132 Holy Grail War, Commence!
Amidst the Empire's vast power—Atlas Academy, the Wandering Sea, and the Clock Tower were all vassals of the Empire.
However, Wandering Sea stood apart, even more marginalized and independent. The Clock Tower, on the other hand, was practically a subordinate of the Empire. Atlas Academy occupied a position somewhere between the two.
The academic aura at Atlas Academy was much stronger.
Though less emotionally connected and not very loyal to the Dragon Emperor, they were capable of creating many remarkable things.
The Academy dispatched numerous alchemists and scholars skilled in the fusion of science and magecraft to the Empire, providing crucial support for various technological and Mystery advancements.
The Empire wasn't pleased with their perceived 'disloyalty,' but they couldn't deny the technological prowess these individuals possessed.
Despite the Empire giving birth to numerous exceptionally talented individuals over its 1500-year history, such as Da Vinci, Edison, Turing, and Watt, their research capabilities were potent on their own. Still, one can never have too much talent.
'Between these two individuals (Zepia and Touko), one of them is a traitor.'
Artorius thought this to himself while holding the exhausted maid in his arms. 'Regarding Atlas Academy, I'm not very familiar with them, as it had limited scenes in the original story.'
'As for Aozaki Touko...' he continued, 'I know more about that woman. However, the emergence of the Empire has caused drastic changes to the timeline. So, the Aozaki Touko I know may differ significantly from the current one. Changing history isn't always convenient.'
As Artorius sighed, in Rin's room, the twin-tailed tsundere girl pursed her lips and nodded.
"I see, I understand now."
Rin turned to her sister and Caren, and said, "So, when you said you wanted to become the Emperor's Bride, you actually meant you wanted to join the Battle Nuns, right?"
"Yes." Sakura replied earnestly, "That would be the greatest honor."
"Oh..."
Rin, more intelligent than most children, wasn't surprised by Sakura's statement, but she blushed nonetheless.
As a child from a mage family, she knew that being the Emperor's Bride was equivalent to being part of the Battle Nuns, but she had forgotten about it earlier due to her surprise.
"But that's not entirely correct..." Caren interjected from the other side.
When the Tohsaka sisters looked at her together, Caren calmly said, "Before this, being the Emperor's Bride was merely a slogan, a title, because everyone believed that the Dragon Emperor had already passed away."
"But, what if the Dragon Emperor is still alive?"
"..."
Looking at the puzzled expressions of the Tohsaka sisters, Caren smirked, revealing a satisfied smile. 'Imparting wrong ideas to children and seeing them struggle and cry in pain was such a delightful feeling, fufufu.'
"If the Dragon Emperor is still alive, then I'll be his bride... No, I'll strive to become his bride." Muttering to herself, Sakura seemed to have made some sort of decision.
"But isn't that strange?!" Rin exclaimed loudly, "Wasn't the Dragon Emperor an ancient figure? Hasn't he been dead for a very long time?"
"Generally, that's correct." Caren continued to feed them strange ideas, "But in the Holy Grail War... Ah, Rin-chan, you do know what the Holy Grail War is, right?"
"Of course! I know about the Holy Grail War... ohh, right..."
Though she was still a child, Rin was unexpectedly sharp, quickly understanding Caren's meaning.
"Yes, as long as we summon His Majesty the Dragon Emperor—Artorius the First, in the next Holy Grail War, victory will be ours."
"If we become the Dragon Emperor's Master, then dealing with various situations shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Well, that does sound strange..."
Though Rin continued to mumble, Sakura on the other side already had a determined expression on her face.
"It's decided!" Sakura declared, "I'll become the Dragon Emperor's bride, and I'll also be his Master!"
"Truly impressive." Caren applauded sarcastically, "To have such ambitious aspirations at such a young age. I'm sure your future will be bright."
"..."
"..."
Hearing her words, Rin looked left and right, gazing at Caren, then back at her sister.
Though she found it a bit strange and suspicious instinctively, Rin couldn't stand losing, and being the tsundere that she was, she finally muttered words that brought delight to Caren.
"In that case, I'll become the Emperor's Bride too."
"Yes, Onee-sama, let's become the Emperor's Bride together!" Sakura said with a bright smile, happily addressing her big sister.
===
Meanwhile.
In a bustling nightclub.
Tokyo's neon lights flickered, embodying the decadent and debauched nightlife. Through the crowd of people dancing to the music, seeking cheap thrills, Kirei arrived at the heart of this nightclub called 'Bloody Mary'.
The heavy doors slowly swung open, revealing a man with a wicked sense of humor, resembling a mischievous child, as he wore a pleased smile and strode inside.
"Humans are truly ugly creatures."
His Master and partner in crime, with his back turned to him, said those words as he watched the surveillance screen in front of him that displayed everything happening in the nightclub, revealing the grotesque behavior of people driven by alcohol, malice, and their own wickedness.
From Kirei's perspective, this would be the perfect angle to stab a knife right into his Master's back. In fact, if he were not certain that he stood no chance against his Master and that an impulsive attack would undoubtedly fail, Kirei would have done just that.
"Enough of this boring talk..." Kirei said as he approached his Master. "I did as you said and attacked the observers on the outskirts. Your subordinates seemed to take advantage of the situation to do other things."
"Yes, indeed..." His Master replied calmly without turning around.
"What purpose does this stirring up chaos serve?" Kirei turned around and walked towards the bar, casually picking up a bottle of red wine and pouring himself a glass.
Unlike the simple life he led as a priest, right now, Kirei indulged in the sensation of drinking, not because he liked the taste of alcohol, but simply for the feeling it brought him.
"Must everything we do have a purpose?" His Master continued without looking back. "I never imagined you would become this way, Kirei."
"You can say whatever you want..." Kirei responded, opening every bottle of red wine and mixing them together in his glass. It wasn't a cocktail, merely a concoction.
"Be patient, Kirei..." His Master tried to comfort him. "My plan is absolute. Fate will change. The era of chaos is about to descend, and a wretched dog like you will surely be pleased with the outcome. By the way, that mix of wine you have doesn't seem appealing."
"I'll wait and see..." Kirei replied calmly, not taking offense at being called a wretched dog. In fact, he felt that the assessment was quite fitting. "Also, who said I wanted to drink this stuff anyway?"
He poured the mixed wine onto the carpet as he spoke, tossed the glass aside, and picked up another bottle to take a sip.
"When you have news, notify me, Master."
With that, Kirei disappeared once again.
"What an impolite dog." Kirei's Master remarked, but his voice remained emotionless. "However, since you still have some usefulness, I'll spare your life."
After saying this, he refocused his attention on the screen, where a drunk thug happily smashed a bottle over a waiter's head.
"Be patient a bit longer..." He murmured. "Be patient a bit longer, and this disgusting world will be destroyed. The master we await will lead us to the true world."
===
At the same time, Artorius soaked in the hot spring.
'I should accelerate this Holy Grail War... the faster the Holy Grail War progresses, the sooner I can return to my own timeline. That way, the problem will be dealt with.'
"Iri."
With the maids' assistance, Artorius stood up from the hot spring and wrapped himself in a yukata. He called out Iri's name.
"Do you need something, Your Majesty?" Iri, waiting outside the hot spring, asked with a gentle tone.
"Spread my orders... it's time to summon the Servants, and commence the Holy Grail War."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
As a monarch, he naturally needed messengers to relay his commands. Moreover, because Artorius frequently engaged in various activities with the maids, it was evident that a male messenger would not be suitable. Thus, this honorable task was given to Iri.
A court lady, head maid, or grand chamberlain—this was the role Iri currently played.
Thus, Artorius's will was swiftly conveyed.
"Start the Holy Grail War early? Under these circumstances?! Aren't we being targeted by Dead Apostles? Moreover, this isn't even Fuyuki..." Tokiomi was slightly shaken. Before he could say anything, Rudolf had already turned and left.
"Lord Rudolf?"
"I shall execute His Majesty's will." Rudolf said calmly, "Farewell, Lord Tohsaka."
'Curses...' Tokiomi gritted his teeth. 'I guess I have no other choice. Fortunately, I have the relic to summon a Heroic Spirit with me.'
Thinking this, Tokiomi breathed a sigh of relief.
'But if you think carefully, maybe it's a good idea. With the power of Servants, we can be safer. Is this why His Majesty decided to hold the Holy Grail War earlier?'
