Kotomine Risei almost couldn't help but laugh at Kayneth's words. Had this former prodigy, after being crippled, lost his mind as well?
"Am I hearing this correctly, Mr. Kayneth? You're here for Command Seals; you want the ones on my arm?"
Kotomine Risei revealed his arm, the numerous Command Seals shimmering crimson under the dim light.
Kayneth's face showed avarice; he nodded excitedly, looking like a madman.
"I'm sorry, I did offer Command Seals as a reward for eliminating rogue Servants, but that reward has already been given to the Einzbern Master. As far as I know, your Lancer didn't contribute to eliminating that rogue Servant."
Kotomine Risei said mockingly, causing Kayneth to clench his fists.
"That's not quite right. My Lancer successfully stopped that Servant's attack near the Matou residence that night."
"I'm sorry, but I didn't see your Servant there. Arthas from Einzbern and the Matou Master stopped the rogue Servant."
Kotomine Risei's words elicited a look of astonishment from Kayneth.
"Wh-what? Lancer wasn't there?!"
Kayneth remembered ordering Lancer to intercept Saber that night. Why hadn't he appeared?
That stubborn fool, seeing Saber fighting Caster, must have been swayed by his ridiculous sense of chivalry.
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it all!
Why did I summon such a Servant?!
"Enough games, Kayneth. You're not eligible for Command Seals. Please leave; I need to rest."
Kotomine Risei gestured dismissively; Kayneth looked resentful, wanting to say more, but Risei ignored him.
"I have no choice."
Kayneth sighed, then drew a pistol hidden in his wheelchair, aiming at the priest's back.
The dry gunshot shattered the chapel's silence.
"Since you won't give me the Command Seals, I'll take them myself."
A terrifyingly manic smile spread across Kayneth's face; he stared intently at the holy runes on Kotomine Risei's arm.
So many Command Seals… with them, he would win this Grail War!
Kayneth had kept Lancer outside for this very reason; he'd planned to kill Kotomine Risei to steal the Command Seals.
He would cut off his arm…
Assassinating the overseer would cause a stir, but another magus in this Grail War favored pistols. The Matou family's dirty rat would be the prime suspect.
Kayneth couldn't suppress his triumphant laughter; he reveled in the prospect of regaining his Master status. He felt no remorse for this act that disgraced the El-Melloi family's honor and pride.
But as he moved to approach, a sound came from behind.
Kayneth's face changed; he knew who it was—Kirei Kotomine, the Assassin's Master in this Grail War.
"Damn it… I have to abandon the Command Seals."
With a resentful glance at Kotomine Risei's corpse, Kayneth quickly left the church.
Kayneth's expression remained grim after his failed plan. Returning to their hideout—a dilapidated factory—with Lancer, they discovered Sola was missing.
"Did she go looking for you, Master?"
Lancer asked, surprised. Kayneth frowned.
Sola searching for him was illogical; if she wanted to find him, she would have contacted Lancer directly.
"Master."
After a long silence, Lancer spoke in a cold voice.
"What is it? Do you know where Sola went?"
"…No. Something's approaching. The sound of a self-propelled engine."
Kayneth heard nothing; a Servant's hearing far surpasses a human's.
A vehicle approaching this abandoned factory near dawn wasn't just passing by.
The camouflage barrier he'd set up around this location was nearing its limit… Kayneth mocked his own incompetence, a bitter smile on his face.
"Lancer, engage and destroy it. Show no mercy."
"Understood."
Lancer nodded, dissolving into spirit form.
With Lancer gone, Kayneth's façade crumbled.
Bitterness… overwhelming bitterness etched itself onto his wrinkled face.
The once-brilliant mage, the prodigy, was now a broken man, incapable of even performing magic!
"Kiritsugu Emiya!" Clenching his fist, Kayneth pounded the wheelchair armrest, venting his rage.
"You mad dog! You disgrace to mages!"
Tap, tap, tap… A sudden sound jolted Kayneth from his frenzy. Thud… Something was dropped on the floor.
"Who's there?" Lancer had gone to meet the enemy; how could someone have infiltrated their hideout?
Click… The intruder made no attempt to conceal their killing intent; the sound of a firearm being cocked was chillingly clear in the darkness.
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