Chapter 24: The King and His Subject

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My name is Lin Hao.
I am helping my wife repair the barrier.
188:14:25

In the underground magical workshop of the Tohsaka family, besides the summoning chamber for familiars, there are several other basement rooms used for magical experiments, crafting magical items, storing magical materials, and so forth. The decor is equally classical and elegant. At this moment, Tokiomi Tohsaka and his two disciples are analyzing the intelligence gathered from the ongoing conflict in one such workshop filled with various magical apparatus and common furniture.

“Although we have basically identified the classes of the enemy’s Servants, Assassin is too fragile to judge their true strength,” Kirei Kotomine reported stiffly from a sofa to Tokiomi Tohsaka. His stiffness was because a little girl wearing a white skull mask slanted over her forehead was sitting on his knees, clutching tightly at his cassock.

The ability that allows him to clearly observe the actions of the dispatched Assassins is called “Sympathy.” With the Servant’s consent, it grants access to their five senses. This technique was improved by Tokiomi Tohsaka from the ability to control familiars. For Assassins, who excel at gathering intelligence, it is tailor-made, and their surface personalities never refuse.

However, the problem is that this magical ability seems to simultaneously increase the intimacy between Master and Servant. The “Emil” who initially just tugged at Kirei’s sleeve or robe now demands to be held. Ryunosuke Uryu finds this amusing, and Tokiomi does not intend to intervene, resulting in this situation.

“They must have guessed we have multiple Assassins,” Ryunosuke Uryu said, sitting beside Kirei Kotomine on the sofa. A large map of Fuyuki was spread on the broad coffee table in front of them, covered with numerous photos, sticky notes, and seven crystal chess pieces of various shapes.

The Tohsaka mansion, located in the mountain town, naturally had three pieces representing Archer, Berserker, and Assassin. Saber and Caster were placed at the Einzbern Castle, Lancer was at the Hyatt Hotel in the new city, and only Rider’s piece remained outside the map, as his Master’s location was still unknown.

“Based on the skirmish, we believe Weber Velvet resides in an ordinary citizen’s home in the new city. However, since Rider’s mount is airborne and cannot be tracked, we cannot confirm the exact location yet. More Assassins have been dispatched to search,” Ryunosuke glanced at Emil, who was still tugging at the priest’s clothes.

“From Rider’s disrespectful attitude toward him, it’s likely that Rider cannot control that Servant. Rider is very interested in military knowledge and might go shopping with him again. That would be an opportunity for an ambush,” Kirei Kotomine tried hard not to let the little girl grab the cross hanging around his neck.

“Moreover, Kenneth plans to send Lancer to challenge Saber. Even if he is ambushed, it shouldn’t change that,” Ryunosuke picked up the crystal pieces representing Saber, Lancer, and Rider and grouped them, then moved Assassin and Berserker’s pieces close to them. “Next, we just need to find a way to make them fight each other. Assassin and Berserker can then ambush.”

“Excellent!” Tokiomi Tohsaka, seated opposite them in a high-backed chair, was very satisfied with his disciples’ analysis and plan. “I’ll add one point: whenever anyone goes out, they must be accompanied by an Assassin to counter that mage killer or any direct magical attack.”

“Heh, if that person attacks us when the Servants fight among themselves and finds out he’s facing a Servant called Assassin, the look on his face will be priceless,” Kirei Kotomine smiled strangely, a smile even he hadn’t noticed before.

“Well then, prepare—welcome back, my king.” Tokiomi stood up as if to conclude the meeting but then turned elegantly to bow beside him.

The Servant summoned by Tokiomi in this war was indeed the strongest Heroic Spirit, but his intense curiosity and resulting unauthorized actions were troublesome. Since his summoning, he had barely stayed in the mansion or occupied the “palace” he had selected.

“Hmph.” Gilgamesh, materializing amid swirling golden dust, retained his haughty demeanor. He glanced at the map with blood-red eyes and casually took the crystal piece representing Saber. “Saber belongs to me. You are not to lay a hand on her.”

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“My king, I have received news that the Einzbern Castle is emitting a large, dazzling light into the sky…” Tokiomi kept his bow as he quietly glanced at the golden sovereign’s expression. “Are you satisfied with her? That Saber.”

“Stubborn and shackled by her own restraints, but no matter what, she is a treasure I must keep carefully,” Gilgamesh replied with an authoritative gaze that brooked no argument.

“As you command, my king. We shall retreat from any battle involving Saber,” Tokiomi bowed again.

“All treasures in this world belong to me,” the golden-armored Heroic Spirit’s gaze swept over Ryunosuke Uryu and Kirei Kotomine, then returned to Tokiomi with an unusual look. “Any mongrel who dares to touch them without permission must be punished.”

“Yes, my king.” Tokiomi’s attitude toward his Servant had been decided before the summoning: to place himself in the role of a subordinate, only offering suggestions and never interfering unless explicitly commanded. So far, the oldest king seemed reasonably satisfied… or so he hoped.

186:12:08

Near the port of Fuyuki, there was a shopping street with a pizza shop named “Pizza Zhong Kui,” specializing in seafood pizza but offering other flavors and delivery within the city. At this moment, two rather conspicuous customers were dining inside.

“Oh, this place’s pizza is quite authentic. How about ordering from here in the future?”

The large man was devouring his third 12-inch seafood pizza with gusto. Even sitting, he was as tall as most people standing. He had fiery red hair, a robust build, and wore a loose T-shirt emblazoned with “Admiral’s Grand Strategy IV” and faded, worn jeans.

“Authentic? Were there pizzas back in the third century BC?”

Opposite him was a slender young man dressed in black, delicate as a girl, savoring his six-inch vegetable pizza. Watching the other’s exaggerated eating style, he couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

Earlier that morning, Weber had sensed intense magical fluctuations from the Einzbern forest but dared not stay alone after the Assassin ambush. So he traveled with Rider’s flying ox carriage to scout.

It was confirmed that a fierce battle had taken place outside the gates of Einzbern Castle, as evidenced by a large area of ash resembling a forest fire. The castle’s barrier had sustained significant damage, and the opposing Heroic Spirit remained inside without venturing out. Rider had turned back before the Servant noticed him.

Because it was nearing noon, Rider wanted to sample earthly foods. Weber agreed but now deeply regretted not returning immediately. He had originally planned to buy some takeout, but Rider materialized his massive, terrifying body and followed him inside, ordering two large buckets of fried chicken and burgers. After finishing, he was still unsatisfied and insisted on coming to this pizza place.

When a Servant materializes, it consumes the Master’s magical energy. Rider often uses the excuse that “having a body feels great” to manifest his imposing form. This time, wanting to taste the food, he did so unabashedly and even put on modern clothes bought from a military surplus store. Fortunately, he can replenish his magical energy from food, so Weber consoled himself that this was a way to save magical energy—though it was an unnecessary expense in the first place.

“Many toppings were missing, like these,” Iskandar pointed to the tomatoes on both their pizzas. “They seem to have been invented by the Greeks, who sprinkled olive oil and herbs on round flatbread and baked it on stone. I collected a lot of similar convenient foods as military rations.”

“So, your high opinion of fried chicken and burgers is because they’re convenient?”

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“What’s so strange about that? In my era, warriors could be called to battle at any moment, maybe even while eating. If you waited for food to cook slowly, would you still conquer the world?”

“...Just eat quickly.”

Weber twitched at the corner of his eye and decided not to tell Rider about instant noodles. The idea of “the conqueror who conquers the world while gnawing instant noodles” was unbearable.

“Kid, I admit, the opponents in this Holy Grail War are formidable characters.” Rider took a bite of a new slice before speaking.

“Hm? Because of the traces left behind?” Weber nodded. The forest had been devastated to such an extent, naturally indicating a fierce struggle.

“Handling a battle won by sheer numbers is no problem. What concerns me is the Heroic Spirit who repelled that guy with a single strike. You said it was a pillar of light shooting straight to the sky, right?” Rider had eaten half the pizza by then. “That’s manageable for the army but troublesome for the castle.”

“Don’t you have confidence in victory?”

“What are you talking about!” Rider flicked his finger at Weber’s forehead as he leaned forward suddenly, sending him back into his seat.

“I mean,” Iskandar stuffed the remaining pizza into his mouth, his sharp, wild eyes like a beast’s, “to bring such an enemy under your banner will take some serious effort.”

“What? But they are enemies, to win you have to kill them…”

“Too naive! Victory without annihilating the opponent, domination without insulting them—that is true ‘conquest’!” Rider slapped Weber’s shoulder hard.

Indeed... if Iskandar had truly slaughtered his way through, how could he have established such a vast domain without his rear flanks catching fire?

Still, loudly discussing the Holy Grail like this—good thing I set up soundproof barriers long ago…

Weber thought, his shoulder nearly numb from being pounded.