The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

I just translated another DanMachi fanfic, you can see it on my profile.

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Though Yoru harbored suspicions, he knew that on the surface, the Holy Church likely wouldn't do anything openly hostile.

They would hand over the Command Spell. Even if the Church was indeed colluding with Tokiomi Tohsaka, it couldn't afford to blatantly persecute him.

Inviting him to the Church, handing over the Command Spell—then casually probing his attitude. That was likely the Church's true aim.

And perhaps… looking for a weakness.

Yoru glanced sideways at Irisviel.

As much as he hated to admit it, Irisviel was his biggest vulnerability. In the days to come, she might well become the primary target of the remaining Masters.

If there was any opponent he could feel at ease with, perhaps it was Rider. But anyone else… could very well strike at Irisviel without warning.

"What's wrong, Yoru?"

Noticing the shift in his expression, Irisviel tilted her head curiously. Yoru just gave a soft chuckle and shook his head.

"It's nothing. Let's head to the Church and claim the reward we earned."

"Is it really okay to just go like this? What if the Church tries something?"

"Don't worry. They're supposed to be the neutral party. The reward of a Command Spell is something all Masters are aware of. Even if they want to pull something shady, it won't be in this matter."

"Is that so…"

Hearing his reassurances, Irisviel relaxed. After breakfast, the two departed the Einzbern manor together.

Although Flandre disliked moving around during the day, she begrudgingly agreed to spiritualize and follow, for the sake of Yoru and Irisviel's safety.

By the time they reached the Church, it was around 10 AM. The church was empty save for a single man in priest's robes standing inside.

Yoru immediately recognized him. Though he had been a participant in the current Holy Grail War, he'd lost eligibility on the very first night.

The Master of Assassin, student of Tokiomi Tohsaka, and son of the Overseer—Kirei Kotomine.

Currently, he was likely under the Church's protection. Whether there was more to that arrangement, however, was an open question.

"You've come. My father is waiting for you in the chapel,"

Kirei said calmly, his expression unchanged. He gestured inward without fanfare.

Yoru nodded in acknowledgment and walked toward the inner room, where he met the Overseer of the Holy Grail War—Risei Kotomine.

"All the priests and nuns have evacuated Fuyuki City because of the war," Risei said with a polite smile. "Please forgive the lack of proper hospitality."

Yoru returned the gesture with courtesy and sat down with Irisviel.

"…Your Servant came with you, didn't she?" Risei continued. "After all, it was she who eliminated the rogue Berserker."

He gave a grateful smile.

"That rule-breaking Master and Servant pair caused me great trouble. If the Holy Grail War were to be exposed to the public, who knows what chaos would follow? I'm thankful you and your Servant were able to eliminate them so swiftly."

"As the Overseer, I wanted to personally thank her."

Yoru understood perfectly what Risei was really after—an assessment of Flandre's power. But since the old man phrased it so nobly, Yoru couldn't refuse.

Flandre, listening from the side, frowned slightly but finally revealed herself and materialized in the chapel.

"There. I'm here. If you've got thanks, get on with it,"

she said lazily, sitting beside Yoru and swinging her legs absentmindedly.

Being a vampire, and now inside a church—her natural enemy—it was no surprise she looked exhausted. The subtle shift in her condition did not escape Risei's sharp eyes.

"…So this is Miss Flandre, then. Thank you for eliminating the rogue Servant. On behalf of all Fuyuki City's citizens, you have my deepest thanks."

"Spare me the formalities. Just hand over the Command Spell already. I want to go back to bed."

Flandre yawned, leaning halfway against Yoru's shoulder.

Risei observed her carefully.

Despite her appearance, she showed clear signs of weakness—a small clue that might be useful later.

"Still, I'm a bit curious…" Risei said with a smile.

"Miss Flandre, you are a Caster-class Servant, correct? May I ask how you managed to defeat a Berserker in direct combat?"

Flandre arched an eyebrow.

"If I'm not a Caster… what else would I be?"

She smirked, an eerie grin curling across her lips as she fixed her gaze on the Overseer—causing him to look away uncomfortably.

"Indeed… if not a Caster, what could Miss Flandre possibly be…"

Risei murmured under his breath. Then, putting on a pleasant smile, he rolled up his sleeve, revealing the Command Spell inscribed on his arm.

"Let me hand over the Command Spell, Mr. Yoru."

Not long after, Yoru and Irisviel exited the chapel. Out in the main hall, Kirei Kotomine stood with eyes closed, as if in deep prayer.

Yoru chose not to disturb the pious priest. Quietly, he and Irisviel departed the church.

Only after the two had disappeared through the front doors did Kirei open his eyes.

On the other side of the building, his father Risei emerged from the chapel.

"Well, Kirei… what do you think of this man called Yoru?"

Kirei tilted his head slightly. For a moment, the typically expressionless man showed a hint of confusion. Then, after a brief pause, he murmured:

"…He feels dangerous to me."

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