Chapter 41: The Deal Is Struck

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My name is Illya.
I am currently engaged in a war of words (a mistake).
136:02:34

This three-story mansion, tucked away deep in the mountains, features an exterior and interior that clumsily mimic Western styles. Perhaps its owner had intended to unify Western aesthetics with Japanese sensibilities, but the final result looked more like a World Expo pavilion. Having realized the failure was irreversible, they simply sold it off.

Incidentally, all the bedrooms in this mansion are floored with Japanese tatami mats. Sora, unable to endure this, has refused to move out of that floating city which, in all likelihood, will never fly again.

At this moment, Kayneth, a genius lecturer from the Clock Tower, is receiving a guest in one of the few living rooms that could barely pass for British-style. This is the first time this guest has visited his magic workshop—a Caster who appears as a young girl, dressed in the pure white ceremonial gown of the Einzbern family, claiming to be the Saint of Winter.

Also present are Sora and Waver, as well as Lancer, who is currently in spirit form. Rider, who had brought her here, simply dropped the remark, "She is here to form an alliance," before heading back out to walk his horse.

Although Kayneth is displeased that Iskandar so easily brought an enemy Servant into their base, he decides to adopt the posture of a hospitable host. He is confident in his current combat power—after all, [Gae Dearg] is the bane of nearly every spellcaster.

"So, are you here to seek an alliance, Caster?" Kayneth asks, hands behind his back, tilting his head slightly to project a confident and somewhat oppressive aura. "However, I do not believe a basis for an alliance exists between us, especially after the new rules were announced, do you?"

While the new rules might be related to Luna becoming a Heroic Spirit, they certainly aren't the whole story. The Einzbern camp, where Caster originates, must have also experienced anomalies. Judging by the fact that this young girl rushed over immediately to seek an alliance, her side's situation must be even worse than his own. Furthermore, judging by her appearance, she must have a deep connection to the Einzbern family.

Therefore, even if he must temporarily cooperate to fend off the formidable power of the Tohsaka family, he cannot appear too interested, lest he lose the leading position in this temporary alliance.

"Alliance? Of course not. That is a decision only the leaders of both factions can make. Besides, I believe you and Saber’s Master are not exactly a match," Caster immediately refutes the suggestion.

Not a match? Before Kayneth could decipher the meaning of this phrase after several mental translations, Sora, sitting beside him, speaks up.

"Then what are you here for? To declare war?" Although Sora’s mood improved after discovering Luna had become a Heroic Spirit, her presence remains formidable, causing Caster to pause for a moment before answering.

"No, I am here to make a trade." Outside the window, Rider gallops past on his black steed. Caster glances at him. "For instance, helping Great King Iskandar reclaim his chariot? That is a very important Noble Phantasm for him, is it not?"

"We could handle such a trifle ourselves," Kayneth naturally refuses to show weakness at the negotiating table. "Assuming the basis for cooperation is this condition, what must we do?"

"As for that... Rider must attack a specific target at a specific time and place, and I will assist from the sidelines to ensure the chariot is reclaimed." Caster answers without hesitation, appearing entirely confident.

"Hmm..." Kayneth begins to deliberate quickly.

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This specific target is naturally Berserker, and the time and place are undoubtedly before he attacks the Einzbern castle. If she can guarantee the reclamation of that Noble Phantasm, it means Caster has already laid traps using her [Territory Creation] ability. However, she lacks the confidence to take on Berserker alone, which is why she needs Rider to assist—rather than the other way around.

"That is pending. You may state your other conditions," Sora naturally takes over the role of camp representative.

"Well, for your fiancé, the genius lecturer of the Clock Tower, there is little I can offer. After all, the Einzberns have no connections or resources there," Caster turns her gaze toward Sora, her eyes sparkling with interest. "What about you, Miss Sora? Do you desire a Magic Crest? I can guarantee that the family in question has been completely extinguished, and the Mage's Association has no record of it, from the third generation to the ninth—oh, forgive me, not the ninth; that family still has direct bloodline descendants."

"What—" "We accept this condition!" Sora had not yet realized the rarity of this offer, but Kayneth reacted immediately.

A Magic Crest is something a magus family passes down through generations, containing the results of their research and invented spells. Descendants who possess Magic Circuits and magical energy can use the work of their ancestors as naturally as eating or breathing. This is the reason why the dull-witted heirs of long-standing Clock Tower families can still wield complex and advanced magic; it is also the root of the "seniority" rules that Waver detests.

Sora possesses the bloodline and magic circuits but cannot use systematic magic because she lacks such a foundation. If she were to research on her own, she would have to start from "nothing," risking patent infringement with other families, and any results would be reclaimed by the family head.

Obtaining a Crest from Caster would be problem-free. Upon returning, they could simply claim it was seized from an enemy magus. Such opportunities are incredibly rare. To Kayneth’s knowledge, the few cases that occur usually end with the recipient joining or starting a new family. In layman's terms, Caster is offering them a massive inheritance with no heirs and no legal entanglements.

"Hmm... very well. What is the requirement for this?" Sora thinks it over and ultimately does not refuse. Even if she and Kayneth’s descendants do not use it, it can be passed on to Reines, though in the end, it will likely benefit that boy, Waver.

"When you sense that Rider has begun the battle, launch an immediate attack on Tohsaka Tokiomi’s residence." Caster blinks. "Of course, no specific results are required; you only need to draw his attention away from the main battlefield at the Einzbern castle. However, please be careful of Assassin."

I see. She intends to take the opportunity to eliminate Archer, then? Kayneth analyzes the information he has gathered and quickly reaches a conclusion.

The defensive barrier of the Einzbern castle is far stronger than expected. With Berserker’s chariot intercepted, Assassin is useless, leaving only Archer, who uses projectile attacks, to launch the main offensive. As an Archer, the outcome is obvious if he is engaged in close quarters by Saber.

"Anything else?" the Clock Tower’s genius lecturer asks after a brief analysis.

"Hmm... what about that girl of yours in the Mystic Code? She has become a Heroic Spirit, hasn't she?" Caster tilts her head, causing her slightly oversized golden crown to shift. "Shall I tell you her true name and teach her how to release her Noble Phantasm?"

"This—" "Deal!"

This time, it is Sora who makes the decision, not even waiting to hear the conditions.

"Hehe, don't worry, this intelligence is a bonus." Seeing Kayneth look somewhat exasperated, Caster’s eyes curve into crescents. "After all, I have some history with the Heroic Spirit she has merged with."

"Then, Luna..." Sora is still more concerned about this matter.

"The reason she became like this is quite unique, so I must tell her the true name, the Noble Phantasm, and the conditions for its release separately. Telling you directly will render it ineffective," Caster shakes her head gently. "If she is willing to tell you herself, that is another matter."

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"Hmph, very well. I hope our cooperation this time will be pleasant." Kayneth thinks through the conditions proposed by Caster and finds no obvious pitfalls; they can pull out at any time, so there is no harm in agreeing.

"Luna, come here for a moment," Sora turns and calls out toward the door of the drawing room.

135:22:51

"Father."

In a small drawing room of the Church, Kirei Kotomine meets his father, Risei Kotomine. He has not used the connection of Assassin, but has come in person—a requirement strongly insisted upon by Risei.

The expressionless young priest offers a brief bow of greeting. Their relationship is not close enough for warm pleasantries, and after a simple salutation, Risei gets straight to the point.

"Our original plan could not achieve perfect results due to the unexpected interference of the King of Heroes. My old friend Tokiomi will soon have to follow him to the battlefield, and you must remain behind at the Tohsaka residence." The old priest explains the new plan.

"Without an alliance with Mr. Kayneth, he will very likely launch a raid on my old friend’s workshop. As a brilliant young lecturer from the Clock Tower, his methods for dismantling a magic workshop are far beyond those of Kiritsugu Emiya. Furthermore, since you once destroyed a large-scale magic workshop he personally renovated, you bear a heavy responsibility in guarding the house." Risei’s tone is calm and solemn, as if he were hearing a believer’s confession.

"I will defeat him." Kirei’s tone is devoid of fluctuation. As an Executor of the Church, he has fought many powerful magi and knows exactly how to counter their magic and petty tricks.

"You were not originally a magus, nor do you possess Magic Circuits or a Magic Crest. The magic you currently command—not to mention against a Servant—would be easily evaded even by an ordinary magus who is on their guard." Risei shakes his head.

Kirei has felt this himself. During training, had he not used his superior martial arts, his magic alone would have been useless against Ryuunosuke Uryuu.

"The Magic Crests passed down by those magus families greatly enhance their strength. Your previous targets were generally not those true scions of noble houses, especially now that there are Servants assisting," Risei raises his arm and rolls back his sleeve. "Therefore, you need something similar to contend with them."

"This is..." For the first time, ripples of disbelief appear on Kirei’s calm face.

On that aged but powerful arm, dozens of Command Spells of various shapes are densely engraved.