The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

Irisviel followed Jubstacheit von Einzbern out of the room, a look of confusion still written across her face.

"Grandfather… why did you say that? Haven't we already chosen the one who would represent the Einzbern family—the Mage Killer?"

Irisviel asked. She was well aware of her own identity. She had been created to serve as a vessel for the Lesser Grail, a tool to lure powerful magi to the Einzbern side.

To magi, women were not objects of pursuit. If they wanted a woman, no matter how beautiful, they could easily get one. In their eyes, women were merely tools for reproduction—important only for producing children with pure magical lineage and talent.

As for love or family affection—how could those things possibly exist in the hearts of magi who sought the Root?

"Kiritsugu Emiya is indeed a fitting candidate," Jubstacheit replied coldly, his demeanor entirely different from how he had spoken to Yoru. "While he lacks magical talent, he's ruthless and willing to do anything to achieve his goals. That's exactly the kind of person the Holy Grail War demands."

"However, Kiritsugu's magical strength is still too weak. Even if he manages to summon a powerful Servant, he won't have enough mana to sustain them. While his underhanded methods can compensate to a degree, now that I've found someone else—someone with true magical power—it's only natural to reconsider my choice."

"But… isn't Kiritsugu supposed to arrive at the Einzbern estate today?"

"Ah, yes. I've been waiting for him," Jubstacheit said calmly. "After all, we haven't yet fully assessed Yoru's capabilities. Having Kiritsugu test him will be the best way to measure his strength. The loser, naturally, will lose their eligibility."

"Understood, Grandfather."

Irisviel lowered her head and answered with no expression. Was it sad? Was it pitiful? She felt none of those emotions. She understood this was her fate.

The Holy Grail War was still ten years away. But no matter who won, as the Lesser Grail's vessel, her outcome was inevitable: death.

The ending had already been decided. There was no point in caring about anything else.

As night fell, Yoru was led by a maid to the dining room, where he dined with Irisviel and Jubstacheit.

Though nothing had been made official yet, it was clear Jubstacheit had already begun treating Yoru as his grandson-in-law.

Yoru nodded politely and took his seat. The family-like dinner didn't last long before a maid approached Jubstacheit and whispered something in his ear.

Jubstacheit nodded slightly, then looked at Yoru apologetically.

"I'm very sorry, Yoru. We have an uninvited guest."

"Oh? Who is it?"

Yoru raised an eyebrow slightly. Jubstacheit gave an awkward smile and continued:

"You know how we had to announce a marriage proposal to the Mage's Association to find a candidate for the Holy Grail War. Although I've recently retracted that offer, it seems someone who got wind of it earlier still came. Looks like he's not giving up easily."

Jubstacheit said, and Yoru nodded knowingly. He wasn't a fool—he clearly understood Jubstacheit's true intention: this was a test to gauge his strength.

Though the approach was understandable, it didn't exactly leave Yoru with a good impression.

"I see. As the Einzbern family's son-in-law, I'll make sure those who covet what's mine understand their place."

He spoke indifferently and calmly, then rose from his seat and left the dining room.

"Quite the attitude… If that's how he is, then we have little to worry about. Now let's see if he can hold his own against the Mage Killer."

After Yoru left, a crystal ball appeared in Jubstacheit's hand. Within it, a forest scene appeared—and walking through the snow-covered woods was a man in a black coat carrying a case.

That man was Kiritsugu Emiya, known in the mage world as the Mage Killer.

But the title was not a compliment. On the contrary, it was laced with contempt.

Though many magi had died by Kiritsugu's hand, they were mostly caught off-guard and defeated through unorthodox methods. Once he marked a target, he would use whatever means necessary to kill them—sniping from the shadows, using explosives, ambushes—nothing was off-limits.

Because of these underhanded tactics, Kiritsugu was despised throughout the magical world.

Still, no one dared carelessly move against him. After all, who would want a madman like him targeting them day and night?

To participate in the Holy Grail War and claim the Grail, Kiritsugu had originally been Jubstacheit's top candidate.

Despite his poor reputation, Kiritsugu had the skills—and compared to prideful high-born magi, he was much easier to control.

At that moment, Kiritsugu looked around the snowy woods, clearly confused. He had arrived at the Einzbern estate as scheduled—but no one had come to receive him.

Just as he was wondering what was going on, the sound of something slicing through the air rang out.

In an instant, Kiritsugu's instincts kicked in—he leapt backward, narrowly dodging an ice spear that slammed into the ground at his feet.

A mage...? Why am I being attacked?

Kiritsugu frowned and looked up to see a young man walking through the snow.

The boy's face was expressionless. One of his hands was raised, and hovering in his palm were several sharp ice spears.

"You… are you the mage planning to marry into the Einzbern family?"

"That's right. I'm Kiritsugu Emiya. And you are…? What's the meaning of this?"

Kiritsugu's hand moved instinctively to his case, ready to open it at a moment's notice.

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