I, Kurumi Tokisaki, Am a Wanderer

Click—

The link with the familiar was completely severed.

"Avenger!" Tokiomi Tohsaka's furious voice echoed through the Tohsaka estate.

"Hmph." Eyes red as blood held a look of contempt. The golden king laughed, dissolving into countless particles of light as he departed. "This king is becoming more and more fond of you."

——

Roughly thirty kilometers west of the bustling streets of Fuyuki City, an east-west highway cut through the wild mountains.

The highway traversed dense forests on either side, forests said to hide a luxurious ancient castle made of stone deep within—home to faeries. However, most residents of Fuyuki considered it nothing more than a ghost story.

Only magi knew the truth—that it was real, that it was the domain of the ancient magical aristocracy, the Einzbern family.

...

This vast primordial forest was enclosed by a barrier, completely isolated from the outside world. As the evening sun set, the forest glowed with a fiery red hue, like something out of a dream.

But at this moment, the atmosphere inside the castle's meeting room was heavy and oppressive.

A day had passed, yet no one in this war had suffered any losses. Although the Holy Church's summons had called for the Masters to temporarily cease fighting and focus on hunting down Caster and his Master, Emiya Kiritsugu didn't trust them. They were in league with the Tohsaka family—just another pack of foxes.

In the last cycle, shortly after Lancer had pierced Caster's heart, that fearsome Executor had used his Black Keys to behead Kayneth.

Emiya Kiritsugu held the same belief.

Ambush the Masters.

Saber and Irisviel would operate openly, while he and Kurumi would ambush those Masters who let their guard down. Emiya Kiritsugu had no concern for human ethics or a magus's pride—he was merely a killer.

Saber's emerald eyes were fixed on Emiya Kiritsugu, brimming with displeasure.

He had never treated her as his true Servant; his real Servant had always been the yawning Kurumi Tokisaki.

She was just bait.

The thought filled Saber with anger. Even though she had protested last time and he had finally informed her of his plans, that was all he had done—just informed her.

"Kiritsugu-sama, do you not trust me as a Servant?" Saber's voice was cold.

Emiya Kiritsugu did not respond.

He remained in a cold silence, his dark eyes filled with a deep sorrow.

Saber... was just another soul cursed and bound by ideals, like him.

"Let's call it a day," Emiya Kiritsugu said, turning to leave.

Bang—

Saber slammed her fist down on the table, biting her lip as she stared at the carpet beneath her feet.

Talk of destroying the Holy Grail or of Angra Mainyu didn't matter; Emiya Kiritsugu had never truly acknowledged her.

Irisviel placed a comforting hand on Saber's shoulder, and Saber looked at the woman, full of concern.

If... if only Irisviel were my Master.

Then she could fight for Irisviel's sake. She silently made that resolve in her heart.

...

"I promise... after this war, I'll return to the Einzbern family and bring Ilya out,"

When Irisviel caught up to him on the rooftop, the helpless man sat slumped against the railing, fighting back tears as he spoke.

"I'll kill anyone who stands in my way."

Emiya Kiritsugu's voice was desperate, filled with despair.

His only guiding principle had become a nightmare, the countless sacrifices of the past reduced to debts paid in iron and blood.

Apart from his wife and daughter, he had almost nothing left, but now he was being forced to kill his own wife.

Irisviel could only silently approach and hold him.

She and Ilya were never meant to be part of Emiya Kiritsugu's life.

...

The sharp-featured, black-haired beauty watched the couple, locked in a tight embrace, before turning to leave, her arms trembling.

Emiya Kiritsugu was gone—forever lost.

——

In the meeting room, bored out of her mind, Kurumi knelt on the sofa, gazing at the darkening sky outside, her posture soft and relaxed. As she absentmindedly manicured her nails, their polished, crystal-clear finish added to her natural allure, reflecting the meticulous care she put into her appearance. 

Why did the main body get to go out, cuddle cats, and take care of a loli, while she had to stay here and keep watch?

The little lion was grumpy and no fun at all, not even letting her touch that cute ahoge.

"Avenger." Saber's voice called out from beside her.

"Huh?" Kurumi turned her head, lazily leaning against the back of the sofa as she looked at Saber. "What is it?"

"A young lady shouldn't act so indecently." Saber reprimanded her strictly, indicating Kurumi's posture.

Kurumi was still dressed in that winter school uniform. She was curled up on the sofa, her long, black-stockinged legs crossed, the enticing view beneath her blue skirt only partly visible.

"Oh?" Kurumi's lips curled into a mischievous smile, as if she had found something interesting.

She leaned forward, drawing closer to Saber, her rose-red eyes sparkling with mischief as she lightly tugged at the hem of her skirt, as if about to lift it. "Hey, do you want to see?"

——

Creak.

The wooden door of the meeting room was pushed open, and Kurumi calmly straightened herself, adjusting her little leather shoes. Yet her expression was full of satisfaction.

Emiya Kiritsugu and Irisviel entered, both wearing serious expressions—someone had broken through the forest's barrier.

The intruder's image was captured by the barrier and displayed through a crystal ball.

A wide, black robe, radiating a scent of blood and malevolence.

It was Caster!

He was walking through the forest, followed by a group of dazed children, wandering like sleepwalkers.

He reached the edge of the barrier's active zone, then suddenly stopped.

Caster raised his head, his eyes, like dreadful creatures from the deep sea, seemed to peer through the barrier, staring directly at those watching him through the crystal ball.

His "Clairvoyance" had pierced through.

Caster offered a devout greeting, like a holy worshiper in prayer.

"Gilles de Rais, as per our agreement last night, I have come to visit you."

He bowed deeply, "I hope you will allow me and my holy maiden—Jeanne d'Arc—to meet."

——

Saber looked to Irisviel, not to Emiya Kiritsugu. If Irisviel gave the order, she would immediately go into battle.

But Irisviel hesitated.

Caster, however, was prepared to wait patiently. He even suggested playing a small game within the Einzbern territory.

Snap—

With a snap of his fingers, all the children suddenly awoke from their trance.

"Alright~~ children, it's time to play hide and seek. The rules are simple—just don't get caught by me." He smiled, looking towards those watching him, and grabbed one child by the head, lifting him up. "If I catch you—"

"Stop..." Saber's emerald eyes widened in horror, the scene before her drenched in deep crimson.

A nightmare...

The children screamed and scattered, while Caster laughed. "Run fast, because when I count to 100, I'm coming to get you."

"So, Jeanne. How much longer do you need to prepare?"

——

Irisviel finally stopped hesitating. "Saber, please, you must defeat him!"

Saber's fury was so intense that it stirred up a whirlwind as she moved.

...

Kurumi sat silently, her presence suffocating.

In that single exposed wine-red eye, a terrifying emotion was raging.

"Avenger." Irisviel hesitated, looking towards Kurumi.

...

"I'm back."

Both knew exactly what Kurumi meant.