Hmm, he'd said you were the last one to come by the Church. If he's willing to divulge that, then maybe…
"You said I was the last one?" you start, letting the cup rest on your legs as you talk. "When did the other Masters start coming? And… there were six before me, yes?"
The priest stares at you for a few moments, before his neutral expression turns down into a frown again.
"The earliest master was almost a month ago. The most recent, three days. And yes, there were six before you. As there are only seven Servants, it is only basic maths to say that there were six before you, is it not?"
Well, it's only natural, you just wanted to make sure…
You purse your lips as you think on another question.
"You mentioned that there were a lot of issues in the 4th War. Why is it so secretive? Was the situation… well, bad enough that Magi aren't allowed to know?"
The priest sighs, leaning backwards again, his eyes taking on a reflective look.
"The 4th War was... An unmitigated disaster, of the highest order. It truly began with the destruction of the Hyatt Hotel, and ended with a gigantic demon being summoned into the city, and the destruction of a large portion of Fuyuki. The Church was forced to hypnotize nearly half the population of the city in order to set thing straight again. The Mage's Association, of course, did nothing to help. Which is why, this time, the Church will be tolerating no... Alternative combat methods from the participants. If the competing Masters cannot win without breaching the Masquerade, then they will be put down."
The man stares at you as he finishes his sentence, and it's more than obvious that he's making a threat, though he doesn't need to tell you. You'd never do something like that. A number of important questions cross your mind as you look down to the cup in your hands. However, despite all the important things you could ask, instead-
"Ah… oh my, I'm sorry," you apologise, looking back up. "I missed your name, Father…?"
The man stares at you a moment, before tilting his head.
"Perhaps it may be worth taking a few coins from the alms to buy you a hearing aid," he says dryly, "as my name was the first thing I said to you after you gave your own. But, to make up for your hearing deficiency in the meantime, my name is Kotomine Kirei. Truly, a pleasure to meet you."
A light flush creeps over your cheeks. Of course he gave his name after you spaced out-!
There's no time to get lost in thought, however, as a loud rumble in the distance catches your and the priest's attention. It's far too loud to be anything innocuous. In fact, it's so loud that you very nearly drop the cup clasped in your hands. After all that talk of keeping up the masquerade, this feels like a slap in the face.
Because, after all, there's no way something that big could be caused by a mundane.
'Lancer, what's going on outside?'
Father Kotomine half rises from his seat, before sitting back down and closing his eyes. He's once more obviously checking his familiars, and before long he gives a very visible, full-body twitch.
He opens his eyes, and looks directly at you.
"Ryuudoji Temple just exploded," he says to you, voice utterly flat, as Ornstein reports back at almost the same time, confirming his words.
The sound of porcelain shattering echoes throughout the quiet church. You glance down, only to see your quivering hands trying to grasp a cup that's no longer there.
Destroying an entire temple? What sort of Servant could hold that much power…? No, what Servant would use something so powerful so early? A number of scenarios run through your mind, and none of them are good.
You can't even say anything as you look back up to the priest, hands still shaking.
"If you proceed to what remains of that place immediately with your Servant, and destroy the Master responsible for this, I will award you three additional Command Seals," the priest continues, rising from his seat.
"Additionally, if you wish, I will contact other Masters who I trust were not involved in this... Event," he continues his voice tightening at the end, "and inform them not to attack you. That will require giving them identifying information, however."
There's no way you can let dozens – if not hundreds – of people die without some sort of retribution, can you?
You-
[] Accept. You'll find whoever did this and bring them to justice.
[] Accept, as well as let him give your information to these other Masters. Taking on someone so powerful alone is likely… unwise.
[] Decline. You aren't strong enough for this, and you don't know if Lancer has what it takes.
