Not only Rin and Bazett noticed the disappearance of their Command Seals, but also Shirou, who was preparing to patrol for the peace of Fuyuki with a strong sense of justice.
Meanwhile, Illya, at the Einzbern Castle in the outskirts, was so happy from chatting with Shirou all afternoon that she couldn't sleep, rolling around in bed with her pillow and giggling.
...
"The Command Seals... how could they..."
Shirou, just stepping out, looked at his smooth hand and couldn't believe it.
"Shirou, what's going on..."
Saber also noticed Shirou's hand, which had been clean, despite the Command Seals that should have remained.
"I don't know. I didn't use them, but they vanished on their own..."
"However, the faint connection between us remains. What does this mean..."
Hearing this, Shirou felt an inexplicable sense of relief because when he had gone to the church, Kirei had mentioned that relinquishing the Master role required using up the Command Seals.
The moment the Command Seals disappeared, Shirou, thinking he was no longer Saber's Master and that they would soon part, felt a profound sense of loss.
"Shirou, I think something must have gone wrong. We should check if the other Masters have also lost their Command Seals."
"Yes, let's do that."
...
In the outskirts, at the Einzbern Castle.
Illya, reacting even faster than Shirou, had already left the forest with Berserker.
The Command Seals had vanished, yet she was still supplying Berserker with mana. This peculiar situation immediately reminded Illya of something.
This situation closely resembled the first Holy Grail War after the system had just been constructed!
Servants summoned without the binding force of Command Seals led to disobedience, which was a major reason for the first Holy Grail War's failure.
Without Zouken Makiri, who else could remove the Command Seal system from the Holy Grail system? Besides Zouken, who else could do it?
Illya was puzzled, but a figure surfaced in her mind...
"Could it be him? But he shouldn't be able to..."
...
In the ruins of the church, Rin and Bazett were still trying to make sense of the situation as they confronted Kirei.
The Command Seals had suddenly disappeared, yet strangely, the connection with their Servants remained!
This meant only the Command Seals had vanished!
Only the three forced commands for the Servants were gone!
Judging by Kirei's expression, it seemed the same applied to him, possibly affecting everyone!
Simultaneously, the glittering golden figure also seemed to notice something, his face changing drastically. He cursed under his breath and quickly sped off, abandoning the battle and his Master, heading towards the deep mountains!
"What on earth is going on?"
Rin was baffled but didn't spend much time pondering as her enemy was right in front of her!
"Kirei, your Servant has abandoned you."
Kirei, after a moment's contemplation, calmly replied, "Yes... this is entirely unexpected. I didn't anticipate someone would bypass the Holy Grail War and directly tamper with the Grail system's foundation."
Tampering with the Grail system's foundation?
Rin had a suspicion but focused her attention back on Kirei.
"Kirei, tell me, my father…"
Hearing this, Kirei chuckled softly, raising the corners of his mouth, "You've already figured it out, haven't you? Because he was my mentor, it was easy to betray him. I used the very mercury sword he gave me..."
Hearing this, Rin's clenched fists trembled uncontrollably. Unable to suppress her grief and anger, she lashed out!
"You...you damned priest! Not even hell would accept you! Even the guards of purgatory would push you away! You deserve to rot in the heaven that doesn't suit you, enjoying a bed of needles!"
Watching Rin's long tirade, Red Archer felt a bit astonished but maintained his composure, showing no signs of his inner thoughts.
Listening to their conversation, Bazett silently cursed herself for being blind in the past, not seeing through Kirei's true nature as a scum.
"It's over, Kotomine Kirei!"
With that, Bazett tightened her runic glove and sprang towards Kirei like an arrow!
At the same time, Rin took out all the gems she could use for attacking, determined to avenge her father today!
But...
Clang, clang!
Seeing Lancer suddenly break away from fighting Rider, block her attack, and knock her back, Bazett frowned.
"Lancer, he doesn't have Command Seals…"
"It doesn't matter..."
Lancer shouldered his spear, using his pinky to dig in his ear, making a clicking sound with his tongue, "Though I dislike him, I owe him a few favors this war. I can't let you kill him just like that."
Before Lancer could finish, Kirei had already turned around, sprinting away with all his might! He showcased a perfect example of the strategy of retreat being the best course of action!
Lancer turned back, watching Kirei sprint a hundred meters in under eight seconds, and sighed. But he did not step back.
"Sorry, but as long as I'm alive, no one gets past me! You want to chase him? You'll have to step over my dead body!"
"Hey, Lancer, your Master seems... already dead."
"Huh?"
Lancer was stunned and turned around to see Kirei, who had run half a kilometer, had been cleanly killed by a passing Berserker.
"Still want to fight?"
Rin, standing with Bazett, Red Archer, and the now masked Rider, folded her arms and asked Lancer with raised brows, "Do we need to step over your dead body?"
Looking at the formidable group before him, Lancer was at a loss for words, feeling like he had just been slapped in the face.
Seeing Illya and Berserker approaching, Bazett, putting aside past grievances, extended an invitation to Lancer.
"Lancer, Kotomine Kirei is dead. Without a Master, you will soon disappear. Form a new contract with me."
"This..."
Lancer glanced at Kirei's lifeless body and then at Bazett beside Rider, scratching his head in frustration.
"Forget it. Forming a contract with you feels off, especially since I don't get along with that woman (Rider)."
Huh?
Rin, feeling a bit disappointed about not avenging her father, suddenly had an idea.
"Lancer, how about..."
Knowing what Rin meant, Lancer glanced at Red Archer and waved it off, "No, your side's companion doesn't seem too friendly either."
With that, Lancer turned to face Illya and Berserker.
"With the remaining mana, I can help you fight Berserker one last time. I'm done with this Holy Grail War, I'm really tired."
"Wait a moment, Lancer, I don't think now is the time to fight."
Illya, unusually serious, approached.
"What do you mean?"
"Have you not realized? The Holy Grail War has already ended…"
"What? Ended?" Rin was confused, "What are you talking about? How could the Holy Grail War be over…"
"Rin, and the mage from the Association, your Servants should have noticed it already."
"Archer?" Rin looked at Red Archer, who was frowning, arms crossed. "What's going on?"
At the same time, Bazett turned to Rider.
Unlike Red Archer, who only shook his head slightly with closed eyes, Rider responded to Bazett.
"The hostility towards other Servants… it's gone."
Apparently, the Servants summoned for the Holy Grail War inherently bore a latent hostility towards each other. This was an enmity instilled by the Grail, compelling them to compete and kill.
Seeing the confusion on their faces, Illya sighed, "Someone planned to dismantle the foundation of the Holy Grail system tonight. When I noticed, they had already removed the Command Seal system, which is why the Seals disappeared. I thought I could stop them, but they were too fast…"
Who did this?
Bazett, wary of Illya, pondered this question.
Illya looked at Rin, "Rin, it might seem incredible, but as one of the Three Families, you should have a guess who did this, right?"
"Damn it! That bastard!" Rin clenched her fists, cursing softly, but then seemed to realize something, "No... if it's him, then that golden jerk…"
Simultaneously, Rider had an epiphany and immediately vanished in spirit form without a word to Bazett!
"Huh? Rider?" Bazett called out, but Rider didn't respond.
"Archer, we're going to the Great Hollow! Hurry! Otherwise… that idiot will die!"
"Hey, what are you guys talking about? Still fighting or not? I have an hour left before I disappear! I need to fight while I still can!"
Ignoring Lancer, Illya, carefully held by Berserker, continued, "Let's discuss this on the way."