[This is Fuyuki City's morning news. We have just received shocking news: the mansion of the well-known local businessman, Mr. Yamamoto, suffered a catastrophic fire last night, resulting in severe casualties.
According to initial reports from the scene, the sudden blaze inflicted heavy losses on the mansion's security personnel, with an alarming number of injuries and deaths. The police are currently conducting an in-depth investigation, and preliminary analysis suggests that the fire may be linked to a violent group's attempted burglary.
However, after a thorough search of the premises, Mr. Yamamoto's body has not been found. The Fuyuki Police Department has taken over the case and is urging residents to remain vigilant and strengthen personal and household security measures. At the same time, authorities are gathering clues to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice...]
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"Fuyuki sure has been plagued by disasters lately."
Fujimura Taiga glanced at the dark-skinned, white-haired man preparing breakfast. After confirming that he wasn't paying attention to their conversation, she pulled Emiya Shirou aside and whispered, "That guy who calls himself 'Acha' does look a bit like you. As your beloved Fujimura-sensei, I'll believe he's some distant cousin from the Emiya family. But Shirou, you know, Kiritsugu passed away early, and you're the only heir left. You have to continue the family line!"
"…Huh?"
Still a high schooler, Emiya Shirou had never given marriage or having children a single thought. That was far too distant for him. "Fujimura-sensei, isn't it way too early to talk about this?"
"Exactly because it's early that I need to say it now!"
Fujimura Taiga, full of concern, leaned in close to Shirou and whispered, "I overheard that guy calling you 'Master.' Shirou, I always thought you were an honest kid, but I never expected you to be playing around behind our backs! No wonder you've never shown interest in Sakura!"
Saying that, she ran dramatically to Kiritsugu's memorial tablet and started pretending to wipe away tears.
"This is my failure as a teacher—Kiritsugu, I've let you down!"
"…Huh?"
Shirou's brain was on the verge of shutting down. But he couldn't even deny it—Archer really did call him that.
"It's fine, I'll give you time," Fujimura Taiga said with a self-assured nod, ruffling Shirou's hair in an elder's fashion. "I'm skipping breakfast today—I need to head back before work."
With that, she put on her jacket, hopped on her scooter, and sped off.
"Wait, that's not—!"
Shirou collapsed onto the floor in disbelief. He wanted to explain the situation, but how could he possibly explain the Holy Grail War to a normal person?
-
"Wow, that was quite the misunderstanding," Archer remarked casually as he set breakfast on the table. He wore an apron, looking every bit the household husband. "If you really want to get rid of me, just use up your Command Spells. Then we'll be even."
Shirou lifted his hand. Two of the three crimson marks on the back of his hand had already been used.
"If I use them all, my commands will no longer have any binding effect on you, right?"
"Oh? Getting attached to me already?" Archer smirked, clearly enjoying the chance to irritate Shirou.
"The Holy Grail War is about eliminating the other participants, right? I won't let you harm anyone!" Shirou clenched his fists. "Besides, you definitely tried to kill me when we first met!"
Indeed, not long after summoning Archer, Shirou was immediately attacked. His half-baked reinforcement magic was no match for Archer's onslaught. If he hadn't instinctively shouted "Stop!" with a Command Spell, he'd be dead.
The second command had been issued after learning about the Holy Grail War—he had ordered Archer not to leave a ten-meter radius without permission. It was a vague order and lacked strong enforcement, but it still placed some restrictions on Archer's movements.
-
"Such naive ideals will only lead to a tragic end."
Archer's voice carried a note of finality.
"How can wanting to save others be called naive?" Shirou countered.
He understood why the Holy Grail had chosen him. But according to Archer, Servants were summoned based on compatibility when no relic was used. By that logic, how could he and Archer possibly be a match?
"'Hero of Justice'?"
Archer sneered. "Striving for justice only means helping some people kill others. The more you save, the more people die because of you."
Just then, Archer's senses sharpened—an enemy Master and Servant had entered the Emiya residence's range, heading straight for them.
"See? Just because you won't act doesn't mean others won't."
Without hesitation, Archer projected Kanshou and Bakuya and launched an attack on the intruding Servant.
-
Jason pushed his Master aside and met the attack with his own lackluster swordplay.
"Hey! Attacking without warning isn't very heroic!"
Jason's swordsmanship was terrible, but his evasive maneuvers were excellent. He somehow managed to dodge Archer's relentless twin-blade assault.
"Even wild animals know they'll be driven away if they trespass. Don't tell me you're unaware of that basic rule?"
Archer swung down with full force. Jason barely managed to block the strike, and the two locked into a battle of strength.
While Archer's Strength was only ranked D—one level lower than Jason's—Jason's terrible combat skills quickly put him at a disadvantage.
"You can't even handle a no-name like me. Guess you're not much of a big shot yourself."
Archer smirked, knowing he was pushing Jason's buttons. The more enemies Shirou had, the sooner he'd realize how brutal the Holy Grail War was.
"I can't let that slide!"
Jason was a man of vanity. He might love luxury, but he also craved recognition.
"In that case, let's settle this with a contest of fame!"
To Archer's disbelief, Jason abruptly let go of his sword, allowing Kanshou and Bakuya to strike him directly.
"What the—?!"
Archer instinctively pulled back, suspecting a trap—perhaps some Noble Phantasm that reflected damage.
But it was too late. Jason had stepped forward to take the hit.
And with that, the battlefield changed.
"A duel field?!"
Archer's mind flooded with new knowledge. The rules of the Holy Grail War had already been altered—Servant battles were now decided by duel challenges. This drastically weakened Archer, Assassin, and Caster classes.
"Before you stands the great hero of Greece—Jason!"
Jason proudly pointed to himself, grateful to Jiang You's Noble Phantasm for giving him the upper hand. "With this Noble Phantasm, there's no hiding our names. Now, state yours, red Servant!"