This Is My Holy Grail War

Kirei Kotomine had a dream.

He found himself in a pitch-black void, an expanse of absolute silence where not even his senses seemed to exist. For the first time in his life, a sense of panic welled within him. It rippled through the still waters of his otherwise unshakable heart, stirring an unfamiliar sensation.

He felt his heartbeat—a curious, almost erratic rhythm. Pressing a hand to his chest, he discovered it was beating normally.

What is this feeling?

Upon waking, Kirei sat on the edge of his bed, staring blankly at his hands. The familiar numbness that had accompanied him throughout his life surged back into his chest like a cold tide.

It's back… even more hollow than the void of my dream.

That emptiness—a cold indifference—was the world's response to Kirei Kotomine.

Part of him yearned to fall back into that dream, to embrace that strange, fleeting sensation. But the night had already descended, and the Holy Grail War was still ongoing.

Kirei's iron self-discipline prevented him from indulging such whims.

This isn't desire… it's emptiness, Kirei thought, though uncertainty lingered. But why do I find it so pleasurable? If even this void brings me joy, could it be another form of desire?

As a priest who had dedicated his body and soul to the Lord, Kirei resolved to suppress these thoughts.

Forgive me, Lord, he prayed, drawing a cross upon his chest. He kissed the crucifix that hung around his neck and rose to compose himself.

While tidying his bed, he suddenly heard the faint creak of a wooden door.

The sound was subtle, but his sharp senses as an Executor caught it immediately. Without hesitation, he drew three Black Keys, ready to strike.

But upon seeing who had entered, he relaxed and lowered his weapons.

"You…"

"Master, I'm hungry."

Standing before him was a young girl, her singular ahoge swaying with animated anticipation. Her clear and innocent face was unmistakably that of Assassin—still in the guise of Saber, the King of Knights.

"Hungry?" Kirei blinked, caught off guard. It hadn't occurred to him that a spirit might experience hunger.

Strangely, since adopting Saber's form, Assassin hadn't reverted to her original appearance. While Kirei found this odd, he chose not to question it, chalking it up to a whim on her part.

In truth, Assassin simply enjoyed the sensation of having a physical body. The intangible state of being a spirit felt suffocating, as if submerged in viscous liquid with pressure pressing from all sides.

"Could it be a lack of mana?" Kirei wondered aloud.

Though not a master of summoning arts, Kirei had studied the basics extensively to ensure the smooth execution of the Holy Grail War. He knew that just as evil spirits devoured life energy to sustain themselves, Heroic Spirits required mana.

The Grail itself supplied the bulk of their energy, but some mana had to come directly from the Master.

Assassin's mana reserves were indeed low, but Kirei's capacity as a Master was more than sufficient to sustain her. Her hunger puzzled him, yet he had no way to analyze the situation further.

He glanced out the window, noticing the setting sun. Though the sky had been draped in heavy clouds, the sun had not yet completely disappeared.

"We still have some time. Let's go get something to eat."

Kirei knew that food could serve as a supplemental source of mana for a Servant.

"Thank you."

"There's no need to thank me," Kirei replied. "As your Master, it's my duty."

---

Kirei brought Assassin to a restaurant, his actions deliberate and practiced. Taking a seat in a corner booth, he began to peruse the menu.

"Oh, it's you, Father Kotomine! Haven't seen you in a while," the owner greeted warmly, visibly surprised.

"I've been busy with work lately," Kirei replied, offering a polite smile. "And I've been hosting my niece. This is a rare chance for us to relax together."

"Ah, I see…"

"But is she really your niece? She looks European," the owner remarked, his curiosity piqued.

"Yes. She's just visiting Japan for a short while," Kirei explained smoothly. "She'll be returning home soon. In the meantime, please bring us two servings of mapo tofu."

"Of course!"

The owner bustled away, leaving Kirei and Assassin to wait.

"This meal is to ensure we maintain our strength. Eat as much as you like," Kirei said, though the statement felt as much directed at himself as at Assassin.

"May the Lord bless this food," Kirei murmured a prayer before beginning to eat, his actions calm and reverent.

Assassin, however, hesitated.

To her, the dish before her resembled a bubbling volcano, the fiery red sauce gleaming like molten lava.

Her trepidation only grew as she watched Kirei take a heaping spoonful and place it into his mouth. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his expression contorted briefly with pain. Yet he didn't stop, scooping up another bite without hesitation.

"Are you not eating, Assassin?" Kirei paused to glance at her.

Their gazes met.

After a brief hesitation, Assassin picked up her spoon with trembling hands. I asked for this. Even if it kills me, I have to eat it.

Her first bite exploded in her mouth like fireworks. The intense heat coursed down her throat, igniting her stomach in a fiery blaze. Her entire body trembled, her hair standing on end.

Yet, once the initial burn subsided, her replicated body quickly adapted. To her surprise, the sensation that lingered was exhilarating.

"How is it, Assassin?" Kirei asked.

"It's… it's delicious!" Assassin exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine amazement. She immediately took another bite, sweat dripping from her forehead as she embraced the fiery flavor.

"Excellent!" Kirei responded, a rare smile gracing his lips.

The two quickly fell into a rhythm, devouring the mapo tofu with unrelenting enthusiasm. Their synchronized fervor made them seem like kindred spirits.

For the restaurant owner, it was likely the best day of sales for mapo tofu in the establishment's history.

As their empty plates piled into a tower on the table, Kirei suddenly stopped eating.

"My familiars have reported an incident," he said. "There's been an explosion at the library, likely caused by a battle between Servants. I need you to investigate and gather intelligence on the other participants."

"…Understood," Assassin replied reluctantly, rising from her seat. "I'll do my best to avoid detection."

Once Assassin had left the restaurant, Kirei wasted no time contacting Tokiomi Tohsaka.

"How did it go, Kirei? Did Assassin encounter any Servants yesterday?" Tokiomi inquired.

"Yes. Assassin fought Saber directly," Kirei replied.

"Saber?" Tokiomi sounded surprised. "Face-to-face combat? How did it end? How long did Assassin hold out? And what of Saber's capabilities?"

"Assassin won."

Kirei's simple response sent shockwaves through Tokiomi's composure.

"WHAT?!" Tokiomi exclaimed.

"In close-quarters combat, Assassin defeated Saber. However, Saber didn't use her Noble Phantasm, so the outcome of a full-strength clash remains uncertain," Kirei clarified. "Assassin described herself as both a ruthless assassin and a noble knight."

"A master of deception, then? It seems Assassin is more valuable than I anticipated," Tokiomi mused.

"Her Noble Phantasm's utility exceeds expectations. She can perfectly mimic another Servant's appearance, and no one but the Master would be able to discern the truth."