Chapter 69: Tohsaka Rin: Roll the Spear!
The forest was silent.
Between the frequent "gas leaks" in Fuyuki City recently—which had caused citizens who remembered the tragedy of ten years ago to stay indoors at night as a stress response—and the fact that the original owner of the Ghost Mansion was a magus, the area was desolate. The mansion had been built by a magus from abroad who specifically needed a magical workshop to participate in the Holy Grail War.
Thus, much like the Einzbern family building their base deep in the mountains of Fuyuki, the Ghost Mansion was located in a similar secret spot. At this time and place, it was a hidden stronghold where no unwanted outsiders would ever wander.
Naturally, once Emiya Shirou—using his invincible Stand power, a fair bit of DIO-esque imitation, and the character profile of Bazett from his past-life memories—successfully persuaded Bazett's group, Lancer began to disclose the intelligence he had gathered while serving as Kotomine Kirei's Servant.
"As I thought, that fake priest really has turned traitor."
Although Shirou had told her this before, hearing the news of Kotomine Kirei's betrayal again from Lancer still soured Tohsaka Rin's mood. It wasn't for her own sake; her trust in Kirei had always been thin. This frustration was on behalf of her father, Tohsaka Tokiomi.
In her limited memories of her father, she still recalled the absolute trust Tokiomi had placed in Kirei. In the end, it was Kirei, Tokiomi's most trusted disciple, who had betrayed him.
However, this bad mood came and went quickly. Or rather, Rin, having already prepared herself mentally, only found her determination to take down Kirei strengthened by the confirmation.
After listening to Lancer's intelligence for a while, Rin quickly noticed something off.
"Wait a minute, Lancer!
"ou said another Master from the Association who summoned Caster was betrayed by her. And you mentioned Caster is now hiding in Ryuudou Temple, having signed a new contract with someone there, and even illegally summoned an Assassin.
Counting the Einzberns' Berserker, and Shinji Matou—who managed to become a Master and summon Rider despite having no talent as a magus—aren't you missing information on one Servant? Or is it..."
Gathering bits of info on Caster, Assassin, Berserker, and Rider wasn't difficult for Lancer. Kirei had been using him as a substitute Assassin, constantly sending him around Fuyuki to provoke others and scout.
With Agility: A, Battle Continuation: A, and Disengage: C, Lancer lacked the specific Presence Concealment of the Assassin class, but his skills guaranteed he could escape the battlefield. His recovery abilities ensured that even if he took minor losses during skirmishes, they were inconsequential.
Combined with Kirei's specific command to "never fight to the death and retreat immediately if things go south," Lancer had successfully tested most Servants in this war.
But here was the problem.
Including Rin's Archer, Lancer had only accounted for six Servants. The numbers didn't add up!
"...Saber hasn't been summoned even now!?" Rin shouted in disbelief.
If that was the case, would the final remaining slot, Saber, end up being summoned by Kotomine Kirei? In Rin's heart, Kirei was already the murderer of her father. If he also ended up "pulling" the Saber she had desperately wanted but missed, adding new grudge to old hatred, Rin felt she couldn't wait any longer.
Tonight, she was going to ruin Kotomine Kirei!
"That is indeed the case," Lancer nodded, his expression turning serious. "The magical tool in the church that confirms Servant summons and classes is called the [Spirit Board], right?
Before I left, that tool definitely showed no information for Saber.
By the way, kid." Lancer turned to look at Emiya Shirou. "Are you really not Saber's Master? Those things you did earlier—was it really not with Saber's help?"
It wasn't just Lancer. Once he said that, everyone—including Bazett, who felt ashamed for being taken down without knowing how, and Rin, who was highly interested—turned their gaze toward Shirou.
"Unfortunately, I wish I were."
Shirou shrugged, displaying the backs of both hands for them to see. "But the Grail's selection criteria are as strict as ever. I suppose there are still plenty of people in this city suited to be Masters."
Kotomine Kirei, Matou Zouken, even the homunculi from the Einzbern family who came with Illya... they were undoubtedly more qualified to be called "magi" than Shirou, who refined mana entirely through Ripple Breathing.
"I see, that's going to be a real headache," Lancer said, tapping his forehead with his demonic spear.
His own data was leaked. The only one whose info was hidden was Archer... and honestly, in Lancer's opinion, Archer seemed pretty average. Unless Kirei pulled a real "dud," Saber—the strongest class among Servants—would be very hard to deal with.
"So, is there a magical circle suitable for summoning a Servant here?"
"Eh? ...There is, but..." Bazett looked at Shirou in confusion.
"As long as there is one, that's enough," Shirou said, letting Bazett lead the way. "After all, for a Master in the Holy Grail War, it's possible to board the train first and buy the ticket later."
Read ahead (100 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting