Inside a villa in Snowfield City.
"Thus, that concludes the process and content of the Holy Grail War, Kirei. Do you have any other questions?"
Three people were in the lavishly decorated, tasteful villa filled with aristocratic ambiance.
One wore a deep red suit, held a gem-topped cane, and had a solemn face exuding elegance and confidence.
The other two wore Church Executor's uniforms. One was older, but aside from his graying beard and hair, this seemingly elderly man was robust, seemingly having immersed himself in martial arts for years.
The last one was younger, also wearing Church's attire, and resembled the older man, likely father and son.
These three were Tohsaka Tokiomi, the current head of the Tohsaka Family, Kotomine Risei, an executor of the Holy Church, and Risei's son, Kotomine Kirei.
Having heard the news of the Holy Grail War starting early in Snowfield City, Tokiomi arrived early to prepare. As the head of the Tohsaka Family in this generation, his talent in magecraft was undeniable. More rarely was his business acumen.
He didn't discriminate against ordinary people or let magus pride become a stumbling block. He truly developed the declining Tohsaka Family single-handedly.
Perhaps his magecraft prowess was slightly inferior to Kayneth's, but considering overall strength and talent alone, he was truly a genius surpassing Kayneth.
Unfortunately, like Kayneth, his overconfidence was a flaw, making Tokiomi imperfect.
Listening to Tokiomi explain the Holy Grail War's origins, Kirei nodded, "I roughly understand your meaning. So, you called me here to assist you?"
Looking at the glowing Command Spells on his hand, Kirei found it strange. He wondered why would someone like him, devoid of desires or wishes, be chosen by the Holy Grail? He didn't understand.
"Indeed, Kirei. Our Tohsaka Family has always had good relations with the Church. Personally, I am close friends with your father, Kotomine Risei-san. That's why I chose you as my assistant."
Nodding to the older man beside him, Tokiomi continued full of confidence, "According to my information, recently, the Einzberns, unable to bear their previous defeat, collaborated with some politicians, turning Snowfield City into a new battlefield to summon False Servants. Once enough magical energy is gathered, the true Holy Grail War can begin."
Pausing, the elegant gentleman added, "But regardless of the Einzbern's plans, our cooperation will surely lead to victory. After all, we are the best."
As a magus, it was only natural to have confidence in oneself. Of course, Tokiomi would also carefully investigate his opponents and make multiple preparations.
In Snowfield City alone, he had over five different residences. The interiors lacked modern electronic instruments, using only ancient magecraft and primitive tools, showcasing his caution.
Despise the enemy strategically, respect the enemy tactically… that was Tokiomi's philosophy.
"I see. So I understand what you need me to help with and do. But I have one more question."
His emotionless eyes were... somewhat like dead fish. That gaze made Tokiomi slightly uncomfortable.
But considering Kirei's talent and his physique, inherited from his father and surpassing ordinary human limits, he felt it wasn't a big issue.
Smiling, he signaled Kirei to speak his mind.
"Tohsaka-san, I want to ask you this: the prerequisite for the Holy Grail choosing a Master is a wish. But I personally have no wishes. So why would someone like me be chosen?"
In his entire life, he never knew what he craved. To some extent, lacking emotion, Kirei had lived mechanically, even marrying and having children that way.
Facing his wife's death, he didn't even feel sadness then. Troubled by this, he truly didn't understand why he was chosen.
"Ah? That? The reason is simple."
His confident smile could truly make women fall for him at first sight.
Smiling directly at Kirei, Tokiomi gave his answer, "The reason the Holy Grail chose you, Kirei, is likely because it believes I should be the victor in this war. So it selected you as my aide."
"You becoming a Master is based on my existence. The truth is that simple."
"I see. Then I understand."
Kirei didn't really feel anything about Tokiomi's explanation, but he was indifferent anyway.
Nodding to show his understanding, he followed Tokiomi to learn the basic preparations for magecraft. Some time later, they welcomed their Servant.
"Master, Hassan-i-Sabbah has answered the summons."
After the summoning ritual ended, Kirei learned through the knowledge in his mind that his Servant was the 19th Hassan, the 'Hundred-Faced' Assassin.
Before he could even greet his Servant, he suddenly felt an immense pressure from the side. The surging magical energy was so powerful it began to shatter the specially made room for the summoning.
"Hahaha... Hahaha, we've won, we're definitely going to win, Kirei!"
This excited, undignified state was something Kirei had never seen from Tokiomi. Never imagining he'd see Tokiomi like this, Kirei witnessed the golden figure, and...
"Hmph. Are you the fools who summoned this king here?"
"If you don't have anything sufficiently amusing for this king, you should know what kind of foolish mistake you've made, right?"
The proud golden figure was like the sun, impossible to look at directly. Emerging from the ritual was the King of Heroes from the most correct history in most Nasuverse's worlds, the Golden Gilgamesh... had descended!
…
Matou Residence.
"Mmm, the Holy Grail War starting so early disrupts my plans."
Matou Zouken, the current head of the Matou Family, appeared as a man on the verge of death.
But his true identity was Makiri Zolgen, one of the three founding families alongside the Einzbern's first Winter Saint, Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern, and the Tohsaka's Tohsaka Nagato.
His actual age exceeded 500 years. In the past, he was handsome and sought the perfect wish of eliminating the world's evils. But as time passed, his beliefs, existence, faith… everything was eroded by time, and he forgot his ideals.
Live on, live on, live on!
Don't want to die, don't want to die, don't want to die!
To continue living, he altered his body. Even if it meant falling into depravity, he eventually became the filthy person named Matou Zouken.
Originally preparing for the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City, the early start of the Snowfield City Grail War threw his plans into disarray.
Gritting his teeth, thinking of a way to change things, he suddenly saw a person, 'That guy was...'
"Hello there, Makiri Zolgen. The Holy Grail War has begun. From this moment... your usefulness has ended."
The last face in his memory was the majestic light emanating from a man. He had once deeply believed in and cherished that light. The last words Matou Zouken heard were...
"Dark Sorcery - Eternal Shackles."
It was the very same compulsory curse Ryuya used on Clue in the real world, capable of altering everything from consciousness to instinct.