Kirei Kotomine did not continue speaking, simply watching Tohsaka Tokiomi in silence.
Tohsaka Tokiomi took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the flicker of fatherly hesitation had been forcibly suppressed by a magus's cold logic.
"As long as it is for the sake of reaching The Root, sacrifice is inevitable."
He turned around and looked back out at the night sky, his tone regaining that almost cruel elegance. "Since she has entered the Matou Family, she is one of theirs."
"Her fate no longer has anything to do with the Tohsaka Family."
Kirei Kotomine watched Tokiomi's back, an imperceptible ripple flickering deep within his eyes.
Just then, a flurry of golden light particles gathered in the center of the study.
The radiance was so dazzling that it even outshone the lights in the study and the streetlamps in the courtyard.
An aura of kingly dominance that transcended all living things began to rage recklessly within the small space.
"What a boring conversation, Tokiomi."
Accompanied by that utterly arrogant voice, the King of Heroes—Gilgamesh—manifested.
He wasn't wearing his blinding set of golden armor, but rather a black-and-white casual leather outfit, holding a glass of red wine in his hand.
Even so, the blond youth still radiated a majestic aura that made people afraid to look at him directly.
Judging by the look of disdain on his face, it was clear the King of Heroes was not satisfied with the Tohsaka Family's wine cellar.
"This kind of low-grade wine, filled with the taste of rust, is something only a country noble like you could stomach."
Gilgamesh casually tossed the wine glass onto the floor, the red liquid splashing onto the carpet like a blooming blood flower.
"King..." Tokiomi immediately set down his own glass and bowed slightly, performing a flawless courtier's salute. "I apologize for the poor showing. If you are unsatisfied, I can have someone replace it immediately."
"No need."
Gilgamesh waved a hand, his snake-like red pupils scanning the two men present.
They finally landed on Kirei, lingering for a second as a playful smirk touched his lips.
"This King has no interest in wine, but I am somewhat interested in the mongrel who caused such a commotion."
He walked over to the sofa and sat down with a bold, wide-legged stance, crossing his legs as comfortably as if he were on his own throne.
"King..." Tohsaka Tokiomi took a deep breath, adjusted his posture, and bowed respectfully. "Regarding that attack that appeared in the direction of the Einzbern forest, I wonder if you sensed anything?"
"Hmph."
Gilgamesh let out a contemptuous snort. He didn't answer immediately, instead taking an elegant sip of red wine as if savoring the stupidity of mortals.
"Tokiomi, are you questioning this King's insight?"
"Your Servant would not dare." Tohsaka Tokiomi lowered his head even further. "It is just that the situation is urgent, and it seems an unexpected variable has intervened in this war."
"A variable? That golden light..."
Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes, recalling the scene he had witnessed toward the Einzbern forest earlier that morning.
Though the distance was great, he would never mistake that aura.
"Hmph, I didn't expect to see that kind of radiance in this era."
"King, do you know what it was?" Tokiomi asked tentatively.
"Just a decent sword."
Gilgamesh spoke nonchalantly, his tone dismissive, but there was no trace of a smile in his eyes. "However, compared to the sword itself, the person wielding it... has a scent that is both nauseating and sufficiently powerful."
As an existence possessing the prototype of the 'Sha Naqba Imuru' (The Star that Sees All), Gilgamesh's intuition far surpassed that of ordinary people.
In that light, he had sensed more than just Saber's aura.
There was also something... even more domineering and aggressive, a power that even faintly gave him a sense of threat.
This feeling made him very displeased.
In all the heavens and earth, only he was supreme!
How dare someone be more arrogant than this King?
In this world, such an awesome person is not allowed to exist!
"Does the King mean... that is a powerful enemy that must be eliminated?" Tohsaka Tokiomi carefully tried to gauge the King's will.
"A powerful enemy? Ha!"
Gilgamesh let out a sneer, as if he had heard the world's greatest joke. "What are you panicking for, Tokiomi? Watch your wording—"
"In this world, no one is worthy of being this King's enemy!"
"A mere ant that is slightly stronger is worth such a loss of composure? Don't forget who stands before you."
"It is... I was overthinking things." Knowing that his Servant's ego had long since transcended the heavens, Tohsaka Tokiomi quickly offered flattery. "In this world, no one can compare to the King of Heroes."
"Indeed. It's just something that can add a bit of fun to this King's boring game."
He stood up and walked over to Tohsaka Tokiomi, a dangerous light flashing in his red pupils: "However, this King does not like waiting."
"Since that mongrel dares to cause such a stir on my territory, it is a provocation to this King's majesty."
"Tokiomi, go and find out everything."
Gilgamesh's command brooked no argument: "No matter what stray dog it is, if it dares to bark in the King's garden, it must be prepared to be crushed."
"Yes, I shall follow your will." Tohsaka Tokiomi lowered his head deeply.
Once the golden light particles dispersed and the temperamental King dematerialized, the heavy pressure in the study finally eased slightly.
Tohsaka Tokiomi straightened his back and wiped away the non-existent cold sweat from his forehead.
This was the pressure of serving the King of Heroes.
He had to utilize his power while constantly being careful not to offend his royal majesty.
"Kirei."
Tohsaka Tokiomi looked at his disciple, his gaze becoming sharp again. "Since the King is interested, we cannot sit idly by."
"The defensive bounded field on the Einzbern side is strict, but for an Assassin with 'Presence Concealment,' it should not be a problem."
He picked up a deep red gemstone from his desk and examined it closely under the light.
"Tonight, have Assassin go and scout the situation."
"There is no need for a full-scale battle. Just find out two things."
Tohsaka Tokiomi held up two fingers.
"First, Saber's current status and her trump cards."
"Second, whether that mysterious power that instantly wiped out the Matou Family was actually a trick pulled by the Einzberns."
In his view, no matter how strong that attack was, releasing a noble phantasm of that level must be accompanied by a massive consumption of magical energy.
The Saber team is likely at their weakest right now.
Kirei Kotomine nodded slightly, his face still devoid of any expression.
"Understood, Teacher."
"I will have the Hassans confirm it."
Kirei turned and walked toward the door.
The moment his hand gripped the doorknob, he paused, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately he remained silent and pushed the door open to leave.
Tohsaka Tokiomi was left alone in the study.
He looked at the moon outside, half-covered by dark clouds, and a confident smile curled his lips.
"The Holy Grail War... has only just begun."
"Everything for the sake of the Tohsaka Family's long-cherished wish."
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"