In Type-Moon, it all starts with adopting Sakura.

Page 60

A languid golden figure leaned back on a soft sofa. Gilgamesh leisurely sipped a fine red wine carefully collected by Tokiomi Tohsaka, while looking at the tired young priest in front of him with his scarlet eyes. A playful smile appeared on his lips, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, as he slowly spoke to him.

"Hey, Kirei, what's your take on what happened this time?"

"Ok?"

Upon hearing Gilgamesh's call, Kirei Kotomine, who had just finished his work and was exhausted after a day and a night, looked at him with a somewhat weary gaze.

"What do you mean, Archer?"

Kirei Kotomine sat down in his seat and continued to review the documents concerning various compensations, as well as the questions sent by his father, Risei Kotomine.

Throughout the night, he not only had to shuttle between the Fuyuki City government and police station, but also report to the Holy Church and conduct an on-site investigation to ensure that no one escaped.

He was so exhausted by all the work that he was like a spinning top that had been stretched too thin, unable to stop once it started spinning. He still had many disaster reports to process.

For a moment, Kirei Kotomine suddenly missed his neglected Assassin. With his ability to create clones and his all-around skills, this little matter could definitely be handled in an hour with his help. But there was no point in saying that now.

Because his own Assassin has confirmed his departure from the scene.

"What I am referring to, don't you know perfectly well, Kiri?"

Seeing the puzzled look on Kirei Kotomine's face, Gilgamesh swirled the wine in his glass, then chuckled lightly, his crimson eyes fixed on Kirei Kotomine before him, and asked,

"You clearly advised Tokiomi Tohsaka beforehand not to cooperate with the Einzbern family, saying they couldn't be trusted. And during the cooperation, you repeatedly advised him against sending all his Assassins to the scene to avoid any accidents. Leaving some behind would allow him to continue gathering intelligence even if mistakes occurred. But what did Tokiomi actually do?"

"..."

Kirei Kotomine did not answer.

Because the facts are already clear: Tokiomi Tohsaka has fallen into almost every pitfall of the war, which has led to his current miserable state.

"Well, because of Tokiomi's arrogance, not only did he not listen to your advice, but he also arrogantly believed that he could control the whole situation. He insisted on cooperating with the Einzbern family and even forced you to use Command Seals to make Assassin unleash his Noble Phantasm to launch a frontal attack."

"And you've seen the consequences of this action. Not only was the Assassin wiped out, but you also lost your most important source of intelligence. You even angered the other four riders, making you the target of everyone's anger. What do you think of Tokiomi's actions, Kirei?"

Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes, then downed the glass of red wine in one gulp. He looked at Kirei Kotomine in front of him, his expression revealing a hint of something unspeakable.

"I...I don't know. But the teacher was just worried about something unexpected happening, that's why he did it..."

Kirei Kotomine lowered his head and remained silent for a moment before answering.

"Oh? You really think so, Kirei?"

Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, his crimson eyes meeting his, and continued, "Stop deceiving yourself. This is just an excuse. Unlike you, an agent who has experienced life-and-death battles, Tokiomi Tohsaka is a pure and simple magician. He probably doesn't even have any combat experience, let alone any fighting. That's why he made such a suffocating decision in a moment of madness."

"Assassin's real name is Hassan the Hundred-Faced. Although she is very weak in direct combat, it must be admitted that with hundreds of clones, she is the best person to serve as an intelligence and assassin. If we think about it normally, with me as the trump card, using this group of useful Assassins to gather intelligence and then waiting for the right opportunity to turn the war around to someone else is undoubtedly the best choice."

"Even if the Einzbern guys know about the Assassin's existence, how could they possibly know the exact number? By creating some openings and waiting for them to focus on the battle or lower their guard, these guys can still play a significant role."

While drinking his wine, Gilgamesh offered a reasoned and well-founded analysis of the battle situation.

"But that good-for-nothing Tokiomi actually sent such a useful reconnaissance and assassination unit into frontal combat. Don't you feel his incompetence and arrogance in such an absurd act? Kirei, what do you think?"

"...So you've been keeping an eye on things here the whole time?"

Upon hearing Gilgamesh's analysis, Kirei Kotomine looked somewhat surprised.

He hadn't expected that Gilgamesh, who had always been the boss and second-in-command since he was summoned, had actually been paying attention to what was happening on their side and had pointed out every single flaw.

Could it be that……

For a moment, Kirei Kotomine seemed to have thought of a very likely possibility.

He looked at Gilgamesh, about to ask something, but the other spoke first, "Yes, you are absolutely right, Kirei. Whether you went to ally with the Einzbern family or sent all the assassins to attack the other Masters, I was there the whole time."

Is that really how it is...?

Upon hearing Gilgamesh's answer, Kirei Kotomine knew his earlier guess was correct, but...

He looked at Gilgamesh with a puzzled expression, his heart filled with confusion.

Since he was there, and since he knew all the flaws, why didn't he stop it? If he had stopped it, things certainly wouldn't have turned out this way.

If Gilgamesh were to intervene, they would have a chance to eliminate the enemy, even if they were facing Iskandar and Finn.

But, but... why? Why did he just watch, coldly observing, unwilling to lend a hand?

Kirei Kotomine's expression grew increasingly puzzled.

"Heh, are you wondering why I haven't made a move?"

"Yes."

"It's very simple. Knowing and doing are two different things, Kirei. What if you understand some things? What if you don't understand them? Humans are creatures that blindly follow the path they believe in and choose. Even if you stop them, they will not only thank you, but they will also think that if they had done things their way, the situation would definitely be better than it is now. They might even resent you for it."

Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes slightly and casually explained the principles he understood.

"Hey, Kirei, unlike that good-for-nothing Tokiomi Tohsaka, I don't believe you haven't seen these obvious problems all along, but the fact that you didn't speak up to stop it is somewhat surprising. However... seeing your confused look, I can roughly guess what you're thinking."

"You want to see what will happen if Tokiomi Tohsaka fails, right? You want to see what will happen to him once he loses his original elegance. And you... haven't you realized that your true nature has been twisted without you even realizing it? What are you really craving by following Tokiomi Tohsaka? What answers are you trying to get from him...?"

"Tell me your desires!"

Gilgamesh raised his wine glass, observing Kirei Kotomine's current state through the crimson light. The distorted, scarlet reflection was truly mesmerizing.

"I...I have no other requests."

Kirei Kotomine paused for a moment, then answered.

"That's impossible,"

Gilgamesh rejected his idea outright.

"The Holy Grail doesn't choose someone for no reason; it only bestows Command Seals upon those who have desires and yearnings in their hearts, so you must have a wish."

"So... Kirei, what exactly is your wish?"

"My...my wish?"

After hearing Gilgamesh's assertion, Kirei Kotomine was stunned for a moment, then reached out and covered his chest with his palm.

"I have no idea……"

He couldn't find the answer to that question.

He didn't know what happiness was, let alone joy, nor did he know what he sought or desired...

He didn't even understand the meaning of his life, nor how to live in this world. All he was doing now was imitating humans...

He is actually a monster, a monster in human skin.

"Can't find it? Hahahaha, just as I thought, just as I thought... Kirei Kotomine, you are quite an interesting man (toy)."

Seeing that he had said enough, Gilgamesh let out a hearty laugh.

Do you... know the answer?

Upon seeing Gilgamesh's reaction, Kirei Kotomine asked anxiously.

He could sense that the oldest king before him knew the answer to the question that had been troubling him all along.

"Of course, how could I not know such a simple matter?"

Gilgamesh gave a wicked smile, then stared at Kirei Kotomine in front of him and began to coax him gently.

"You're just lacking a certain emotion."

Something is missing...

"What kind of emotion is that?"

Kirei Kotomine, eager for an answer, asked anxiously.

"...pleasure, an emotion that humans rely on most for survival and that brings them happiness."

Gilgamesh continued to patiently guide him.

"Pleasure? No, that feeling is too sinful, it's not something I should..."

"Really not?"

Gilgamesh interrupted him, then continued to persuade him, "And who told you that pleasure is necessarily evil? The only one who can determine the direction of this emotion is you..."

"Some people find pleasure in doing good deeds, while others find pleasure in doing evil deeds... So-called pleasure is nothing more than the things one does to gain satisfaction and happiness."

"Good deeds, bad deeds...pleasure."

After hearing Gilgamesh's words, Kirei Kotomine's eyes widened slightly, as if he had suddenly realized something.

"So, what the teacher and father did was also for pleasure...?"

“That’s right, Kirei, the purpose of life is to pursue pleasure. If Tokiomi Tohsaka can do it, why can’t you?”

After listening to Kirei Kotomine's words, Gilgamesh nodded, even though he knew that Tokiomi Tohsaka's purpose was not for pleasure, nor for any so-called good or evil deeds.

However, given that that damned traitor Tokiomi not only disobeyed him but also dared to use Command Seals to forcibly control him and even prepared to deal with him, it was only natural for him to leave Tokiomi some interesting backup plans.

Kirei Kotomine...

A fun toy, a decent knife—things can get really interesting if used properly.

"I see... So that's how it is. Pleasure, this is pleasure... So this is what my teacher was pursuing all along, something I never understood."

Kirei Kotomine nodded upon hearing this; he had understood.

"Hahaha, that's it, that's right, it seems you understand now."

'What do you understand?'

Gilgamesh continued to brainwash this guy, completely unaware of what he had come to understand.

"Thank you, Archer, I know what I need to do now..."

"Humans really do crave pleasure... and what I lack is that... pleasure."

Kirei Kotomine slowly stood up from his chair and then opened his arms.

"Now that I've found it, I think I'm almost at the point of... pleasure."

Gradually, a strange smile appeared on Kirei Kotomine's lips.