Zelretch, as the holder of the Second Magic, initially chose to become a witness to the Great Holy Grail Ceremony at the invitation of his apprentice, Nagato Tohsaka, during the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City. He left his own magical imprint on the foundation of the Fuyuki Holy Grail, signifying his acknowledgment of the authenticity of this Holy Grail War.
As for everything else, Zelretch did not concern himself with it.
Unless it involved magic or posed a threat to the collapse of the Mage's Association or the extinction of the planet.
Otherwise, Zelretch would not care.
When the Nazis took the Great Holy Grail Foundation during the Third Holy Grail War, he regarded it as a part of future developments.
"Well… relying solely on the remaining seals to conduct the ceremony is not simple, given the current timeline."
Zelretch was well aware of the capabilities of modern magi.
If it weren't for the old immortals who had survived until now, most would be unable to mobilize such large-scale rituals.
But even those old immortals had no reason to do so in Fuyuki.
"However, there's a familiar feeling. That composition of magical energy… Ah, I remember now, but—did he really succeed?"
Zelretch harbored doubts about his own conjecture.
As he spoke, the pages of the book floating before him began to turn, instantly recording various "pieces of information" onto the pages.
The thickness of the book was roughly that of an encyclopedia.
Despite this, every time Zelretch slid his finger, thousands of new pages were born or vanished.
After a while of this task, he muttered in boredom, "I can't confirm it. Well, if it involves my senior brother, simple observation methods indeed won't work."
Zelretch revealed a rare smile of pleasure.
He was not troubled by the inability to observe; instead, he felt inclined to get up and leave.
"Alright, let me get up and take a look. If he really succeeded, that would be a good thing. At least, it's something to celebrate."
The old magus, talking to himself, stroked his chin.
With a smile, he summoned his jeweled staff.
Clearly, sensing an unexpected magical aura, the old man intended to personally head to Fuyuki City.
The magical ether boiled in the air.
What should have been a miraculous phenomenon was freely manipulated by Moran, forming a circuit connecting the spiritual and material realms.
Winds howled and lightning crackled, even the onlookers, Tokiomi and Irisviel, were blown back by the intense pressure, unable to open their eyes.
Amidst the wind pressure, the summoned patterns shone brilliantly.
The passage in the magecraft circle finally connected to the present world.
—In the nearly solidified mist of ether, a white figure emerged from the dazzling sea of light.
"Did it succeed!?"
Tokiomi was shocked by this imposing presence.
His eyes widened, breathing rapidly as he gazed toward the center.
"What a strong aura… What about the command seals!? If there are no command seals to restrain the Servant, it would be dangerous for Moran!"
Irisviel displayed a worried expression.
She was more concerned about Moran than the realization of the ritual.
Although magicians in modern times were difficult for others to imagine, the heroic spirits engraved in myth and legend were no less miraculous than magic.
Thus, her concern for Moran was entirely justified.
The legendary phantoms that came from afar, appearing with whirlwinds and flashes, were human in form but transcended the realm of mortals, possessing extraordinary power, elevated to the realm of spirits.
They came from the divine seat of restraint—the place where all extraordinary spirits gathered. The heroic spirits that existed only in people's dreams descended to Earth in that moment.
The summoned heroic spirit wielded the Holy King's sword. The moment she was summoned, she pointed the blade straight ahead, her unruly and domineering nature seemingly engraved in the sword.
At the moment of her summoning, she realized that this place did not possess a Holy Grail at all.
This was merely a location that had once conducted a Holy Grail War, using deceptive means to successfully achieve the summoning of a heroic spirit.
The heroic spirit, meant to protect humanity, was being used by a magus for personal desires, a fact that no heroic spirit would appreciate such a masterful lie.
Moreover, with such high-level magecraft.
Even heroic spirits had to be on guard against this Master.
Although the summoned Servant was clad in armor, she was surprisingly proficient in magecraft.
"Was it you who orchestrated this deception? Wait, this magical aura… and that golden sword… who are you—!?"
Suddenly, the knight felt a surge of anger.
That was a legendary relic they had never been able to find after the fall of the Pure Knight at the Round Table.
She had once tried hard to search for it.
However, she had not found a single trace.
Now, seeing the equivalent of her avatar's sword embedded in the center of the ritual, used as a medium and focal point for the summoning, this knight naturally would not be in a good mood.
To her, it was something very important and should not be defiled.
Just as the Servant was about to vent her anger, she saw that figure as the ether mist dispersed.
"No, how could this be—"
The Servant stood still, as if turned to stone.
The killing intent attached to the blade dissipated.
"Great! I thought it hadn't succeeded, or that I would summon another heroic spirit. It seems that with a bit of luck, I'm not too bad at using the heroic spirit summoning method."
Moran stepped out from the dissipating mist.
He walked right up to the tip of the sword pointing at him.
Recalling the last time she had pointed a sword at him, how long had it been?
For her, it felt like he had been gone for a long time.
Thinking of this, a sense of guilt welled up in his heart.
"Mordred, it's really… been a long time."
"Father… Sir…?"
Mordred asked tremulously.
The green eyes beneath her helmet trembled with the sword, as if expressing her inner turmoil at that moment.
She had imagined countless times in her dreams what their reunion would be like.
But she never expected it would be in anger.
"What's wrong? Can't you even recognize me?"
Moran wore a helpless smile.
Everything felt just like the memories of the knight regarding the man, awakening the first impression of warmth from the past.
In an instant, tears welled up in her eyes.
The summoned knight had not expected to meet like this; it was precisely the wish she wanted to fulfill with the Holy Grail.