What Holy Grail War? Let's Play Cards!

"Assassin has gathered intelligence," Kirei Kotomine reported. "His Master—the Einzbern family's representative in this war—is currently heading to your estate, teacher."

Hassan of the Hundred Faces, while lacking in direct combat ability, possessed a Noble Phantasm that allowed him to split into dozens, even hundreds, of separate selves, making him an unparalleled gatherer of information.

"Oh?" Tokiomi Tohsaka swirled his wine glass leisurely, maintaining his usual air of elegance. "So eager to settle things with the Tohsaka family? Well, considering the centuries-old entanglement among our three families, eliminating a strong opponent early is a sound tactic."

Recalling the intelligence he had received so far, Tokiomi turned to Kirei. "And what of the Magus Killer, Kiritsugu Emiya? I recall the Einzbern family hired him as their enforcer."

"That is precisely what I was about to discuss, teacher," Kirei replied. "Previously, Kiritsugu aided the Einzberns in breaking through the Tzenjou family's defenses. His assistant has taken your wife, Aoi Tohsaka, and your daughter, Rin Tohsaka, hostage."

For some reason, Kirei found himself intrigued by what kind of reaction his teacher would have.

"What!?"

The delicate wine glass shattered in Tokiomi's grip, crimson wine mixing with his own blood as it seeped through his fingers. His elegant demeanor was momentarily overtaken by raw fury. "The Einzberns dare to go this far? Have they no regard for the bond between our three families?"

Realizing his lapse in composure, Tokiomi took a handkerchief and wiped away the mess on his hand. After healing the wound slightly with magecraft, he turned to the figure lounging on the grand sofa at the center of the room. With a formal kneel, he spoke:

"Your Majesty, I beseech you—punish these insolent rebels."

"You dare command me?" Gilgamesh, the golden-haired, red-eyed King of Heroes, lazily materialized, his expression filled with disdain. "You twist your family affairs into an affront against me?"

"I would never dare," Tokiomi corrected himself swiftly. "They took my wife and daughter because they fear your majesty's power. Their true intention must be to plot against you!"

Gilgamesh scoffed, unconvinced. "A magus who cannot even manage his own household is of no value to me." With that, he vanished into spirit form, leaving Tokiomi to seethe in silence.

"Kirei," Tokiomi ordered, gripping his Command Seals with an unreadable expression. "Have Assassin hide throughout the estate to prevent the Magus Killer from infiltrating. And… find an opportunity to rescue your teacher's wife and daughter."

Turning his gaze toward the entrance of his estate, he steadied his resolve. "Now then, let me personally test the might of the Einzbern family in this era."

-

As the grand gates of the Tohsaka estate swung open, Tokiomi stood in the entrance, impeccably dressed, a picture of refinement. With a courteous bow, he addressed his approaching guests.

"You have come from afar, and I apologize for the lack of a proper welcome," he said smoothly. "The Tohsaka family has prepared a token of hospitality. I hope you will find it satisfactory."

At that moment, the estate's defensive magecraft activated in full force. Invisible waves of energy rippled through the courtyard, and curses surged toward Jiang You and Illya.

"Step back," Illya instructed, gently pulling Maiya Hisau—the caretaker of young Sakura—to retreat a step. Maiya barely registered the movement before she sensed an unseen blade slicing through the space where she had stood.

Illya then redirected the curses, weaving them into the threads of her magical constructs. The silk-formed birds carrying the curses darkened, their forms crumbling into lifeless strands of hair.

"As expected of an Einzbern Master," Tokiomi clapped, his tone dripping with condescension. "Such precise mana control and acute perception. If I recall correctly, you must be… Lady Irisviel von Einzbern? I must say, the Einzberns have truly forsaken their pride as magi—sending one so young to wed a mere killer. To even resort to hostage-taking—how low the Einzberns have fallen."

Illya harbored no goodwill toward Tokiomi, seeing him as just another neglectful father like Kiritsugu. Without hesitation, she swung a sword of woven hair toward him. However, with a mere flick of his wrist, Tokiomi conjured a mana shield from a gemstone, easily deflecting the attack.

"Watch your words, Uncle," Illya retorted, her fingers deftly commanding more threads into the shape of fluttering birds. "I am Irisviel's daughter—Illyasviel von Einzbern."

"If you wish to continue this fight, Caster and I would be more than happy to oblige. However, perhaps we should address more pressing matters first."

At that moment, a small figure stepped out from behind Maiya. Sakura.

Her gaze met Tokiomi's—a mix of longing, resentment, and sorrow.

"Sakura? No… the Matou girl," Tokiomi corrected himself quickly, masking his initial surprise. He reminded himself that the girl before him was now the heir to the Matou family's magecraft, and he had no right to claim her anymore.

"You seem quite informed about the Tohsaka family's affairs," he said, his tone growing more hostile. "But Matou Sakura belongs to the Matou family now. Are you truly prepared to wage war against both the Tohsaka and Matou families?"

Jiang You couldn't help but find Tokiomi's confidence in the Matou family's strength laughable. In reality, during the Fourth Holy Grail War, the Matou family's actual combat force amounted to a single decrepit old man. Aside from Caster's uncertain situation, any of the other five factions could have crushed him with ease.

"It is I who should be speaking of forgiveness," Jiang You said, placing a reassuring hand on Sakura's head. "Zouken Matou is dead. The Matou family's magecraft lineage is finished."

"You… killed the Matou patriarch!?"

Tokiomi was stunned. A centuries-old mage lineage, gone in a single night. He gritted his teeth and clutched the red gemstone he had cultivated with mana for years, prepared to unleash its full power in a decisive strike.

"Do you not even wish to know why I did it?" Jiang You asked, his voice carrying an eerie calm.

"What other reason could there be? The Holy Grail, of course!" Tokiomi's body remained tense, poised to retreat at a moment's notice. His spells were at the ready.

"It was for Sakura."

"…What?"

For a moment, Tokiomi was unable to process the response.

At that precise moment, Aoi Tohsaka and Rin returned to the estate. After a year apart, the Tohsaka family was finally reunited.

"Then, why don't you let your wife explain it to you?" Jiang You remarked, knowing full well that forcing Aoi to recount Sakura's suffering in front of Tokiomi was the ultimate way to drive the point home.

Aoi's voice trembled as she spoke, tears welling in her eyes. She recounted the horrors Sakura had endured, her words heavy with grief and guilt.

Tokiomi staggered, his mind reeling. "How… how could this be? Matou magecraft… I never imagined… Sakura, my daughter—"

He stumbled toward Sakura, regret overwhelming him.

But Jiang You stepped in his way.

"Tell me, Tokiomi," he said, his voice like a blade. "What do you plan to do with Sakura now?"