Chapter 12: Unharmed by the Origin Bullet
[003: Kiritsugu Emiya]
[Character Info: Known as the Magus Killer, Kiritsugu is a dreamer who desires world peace but executes his plans with cold, ruthless realism. He is a man who loves everyone yet is prepared to kill anyone if necessary. Of course... he's also your dear Papa Kiritsugu.]
[Hidden Information:
Innate Charm:
Kiritsugu emits a charm akin to that of a gal game protagonist, attracting women who inevitably end up meeting tragic ends, almost as if cursed. The only woman to break this misfortune is Taiga Fujimura, known as the "Tiger of Fuyuki."]
[Record Conditions: 3/3]
[•Defeat Kiritsugu Emiya (Completed)]
[•Experiance Kiritsugu's magecraft, Time Alter (Completed)]
[•Hidden condition: Survive an attack of the Origin Bullet (Completed)]
[Condition 1 Reward: Modern Firearm Projection Data.]
[Condition 2 Reward: Agility parameter restored to normal.]
[Agility: D → C]
[Hidden Condition Reward: Kawasaki Ninja H2R and Manual!]
Origin Bullet… When did that happen?
Sakatsuki knows about the Origin Bullet. It is a conceptual weapon using a person's origin as ammunition. Kiritsugu's Origin Bullets are made from the powdered twelfth ribs on both sides of his body, condensed into bullet cores through magecraft, and sealed into sixty-six bullets. These bullets embody Kiritsugu's origin: Severing(Kir) and Binding(Tsugu).
Unlike destruction and regeneration, Kiritsugu's binding does not mean repair. For example, after a thread is severed and reconnected, the knot's thickness changes. In other words, the action of "Severing and Binding" causes irreversible deterioration to the target.
For something as delicate as magic circuits, being affected by Kiritsugu's origin will result in irreversible alteration to the magic circuits. So, such a weapon is fatal to any magus.
Then—why wasn't he affected?
Sakatsuki stared at the ethereal blue panel for a long time before summoning Kiritsugu's beloved gun, Contender, to twirl it effortlessly between his fingers. He then lightly leapt off the high wall and headed toward the side hall.
In the face of the Reality Marble, something like a great forbidden spell, Kiritsugu Emiya and Acht offered little resistance, either calmly or unwillingly accepting their defeat and narrowly escaping death in the lethal graveyard of swords.
The Einzbern family, with a legacy spanning a millennium, officially fell under Sakatsuki's control during this battle—a piece of news that could shake the entire magecraft world. However, due to the Einzbern family's reclusive nature, it might be a long time before the world learns of it.
Thinking this, Sakatsuki passed by Acht, who was directing homunculi to clean up the aftermath of the battle and knocked on the relatively intact side hall door.
"Excuse me."
With that, Sakatsuki pushed the door open.
As he entered, he saw Kiritsugu comforting his frightened family. Seeing Sakatsuki with a firearm, Kiritsugu immediately stood up, shielding his wife and daughter behind him.
"You're hurting my feelings, Kiritsugu."
Sakatsuki smiled wryly, tossing over the Contender to him.
"Here, try it."
Kiritsugu hesitated to refuse, "No need, my weapon is custom-made..."
But as he caught the gun Sakatsuki tossed, he stopped mid-sentence.
The familiar feel, the familiar weight, and even the gun oil's scent were comforting.
"This is..."
"I know you use a custom-made gun, Kiritsugu."
Sakatsuki, who had inherited all of Shirou Emiya's emotions and memories, shrugged with a sly smile.
"All that's left is to enchant the barrel and firing pin, right?"
"...?"
Obviously, having his secrets revealed so thoroughly by the 'enemy' made the Magus Killer uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, Sakatsuki's attention shifted to the little girl in a dress hiding behind her mother.
"Illya."
"Ah, yes!"
Illyasviel instinctively responded, then folded her arms and turned her head, eyes closed.
"I already know everything! Not only did you wreck our home, but you also imprisoned my mom... Big brother Shirou is a big meanie, I won't play with you anymore!"
"Ah, how can that be?"
Sakatsuki feigned shock, clasping his hands together.
"I'm sorry, I apologize."
"Hmph!"
Illya lifted her head proudly but still didn't let Sakatsuki off the hook.
"You have to apologize to my mom too!"
"Illya..."
Irisviel tugged at Illya's clothes and looked at her husband.
If Illya's words angered the young man, the Einzberns couldn't withstand a second round of devastation.
However, Sakatsuki didn't react as she feared. Instead, he smiled naturally, bowing to Irisviel.
"Then, my apologies, Irisviel, for my earlier offence."
His sincere words and genuine expression made Illya stop pretending to be angry. She cheerfully ran to Sakatsuki, tugging at his sleeve.
"Hey, hey, brother Shirou, let's go play in the forest. Today, for some reason, the weather suddenly cleared up."
"If Illya wants good weather, just tell me anytime."
Sakatsuki knelt, gently stroking her silver hair.
"But not today. I have some matters to discuss with your dad, so..."
"Eh—okay."
Illya dragged her voice in disappointment.
But if it's about Dad, then it can't be helped.
"Goodbye, brother Shirou, let's play tomorrow!"
Finally, Illya obediently took Irisviel's hand and left the side hall.
In the room bathed in the sunset's golden hue, only two men remained.
"Kiritsugu, I have a question for you."
Waiting for the footsteps to fade, Tsukuyomi pointed to his blood-stained left abdomen, speaking softly.
"Earlier, you shot the Origin Bullet with the Contender, right?"
Even this? Why ask this question? Kiritsugu tensed up but replied nonchalantly.
"Yes, so what?"
"So what... huh?"
Feeling the genuine pain in his left abdomen, Sakatsuki repeated Kiritsugu's words, lost in thought.
In the fiery sunset, his hands emitted a faint, crystalline blue light.
From the start, he should have realized this abnormality.
"Kiritsugu, I think the Einzbern family should have the equipment to examine the body, right?"