Shinji Matou at Your Service

: The Offset Battles from the Beginning (Part 1)

"What? Are you saying that Kirei Kotomine hasn't done anything?" Shinji's voice was so loud that it made people's eardrums ache.

After crossing over, this was the first time he had spoken with such a loud voice. If he were in an open space, such a loud voice would easily spread dozens of meters, disturbing people's dreams. However, he was currently in an underground workshop in his house, and the sound waves were absorbed by the runes on the walls before they could spread, causing no impact on the outside world.

The reason for this outburst was that he received news from Scathach that Kirei Kotomine had not done anything during this time.

Kirei Kotomine, the student of Tokiomi Tohsaka, the representative of the Holy Church, is one of the two major forces in the Type-Moon world, and a person who couldn't be ignored in the Fate series. He had participated in both the Fourth and Fifth Holy Grail Wars as a Master and was one of the two people Shinji was most wary of in this Holy Grail War, almost on par with Tokiomi Tohsaka.

Immediately after the family meeting ended, Shinji sent Scathach to monitor Kirei Kotomine.

According to the plot of "Fate/Zero," Kirei Kotomine was the first Master in the Fourth Holy Grail War, summoning the nineteenth Hassan, "Hassan of the Hundred Faces," as the Assassin-class Servant ahead of others.

However, the plot was disrupted by Shinji's interference, and the Assassin class had already been occupied by Scathach. To gather information from his opponents, Shinji dispatched Scathach.

Although Scathach was not a professional assassin and had not trained in covert operations, she possessed the versatile Primordial Rune and a skill even more powerful than the Primordial Rune, the "Wisdom of the Land."

The Wisdom of the Land jokingly referred to as the "Wisdom of the Land's Idiot" in the gaming community, is undoubtedly a bug among bugs when it comes to the skill effects in the game FGO.

The Wisdom of Dún Scáith is ranked A+.

It is the wisdom of the abysses, surpassing humanity, slaying gods, and placing oneself outside the world.

In addition to the inherent skills of heroes, almost all skills can be used with a proficiency of B-to-A rank.

Furthermore, she can also teach these skills to others, limited to those she recognizes as heroes.

In battle, her most commonly used skill is "Clairvoyance' to predict the course of the battle.

In the Ulster Legends, she often used this foresight to predict the future, even the tragic fate of her disciple, Cú Chulainn.

It was precisely this skill that made Scathach one of the most powerful individuals in history.

It was precisely this skill that made Scathach the most formidable teacher in myth and legend.

The progress of Shinji, Sakura, and Kariya not only benefited from their efforts and their Sparta-like rigorous training but also relied on the power of this skill.

With the enhancement of the "Wisdom of the Land" and the "Primordial Rune," even though Scathach was not a professional assassin, she could achieve the same level of stealth as a top-class assassin, even completely erasing her presence.

The surveillance operation went smoothly, and no one in the Tohsaka family discovered Scathach's presence. However, the results of the surveillance surprised Shinji.

Until Aoi and Rin left, Kirei Kotomine had shown no signs of activity.

In Tokiomi Tohsaka's study, he practiced magecraft, prayed, had meals, worked, rested, and was occasionally passed by the members of the Tohsaka family, only politely greeting them. He seemed even more indifferent than Lady Justeaze as if he were a machine.

Shinji was not surprised by Kirei's personality. After all, the current Kirei had not yet realized his true nature and believed himself to be free from desires.

However, what Kirei did, which seemed normal to others, was the most abnormal thing in Shinji's eyes.

If Shinji remembered correctly, Kirei Kotomine should have already summoned a Servant before Aoi and Rin left, but now there was no summoning. Scathach's information could not be wrong, so what on Earth was going on?

This was not because Shinji took Kirei Kotomine's spot and eliminated him. Holy Grail has its own rules for choosing masters, and those with stronger desires are more likely to be selected. Kirei Kotomine obtained the Command Seals three years ago, even earlier than Tokiomi Tohsaka. According to the plot analysis, the one most likely to be eliminated should be Ryuunosuke Uryuu, who obtained the Command Seals by accident and summoned a servant last. It shouldn't be Kirei Kotomine.

So, what could it be?

"Shinji, Shinji!" Scathach's voice interrupts Shinji's contemplation. She was still lingering near the Tohsaka family, and Shinji heard that her voice was directly transmitted to his mind through a spell.

"Sorry, sensei, I was lost in thought," Shinji's voice returned to normal.

"What's your next plan? Will I continue the surveillance?" Despite having been monitored for a day and night, Scáthach showed no signs of complaint or dissatisfaction. In her view, since she had become a Servant, she should fulfill the duties of a Servant and satisfy the reasonable requests of her Master.

"You will continue the surveillance until Tohsaka summons a Servant. Once Tohsaka's Servant appears, please come back immediately, sensei, and do not engage in battle with the opposing side."

Shinji rubbed his temples with a bitter expressions. After spending three months with Scáthach, he had somewhat grasped that his teacher had a dual personality: the usually elegant and intellectual sage mode and the warrior mode during combat or teaching. In warrior mode, Scáthach tended to be reckless, allowing her hot-bloodedness to overpower her reason, although she would reflect on it afterward.

To be honest, Shinji didn't dislike this personality; on the contrary, he found this kind of teacher endearing. If she remained calm and composed like a still pond without ripples, it would truly be terrifying—though, well, it was easy to make mistakes in the current situation.

Scáthach didn't readily agree like before; instead, she fell silent for a moment and asked, "Do you think I cannot achieve victory?"

Before Shinji could respond, she added, "To be honest, deception is meaningless."

At this time, Shinji fell silent. After careful consideration, he replied, "Yes, if my information is correct, the 'Holy Relic' prepared by Tohsaka is the first snake's skin shedding in the world. If he successfully summons that Servant, it would be difficult for you, burdened by both me and the Assassin class, to have a high chance of winning. If it were Lancer instead, it would be a fiercely balanced battle of the ages."

"I see." Scáthach's voice reveals no joy or anger.

"And," Shinji reminded her, "You haven't forgotten, right? Tohsaka is the opponent my uncle wants to defeat, and the motivation behind my uncle's struggles. As a teacher, you wouldn't deprive your disciples of their only motivation, would you?"

"You have convinced me, my little Master. I will diligently carry out the surveillance task, and you must protect yourself."

Scáthach's quick response eased Shinji's heart and he replied with a smile.

"Yes, my queen."

"May the Queen bless you, boy."

From the beginning to the end, Scáthach never asked Shinji why he knew so much.

It was not that she did not want to ask; it was simply not necessary.

Those eyes brimming with mystical brilliance saw through causality, but would not reveal it to anyone.

The reason for not speaking was that she had already graduated from this world. To speak, it would be impolite to those living in the present.

"Let me see what you can achieve, my little Master, a soul that does not belong to this world."

Scáthach glanced in the direction of the Tohsaka residence and then looked at Kotomine Kirei, who was working by the window, her lips curling slightly.