"In other words, is it true that Caster's Master is already dead?"
"That's right."
Taking temporary refuge inside the Church, Tokiomi Tohsaka learned the inside information from Kirei Kotomine's father, Risei Kotomine.
He had just been scolded by Gilgamesh, and the arrange Magic Workshop at home was smashed to pieces, so he could only hide here for a while.
"According to estimates, if Caster doesn't find ley lines or other means to replenish magical energy, he will exit before long."
"Lancer's Master is also dead. No new contract with other Masters has been detected, so she is not a concern."
"As long as you let Kirei and Assassin cooperate with Archer to figure out a way to defeat Berserker, victory will be within reach."
As the overseer of this war, Risei Kotomine was supposed to ensure the situation proceeded with an impartial stance. But due to his relationship with Tokiomi Tohsaka, he had a tendency to "practice favoritism."
Referee and contestant uniting together... no matter how one thought about it, it was unfair to others.
"But there is still no news about Berserker's Master."
"Although it is speculated to be the Matou family's force, it cannot be observed."
As the most mysterious group, Tokiomi Tohsaka also had a headache. It would have been fine if he could trick the other party out under the pretext of an alliance, but the other party simply ignored him.
Clearly the Tohsaka family and the Matou family didn't have such a bad relationship, so he didn't know what the situation was this time.
"It's very simple. I have a method to help you draw out the other party."
After listening, a smile appeared on the elderly Risei Kotomine's face. "Oh?" Hearing this, Tokiomi Tohsaka trusted Risei Kotomine very much. Since the other party dared to speak, there must be a plan.
"You just instruct Kirei to let Assassin hunt down one of Caster or Lancer."
"?" Hearing this, Tokiomi Tohsaka frowned first, then relaxed. He roughly understood what Risei Kotomine intended.
"Because of magical energy and the loss of Masters, these two Servants are already on the verge of exit."
"If they incur attacks from other Servants again, in order to survive, they must take extreme actions."
"And that will be the opportunity for our Church to intervene." The kind face still maintained a smile as Risei Kotomine continued.
"When either Caster or Lancer is forced to delete ordinary people to replenish magical energy and resist, the Church will issue a wanted order, commanding other Masters and Servants to carry out a joint siege."
"Afterwards, participants will be given a Command Spell..."
"With this reward, I believe no Master will refuse. At that time, I can help you confirm who Berserker's Master is with your own eyes."
"At the same time, it can justifiably help you replenish a Command Spell." Sure enough, the abacus this old man was playing was just as Tokiomi Tohsaka thought.
"So... opportunities are hard to come by."
"It must be carried out before other Masters sign new contracts with Caster and Lancer."
"With Assassin's strength, it is not difficult to force those two Servants."
This plan was perfect, but the premise was that Caster and Lancer couldn't have new Masters; otherwise, the follow-up wouldn't hold water.
"It can fish out Berserker's Master, make the unstable factors Caster or Lancer exit, and even replenish Command Spells."
"Killing three birds with one stone..."
"Afterwards, as long as Archer contains Berserker and Assassin assassinates his Master, great things can be accomplished!"
"As long as Berserker is eliminated, the remaining Saber and Rider are nothing to fear." The corners of his mouth raised into an arc; Tokiomi Tohsaka could faintly see the future of victory. The Root... That was what magi yearned for. This time, he, Tokiomi Tohsaka, would definitely succeed!
"I will contact Kirei right now and instruct him to let Assassin hunt down Caster or Lancer."
...
"Assassin, how is the mission completion?"
"Found it. More than expected."
"That's good. Don't alarm others for now. You come back first; Teacher has a new task there." After receiving Tokiomi Tohsaka's contact, Kirei Kotomine also recalled Kenshin, who was acting as Assassin.
"Hunt down Caster or Lancer?" But hearing the new task, Kenshin had slight doubts.
"Teacher specifically instructed just to hunt down, not to kill."
"Need to force one of these two Servants just to the brink of death." Kirei Kotomine explained slowly. "I feel it's not as simple as imagined."
The keen sense of a killer allowed Kenshin to detect a series of black hand conspiracies behind this.
"Because to prepare for the follow-up, Teacher intends to use Caster or Lancer to fish out Berserker's Master."
"Mn?"
"Force one of those two Servants to break the rules, then convene other groups to besiege."
"In other words, you want Sessha (This one/Me) to force Caster or Lancer to kill ordinary people?"
His eyes turning cold, Kenshin roughly understood this group of people's plan. Summoned here, how could he not know there was a so-called "Mana Replenishment by Killing" mechanism?
But that was a choice Servants would only make in extreme situations.
"Your face is full of dissatisfaction."
"Of course!"
As the Hitokiri Battousai, if it were before, Kenshin might not have taken it seriously, but experiencing the "relationship" with Tomoe caused him to once resent involving unrelated personnel.
Unless necessary, he would absolutely not kill unrelated personnel easily. Moreover, Kenshin would not approve of this method of forcing other Servants to kill ordinary people no matter what.
"Don't refuse first; I won't use Command Spells." Seeing the coldness in the other party's eyes, Kirei Kotomine somewhat knew this Servant's temperament, so he stated his position first.
"As a priest of the Church, I also hate this method."
"But at this moment, I cannot yet oppose Teacher and Father's practices."
"You have to understand my difficulties, Assassin."
Feeling the importance of emotion more and more, Kirei Kotomine found the correct way of persuasion. "So... we can comply, but not necessarily in the form they instructed."
"?" It had to be said that Kirei Kotomine's roundabout persuasion made Kenshin withdraw his killing intent.
"The important thing is to let Caster or Lancer have a charge..."
"Were there few unwarranted charges in ancient times?" Silent, Kenshin also knew the meaning Kirei Kotomine expressed. This statement and practice made him much more accepting.
It wasn't necessarily required to let Caster or Lancer really kill ordinary people. It only needed Kenshin to make the form of pursuit and "witness" one of them killing ordinary people.
At that time, with the Church coming forward to confirm the charge, it would still be possible to legitimately convene other Masters and Servants to besiege.
As for whether Caster or Lancer actually killed ordinary people, this fact was not important at all. They were just pawns in the plan...
No matter how they proved themselves or narrated, Caster and Lancer couldn't escape the consequence of being calculated.
"Teacher has already sent familiars to look for them."
"Once Caster or Lancer's position is grasped, he will notify to take action."
"You have to stand by and be ready at any time."
Looking at Kenshin expressionlessly, Kirei Kotomine experienced what was called "trembling with fear" this time. That onrushing killing intent was worthy of the Hitokiri Battousai. 'Sure enough... emotion is still necessary!'
If he had any hesitation or stubbornness, before using the Command Spell, Assassin's sword would have made his head fall to the ground.