"Well, since the contact a few hours ago, I've been collecting this information. This is the most complete and comprehensive data I could gather in this timeframe..."
"...Ryougi Raku... of the Ryougi family?" Emiya Kiritsugu murmured as he looked through the documents. He had great trust in Hisau Maiya; his earlier question was merely habitual...
"A prominent local family? But it seems Ryougi Raku's participation in the Holy Grail War is a personal act, unrelated to the Ryougi family. So, even if he can receive assistance from them, it's probably limited..." Emiya Kiritsugu analyzed while reviewing the information.
"Hmm? According to the data, Ryougi Raku should be just an ordinary person..." Frowning, Emiya Kiritsugu voiced his confusion.
"There is a two-year gap in the records, but the details of this period cannot be uncovered for now." Hisau Maiya responded to Emiya Kiritsugu's doubts with her own assessment.
Emiya Kiritsugu nodded and lit a cigarette. "...It seems the key lies in those two missing years, but I'm afraid we won't be able to gather specific intel in such a short time... Still, this is enough! Judging from the information, although he is powerful, he remains human!"
As he spoke, Kiritsugu took out a map of Fuyuki City, marked Ryougi Raku's residence, and also outlined the routes Ryougi Raku would likely take when going out.
"...It seems he prefers quiet! But that's perfect!" Seeing how remote Ryougi Raku's current residence was, with only two routes leading into the city, Emiya Kiritsugu was very satisfied!
"…Then, Maiya! Let's finalize the next phase of the plan!" Emiya Kiritsugu ordered with a serious expression.
"Yes!"
…
Through Assassin's vision, Kotomine Kirei watched Ryougi Raku enter the house. He too held a map in his hand...
"...Judging by Emiya Kiritsugu's actions, he plans to eliminate the most dangerous target first! Then... with his unscrupulous methods, he will definitely..." Staring at the routes on the map, Kotomine Kirei's eyes burned with intensity. Emiya Kiritsugu was too elusive, making him difficult to track. But now, an opportunity had arisen!
"Assassin?"
"What is your command?"
"Keep watch over this location and that one! Report everything to me!" Kotomine Kirei pointed at two spots on the map.
"As you wish!"
Indeed, for Kotomine Kirei, ever since he read the intelligence on Emiya Kiritsugu, the Holy Grail War had lost all meaning. His sole purpose was to find that man and ask him what he truly sought!
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On the long national highway leading to the suburbs, a Mercedes-Benz sped forward!
Irisviel, seated in the driver's seat, was exhilarated as she drove with all her focus.
"How is it? How is it? This speed is quite fast, isn't it?" Irisviel shouted excitedly.
"Truly... truly remarkable driving skills..." Saber, sitting in the passenger seat, was filled with tension and forced a smile as she offered praise, though her tone betrayed her words.
"Hehe! I've been training hard to become a skilled driver!" Irisviel declared proudly, yet her movements were clumsy, and the car swerved erratically. Fortunately, there were almost no other vehicles on the road…
"Among the toys Kiritsugu brought to the castle! This is my favorite!" Like a child showing off her toys, Irisviel glanced at Saber and boasted.
"Playing... with toys?! Iri, please watch the road!" Saber muttered, then suddenly shouted! A car was approaching from the opposite direction, and Irisviel swerved the steering wheel just in time to avoid it.
"…Whew!" Saber wiped the nonexistent sweat from her forehead. This thrill was even more intense than her battle with Lancer! Even if they crashed, Saber doubted it would be a serious issue—she could even save Irisviel… However, if an ordinary person were injured, that was the last thing Saber wanted to see…
"...Iri, it seems you violated traffic rules just now?"
"Oh? Really?" Irisviel changed lanes again, seemingly unconcerned. It appeared that Irisviel, even more ignorant of traffic rules than Saber, a Servant, was…
Suddenly, a murderous aura surged!
"——Stop the car!" Saber shouted urgently.
Irisviel was startled, but she was no warrior. Though she heard the command in her mind, her body failed to react in time!
Saber didn't hesitate; she immediately grabbed the steering wheel and stomped on the brake with one foot!
Due to inertia, the car skidded forward before coming to a halt, the tires emitting an unpleasant burning smell from friction with the road.
Only then did Irisviel see a figure striking an odd pose standing in the middle of the road!
"That's—" Irisviel cried out at the sudden appearance.
The man wore an ancient-style robe adorned with blood-red patterns, his enormous pupils reminiscent of some ferocious beast.
"...It's a Servant!"
Saber hurriedly replied to Irisviel, then opened the car door and stepped out.
"Stay close to me, Iri!"
"Yeah!" Irisviel answered, quickly opening her door and sticking close to Saber.
Seeing the saint of his dreams approach, Caster performed the utmost courtesy, kneeling respectfully on the ground. "I have been waiting for you for a long time! My beautiful saint..."
…
Following Emiya Kiritsugu's instructions, Hisau Maiya arrived at the operation site to make preparations, unaware that her every move was being watched by Assassin, with all information relayed back to Kotomine Kirei.
"…Maiya, what's the situation?" Emiya Kiritsugu's voice came through the headset.
"Well, it's almost ready!"
"Alright! Once you're done, return immediately. Don't linger there too long, or you'll be exposed!"
"…"
"Maiya?"
"…"
"Maiya? What happened?" Emiya Kiritsugu asked anxiously. He sensed that something unforeseen had occurred...
'Could they have been discovered by Ryougi Raku? No, that's impossible! That location is so far from them—there's no way they could have found it!'
"Kotomine... Kirei!" Suddenly, Emiya Kiritsugu heard Hisau Maiya's voice through the headset.
"What?" Emiya Kiritsugu was shocked. He never expected Hisau Maiya to encounter Kotomine Kirei—a man he considered as dangerous as Ryougi Raku!
'Could my plan have been exposed? Is that why Kotomine Kirei appeared?' Emiya Kiritsugu's mind raced, considering all possibilities. Ever since he saw Assassin in the warehouse district, he had grown suspicious of the neutral Holy Church and had sent his familiar to monitor it. Now it seemed Kotomine Kirei had not lost his status as a Master but was hiding within the Church!
"You have sharp senses, miss," Kotomine Kirei said as he quietly approached Hisau Maiya from behind.
Indeed, when Kotomine Kirei drew near, as a battlefield veteran, she had already sensed the murderous intent emanating from him!
Kotomine Kirei's voice was low and cold, much like the man himself, giving an impression of steadiness!
Hisau Maiya did not respond but drew a pistol and aimed it at him. The preparations against Ryougi Raku were not yet complete, and variables had arisen in the subsequent plan, reducing its success rate. For her, survival was now the top priority!
"Kotomine... Kirei!" Hisau Maiya exclaimed in astonishment upon recognizing the man, but immediately regretted it—they had never met before!
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(TL : More Chapters @)[1]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/c/Gooberilla