However, after hearing my polite request, Gilgamesh merely threw out four Noble Phantasms.
Watching the Sea Demon below being sliced apart by the Noble Phantasms only to regenerate quickly, Tokiomi knew that the only solution was EA.
Even though he made his request with all the deference of a loyal subject, Gilgamesh refused to unleash EA and even scolded him loudly.
Staring at the two Command Spells left on his hand, Tokiomi knew that this was the only way to compel the King to draw EA.
Using one Command Spell to eliminate the Sea Demon would grant him two new Command Spells, restoring his advantageous position in the Holy Grail War.
But the previous mishap and the use of a Command Spell had already displeased the King, and he had yet to fully placate him. Using a Command Spell now would certainly lead to a rift.
Understanding this clearly, Tokiomi was deeply conflicted about what choice to make.
It was possible to replenish the lost Command Spells, but...
Hearing the roar of engines, Tokiomi looked up to see two F2 bombers approaching, and his heart grew even more troubled.
Command Spells or the relationship with the King...
He couldn't decide which was more important.
How did things come to this?
Why did everything always deviate from his plans?
Why did nothing ever go as expected?
Why? Damn it!
On the ground, hiding in the shadows, Kotomine Kirei, sent by Father Risei to assist Tokiomi, silently watched his teacher's expression from above.
His teacher's inner turmoil and suffering had become a newfound source of joy or pleasure for Kirei, something he had only just begun to understand.
Unconsciously, a small smile crept onto Kirei's face. However, just then, he heard a woman's gritted voice nearby.
"Tokiomi Tohsaka...! Bastard!"
Seeing the unknown woman with smooth white shoulder-length hair, sunglasses, a beautiful figure, and fair skin, Kirei was momentarily taken aback.
Who is this?
Why does she harbor such hatred for Tokiomi?
What happened between them?
No, looking at her furious expression, something must have happened!
I want to know! I want to understand everything!
Thus, Kirei quietly observed the strange woman, deciding to follow her and investigate later.
He also decided to have the church staff deliver her complete file to his desk immediately! No delay!
...
Tokiomi was a step too late, and not just by a step.
After nearly ten minutes of inner conflict, he finally decided to use a Command Spell to have Gilgamesh eliminate the Sea Demon. The two new Command Spells would restore his original position.
Even if it angered the King, he couldn't let others gain the Command Spells. Otherwise, he would fall into a disadvantageous position.
Caught between "breaking with the King but restoring three Command Spells" and "not using a Command Spell but risking the enemy defeating Caster and gaining new Command Spells," Tokiomi finally made a decision after the bombers had already gone down!
Pleasing the King, he was an expert at that!
"By the Command Spell, King of Heroes, please..."
Seeing Tokiomi bowing respectfully before him, Gilgamesh was furious. He was watching a woman (Saber) who had just healed her left hand (Lancer had broken his spear to lift her curse) with great interest, and now this?!
"Tokiomi!!"
"Eliminate that beast defiling your courtyard."
"You bastard!!"
...
Tonight, the night sky of Fuyuki was illuminated by two distinct lights.
One was the red light of EA in Gilgamesh's hand, powerful enough to split the world, and the other was the light of Saber's Excalibur, embodying the noble and solemn aspirations of all warriors who died on the battlefield.
The two beams of light, attacking from front and back, reached the Sea Demon simultaneously!
Having finished his retrieval work, Shinji watched the clash of lights from afar, silently comparing them.
"So, Excalibur without a Command Spell's full power is just slightly weaker than Gilgamesh's casual swing of EA? Ah, as expected, the only hope of defeating Gilgamesh lies with Saber..."
'My Master, the woman you had me monitor (Maiya) has found Lancer's Master (Sola) and succeeded.'
'I see. Do not follow further. Go to the location I mentioned and keep an eye on Kayneth. He should have received the news of Caster's defeat by now. Report to me when he makes a move.'
'Understood!'
After cutting off communication with Zayd, Shinji was about to leave when he suddenly thought of something and looked into the distance, shaking his head helplessly.
"I didn't expect Uncle Kariya to come here too. But with a fake identity already in place and Assassin out of the game, the only information that can be found is the fake data created today. A woman with past romantic entanglements with her master... Can she really bring you joy, Kotomine Kirei?"
...
After dealing with Caster and left with only one Command Spell, Tokiomi did not immediately go to the church to replenish his Command Spells but endured the King's wrath.
Despite Gilgamesh's five-minute tirade and the wine goblet thrown at him, Tokiomi showed no reaction. The wine on his body and head could be washed off with a bath and a change of clothes.
After receiving new Command Spells, he would wait for the King's anger to subside and then try to appease him. It wouldn't be too difficult.
With three Command Spells, he could order the destruction of Saber, Rider, and finally, send the King to his final rest. The Holy Grail would still be his.
Enduring the scolding and throwing without a hint of a smile, Tokiomi indeed showed excellent upbringing—a true gentleman (or a deviant).
...
Midnight, outside the church.
Hearing gunshots not long ago, Kayneth, sitting in a wheelchair, gritted his teeth and pushed open the door alone.
"Master, are we really not going to act? This is a perfect opportunity; I've checked, and there are no surveillance eyes nearby."
Zayd, appearing beside Shinji, who was watching from a large tree, asked respectfully.
"I said, there's no need to dirty our hands. Our task is just to receive the gift."
...
Watching his Master take out a book and turn to a specific page, roll up his left sleeve, and recite with closed eyes, Zayd was momentarily puzzled.
But seeing his Master's left arm become covered in intricate patterns after the recitation, Zayd was astonished!
Why is this Master so steady? How?!
This steadiness is over the top!
Sensing Zayd's internal struggle, Shinji put away the Book of John and lowered his sleeve.
"After following me for a few days, you still don't understand, Zayd? The one who will ultimately win and claim the Holy Grail is me, and only me..."
Zayd, terrified, quickly knelt on one knee, struggling to contain his excitement. "I was wrong to doubt my Master's abilities. I confess my mistake!"
Shinji smiled lightly, saying nothing more, and walked away, leaving his success and name behind.
Zayd, not understanding Shinji's deeper meaning, was overjoyed to have such a Master! The Holy Grail... it would belong to his Master and himself!
That "only me" line might only become clear to Zayd in the end when he fully comprehends the depths of human depravity.
...
Maiya and Kiritsugu spent two hours torturing Sola before finally extracting the location of Kayneth's hideout from her.
Upon learning this, Kiritsugu made necessary preparations and immediately informed Irisviel to bring Saber, while he and Maiya, carrying the heavily tortured Sola, moved out.
Tonight, Lancer would exit the stage.
...
At four in the morning, under Ryuudou Temple.
Shinji looked at the faintly glowing spiritual core of Lancer he had secretly preserved, feeling sorry for the tragic fate of the spearman.
From the moment of his summoning, he was never trusted by his Master and was ultimately betrayed in such a manner. It was truly... pitiful.
"Rest assured, Lancer, I have complete faith in you. Don't disappoint me..."
Smiling lightly, Shinji closed his eyes and enveloped Lancer's spiritual core with his mind, entering the Holy Grail system.
...
Within the Holy Grail system, Shinji greeted Justeaze, who greeted him with a smile, "Ah, you're here for our appointment."
As Justeaze's personality had been lost, she couldn't complain, but if she could, she definitely would have.
"Former comrade, descendant of the Matou, will you truly complete the Holy..."
Before she could finish, Shinji silenced her with a grin.
"Yes, and it will be a complete Holy Grail with all seven Servants."
Looking at Shinji, who was deliberately taking advantage of her, Justeaze remained silent for a long time before speaking indifferently, "Alright, I look forward to it..."
Hearing this, Shinji was momentarily stunned, then seemed to realize something and increased his grip.
But despite his increased pressure, Justeaze showed no reaction.
Disappointed, Shinji realized she had no lingering personality.
He could only satisfy himself physically!
Damn it! So frustrating!
Two minutes later, Shinji took out Lancer's nearly extinguished spiritual core.
"With the power of the twelve Command Spells and the eight Command Spells the Holy Grail system has collected from this war, twenty in total, it's enough to repair... Wait! Why does the system only show six Command Spells?!"