In the Maou deliberation chamber, a magically reinforced room at the heart of demon territory, the four great rulers of the underworld were gathered. The air was dense, heavy with concern. The curtains, drawn, blocked out any distraction. In the center, Serafall Leviathan, normally cheerful and eccentric, held a report with a serious expression.
—It's a forbidden ritual, carried out by human mages without approval, in our demon territory, specifically in the city of Kuoh —Serafall began in a formal tone.
Sirzechs Lucifer frowned upon hearing that.
—Why didn't Rias inform me?
Serafall sighed, already anticipating the reaction.
—Because she wasn't present when all this came to light. She was at her mother's house for a family meeting about her engagement. The information was received by Sona, who in turn was informed by a key witness: Daniel, a human with powers who has directly collaborated with us in Kuoh.
Sirzechs fell silent for a few seconds, understanding that the omission of information had been familial, not institutional. He accepted the information, though with some discomfort.
—Continue —he requested.
Ajuka Beelzebub, with a sharp gaze and analytical mind, leaned forward.
—What is the nature of this ritual?
Serafall dropped a document on the table, letting them all see the schematics and symbols extracted from the summoning fields.
—A system called the "Holy Grail War." Selected mages receive special marks —command seals— that allow them to summon entities called "Servants," heroes from the past recorded in the Throne of Heroes. The objective is simple: survive and obtain the Grail.
Falbium Asmodeus, usually indifferent, looked up.
—An artifact of absolute wish?
Serafall nodded.
—That's what they claim. But the concern isn't just the object, but the chaos this ritual produces: murders, magical collapses, spiritual corruption. All this is happening in our jurisdiction without any formal request or warning.
Sirzechs looked at the command seal symbol coldly.
—Do we know who is behind it?
—Not completely —Serafall answered—. We interrogated one of those involved, a young man named Shinji Matou, who was neutralized by Daniel and handed over to Sona. During the interrogation, he revealed that this ritual is linked to an old human magical tradition... and although many of our magical allies have already denied involvement and gave us clear evidence, there is an Egyptian magical community that suspects the Clock Tower—a central mage organization in England—might be involved.
Ajuka clenched his fist tightly.
—If they are behind this, we must act. We cannot allow high-risk rituals to be performed without consulting the underworld.
—Have they been contacted? —asked Falbium.
—I am preparing the diplomatic documents to request a direct audience with the Clock Tower. If they deny any involvement, we will demand cooperation in tracking down those responsible. And if they are involved... —Serafall paused, her voice turning icy— ...we reserve the right to direct intervention.
Sirzechs crossed his arms, thoughtful.
—And what about the young Daniel?
—Currently, he is an unusual but stable variable —Serafall explained—. He has magical abilities foreign to ours, but has proven reliable. Furthermore, he is fully cooperating with Sona. For now, he is more useful as an ally than a suspect.
Ajuka nodded, recognizing the logic.
—Then... the next steps will be to monitor the progress of the ritual, capture those involved alive, and dismantle this game before some idiot unleashes a disaster in Kuoh.
Serafall stood up, the energy around her undulating like floating frost.
—We are on the board now. The Grail War began without our approval... and it will be on our land where it is decided if it ends with diplomacy... or with fire.
Meanwhile...
It was a quiet morning in Kuoh. There were no classes, so Daniel decided he wouldn't waste the day. He woke up early, had a light breakfast, and went to the backyard for intensive training with his Boosted Gear. He wore a black sleeveless shirt and dark sweatpants. The red gauntlet covered his left arm, shining with each pulse.
—Boost.
—Boost.
—Boost.
Energy accumulated with each activation. Daniel wasn't just strengthening his body; he was also refining his magical control, his endurance, and his reflexes, combining his Sacred Gear with his Observation and Armament Haki. His movements were agile, calculated, and his concentration total... or so he thought.
From a distance, in the shadow of the garden fence, Reynare watched him in silence. At first, her intention was just to watch out of courtesy—she still wasn't fully accepted by the group—but after five minutes of watching Daniel move...
—It can't be... he's so... —she murmured without realizing it.
Her face flushed red, her eyes fixed on the contour of Daniel's muscles, on the firmness of his stance, on the focus in his gaze. She had underestimated him... greatly. The Daniel she fought that time was nothing compared to the one she had before her now.
—Reynare, are you alright?
Daniel's voice snapped her abruptly out of her trance. Looking up, he was staring directly into her eyes with a raised eyebrow, clearly confused but without malice. The gauntlet still glowed faintly, and his breathing was deep, but steady.
—WHAT?! I-I WASN'T DOING ANYTHING! JUST GETTING SOME FRESH AIR! —the former fallen angel shouted, completely flushed, before turning abruptly and fleeing into the house as if her feet were on fire.
Daniel blinked a couple of times, perplexed.
—...That was weird even for her —he murmured, scratching his head as he deactivated his Boosted Gear.
Before he could reflect further on the matter, the doorbell rang. A small vibration ran down his spine, and before moving, he heard the mental voice of Tamamo-no-Mae, his Servant and kitsune, communicating through their bond.
> —Beloved Master~ we have visitors. A Master... and a Servant.
—Hostile? —he replied tensely.
—Nothing in their posture indicates aggression. They are... how to put it? Polite. Serious.
—Can I trust myself?
—Hmm... I'd say not. But they also don't need to receive a dragon punch immediately. Just talk to them first, and if I see anything weird... you know.
Daniel sighed. With Tamamo as his spiritual shadow and his Haki activated, it would have to suffice. He walked to the entrance, preparing for whatever it was.
Upon opening the door, he was met with a curious scene: in front of him was a girl with dark brown hair, styled in two elegant pigtails, eyes of deep blue, and an expression mixing tension and pride. Her uniform was perfectly ironed, and her posture was so straight it seemed trained.
Beside her, slightly behind and with his arms crossed, was a tall man with short white hair, cold gray eyes, and a presence that exuded contained danger.
—Tohsaka Rin? —asked Daniel, recognizing her instantly.
The girl was briefly surprised but didn't let it show too much.
—So you already know who I am... —she replied cautiously, appraising him—. That saves explanations. And you must be Daniel... the boy who wasn't originally in this war, but somehow ended up with a Caster-type Servant.
—Well... something like that —he replied, maintaining a neutral but friendly expression.
There was a brief silence. Both evaluated each other with trained eyes. Rin looked for signs of arrogance or recklessness. Daniel looked for signs of manipulation or potential threats. Archer, between them, watched as if expecting everything to explode at any moment.
—I'm not one for beating around the bush —Rin finally said—. I came to talk. If you let me in, I'll explain everything.
Daniel nodded slowly and stepped aside.
—Please, come in.
Both entered. Tamamo, still invisible, murmured in his mind:
> —Hmm... with that elegant poise and that tsundere aura, she's definitely a Tohsaka.
—Please don't start —Daniel sighed silently.
As Rin and Archer entered, on the second floor of the house, Hikari and Hibiki watched from the stairs. Alya, sitting on the sofa, had stopped mid-bite of fruit, observing with narrowed eyes.
—Isn't that the girl who's always alone on the school's third floor? —Hibiki murmured.
—Yes... and she's beautiful —Hikari replied with a suspicious tone.
—And she hasn't stopped looking at Daniel as if he were her target —Alya added in a dangerously calm tone.
The Holy Grail War had begun... but now, the territorial war of the girlfriends threatened to start as well.
Once inside, the three settled in the living room. Rin was the first to speak, wasting no time.
—I asked my Servant to track the other active Masters in this city. We found this address thanks to a presence similar to a manifested Servant. That's why we're here.
Archer spoke up.
—I felt something akin to an active spiritual presence. It wasn't fully materialized, but it was enough to locate this place.
It was then that Tamamo appeared in a flash of blue light, beside Daniel, still with a slightly embarrassed expression on her face.
—Fufufu... it seems I was the one who made a mistake. I partially manifested in this house to prepare breakfast for my beloved and that gave us away~. I'm so sorry~!
Daniel patted her head with a soft smile.
—It's okay, Tama. You don't have to apologize.
That small gesture triggered a mini-storm a few meters away. Hikari and Hibiki, who were watching everything from the stairs with juice glasses in hand, froze. Alya, who had just come down with a book, snorted loudly and closed the volume with a sharp thud. In a corner, Reynare muttered to herself:
—H-He's a fool if he thinks that affectionate look is cute... Tsk! I don't care...
But her flushed cheeks gave her away.
Rin raised an eyebrow with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
—A... Servant with the personality of a spoiled wife? I've never seen anything like it.
—Tamamo isn't a common Servant —said Daniel—. And this war isn't like the ones you know either.
Rin returned to the topic with a more serious expression.
—I'm here to offer an alliance. A temporary one, of course. Until we eliminate the more dangerous Masters, we could work together. Your presence has already begun to draw attention... we can't afford to ignore each other.
Daniel crossed his arms, thoughtful. He knew Rin was powerful, that her Archer was no ordinary heroic spirit. But he also knew what an alliance would imply. In this world, the Holy Grail War wasn't an isolated event; it was happening in the territory of supernatural beings. And Rin, like him, had been dragged in without understanding the true playing field.
"If I accept without saying anything, Sona and the others will think I sided with outsiders. But if I reject the offer, I'll lose a huge advantage..."
Daniel sighed and looked directly at Rin.
—I accept... but with conditions.
Rin frowned.
—What kind of conditions?
—First, you'll have to have a meeting with Sona Shitori, the student council president. She represents a faction... a very important one. And it's necessary for you to know what you're getting into. If you don't, this war could turn into a chaos with global consequences.
Archer and Rin exchanged a glance. The word "faction" didn't sit well with them.
—And the second condition? —asked Rin.
Daniel hardened his tone.
—I don't want deaths. If we defeat Masters or Servants, we capture them. We don't kill them. This war shouldn't leave more scars than necessary.
The silence was thick for a few seconds. Then, Rin sighed, resigned but not annoyed.
—Very well. I accept both conditions. I will meet with that Sona... and I'll avoid killing if I can. But if someone tries to kill me first, don't expect mercy.
—Exactly what I expected to hear —Daniel replied with a half-smile.
Tamamo, by her master's side, clapped excitedly.
—Bravo! That's the spirit! An alliance born of mutual respect and goodwill~!
From the stairs, Hikari whispered to Hibiki:
—Is this going to mean another one for the harem?
—Probably... and he's going to break the rules again...
Alya huffed:
—First, she has to earn my respect.
And Reynare, still blushing, muttered:
—It's not like that matters to me anyway...
Thus, the first major alliance between Masters was forged, albeit in a home where emotions bubbled with jealousy, tension, and a good dose of domestic chaos.
After Rin and Archer left, Daniel didn't waste time. He turned on his phone and dialed Sona Shitori directly, the student council president and direct representative of one of the noble houses of the Underworld.
—Sona, it's me. I need to request a meeting with you... and if possible, with Rias —he asked in a firm but respectful tone.
There was a pause before the answer came.
—Rias isn't available at the moment. Family matters —Sona replied in her usual serene tone—. I will be in charge for now. You can come to the student council room, I'll be waiting.
—Understood. I'm on my way.
Daniel hung up, turned to Rin and Archer and explained the situation.
—The student council president is a very important person. You must come with me. It's in your best interest to meet the authority overseeing this city... more than you think.
Rin frowned, visibly displeased, but agreed.
—Alright. Let's see what this president has to say.
---
The group arrived at the student council room, where Sona Shitori awaited them, seated with impeccable posture behind her desk. Beside her were Tsubaki Shinra, her queen, and two other members of her peerage.
Daniel greeted respectfully, and Rin barely inclined her head, while Archer remained behind her, arms crossed, analyzing every corner.
Sona broke the ice immediately.
—I am Sona Shitori. And before we speak of alliances or agreements, I need to be completely clear with you.
Her tone was firm, but not aggressive. It was the tone of an authority who didn't seek to intimidate... but also wouldn't tolerate imprudence.
—What do you mean? —asked Rin, with a hint of diplomatic arrogance.
It was then that Sona and her entourage unfurled their bat-like wings, dark as night, with a magical glow that filled the room. The atmosphere changed immediately.
Rin instinctively took a step back, and Archer raised an eyebrow, slightly clenching his fists.
—So... you're demons? —asked Rin, incredulous but clearly impressed.
—Devils, to be precise. And this city, Kuoh, has been placed under our direct administration by the Four Great Satans of the Underworld —Sona explained calmly—. Any magical or war-like activity must pass through direct authorization. And the so-called "Holy Grail War" has not been approved.
Rin narrowed her eyes, clearly annoyed.
—That's impossible. My family, the Tohsakas, along with the Matous, have been for generations the supervisors designated by the Mage's Association of England for this region. We were never informed of any changes.
Daniel remained silent, watching as the pieces of the political chessboard began to reveal themselves. Archer glanced sideways at Rin, knowing her pride was about to collide with a bitter reality.
—That may be true —Sona nodded—. But the treaty between the Association and the Satans was signed just over a year ago. It seems your organization omitted informing you... which, in political terms, can be interpreted as a deliberate move to leave you out.
Rin paled slightly. Not from fear, but from the silent rage beginning to brew inside her.
—So... I was used? Sent here without knowing my rights were no longer valid?
—It's very possible —Sona said, without mocking or softening the blow—. But you are here now. And your actions have already had consequences. Activated magical fields, murders, uncontrolled magical interference... all of this could be considered a direct violation of the peace treaties between supernatural beings.
Archer frowned.
—And what do you propose? That we withdraw?
Sona slowly shook her head.
—That's not possible. The war has already begun. But we can contain it. With Daniel's help, we've already begun capturing Masters and Servants without killing them. We want to resolve this diplomatically. If Rin cooperates, we could even clear her name and bring this situation to a more stable resolution... without alerting the other supernatural clans.
Daniel finally intervened.
—That was part of our deal. Rin committed to not killing. Only capturing. Furthermore, she is willing to work with you... if she is guaranteed protection and fair treatment.
Sona looked at him for a few seconds... and then nodded.
—I accept. As long as you work under supervision and report all your movements, you may continue your search for Masters. But you must not make important decisions without informing us. Is that clear?
Rin clenched her fists... and then nodded.
—I accept it. For now.
Sona closed her folder, satisfied.
—Then the meeting has been a success.
The atmosphere relaxed slightly, but Daniel noticed Rin was already thinking about how to confront those responsible for leaving her out of the loop... and Archer, for his part, seemed more interested than ever in studying Tamamo and Daniel.
When they left the student council room, Daniel let out a sigh. Another conflict avoided. But the board was already in motion, and every piece showed a hidden interest that went beyond the simple desire for a Grail.