Chapter 239 – Saber's True Master
As the three safely returned to the inn, Kiritsugu Emiya was also being escorted to the inn's entrance by the Inari foxes.
The two groups met, and Kiritsugu's eyes widened slightly in surprise when he saw Hikigaya Hachiman.
Having no concrete information about the battle in the city center, he did not know the foxes had been sent by Hachiman. Until now, he had assumed the Tohsaka family was pursuing him, but unexpectedly, it was the Master of Lancer…
"Kiritsugu Emiya?" While Kiritsugu was observing Hachiman, Hachiman was likewise studying the man regarded as a disgrace by countless Magi.
Even now, gravely wounded and captured, Kiritsugu maintained a calm, indifferent expression, as if death the next moment would not matter.
"It's me. May I ask why Lancer's Master brought me here?" Hachiman's recognition of him didn't surprise Kiritsugu; after all, in certain circles, he was a well-known figure in the magi world.
In contrast, Kiritsugu had been highly curious about Hachiman — a mysterious figure who suddenly appeared in Fuyuki City a year ago, gained eligibility for the Holy Grail War, then disappeared, only to reappear with the Tohsaka family's second daughter a few days ago.
Hachiman had been on Kiritsugu's radar since the beginning of the Grail War due to his enigmatic nature. Unfortunately, Hachiman was extremely cautious, changing locations daily, and leaving no traces in public or magical intelligence networks.
"I am a participant in the Holy Grail War. You should understand why I brought you here, right?" Hachiman chuckled slightly at Kiritsugu's question.
As an outsider working for the Einzbern family, Kiritsugu should have some idea of what was going on.
"Well, I'm not someone who kills innocents indiscriminately. So I'll just hold you here until the Holy Grail War ends before releasing you…" Hachiman had assumed Irisviel was Saber's Master, not realizing the man before him was the true one. Since he had no conflict with Kiritsugu, who was now incapacitated, Hachiman planned only to detain him, cutting off support to Irisviel until the war concluded.
However, just as Hachiman motioned for the foxes to take Kiritsugu away, Karna reached out to stop him.
"What's wrong, Karna?" Hachiman was both surprised and puzzled; this was the first time Karna had acted independently.
"He's problematic." Karna's words were blunt. His eyes fixed intently on Kiritsugu.
In Karna's vision, everything is constructed from magical energy. Upon inspecting Kiritsugu's mana, he saw a thin thread extending into the distance…
"Saber's mana is being supplied by him. He is the true participant representing the Einzbern family!"
"Damn…" Kiritsugu's heart sank upon hearing Karna's deduction. Hachiman had let him go earlier, assuming he posed no threat; now that his status as Saber's Master was revealed, the outcome looked grim.
"Karna, are you certain?" Hachiman furrowed his brow. If Kiritsugu truly was Saber's Master, this would indeed become a significant problem.
"I can't confirm it unless Saber appears before us now," Karna shook his head. He had only detected a mana line extending from Kiritsugu, but he didn't know its exact destination.
"So it's just a suspicion?" Hachiman mused, supporting his chin with his hand. In his mind, "suspicion" was practically equivalent to confirmation.
Having spent time with Irisviel, he sensed that her relationship with Artoria did not feel like Master and Servant. But what should he do about Kiritsugu?
Other participants might have killed him outright, eliminating Saber from the war. But Hachiman had no intention of claiming the Grail; if it weren't for being stranded in this world by the Grail, he would have returned with Sakura long ago.
"Kill him?" Hachiman looked up, uncertainty in his voice as he asked Karna. Even if eliminating Kiritsugu would incur Irisviel's and Artoria's enmity, it was inconsequential to Hachiman, who planned to leave once the war ended.
"It depends entirely on Master's decision." Karna unhesitatingly returned the responsibility to Hachiman.
Although he longed for a fair battle with Artoria, if it benefited Hachiman, he would not object to eliminating Kiritsugu, even if it meant Saber's elimination.
"I see…" Hachiman nodded, then looked at Kiritsugu again.
"Wait!" Sensing Hachiman's gaze had turned deadly, Kiritsugu raised an eyebrow and spoke quickly. Though unafraid of death, dying before completing his lifelong goals would be too regrettable.
"Do you have anything to say?" Hachiman asked curiously. If Kiritsugu's words failed to persuade him, his decision would not change.
"I think we can cooperate. With Saber on your side, your chances of obtaining the Grail increase!" Kiritsugu drew a deep breath, trying to use the Grail as bait to capture Hachiman's attention.
"Cooperate?" When he had assumed Irisviel was Saber's Master, Hachiman had considered cooperation, trusting Irisviel's character. But now that Kiritsugu was revealed as Saber's true Master, Hachiman knew that teaming up would be tantamount to asking for a kick to the head.
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