Fate: Edmund

Inside the cabin, Waver stared at the briefcase Edmund had left on the table. It was inconspicuous in appearance, black leather with a silver padlock. Curiosity gnawed at him, and without wasting any time, he opened the briefcase. Inside were several neatly organized compartments, each containing something different. Waver began to inspect them one by one.

The first compartment contained several prana crystals, each about the size of a thumb.

Their colors varied between blue, green and red, emitting a faint glow. A note next to them explained their use: "For emergencies. Each crystal provides enough prana for decisive action. Use them with care." Waver took them with trembling hands, aware of how valuable they were.

In the second compartment was a small ritual dagger. Its blade was pure silver, engraved with runes he vaguely recognized as belonging to Celtic magic. Another note read, "For contract breakings or defenses against curses. Only in extreme case."

Waver gulped; he had never handled a weapon before, but he understood the importance of having such a tool.

The third compartment contained a set of rolled-up scrolls, each sealed with wax. Unrolling one of them, he saw that it was filled with complex instructions for constructing advanced magical barriers. Edmund's handwriting was flawless and clear, almost didactic.

"If you need to protect your position, these designs will help you fortify your surroundings." Waver couldn't help but feel a mixture of gratitude and pressure.

Finally, in the largest compartment, there was a book. Its cover was made of old leather, and the title was embossed in gold: "Support Techniques for Novice Masters." Opening it, Waver realized that it was a compendium of spells and strategies designed to supplement a Servant's skills. Each page was written in detail, and the illustrations showed diagrams of spells and techniques.

Perseus, who had remained standing across the room, finally broke the silence.

"Wow, your friend Edmund really went to the trouble of making sure you have everything you need.Is he always this.... meticulous?"

Waver closed the briefcase and sighed, feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility that now fell on him.

"Yes, Edmund always has a plan. He may seem carefree, but he never leaves anything to chance. All this...he thinks I'll need it."

Perseus smiled with a glint of confidence in his eyes.

"Then there's no reason to worry. If Edmund trusts you enough to give you these resources, it means he sees something special in you. I see it too, Master. We'll be ready for whatever comes."

Rider's words made Waver look up. Although he still felt unsure, a spark of determination began to form within him. He nodded, determined not to let down those who believed in him.

..........

Meanwhile, Edmund walked quietly out of the forest, descending the path that led him back to the city. The fresh air and the sound of birds accompanied his steps, but his mind was far from the tranquility of his surroundings. He had much to think about.

"Everything is in its place," he reflected.

"Waver has what he needs, and his servant seems to be a good choice. Now, it's my turn to make sure this war is as fascinating as I hope it will be."

Edmund pulled a small device from his pocket, similar to a modern cell phone, but filled with runes and magical circuitry. The screen displayed a detailed map of Fuyuki, with several dots marked on it. These represented the locations of the cameras and familiars he had deployed around the city.

He had placed small cameras at strategic points: the pier, the bridge, the Kotomine church, and near the Tōsaka and Matou mansions. Each device was enchanted to be undetectable, even to other magicians. In addition, dozens of familiars in the form of birds and rodents patrolled constantly, transmitting information in real time.

"The dock will be key," Edmund thought as he enlarged the image of that area on his device.

"The battle of Berserker and Saber will surely begin there. I need to see everything from the best perspective."

Arriving in the city, Edmund made his way to the hotel where he was staying. His suite, on one of the higher floors, had been carefully prepared. In one of the rooms he had set up a makeshift monitoring room, with screens connected to his devices and a desk full of notes and maps.

As he entered, he left his coat on a coat rack and turned on the screens. The monitors began to display images captured by cameras and family members. Every corner of Fuyuki was at his fingertips.

He poured himself a glass of wine and sat in front of the screens, relaxing as he reviewed the information. His gaze focused on the spots where he expected the first battles to unfold.

"Now all that remains is to wait," he muttered to himself, with a smile of anticipation.

"The Holy Grail War is about to begin, and I have the best seat to witness it. Even if I wasn't in the front row to observe the battles of the Holy Grail War."

Edmund felt satisfied. He could sit comfortably in his hotel suite while he enjoyed a feast prepared by

enjoying a feast prepared especially for him. On the table, there was a feast fit for a king: perfectly cooked steaks, a selection of imported cheeses, red wines and elaborate desserts that exuded sweet aromas.

Glass in hand, Edmund plopped down in an armchair in front of the screens displaying images captured by his cameras and family members.

"It may not be the full experience, but at least I can enjoy this in style," he thought as he took a sip of wine.

His smile grew slightly wider as he looked at the screens. It had been a masterful move to change the relics of Waver and Kayneth. How many times had he seen the same story unfold? Now, with these alterations, Edmund expected something completely different.

"It was a good decision," he muttered to himself.

"I took Diarmuid off the board and brought in Hector, a warrior with a different code of honor. And Waver... Oh, Waver, with Perseus at his side he could turn this war into something unexpected. Sure, the consequences could be dire for them, but not for me."

He rested the cup on the table, his expression turning thoughtful.

"History must evolve. Nothing is eternal. Not even the grail."

He turned on another screen and began reviewing the latest updates from his relatives. Each dot on the map represented a fragment of the war: movements of the masters and areas of interest that would soon become battlefields. Edmund smiled, pleased with his work.

.................

At the Einzbern castle, north of Fuyuki, the atmosphere was tense. Kiritsugu Emiya was checking his communication devices, while his wife Irisviel watched intently from across the room. Saber, with her ever-straight posture and regal bearing, remained silent, like a guardian awaiting instructions.

A faint beeping sound interrupted the stillness. Kiritsugu received a message from one of his relatives.

"A magician was seen entering the Hyatt hotel and leaving unharmed," he read in a low voice. His already serious expression hardened even more.

Irisviel noticed the immediate change in his countenance.

"What's wrong, Kiritsugu?" she asked, with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Maiya!" called Kiritsugu as he stood up, momentarily ignoring his wife's question.

The short-haired, expressionless-faced woman entered the room, ready to receive instructions.

"You are to locate the magician who entered the Hyatt. Use all necessary resources and find out what he was doing there. It could be related to Kayneth Archibald."

Maiya nodded with no questions asked and quickly left to accomplish her task.

"Does this have to do with Kayneth?" insisted Irisviel, approaching Kiritsugu.

Kiritsugu turned to her, his expression softer but still tense.

"I'm not sure, but it's a possibility. If someone gets too close to Kayneth and manages to get away without a scratch, it means they're either allies or something else is going on. I can't ignore it."

Saber took a step forward, breaking her silence.

"You want me to take it upon myself to investigate personally?"

"No, Saber," Kiritsugu shook his head.

"Your place is here for now. Stay close to Irisviel and get ready. The war is just beginning."

The knight nodded, though her expression showed slight frustration. Her nature was not that of a spectator, but of a combatant. But Kiritsugu had made his decision, and she would respect his orders.

...........

In his private room in the castle, Kiritsugu sat in front of a table filled with maps and surveillance devices. Each piece was carefully laid out, forming a web of strategies and possibilities. His gaze was momentarily lost in the maps, but his mind was working fast.

"Kayneth is too proud to accept help, but what if he had no choice? This mage could be an unexpected ally or a third party looking to manipulate the situation. No matter who it is, I need to know."

Kiritsugu adjusted one of the communication devices, connecting it to his surveillance networks. He had informants and devices spread throughout Fuyuki, ready to transmit any suspicious activity.

His expression hardened as he adjusted the headset.

"There's no room for mistakes. Every move counts."

Maiya sent him a message from the field. She had no concrete results yet, but she was tracking the suspect. Kiritsugu closed his eyes for a moment, trying to visualize the next step.

"The Holy Grail war doesn't forgive mistakes" he muttered.

"And neither do I."