The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

However, whether or not these people are experiencing hallucinations is not up to them to decide.

It was the church, which was responsible for handling the aftermath, that had the final say.

Due to certain unforeseen circumstances, the supernatural events triggered by Kiana did not spread.

The news headline, "Unusual underground gas explosion blew a car into the air," brought this incident to a close.

However, in areas beyond the reach of the world's eyes, the upheavals caused by this event cannot be explained in just a few words.

However, the person who triggered the series of events went to a movie theater after leaving the bustling city.

After the movie ended, she casually found a nearby upscale hotel to rest for the night.

The hotel was tastefully decorated and had an elegant environment, but because it was already late at night, only the receptionist was sitting at the counter in the lobby.

"Please provide your identification, thank you."

At the other end of the counter, a well-dressed receptionist spoke with a friendly smile.

Kiana was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, realizing that she didn't actually own such a thing.

However, she did not panic; she simply snapped her fingers.

'Snapped! '

Upon hearing the voice, the receptionist seemed to be controlled, picked up a pen and paper, wrote something down, and then booked a room for Kiana.

Of course, after using magic to help herself a little, Kiana didn't forget to slip the receptionist a few bills as a reward for her help.

After finding a place to rest, Kiana took the elevator to the fourth floor to rest.

As soon as she entered the room, Kiana collapsed onto the bed.

"Playing like this on the first day doesn't seem like a good idea."

"I'll try again tomorrow. Hmm... I'm going to take a shower first."

However, just as she was about to get up to go to the bathroom, there was a knocking sound at the hotel door.

Feeling puzzled, Kiana opened the door and found a black-haired woman dressed in a white cleaning worker's uniform standing outside, holding a wrench and a water pipe.

"Excuse me, there seems to be a problem with the drain in your guest room. Would you like me to help you fix it?"

"Oh? There's a problem, huh? Well... okay."

Kiana didn't think too much about it and agreed to let the cleaning lady in. After she came in, the cleaning lady started the repairs quickly and efficiently, and soon told Kiana that everything was finished and that she had been disturbed.

"It's nothing, take care."

Kiana waved her hand, then went to the bathroom, turned on the tap, changed her clothes, and prepared to take a shower.

However, just as she took off her top, revealing her alluringly curved back, she suddenly felt a chill from behind.

In an instant, Kiana turned around and discovered that there was a camera hidden in the gap between the laundry room chores.

Upon seeing this, Kiana immediately lost the idea of ​​taking a bath and quickly took back the clothes she had half-undressed.

"This hotel is suspicious! Tsk... to do something like this, phew! Being in a foreign country is truly dangerous at every turn..."

Kiana removed the camera and then crushed the round thing into powder, her eyes revealing deep displeasure.

If it weren't for the limitations imposed by her status as an adjudicator, she would swear she would have found a way to teach this hotel a lesson right now.

And now... go to bed fully clothed.

"I hope you have a good dream."

Kiana thought to herself...

---

As the monitoring tablet went black, the black-haired woman who had just entered Kiana's room removed her mask.

Her face, though still young, lacked any youthful vigor.

After a brief hesitation, the woman took out her phone and dialed Kiritsugu's number:

“It’s been exposed, Kiritsugu. I only saw the Command Seals, and then nothing.”

Yes, although the surveillance camera only secretly captured a brief moment of audio and video behind the adjudicator.

But she was certain that what was drawn behind the white-haired girl was the Command Seal.

And that number... is really quite large.

"It's alright, Hisayu Maiya."

Kiritsugu's calm voice came from the other end of the phone.

How many Command Seals does she have? One? Two? Or several?

"Sorry, I didn't look at it very carefully, but... there are probably at least ten. Maybe more!"

Hisayu Maiya recalled for a moment, then answered with absolute certainty.

Upon hearing this, Kiritsugu fell into a long silence.

"is it?"

After a long while, he muttered to himself, "If we could have so many Command Seals, victory would be within our grasp."

Because the intelligence we obtained was too shocking.

So much so that the master and servant remained silent for a long time.

---

Inside the Tohsaka family mansion.

Tokiomi once again summoned his business partner, Kotomine Risei, and his adopted son, Kotomine Kirei.

"Welcome to my home, you two."

As the head of a long-established family of magicians, Tokiomi received the two with very proper etiquette.

although.

After summoning their respective Servants, he and Kirei Kotomine should now be in a competitive relationship.

But because of trust, and the contract previously made with the church.

At this moment, he was not worried about any danger to himself.

Not only that, he was even worried that they might be in danger.

After all, the adjudicator... is no pushover.

"Why is there an adjudicator? Does the church have any clue?"

Tokiomi preemptively questioned Kotomine and his son before they could even ask any questions.

When asked by him, Kotomine Risei didn't hide anything and simply spread his hands:

"We don't know. The appearance of the adjudicator has nothing to do with the church. The only thing we are clear about is that the adjudicator's position is contrary to ours."

Is that so?

Tokiomi Tohsaka's expression remained calm.

Although he knew that if his long-planned scheme were exposed, he would surely face the judge's reckoning or even punishment.

However, he did not reveal his inner thoughts, but calmly asked, "So how does the church view this matter? I don't want our plan to be forced to end due to some unforeseen circumstances."

"Everything remains the same, but we must be wary of the adjudicators."

Kotomine Ritsu was stroking her chin as she answered.

"Oh, is that so..." Tokiomi Tohsaka picked up the wine glass on the table with a meaningful look, took a sip, and then asked a rather serious question, "What makes the Arbitrator different from other Servants?"

“You can think of her as a servant who oversees the battle, but this servant only acts according to the Holy Grail’s instructions, similar to me but different.”

After much thought, Kotomine Risuke pulled up his sleeve, revealing the Command Seals wrapped around his arm.

"Also, the number of Command Seals she carries far exceeds that of you and me."

Although it is unclear what kind of Heroic Spirit was chosen to serve as the judge for this Holy Grail War.

However, Kotomine Risei was certain that the adjudicator carried a large number of Command Seals to ensure that she could properly oversee the war.

When necessary, one can even perform many unimaginable feats using the power granted by Command Seals.

Is that so?

Upon hearing the Command Seal, Tokiomi Tohsaka's calm expression suddenly changed.

He then put down his wine glass, crossed his hands, and pondered for a long time.

"So, if the adjudicator chooses to stand in our way, is it possible for us to... seize her Command Seals?"

In an instant, the entire basement seemed to be struck by lightning, and the Yanfeng father and son looked at each other in disbelief.

Everyone was astonished by Tokiomi's audacity in daring to lay a hand on the adjudicator.

“Hahaha,” Kotomine Risei laughed, then joked, “This joke isn’t funny, Mr. Tohsaka.”

What if I said this wasn't a joke?

Tokiomi released his grip, the cold glint in his eyes now impossible to conceal.

Seeing this expression, Kotomine Rise stopped smiling and asked seriously, "Have you considered what the consequences would be if the person being judged discovered our intentions?"

The situation is still unclear, so you've already set your sights on the referee?

Don't you know how to write the word "death"?

However, when confronted with Kotomine Risei's questioning, Tokiomi simply smiled indifferently.

"Therefore, we need a more meticulous plan so that we can gain a huge advantage by taking advantage of the arrival of the adjudicator."

This Ruler is so fair! (F/Z): Chapter 3: The Absolutely Fair Referee and the Unsportsmanlike Contestants

With the arrival of the adjudicator...

At this moment, Kotomine Riki had the illusion that being allies with Tokiomi would be a complete waste of time and energy.

Although he felt that having more Command Seals would provide great benefits.