Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover

On the rooftop.

After Sakatsuki's departure, Kiritsugu Emiya did not put away his gun. He took out a cigarette, lit it with practised ease, and let the smoke fill his lungs before slowly exhaling.

The white smoke curled up and dissipated into the air.

He raised his arm, and one of the three Command Seals on the back of his hand flickered faintly before returning to its original state.

"By the Command Spell, I order you—to assist Master Sakatsuki and eliminate Lancer… completely."

After Berserker's retreat, this was undoubtedly the most reasonable and effective strategy. Even if it couldn't kill Lancer, it would cause him serious injuries in a short amount of time.

But in the end… Kiritsugu had given up.

Without a doubt, Saber, who prides herself on her knightly code, would never agree to such an act. But as long as he used one more Command Seal, even the most disobedient machine would move smoothly, like it was lubricated.

However, by then, what awaited him? Would it be Caster's cold spearhead, or Sakatsuki, the one who had crushed the Einzbern family beneath his feet, delivering a merciless strike?

"Knightly code… such a foolish thing."

The injured man murmured.

"Why can't the Holy Grail erase the memories of the Servants too?"

And that last phrase from Sakatsuki…

"Tell Kiritsugu, while I don't expect him to be grateful, at least tonight, I'd appreciate it if he could delay his actions a bit. Let me enjoy this duel… otherwise, he'll regret it."

A chill spread through his body as he recalled it. The cold night wind felt even colder now.

For an assassin lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, nothing was more dangerous than having their movements anticipated.

That Assassin as well—originally deceived by his trick, only to be called back by his Master's reminder—had almost driven him into a corner.

…Kirei Kotomine. The man he had been wary of even before the war began.

He was still being targeted.

The burning sensation neared his lips, almost scorching them. Kiritsugu flicked the spent cigarette away and silently watched as the ember dimmed and died.

He was not a warrior, nor did he have a sense of honour. When facing Kirei Kotomine and Sakatsuki, what he felt was not the excitement of meeting a worthy opponent, but fear.

Fear of the future.

Would he be able to obtain the Holy Grail? Would he be able to achieve his wish?

Was Illyasviel safe? And his wife, Irisviel?

Pain surged through his heart, but Kiritsugu did not show a flicker of emotion, instead, he remained silent for a long while before slowly reholstering his gun and making his decision.

Tonight.

The plan would be moved forward.

***

In the Streets of Fuyuki.

A blueish glow flickered through the streets of Fuyuki City.

At a certain corner, the bike came to a brief halt. When it started again, a cute girl was sitting on the back.

Having removed her formal attire, Miyu wrapped her arms around Sugetsu's waist, her small face showing a satisfied expression.

"Did you meet Kiritsugu?"

Sakatsuki's laugh came from ahead.

Miyu didn't respond, merely giving a small nod.

From that point on, neither of them spoke again, silently enjoying the cool night wind.

It felt like the fleeting years they once shared.

After an unknown amount of time, the motorcycle slowly stopped in front of a tall building.

This was the tallest building in Fuyuki City, the best place to overlook the entire city—the Hyatt Hotel.

Not only is it the highest, but the Hyatt Hotel also boasts the best facilities and services in the city, earning it the title of the number one hotel in Fuyuki. It was naturally chosen by Kayneth, the lord of the Clock Tower, as his residence and temporary base. A month before his arrival, the servants of the Archibald family had booked the entire 32nd-floor presidential suite, demonstrating their wealth.

"This is it. We've arrived."

Sakatsuki got off the bike, and despite wearing traditional clothes, his movement was unaffected. Holding Miyu's hand, they both gazed forward.

The handsome man with a beauty mark at the corner of his eye was already waiting for them.

***

At the Hyatt Hotel.

To be honest, Kayneth Archibald, the noble of the Clock Tower, did not like this hotel at all—neither the layout nor the décor.

In his view, the people who designed this suite had no understanding of what true "noble elegance" was. It was just a large, overpriced room with expensive furniture and some hollow luxurious decorations. Coming from a noble family, Kayneth was highly sensitive to the flashy luxury that commoners pursued. This suite embodied that—there was no historical depth, no cultural atmosphere. It was simply a grotesque pigsty disguised as a luxury hotel room.

But that was all in the past.

At least today, he had no time to lament that a noble like him was tarnishing his name in such a place. As the saying from an ancient Eastern country goes, "A mountain does not need to be high—its sacred presence makes it divine."

No matter how lacking this place was, after the glorious display of magecraft that would unfold here tonight, it would undoubtedly become a holy ground in the eyes of magi.

Lancer had been sent downstairs to stand guard. Whatever he did, he just needed to make sure that no other Servants would interfere. His beloved fiancée had volunteered to assist Kayneth, but such a thing wasn't necessary. As the lord of the Clock Tower, Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald would claim the glory of victory for his beloved.

Sensing the feedback from the magical barrier, Kayneth, known as the "Prodigy" of the Clock Tower, gave a cold smile. With his right hand, gloved in white, he took a test tube and slowly poured the silvery liquid onto the floor.

"Fervor, mei sanguis."

He whispered the incantation, and though the solution was only 100 millilitres, once it left the test tube, it began to expand rapidly, eventually forming a silver sphere nearly one meter in diameter, before spreading outwards in all directions.

This was Kayneth's trump card, his pride and joy.

Its name is Volumen Hydrargyrum—Marrow of the Moon Spirit.

A mystic code designed through his unparalleled mastery of Fluid Manipulation, combined with his dual element of Wind-Water. This liquid metal construct could shift forms at will under his command, adapting to any combat situation.

Although he had transformed the entire floor into his magecraft workshop, that didn't mean he had to stay holed in its core, waiting for uninvited visitors.

His pride—the Volumen Hydrargyrum—was his true weapon.

"Come forth!"

Kayneth declared, his arrogant laughter filling the room.

"For the Holy Grail we both seek, let us wager our honour and our lives in a fair battle!"

***

Hey readers!

Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.

🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹

Thanks for being awesome! ❤️