"Shichen-nii, why did you bring me here?" Rin Tohsaka asked as she followed behind him.
He was holding her hand—this time it really was hand-in-hand, not just grabbing her wrist.
It was nighttime. Darkness blanketed the ground, the area around them silent and pitch-black—perfect timing for doing bad things.
Whether that meant arson and murder… or the kind of improper things adults like to do.
All along the way, Rin had been secretly guessing that Shichen was taking her somewhere remote to do something "not suitable for kids."
After all, there were too many people at home—it wouldn't be appropriate.
But doing it out in the wild… wasn't that a bit much?
Could it be that Shichen-nii was into that kind of "spicy" atmosphere?
"I brought you here to get revenge," Shichen replied, turning his head. He had no idea what nonsense was running through her mind.
"Revenge?" Rin pushed aside her wild thoughts and looked at him in confusion.
"Don't you want to know who killed your father?"
"Who killed my father?!" Rin's expression changed instantly—sharp, serious, and murderous.
"Shichen-nii… you mean—?"
"Your father didn't die normally in the Holy Grail War. He was ambushed and assassinated."
"Was it Assassin?"
"It was a mage."
"Huh?"
"And it was someone closest to him."
"Don't tell me…" Rin's eyes widened as she realized the implication.
Back then, she and her mother had been sent away—after all, the Holy Grail War was dangerous. Someone might take them hostage to threaten her father.
That meant no one should have been at her father's side… except his Servant and the disciple who fought alongside him in the war.
If Shichen was saying "a mage" and "the closest person"…
There was only one possibility.
Rin didn't want to believe it.
Because the person she was thinking of had attended the funeral without a hint of guilt, had even acted devastated—and afterward, had taken care of her.
If he really was her father's killer…
Then she'd been raised by her father's murderer.
And she had even felt grateful to him…
But no matter how unbelievable it was, Rin couldn't convince herself that Shichen would lie. He had no reason to.
So it could only be the truth.
"That bastard…" Rin's eyes went bloodshot. "He killed my father with his own hands—killed his teacher?"
"Just to win the Grail War? For that 'wish that can do anything'?"
"It wasn't for a wish," Shichen corrected flatly.
"What?" Rin froze and stared at him.
"That guy is just sick. He's broken in the head. He was only looking for enjoyment," Shichen said coldly, expressionless.
He'd never cared about Kirei Kotomine—past or present. Even if Tokiomi Tohsaka was a terrible father, that didn't make Kirei any less disgusting.
"Enjoyment?"
Rin murmured, "What kind of enjoyment? Killing your own teacher is 'enjoyment'? Animal."
"Yeah. He's an animal," Shichen said softly. "So let's go deal with him."
Rin was already drowning in rage and disbelief. Shichen wasn't going to lecture her—he was going to let her vent.
"Shichen-nii…" Rin lowered her gaze. "Will you help me?"
Even blinded by fury, she knew she wasn't a match for Kotomine Kirei. She wasn't going to throw her life away—if she couldn't beat him, she'd never get revenge.
"What kind of obvious question is that?" Shichen smiled. "Did you forget what I am to you?"
"My Servant…" Rin looked up and smiled.
"That's right. Let's go."
"Okay!"
Still holding hands, they walked on side by side until a gloomy, silent church came into view.
Inside, it was pitch-black—no lights, no sound. But there were people in there.
Shichen sensed more than one presence.
"He's inside. Let's just go in."
"Mm."
Shichen led Rin forward and pushed the door open.
The church was dark as a tomb. In the faint moonlight spilling in from behind them, they could barely make out rows of pews.
"Oh? Rin, why are you—" A tall figure stepped out of the shadows, his tone faintly pleased—until he saw the man beside her, and his words turned into shock.
Kotomine Kirei recognized him instantly.
A man he would never forget—a nightmare that had haunted him for ten years.
Once you had seen how powerful this man was, it was impossible to stay calm. He was utterly beyond defeat.
Kirei couldn't comprehend why someone like that could exist—someone who ignored all common sense, who made reality feel absurd.
Even Heroic Spirits were nothing to him… even the infamous King of Heroes.
Kirei had assumed Shichen was just some lucky "helper" the Einzbern found—someone who would vanish once the war ended.
And he had vanished. For ten years, there was no trace.
So why was he here now?
And right at the start of a new Holy Grail War?!
Kirei's gaze snapped to Shichen's hand. Even in the dark, he could see it: a Command Spell, openly displayed.
So it was true.
He had entered the Holy Grail War as a Master.
How was anyone supposed to play this game now?
"Kotomine Kirei," Shichen greeted him coldly. "Long time no see."
"You…" Kirei's face twitched. He nearly turned to run.
That tone—this wasn't a friendly visit.
And Rin was holding his hand.
Their relationship was obviously not normal.
And Kirei knew exactly what he had done.
Rin's face was blazing with rage.
He was dead.
"Kotomine Kirei!" Rin's voice cut through the darkness. "My father—did you kill him?"
"Rin…"
So she knew.
"Listen, I can explain—don't believe him—"
"You're still lying to me?! Die!"
Rin didn't waste another word. She yanked out a gemstone and fired her magecraft, hurling it at him without hesitation.
Kirei knew Rin's style. He threw himself sideways, rolling hard to evade.
BOOM—!
The place where he'd been standing exploded. Nearby pews shattered, wooden fragments spraying through the air.
"…Rin," Kirei snarled, dropping to one knee—ragged, filthy, but still trying to act like her elder. "I don't recall raising you into such a violent girl."
"And I don't recall—being raised by you!"
Rin's eyes were feral. She grabbed another gemstone and charged straight at him.
Too far to blow him up? Then she'd close the distance.
"This is really…" Kirei forced himself up and ran.
But Shichen stood in the doorway.
Kirei could only circle within the church.
He knew he was finished, but his survival instincts were screaming.
Funny—he'd once believed he didn't care about anything.
Rin was trying to kill him. She chased relentlessly, flinging gemstones like her life depended on it.
The church became a storm of explosions.
But Kirei's physical skill was monstrous. Using pillars and pews as cover, he ricocheted and vaulted, barely staying alive.
Yet he realized something quickly: he couldn't leave the main hall. No side doors, no escape routes.
He didn't need to guess who'd done that.
Shichen simply watched. He didn't step in.
Kirei's death needed to be delivered by Rin's own hands.
She needed that release.
With the church sealed, Kirei wasn't going anywhere.
What Shichen found more interesting was this: he no longer sensed the other presence he'd noticed earlier.
That meant whoever it was had sensed him and fled immediately.
Hero King… turning into a coward now?
Still, it wasn't urgent. Tonight's goal was Kirei.
The only thing Shichen regretted was that Caren wasn't here—he'd wanted to meet her at least once.
That thought was gone now. No matter what, he'd become Kirei's enemy. Having any interest in Kirei's daughter at this point was honestly twisted.
BOOM—!
Another sharp blast rang out—smaller, but heavier.
This time Kirei failed to evade. He was blown off his feet, slamming to the floor.
Both legs were shredded, blood and torn flesh everywhere. He couldn't stand anymore.
"Kotomine Kirei," Rin said, walking toward him step by step, voice like ice. "Any last words?"
"I…" Kirei's face contorted, yet he still tried to sound dignified. "Nothing to say. You've grown up."
"Still won't admit you were wrong?"
Rin's expression didn't change. She tossed the gemstone in her hand straight at him.
BOOM—!
Blood and gore burst outward—
—but a barrier appeared in front of Rin and blocked it.
Shichen walked up behind her. Rin kept her head lowered, silent.
"Rin…"
"Shichen-nii!" Rin suddenly spun around and threw herself into his arms.
"It's over," Shichen said gently, holding her tight and patting her back.
"Thank you, Shichen-nii…" Rin buried her face in his chest, her voice trembling with sobs.
"And you're thanking me?" Shichen murmured.
"Mm…"