Fate: How About a New Savior?

Sakura didn't have a very good impression of the Fuyuki Church.

In her sixteen years of life, she had only been there once. That time, she was left with no choice but to be adopted by a stranger as his daughter. Though her initial fear and unease gradually gave way to peace and happiness, Sakura still couldn't bring herself to like the place.

Crossing the Fuyuki Bridge into the city's outskirts, she passed through the old district, climbed the long sloping road, and finally reached a high platform overlooking the sea. There, beside a foreign cemetery, stood the church.

"Phew—now that's impressive."

Saber, materialized beside Sakura, let out a whistle and grinned as she sized up the Fuyuki Church.

A broad, level plaza stretched out in front of the building, leading to a chapel that, while not especially tall, carried a surprising sense of presence.

"So why are we coming to a church? Shouldn't we be out looking for other Masters and Servants?" Saber asked, clearly puzzled.

Sakura pushed open the church doors and explained patiently, "I didn't officially register for the Holy Grail War through the Mage's Association, so I thought I should stop by the church to greet the people here."

If the intel she had gathered was accurate, the one assigned to oversee the church and the ritual this time around was someone quite familiar with her father.

As she crossed the plaza, she stole a glance at the Servant following behind her—Mordred, The Knight of Rebellion.

When she acquired the catalyst, Sakura had anticipated a number of possible outcomes. To be safe, she had even added her mother's name to the summoning incantation, hoping to narrow the options to the knights raised by Morgan in legend.

Gawain, Gareth, Agravain, and Mordred. Supposedly, the Lady of the Lake was also a facet of Morgan, so Lancelot might've been a possibility too.

As fate would have it, she summoned Mordred. Sakura couldn't help but wonder if this was karmic irony—her involvement in the Holy Grail War, going against her father's wish to keep the family away from it, might have been a kind of rebellion. Maybe that's why Mordred came.

She sighed inwardly. So much for being a good daughter.

"You're really by-the-book. Maybe I should start calling you 'Lady' from now on, Master," Saber joked as they walked.

"I'm not exactly a rough girl, but being called 'Lady' reminds me of my teachers at school. Better not," Sakura replied with a gentle smile. "Still, I'll be counting on your strength in the coming Holy Grail War, Sir Knight."

Her choice of words seemed to please Saber, who thumped her armored chest with a metallic clang.

"Leave it to me, Master! Doesn't matter who the enemy is—I'll wipe them all out for you."

"That's reassuring," Sakura said with a bright smile.

When they reached the church doors, Sakura pushed them open and stepped inside. It was after hours, so the lights were off, but moonlight spilled in through the windows, revealing a figure standing at the altar.

It was a short-haired nun, just slightly taller than Sakura, and looking only a few years older.

"I didn't expect anyone to visit the church at this hour. When I saw the final spot on the Spirit Board had been filled, I thought maybe a Master had already dropped out," the nun said kindly. "I didn't expect the last Master to be you. When I received the list from the Mage's Association, I thought you wouldn't be taking part this time."

"Not at all. I just thought it best to drop by and say hello—wouldn't want to be mistaken for someone who accidentally stumbled into the Holy Grail War." Sakura gave a polite bow. "It's been a while, Sister Ciel. I hope you've been well."

Standing before her was Ciel, an Executor of the Burial Agency and current Overseer for the Holy Church.

During the previous Holy Grail War, the Overseer had been assassinated. Though it was eventually revealed that his own son had killed him, the Church revised its policy on appointments. This time, they dispatched an Executor from the Burial Agency—a group infamous even within Church headquarters—to Fuyuki to serve as Overseer.

"Everything is fine." Ciel nodded. "So, you're the Master of Saber in this Holy Grail War, Sakura."

"Yes. I came here mainly to inform the Church of my identity. Considering what happened in the last Holy Grail War, I don't want to be treated as a suspicious individual and end up being targeted by all sides if something goes wrong." Sakura explained with a pleasant smile.

Saber, standing nearby, couldn't help but complain via telepathy, "Hey now, Master, that's a bit too cautious, isn't it?"

"In that case, I suppose I can now officially confirm you as one of the two Masters whose identities were previously unverified," Ciel said. "I happen to know your father, so let's treat this as a precaution. If you happen to lose, I'll do everything I can to ensure your personal safety."

Just as Sakura was about to thank her, Saber cut in.

"That won't be necessary. As long as I'm here, my Master won't lose."

"Such a confident Servant. I'm sure you'll achieve outstanding results." Ciel didn't press further, offering only a polite compliment.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Sakura turned and left the church.

"What a pointless trip. Total waste of time," Saber grumbled.

"Not satisfied?"

"Not really. But now I get a better sense of what kind of person you are, Master," Saber said. "When I first saw my Master was a woman, I was a little uneasy—thought you might be like Mother."

"...I see." Sakura didn't respond further.

She was always extremely cautious when dealing with Servants. Until she fully understood their character, she would never speak unnecessarily.

Even when dealing with Mordred, who was raised by Morgan, she acted the same.

After all, unlike her father, she didn't possess overwhelming combat prowess—but she could still manage top-tier Servants with ease.

"Right, Master. Once we get back, I want to ask you something," Saber said. "This outfit's fine for battle, but I'd like to wear something different when we're not fighting—"

Her voice abruptly stopped. Sakura didn't press her.

Standing at the top of the slope outside the church, both of them spotted a figure halfway down.

A Master and a Servant wearing matching-colored coats.

A Servant of the Archer class.

After confirming the Servant's class, Sakura looked toward the Master staring straight at her.

"I knew coming out was the right call. I didn't even need to go to you—here you are already, Sis."

She smiled as she greeted the person on the slope.

That Master was none other than her biological sister.

Rin Tohsaka.