For Risei Kotomine, who had served as the supervisor for the Third Holy Grail War, tonight was truly a night of surprises.
After handing over the position of priest at the Fuyuki Church to his son, Kirei Kotomine, a few years ago, Risei had settled into a comfortable retirement, no longer concerning himself with the affairs of the "Mystery." But today, he was forced to break his routine and step back into the role of a Holy Church priest for the Fourth Holy Grail War.
The cause of this sudden turn of events was Kirei—the very man acting as the adjudicator of the war—who had suddenly manifested the proof of the Grail's selection: three strokes of vivid red Command Spells.
The most impartial supervisor had transformed into a Master competing for the Grail, personally blowing the "black whistle" on the rules... It was an absurd farce, as if God were playing a cruel joke on His most loyal servant.
When he first heard the news from Kirei, Risei had been stunned, finding it almost impossible to believe.
However, thankfully, Kirei has no intention of joining the struggle. He plans to renounce his status and continue overseeing this war with fairness and justice...
Thinking of the son he took such pride in, the elderly priest felt a surge of relief, though a small doubt remained. Since Kirei had already decided to forfeit his chance to fight, why had he asked his father to meet him in the basement at midnight? Was there something important he needed to confess?
With these questions in mind, Risei quickened his pace toward the church basement, his eighty-year-old body moving with surprising agility.
Creak—
Risei soon reached the basement door. The heavy door groaned as he pushed it open. As the entrance slowly gave way, he saw a dimly lit room and the towering figure of Kirei Kotomine. Dressed in a pitch-black Kevlar bulletproof cassock with a silver cross hanging at his chest, Kirei's chiseled, stoic face bore the marks of years of rigorous training.
The young priest was staring silently into the void of the darkness, lost in thought.
"Father, you've arrived."
Hearing the sound at the door, Kirei looked up. His calm gaze landed on Risei as he offered a level-headed greeting.
"Yes," Risei nodded slightly, walking slowly to Kirei's side. He spoke in a low, comforting tone. "Kirei, though you have been chosen by the Grail, do not be too anxious. I suspect the Grail chose you simply because it truly could not find another suitable candidate to serve as the final Master."
To Risei, his son was a man of intense religious fervor who would surely be shaken by such a sudden, irregular event.
"I understand, Father," Kirei replied, his emotions unexpectedly cool, as if he were a mere bystander. "After all, the war has been underway for several days, yet the final Servant has never been summoned. It is only natural for the Grail to select me out of necessity."
"Good. I'm glad you see it that way." Risei felt a weight lift from his heart.
But just as he relaxed, his gaze caught a magic circle already inscribed on the floor—the ritual array used for summoning a Servant. The discovery sent the old priest back into a state of high alert. His narrowed eyes widened slightly, and he asked sternly, "Kirei... do you intend to violate the principles of the adjudicator and participate in the war privately?"
"No." Facing his father's interrogation, Kirei shook his head without hesitation. "I have no desire to interfere in the struggle for the Grail."
"Then what is this...?" Risei was confused, truly unsure of what his son was plotting.
"As you said, since the Grail chose me as the final Master, it likely could not find another magus," Kirei explained methodically, a faint, pleasant smile appearing on his face. "Therefore, to prevent any unnecessary accidents in this war, it is best if I summon the final Servant myself. Of course, immediately after the summoning, I will use a Command Spell to order the Servant to commit suicide."
"By doing this, we maintain the normal progression of the war while ensuring the absolute impartiality of the Church's adjudication."
"I see... Is that why you called me here?" Risei's grim expression softened.
"Yes. Afterward, I will need you to explain the situation truthfully to the other Masters in the name of the Church," Kirei instructed.
"Sigh, I understand..." Risei let out a helpless sigh. "Since things have come to this, proceed as you see fit."
"Let silver and steel be the essence. Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation—"
Having received his father's blessing, Kirei extended his right hand, the Command Spells glowing, and began the incantation. Prana surged, and a brilliant white light erupted from the magic circle, obscuring the vision of both father and son as a powerful whirlwind of mana swept through the basement.
"Servant, Assassin. Responding from the shadows—"
From the center of the blinding light, a tall, dark figure cloaked in a heavy mantle appeared. However, before the unknown Servant could even finish their self-introduction, Kirei used his Command Spell without a shred of hesitation.
"In the name of the Command Spell: Commit suicide, Assassin!"
Squeltch—!
The next moment, under the absolute forced effect of the spell, the skull-masked Assassin involuntarily reached out with his club-like right hand and plunged it deep into his own chest. With a violent squeeze, he crushed his own still-beating heart.
"..."
Just like that, the newly summoned Assassin died a wretched death by his Master's order. His tall frame slowly dissolved into spiritrons, vanishing into the air.
Thus, on the fourth night of the Holy Grail War: Assassin, Retired!
"The Fourth Holy Grail War has finally, officially begun," Kirei whispered to himself.
Watching the process of Assassin's suicide, Kirei felt a surge of eerie pleasure. His body trembled slightly as he spoke in a voice barely audible. "The peace of these past few days was far too boring. Now, let Assassin's death be the catalyst that pushes everyone forward."
In truth, Kirei hadn't summoned Assassin to ensure the Church's impartiality. He wanted the death of the first Servant to trigger a sense of crisis and urgency in the other Masters. Only then could he derive more "pleasure" from this cruel war.
"Masters who thirst for the Grail... struggle as hideously as you can until the very end. I look forward to your performance."
Staring into the dim room, Kirei's brown eyes shimmered with a burning heat, as if he were eagerly anticipating the dawn of the next day.
___
There's a few advance chapters on my P@treon
Usually upload 2 Chapters a day in there, except Saturday and Sunday
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