"I promise," Kotomine Kirei said.
"Eh? Really?" Hearing such a firm response, little Tōsaka Rin couldn't help but show a hint of joy on her face.
"Of course… it's a lie, Rin." Kotomine Kirei shook his head seriously, ignoring Rin's stunned expression as he continued, "If this war were so simple that I could make such a promise, there would be no need for you and your mother to evacuate, would there?"
Unlike the original Kotomine Kirei, this version had learned how to amuse himself. Teasing Rin like this was something the old Kirei would never have done—he would have simply stated things as they were.
"…You… you've become even more insufferable than before," little Rin gritted her teeth.
"Rin, if I were you, I wouldn't say such honest thoughts out loud. Not only does it make people question what kind of upbringing your father gave you, but…" Kirei stepped forward imposingly, raising his hand and suddenly swinging it down toward Rin.
The little girl flinched, never expecting Kirei to actually strike her. In her panic, she reflexively shut her eyes.
But no pain came. When she opened her eyes, she saw Kirei smiling faintly as he withdrew his hand. "You see, offending people can easily lead to punishment. Understood, Rin?"
"Ugh…! Scaring me doesn't prove anything! Listen, Kirei! If you're really capable, then protect my father! If you slack off and let him get hurt… I'll never forgive you!" Little Rin shouted, already showing traces of the proud, strong-willed woman she would become.
"Rin, what are you doing? Why are you shouting?" Tōsaka Aoi, having heard the commotion, stepped out from the neighboring room. Seeing her mother, Rin panicked, her small hands fidgeting nervously. "Um… well…"
"Rin is just worried about her father, so it's natural for her to be a little emotional. Please don't scold her too harshly, Mrs. Tōsaka," Kirei said smoothly.
"Rin, mind your manners. Understand?" Unlike the original timeline, Kirei didn't fully defend her, so Aoi naturally reprimanded her daughter.
"Ugh… I understand," Rin muttered, lowering her head but still shooting a glare at Kirei.
The sight of her frustration brought Kirei immense amusement. Meanwhile, Rin could only stomp off, angrily dragging her luggage behind her.
"Mr. Kotomine, I leave my husband in your care. Please help him fulfill his wish," Aoi said, bowing slightly in gratitude.
"I will do my utmost. You have my word," Kirei nodded.
...
That room… that box must contain the snake-skin fossil capable of summoning the ancient Golden Tiger. Too bad I can't get close.
The Tōsaka family's magical defenses are ridiculously thorough—I haven't even stepped inside, and just being near the perimeter nearly triggered their alarms. I could brute-force my way in, but sneaking in undetected is impossible.
Honestly, the fact that Hassan managed to infiltrate last time makes me think the Tōsakas must have deliberately lowered their defenses as part of some act. Whatever. Let the tiger come out. That'll give me more opportunities to farm villain points.
Takashi Kuroda sat in the driver's seat, having knocked out the original driver and disposed of him without a sound. The other bodyguards outside had already been charmed by his Servant, Stheno, leaving them completely unaware of what was happening—or even under his control.
Kuroda had originally come here to steal the snake skin, but the Tōsaka defenses were too tight. Since brute force was his only option, he abandoned the idea for now and turned his attention to Aoi and Rin instead.
Unaware of the danger, Aoi and Rin boarded what they believed was a safe car—only to be taken away by Kuroda. The Hassans witnessed everything, but Kotomine Kirei had already warned them not to interfere with "Mr. DIO."
"Mom… will Dad win?" Little Rin leaned against Aoi, her voice tinged with worry.
"He will." It was both a reassurance for her daughter and a hope she clung to herself.
"How touching. Tōsaka Tokiomi is blessed with such a wonderful wife and daughter. Pity he won't live to enjoy it."
A chilling voice suddenly echoed in Aoi's ears.
"Eh?" A shiver ran down her spine. At the same time, she noticed the car filling with a dark mist.
"Mom… I'm sleepy…" Rin's drowsy voice made Aoi gasp in horror—her daughter's body was already covered in the eerie fog, and the girl had fallen into a deep slumber.
"Rin! Rin, wake up! What is this?! Tokiomi! Tokiomi!" Fear gripped Aoi's heart as she desperately tried to shake the mist off Rin, but it clung stubbornly. She screamed her husband's name, but her voice would never reach him.
"Mrs. Tōsaka, if I were you, I'd stay quiet. Otherwise, I can't guarantee what these little 'friends' might do."
As soon as the words left his mouth, several wraiths emerged from the mist, their shrieks piercing the air. Aoi, having never witnessed such horrors, immediately fell silent.
"Good. Cooperation means less suffering." Kuroda's voice was calm, almost bored.
"The driver's direction… Who are you? What do you want? What did you do to Rin?" Aoi's voice trembled.
"Who I am doesn't matter. As for the little one, don't worry—she's just sleeping. This is adult business, after all. As for what I want? Simple. I want Tōsaka Tokiomi to withdraw from the Holy Grail War."
"Y-You're another Master?!" Aoi was stunned. The war hadn't even begun, yet an enemy Master had already captured her and Rin. If he used them as leverage, Tokiomi would surely—
"You think you can threaten me into manipulating Tokiomi? Then I'll—"
"Kill yourself? Go ahead. But then, what about your adorable daughter? I'd hate to see such a pretty little thing go to waste. After all, the dead can't protect the living."
Aoi's defiance crumbled instantly. If it were just her, she would have chosen death without hesitation—anything to avoid burdening Tokiomi. But with Rin here, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
"And don't think dying will spare your husband. Your disappearance alone will distract him, weakening his focus. And imagine—what if, at the most critical moment of battle, I deliver news of your death? Or better yet, let him witness it? Do you think he'd survive the shock?"
"Y-You… demon!" Aoi shuddered.
"Thank you." Kuroda smirked. "Now then, Mrs. Tōsaka, let me be honest—I'm doing Tokiomi a favor. He has no chance of winning this war. The only outcome is you becoming a widow and Rin growing up fatherless. What a tragedy."
"..." Aoi remained silent.
"Don't believe me? The fact that you two were captured so easily proves Tokiomi can't control the battlefield. If he can't even protect his own family, how can he possibly win?"
"I… I can't convince Tokiomi. Even with us as hostages, he'd never back down. What do you really want? What will it take for you to let us go?"
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