Wrought Iron Devil: Gate of Blades

Angel

While (F/n) was enjoying a date with his Servant, Azazel had other plans.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Come in."

The door opened to reveal a fellow Fallen Angel, Master in the Grail War and his good friend, Baraqiel. Assassin EMIYA had his hood and mask down. That was about the friendliest and relaxed Kiritsugu Emiya could get.

"Father?" Akeno seemed mildly surprised at the appearance of her father. But it was far cry from what their relationship used to be. Azazel was happy that his friend and the girl he could somewhat consider his niece were on better terms regardless of whether Baraqiel, or (F/n), succeeded.

"Hello, Akeno." Her father allowed the slightest hint of a smile to his daughter. No wonder he ended up with the Mage Killer. They really needed to not be so uptight.

"You're here, Baraqiel. Now could those save for Rias, Akeno and the Grail War participants please leave for a moment?" The Governor asked. Kiba, Koneko, Rossweisse, and Xenovia left. But as they did, Azazel noticed Saber in particular staring at Assassin. Right. They had a history too.

"Saber." Kiritsugu stared back.

"Kiritsugu." The King of Knights did not drop her glare.

"... I'm sorry."

Saber raised her eyebrows in surprise. Since when did the Mage Killer apologize?

"For what?"

"For commanding you in a war where I was willing to shoulder the burden of all the worlds evils, for nothing but a lie. The one who brought both of us a brief moment of happiness died for naught. Iri is gone. Illya is doomed to grow up alone in preparation to the same pointless sacrifice."

Saber scowled. "Does that mean you recant your atrocities, Kiritsugu Emiya?"

"I only regret that it was for nothing." Assassin declared bluntly.

"You have no remorse for what you did?" She challenged further.

"In your first chivalrous battle, you were on the verge of losing. Before Rider intervened, I was going to end Lancer's Master. Had I not done that, would you have prevailed?" Kiritsugu asked back. "Kayneth had an enormous leverage over us. The logical solution was to relieve you of your injury immediately. Did you not need Lancer to fight off Caster?"

"Was I wrong to end Caster's Master from afar without hesitation during the river crisis? What guarantee did I have that you would win in a fair fight against Lancer under the circumstances? In fact, Kayneth murdered the Overseer hours before."

"Enough." Saber interrupted. "No matter the reasoning, it is still an evil. Shirou and (F/n) can recognize it. While (F/n) brings me gratification when he wields Diarmuid's weapons with pride, it's also a reminder of what an undeserving end he faced. Do you truly feel nothing when you see them?"

"He does." Akeno interjected. Then she elaborated further upon both Servants looking to her. "He winced when (F/n) used the red one in the first spar against Father."

"I see. I will admit, it is a relief that the Mage Killer does have a heart. After all, I have witnessed the results myself." Saber said triumphantly.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but (F/n) said what he used against Diodora was Assassin's Noble Phantasm." Issei pointed out. He shuddered at the memory of what it did to the Devil. Yes he deserved it, but it was still brutal in the extreme.

"Then I trust that he had good reason to do so, Issei." Saber said to sidestep the Pawn's point.

"Sorry to intrude on the philosophy seminar, but I held a meeting for a reason." Azazel cut in. "I want to re-examine the circumstances of how the peace summit was attacked. It might point to who the remaining masters on the other team are."