Chapter 173
Concrete grinded against concrete, steel squeaking and stretching as the rebar bent out of shape. Slowly, the slabs started moving, puffs of dust and grit escaping the gaps in the pile as they shifted. Dull thumping sounds could be heard from within, the cement trembling rhythmically. Tremors shook the stained walls of the sewer, the sewage flowing through the center rippling on the surface.
With a few more thumps, the sound gradually grew clearer, and then the surface of the concrete pile exploded into dust, creating an opening from the inside to the outside. The sound of footsteps echoed in the sewer, the darkness obscuring the figure that walked through the dust and broken remains of the walls of the sewer that had trapped the man. For a moment, the figure in the darkness of the tunnel looked down at the splotches of dried blood on the ground, the scratches and gashes in the walls and floors surrounding it. Then he continued forward, walking past it as he looked left the caved in section of the sewer behind, making a mental note to send the repair crew over as soon as possible.
A manhole grated in a remote backstreet near the outskirts of Miyama town, the cast iron disk lifting out of its resting place and shifted to the side. From the shadows of the sewer, Kirei Kotomine emerged, looking a little worse for wear, but otherwise perfectly fine considering that he should have been crushed when the sewer collapsed on him during Avenger's escape. The cassock was damaged in a few places, but that was it. As for his body, there were a few places he needed to treat when he returned to the chapel, but the damage wasn't too extensive. He could make it back easily, and still fight if need be.
His breath fogged in the chilly night air as he pushed the manhole back into place with the tip of his leather boots. The metal cover slid back easily, dropping with a 'clank', and then he proceeded to make his way back to the chapel.
He had barely taken a few steps when he sensed the presence behind him, a familiar one that nevertheless made him raise his guard.
"Took you long enough to get out of there mongrel. Losing the wild dog was one thing, but only getting out after so long is unbecoming of you or your abilities."
Standing there moments ago there had been no one, was the King of Kings, the former Archer of the previous Holy Grail War. His insufferable grin was there as always, and his red eyes glinted in the night, seemingly piercing through Kirei's entire body and his soul. The priest was already used to the sensation since a long time ago though, and replied evenly.
"It was unexpected for Avenger to summon so much strength, and regrettable that we had to lose her, but there was nothing else that we could have done. A wild dog needs to be put down as soon as possible before it harms it's owner or anyone else, my king."
The events of the past few hours before he blacked out and got trapped in the sewer were still fresh in his memory, and though he had his share of harrowing experiences from his time as an active Executor of the Church, the fight with Avenger was still quite a memorable one when compared to his time fighting with Dead Apostles and other targets of similar repute and strength. If he had messed up at any moment, he or his Servant could easily have perished, but they had both managed to make it out in one piece, so it wasn't too bad. After all, he wanted to stay alive for as long as possible to see the conclusion of the War, so while he didn't fear death, it was still preferable for him to remain alive and whole. The fate of the Emiya boy, as well as Tohsaka Rin, were things that he wanted to witness himself as well.
"Are you insinuating that the bastard son could harm me, Kirei? I assure you, I could put her down before she even took one step."
Gilgamesh's eyes glowed dangerously, and Kirei swallowed his words.
"I did not mean that Avenger would harm you, I merely meant that it would be unfitting of you to deal with her yourself if she were to face you."
The king's lips curved into a sneer.
"If that was your intent, then you failed. The dog still lurks in the city."
Kirei blinked, then he decided that there was no point in questioning him. Gilgamesh had his own way of acquiring information, and it was always accurate.
"Is that so? If it is not too presumptuous of me, may inquire of her exact location so I may deal with her in the king's stead?"
He felt the needles pricking along his spine increase as Gilgamesh stepped towards him until they were less than a meter apart.
"You would do well to not overstep your boundaries and presume that you could represent me. While you may be an amusing method of passing time, you and the taint residing in the Grail that you hold so dear are merely subjects of my kingdom that I have deemed worthy of my personal interest, enough to allow your survival and prod you in the right direction at times. However, if your dog causes any problems for the game that is unfolding, you will see what it means to incur a king's wrath."
Though he was simply talking normally, Kirei had to steel his knees to keep them from buckling.
The king stared into Kirei's eyes for a moment longer, then he added.
"And you who rests in the Grail, if you distort the rules any further, you will be honored by the presence of the king, to deliver your judgement."
With his point made, Gilgamesh turned around and left Kirei standing there, the priest watching as his back receded into the distance, then turned right and disappeared around a corner.