Aozaki Aoko Case File

"You can hear all that?"

Touko glanced at Stark, the magical pet, with surprise. Her gaze brimmed with curiosity, causing Stark to tremble in fear and burrow into Aoko's hair.

"You could think of it as me casting a spell to enhance Stark's hearing before we left," Aoko said, patting Stark to comfort him.

"I think I know who Tokiomi Tohsaka summoned. The title 'King of Heroes'—throughout history, there's likely only one person fits that description."

"Hmm... The Epic of Gilgamesh?"

Touko was momentarily surprised, then frowned with a trace of concern.

"If that's the case, this won't be easy. He's a major figure from the Age of Gods."

"So Gilgamesh has run off to wander around, and Tokiomi didn't stop him?"

Aoko said, her eyes narrowing with doubt.

"That doesn't seem like something he would do."

"Are you familiar with the Tohsaka family head?"

Touko asked curiously.

"Not familiar, but I've studied his personality," Aoko replied.

"He's an overly self-confident magus who places far too much trust in his judgment."

"If he's letting Gilgamesh roam free at this point, it means something's happened that I'm unaware of."

Aoko stroked her chin in thought.

"Quack! Oh, and—and that man named Kirei Kotomine seems to have not received a Command Seal!"

Stark suddenly remembered another detail and blurted it out.

"Huh?"

Aoko's shock at this revelation surpassed her surprise at Tokiomi summoning Gilgamesh or even Zouken Matou personally summoning a Berserker.

This change meant the Holy Grail War's events had already deviated significantly from the history she knew. Aside from Touko forcefully using Einzbern's technology to cheat her way in, someone had replaced Kirei Kotomine!

"Stark, I need you to confirm something," Aoko said seriously.

"Quack, right now?"

Stark tilted his head.

"Right now. First, drink some water. I'll describe the general appearance of the person you're looking for," Aoko replied after a moment's thought.

She needed Stark to confirm whether Ryuunosuke Uryuu, who had originally intruded as an outsider, was still Caster's Master. If he wasn't, she planned to have Starl deal with him.

"Go. Once the task is done, I'll prepare a feast for you," Aoko instructed before sending her magical pet off again.

"Is something wrong?"

Touko asked from the side.

"I'm trying to confirm it now. It's not certain yet," Aoko replied, still deep in thought.

....

"Professor! Professor Kayneth!"

Waver's panicked voice echoed as he stumbled into the workshop, where his mentor, Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi, was setting up defensive wards.

"How many times have I told you, Waver, not to disturb me while I'm working!"

Kayneth scolded irritably.

"And how many times have I taught you to remain calm in the face of anything? Running around like this is a disgrace to the Department of Mineralogy!"

"S-sorry, Professor Kayneth!"

Waver quickly apologized, but he remembered why he'd come and held up his right hand.

"Professor, look at this!"

"A Command Seal!?" Kayneth exclaimed, grabbing Waver's wrist to inspect it closely.

After confirming that it was indeed a genuine Command Seal, Kayneth scrutinized Waver from head to toe, as if reevaluating him as a student. Waver found the intense stare deeply unsettling.

"Professor?"

Waver asked tentatively, unsure why Kayneth was looking at him like that.

"Well, well… I didn't expect this... No wonder I received that warning," Kayneth muttered, stroking his chin as he paced back and forth, lost in thought.

"Waver, go to the storage room immediately and retrieve a set of summoning materials," Kayneth ordered after a moment.

"Also, take out Relic No. 1 and perform the summoning ritual."

"Professor Kayneth, are you asking me to participate in the Holy Grail War?!"

Waver's eyes widened in shock. Before they'd boarded the plane to Fuyuki, Kayneth had informed him that he'd be assisting in the war—not participating in it.

"Isn't that obvious?"

Kayneth shot him a sharp look.

"We've obtained a second Command Seal. This is a tremendous advantage."

"But Professor, doesn't this mean I'll become your..."

Waver trailed off, glancing nervously at the golden-armored, white-haired warrior standing behind Kayneth. The warrior had loyally guarded Kayneth since his summoning.

"Hmph, worried about becoming my opponent?"

Kayneth snorted.

"That's unnecessary. We'll face each other only after eliminating all the others. And I'll spare your life, so don't worry, Waver."

"We can even establish a self-enforced contract for this," Kayneth added after a pause.

Hearing this, Waver felt a flicker of relief, but he remained hesitant about participating in the Holy Grail War. After all, at this point, Waver Velvet hadn't yet written his infamous thesis, been reprimanded by his professor, or stolen the relic out of desperation.

"What are you hesitating for?!"

Kayneth snapped.

"Don't tell me you're afraid!"

"Of course not!"

Waver's pride flared, and he retorted loudly.

"Then get to work!"

...

Due to his contract with Aokoi, Stark had been entrusted with secrets that even his master's sister didn't know.

Among these secrets was part of the original history of this world: Ryuunosuke Uryuu, a serial killer, would receive a Command Seal and, by chance, summon the heretical Anti-Hero Caster, Gilles de Rais.

However, it was still uncertain whether this had already happened in the current timeline. Stark could only search within a vague range, and if luck was on his side, he might locate the target.

Sometimes, though, coincidence works in mysterious ways.

A stylish young man with orange hair, good looks, and a fashionable outfit was walking through an alley. His arm was draped around a high school girl still in her uniform.

Stark's eyes sharpened as he compared the man's features to his mental profile. Within moments, he was 99% certain—this was Ryuunosuke Uryuu.

The girl, tricked by Ryuunosuke's sweet words and charming appearance, blushed shyly. Unaware of the danger, she had agreed to follow him back to his home.

Stark's gaze didn't waver. He checked the magical items on his legs, calculating his odds of success if he acted now. His conclusion was clear—he would proceed.

He decided to use the newly crafted Sleep Spell Anklets provided by Aoko.

This simple, low-level enchantment could put all living creatures within a 10-foot radius of the caster into a temporary magical sleep. With it, Stark would have plenty of time to deal with Ryuunosuke without alerting anyone else.