Shinji Matou at Your Service

"Tomorrow morning, you should head to Tokyo and meet up with Uncle Byakuya and Aunt Elsa. Staying away from here is the safest choice."

After saying this, Rin Tohsaka headed toward the basement, the workshop that carried the Tohsaka family's legacy of kings and honor.

"Wait, Rin," her mother, Aoi, spoke up.

"I'm coming with you."

"Mother—"

"We will leave, but at least tonight, let me stay by your side, as a mother. Ten years ago, I missed it, and I don't want to have any more regrets."

Although Aoi maintained her usual grace as a Yamato Nadeshiko, Rin, who had lived with her for seventeen years, knew her mother had made up her mind—her resolve was as strong as Rin's.

"I understand. Uncle Kariya, you should come too. You participated in the last Holy Grail War, so your presence would give me peace of mind."

"Alright," Kariya agreed, gritting his teeth and uttering just one word.

Everything was just like ten years ago—the dim, ancient workshop, the head of the Tohsaka family, and two spectators.

The twin-tailed girl in a red coat poured the gemstone solution onto the floor, tracing a small-scale summoning circle.

"—Wipe away the retreat, carve the four retreating formations to surround the summoning circle. Good!"

Having practiced using substitutes many times, the summoning circle was successfully drawn. Next, all that remained was to place the catalyst on the altar, activate the ritual with her magic, and connect to the Greater Grail to summon the strongest Servant.

Rin stood at the edge of the magic circle, raised the hand with the engraved Command Spells, and began to chant.

Each line of the incantation held its meaning.

"Silver and iron. The foundation of stone and the Archduke of Contracts."

This was the binding verse, the bond between the Master and Servant.

"The Master of my lineage, Schweinorg."

This was a verse unique to the Tohsaka family, honoring their lineage and the witness of the Greater Grail—the great Second Magician.

Of course, it was just a way to boast about their prestigious background, but in magecraft, such things held power, as modern magecraft is the accumulation of history and time.

"Let the wind arise and block the four walls, sealing the four gates. From the crown, make manifest. Wander at the three-forked road to the Kingdom."

This part activated the summoning circle, connecting to the Greater Grail's summoning system, with the crown and the forked road representing the past and future.

"—Proclamation!"

"Thy body shall be under my command, my fate shall rest upon thy sword."

"Obey the summons of the Holy Grail. Should you submit to this will and reason, answer me."

"Swear an oath. I shall be all the good in the world. I shall defeat all evil in the world."

"Come forth, protector of the balance, enwrapped in the three great words of power from the Wheel of Restraint!"

This part was the true summoning incantation, connecting to the Throne of Heroes—a timeless existence—and calling forth a Heroic Spirit from there into the present world.

As a Heroic Spirit responded to the summons and descended from the Throne of Heroes, the summoning circle glowed with blinding light. Lightning-filled streams of magic surged, stirring the atmosphere. Aoi, a mere human, almost stumbled, but Kariya shielded her from the fierce wind and light.

Amid the intense wind and the blinding sea of light, a golden figure emerged.

The figure was so regal and majestic that everyone in the workshop was momentarily stunned, staring in awe.

"Is this... the strongest?"

Rin muttered.

"Undoubtedly. This King is the strongest."

A hint of displeasure appeared on the Heroic Spirit's face, but as he had been summoned, he had duties to fulfill.

"Answer me. Are you the magus who dared to commit the sin of summoning this King to witness His radiance?"

With golden hair and clad in golden armor, the Servant, luxurious to the extreme, spoke with a condescending expression, looking down at Rin and everyone else in the room.

A surge of frustration rose in Rin's chest. She could sense the absolute power of the Servant before her, but the stinging pain from her hand reminded her that this was her summoned Servant—how could he act so arrogant?

Luckily, she recalled her father's teachings—the Tohsaka family's creed: "Always remain composed, always remain elegant."

So, with a soft cough, she showed the Command Spells on her hand and declared:

"That's right. I'm the magus who summoned you. I am your Master."

"Master?"

A cold glint flashed in the golden Servant's eyes.

"Mind your words, mongrel. The entire world is my garden. The only thing you mongrels can do is kneel and gaze upon me—kneel now, and this King will pardon your offense."

Rin's forehead veins throbbed in anger. She had planned to treat this Servant well, following her father's advice, but this guy was infuriating, pushing her patience to its limit with just a few words.

"Oh, so you're such a great king? Then why did you lose so miserably ten years ago? My father said you were proud, but I think it's just arrogance," Rin retorted, her voice trembling with anger.

"Ten years ago? Your father?"

The golden Servant raised an eyebrow slightly.

"This King descended in this era before? Your father had the honor of witnessing this King's glory?"

"Yeah, but you probably don't have that memory. Servants don't retain memories of previous summonings. So, I guess you're not as amazing as you think."

Rin shrugged.

"Mongrels will always be mongrels, never understanding the greatness of a King. I'll make an exception and let you, an ignorant magus, witness the King's power."

Space distorted, and an object radiating golden light appeared in the Servant's hand.

Holding it before him was a flawless sculpture, he stood still for a moment, then sighed and returned it to the warped space.

"I see. Such a thing happened. Tokiomi Tohsaka... You call him father, so you're his daughter, Rin Tohsaka. He mentioned his daughter."

"Yes, I—wait, you remember?"

Rin was stunned, momentarily forgetting her anger.

"The King's power is beyond a child's comprehension. You are Tokiomi's daughter. In honor of him, I forgive your rudeness. Tokiomi served this King as a loyal subject, and I will respond as a King."

Having regained memories of the previous Holy Grail War, the golden Servant's attitude softened.

"Hmph, I'm not a child," Rin snapped, flipping her twin tails.

"Saying that proves you are a child."

Though the golden Servant remained condescending, his gaze now carried a hint of elder-like guidance and forgiveness.

"Tokiomi's daughter, if you wish to borrow this King's power, remember this: children should act like children. Until you understand the world's truths, let your eyes be dazzled only by the radiance of King Gilgamesh."

PS: Gilgamesh sure dotes on humans. In Fate/Strange Fake, he's affectionate toward Tine, and in Fate/Grand Order's seventh chapter, there's a scene where he tells a high priest to pick out a gift for one of his servant's children and seems to show concern for their education. Perhaps that's why Nasu paired Gilgamesh and Rin—they have good chemistry.

PS2: Illya doesn't count. She's a homunculus with Holy Grail properties, not in Gilgamesh's "preferred" category.