The union of the AOD (Alliance of Origin/Dawn) and the El-Melloi Classroom naturally signaled the convergence of their influence. On a grander scale, it represented the fusion of the tangible and intangible powers they wielded.
Unsurprisingly, a family that had reigned as a Lord of the Clock Tower for centuries possessed an abundance of accumulated resources. Among these was 'wealth'—the most undeniable means of proving one's influence.
Of the primary capital assets owned by the El-Melloi faction, those showing the most significant movement recently were the oil fields being tapped from the depths of the ocean and an observatory located in the Arctic region.
Coincidentally, it was well-known that the observatory and the oil fields were locations where the Third Magus—notorious for his close ties with the Fifth Magus, a high-ranking member of the AOD—was extending his reach through the Einzbern family.
"…I see. Even so, I did not expect them to attempt to absorb the shares with such frightening speed."
The UN's interference was a certainty, and Marisbury himself had been liquefying assets to walk the tightrope between the Einzbern and El-Melloi power struggle, securing his ownership of Chaldea. However, he had never imagined that the two factions, which had been baring their fangs at each other, would unite their strength so suddenly.
That the El-Melloi, thoroughbred Aristocrats, would side with the radically progressive AOD—and that the Fifth Magus would step into the fray directly, unlike the Third Magus who had been active from the shadows, even dropping meteors… it was all beyond Marisbury's calculations.
Of the shares in Chaldea, his own portion remained secure, and the title of 'Director' was an honorary post that could not be easily bought regardless of share volume. However, it was certain that his authority over 'CHALDEAS'—the thing he valued most—would be diminished. No, perhaps someone might even begin to approach the hidden truth of CHALDEAS.
"There is a traitor, or perhaps a spy."
There were those who came to mind.
The wielder of the Mystic Eyes of Distortion discovered through the simplified scanning system, and a woman who was a descendant of an exorcist family, were his primary suspects.
Yet, apprehending them immediately was difficult due to the fact that they had entered Chaldea under Einzbern sponsorship, and leaving them be was an irritating thorn in his side.
Just what had the Third Magus done? The man who should have been under surveillance for trespassing on state facilities was instead manipulating the UN and the EU as if he could see the future, seizing their various interests for himself.
"…I activated CHALDEAS regardless of what had to be sacrificed. It is an absolute necessity if I am to maintain the 'Human Order' I desire… Professor Lev's SHEBA will surely be able to capture not just the light of the future, but the light of the past as well. The Rayshift theory will no longer be mere desk-bound speculation."
He gazed at CHALDEAS.
A pseudo-celestial body—an artificial duplicate created under the assumption that the Earth possesses a soul.
As he looked upon this unparalleled Global-scale Mystic Code, a pseudo-spiritron space specialized in the Third Principle that promised the perfect guarantee of the Human Order for the next century, he turned his head to stare at the man pointing a gun at him.
"Are you not curious? Why the Age of Gods was severed? Why the Foundation of the Human Order has remained unstable since the start of the Common Era? Once Rayshift becomes possible, we will be able to investigate that Mystery—the cause—with our own hands."
Marisbury glanced over the man's firearm and attire, nodding as if he finally understood.
"A familiar face. You were certainly among those who participated in the Holy Grail War… Kiritsugu Emiya, was it?"
"I've grown dull. To think my information masking was sloppy enough for a Lord to know my name."
"Did the Third Magus order you to kill me?"
"No, he simply asked. If there is a psychopath trying to destroy the world simply because they are 'curious,' isn't it only right that they should be killed?"
"Destroying the world out of curiosity… far from it. What I am doing is nothing less than the salvation of this world."
"You know what that CHALDEAS is better than anyone, don't you? To claim you will destroy humanity just to guarantee the Human Order… it's nothing more than self-contradictory wordplay."
As Kiritsugu took a triangle stance with his finger on the trigger, Marisbury waved a hand dismissively, seemingly unfazed.
"A restructuring of the Human Order. Even if this humanity becomes the worst intelligent species ever born in the universe, if we simply restructure the foundation, they will become something more perfect, a step further… a singular, evolved entity."
"I've heard enough."
With a metallic click, Kiritsugu returned the hammer—loaded with an Origin Bullet—to its position and delivered his ultimatum to Marisbury.
"Power down CHALDEAS and quietly pass your Magic Crest to your daughter. Otherwise, I will shatter your Crest."
"An Origin Bullet… I have heard the rumors. A certain magus who thoroughly destroys everything from an opponent's Mystic Codes to their very Magecraft. At first, I thought it was an ability belonging to the 'Interpreter' of the Department of Modern Magecraft, but to think it was held by the Magus Killer."
"I'll give you ten seconds."
"Foolish. Shall I offer a deduction? The reason you haven't killed me with that Origin Bullet immediately is because my Magic Circuits are not currently active. While there are drugs that can force a circuit to overload or break, your bullets typically function best when the opponent is actively channeling Magecraft. Thus, you are hoping I resist with my craft… am I wrong?"
As Marisbury pulled a handgun from his desk drawer, Kiritsugu quickly fired his Contender, letting the shot graze the man's earlobe.
"It seems my guess was correct. However, it does not particularly matter if I die now. Between the guarantee of the Human Order and my own life, there is no need to even speak of a choice. Tell the Third Magus that I am sorry—tell him his plan has failed."
Shortly after, a single gunshot echoed. Looking down at Marisbury's collapsed body, Kiritsugu Emiya placed a cigarette in his mouth, then immediately crushed and extinguished it.
'…In the end, it happened exactly as Karma Kirigaya said. Though he moved as if he were someone of importance, everything played out according to the Third Magus's design.'
Briefly recalling the days when he lived as an 'Ally of Justice,' Kiritsugu quickly purged that cringeworthy memory from his mind and muttered in a low voice.
"This is why those who believe they are absolutely right are dangerous. And quite stupid as well."