Fate/Zero: A Different Path

Chapter 37

It is almost a week later that the Wizard Marshal came to meet me in person

The curtains fluttered, showing glmpses of the moon outside. The night wind blew inside the room I'm sitting in and brought with it the winter chill of Germany

A hand closed the window later. The person standing there turned to me with a frown

Zelretch's grumbling face is quite amusing to look at, mainly after all that time he'd spent making a mess out of my schedule in the past

"You just can't lie down your guns, can't you?"

"Is that question meant to be literal?" I replied, pulling out the Contender and set it by the table beside me "I see you have practiced your smooth talking since the last time we meet"

The Wizard Marshal only looked at me, before letting out a huff of frustration

"It's good to see you, Kiritsugu. I would fancy a banter between us, but honestly I just want to curse you right now"

I inclined my head. Catching the hint, He accepted my invitation to one of the seats and took the one opposite to mine

"Your announcement toward the Clock Tower is...not well received to say the least"

"Let me wonder. The democracy faction is in an uproar, the aristocratic faction is conflicted, and the neutral faction has begun their move?" I saw him nod and shook my head

"All of them were true, my plan is going along as expected"

"And my oh my what a daring plan it is" Zelretch's smile dropped into an unnerving grin 

"This is the most panicked I've seen those fools been ever since your debut as the Magus Killer. It's refreshing, to say the least!"

I scoffed

"Do tell. How did the El-Melloi's react in particular?"

"Absolutely livid. They are considering putting several more millions pound on your head right now"

"Only to be expected. They are rather immature when it comes to matter like this" I replied coolly, pouring myself a cup of wine

"That they are. Also, where did you get that wine?"

"The Einzbern's own a wine distillery prior to their demise. Shirou and I excavated some of these from their storage" I raised another filled glass from underneath me

The gesture is a silent offer, one that he accept it with grace

He lifted it from my hand. Grinning, Zelretch sipped down a portion of the alcohol. I waited for the liquid to settle in, before pouring Zelretch another shot with great reluctance

"Careful not to get too drunk. Wouldn't want you to accidentally summon some other monsters from another world this time"

"Aw come on. That was one time. you put a bullet in its head in the end, didn't you?"

"Only after I've emptied dozens of .50 BMG's into its chest and froze the entire around it in time. The entire ordeal costs me more than half of my ammunition storage"

As I said this, he inclined his head. Sighing, I poured him another glass

Might as well. For all the trouble that he's worth, the Dead Apostle Ancestor had helped me many times before, so this is suitable repayment

"How was it?" I asked

"The taste is too strong for me. My old self likes them with a blander mix" He shook his head "But it's still good, regardless"