The Heroic Spirits, each leaving their own farewells, departed one by one.
Kayneth returned with Sister Aoko to prepare for the inevitable legal battles with the Department of Policies.
Fortunately, Waver was able to return to the El-Melloi classroom, perhaps thanks to Sola-Ui's persistent pleas. Before leaving, he mentioned he would take a short pilgrimage, walking the path of the King of Conquerors once more.
The destruction of the Matou residence, the Fuyuki Citizen's Hall, the Tohsaka residence, and Mount Enjou was successfully dismissed as a combination of gas explosions and forest fires. The task of erasing the memories of the populace was left to Tokiomi Tohsaka, the only surviving magus currently in Fuyuki City.
"…Having to hold my tongue is proving to be a headache in many ways," I muttered.
"What was that?"
"It is nothing."
Simply mentioning 'Chaldea' or the 'Incineration of the Human Order' had become dangerous.
A Foundation of the Human Order might not be established by someone like Kiritsugu Emiya or a Lord of the Clock Tower, but Goetia had already begun attacking me by forcibly creating Foundations in a past different from the one I knew, altering history to manifest a Beast of Humanity.
If I were to speak of the future or attempt to alter it carelessly, it would mean Goetia, lurking within the Imaginary Number Space, could interfere with our path at any moment.
Naturally, I had no intention of dying to Goetia's schemes. If necessary, I could simply summon all available forces, including Sister Aoko… but involving others was a different story.
The Clock Tower, in particular, harbored a dangerous variable in Lev Lainur, even if he hadn't yet awakened as a Demon God Pillar. If I informed Kayneth of the truth behind the Incineration of the Human Order and requested his cooperation, there was no telling what Goetia might do through Flauros.
"Damn it, this is enough to drive anyone mad."
The treasures Gilgamesh provided were slated to be delivered to Marisbury via Sister Aoko. Marisbury would then use that wealth to complete 'Chaldeas' and the Human Order Continuance Institute: Finis Chaldea.
Since the funding was provided by Sister Aoko, we would naturally hold a stake in Finis Chaldea. The moment the UN attempted to interfere, my second card would be played to seize control of the shares.
'Marisbury was certainly blackmailed by Daybit Sem Void. To shut down Chaldeas… Of course, that lunatic ended up waking ORT to stop Chaldeas, but regardless, our interests align in many ways.'
Excluding the utter madman Beryl Gut, the Crypters appearing in Part 2 were all individuals worth recruiting.
From Akuta Hinako, a True Ancestor-like elemental and thus immortal, to Kirschtaria Wodime, a magus of immense caliber; Ophelia with her innate Mystic Eyes; and even Kadoc, whom the author confirmed could achieve the Restoration of the Human Order alongside Lostbelt Anastasia.
If I could secure them before Marisbury, and firmly grasp all authority over Chaldea before it was used for any other nonsense… then I could prevent the Incineration of the Human Order and the Bleaching of the Human Order alike.
"So… why have we come here?"
"To claim my second card."
The second card to seize control of Chaldea.
A family with wealth that ranks among the highest in the magus world, a lineage of homunculi who have pursued the path of magecraft for a millennium for the sake of the Third Magic. The Einzberns.
* * * * *
A mountain in Germany where snow was falling.
If one considers even this blizzard to be a part of the Bounded Field, it becomes clear how airtight the Einzbern security truly is.
"Found it. It's this way."
Originally, Kiritsugu, whose body should have been ravaged by Angra Mainyu's curse, might have failed even to breach this field. However, with the peak physical condition and experience of this Kiritsugu, joined by Kotomine Kirei with an Executor's body that transcended even him… and finally, myself, we were able to break through the Bounded Field with ease.
"…What is that?"
"A very useful item for infiltration."
"…It seems there are homunculi on guard duty, so perhaps it would be better to fly in with me."
The fact that the Bounded Field was destroyed and intruders had appeared seemed to have been signaled, but the homunculi failed to notice us floating through the air, never expecting an infiltration from the sky.
Finally landing at the top of the castle's central spire, we each drew our weapons.
"I assume you've memorized the castle's layout, so let's split into formation. I will head straight for Old Man Acht."
"I shall take responsibility for Illyasviel. And you?"
"…I will handle the other homunculi."
Immediately after, accompanied by the sound of Asura Path missiles detonating in the courtyard, a major event that would be recorded in the history of magecraft began—the first intruders in the thousand-year history of the Einzbern magecraft.
* * * * *
"Sella, what's happening outside?"
"It is nothing, My Lady. Please rest assured and go back to sleep."
"I'm scared… When are Mama and Papa coming back? Hmm? Sella, tell me quickly. You said they'd be back after seven nights, right? But five nights have already passed… Grandfather said Papa killed Mama, but that was a lie, wasn't it?"
Sella, her maid and homunculus, remained silent.
No matter if she was a created Lesser Grail or a homunculus… how could she possibly say it? The truth that her father, a hired killer for the Einzberns, had brutally murdered her mother, Irisviel, and vanished after seizing the contents of the Greater Grail.
"…I am sorry, My Lady. For now, please just wait a little longer…"
At that moment, something appeared at the window where no one should have been.
Along with a small shadow, a youthful voice spoke.
"Hello, little one. You're Kiritsugu Emiya's daughter, right?"
"…You know Papa?"
"Stand back, My Lady! It is an enemy!"
In that instant, remembering her paramount mission to 'Protect the Lady,' Sella quickly swung a massive halberd down at the intruder.
However, before the halberd could reach the boy, it was repelled with a sharp *clang!*, and Sella was knocked back, falling onto the plush carpet.
"This… My Lady, please escape… why… my body…"
"It won't move, right? I increased the gravity in your area a little… Anyway, you're Illyasviel von Einzbern, I presume? Honestly, I wanted to come with your father right after the Grail War ended, but there were many issues to settle."
"Is Papa… hurt a lot?"
"Hardly. Your mother is safe as well. The war ended without issue, and your father is currently speaking with your grandfather regarding your matters."
"Really?!"
"Of course."
Though I couldn't say whether that 'conversation' would be conducted with words or fists.
"Cunning thief, unhand the Lady!"
"I'll pass!"
Blowing her away with a casual Shinra Tensei, I picked up Illya in a princess carry and slowly began heading toward Jubstacheit's room.
Ascending two floors, the sound of clashing weapons and chaotic shouting began to echo from all directions.
Dozens of homunculi surrounded a single room, and Black Keys as well as various blunt instruments—the kind a maid might carry—were embedded throughout the walls.
"It's an intruder!"
"Wait, he's taken the Lady hostage!"
"Hello there. By the way, I was wondering where the other intruders were… ah, that's Old Man Acht's room, isn't it?"
Keeping a moderate distance from the homunculi who were hesitant to move because of Illya, I entered the room…
"Whoops, this is quite the carnival."
The scene before me was a mess in every sense.
Several homunculi were pinned to the floor by Black Keys through their limbs, and Jubstacheit, standing at the center, was helpless as Kiritsugu leveled an Uzi at him.
[The last of the intruders have arrived, I see. Do you intend to destroy the house of Einzbern?]
"If necessary, yes," I replied.
Regardless of the tension, Illyasviel, seemingly overjoyed to see her father, ran over and lept into Kiritsugu's arms.
"Papa!"
"Illya…! You're safe."
[…Traitor! With what face do you dare return to Einzbern!]
Gently moving Kiritsugu aside, I pulled a chair toward me with Bansho Ten'in and sat down facing the old man.
"Are you Jubstacheit von Einzbern? Kiritsugu said he'd step forward first, but it seems words weren't enough to solve the issue."
[Indeed, outsider. That mercenary beside you entered into a contract with us, yet for his own desires, he betrayed our cause and used the Grail's resources as he pleased. Irisviel and the Lesser Grail have been stolen, but do not think you can take a second one!]
At that moment, strange tattoos manifested on Illyasviel's body and began to glow violently.
"I-Illya!"
"Move aside, magus."
Kotomine Kirei quickly approached Illyasviel, produced a bottle, dipped his finger into the liquid inside, and began chanting prayers while tracing his finger over her forehead.
[It is futile. She will be the Einzbern terminal and the Master for the Fifth Holy Grail War. We have no need for the assistance of an assassin like you. We should have done this from the beginning. The Third Magic shall be obtained solely through the power of Einzbern!]
"Ah."
[What is it?]
"Well…"
So, looking at the situation, Illyasviel has already been modified into a Grail, and he's basically saying if we attack, he'll just kill her…
"Is that a threat?"
[…How dare a fledgling magus with less than twenty years of history open his mouth before me…]
Completely ignoring Jubstacheit's words, I brushed aside Kotomine's hand and placed mine on Illya.
A violet aura began to swirl around my right hand. Placing it slowly on Illya's stomach, I began to cut through the intricately connected 'somethings' one by one.
Something began to be dragged out of an invisible aperture, finally taking shape amidst a golden shimmer. Following it were dark red curses, an incredibly complex Magic Crest… and the Command Spells that likely should have covered Irisviel's entire body. Once they were removed, Illyasviel stopped trembling and slowly closed her eyes.
Kiritsugu quickly checked her nose, lips, and pulse, then let out a deep sigh of relief.
[You… how did you separate the Grail from her…!]
Oh, so you're curious about that?
"Nice to meet you, Jubstacheit. I am a wielder of the Third Magic—the second in history to formally awaken to its mysteries. My name is 'Hakuno Kishinami.'"
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