[MF] Ch 8: Kirei Kotomine

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[Clone Technique Data]

[Detail: A complete set of knowledge on creating clones, built upon the homunculus alchemy already existing in the Fate world. If mastered, it allows the creation of perfect puppet doubles.]

[Additional Note: Clones can be used in countless ways, both practical and… entertaining.]

The icon looked like a stack of paper files, and the description carried the same mischievous tone as always.

Kaito stroked his chin, ideas bubbling, before settling on the most efficient one.

"System, what's with giving me blueprints instead of the finished product? You got something you're trying to say?"

The system's voice replied.

[This is technology for making clones under your complete control. Don't think it's out of place for a Fool either—in fact, it's perfect for you. Your character cards can be used on these puppet bodies, letting you control them entirely.]

Kaito's eyes lit up as understanding clicked, a grin spreading across his face. "Ahh, now that's good stuff. Just like the description said—I can already think of a hundred uses."

[Not surprising. Your imagination is why you could even bond with me, the Fun System. With your brain, give it about ten months and you should be able to fully master it. That way it'll be ready for the Fourth Holy Grail War.]

Kaito shook his head. "No, no, no. That's way too much time wasted. A so-called Fool spending ten months researching? That's the exact opposite of fun. Just thinking about it makes me laugh at myself."

He smirked. "And while I don't mind being the butt of a joke sometimes, boring jokes are still a waste."

[So… you're not planning to make a puppet clone?]

Kaito gave a sly smile. "Who said I'd make one myself?"

He didn't elaborate further. Instead, since it was still early in the day, he headed straight out of the hotel and made for the Church in the outskirts of Fuyuki City.

His goal? To see if he could farm a new character card there.

After all, character cards could in theory drop from anyone who played an important role in a story. Tokiomi had given him one for that reason.

But theory and reality weren't always the same. Sometimes people who should qualify just didn't.

Take Rin and Sakura, for instance. In the Fifth War, both girls would be central characters. But right now? They were too young. Their own stories hadn't begun yet, so no cards could appear.

Similarly, Aoi Tohsaka—despite being their mother—was basically a background extra in the original story. No card for her either.

Which meant the actual pool of candidates in this world was small. Realistically, only the main participants of the Fourth War could yield cards.

In Fuyuki, March 1993, Kaito didn't have many options. The strongest target was obvious: Zouken Matou, the worm-ridden old monster who had lived for over five centuries.

But Zouken came with two big problems. First, he was more like a background prop during the Fourth War. Kaito couldn't even be sure a card would drop from him. Second, he was dangerously risky to approach. Maintaining even a two-meter distance for ten minutes, like he had with Tokiomi, wasn't something Kaito could guarantee right now.

So he dropped that idea entirely.

That left two solid candidates:

Kirei Kotomine, the famed Bajiquan priest, later known as the "Mapo Lover" and the Master of Assassin.

Risei Kotomine, current overseer of the church, ally of Tokiomi, and the official supervisor who helped him cheat during the Fourth War.

Both had high chances of producing cards.

And they were easy to approach. A church had to welcome outsiders, after all. 

In fact, according to Kaito's research, the church was listed as one of Fuyuki's tourist spots. There were even buses that went straight there. So he simply boarded one and went as a tourist.

Since it was Tuesday afternoon, a workday in a small city, the church grounds were quiet and nearly deserted when he arrived.

The place was spotless though—lawns trimmed, paths clean. Without that care, its emptiness would have made it feel desolate.

Kaito gave it a sweeping glance and walked right in.

Everything was just as it had been in the anime, only now it was real. For him, this was practically a must-visit landmark.

Shame there weren't smartphones yet, or he'd have snapped a few photos for sure.

He was about to head in when he stopped in his tracks.

Because there, right outside the church, was the man he had come looking for.

Kirei Kotomine.

Still young, hair soft and unkempt, dressed in a neat black clerical robe. He stood expressionless, methodically sweeping the churchyard with a long broom. The steady swish, swish of straw bristles brushing stone echoed in the air.

From a distance, he looked every bit the diligent, disciplined, upright young priest.

Kaito narrowed his eyes, studying him. He had to admit—at this stage, anyone would take Kirei as an honest, earnest young man. Straightforward, serious, trustworthy.

Who could possibly imagine that this would-be model priest would one day become the twisted "Euphoria Monster"? No wonder Tokiomi had trusted him so blindly.

Without the godlike hindsight of otaku, Kaito himself might have believed in this version of Kirei.

At that moment, Kirei noticed him. He stopped sweeping and turned, politely greeting Kaito. Without missing a beat, he began introducing the church's facilities, explaining how visitors could look around.

Clearly, he was used to this. Tourists showed up all the time, and he had his routine ready.

The only problem? His face stayed completely blank the entire time. Not a single smile. Just a deadpan mask, like customer service running on autopilot. Drop him into the modern day, and he'd be reported to management in a heartbeat.

Kaito didn't mind. In fact, he suddenly smiled.

Because floating just beside Kirei, visible only to him, a brand-new card had appeared.

A character card.

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.

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