We have a few plot threads to rap up this chapter. And some big things to get out in the open as the heroes do their best to deal with the Court of Owls as they put their plans into motion. Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, the Fate series, Lupin III, Ni No Kuni, or My Hero Academia.

Chapter 37: A Toast to the Ruler

Kariya stood on the roof of his apartment, thinking to himself. 'It feels like everything went right in my life since I summoned Toshinori. I finally got Sakura free from my bastard grandfather, and was freed myself. And while I didn't want him dead, Tokiomi as good as allowed me to be together with Aoi again.' Kariya and Aoi had a long talk after Tokiomi's death. It turned out Aoi was carrying deep regrets that she held in for the sake of magus tradition, but upon learning what her little girl had been going through, she couldn't take it anymore.

"Uncle Kariya?," came Rin's voice. Kariya turned to see her come out of the fire escape. "Mister Yagi said you might be up here." Kariya smirked. "I always come up here to think. It's just that I've been through a lot since the War started. So, you getting used to being around your sister again?" Rin nodded. "What ever happened to her? She doesn't like to talk about it." Kariya winced. 'Yeah, it would definitely still be a sore spot for her. Might as well be a bad dream now, but even little kids don't like to about nightmares.' "It's probably better you not know. At least not until you're old enough to handle it. I'd give it five, maybe ten years. Maybe then Sakura will be comfortable talking about it."

Rin nodded. "I guess so. So… Do I have to start calling you Father from now on?" Kariya snorted. "I doubt it. I mean, for starters your mom and me aren't married. Not yet at least… Besides, you're still keeping your father's name, right?" Rin nodded. "Someone needs to maintain the Tohsaka name. For the next War." Kariya smiled. "That's probably why Sakura decided to keep the Matou name." "What about it's magecraft?," Rin asked. "We're starting from scratch," Kariya replied, "What Grandfather did… It shouldn't see the light of day ever again."


Out of all the people Risei had gotten in his confessional, he never expected one to be his own son. "I apologize Father," Kirei said, "Somehow, I was born warped. I'm sorry for lying to you all this time." Risei sighed heavily. "It was more a absence of truth than any real lies. How long have you known?" "Since my wife died," Kirei replied, "When I thought back on her death, I was horrified to learn my only sadness was in thinking that I could not be the one to kill her. And I realized I never truly loved her. Thankfully the same does not hold true for Caren. I love as a father should love his daughter."

Kirei raised his head. "And… The same hold true for you as well. It seems I can still feel familial love, but any other emotions…" "You seem to have made peace with that fact," Risei said, "I'm only sorry I did not see it sooner, though I suspect anything I could have done would only make the situation worse." Kirei chuckled. "Truth be told, it's because of Lupin that I was able to understand myself. I still feel that desire to see suffering upon others, but thanks to Lupin I can direct it. Aim it at those who deserve it. Criminals and the like."

He face turned stern. "I've just learned that the Court of Owls has kidnapped Irisviel von Einzbern, thinking her to be the host for the Lesser Grail. It's true that the Einzbern homunculi are capable of becoming containers, but that was only because the Einzbern family were preparing for if their plan went awry. It was certainly a catastrophe, but not so much that the Grail wasn't salvageable." Risei nodded. "And the Court doesn't realize this." "Forgive me for this," Kirei said, "But because of Lupin I have found myself wanting to turn again Tokiomi. I didn't even do anything to stop myself or Lupin. I… Wanted the Grail to understand myself."

Risei favored his son with a warn smile. "You are what God made you. Whatever your disposition, God clearly has a plan for it. But whatever that is… Should you obtain the Grail, I can only hope you are satisfied with the answers it gives you." Kirei nodded. "This will likely be the last time we see each other. From this point on there is no going back for me." Risei nodded. "Be careful, my son." Shortly after Kirei left, Risei walked to the crucifix within the church and knelt down to pray. Pray for his son's soul, that it might someday find peace.


"You sure you're going to be okay with this?," Lupin asked, "This might lead to your death." Jigen chuckled. "Honestly, before I met you I was sure I wouldn't live to see thirty. But afterward? I saw both thirty and forty. Heck, if I somehow hit fifty I'll use some of my savings to buy some Lotto tickets." He grinned sadly. "Truth is, I'm envious of how Goemon and Fujiko turned out. Sure Fujiko's not living the high life she always wanted, but she's satisfied living the life of a single mother. And Goemon gets the chance to pass his kendo skills on to the next generation. Me… I honestly got nothing to live for and nothing to lose at this point. Hell, maybe I'll be the one summoned in the next Holy Grail War."

Lupin chuckled. "I could definitely see you in the Archer class. Your skills are so sharp you'd put Robin Hood to shame." Kirei entered the building. "Everyone's ready. Even Rider and Waver." Lupin nodded. "The only reason this is even being allowed is because of the interference the Court of Owls is making in the Holy Grail War. Honestly, I was expecting this whole shindig to be straightforward. Maybe some surprises from the other Servants, but nothing like this." He and Jigen got up. "Alright, we'll meet them outside."


The Count addressed his court. "Before long, the remaining Servants will battle each other. When two are left, we make our move. The young lady has shown no signs so far of creating the Grail, but it is only a matter of time. But before we begin, allow me to make one thing perfectly clear." He raised a glass. "Some outsiders have stated that we could possibly be criminals. I wish to dash these rumors. We are not possibly criminals… We ARE criminals. We willing subvert the laws of the government to get what we want. We lie, we cheat, we steal, we bribe, we even murder. To call us anything other than criminals is frankly moronic. We should not deny what we are."

The Court nodded in agreement. "However," the Count continued, "That is not to say we are evil. Criminals have existed since the dawn of civilization, and have had a number of reasons for their actions. Criminals desire power and wealth, and must go outside the law to get it. In the end, all a criminal is… Is a man that refuses to follow the laws of another man. Good and evil are subjective. Heroes are merely those who have managed to gain power while still remaining within the law. They impose their views on society, justifying their actions behind a veil of so-called righteousness."

He heard Iris giggling, having been bound to a nearby throne. "Some you wish to say, my dear?," the Count asked. "Only that you have a very narrow-minded view. You think heroes are those who simply push their ideals onto others? That ignores so many legends it actually makes me laugh. What of Robin Hood, who stole from the rich and gave to the poor? He was a criminal, yes, but a hero at the same time who only sought to help others when it would have so easy to take all the gold for himself. And what of George Washington, who saw the injustice the British Empire was inflicting on the American colonies and chose to rise up to fight for freedom."

She reveled in the anger the Count showed on what little of his face she could see. "The truth is that you're just a hypocrite. You speak of the truth of good and evil, but in the end you're doing the same thing as the heroes you deride so much." She barely flinched as the Count slapped her face. "Get her out of my sight!," he commanded, "I'd rather not hear more of her foolish platitudes before the finale. As I was saying, I'm sure many of you are concerned about our agents in the Church and Association being routed, but rest assured it is a minor setback. After all, they are just men in the end. And we have overcome men before." He grinned as he showed the glowing Command Seals on his arm. "The time for our goals to be achieved is at hand!" The applause from the crowd was just what he needed to get back in a good mood.

The Count thinks he's got a good handle on things. And maybe he's thought of a ton of contingencies. But the problem is his plans have been going haywire for a while now. Basically he's making the same mistakes Tokiomi was. We'll see how this affects his plans soon enough. Read and review.