Fate/Zero:Act 13 Part 1

Act 13

–48:11:28

It was not yet morning. Kotomine Kirei was already waiting at the door of the Tōsaka mansion.

He had not come to this place since summoning Archer ten days ago. This was the Western-style mansion he had spent his time in as an apprentice magus three years ago, the one place in Fuyuki he felt closer to than even the church.

"Welcome, Kirei. I’ve been waiting for you."

Though the guest had arrived at an unusual hour, Tōsaka Tokiomi still appeared quickly at the door after hearing the doorbell. Perhaps he had not slept at all since leaving the Fuyuki Church the previous night. Kirei bowed deeply to Tokiomi in the manner of a disciple to his master.

"There are some things I wish to tell you before I leave Fuyuki, and then I must bid you farewell."

"So it has come to this... and on such short notice. To part with you in such a manner—I have my regrets as well."

Tokiomi spoke these words, but there was no trace of guilt on his face. That was to be expected. Tokiomi understood that Kotomine Kirei was but a pawn the Tōsaka family had borrowed from the Holy Church.

To Kirei, the Heaven’s Feel would yield no reward, being a task only necessary because it had been assigned by unseen powers from above. Kirei’s parting from Tokiomi was not a rejection or betrayal, but a release from duty. Coming to say his good-byes was purely an act of formality.

"At dawn I will board a plane and head for Italy. First, I must hand my father’s possessions over to headquarters. I may not be able to return to Japan for some time."

"Oh... Come in. Do you have time for a chat?"

"Mn. It shouldn't be a problem."

Kirei contained the feelings in his heart and stepped once again through the Tōsakas’ front door.

※※※※※

"The more I think about your leaving, the more reluctant I feel. Whatever may happen, I hope you can succeed your father Risei’s last behest and continue to assist the Tōsaka family in fulfilling a wish we have always desired..."

Tokiomi was now the Tōsaka residence's only occupant, but the guest room was nevertheless spotlessly maintained. Perhaps some low-level familiar under his control had been cleaning so as to maintain composure even in this time of intense war. When it came to Tokiomi, no less was expected.

“Though it is a pity your actions against the Einsbern family failed, I understand that you had good intentions. Perhaps this is the way that Executors work, but I hope you will duly inform me of the situation before and after you act in the future. Then I can be prepared.”

Tokiomi's magnanimous attitude made Kirei lower his head further.

"To have given you, my teacher, this much trouble at the last moment... I am truly ashamed."

Kirei raised his head, seeing the sincerity in Tokiomi’s eyes, and said to himself.

"It is true that we met only because of the Heaven's Feel, but no matter what the circumstances, I am very proud to have had you as a disciple."

Hearing this, Kirei momentarily lost control of his emotions and laughed out loud. But Tokiomi, completely misunderstanding his disciple's intentions, continued to speak in earnest.

"Talent is not something that can be taken by force of will, but your sincere attitude towards training as one who walks this path is something that even I, your teacher, am very much impressed with. Kirei, from this day on you can continue to fight for the best interests of the Tōsaka family as your father did before you. What do you think?"

"I could not wish for more."

Kirei smiled slightly and nodded. Tokiomi, who in the past three years had constantly misunderstood his disciple's character and inner world, now also misunderstood the meaning of Kirei’s smile. And so he continued to speak even more happily.

"You allow me to rest assured. I wish for my daughter to learn from you. After this Heaven's Feel ends, Kirei, you shall be Rin’s master, and guide her as such."

Then Tokiomi retrieved a letter that had previously been placed at a corner of the desk and passed it to Kirei.

"... Teacher, what is this?"

"Though it is written rather simply, it can perhaps be considered a will of sorts, perhaps."

Tokiomi spoke thus, smiling wryly.

"If—and the chances are very small but a possibility nonetheless—if something unexpected happens to me, then I have written here that the Tōsaka household shall be inherited by Rin and you will be her guardian until she is mature. Pass this letter to the Clock Tower, and all further procedures will naturally be taken care of by the Association."

This time, Kirei did not stop at perfunctory verbal assent but sincerely accepted the responsibility that Tokiomi had entrusted to him from his heart. After all, Kirei was of the priesthood. To honestly and firmly fulfill the responsibilities others entrusted to him—this was his duty.

"Please trust me. Even though your disciple’s abilities are limited, I will make every effort in taking up the responsibility of caring for your daughter."

"Thank you, Kirei."

Though the words were brief, it was possible to discern the deep gratitude contained within. Then Tokiomi picked up a long thin black box that had been beside the letter, and handed it to Kirei.

"Open it and see. This is my personal gift to you."

Kirei opened the box. On the velvet lined interior neatly lay an exquisite dagger.

"This is—"

"The Azoth dagger. Crafted meticulously from heirloom jewels, and after it is filled with prana it can be used as a Mystic Code. You have learnt and practiced the ways of the Tōsaka magecraft; use this as the proof of your graduation.

"..."

Kirei held the dagger in his hand and scrutinizing it carefully. His gaze fell upon the sharp knife-edge, and for a long time did not move away.

Kirei’s face, devoid of expression, must from Tokiomi's perspective have seemed full of gratitude.

"My benefactor... The care and great expectations you have given me, I will truly never be able to repay."

"To me, you are the best reward, Kotomine Kirei. This way, I can set forth for the final decisive battle without looking back."

Tokiomi said with a clear smile, then got up from the sofa.

And at this time, Kirei—believed this was exactly what fate had arranged.

If one were to say that all this had been a congregation of coincidences, then why precisely at this time and in this place would Tōsaka Tokiomi have made a gift of this dagger to Kotomine Kirei? Did all this not indicate that this was inevitable?

"I am truly sorry to have delayed you so long. Will you still be in time for your flight—"

—Now Tokiomi was facing the direction of the guestroom exit, and defenseless with his back to Kirei. Could this be a coincidence as well?

"No, you do not need to worry, teacher."

—Or could it be said that this was inevitable; was this fate? No matter how he had prayed and hoped, would it all be just for the sake of drawing everything toward the abyss of betrayal?

Kirei began to laugh loudly, laughing more cheerfully than ever.

"From the beginning, there had never been a flight."

Even Kirei himself had not expected that he could laugh so heartily. Moreover, the dagger in his hand struck towards the defenceless back in front of him,.

"... Ah?"

The Azoth dagger that had been the proof of love and trust slipped through the space between ribs and directly pierced Tokiomi’s heart. This one strike of an Executor who had experienced countless battles could be said to be deadly precise. There was no intention of killing, and there weren’t even any signs of it. Perhaps even Tokiomi, who had been stabbed, could not understand the significance of this wave of pain in his chest for a brief moment.

Tokiomi staggered forward; turning his head, he saw only Kirei, smiling brightly, his hands stained with fresh blood—but there was never the slightest indication of understanding in Tokiomi’s eyes even till the end. With only a dazed expression, devoid of anger, he collapsed onto the carpet.

This magus must have, till the end, stubbornly believed his own understanding to be accurate and refused to accept the real truth. Believing in the path he had chosen at all times and moving forward without the slightest hesitation every time — what a man who did not startle awake to the truth even after having fallen into an endless abyss.

A sparkling aura suddenly surged beside Tokiomi’s rapidly cooling corpse. Shining with radiant light, the golden Servant materialized in front of Kirei.

"Hn—what a disappointing ending."

A condescending expression seeped out of those red pupils. Archer nudged the corpse of his former Master with the tip of his foot.

"I was anticipating he would make a last retaliation before death. Look at his expression; completely at a loss. He was not aware of his own stupidity even till the end."

"That was because his Servant was in spirit form at his side. It is not illogical for him to let his guard down."

Hearing Kirei’s quip, Archer began to laugh loudly.

"So quickly and you have learnt to make jokes? Kirei, your progress is truly great."

With a serious expression, Kirei asked Archer.

"You truly have no qualms about doing this? Gilgamesh, King of Heroes?"

"That’s before I grow tire of you. After I have also lost interest in you, you will also meet the fate of this carcass lying here. If there is one of us who should come to a realization, it should be you by right."

Though the other’s reply was extremely sharp, Kirei nevertheless did not show a single sign of wavering and nodded.

Indeed, this guy was a dangerous character to whom he could not entrust his life with. It could be said that this was a deal with the devil. A domineering and violent Servant with neither morality nor loyalty, and for whom even his interest was difficult to judge.

But—precisely because of this, he was a perfect match.

To Kirei, those people who were the pinnacle of morality had not brought him the real answer; it was actually this Heroic Spirit who was completely at odds with morality who could become the goal for which Kirei would fight from now on.

Kirei rolled up his sleeve, revealing the Command Seals on his arm, then chanted solemnly.

"Let thy body rest under my dominion, let my fate rest in thy blade. If thou submittest to the call of the Holy Grail, and if thou wilt obey this mind, this reason, then thou shalt respond—"

"I so swear. Thy offering shalt be my flesh and blood. Kotomine Kirei, my new Master."

The prana supply had opened the moment that the contract had been completed; the Command Seals on his left hand, once again having a use, glowed anew while accompanied by a burst of pain.

The pact was ended; now, the strongest and also the most wicked team of those surrounding the fight for the Holy Grail—here, under conditions no one knew of—was born.

"Then, Kirei, shall we begin? ... You shall command and draw open the curtains to this farce. For your meagre prize, I will grant you the Grail."

"No problem. King of Heroes, you will certainly also find pleasure from this. Before you find the answer you anticipate, enjoy the jubilation of this battle to your heart’s content."

The gazes from the red pupils filled with a delighted light and black pupils immersed in gratitude intertwined with each other.

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