Fate/Zero:Act 13 Part 1
- 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. And the Western-styled mansion he had spent his time in as an apprentice magus three years ago was 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.
"Before I leave Fuyuki, there are some things I wish to tell you, and also bid you farewell."
"So it is like this... this is certainly hurried. To part with you in such a manner—I much regret it, too."
Though Tokiomi spoke thus, it was impossible to see any expression of guilt on his face. This was of course. Tokiomi understood. 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, and was but a task only necessary because it was assigned from above—seen from this angle, Kirei’s current parting from Tokiomi was neither a rejection nor a betrayal, but a release from duty. Coming especially to say farewell was also only for the sake of formalities.
"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 a time."
"Oh... come in. Is there still time to talk for a while?"
"Mn. It will not matter."
Kirei contained the feelings in his heart, and stepped again through the Tōsakas’ front door.
"The more I think about your leaving, the more reluctant I feel. No matter what, I hope that you can succeed your father Risei’s last behest, and continue to assist the Tōsaka family in fulfilling a wish we have always desired..."
Though now there was no one in the Tōsaka residence other than Tokiomi, the guest room was nevertheless spotlessly maintained. Perhaps some low-level spirit under his control had been cleaning, so as to maintain this composure even during such an intense time of war. Indeed he was Tokiomi.
Though it is a real pity that your actions against the Einsbern family failed, but I understand that your intentions were good. Perhaps this is the way that Executors work, but I hope that you can duly inform me of the situation before and after you act. Then I can be prepared.”
Tokiomi's magnanimous attitude caused Kirei to lower his head further.
"To have given you, my teacher, this much trouble at this last moment... I am truly ashamed."
Kirei raised his head, seeing the earnest and sincere gaze 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, I am very proud to have had you as a disciple."
Hearing this, Kirei lost control of his emotions for a moment and laughed out loud. But Tokiomi, who completely misunderstood his disciple's intention, continued to speak in earnest.
"Though 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 by—Kirei, from this day on you can, like your father, continue to fight for the purpose of ensuring the best interests of this Tōsaka family. How about it?"
"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 been previously placed at a corner of the desk, passing it to Kirei.
"... Teacher, this is?"
"Though it is written rather simply, it can be considered a will of sorts, perhaps."
Tokiomi spoke thus, smiling wryly.
"If—though the chances are very small but it may happen—if something unexpected happens to me. Here I have written that the Tōsaka household shall be inherited by Rin, and you will be her guardian until she is of age. Pass this letter to the Clocktower, and all further procedures will be taken care of."
This time Kirei finally did not stop at perfunctory verbal assent, but very sincerely from his heart accepted the responsibility that Tokiomi had entrusted to him. After all, Kirei was of the priesthood. To honestly and firmly fulfil the responsibilities others entrusted to him—this was his duty.
"Please trust me. Even though my 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 goose-down-lined interior lay an exquisite dagger.
"This is—"
"The Azoth knife. Crafted meticulously from heirloom jewels, after it is filled with prana it can be used ceremonially. 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, scrutinizing it carefully. His gaze fell upon the 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 an inevitability?
"I am truly sorry to have delayed you so long. Will you still be in time for your flight—"
—Now. Facing the direction of the guestroom exit, 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 an inevitability; 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, laugh more cheerfully than ever.
"From the beginning, there had never been a flight."
Kirei himself had not expected that he could laugh so heartily. And in the direction of Tokiomi’s back, defenseless, in front of him, struck the dagger in his hand.
"... Ah?"
The Azoth dagger, that had been the proof of love and trust, slipped through the space between ribs, directly piercing Tokiomi’s heart. This one strike, of an Executor who had experienced countless battles, could be said to be deadly precise. Perhaps even Tokiomi, who had been stabbed, for a moment could not understand the significance of this wave of pain in his chest.
Tokiomi staggered forward; turning his head, he saw only Kirei, smiling brightly, his hands stained with fresh blood—but in the end, in Tokiomi’s eyes there was never the slightest indication of understanding. 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 so refused to accept the real truth. All the time believing in the path he had chosen, every time moving forward without the slightest hesitation—one who had not startled awake to the truth, even after having fallen into an endless abyss.
Beside Tokiomi’s rapidly cooling corpse suddenly surged a bright presence. Shining with radiant light, the golden Servant materialized in front of Kirei.
"Hn—what a disappointing ending."
Within the red pupil, a condescending expression was revealed. Archer nudged the corpse of his former Master with the tip of his foot.
"I was anticipating that he would make a last retaliation before death. Look at his expression, completely at a loss. Till the end he was not aware of his own stupidity."
"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."
Expression serious, Kirei asked Archer.
"You truly have no qualms about doing this? King of Heroes, Gilgamesh?"
"Before I tire of you. After I have also lost interest in you, you will also meet the fate of this wreck lying here. If there is one of us who should come to a realization, by rights it should be you."
Though the other’s reply was extremely sharp, Kirei nevertheless did not waver in the slightest, and nodded.
Indeed, this guy was a dangerous character to whom he could not entrust his life. It could be said that this was a deal with the devil. With neither morality nor loyalty, for whom even interest was difficult to judge, a domineering and violent Servant.
But—precisely because of this, he was perfectly matched with himself.
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 that could become the goal for which Kirei fought from now on.
Kirei opened his sleeve, revealing the Command Seals on his wrist, then chanted majestically.
"Let thy body rest under my dominion, let my fate rest in thy blade. If thou submitteth 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 in the moment that the contract had been completed; the Command Seals on his left hand, once again in use, glowed anew, 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, draw open the curtains to this farce. For your 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 to your heart’s content the jubilation of this battle."
Red pupils filled with a pleased light, and black pupils immersed in feeling—their gazes met, and mingled.
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