Was it… already over?
His Holy Grail War?
Seated in a wheelchair, Kenneth wore a look of complete despair. He had lost his Command Seals… and with them, his status as a Master.
Though Lancer still remained at his side, there was no doubt he no longer had the authority to command him. His current Master was now that woman—his former fiancée.
Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri.
She had used force to coerce Kenneth into surrendering both his Command Seals and his Master status. And yet, Kenneth held no resentment toward her.
No… it was because of him. Because of that Servant.
Diarmuid Ua Duibhne—the same man who had once seduced his liege's wife. Even now, as a Heroic Spirit, he was just as detestable.
If not for him, Sola would never have treated Kenneth this way. He loved her—he loved his fiancée deeply.
Seething with anger, Kenneth clenched his hand tightly against the armrest of the wheelchair.
"Master, why have you come here? If you're gone too long, Miss Sola will worry,"
Lancer, who was pushing his wheelchair, asked from behind. Kenneth's brows furrowed, nearly breaking into a rage on the spot.
Who gave you permission to speak her name so casually? That's my fiancée—my woman! Who allowed a man like you to covet her beauty?!
But he restrained himself. Now was not the time to fall out with this Servant. He still needed his power. He still needed him to fight and bleed for him.
His Holy Grail War wasn't over. No Command Seals? It didn't matter. If he had lost them, he would simply get them back!
Lifting his head to gaze at the grand church before him, Kenneth's face twisted with madness.
The reason he had asked Lancer to take him out for a "night stroll" was precisely this: he had come to reclaim Command Seals—to once again become Lancer's rightful Master.
And the only place to do that… was here.
"Wait outside, Lancer. I'm just going in to chat with an old acquaintance."
He spoke lightly, and Lancer gave a small nod before vanishing into spirit form.
For Father Risei Kotomine, supervisor of the Fourth Holy Grail War, this was an unusually pleasant evening.
It was his second time serving as overseer. Though several complications had arisen, things had been resolved more smoothly than expected, much to his relief.
The only real regrets were that Tokiomi Tohsaka hadn't received the extra Command Seals—and that his own son, Kirei Kotomine, had suffered a complete defeat this time.
Still, that was no great loss. The Assassins' sacrifice had not been in vain. They had gathered critical intelligence: Flan's true identity as a vampire, and Rider's Reality Marble.
Armed with such intel, their side held the advantage. The groundwork had been laid, and for those who held the strongest card, victory was within reach.
As Risei was thinking this, the creak of a door echoed from the main hall.
This late…? Who could it be at this hour?
With a puzzled expression, Risei stepped out from the chapel.
"I'm sorry, but the church is already closed for the night."
From the dim rows of pews came a slow, affected chuckle.
"I'm not here to pray to God."
Along with the laughter came the faint creaking sound of wheelchair wheels scraping against the floor.
From the shadows emerged a figure who remained seated.
Gaunt and almost unrecognizable, unable to even walk—this was the once-renowned prodigy, Kenneth El-Melloi.
Anyone who had known him before would hardly believe he had fallen to such a state.
But his eyes still burned with a powerful will, something akin to obsession—revealing the stubborn, prideful nature of the genius mage he once was.
Though Kenneth had suffered devastating physical trauma, through the El-Melloi family's connections, he had negotiated with a local dollmaker in Japan.
In exchange for a staggering sum, he had regained some use of his limbs. At least now, he could move freely within the range of a wheelchair.
Even the little finger of his right hand, now encased in a thick cast, had regained sensation.
"Father… long time no see."
His courteous smile clashed with the madness in his voice. He sounded like an addict, desperate for his next fix.
Risei stared intently at the former child prodigy's face, unable to ignore the obsession and instability hidden just beneath the surface.
Though Risei pitied Kenneth's current condition, from an enemy's perspective, it was a blessing.
Had Kenneth El-Melloi remained at full strength, he would have been a formidable adversary.
"So… have you come to seek the Church's protection, Mr. Kenneth?
Don't worry—you're no longer a Master. The Church will guarantee your safety."
Risei smiled as he spoke. Though meant kindly, it sounded like mockery in Kenneth's ears.
His eyes flashed with hatred, but he quickly regained the poise of a gentleman.
"My contract with Lancer is a dual pact, shared with my fiancée, Sola.
I never intended to be the sole Master. Sola and I are co-Masters."
"Yet currently, isn't she the one supplying mana and managing the Command Seals?"
Kenneth's forced smile looked more like he was grinding his teeth in fury.
"For strategic reasons, I've temporarily entrusted the Command Seals to Sola.
But I still hold the primary contract with Lancer. If you doubt me, you may ask Lancer yourself.
There's no question—I am still a legitimate Master."
"…Very well. I accept your claim.
So, then—what brings you to the Church at this hour, Mr. Kenneth?"
"Oh, that…"
Kenneth narrowed his eyes, staring greedily at Risei's arm.
"Naturally… I came for the Command Seals."
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