Chapter 27: Chapter 028: Reiji’s Demand
Finding Reiji in Fuyuki City
Was the easiest thing in the world.
Unlike the other Masters,
He never hid his presence.
He openly set up camp at Ryuudou Temple.
His two Casters,
Tamamo-no-Mae and Zhuge Liang,
Had full control over the magical field.
Thus, with Kiritsugu leading the way,
Artoria carrying Irisviel on her back—
The three arrived at the gates of Ryuudou Temple.
The ancient wooden doors creaked open.
A cold wind brushed past them—
And the first thing they saw…
Was Reiji—
Sitting calmly atop the temple stairs.
Dressed in his usual black hoodie,
Hood down, revealing his sharp gaze—
His fingers interlocked, resting before his face—
His expression was filled with mockery
As he silently observed the three arrivals.
Kiritsugu scanned the area.
On the surface,
It looked like Reiji was alone.
But he knew better.
All of his Servants were merely concealed in spirit form,
Lurking somewhere nearby.
But that wasn't important right now.
"You Came Here to Find Me—"
"So, What Do You Want?"
Reiji's voice was casual.
To him—
This infamous Magus Killer
Wasn't even worth fearing.
With his ability to phase into an alternate dimension,
Even if Kiritsugu used a Command Spell
To force Artoria to attack him,
It wouldn't make any difference.
"We're Not Here to Fight."
Kiritsugu's voice was calm.
"I'm Simply Interested in What You Said Earlier—"
"That You Have a Way to Extract the Lesser Grail Without Killing Irisviel."
"So We've Come to Negotiate."
Reiji nodded.
Then—
He stood up.
His cold gaze locked onto Kiritsugu.
"Oh, I Do Have a Method." "But I'm Curious—
What's Going Through Your Head Right Now?"
"Back at the Einzbern Castle—"
"I Didn't Make a Move Simply Because I Had Just Buried Iskandar."
"But Now—"
"You Walked Right Into My Territory—"
"And You Want To—Negotiate?"
Reiji spread his arms wide,
A grin stretching across his face.
"You Want to See How I Extract the Lesser Grail?"
"Fine— I'll Show You."
Kiritsugu and Artoria instinctively tensed,
Bracing for some kind of attack.
But—
Reiji simply snapped his fingers.
System—Retrieve the Holy Grail.
[Holy Grail Retrieval Complete.]
[Current Holy Grail Count: 1]
For anyone else,
Extracting the Lesser Grail
Would be an impossible problem.
But for Reiji?
Things like "All the World's Evil,"
Or the Greater and Lesser Grail?
"None of That Matters to Me."
He simply stepped within range—
And, just like picking up an item in a game,
His system immediately absorbed the Holy Grail.
Irisviel froze in place.
She could feel it.
Something within her—
Something that had been slowly destroying her body—
Had vanished.
She shifted slightly.
Then, realizing she felt no pain—
She stood up effortlessly,
Returning to Kiritsugu's side.
Artoria and Kiritsugu were completely stunned.
They had just watched—
Reiji snap his fingers…
And the Lesser Grail was simply gone.
Reiji grinned at their expressions.
"Kiritsugu—"
"I Don't Know What You Wanted to Offer Me in This 'Negotiation' of Yours—"
"But My Demands Are Simple."
His smile widened.
And in that instant—
The entire temple grounds
Were suddenly engulfed in mist.
Behind him—
Zhuge Liang and Tamamo-no-Mae appeared.
To his side—
Berserker emerged, gripping his crimson spear.
"Transfer All of Your Command Spells to Me."
"Hand Over Avalon."
"Then Sign a Contract— Officially Withdrawing From the Holy Grail War."
Reiji's voice was calm.
But the thick, suffocating presence of his Servants
Made his words feel like an ultimatum.
"Otherwise…"
He grinned,
His golden eyes flashing with cold amusement.
"I Don't Know What Dirty Tricks You've Been Planning—"
"But This Is the Only Chance You Have to Leave Here Alive."