Ten years ago, the Greater Grail summoned seven Servants, pairing them with seven Masters to engage in a battle to the death.
But in the end, something went wrong.
The accumulated curses within the Greater Grail overflowed, engulfing Fuyuki City, Japan, and eventually the entire world. The planet was engulfed in flames for an entire year, resulting in catastrophic human casualties. In the end, survivors could only take refuge in fortified cities, barely clinging to life.
This was the origin of the Great Catastrophe—a consensus within the magus world.
The root of it all lay in the Fourth Holy Grail War.
The impact of this catastrophe was immense. Not only did it overturn the global political landscape, but the mystical world also underwent several major upheavals. The world as it stood now was so different that even the most die-hard Type-Moon fans wouldn't dare claim they recognized it.
In truth, with the modern magus world's accumulated knowledge, it might not have been impossible to contain the cursed black mud within a certain range.
For example, if the magi had united and confined the black mud to Japan alone.
The cursed mud's spread was far slower than Tiamat's Chaos Tide—it took a full year to cover the globe. If the magi had truly been determined, they could have expended every effort to seal it away.
In fact, that's exactly what the magi attempted in the early stages of the black mud's eruption.
But they were utterly crushed.
What defeated them with overwhelming force were the six corrupted Servants that emerged from the black mud.
These six corrupted Servants were unstoppable. The moment they manifested, they slaughtered the magi, scattering them like leaves in the wind. They swept across the globe without meeting a single worthy opponent.
In the end, the black mud covered the entire world.
After that, the corrupted Servants returned from all corners of the globe to Japan, wandering the wilderness.
To put it bluntly—excluding places like the Wandering Sea—Japan's wilderness had become the most dangerous place in the world.
Encountering magical beasts or cursed spirits was the least of one's worries. Running into a corrupted Servant was nothing short of a disaster. Even gathering dozens or hundreds of first-rate magi wouldn't be enough to survive a single strike from one of them.
As for why the corrupted Servants all returned to Japan and had been wandering its wilderness for the past decade—no one had ever known for sure. Theories abounded.
Until now, that mystery had finally been solved.
Because the Holy Grail's power had not been expended, the Greater Grail had spent ten years accumulating mana. Now, at last, it had reached its limit.
The Fifth Holy Grail War was imminent.
At this critical juncture, five of the six corrupted Servants had returned to Fuyuki City. Their purpose was self-evident.
"Another Holy Grail War, huh…"
A trace of irritation flickered across Rin Tohsaka's composed face.
In this world, almost everyone despised the Holy Grail War—and among them, Rin Tohsaka stood at the forefront. Her hatred for it couldn't be summed up in just a few words.
"You should prepare yourself as soon as possible."
Roy pointed at Rin's hand with a smile.
On the back of her hand were three crimson Command Spells.
This was proof that she had been chosen by the Greater Grail.
Back in the Association branch's hall, Roy had already noticed them.
The Greater Grail had been constructed by the Three Founding Families—the Tohsaka, Matou, and Einzbern. When they built the ritual, they had established a system for selecting Masters. Among the seven Masters, three spots were always reserved for the Three Families.
At its core, the Greater Grail was a tool for the Three Families to reach the Root. Of course, they would prioritize their own.
Even if Rin wanted nothing to do with the war, the Greater Grail would forcibly brand her with Command Spells.
After the Three Families, two spots were allocated to the Mage's Association.
Only the final two were left for independent magi.
But as for the current Fifth Holy Grail War… things were less certain.
The Tohsaka and Einzbern would undoubtedly claim one spot each. The Matou family had been destroyed—Zouken Matou was officially dead, and Sakura was still in Misaki City and hadn't returned.
Among the over two hundred independent magi and Association-affiliated magi residing in Fuyuki, who knew who the Grail would end up choosing?
"Or are you planning to forfeit and hand your Command Spells to someone else?"
A hint of amusement crept into Roy's smile.
"No way!"
Rin stared at the Command Spells on her hand, her voice resolute.
"I won't hand these over to anyone. I'll use this Holy Grail War to settle everything!"
Seeing her determined expression, Roy understood—she must have made up her mind long ago.
Of course. Rin was fiercely independent. She didn't need anyone else to tell her what to do. She would always find the right path on her own.
"Then you'd better hurry and prepare."
Roy offered his advice. "The Association will figure things out eventually. You're only one step ahead right now—you should use that time to do something, whether it's consolidating power or securing victory in the war."
"I know. Thanks."
Rin suddenly let out a self-deprecating laugh.
"Now that I think about it, I owe you so many favors I'll never be able to repay them all."
"Then how about marrying me?"
Roy chuckled.
"Huh?! Y-You—wait, what kind of nonsense are you spouting all of a sudden?!"
Rin leaped back, her face burning red as she raised her fists in a defensive stance.
"I'd also accept you working for me like a servant."
Roy added cheerfully.
"You're really…"
Rin's shoulders slumped in exasperation.
Her heart, which had leapt into her throat, settled back down.
"I'll… think about it."
She lightly brushed aside a lock of black hair at her temple, her cheeks still faintly flushed as she walked away.
***
Aozaki Residence.
"Lord Roy."
The moment Roy returned home, Hayasaka approached him with a look that suggested she had something to say.
"What is it?"
Roy removed his coat and handed it to her.
"Do you want to go back? But Utaha hasn't finished her maid training yet, has she?"
"No, it's not that."
Hayasaka shook her head, then pointed toward the living room.
"Someone's here… She claims to be from the Aozaki family. The bounded field naturally let her through, but Utaha and I don't recognize her."
"Someone from the Aozaki family… has returned?"
Roy paused mid-step as he slipped on the indoor slippers Hayasaka had handed him.
Then, his eyes lit up, and he hurried into the living room.
Inside, two figures were present. One wore a maid uniform with an added inner lining, her long, straight black hair cascading down her back—Utaha Kasumigaoka.
The other had tied her orange-red hair into a sleek ponytail and wore black-framed glasses identical to Roy's. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties, with gentle, reserved features and the refined elegance of a mature woman. Every movement exuded an air of intellect.
She wore a simple blouse and slacks, and Utaha immediately realized where her own makeshift office attire had come from.
She glanced down, comparing her own bust size to the newcomer's.
And conceded defeat.
***
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