[215] The Holy Grail War Begins

"Oh oh oh—this is really great! Ambrose Conant!" Hansa exclaimed excitedly. "You agreed to my proposal!"

"Well..." Ambrose Conant nodded expressionlessly. "I also think Anderson is quite handsome..."

"That's right! Especially when we all charge forward together, it's so majestic!" Hansa's face was flushed with excitement, and he was already looking forward to it. During the battle, he planned to shout, "We are the Iscariot! Iscariot! Yo!"

Just thinking about it was so grand!

Those real priests... perhaps they wouldn't say something like that or compare themselves to Iscariot... but they wouldn't mind!

They were Executors!

Similar to the Iscariot in that manga, they had no psychological pressure at all!

...

1992—

Egypt, Kairo.

Kazuya, carrying two suitcases, sneakily made his way over using unconventional channels.

While he could have come directly, Kazuya didn't want others to know about his participation in the Holy Grail War, or the fewer people who knew, the better.

Moreover, if not for this discretion, he might have been controlled as soon as he arrived in Egypt. Several airports in Egypt were filled with members of the Mage's Association, the Church, and the Dead Apostles, all searching for those who entered Egypt through such channels. In other words, allies could turn into enemies at any moment, directly seizing command spells from those on the opposing side and strangling them.

The seven magus from the Mage's Association had come together, while the seven magus on Kazuya's side, including him were largely unknown, coming from different places. So, they started blocking places like airports, knowing that seizing even one would be a significant gain.

Several battles erupted in Egypt, often revolving around the control of these locations.

The conflict between the Dead Apostles and the Church, both assigned to the same faction by the Holy Grail, never simmered down. Even if they were supposed to be on the same side, they engaged in deadly combat upon encountering each other.

Kazuya managed to come over using stealth methods.

He didn't expect to keep it a secret for long, but hiding for a few days was better than nothing. They were certain to devise strategies and countermeasures based on the different mages participating.

The Church, Mage's Association, and a large group of Dead Apostles gathered unabashedly and clashed in the largest city in Egypt, which had already experienced several battles.

To the outside world, unaware of the events, the sudden increase in terrorist attacks and frequent gas leaks in Kairo seemed inexplicable.

People died at the slightest provocation.

The once lively streets of Egypt had become significantly quieter.

Kazuya mourned this, yet felt a strange sense of relief, considering the crowd he encountered during his reconnaissance a year ago.

Furthermore, with fewer people, the streets were somewhat cleaner.

After settling into the room he had previously disguised, Kazuya took out the seven Holy Relics he had prepared—

A fragment of the Round Table, a slab from Olympus, Lionheart King's armguard, Demon King Oda Nobunaga's Severed Sword, Avalon, and... a stone from Alucard.

The first summon would likely be one of the Round Table Knights, the second might be a hero or demigod from Olympus, the third, without surprises, would be Lionheart King, the fourth might be Oda Nobunaga, the fifth would be King Arthur, the sixth... possibly Vlad III, but as Alucard.

So... who should he summon?

Kazuya stared at the five Holy Relics in front of him, with Avalon already implanted in him.

Although it currently served no purpose, he held onto it just in case. This Holy Grail War was different now, no longer a simple Holy Grail War.

Dead Apostles, the Holy Church, and the Mage's Association.

All three factions were mutually unsympathetic.

Each faction had gathered a large number of elites. For example, the Mage's Association brought not high-level magus, but high-powered forces...

Clone force, designated sealing enforcer...

At least three high-ranking Dead Apostles had appeared on their side.

The Church's Iscariot had also gradually gathered hundreds of Executors.

When Kazuya recalled the names of the Church's forces this time, his mouth twitched slightly. Was this some kind of joke? In such a serious situation...

"It feels about right... the connection to the Greater Holy Grail is almost ready. Now, it's time to prepare for the Heroic Spirits summoning!"

...

At this moment, another person also arrived in Egypt.

Rito Ishizaki, who had just gotten off the plane, looked at this unfamiliar city. The heart in his chest seemed to beat several hundred times faster than usual, as if it was about to leap out!

"Wait a moment."

A voice came from behind, making Rito Ishizaki pause slightly. It was spoken in Japanese. Was it calling him?

Hansa walked over, smiling at Rito Ishizaki. They were responsible for this airport, and they would stop and check anyone showing magical fluctuations or someone with their left or right hand back invisible.

Now was no exception.

He saw this person... Rito Ishizaki with a glove on his right hand.

"Ah, a Japanese person? How fortunate, the third language is just right."

Rito Ishizaki froze. It's not that he didn't want to walk away, but he couldn't!

Now he regretted. He should have summoned a Heroic Spirit first and then come.

Now, this person... judging by the attire, a priest, similar to someone like Kirei Kotomine in Fate/Zero? Damn it! How could he possibly win against such a person?

"Oh... the magical fluctuations and the mark on the right hand..." Hansa walked up to the motionless Rito Ishizaki and lifted his right hand glove with a smile. "Jackpot."

With that, the priest with an eye patch rested his hand on Rito Ishizaki's shoulder and said, "How about taking a little trip with me?"

"Hey, Hansa! Why are you running in with a priest outfit again?" Just then, another person ran over and complained, "This will give our Sanctuary..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he saw the uncovered right hand of Rito Ishizaki held up by Hansa and was stunned. The Command Spells on it clearly told him one thing—this was a Master.

---

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