ACT-1 "The Man Who Knows Fuyuki"

So this is...Fuyuki before it was in flames?

Fou, fou!

Yes. Seeing how vibrant this city is... Somehow I feel very relieved.

Oh no. I've seen the scenery of modern Japan during the incident of Ogawa-heim already. There's not much difference.

？！

But to think in 10 years, catastrophe would visit a quiet town like this...

You shouldn't be too sentimental. We exist in a world where everything's been incinerated, not just this town.

Y-You are right... But...

My apologies, I could've worded it better. Yes, normal life is hard to come by, but don't get obsessed over it.

Fearing the inevitable tragedy like the catastrophe of war would only slow you down.

Because we fight as we are confronted with the destruction of mankind's past and future.

What I meant was, we should keep that in mind, and prepare ourselves for any situation.

Take this instance for example. You probably think there won't be any threat in a peaceful residential district at a time where everybody is asleep, correct?

That's right. To be honest, I find it hard to believe this place was the site for a Holy Grail War...

That perception is too naive. In a fight between mages, first you must question everything you see. For example...

Qi Men Dun Jia, Eight Gates Golden Locks Formation!

Ugh!

!?

Bfoooou!?

Assassin Servant!? Was that Presence Concealment!? But even so that was way too concealed!

D-Damn you! How is that possible!?

Are you asking how is it possible for me to see through your Presence Concealment? Well, I couldn't.

However, I do know from my investigation that the Assassin in the Fourth Holy Grail War could split into multiple entities and monitored the entirety of Fuyuki.

I knew we'd get caught in your surveillance network seeing how flashy Rayshifts can be. Then it's only natural for you to come scouting.

Now that you're in my Stone Sentinel Maze, there's no point in you using Presence Concealment.

Now, Fujimaru, it's time to put up a fight. I'll explain everything later.

Enemy Servant eliminated. The battle is over.

？！

That was just one of the many Assassins. As you've seen, that Assassin has the ability to split and manifest multiple bodies.

That's why the fight is not over yet. We must prepare for the next encounter.

Do you mean a single Heroic Spirit has the ability to manifest as a group?

Not only is it a fearsome ability to use in espionage, unless one has an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm, it means that Assassin can overwhelm any opponent with sheer numbers alone.

Humph, but now that I've mastered Qi Men Dun Jia, they'll just end up as my prey.

They'd have to keep the entire Fuyuki area under surveillance for the time being. That said, they can't exactly ignore us either.

Assassin will most likely keep sending people to attack us.

As a result, they have broken the golden rule of military strategy by continuously investing their combat personnel without reserve. How very sad, indeed.

We'll have to fight them one after another, but they shouldn't pose too much of a threat.

Just take them out the minute you lay eyes on them. Now then, there's no time to waste. Onward I say! Onward!

Fou?

Huh? But...

？！

Apologies, but it will have to wait. I'm not trying to be pompous, it's just we're in a race against time.

Oh, don't make that face. I'll explain as many things as I can on our way, starting with the most vital matters.

Fooou...