Fate/Zero: A Different Path

Chapter 15

I nodded, setting back into my seat

"Now, let's get into the crux of the matter"

My finger tapped on the table

"You know I am someone who is pragmatic in my planning. If you go after the Servants, it should only be obvious I'd go for the Master. That's how we will operate in this war for the most part"

She nodded, albeit hesitantly

"As I've eliminated the three collaborating Masters for this war, our next target will be one of the three Families. The Einzbern's, Tohsaka's, or Matou's, the last one's bloodline is almost extinct by now"

Saber hummed in thought, urging me to continue

"One is in ownership the land here, one is hiding in obscurity for the last decade, and one, according to my intel" That being Canon knowledge "Arrived here with their Servants months ago from Germany in preparation for this war"

I leaned back

"As far as I know Tohsaka is busy holing himself up with his Servant while the Einzberns are completely discreet with tier activities, which makes it hard to spy on them. I know the Matou's summoned a Berserker Servant with one of their substitute Master"

"That all makes them difficult targets, really"

Those homunculus had yet to show up in this war. Irisviel is supposedly getting tranmutated into a living Grail, and Jubstacheit most likely has plans to manipulate the summonings in his favor

That makes them a variable not to be underestimated

"I see. As a Master, which one do you prioritize first?"

"Personally I would like to sit back and see how things play out, possibly gauging the identity of their Servant and Mastes first before acting. That would guarantee an advantage in combat against them"

I locked eyes with my Servant

"But I have yet to ask your opinion. What do you think we should do first, Saber?"

The blonde swordsman narrowed her eyes as she tapped on the table, seemingly mulling over my words and debating with the possibilities in her head

Eventually, she seems to have came to a conclusion as the woman turned to face me

"Me? I do not know the exact circumstances of these families aside form those you mentioned, but I think we should target the Matou first"

"Why should we do that instead of waiting for them to kill each other?"

"Political reasons. As we are the collaborating Masters in this war, they considered us a wild card" The King of Britain spoke confidently "Since the Three families are the founding members of this ritual, there's a possibility they might band over to purge us as a common enemy before starting the fight among themselves"

"I see"

It is the same reason why I had not taken action yet

The Heaven's Feel ritual, while a battle royale, is also considered a pseudo civil war between the three families yearning for possession of the Third Magic

But no matter how fierce the ongoing war is, they would instantly unite forces the moment an "outsider" prove to dangeorus for them

An alliance against me and Saber would only be disadvantageous for us, no matter how strong she is

"Why specifically the Matou's you're aiming for?" I raised an eyebrow

"Because while you spoke of the Tohsaka's and Einzbern's with great caution, it was not the same for them. Thus, it can be concluded you did not deem them as a threat"