Although the cost was heavy, sacrificing an entire Assassin army, in Tohsaka Tokiomi's view...
...this deal was not a loss, but a huge profit.
The fundamental reason was—
...he didn't feel the pinch spending someone else's resources, especially since it wasn't his own Heroic Spirit that died.
"To be able to split into nearly a hundred physical bodies in an instant and possess the power to kill a Heroic Spirit in one hit..."
Tohsaka Tokiomi took a sip of red wine, his eyes flashing with brilliance. "I see. Is this Ruler's trump card? Such a mana-draining move... that fellow must be at his wit's end by now."
In his typical Magus mindset, great power always came with a great cost.
Hansen's earth-shaking performance just now was naturally dismissed by him as a high-consumption ultimate move.
"Though it looks troublesome, it also exposed his limits. Pure physical ability can be countered, as long as an Anti-World noble phantasm or large-scale magical bombardment is used."
As long as it could be understood, it could be conquered.
Tohsaka Tokiomi put down his wine glass, and the composure belonging to the head of the Tohsaka Family returned to his face.
Knock, knock, knock.
A steady knocking sounded.
"Come in."
The heavy wooden door was pushed open, and Kirei Kotomine, wearing black clerical robes, walked in.
He still wore that expressionless, deadpan face, his hollow eyes like two dry wells, devoid of any ripples.
He walked to the desk and bowed slightly, his movements so perfect they were beyond reproach.
"Teacher."
"Kirei, you have done well." Tohsaka Tokiomi stood up, a satisfied smile on his face as he walked to his disciple. "Though Assassin has exited the stage, they won you valuable information and scouted the greatest obstacle on the Tohsaka Family's path to the Holy Grail."
Kirei Kotomine lowered his head, his voice flat. "It is what I should do."
"No, you are too modest." Tokiomi patted Kirei's shoulder, his tone carrying the kindness and expectation typical of an elder. "The war has progressed to this point, and the situation is now clear."
"As a master who has lost his Servant, it is no longer appropriate for you to remain in Fuyuki City."
"I will speak with The Church; you should go elsewhere to lie low for a while."
Tokiomi turned around and walked toward the display cabinet behind him. "When the Holy Grail descends and the Tohsaka Family's long-cherished wish is fulfilled, I will share part of that glory with you."
Kirei Kotomine kept his head down, his voice without fluctuation. "Yes, Teacher. I understand."
Tokiomi nodded in satisfaction. He opened the cabinet and took out an exquisite, elongated wooden box.
Turning around, he handed it to Kirei.
"This is a parting gift for you, and also proof of your graduation as my disciple."
Kirei took the wooden box and slowly opened it.
On the velvet padding lay a dagger inlaid with a red gemstone.
The "Azoth Sword."
This was an Amplification Mystic Code commonly used in alchemy. In the tradition of Magi, it was often a memento given by a mentor when an apprentice completed their training.
"The Azoth Sword—I think you should understand its meaning." Tohsaka Tokiomi looked at Kirei, his eyes gentle. "Accept it, Kirei."
"You have always been an excellent student. Although your personality is somewhat brooding, I have always seen your loyalty."
Kirei reached out, his fingertips touching the cold hilt.
Is this... trust?
Is this... the bond between teacher and disciple?
Why is there not a single trace of emotion in my heart? Instead, there is only... an urge to vomit?
"Thank you for the gift, Teacher."
Kirei picked up the dagger and held it in his hand.
The hilt was icy, and the red gemstone shimmered with an eerie light under the lamp.
"Well, it's getting late. You should go back and prepare."
Tokiomi nodded with a smile, then turned around quite naturally, his back to Kirei, as he picked up the wine glass on the desk again.
He looked at the moonlight peeking through the gaps in the curtains, in high spirits.
The biggest variable, Ruler, had shown all his cards. Saber was drowned in that nonsense called chivalry. Rider was a reckless fool with more brawn than brains. As for the rest... they were not worth fearing at all.
"This time, the Holy Grail will surely belong to the Tohsaka Family. We will reach The Root and fulfill our long-cherished wish..."
Tokiomi raised his glass as if toasting the Goddess of Victory in the void. "As long as we wait for the King of Heroes..."
Pfft—!
A very faint muffled sound, like leather being pierced, abruptly rang out in the study.
Tokiomi's hand holding the wine glass suddenly froze.
He looked down, staring blankly at his chest.
There, the familiar tip of a sword inlaid with a red gemstone was emerging from his chest.
The blade was stained with a warm, bright red liquid.
Is that... my blood?
"Ugh... cough..."
Tokiomi opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but only mouthfuls of blood foam surged out.
Intense pain only then dully spread throughout his body at this moment.
Why?
The barrier didn't alert... no one intruded... who is it?
Tokiomi turned his stiff neck with difficulty, wanting to glance at the person behind him.
It was his most trusted disciple.
It was the student to whom he had just personally given a graduation gift.
Kirei Kotomine still stood there, holding the hilt with one hand. He gave it a slight twist and then pulled it out cleanly.
Spurt—!
Blood splattered, staining Kirei's black clerical robes and splashing a few drops onto his still expressionless face.
"Ugh... Ki... Kirei..."
Tokiomi fell powerlessly to his knees, his hands clutching the bloody hole in his chest, his eyes full of disbelief and deep despair.
Until the final moment of his life, this Magus known for his elegance still could not understand the scene unfolding before him.
Clearly... everything was going according to plan.
Why?
Thud.
Tokiomi's corpse collapsed onto the thick carpet. The unfinished wine spilled everywhere, mixing with his blood and emitting a strange, sweet, metallic scent.
He died with his eyes open.
The study fell into a deathly silence.
Kirei Kotomine did not look at the corpse on the floor.
He raised his hand, wiped the blood from his cheek with a finger, and then examined it closely.
Bright red, warm, and smelling of rust.
But he did not find it disgusting.
On the contrary.
A never-before-felt thrill, like an electric current, surged from his tailbone straight to the top of his head.
It was the fulfillment of a void that had been suppressed for decades, finally being filled by something called "sin."
"Hehe..."
"Hehehehe..."
Kirei Kotomine's shoulders began to shake, and a low, suppressed laugh escaped his throat.
He finally understood.
So, this is what they call pleasure.
To personally destroy this so-called trust and affection... it was actually such a wonderful thing!
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