Fate/Zero:Act 5 Part 5
138：15：37
A heavy atmosphere hung over the congregation of the church.
Noticing the gloomy atmosphere, Father Kotomine Risei could not help but to laugh bitterly.
Around an hour had passed since the summoning signal had been released. None of the Masters came to the Fuyuki Church; in place of them, five familiars gathered in the place. Apart from Kotomine Kirei who had withdrawn from the war (on the surface) and Caster’s Master, Ryuunosuke who was not able to see the signal, the other Masters had sent their representatives. Looks like all the Masters were not bothered about their etiquette towards the church.
Tōsaka Tokiomi had also sent his familiar to the meeting. The rest of the familiars should be dispatched by Einsbern, Matō and the two foreign Masters. This had also proven the fact that Lord El-Melloi whose whereabouts were unknown after the explosion of the Fuyuki Hyatt hotel, was still alive.
“I had actually prepared the usual pleasantries of greetings, but it seems to me that no one else is coming. So I’ll go straight to the point.”
After that simple opening, the old Father faced the human-free congregation (at least there were no ‘human spectators’ present) and continued:
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Heaven’s Feel which can help achieve your long-cherished wish is in jeopardy. The Holy Grail is supposed to bestow power to the Master and Servant who seek it, but now there is a betrayer. Ignoring the cardinal commission of the Holy Grail, he and his heroic spirit misuse their power to satisfy their frivolous wishes.”
Risei did not care about the response from the crowd, possibly due to the fact that he had gotten used to preaching as a Father; though obviously, the congregation could only listen quietly. After a slight cough, the old Father continued speaking.
“We discovered that Caster’s Master is the one who is behind the serial killing and kidnapping cases which happened lately in Fuyuki city. He used his Servant to carry out his crimes, but he ignored the crime scene right after he was done, neither cleaning nor concealing his traces. What this severe violation of the rule of secrecy would bring, I guess you would understand without my explanation.”
Although there were no response from the familiars, but the Masters who heard his words through their familiars should be staggered right now, at least slightly. Just like how Tokiomi reacted this morning, these magi should display a similar reaction.
“He and his Servant are not merely your individual enemy anymore, but a general threat to the summoning of the Holy Grail. Therefore I use the timely authority I have as a supervisor to change the rules of the Heaven’s Feel temporarily.”
In a strict voice he declared, whilst pulling up his right sleeves, revealing his right arm.
Although his muscles were old, but the strong and muscular arm he once had during his younger days could still be seen. Tattoo-like images fully covered his elbow to his wrist-
No, those should not be called tattoos. Those Masters participating in the Heaven’s Feel would know what they were at their first sight.
“These are the things collected from the previous Heaven’s Feels and entrusted to me as the supervisor of this time’s Heaven’s Feel. The possession of the Masters who lost their Servants before the final battle- their leftover Command Seals.”
After this proof, no one would doubt the authority of Father Risei as the supervisor.
All the Command Seals not used in time were taken care of by him, the overseer.
Command Seals are also known as holy marks. It is the proof of one participating in the Heaven’s Feel. Besides carrying the significance of fate, it is also a device to control Servants.
Command Seals themselves are already some kind of miracles. Though possessing enormous powers, Command Seals are still usable enchanting. Thus, they can be transplanted or transferred through incantations.
“I can transfer these ready-made Command Seals to anyone based on my judgement. For all of you who control your Servants, I guess you all know the importance and value of these crests?”
Although he was only facing the familiars, Father Risei slowly entered into the state of preaching, and his excitement was aroused.
“All Masters, stop every fight you are in. Everyone, destroy Caster with all that you’ve got. And I will select the Master who manages to annihilate Caster and his Master, giving him the special, additional Command Seals for emergency use.”
“If this mission is accomplished alone, only the person will be awarded; if a few cooperated in this, everyone will be awarded. Once I make sure that Caster is destroyed, the Heaven’s Feel would resume.”
Father Risei rolled down his sleeve and further added.
“So, if there are any questions, please ask now.”
A commotion could be heard in the darkness. The jumbled sounds of chairs being moved, people arising and leaving vanished gradually.
Since the supervising informants had fully understood, it would be meaningless to linger at that place any longer. The Masters did not have any enquiries. Probably everyone had started preparing for the new competition.
The church had finally reverted to its human-free (This time, it was for real.) state. Father Risei pondered upon the developments after this whilst grinning.
After instructing these things, all he had to do next would be mere waiting. Those four hungry hounds would surely force Caster to a tight spot.
The appearance of the targeted Master and the location of Caster’s workshop were already known. If this information was to be informed to the other Masters, the effectiveness of this mission would probably increase. However, if not handled carefully, it might arouse their suspicion. Thus, it was still not the appropriate time to inform the intelligence gathered by Assassin to the crowd.
Until when can Caster persevere? Risei and Kirei felt that the current situation will not immediately change to a 6 versus 1 battle. In his opinion, it would be difficult for the other Masters to naively follow the supervisor’s instructions, focusing on Caster as their main target. This is because they felt that the hunt for Caster was but a mere interlude. Their real goal is still to succeed in the ensuing dogfights.
Everybody craves for more Command Seals, but if the opponents would acquire the same thing, then he would not have any more advantage to boast about.
Instead of cooperating to obtain the Command Seals together, they would rather destroy Caster on their own to gain sole advantage over the others, although the former was much easier. Furthermore, they might obstruct each other in the contest.
If that is so, it would be troublesome. If each of them acted as stumbling blocks for the rest, it might be disadvantageous towards Archer’s movements.
All the Masters’ movements would be under the watchful eyes of Assassin, someone they had almost forgotten. Kirei’s duty was executed beautifully. As a magus who learned magecraft at the eleventh hour within a few days, to be able to use such advanced means to control his Servant, this should be something even his teacher could not imagine.
For the sake of his belief, for the tenet of the church, and for the sake of his promise to his deceased friends; brimming with self-confidence, this child exhausted his full potential to show what he could do. A great achievement indeed, something even his father failed to accomplish.
| Back to Act 5, Part 4 | Return to Main Page | Forward to Act 6, Part 1 |
