The grim truth.

The street greeted us with the strike of overheated air, as if we stepped into an oven. And it was not the end, Google promised at least one more day of hot weather with high air humidity. What did I say about vacation here? Sorry, my dear Japanese, but no, only sightseeing.

Emiya went out next, obviously still fighting with his sleepiness. For next hours he was going to hug his pillow and after that we arranged meeting to discuss further modus operandi. In theory, we could point out some basics right in the bar but Shirou was dosing off right at the stool. At the doors he was going to pay for the drinks but Otoko yelled at him as if he on the contrary, wanted to take a couple of bottles under his T-short.

Further our ways divided. No, not quite right. Emiya was going to Miyama and I suddenly changed my mind on going to the temple. If the tables were going to be turned so suddenly, I would at least by the souvenirs I'd chosen for previous days.

"Master", Assassin interrupted my thoughts, "do you think that it's a good idea?"

"Not quite, but we have too little options. Of course, we could do as before and follow the stream of events, but this option may be too backfiring. I can't say that I 100% trust Emiya Shirou, but I know his kind of principled people. He won't betray us during the process and later will be later."

"Do you want to find that man that bad?"

"Yes, that bad. I don't like that he is still somewhere behind the curtain. He must have associates who do the work while he sits somewhere. But where?"

"Aren't you afraid that this Emiya Shirou will turn out to be his associate?"

I stood for some time, thinking, but then shook my head.

"No, he is too doing-right person. Once he finds out what Orlov is capable of he will break any union with him."

"But what that man has done?"

I took a deep breath and went to a small empty alley and gave him a short story of mine.

For a minute there was silence, disturbed only by the sounds of the street and then came long and hearty speech in Spanish. I wish I could right it all down and add to my traveler's swearing book.

"Now it is a matter of honor!"

Oh, really…

Carefree shopping took the whole day.

One moment we went near a shop for children and I noticed a musketeer costume, rather not the costume itself but a crimson red feather on the hat. I ordered Assassin to wait outside and went in. The feather, of course, was not on sold separately so I had to take the whole hat.

It almost required to use a Command Spell to make Diego materialize and accept the accessory.

"Let's say that I am conceited and want my Servant to go on war in decent look."

Colorless something that was on his hat before flew into the waste bin. If only I could by him a normal clothes, but here he would rather stand to the end.

In the evening, after having drooped the purchases in the room and having eaten some sea thing, we went to Emiya.

His house looked rather old-fashioned but a bit simple. Truly noticeable seemed the size of the estate which, compared to normal houses around, turned it into quite a manor.

Even without Diego's warning I could feel that we were watched as I ringed the doorbell.

To my surprise it was not Emiya who opened the door. It was a young woman of about his age. Her dark hair was gathered in a high ponytail. She was dressed in-door style according to the weather: a simple T-shirt and shorts.

"Are you the foreigner whom Shiro has called? Come on in, he'll join soon. Oh, and let the Servant be in the physical form. And no stupid things here.

Hey, where is "Greetings, dear guest, please, come inside"?

As we took our shoes the girl led me and materialized Assassin down the corridor. To the right were typical Japanese doors, to the left – paper "window". We went to one of the rooms which combined living room with low but wide table and TV and kitchen which was divided with bar counter-styled table.

"What tea do you like?" asked the girl nodding towards the big table, meaning "sit down" and going to the kitchen.

"Any, just not hot."

"I'll do right away."

A voice was heard from behind.

"Sergey, Tohsaka, just sit and wait."

I even shuddered. Damn, dude, add some creaking floorboards or wear a bell, 'cause I haven't heard you on the floor without shoes.

Tohsaka Rin, who else could it be, sit on a certain place, as if it were her normal one. But where should sit I? Is there a special point on that in Japanese etiquette?

Finally, I decided that sitting face to face with hosts is the best idea, went around and carefully sat in Japanese manner. Alatriste followed my example.

Man, sitting in Turkish way seems more comfortable.

Saber had to come in the room sideways due to his size and went to his place to a side to keep us all in his eye field.

A little later Emiya returned with a tray with tea and snacks.

I thanked him and tried the tea. Mmm, great. That's what I should have bought for Bruce, and I've got sake.

For a minute or so there was silence which was disturbed by Shirou.

"So, Sergey…"

"Just Sergey. No offence, but my surname is quite complicated for foreigners."

"Alright", he sipped from his cup. "I am glad that you have agreed."

"Once again, no offence, but the war comes to the active phase, so you should use all options. And this is quite a good one."

For a moment there was a wish to sneer at Tohsaka's face, but she restrained herself.

"Wise enough", Shirou nodded. "As we have come to an agreement, I want to form up the parameters of our alliance."

"Well, I haven't thought further than kicking Caster's ass", I said honestly.

The same reaction from Rin.

"So, then let's get to it."

Shirou took his phone with an already opened map of Fuyuki.

"At every war Einzberns' headquarters is the castle here", he pointed with his finger to the wood at the edge of the city. "Between wars it is kept in a decent state but during the war there live only the Masters. This year there is no life at all."

"So, our friend hasn't settled in. But where is she? The city is not a small one."

"I have some ideas, we will check them at night, right today."

"What's the plan?"

"We'll get to a house, check it. If the place is right and there are few witnesses, me and Saber charge, you and Assassin take them from behind."

"And if they are on patrol yet? I'm also sure that Caster has first grade defense with alarms."

"Then we'll mark the place and return later."

"And if she is in crowded place like hotel or something?"

"Then we can only push her out. Don't worry, no matter what this brunch of Einzberns have master-planned, all of them follow the rules. And yes, I know that it sounds a bit unsure but I can say details only when we find at least a trace of Elisabetta's hideout. In a high-rise we can cause a fire, if in a place like mine", he waved his hand around showing that he meant the same one- or two stored houses, "we can take her quickly right there."

Yes, it was rather far from people usually call a plan, but there is not too much to plan, when you can't even set a battleground. I had some additions but they were to be revised first…

Tohsaka suddenly stood up. First, I believed that the instinct of a good hostess finally woke up in her and she was going to bring some tea, but she apologized and went to the inner court.

Of course, it couldn't but to call suspicion. I looked at Shirou carefully, Assassin, I suppose, looked at Saber.

I didn't seem to hear anything…

"Don't worry, just… some household choirs."

"Really?" I asked with suspicion. "Okay then."

Some time went and we didn't get attacked. The conversation silenced. I finally asked myself a question: this operation was just for two (four with Servants included) of us, what was Tohsaka doing here?

By the time I analyzed all kinds of conspiracies Rin returned.

"But there is one thing that we haven't discussed yet", she said tiding her shorts and sitting down without even looking towards the kitchen.

"And what is it?"

"Mutuality", answered Shirou instead of her.

"What kind of?" I really didn't understand.

"An alliance is an act of trust. For now I have given you more intel than you have to me. For example, about one fidget that came to the city though she shouldn't be here."

Tohsaka evidently tensed up, willing to say something stingy but kept it to herself, looking like that fish that balloonfish.

Alright, they are going to get some information from me. Let's see what they want.

"And what exactly do you need?"

The couple looked at each other as if trying to point out who would ask. Shirou must have lost.

"Who is Alexey Orlov?"

Wow.

"Why so curious about it?"

"He is a combatant, technically, a looser, but, as you have said it before, waits for his chance. There is too little accessable information about him. If he wants the Grail that bad, he is highly dangerous. But in order to understand what he is capable of, I need someone who has known him."

"Khm. Okay, as you wish. But first, would you be so kind to bring some tea, my dear hostess?"

Tohsaka snorted, obviously eager to say something, but Shirou hugged her for shoulders and whispered something. After that she unwillingly got up, took more tea from the fridge and expressly loud set back.

I poured more, wishing it to be cognac. But asking for alcohol after expressing my disgust towards it was quite incoherence.

"So?" pronounced Rin.

I didn't answer. Instead I reached my left elbow with my right hand and pressed some points.

A second later my left arm below elbow was lying on the table.

Gogol-style silent scene.

Even self-collected Tohsaka almost spit her tea, to say nothing about the rest of them. Even to Diego I explained only the basics of my past.

"A present from him, right on my 15-th birthday. I had my Magic Crest on it."

"But why?" asked Tohsaka in shock.

"And why do magi do all kind of sick stuff? To find the Truth or to overcome their limits… That was the latter."

I sighed and went silent for a while.

"He… wanted to revive my mother…"

Silence.

"Wait a minute, Alexey Orlov is our father?!"

"Yep", I giggled nervously. "Quite funny, isn't it? The father almost deprives his son of magic with such a crude way to bring his mother back to life."

Silence once again. As if having understood something, Emiya stood went to the fridge and went back with sake.

After a shot I went on, feeling how the whole body trembled, especially what remained from the left hand.

"He had experiments. Lots of them. Even tried something on me. Bu he went too far. I'd heard that he killed some people and weak magi and took them as "spare parts". One night I sneaked to the kitchen and slashed him with simple knife and then burned our house with him and mother's coffin.

After that I found an old family friend. He gave me a shelter and the only job I could get as an almost-out-of-power magus: a monster hunter. He also got me this hand, bought through agents, from one of Japanese, by the way. I tried to forget this, even took my mother's maiden surname. And several days I found out that this beast survived and…"

I waved a right hand uncertainly.

"You mean that he needs the Grail to…"

"I'd say that no. Magi are strange people, they always start as good guys but as their aim turns out to be farther than they believed, they decide that they need more power, and the further they go, the more they need. The old aim is out of view. Vicious circle…"

Shirou wanted to pour me more sake but I refused.

"We have some work to do later."

The artificial arm went back where it belonged.