Fate: But This Is Not Solomon I Know!

Fuyuki – Outskirts of Miyama Town.

Night had fallen, and a cold mist blanketed the silent rooftops. The sickly yellow light of lonely streetlamps cast reflections on the damp asphalt roads, still wet from the afternoon rain.

The steady clanking of iron boots echoed, breaking the stillness. A tall figure walked forward, a cloak fluttering behind him, while a smaller figure sat perched on his shoulder, clutching the top of his helmet tightly.

Zoth – tall, cold, powerful.

Rin – small, curious, slightly stubborn.

Zoth strolled slowly through the darkened streets, the twin crimson lights of his helmet gleaming under the dim glow. Rin tilted her head slightly, her clear eyes scanning the surroundings, as if trying to remember something. Then she looked down and asked, with innocent but serious curiosity:

"Ruler, the magic you used earlier… was that Gem Magecraft?"

Zoth nodded immediately, voice casual as always:

"Yeah… Gem Magecraft. Surprised?"

Rin nodded quickly, her excitement obvious:

"Uh-huh! It's the first time I've seen someone outside the Tohsaka family use it!"

Zoth chuckled, tossing a softly glowing gem into the air and catching it like a toy:

"Plenty of other mage families use it too.

You're still young, don't know how vast this world really is.

You'll understand when you grow up."

Rin pouted, crossing her arms, lifting her chin in full tsundere pride:

"I may look small, but I'm strong!

I'm the next head of the Tohsaka family!

You better not underestimate me!"

Zoth laughed, shrugged:

"Alright, alright. No underestimating."

The road was long and endless.

Zoth could've used teleportation or a [Book Gate].

So why didn't he?

Because he felt like walking.

He wanted to know what it was like to "go on a long walk with a kid."

The result? It sucked. He was tired as hell.

Eventually, they arrived—at a small house on the edge of Miyama.

Zoth gently (not) set Rin down.

Normally, one would knock, call out, announce themselves.

Zoth?

Drop-kicked the door.

BANG!!

The door flew off its hinges, slammed against the wall with a heavy thud.

Zoth walked in like it was nothing, raised a hand high:

"Ohaiyo~! Everyone! I'm home~!"

"YOU BASTARD!!"

A thunderous yell—Kariya stormed out, face twisted, eyes bloodshot.

He rushed to the poor door, staring at it like he'd just witnessed the murder of his child.

"Please… we're broke… stop breaking the doors…"

Zoth only shrugged, closed the Omni Force, detached the Driver, and canceled his transformation.

The golden-black light faded, revealing his wrinkled everyday clothes from the earlier fight.

Without saying a word, he handed Rin over to Kariya and proceeded with the routine of a true gamer:

1. Took off his boots and hurled them into the corner like tossing away all life's problems.

2. Bolted upstairs to change into casual wear: a gray T-shirt and black shorts.

3. Sprinted down to the kitchen, grabbed two cans of energy drink and a family-size snack bag.

He dropped the "loot" onto the living room table, ran back to his room, dragged out a blanket, wrapped himself up like a cocoon, then:

Turned off the living room lights.

Turned on the console.

Turned on the TV.

Jumped onto the sofa, fully cocooned.

"Hahahaha! Gaming nights!" Zoth shouted like a kid on summer break.

Controller in hand, snack in mouth, eyes glued to the screen.

A peaceful night—for a man capable of destroying the world, yet chose to wrap up in a blanket and game like a damn gremlin.

Kariya stood in the hallway, the dim fluorescent light casting a tired glow over his worn face. He stared at Zoth curled up playing video games and frowned deeply, muttering like he was cursing fate:

"The Matou family's luck is cursed to hell...

Of all the Servants to summon… it just had to be this guy…"

Shaking his head in dismay, Kariya turned and gently led Rin up to the second floor.

The house was quiet, the wooden hallway echoing with soft footsteps. Kariya stopped in front of a door, knocked gently, then opened it. A soft glow from the bedside lamp spilled into the warm room.

Inside, Sakura was sitting on the bed, hugging a bunny-shaped plushie, her eyes still dazed with sleep.

Kariya led Rin in, then quietly stepped out. He took out his phone and called Aoi, speaking in a calm, steady voice:

"Rin's at the Matou house. She's fine. Let her stay for a little while."

In the room, Rin had been holding her breath in nervous tension. But when she saw Sakura unharmed, her shoulders relaxed, and she let out a soft sigh of relief.

She didn't hesitate. Rin ran to Sakura's side, dropped to her knees beside the bed, and tightly grabbed her sister's small, cold hands, voice filled with concern:

"Sakura! How have you been these past days?!

Did anyone… try to bully you?!"

Sakura blinked, surprised by Rin's sudden appearance. But then, a faint, sorrowful smile crept onto her face. She shook her head, eyes lowering:

"No… onee-sama, I'm fine…"

She lowered her gaze further, voice growing smaller, her pale face shadowed with gloom:

"…But… Father once took me to a very scary place…

Grandfather said… he wanted to throw me into the Worm Pit…"

Her voice trembled. Dark memories flickered in her eyes.

Sakura clutched the bunny tighter, her fingers digging into its ears.

But then… she suddenly let out a soft laugh — not quite happy, but warm, like a flicker of light in the darkness. She looked up at Rin, eyes shimmering like water, her voice barely above a whisper:

"But… because of that…

I was able to summon Ruler onii-sama…"

"He saved me from that place…

Now I live here with Uncle Kariya and Byakuya…

Everything's good now, onee-sama."

Rin froze.

She couldn't believe those words had come from Sakura herself.

Sakura — the once fragile, silent shadow of a sister…

Now sat there, speaking of horrors with bravery, and smiling like she had moved past it all.

Rin sat quietly, listening intently.

Her eyes never left Sakura's face for even a second.

Each word Sakura spoke, each memory shared, twisted Rin's expression — brows furrowed with fear, then softening with relief, even bursting into giggles when hearing Sakura's little anecdotes about Ruler onii-sama.

The glow from the bedside lamp lit their young, expressive faces, wrapping the small room in a warm aura, in stark contrast to the darkness both girls had endured.

Suddenly, Rin took Sakura's hand.

That small hand…

On the back of it, three crimson Command Seals — a red, three-pointed star — glowed faintly under the light.

Rin's eyes widened.

She stared, frozen, hand trembling — not from fear, but from something far more complex.

She bit her lip, emotions swirling in her chest — determination, anxiety, responsibility — all surging at once.

Then Rin stood up, reaching out to Sakura with a voice full of resolve, still childlike in tone but firm:

"Sakura!

The Holy Grail War is terrifying…

It could get you killed…

So let me be Master instead!!"

Sakura jolted.

Her clear violet eyes brimmed with tears. She instinctively hugged her hand close to her chest, clutching it protectively as if someone might take it away.

Her voice trembled, caught between a pout and sobs:

"Onee-sama… are you trying to steal Ruler onii-sama from me…?"

Rin froze.

Her whole body stiffened.

"N–No! That's not it!" she waved her hands frantically, shaking her head, clearly panicking as if Sakura had misunderstood her worst.

"I… I just wanted to be Master instead!

Because I heard from Father…

That the Holy Grail War is… really cruel…

So I just wanted to protect you…"

Sakura shook her head fiercely.

For the first time, her once-weak eyes now sparkled with rare determination.

She lifted her chin, facing Rin directly, voice small but unwavering:

"No!

Ruler onii-sama said… he'll protect me.

No matter how cruel the war gets…

I won't give him to you, onee-sama!!"

Rin was speechless.

She could only sigh…

Looking at her sister, her heart swelled with so many emotions — part amused, part helpless, and overwhelmingly proud.

"…Fine, fine… I give up…

But you better keep that promise, Sakura…"

The tension in the room eased.

The two sisters looked at each other… and burst into laughter, the childish sound filling the room with warmth in the middle of the night.

Suddenly—

BANG!!

From downstairs came a chaotic yell:

"RULER!!

CAN YOU STOP HELPING ME LIKE THAT?!"

Kariya's thunderous roar shook the wooden ceiling.

"Aiz~ It's just a bit of trash. I'll clean it later…" Zoth's voice, sleepy and completely unserious.

"YOU—!!"

"AHH, DAMMIT!!

SHUT UP! I'M TRYING TO LOCK-IN!!"

The entire house shook from the shouting.

Rin and Sakura… went silent for a few seconds.

Then both burst into uncontrollable laughter, the sound of two little girls echoing warmly into the night.

The two sat close together, whispering softly, telling each other everything — from their time apart to silly everyday moments.

And at some point… without realizing, both had leaned on each other, dozed off on the bed, peaceful dreams wrapping their small, gentle hearts.

---

Fuyuki – Morning, Matou Residence

Gentle morning light slipped through the gap in the window, casting a warm golden glow over the small room, bathing the peaceful faces of two girls still sound asleep.

Rin and Sakura lay side by side in bed, their innocent, tranquil expressions gently rising and falling with each soft breath, the air around them filled with a rare calm and serenity.

A steady knock echoed from outside the door, followed by Kariya's deep yet gentle voice:

"Sakura, Rin… it's morning. Time to wake up, have breakfast, and get ready for school."

Sakura's brows furrowed slightly as her violet eyes slowly blinked open. Rubbing her eyes, she turned to the side and softly called out:

"Onee-chan… it's morning, wake up."

Rin stirred, mumbling something in her sleep. She rolled over, burying her face into the blanket, her voice groggy:

"Five more minutes…"

Sakura giggled quietly, then gently grabbed Rin's hand and gave it a tug.

"C'mon~ get up."

Rin was dragged upright, her eyes still dazed like a newly hatched chick. She rubbed her face and let out a long yawn.

"Aaah… what time is it…?"

"It's morning~ go wash up, change clothes… we've got school, remember?" Sakura gently patted Rin on the shoulder.

The moment Rin heard the word school, her eyes widened and she shot up like lightning:

"Ah! I forgot! I didn't call mother to tell her I stayed over!"

Panicked, she clutched her head, mumbling incoherently in distress. Sakura quickly grabbed Rin's hand.

"It's okay! Let's brush our teeth first, you can call her after~"

They hurried through their morning routine. Since Rin didn't have a change of clothes, she wore some of Sakura's—though the size mismatch made it comically awkward. The shirt was too short and the pants too tight, making her constantly adjust the hem.

Both girls rushed down to the kitchen.

Sakura looked around in confusion:

"Uncle Byakuya, where's Ruler-nii and Shinji?"

Byakuya, flipping eggs in the pan, sighed and pointed toward the back door.

"That guy… I don't know what came over him this morning… He dragged Shinji out to the backyard at dawn and hasn't let him move since."

The two girls' eyes lit up with curiosity and they bolted toward the back door. As they opened it—

There stood Zoth, solemn as a drill sergeant, arms crossed, eyes cold and sharp as he stared straight ahead like a commander inspecting his troops.

In front of him, Shinji sat stiffly on a small plastic chair, clutching the Kokuranken Shikkoku — the black-and-white blade etched with icy runes.

Shinji was drenched in sweat, his posture tense, face twisted in discomfort.

"Ruler-nii… will this… really make me stronger…?"

What actually happened: Right after waking up, Shinji ran to Zoth, eyes burning with determination, and asked:

"Ruler-nii, how can I become stronger?"

Zoth — having pulled an all-nighter and still rocking dark circles — immediately lit up like a Christmas tree. With zero hesitation, he clapped the kid on the back and… unleashed the nonsense.

Now, Zoth stood tall, pounding his chest with pride as if passing down a sacred martial art:

"Trust me! It will work!"

He pointed dramatically at Shinji, his voice booming like thunder:

"There was once a swordsman — cool as hell, insanely powerful — who sat on that very chair with a sword in his hand, and said: 'This… is power.'"

Sakura and Rin stared in silent bewilderment.

"And so!" Zoth continued, voice rising in dramatic fervor. "The way to become stronger — is to sit there! Hold that sword… until you feel the power awaken… from deep within your soul! DO. NOT. MOVE!!"

Shinji gulped and tried to keep steady on the chair, his legs visibly trembling:

"But… I've been sitting so long my legs are numb…"

"That's the price of power," Zoth declared, eyes gleaming. "If you can't handle a little numbness, how do you expect to be a worthy Master?"

Sakura stifled a laugh, while Rin just shook her head in disbelief.

"This guy's completely nuts…" she muttered.

Eventually, Shinji was "pardoned" because… well, it was time to go to school.

Zoth clicked his tongue, genuinely disappointed, as if he'd just lost a prime moment to pass on a "legendary technique."

"Tch… just when I was about to unlock his potential…" he muttered, watching Shinji limp back into the house like a zombie after a mental beatdown.

Sakura and Shinji quickly changed into their uniforms.

Rin, having no choice, was driven to school by Kariya along with them — all three went to the same school anyway. As for Rin sneaking out to stay at the Matou's place… Aoi could deal with that later.

Zoth didn't care.

That morning, he decided to go for a walk alone — leaving Lancelot behind to watch the house just in case any Masters came poking around.

He strolled leisurely through Shinto, the business district still quiet in the morning. A few shops were just opening, and sunlight trickled down onto the damp stone pavement.

As he reached a crossroad, Zoth paused — he spotted two familiar figures.

One tall. One small.

Iskandar – Rider, massive as ever, red cape flowing, holding a bag of snacks. Beside him, Waver — hunched over, face pale, hand clutching his forehead as if on the verge of collapse.

Rider looked cheerful. Waver looked like half his soul had been drained.

Zoth casually walked up, one hand in his pocket, waving with the other:

"Yo~! Rider! What brings you here?"

Iskandar turned, face lighting up like he'd found a long-lost war buddy:

"Oho! Ruler! You out for a stroll too? Perfect! I was just buying some snacks for tonight's feast!"

Waver shot a dead-eyed glare at Zoth.

"Feast my ass…! He dragged me around to buy like ten different snacks and three crates of carbonated grape juice! Even a normal person couldn't carry all this…"

Zoth eyed the giant bag, his gaze sympathetic… but the smirk on his lips betrayed him.

"Haha… honestly, you kinda do look like the porter type, Waver-kun."

"You—!" Waver snarled, "Ruler and Rider really are two of a kind. Freakin' monsters…"

Iskandar burst into laughter, slapping Zoth's shoulder so hard he stumbled a step.

"I like you, Ruler! If we weren't on opposite sides, I'd make you one of my generals!"

Zoth chuckled dryly, brushing off the sore spot:

"Yeah yeah, but if I were your general, your empire would go bankrupt buying snacks and consoles."

"Haha! I don't mind! But… what's a console?"

"…Doesn't matter."

The atmosphere was oddly relaxed — despite being part of a deadly war, the three talked like friends planning a fair trip.

Ruler, Rider, and Rider's Master chatting casually in the middle of Shinto's business district, early in the morning.

Passersby stared.

"Why's that huge guy cosplaying in broad daylight…?"

Zoth was about to leave when Iskandar suddenly stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder again — this time, Zoth braced himself.

"Hey, Ruler! Are you free tonight? I'm throwing a little wine party — a Royal Banquet!"

Zoth raised an eyebrow, arms folded:

"Royal Banquet? You mean…?"

Rider laughed heartily, beard shaking:

"Yes! Three kings — me, Archer, and possibly Saber. Drinking, war stories, philosophy of kingship… and of course, celebration!"

Zoth grimaced like he'd just tasted lemon, flicking his ear as if swatting a fly:

"Ugh… what's a royal banquet of three self-absorbed 'Kings' got to do with me?! I'm no damn monarch. Miss me with that cosplay crap."

Iskandar roared with laughter, his voice echoing down the street:

"Nonsense! You may act like you don't care, but your power, your spirit, your savagery — you've surpassed mere mortals. That alone earns you a place at the table!"

Zoth glared at him, face contorting like he was about to spit soda in Rider's face:

"No way in hell am I joining your dumbass ego-fest of a drinkathon!"

But Rider wasn't fazed. Instead, he gave Zoth one final, bone-crushing pat on the back — enough to drain 10% of his HP.

Then Iskandar leapt onto his chariot, roaring like a warlord:

"Ruler!! If you don't show up tonight — don't blame me for riding thunder to your house, dragging you out by the head, and running you over with my chariot!! O-lalalala~!!!"

The chariot vanished into the wind, leaving Zoth frozen in place, hand on his aching shoulder, eyes hollow.

"Damn it… all I wanted was to stay home and finish off that Silver Rathalos…"

He sighed long and hard, face sagging like he'd just been forced into a parent-teacher meeting.

Turning on his heel, he walked away silently.

His destination: an old arcade tucked away in Shinto. He headed to the farthest corner — where the flickering lights and looped background music lulled veteran gamers into trance.

Zoth slumped into the seat, inserted a coin, picked his game.

"Guess I'm pulling another all-nighter…"

He muttered, gripping the joystick tight.

Another sleepless night awaited him — Only this time… it might not be digital monsters he'd be fighting…

…but the monster known as The Three Kings' Drunken Banquet.