go talk to him." Haru opened a spatial rift, revealing the highway beyond.
Saber's expression shifted, a mix of emotions crossing her face. She took a deep breath, then, her steps firm and resolute, she walked through the rift.
"Kiyohime, Hassan, Illyasviel, it's time to prepare for the summoning ritual," Haru said, his voice serious.
"Yes, Haru-sama!"
——
Kiritsugu hesitated. He could feel the weight of Kirei's gaze, the malice radiating from him, and decided against using a Command Spell to force Lancelot to attack.
"By my Command Spell—" he began, then froze.
A wave of killing intent, so intense it made his skin crawl, washed over him. He'd felt killing intent before, but never like this.
He turned his head, his eyes narrowing.
Behind Kirei stood a golden-haired female knight, her emerald eyes blazing with murderous intent.
"King Arthur," he murmured.
As Saber, ignoring Kirei, walked towards him, Kiritsugu's face paled. Kirei hadn't just betrayed Tokiomi Tohsaka. He'd sided with the Einzbern.
"Damn it! I have to get out of here! It's too dangerous!" Kirei's betrayal meant his plan to cripple the Einzbern had failed.
And Rider and the Queen of Heroes, caught in his trap—they were likely dead. That meant only he and the Einzbern remained. If he didn't leave now, he'd be facing three Servants and a True Magic user.
He turned to flee—
Bang!
BOOM!
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