A heavy atmosphere hung around the church pews.
Noticing the dense demonic aura in front of him, Father Kotomine Risei could not help but laugh bitterly.
It has been about an hour since the summoning signal was sent. None of the Masters came to Fuyuki Church. Instead, four familiars had gathered. Apart from Kirei, who had been recalled from the war on the surface and the two Masters who had already died, Lord El-Melloi and Ouryuu Ryunosuke, the other Masters had sent their representatives. It seemed that the Masters would not be bothered by their manners in front of the church.
Tohsaka Tokiomi had also sent his familiar to the meeting. The rest of the familiars should have been dispatched by Einzbern, Matou, and Waver.
"I had even specially prepared the welcoming pleasantries, but it seems no one has come. So I'll get straight to the point."
After the simple opening, the old Father facing the human-free congregation - at least no humans were present in the audience - continued:
"The Holy Grail War, which can fulfill all your desires, is presently in a great crisis. The Holy Grail is supposed to grant its power only to Masters and Servants who seek it, but now we have a traitor. A third party who seeks only the destruction of the Grail, a blasphemy to the holy ritual."
Risei was unconcerned about the crowd's response, possibly given by the fact that he had grown accustomed to preaching as Father. For obviously, the congregation could only listen quietly. After a silent cough, the old Father continued speaking.
"We discovered the body of the mangled Master of Caster, with magical traces matching those of the person who had earlier killed Lancer. Miss Sola-Ui found the corpse of her fiancé in his room, brutally murdered. We have deduced that this act was also the work of this person or his subordinates. Not only is he committing sacrilege by intervening in this holy event, but he has no qualms about using magic freely. He doesn't even bother to erase his trail."
8
Although there was no response from the familiars, the Masters who heard his words should be hesitating at this moment, at least slightly. Just as Tokiomi reacted this morning, that is the normal reaction of a magus.
"He and his Servant are no longer more than a general threat to the invocation of the Holy Grail. Therefore, I make use of my supervisory authority that I possess for these critical moments to temporarily change the rules of the Holy Grail War."
He declared in a strict voice as he raised his right sleeve, revealing his arm.
Even though his body was old, one could still see the strong, muscular arm he had had during his younger days. Tattoo-like images covered it from his elbow to his wrist -
No, those were not to be called tattoos. The Masters who participated in the Holy Grail War should know at a glance what they were.
"These are the ones that have been collected from the previous Holy Grail Wars and were entrusted to me as the overseer of this Holy Grail War. The inheritance of those Masters who lost their Servants before the final battle - their missing Command Seals."
After this test, no one would doubt Father Risei's authority as the overseer.
All unused Command Seals at the time were cared for by him, the overseer.
The Command Seals are also known as holy marks. This test carried with it the destiny of participating in the Holy Grail War. Not only did it carry the meaning of fate, but it is also a device to control the Servants.
The phenomenon of Command Seals is already a kind of miracle in itself. But, although this seal on the Master's body possesses enormous power, the Command Seals are still an exhaustible form of physical sorcery. That is why they can be transplanted or transferred through enchantments.
"I can transfer these Command Seals to anyone as they fall to my judgment. For all of you who control your Servants, I assume you all know the importance and value of these seals?"
Although he was only facing the familiars whose only duty was to pass on what they had heard to their masters, Father Risei slowly entered a preachy state and looked more excited.
"All Masters must stop their current hostilities. They must all destroy Drako with everything they have. I will select the Master who succeeds in annihilating Drako and his companions and award him additional Command Seals given the special situation.
If this mission is accomplished by one, only that person will be rewarded; if many cooperate, all will be rewarded. Once I have ensured that Drako is destroyed, the Holy Grail War will continue."
Father Risei lowered his sleeve and added:
"So if there are questions, you can ask me now."
In the darkness, a commotion could be heard. Sounds of chairs moving, of getting up and leaving mingled together and gradually faded away.
Since the overseer's announcement had been fully understood, there would be no point in lingering any longer in this place. At present, the Masters had nothing to ask. They had probably all begun their preparations for the new competition.
The church had finally returned to its human-free state. Father Risei pondered the future developments while smiling.
After giving these instructions, all he had to do was wait. These four hungry dogs would surely drive Drako to despair.
4
The location of where Drako resided was already known. If the other Masters were informed, it would probably increase efficiency. However, if not handled carefully, it might raise their suspicions. Thus, it was not yet an appropriate time to distribute Assassin's intelligence to the public.
How would Drako be able to resist? Risei and Kirei felt that the current situation would not immediately change to a 5-2 siege. In their opinion, it would be difficult for the other Masters to reluctantly follow the supervisor's instructions, focusing on Drako as their main target. This is because they felt that the hunt for Drako was a mere interlude. Their real goal was to succeed in the ensuing dogfights.
Everyone craves more Command Seals. But if the opponent got the same, then they would be left without any advantage.
These Masters, instead of cooperating to obtain Command Seals together, would rather destroy Drako on their own to gain advantage over the others, even though the former would be much easier. Moreover, they might even obstruct each other in this competition.
If so, it would be problematic. If each obstructed the other, it could be disadvantageous to Archer's movements.
The movements of all the Masters would be under the observation of Assassin, someone they had already almost forgotten. Kirei's duty was executed virtuously. As a magus who learned magecraft at the last moment within a few days, to be able to use such superior methods to control his Servant, this is something that even his teacher Tokiomi could not imagine.
For the sake of his faith, for the sake of the doctrine of the church, and for the sake of his promise to his late friends; brimming with confidence, this boy had exhausted everything he had by displaying his talent.. Certainly a great accomplishment, something even his Father had failed to achieve.
A heavy atmosphere hung around the church pews.
Noticing the dense demonic aura in front of him, Father Kotomine Risei could not help but laugh bitterly.
It has been about an hour since the summoning signal was sent. None of the Masters came to Fuyuki Church. Instead, four familiars had gathered. Apart from Kirei, who had been recalled from the war on the surface and the two Masters who had already died, Lord El-Melloi and Ouryuu Ryunosuke, the other Masters had sent their representatives. It seemed that the Masters would not be bothered by their manners in front of the church.
Tohsaka Tokiomi had also sent his familiar to the meeting. The rest of the familiars should have been dispatched by Einzbern, Matou, and Waver.
"I had even specially prepared the welcoming pleasantries, but it seems no one has come. So I'll get straight to the point."
After the simple opening, the old Father facing the human-free congregation - at least no humans were present in the audience - continued:
"The Holy Grail War, which can fulfill all your desires, is presently in a great crisis. The Holy Grail is supposed to grant its power only to Masters and Servants who seek it, but now we have a traitor. A third party who seeks only the destruction of the Grail, a blasphemy to the holy ritual."
Risei was unconcerned about the crowd's response, possibly given by the fact that he had grown accustomed to preaching as Father. For obviously, the congregation could only listen quietly. After a silent cough, the old Father continued speaking.
"We discovered the body of the mangled Master of Caster, with magical traces matching those of the person who had earlier killed Lancer. Miss Sola-Ui found the corpse of her fiancé in his room, brutally murdered. We have deduced that this act was also the work of this person or his subordinates. Not only is he committing sacrilege by intervening in this holy event, but he has no qualms about using magic freely. He doesn't even bother to erase his trail."
8
Although there was no response from the familiars, the Masters who heard his words should be hesitating at this moment, at least slightly. Just as Tokiomi reacted this morning, that is the normal reaction of a magus.
"He and his Servant are no longer more than a general threat to the invocation of the Holy Grail. Therefore, I make use of my supervisory authority that I possess for these critical moments to temporarily change the rules of the Holy Grail War."
He declared in a strict voice as he raised his right sleeve, revealing his arm.
Even though his body was old, one could still see the strong, muscular arm he had had during his younger days. Tattoo-like images covered it from his elbow to his wrist -
No, those were not to be called tattoos. The Masters who participated in the Holy Grail War should know at a glance what they were.
"These are the ones that have been collected from the previous Holy Grail Wars and were entrusted to me as the overseer of this Holy Grail War. The inheritance of those Masters who lost their Servants before the final battle - their missing Command Seals."
After this test, no one would doubt Father Risei's authority as the overseer.
All unused Command Seals at the time were cared for by him, the overseer.
The Command Seals are also known as holy marks. This test carried with it the destiny of participating in the Holy Grail War. Not only did it carry the meaning of fate, but it is also a device to control the Servants.
The phenomenon of Command Seals is already a kind of miracle in itself. But, although this seal on the Master's body possesses enormous power, the Command Seals are still an exhaustible form of physical sorcery. That is why they can be transplanted or transferred through enchantments.
"I can transfer these Command Seals to anyone as they fall to my judgment. For all of you who control your Servants, I assume you all know the importance and value of these seals?"
Although he was only facing the familiars whose only duty was to pass on what they had heard to their masters, Father Risei slowly entered a preachy state and looked more excited.
"All Masters must stop their current hostilities. They must all destroy Drako with everything they have. I will select the Master who succeeds in annihilating Drako and his companions and award him additional Command Seals given the special situation.
If this mission is accomplished by one, only that person will be rewarded; if many cooperate, all will be rewarded. Once I have ensured that Drako is destroyed, the Holy Grail War will continue."
Father Risei lowered his sleeve and added:
"So if there are questions, you can ask me now."
In the darkness, a commotion could be heard. Sounds of chairs moving, of getting up and leaving mingled together and gradually faded away.
Since the overseer's announcement had been fully understood, there would be no point in lingering any longer in this place. At present, the Masters had nothing to ask. They had probably all begun their preparations for the new competition.
The church had finally returned to its human-free state. Father Risei pondered the future developments while smiling.
After giving these instructions, all he had to do was wait. These four hungry dogs would surely drive Drako to despair.
4
The location of where Drako resided was already known. If the other Masters were informed, it would probably increase efficiency. However, if not handled carefully, it might raise their suspicions. Thus, it was not yet an appropriate time to distribute Assassin's intelligence to the public.
How would Drako be able to resist? Risei and Kirei felt that the current situation would not immediately change to a 5-2 siege. In their opinion, it would be difficult for the other Masters to reluctantly follow the supervisor's instructions, focusing on Drako as their main target. This is because they felt that the hunt for Drako was a mere interlude. Their real goal was to succeed in the ensuing dogfights.
Everyone craves more Command Seals. But if the opponent got the same, then they would be left without any advantage.
These Masters, instead of cooperating to obtain Command Seals together, would rather destroy Drako on their own to gain advantage over the others, even though the former would be much easier. Moreover, they might even obstruct each other in this competition.
If so, it would be problematic. If each obstructed the other, it could be disadvantageous to Archer's movements.
The movements of all the Masters would be under the observation of Assassin, someone they had already almost forgotten. Kirei's duty was executed virtuously. As a magus who learned magecraft at the last moment within a few days, to be able to use such superior methods to control his Servant, this is something that even his teacher Tokiomi could not imagine.
For the sake of his faith, for the sake of the doctrine of the church, and for the sake of his promise to his late friends; brimming with confidence, this boy had exhausted everything he had by displaying his talent.. Certainly a great accomplishment, something even his Father had failed to achieve.
