Shinto Community Center, Central Security Room.
Lelouch stared at the monitors from his seat. One of them showed the room they recently left. The one that housed their most important prisoner. Irisviel von Einzbern hugged her knees as she leaned against the wall, complying as their prisoner even though she could very easily attempt an escape against security cameras that worked with modern technology.
Magic was very versatile when it came to application, but considering the fear and threat Avenger imposed on her, it seems she wouldn't even dare to try.
'Hm… A bit meeker than I expected. For an artificial human, she acts less like an empty doll and more…'
Lelouch didn't know how to put it. He wasn't exactly a good judge of character when said person wasn't even human, but at least he knew how to handle more normal, non-magical, things. One of those being commandeering an entire building for their little jaunt against Saber and Emiya Kiritsugu.
Taking over the centre was relatively easy. Still, in the midst of construction, the giant tower was relatively empty apart from underpaid security. When said security was about as basic and normal as any other everyday person, taking over was as easy as giving the word. The unqualified guards didn't hold a candle to their ancestor's famed daimyo and were all dispatched without much effort. Thankfully, Nobunaga opted to just knock them out and lock them away in a separate room. Truly, the adorable young woman was acting her part as the 'benevolent' demon.
'If only she was able to hold her temper back earlier…'
Lelouch could've done without the Einzbern Master nearly being burned alive, but it wasn't as if he had full control of Nobu's mood. She did as she willed, and it was only because he insisted she be kept alive that she complied at all. 'Knowing she's mad for my sake is great and all, but I'd rather she stay a bit more composed until later.'
Better to vent all that rage out on a target he could afford her letting loose on. For now, though, they could only wait for the trap to be sprung.
"Mgh." Something told him it would be a long and boring wait. Or the finger mushing against his cheeks told him someone would find it boring had she not decided to plop down on his lap. "I know I said you should relax until later but…"
"'But' what, daaaaaarling~~~?"
Another set of fingers mushed against the other side of his face, but instead of just poking, it gently, and forcibly, tugged him to have his gaze centre on his aggressor's smiling own. Making sure she was as close as possible to him, Nobu smiled sweetly while blocking his view of the camera monitors.
"Not even a day has passed since our declaration of undying love and yet you're already looking at other women," she stated with feigned hurt. Lelouch pondered teaching her how to improve her faulty dramatics. "Truly, my partner is the lowest of the scum!"
Lelouch rolled his eyes. "First of all, she is our main leverage against Saber. And secondly, 'undying love'?"
"Don't you dare tell me it wasn't!" she snapped but seemingly flushed slightly. "I—I read stories of romance when I was alive as well, you know? O-only the most intimate lovers would share such a passionate kiss as we had last night!"
"I wouldn't trust some centuries-old books to portray how actual relationships work," Lelouch murmured under breath to only have his face mushed against hers. Forehead to forehead, unamused red eyes locked onto surprised violet orbs. Nobu even raised an eyebrow.
"And what's that supposed to mean? What are we if not soulmates destined for one another? Or… do you mean to tell me your acceptance was all a joke, Lulu?"
"It's not… but…" He seemed a bit troubled, but as that in itself was adorable, Nobunaga let it slide by hugging him tightly. It was also partly to ensure that he wasn't lying at all. Feeling a hand comb the tresses of her hair, though, she heard him say, "… We are demons that stand together. Nothing will change that, Nobunaga. Not now or ever."
"Good," she snapped back with a pout but also poked his nose with her own, hiding a smirk. "Because I'm a greedy woman and hate it when someone tries to take what is rightfully mine." When he didn't push her away and just cuddled her closer, she smirked and felt her cheeks grow hotter as the distance between their faces closed. Pressing her face against his, she allowed him a peek at the monitors once more but only with him feeling her warmth all throughout. "Now, what are we going to do with the homunculus and the other woman?"
"As I stated earlier, they are hostages, Nobu. No more, no less."
With the Magus Killer and Saber as their foes, he needed to use them for what he could. And with the Einzbern woman keeping quiet, there was only one other use he had for her life.
Lelouch didn't expect the infamous assassin to show kindness, but Emiya Kiritsugu's reaction to his call was somewhat telling of an underlying story. He wasn't sure what relationship he may have had with his employer or if he cared about the other woman Nobu brought in, but there was a chance. And Lelouch was certainly going to exploit it.
As for the King of Knights… well, the weakness was pretty obvious. Chivalrous and honour-bound, King Arthur would more than likely halt in the face of this plan. Distraction at worst is completely defeated at best. Either way, a knight who made it their duty to protect her people wouldn't do anything rash that would risk either Lady Irisviel or the mercenary Maiya's lives.
However, there was something that worried Lelouch. So much so that, despite leaning back against the office chair, felt somewhat tense.
"What's wrong?" Of course, Nobu wouldn't miss it.
"Do you think that this entire situation seems… a bit suspicious? According to what we learned in the Matou manor, the Einzberns were the ones who always provided and oversaw the safety of the Lesser Grail. Though they participated in all Grail Wars and never won, this one duty was something they never skimped on. Yet, now they're sending their candidate, who is most likely the only person in this war who knows where the Lesser Grail is, into the conflict. That puts far too much risk even if they planned for one of the other founders to know where it is either."
"True, if the winner was an absolute outsider, either yourself or one of the other four, no one would be able to attain the Grail." Nobu nodded, following his logic. "Not unless it manifested before the winner themselves."
"It's odd. Not only is she placed at risk, but she's also been made to act as a Master. With how many of the wars have gone in the past, according to Zouken's records, the Master almost always dies first as their death would spell the end for the Servant as well, bar exceptions like the Caster and Archer classes that had stores of excess mana and an Independent Skill." Lelouch wondered if the alchemy-based Einzberns were just that foolhardy, just that arrogant, thinking their homunculus proxy was capable of survival against this many overpowered foes. "Now that I think about it, Lady Einzbern almost always had Saber by her side when she didn't shy away from the battlefield. And yet that very Master is looking somewhat off."
"You noticed as well?"
"Hard not to." Panning a glance to the monitor showing the woman still leaning against the wall, Lelouch frowned. "She's somehow looking far more weakened than usual and can't even stand up. Even before you roughed her up, she looked to be in obvious pain."
Though they never conversed much nor encountered them that many times before, it was clear that Irisviel von Einzbern didn't look to be in the perfect condition to fight. Hence, his suspicion something was off. But there was more to it than just her sickliness.
"Disregarding her, for all we know, she can have a similar condition to Kariya, there is still the Magus Killer. From what we gathered amongst our past allies, the infamous assassin's reputation underestimates his skills. If Tohsaka and Kayneth were very much truly aware of his capabilities, they would have targeted him first, but that could just be that they didn't notice his participation until it was too late. Or they could've just disregarded him as he is useless against Servants themselves. Despite this, why is he acting as the side pawn and not the main actor? Why has the Einzbern relegated his talent to the wayside while the seemingly weakened Lady Irisviel continues to take all the heat?"
Nobu fell silent as she too pondered this with him. It wouldn't be all that strange to have a repeat of Kariya's situation. Magi were the odd bunch out that would most definitely seek their own destruction in exchange for power and a chance to win, but for the fact that the Einzberns were willing to deny everyone else the Grail in their gambit? That raised eyebrows.
'Why put so much on the shoulders of one woman who might die at any moment? Matou Zouken's notes on their clan was extensive to the point of praising their devotion to this ritual.' For the Einzberns who were always first to lose, deciding to put all of their eggs in one basket… It seemed natural after all their previous losses, but this seemed a bit too much. Especially when they have the perfect potential Master in the form of Emiya Kiritsugu. The man would have been a perfect choice to take the master's role. But why wasn't he?'
What if he actually was the Einzbern Master? It was a long shot, so he decided to posit it to his partner.
"To make a mercenary a Master? Wouldn't that put too much risk on him going rogue? Not even I would trust any soldier my men bought off the side of a road."
"As you should, but… it's the best conjecture I can come up with." Lelouch considered it longer. Then his mind jumped to his first exchange with Emiya Kiritsugu. "Hm… I can come up with several theories as to how this may be, but not enough evidence to actually ensure it. Although…"
"Although?" Nobu prodded with her cheek resting on his chest. The fact that she was pressing herself on him harder wasn't lost on him but he ignored it for now.
"We have next to nothing to support this claim. Although, if we assume that the Magus Killer was Saber's true Master from the start, some questions can be answered."
Considering that he preferred to work out of the limelight, then it explains why the one most likely to be assumed as the Einzbern Master, the homunculus woman Lady Irisviel, would persist as a figurehead. She was weak and might have been so from the beginning, but she acted as a distraction while he worked in eliminating their foes from the shadows. That explained Tohsaka's surprise attack and being caught off guard. It might also explain why they never saw the hide nor hair of Caster's Master, the psycho child killer, after Caster's death.
Speaking of Caster, the fact that Saber allied with him to take them and Lancer out was pretty odd as well. No way Arturia was going to ally herself with someone like the child-sacrificing magus. But if it wasn't by her own choice, then her utilitarian Master enforcing it would've made sense. Yet, Irisviel didn't give Lelouch the impression of a ruthless and cold person. Just a few minutes ago, she was ready to die should her fellow captive be spared. Perhaps… the Magus Killer was the man he was looking for. One who knew to use others as pawns in order to ensure his own survival. And victory.
"Furthermore, Lady Irisviel has yet to use her Command Seals to call for help." Lelouch's stare flew to the back of the woman's hand as she hugged her knees. There were red marks on her skin, yes. But he wasn't a professional that could sense the mana within. He was more likely to mistake his own Command Seals for a tattoo had he not been made aware of their underlying power. "Even if we can't make sure as neither of us is magi, it's possible to assume that she hasn't used them because she never did have Command Seals. If she hasn't been faking it all this time, then she wouldn't have any reason to play along with us if she could just summon Saber to her side."
"Pretty bold of an assumption to make. Perhaps, she's just waiting for the right time." Nobu theorized while tickling the underside of his chin with her index. "She might think we're waiting for her to call the little knight to rescue her and they'll both end up trapped."
"Maybe or maybe not." Lelouch sighed. "Either way, we'll get our full answer when the Magus Killer arrives. Until then I will look after her while you will take care of something in the meantime."
Nobu's ears perked up at that. The predatory smile she had on while looking up at him was one part intimidating and another part eager-puppy adorable. "Let me guess! Rider?"
"Indeed. Having been played as the diversion, Iskandar will likely appear tonight via sensing your presence." Patting her head, he felt her get a little warmer on his chest as well as his palm. "Not that we'd make it easy for him to find you—"
"But you don't want him to interfere with our plans, yeah?" she finished his sentence whilst pecking him on the cheek. Caught by surprise, Lelouch watched as she pushed off against him, making sure to grind against him as a last tease, and straightened out her hair as she reached the exit. "If my adorable master wants me to deal with any interlopers while he takes care of the mystery mercenary on his own, then I will not disappoint. Call me when the situation turns sour, Lulu. I will not hesitate to sweep you off your feet like a damsel in distress."
That she added a wink to that only had him scoffing back with a smile. "Then, when the time comes wherein you are the damsel, Nobu, call me and I will use a Command Seal."
"To save me, or to empower me?" she tried to poke, prodding for a sweet reciprocation.
"That depends. Although, I doubt a demoness as capable as you would allow yourself to be anyone's damsel." He didn't fall for it. The boy just nodded back before adding over his shoulder. "Be careful out there."
She stopped and gave him a quick glance before smirking. "Watch who you are talking to, Master. I'm the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven. Oda Nobunaga!" She shouted with excitement. "The ones who need to be wary will be that brute Rider and naïve Saber. That is, only our dear knight in shining armour fails to slay his king."
She faded into light shortly after pulling the door shut. With that, Lelouch was left alone to his thoughts.
'Speaking of Berserker…'
Lelouch eyed the corner monitor. The camera it was attached to was the one aimed at the underground parking lot. Though not automatically obvious, there was one person waiting there, hidden in the shadows of the security guard's vehicle. Though tired and at the cusps of death, the lone Master who achieved his goal without the Grail patiently waited for his last turn on the stage.
'Despite everything that's happened, there's nothing more I can do for you…' With a resigned sigh, Lelouch muttered to himself. "I wish there was a different outcome, Kariya. Though, maybe, in the next life, you can actually enjoy your happiness for once."
Their last and likely final conversation with one another was about the plan. The Master of Berserker avoided any mention of his condition and only promised that he and Lancelot would win no matter what. But the fact was he already won. He already attained his dream. There was no actual need to soldier on like this. But Lelouch couldn't refute him.
As he didn't let Lelouch say any last words, saying that they will talk after Saber is defeated, the boy opted to take his word for it. Though death would come, it was all he could do to avoid saying an actual goodbye.
'Then again, I'm not the best when it comes to saying goodbye either, am I?'
With just the sight of his sister one last time, her wide-eyed expression of shock and wonder falling into tears before everything faded to black, all he'd given her was silence. Nunnally deserved better. A proper goodbye. A better brother too. But he couldn't give anything but that finale. Had he chosen to tell her the truth of his plan beforehand, he would've wavered in his resolve.
But that's all in the past now. That life was gone and done with. Lelouch Lamperouge had only a new future to carve out for himself. And, by the same vein, Kariya, who had lived in fear for the longest time, had finally chosen how he'd live his last.
'Hm, quite childish of me to regret making a sacrifice for you, considering I didn't hesitate for my own…' Just goes to show how really much of a child he actually was. Albeit, he'd never lived a proper life like one. The thought had him chuckling. 'I bid you good luck, Matou Kariya. One such as you can no longer be called a coward. Not when you're willing to go out with a bang twice over.'
The Demon Emperor supposed that, in some sense, this was a happy ending for a tragic figure like Kariya. After all, he would've died if not for Lelouch's intervention. Most people never got the privilege of righting their wrongs or reconciliation. After this, it might just be more accurate to say the man had the devil's luck.
However, as soon as Lelouch relaxed at his musings, his attention switched to another camera that was overlooking one of the entrances inside the building. Or the fact that it turned offline, leaving only a black screen. A telling sign that someone was afoot.
"You're finally here, Magus Killer. No. Emiya Kiritsugu." Lelouch smirked, leaning back against his seat and crossing his hands before his face. "I pray you don't disappoint me with our first and last game together."
For the first time in a while, Lelouch smiled, somewhat eager for the challenge.