[82] Maiya's Report
"How's it going, Maiya?"
Emiya Kiritsugu took out a pack of cigarettes, glanced at it, and put it away. He hadn't smoked in a long time. He had bought this pack the last time he visited this Einzbern castle, which was several years ago.
The seal on the half-empty pack read, "Smoking is bad for mothers and children."
He had written that himself.
So, every time he took it out, he would put it back. This half-empty pack had been sitting there for years.
When he answered Maiya's call this time, it was as if he had returned to his old self. He instinctively reached for a cigarette, but then he looked at the words he had written and put it back.
"Yes, Kiritsugu... There have been some significant changes in Fuyuki City."
"Is that so..." Kiritsugu smiled. "Well, it's been several years, so it's normal for things to change. But more importantly, how is the investigation of the Matou and Tohsaka families going?"
"We... haven't started yet."
"Hmm?" Emiya Kiritsugu frowned. "When did you arrive in Fuyuki City?"
"Earlier today, about nine hours ago."
"Nine hours? With your abilities, you should have taken action by now. Did something go wrong?" Emiya Kiritsugu asked, puzzled.
"Yes," Maiya said, pausing to gather her thoughts. The events of today had left her mind in disarray. "Um... after I arrived in Fuyuki City, I attended an event called the 'Comic Convention.' It's a three-day event that started yesterday and ends tomorrow."
"Hold on," Kiritsugu interrupted as he walked to the end of the hallway to a room. He grabbed a pen and paper, wrote down "Comic Convention," and said, "Alright, go on. Tell me the details."
"Yes, let me continue," Maiya said, organizing her thoughts. "The 'Comic Convention' is an exhibition of manga, and it has been around for some time. But what really brought it to prominence was last year's 'JOJO' themed comic convention held in Morioh Town, which lasted for seven days..."
"Wait, did you say 'JOJO'? As in 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure'?"
"Yes, that's right. Is there something significant about it?"
"No, nothing," Emiya Kiritsugu replied, recalling the person he had encountered in London in the past and had investigated. It seemed that person was the author of a manga called "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure."
"Okay, continue," he said.
"This time, the 'Comic Convention' held in Fuyuki City is themed around 'Fate,' and it mainly focuses on the story of the Holy Grail War."
"Hmm," Kiritsugu resisted the urge to interrupt, jotting down "Holy Grail War" on the paper.
"Specifically, it centers on the Fourth Holy Grail War, and among the participating Masters is... Emiya Kiritsugu!"
"Maiya! Come back right away! We'll meet in Germany," Emiya Kiritsugu understood that something extraordinary might have happened in Fuyuki City, and they needed to investigate it thoroughly.
"Yes, but before that, there's something I hope you can investigate the Einzbern family."
"What is it?"
"During the Third Holy Grail War, did Einzbern summon an Avenger-class Servant named 'Angra Mainyu'? If so, it's highly likely that the Holy Grail has lost its ability to grant wishes."
"I understand. I'll look into it," Kiritsugu said, suppressing the urgent feeling in his chest, which was more uncomfortable than when he used the Time Alter Magecraft. He forced himself to speak calmly. "What's the name of the manga artist who drew 'Fate'?"
"It's... the manga artist's name is Kurokawa Kazuya... though it's possible it's a pseudonym."
"I see. Come back, and make sure to buy all the books related to Kurokawa Kazuya... We'll investigate further after that."
"Understood. I'll be heading back tomorrow. I've already purchased all the books related to Kurokawa Kazuya," Maiya said, looking at the pile of books on the hotel bed that she had ordered.
It included every issue of JUMP magazine from when Kurokawa Kazuya began serializing until now, as well as all the tankobon volumes he had published.
Everything was there!
This was her true source of motivation. She didn't need orders for everything; she had her own judgment.
...
"Knock, knock, knock..."
"Um, Professor Archibald, it's me, Waver, Waver Velvet..."
"Come in," Kayneth's distinctive voice came from the other side of the door.
"Yes..." Waver Velvet's voice trembled slightly as he slowly pushed open the door.
"Come here, Waver." Kayneth looked at the future Lord before him, trembling with fear. He felt a hint of pleasure. Regardless of what the future held, he was his disciples now, and they all had to tremble under his guidance.
"Do you have something you want to talk to me about, Professor Archibald?"
Kayneth tried to keep his tone calm as he said, "I heard you're working on a research thesis."
"Huh?" Waver was taken aback. He had been preparing his research thesis quietly and hadn't told anyone. How did Professor Archibald know?
"I'm asking you if it's true!" Kayneth raised his voice.
Waver was startled and quickly replied, "Yes!"
"Um, very well," Kayneth's hand on the table trembled slightly as he said, "Tell me, the title of your thesis."
"Well, it's not quite ready yet."
"Is that so? Then think about it here, what name are you preparing for this thesis?"
"Well, if I were to think about it now..." Waver hesitated for a moment, then combined his thoughts and said, "Um, then, I feel like it should be called 'The Path of Magus Inquiry into the Modern World'... Right?"
The same! Exactly the same!
To confirm, Kayneth looked at it once again, and indeed, it was just that!
"Ha... I see, in that case, it's somewhat of evidence." Kayneth muttered, seemingly lost in thought.
Waver, not understanding what Kayneth was getting at.
"Waver Velvet!"
"Yes!"
"Take a look at this," Kayneth said as he handed the book he had to Waver.
"Huh? What's this?"
"Heh, those confiscated from Bobby's hands. Take a look. Perhaps you'll have a whole new perspective, assuming that the things on there will really happen in the 'future'... But I guess you hope so, don't you?"
---
If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my patreon which already contains 20 chapters:
https://www.patreon.com/XElenea