Chapter 2: Tokiomi is a Chronic Worrier

Large beads of sweat formed on the hands pressed against the floor. It was partly from exhaustion, partly from the consumption of Mana, but above all—it was from tension.

I beg of you... He poured his myriad of emotions into his magical energy. From his opened Magic Circuits, his emotions flowed out along with his mana, saturating the Magic Circle at his feet. He no longer aimed for high ideals. Please. He repeated that single prayer in his mind as he recited the final incantation.

"Komm, aus dem Kreis der Unterdrückung, der Schutzgeist der Balkenwaage!" (Arrive from the Ring of Deterrence, O Guardian of the Scales!)

The magic circle emitted a brilliant red light. The radiance, which felt as if it carried actual heat, swirled up and filled the Workshop. Even this much magical energy was just a priming fluid. He knew this well from the 'first' summoning ritual. The light surpassed its critical point, and then—

The ritual ceased to expand further and quietly drew to a close. All that remained was the dim Workshop and Tokiomi, slumped on his knees.

"...As I thought, it failed."

He had predicted from the start that the possibility was low. However, it was also true that he had held onto hope. To actually attempt it and witness the failure firsthand brought a heavy wave of disappointment.

The day after Archer had deserted him, Tokiomi Tohsaka challenged the summoning ritual once more. However, the result was a total failure. The principle of "one Servant per Master" seemed to apply even if the Servant was lost.

His mana was far from sufficient, and attempting an indiscriminate summoning without a Catalyst was a gamble. Pouring every drop of his mana into the attempt had only resulted in a meaningless loss of energy. He wouldn't have minded a Caster; he didn't care how weak they were. He only wanted the right to participate in the Holy Grail War.

Now, he was forced to rely on his final resort.

The sharing of a Servant through the transplantation of a single stroke of Command Spell from Kirei Kotomine. In other words, with a total of four Command Spells, they would force a multiple contract upon the Servant. This was a reckless feat possible only because it was Assassin, who possessed the ability to divide their own body.

Naturally, such an act wouldn't be without consequences. Disruption in the chain of command, issues with the unification of will—at worst, internal conflict within the different personas of Assassin. He could think of endless possibilities. Truly, it was an act with no merit other than forcefully maintaining his status as a participant. If only there were a Servant who had lost their Master somewhere... but again, he couldn't afford to harbor such excessive expectations.

"Kirei... no, don't change anything. Just tell him that the summoning failed. We will handle the transplantation and Command Spell adjustment tomorrow."

He quickly conveyed the necessary information and cut the connection. Even if his family motto was "Always remain elegant and composed," his mental state was currently not fit for a long conversation.

He sank into his chair as if collapsing. Resting his hands on the armrests and leaning his head back, mental fatigue washed over him so heavily he felt he might fall asleep right there. But it wasn't just the Servant issue that was stripping away his composure.

"...Sakura."

The name of the daughter he had given up for adoption naturally escaped his lips.

Shortly after Tokiomi had lost his Servant and fallen into despair, the next piece of bad news arrived. The Matou Estate had been attacked and destroyed by a Servant, and Sakura Matou had been abducted. The moment he heard it, he felt the ground beneath him crumble.

While the Church was busy with the aftermath, he contacted the Matou family independently. There, he learned that the attacker was the very Servant who had fled from him. Zouken Matou was safe but had suffered grievous damage. Furthermore, he learned that the Servant’s target had been Sakura. Since it occurred during the Holy Grail War, the Matou family didn't raise their voices in protest, but it didn't change the fact that Tokiomi bore the disgrace of failing to control his Servant.

Finding Sakura had been remarkably easy. Despite mobilizing all of Assassin's bodies, she was found the next morning. Archer made no effort to hide her presence. On the contrary, he didn't even seem to hide the fact that he had made Sakura his Master.

Tokiomi considered a rescue mission, but he had to abandon the idea. According to Assassin, the area around Sakura was constantly filled with the presence of powerful Noble Phantasms. The reason Archer left Sakura in an easily discoverable place was likely because he had absolute confidence in his ability to protect her.

Moreover, Archer clearly didn't consider the possibility of her running away. By Sakura's side was a single woman who appeared to be one of Archer’s Noble Phantasms. Although there was nothing else blocking her escape, Sakura didn't move. In fact, she hadn't budged an inch while they were monitoring her.

"I..."

His mind had, at some point, become clear. The exhaustion still afflicted his body. However, his brain was working so cleanly that it surpassed the fatigue.

His thoughts continued.

"After receiving Kirei's report, I assumed Sakura's sanity had been taken by Archer through some means."

She barely even blinked. She stared blankly in one direction... no, she wasn't even "looking," just aiming her gaze. Nothing was reflected in those eyes.

Until Archer came for her, Sakura's state remained unchanged. Even after she was summoned to him, the report stated she followed him solemnly, like a doll.

"But is that really the case? That, how should I put it, shouldn't be efficient."

He muttered to himself. He couldn't quite put it into words... it was strange. In the dark room where even the stains on the wall weren't visible, he spoke to the void and to himself.

"Archer was looking for a Master who was convenient for him. That's why he chose Sakura... This is what doesn't make sense. Why Sakura?"

It had been half a day since he received word of the abduction. He had survived a busy day, consumed every fragment of his strength in the ritual, and finally found a moment of silence. In that silence, his unusually calm brain calmly raised doubts. His aimless resentment toward Archer hadn't vanished, but looking at it again, the perspective changed entirely.

"If he could strip a magus of their sanity, staying with me would have been fine. Even if there were specific conditions, if Sakura was acceptable, then Rin should have been too. Considering the risk of encountering enemy Servants, choosing Rin would have been the only logical choice. Yet, in reality, he chose neither me nor Rin, but Sakura, who was inside the heavily fortified residence of a magus."

Why? He didn't know. It might have been a Servant's whim. No, if it were a whim, that would be better; he could just give up on understanding it. But if there were a reason—if Archer had judged Sakura to be the "best" choice...

For instance, what if Sakura wasn't brainwashed? What if she had been in that state since she was with the Matou?

A chill ran down Tokiomi's spine, like insects crawling up his back. He didn't know what to name this emotion. It swelled within his chest, too fierce to contain.

His only shred of hope was the fact that as long as Sakura was Archer’s Master, no one could lay a finger on her.

Regardless, he had to save Sakura at all costs. To do that, he could not afford to drop out of the Holy Grail War at this stage.

In the worst-case scenario, he was willing to use up Assassin completely. Even giving up on the Grail this time was within the range of tolerance.

He needed the truth, no matter what. He would uncover the facts. Archer's true intentions and Sakura’s circumstances. No matter what, he had to know.

For that purpose, he was prepared to do anything.

I stood there, my face twitching, in front of several attaché cases filled with stacks of cash and a table where gold, silver, and jewels were carelessly scattered.

Although I had gained some breathing room by rescuing Sakura, that was merely the bare minimum for the right to exist. If I want to survive from here on, I need much more. What I sought next was capital—in short, money. Buying food, obtaining a base, and slapping people with enough cash to shut up about my lack of legal documents—everything is the power of money. Money, money, money. In the modern world, the powerful are those with wealth. Even if you possess overwhelming military force, without money, you're nothing but a weakling.

Fortunately, Gilgamesh has the Golden Rule Skill. It’s an ability that ensures one never lacks for money throughout their life. I don't know why, but it feels wrong to treat this as a "Skill."

I left Sakura nearby, surrounding her with a mountain of Noble Phantasms, and went out to raise funds. By the way, I had confirmed that the only Servants currently active in Fuyuki City were me and Assassin. That's why I could move without considering a Servant raid.

Initially, I thought the Skill just meant having good luck with money. I’d pick up some cash and gamble. I figured I’d earn enough to survive for a few days.

I'll skip the details of walking through the city for a day. But as a result, I acquired an entire building to use as a base.

I mean, I did want a building. Considering the nature of the Holy Grail War, the best move is to create a heavily fortified stronghold in a populated area. I can set the entire neighborhood as my detection range. In other words, a base that can't be attacked during the day, where interception units are deployed if anyone enters the premises, where external destruction is nearly impossible, and the interior is a labyrinth transformed into an otherworld.

But that was just a best-case scenario. I didn't think I'd actually get such a convenient building... but I did.

Stunned, I thought about heading back to Sakura. But even on the way, I kept finding money or having precious metals offered to me for some reason. Anyway, a mountain of wealth had fallen into my hands.

...That was three days ago. After spending another two days shopping for supplies, the money increased again. I was now a minor tycoon.

Now, what was the rank of Archer’s Golden Rule? The answer is A. I had Sakura confirm this, so there’s no mistake.

Here’s another question: How many combat-oriented Skills did Saber have? The answer is four: Instinct, Mana Burst, Riding, and Magic Resistance. Another question: what were their ranks? The answer is A.

The Skill rank that allows one to obtain a perfect building and over a billion yen in just a day is the same rank as her Skills. Moreover, her parameters are higher than mine. Seriously, without my Noble Phantasms, her parameters and Skills make her feel unbeatable. The title of Most Excellent is no exaggeration. The only saving grace is that Zero Saber has a much weaker mental state compared to her Stay Night version.

I'll think about how to spend the money later. I wanted it, but as a former commoner, I can't think of how to use such a massive sum.

"Archer-san..."

The word was uttered softly. It took me a moment to realize that it was calling me.

I turned around to find Sakura Matou. Seeing her in person, she was so pale and lifeless she looked like a corpse. She was partially hiding her body at the entrance, whispering to me. It was scarier than most ghosts.

"What?"

"Dinner."

She expelled the sound like a wisp of smoke and turned on her heel with a movement that could best be described as "vanishing."

There was absolutely nothing behind that back. Even if I wanted to apologize to her, I had no idea what words to use.

I abducted Sakura and forced her to be my Master. It was all for my own convenience. And I have given her nothing in return. I even left her care to a summoned Automata (Doll). Although we see each other often, there is almost no conversation. Let’s be blunt: my stance toward Sakura was one of complete neglect.

I’m aware I’m a scoundrel. In the sense that I’m using her for my own ends, I’m not much different from the Makiri.

And today, again, I found no words to say. I just silently headed to the living room.

Meals always ended in silence between just the two of us. I let the Automatas clean up, and we usually just dispersed. That was the usual flow, but today was different. Sakura, who had approached me at some point, was clutching my sleeve.

"What is it?"

"Archer-san... why did you save me?"

"...It’s not like I did it with the intention of saving you."

That’s the honest truth. She asked, so I answered. This isn't a confession or an apology.

"I needed someone with magical energy who’d stay quiet and listen. I chose you for that reason. I never intended to save you from the start."

"I see."

She let go of my sleeve. I couldn't read any emotion from her expression. Her tone sounded as if she were merely confirming a fact.

"...But, I don't want to be there anymore."

Therefore, I couldn't understand what feelings she had poured into those words.

Having said her piece, Sakura sat on a nearby sofa and remained still. It was her norm to stay perfectly still until someone told her to do something. Occasionally, she’d stand up to change seats or wander around the neighborhood (I told her she could walk around during the day within the defensive Bounded Field if she took more than one Automata with her). So it’s not like she has no self-awareness at all.

It might seem like I'm putting it off, but I'll deal with Sakura’s future after the Holy Grail War. For now, I have to focus on survival.

I took out a long-range viewing lens from the Gate of Babylon and set it up on the table. I activated it and displayed the entire warehouse district at the wharf. I observed it carefully, inspecting every corner... There was a presence heavily leaking its existence. I focused the lens on it.

Just then, something plopped down next to me. I turned to see Sakura, expressionless as ever, but sitting right beside me.

"Do you want to watch?"

No answer. But she definitely nodded her head. It wasn't something I needed to keep secret, and maybe it would trigger some self-awareness. I increased the resolution of the "mirror."

There was a handsome man holding two spears wrapped in talismans. Unquestionably Lancer.

I breathed a sigh of relief. I had gone through a lot of trouble to get them to move. If they hadn't, yesterday's efforts would have been a total waste.

The parties affected by my possession of Gilgamesh were the Tokiomi faction and the Makiri faction. This means that the other factions had not yet experienced a major impact. At least, not enough to make them want to change their plans immediately.

Therefore, even at a slight risk, I would adjust things to follow the original story's course of action. This must be the Zero world, or one extremely close to it. However, it's not impossible for something to be slightly off.

I have information on all factions, but that only has meaning if the premise is correct. Here, I should discard some of my advantage and encourage all factions to reveal their information.

That’s why I was wandering around last night. Of course, I hate fighting, so I suppressed my presence significantly... though that fight with Berserker really made me think I was going to die. I could move instantly because I knew his abilities and had planned countermeasures, but that surprise attack was seriously bad for my heart.

If I wander around, Assassin will naturally follow me. Or rather, I didn’t intercept them while they were observing me so that they would follow. I need them to underestimate my detection abilities.

By the way, I've already figured out how to counter Assassin's Presence Concealment skill. No matter how faint their presence is, the moment they enter the detection range of the Territory created by my Noble Phantasm, they will be immediately detected, triggering the Defensive and Interception-type Noble Phantasms that protect the base. Considering that Sakura, who is staying at the base, is one of my weaknesses, this has become my top priority to resolve. With this, Sakura’s safety will be ensured, and I will be able to move freely in the Holy Grail War.

I went out for a night stroll with Assassin in tow, waiting for other factions' familiars to track me. Once they were all gathered, I prepared to "attack"—but instead, Assassin started creeping closer.

I wondered for a second, but it’s not that strange. Making people believe Assassin has drop out from war is far more convincing in this situation than in the original story. I wanted to move the Lancer camp, and Kirei wanted to hide Assassin. Our interests aligned.

Once they got close enough, I suddenly turned and lunged at Assassin. I didn't use a Noble Phantasm. I had Sakura check the parameter beforehand; it was a "thin" individual with all E-ranks. There was no reason to show my hand. I grabbed its head, slammed it into the ground, and ended the fight effortlessly.

With this, the probability of the war moving tomorrow has increased. Plus, if they judge my detection ability to be low, that’s perfect.

And today... well, it’s not much of a strategy, but the lure was successful. As planned, Lancer has appeared.

Though meditating, he did not restrain the pressure he exerted on his surroundings. Not long after, Saber arrived.

"I'm counting on you~"

"?"

"Nothing."

Sakura tilted her head at my soft mutter. While saying that, I gently held her head and made her look toward the mirror.

In the corner of the screen was a white-haired woman, probably Irisviel. This confirms things pretty well. However, I can't be certain. I want clearer proof.

The battle between the Saber and Lancer intensified. Every time their weapons clashed, a powerful shockwave hit the surrounding containers. Occasionally, when a weapon touched the walls or the ground, it gouged them out with almost no resistance, as if it were always meant to be that way. This was just from the aftereffects; what kind of physics was at work where the main forces were clashing?

Neither side had enough of an edge to overwhelm the other. However, just because there wasn't a huge gap didn't mean a difference didn't exist. Proof of that was Saber beginning to slowly push Lancer back. Lancer was holding his own with unique spearwork and experience, but it wasn't enough to bridge the gap in pure power.

"Hey."

Sakura spoke. Her gaze remained on the screen, but she didn't seem particularly enthralled. In her hollow eyes was the reflection of the mirror’s screen. Sparks flew, coloring her irises.

"Why are these people fighting?"

"Huh? Why... to get the Holy Grail, obviously."

"Holy Grail?"

Perhaps Sakura still doesn't know the circumstances of the Holy Grail War. Well, on reflection, maybe that's natural. I seem to recall reading somewhere that Magecraft is passed down from parent to child, and heirs other than the successor are raised as normal people.

She was adopted out about a year ago. If they were still hesitant about how to treat her right up until the end, it's natural that the Tohsaka family didn't explain things. Even if she was raised normally at the Makiri, given her age, whether she was even told about the Grail is debatable. Even if they did, whether she could understand it is another matter.

"Yeah, the Holy Grail. That’s what Tohsaka and the Matou geezer were after, doing all sorts of things."

"Did those 'all sorts of things' include... me?"

—I hate smart kids. It makes me have to say things I didn't want to say. If I weren't involved, I could have said she didn't need to know. But I’m a participant, a man no different from the Tohsaka or the Makiri.

"Yes. I also got you involved in the same way. ...I'm sorry."

I grabbed Sakura’s head with my left hand and ruffled her hair. I knew she wouldn't resist, and I didn't want to look into her eyes.

Damn it, why does a former ordinary person like me have to feel like this? Now I finally understand why Gilgamesh hates the gods. If a Goddess of Fate existed, I’d definitely curse her.

I returned my attention to the screen, where the scene had reached its climax. Lancer was peeling the talismans from his spear. I leaned forward, concentrating.

Saber retreated, holding her sword wide at her side. But her body was leaning forward. It was an overly obvious charging stance. Here it comes. The "spectator" in me stood up. Immediately after, her armor vanished—this is it—and along with a gale, she charged at Lancer at a speed difficult to track.

And then, she got skewered by the Yellow Spear (Gáe Buidhe) 

"Yes!"

I won! My winning chances are soaring like a kite!

"?"

"No, it's nothing."

I grabbed Sakura's head with both hands, who looked even more perplexed than before, and turned her back to the screen.

My excitement had made me act a little weird. I reflect on it, but I don't regret it. In any case, I was that happy.

The reason I was so glad stems from the setting of Fate/Zero. More specifically, the differences between the original Fate/Stay Night and Zero.

As a spin-off, there are considerable differences in settings between Fate and Zero. For example, in SN, Saber and Kiritsugu had an understanding despite their feelings. Kiritsugu was not an existence shunned by Magi; he was considered a Magus who was "too much like a magus". He was said to have killed countless participating Masters and dominated the War. Saber's wish was also completely different. There's also a setting where Tokiomi Tohsaka was a martial arts user on par with Kirei Kotomine. Also, Kotomine awakened much earlier than in the Holy Grail War, and the nature of his awakening was a different and more ominous. Even the reason the original Archer proposed to Saber was different.

Basically, the characters are almost entirely different. The problem is: if the characters are different, their actions are different. Which version is stronger doesn't matter here.

My advantage is mainly twofold: being Gilgamesh, the strongest of all Servants, and having Fate's information.

In the original Fate/Stay Night story, characters other than Kotomine only make brief appearances, and their existence is mostly based on background settings. In contrast, in Zero, I know almost all of their general actions and personalities. The events themselves could be said to have been rendered mostly meaningless by my actions. Even so, knowing their personalities allows me to grasp their tendencies and formulate countermeasures. Compared to the SN standard, where I have almost no data, the range of predicting my opponent's actions is vastly different.

Saber, in particular, is too terrifying to laugh at under the SN standard. The Saber of the main story has the track record of defeating Gilgamesh. And the Noble Phantasm that caused the defeat is right nearby. It was a definite Death Flag for me.

Thank you, stupid Saber-san! Thank you for being the Saber-san who charges in thinking the opponent only has one Noble Phantasm, even though you yourself have two!

"Someone came."

Sakura’s whisper brought me back to reality. "A visitor?" I thought, then realized I was being stupid. On the screen, Rider had intruded on his Chariot (Gordius Wheel), leaving everyone stunned.

He’s probably saying something like, "Cowards who won't come out shall face my contempt!!" right now. Unfortunately, this Noble Phantasm is visual only; no sound. There’s no way for me to fall for his provocation.

After that, since no one else showed up, they began to disperse. This was expected. Since the "former Tokiomi's Servant" (me) didn't show up, there’s a high chance Berserker won't either. As for the damage I did to him—he has high endurance, and my attacks prioritized disabling him, so it wouldn't be strange if he had already recovered. But since everyone likely knows I’m no longer Tokiomi’s Servant, he has no reason to pick a fight with me. When he's not materialized, there's no way for him to challenge Saber.

The battle at the warehouse ended much more peacefully than in the original. After confirming everyone was gone, I turned off the mirror and put it back in the Gate of Babylon. Even after the Noble Phantasm vanished, Sakura continued to stare at the void next to me.

For now, this confirmation confirmed that the current situation is very convenient for me. The only thing left is to decide on a policy.

For now, this confirmation showed that the current situation is very favorable to me. Next is how to proceed.

The one thing I must do is secure Irisviel—specifically, her heart. From what I’ve seen, as long as I have the Grail Vessel, I should be able to activate the Grail at any time. If I can control the timing, I can just blast it with Ea. If I have the leeway, I might try to extract Angra Mainyu.

Destroying the Greater Grail is a last resort. I could destroy it now, but doing so would surely lead to being ganged up on by all factions. Statistically, a counterattack isn't impossible. But my magical energy would definitely run out. I don't want to die, so I'll only do it in the late stages after being incarnated.

Thinking this far, I realized that if I just secure Irisviel, everything will work out. Being able to blow the Grail away at will is a huge advantage. My base, reinforced with a massive number of Noble Phantasms, is impenetrable to anything other than a Servant. Even then, neither a Caster summoning his Gigantic Sea Horror nor an Assassin deploying deploying their entire numbers could break through. It could likely withstand several strikes from Excalibur as well.

It’s an easy game—thinking that is the enemy. Honestly, I still don't think I can lose in a fight. That very thought is Carelessness (hubris), the cause of death. Especially since I am Gilgamesh.

Anyway, from now on, if I’m in a one-on-one situation without surveillance with any Servant other than Assassin, I’ll take them out with maximum firepower. As for Assassin, they might take information back while fighting, so I'll leave them alone for now.

This Assassin has the highest chance of surviving until the end. At the same time, they is also the Servant who can never be the ultimate winner.

The self-division Noble Phantasm is powerful in a survival situation. However, when the Grail descends to decide the final owner, one must engage in a direct battle. Assassin, who has already reduced their numbers and lowered their parameters, cannot win against even a wounded Servant no matter how hard they try.

So, leaving Assassin alone is fine.

What I really want to deal with is Caster. Right now, he should be having a field day abducting children, but I can't find him at all. Well, I can find the remains of what they did. The problem is whether their actions are just chaotic or if they are being intentionally stealthy. I can't catch them in the act.

If I searched on foot at night, I’d probably encounter them. But I'm still terrified of leaving Sakura unattended for long periods while the war is ongoing. And getting into random encounters with unrelated Servants is pointless.

I have the ability to detect incoming enemies, but I lack the power to monitor a distant target for a long time. Well, I can do it, but that also requires a Noble Phantasm, meaning it's highly conspicuous. I can’t create a situation where, like other factions, I can watch without being noticed.

I know the base locations of most factions, but Caster is not among them. I pity the kidnapped children, but my own circumstances take precedence. Until their location is confirmed, I'm afraid they'll just have to suffer. Since I got her involved, I can't prioritize anyone over Sakura.

For now, this should be it.

Tonight's events were the contact between Saber and Caster and the explosion of the Hyatt Hotel. I thought about monitoring Lancer to ensure a Servant is eliminated, but I realized that was a mistake. The Kayneth faction is the one team that, whatever they do, has the least impact on me. There's no need or reason to crush them. All the more so if Kiritsugu Emiya is monitoring them.

Besides, Caster's location will also be confirmed tonight. Even if it's the incredibly vast range of 'somewhere on the mountain road'.

After some thought, I decided to stake out a section of the mountain road for passing cars. With luck, I might be able to defeat Caster today.

Having decided on a plan, I stood up. First, I’ll start by moving the dozing Sakura to her bed.

An extremely unpleasant sound, somewhere between a cheer and a scream. Irisviel couldn't understand or want to understand the emotion contained within it. The harsh noise hammered at her eardrums.

"How much further can God's cruel torment goooooo—!"

The description "like a strangled chicken" was most appropriate. He continued to pour out his voice based solely on his own emotions. Both parties might have their mouths open, but this was strictly not a conversation. At the very least, Irisviel couldn't call the act of unilaterally vomiting out emotions a conversation. ...It’s a secret that Kiritsugu’s face flashed in her mind for a moment.

But how to get through this situation was the problem. Saber was responding to the dialogue while maintaining a cautious stance. If anything happened, she could strike him down immediately. To Irisviel’s eyes, he looked vulnerable. Even for a Servant, he was just a Caster. Saber, with her A-rank Magic Resistance, should be able to overwhelm him.

Yet, there was something about Caster that prevented that. Irisviel, a novice in combat, had no choice but to follow Saber’s instructions.

Then, suddenly—it was truly sudden. Saber, who had been focused on Caster, released her concentration and turned toward the cliffside. Naturally, all that was there was a guardrail and overgrown trees... and for some reason, an illusion. A thin, stretching black mist. Through the gaps of that hazy void, a black set of armor appeared. Above all else, it had an overwhelming presence.

Unquestionably a Servant. Before Irisviel could retreat and Saber could shift her combat stance—the Servant attacked. They attacked Caster.

"■■■■■■■■■■■!"

A scream as incomprehensible as Caster’s. The difference was that while Caster’s carried a nauseating mix of sanity and madness, this Servant’s was pure, unadulterated insanity.

Insanity turned into pure violence. Clenching a fist encased in black armor, it was thrust at Caster. Berserker's Strength rank was likely equal to or higher than Saber’s. The fist, dodged at the last possible second, maintained its momentum and smashed into the wall directly in front of it.

The landslide prevention wall was instantly pierced, and the cracks spread outward in a ripple pattern. The thick concrete was embedded deep into the wall, despite the mass of earth behind it. A ridiculous level of physical strength. She had seen the fight between Saber and Lancer up close, but this was even more unreal. The most terrifying thing was that there was no sense of refinement in the power. It was truly just violence. She was made aware of a force dedicated solely to destruction.

Caster, who dodged the initial blow, immediately retreated at full speed. It was likely the result of an instantaneous judgment that he could not win.

While rapidly retreating, he twisted his madness-tinged face further and screamed.

"Damn youuuu! Does God still turn such a pitiable, fallen soul upon meeeeee!"

His throat vibrated violently, his expression looking as if he were about to tear his own skin off. This rage was incomparable to when he was having a "non-conversation" with Saber. He directed a purity of anger, devoid of confusion or sorrow, toward the void.

"Holy Maiden Jeanne, I will surely make preparations for your arrival and come for you. And for that poor child there, I swear I will liberate your soul from that curse! Please, wait until then...!"

Caster vanished, leaving his words behind. The ominous word 'arrival' bothered her. But right now, there was something more urgent.

Berserker retracted his arm with a creaking sound. At the same time, he slowly turned his head. The target, needless to say, was Saber.

"■■■■■■■■■■■!"

The scream that reached her ears again seemed to have even more force than before. He bent his knees, lowered his body, and took a stance ready to leap at any moment. Saber, in response, tightened her grip on her sword, anticipating the clash. The concrete seemed to explode almost simultaneously. Irisviel's eyes couldn't follow the movement. The next thing she saw was Saber, standing by the wall as if she had teleported. There was no one else there.

She looked around, but Berserker was gone.

"Saber, where is Berserker?"

"I don't know. He suddenly dematerialized, but beyond that..."

Saber shook her head with a puzzled look. Irisviel couldn't think of a reason for Berserker to retreat here. If anything, Saber, who was exhausted and bearing an unhealed wound, should have been the perfect opponent.

"I... I'm sorry."

The voice was faint, almost too weak for the breeze. But Saber reacted sharply, inserting herself between the sound and Irisviel. In the direction of the sound, there was the shadow of a man in a hoodie.

Considering the situation, this man should be a Master. But neither Irisviel nor Saber saw him as such. His body was visibly worn out, his magical energy weak, and his left side was probably not functioning properly. None of these were the characteristics of a Master in operating condition.

The man somehow managed to climb over the guardrail, but that exhausted his strength, and he tumbled onto the asphalt. She couldn't decide whether to lend a hand or leave him be.

"I have a favor to ask of you."

His breathing seemed louder than his voice. A voice so lacking in vitality. In reality, his life force was likely almost depleted.

The man somehow sat down, leaning his back against the guardrail. The half of his face visible from the hoodie looked distorted. However, there was no madness there like the kind she felt from Caster.

"I will give you control over my Servant. I’ll give you all the information I have. You can kill me if you want. So, please... just lend me a little bit of your strength..."

"W-Wait a minute. Who are you? And why us?"

The plea sounded like a scream. It was likely not an act, but his complete true feeling. However, Irisviel lacked enough information to make any judgment.

"Sorry, I’m too desperate... My name is Kariya Matou."

At that name, Saber's eyes narrowed for a moment. Irisviel also widened her eyes slightly.

The name Matou was slightly notorious in the Grail War, not so much Kariya Matou himself. It was known that their house had been attacked by an enemy Servant just before the War began. Kiritsugu had mentioned that the details couldn't be gathered. The truth was only known by the parties involved. And Kariya, who possessed a Servant, had to be involved.

The opportunity to get information from that time—that alone made his story worth listening to.

"The reason I chose you is this."

What Kariya threw toward them was some kind of machine. Irisviel, being unfamiliar with technology, didn't know what it was. But the fact that it was a modern piece of equipment was enough to take her breath away.

"...What is that?"

"Don't play dumb. Your collaborator is using these, aren't they?"

Within his gasping words, she found a lead. He called Kiritsugu a "collaborator." In other words, he believed Irisviel was the Master. At least, the true Master hadn't been exposed.

"May I ask why you thought it belonged to us?"

"Simple... elimination. The Archer and Rider teams have their Servant in the lead. The Caster team isn't playing the Holy Grail War seriously. The Assassin team..."

He paused, then let out a snort of laughter. As if mocking something.

"...They wouldn't use machines even if it killed them. That leaves the Lancer and Saber teams. I initially thought Lancer, but... the placement is too strange for that. If it were placed in the city, he would have had to provoke an attack in the city. You two were waiting for an incoming opponent using a different method. Probably to detect the Master who would come with the Servant. You used yourself as bait to let your collaborator see through them."

What he said was mostly correct. At the same time, she felt her and her husband’s blunder. How could he have read this far?

Should she lie now...? No, it was useless. He was certain. That’s why he had approached them. If she forced a denial here, it could lead to a fight. She wanted to avoid that if possible.

"...You’re right. That does indeed belong to my collaborator."

"Irisviel!?"

"It's already been exposed, Saber. So, I'll ask again: why did you bring this to us? Wouldn't another Magus have been better?"

"A Magus!!"

Grind...! His teeth gnashed with a force that seemed impossible for a half-dead man, filled with deep resentment. She flinched at the intense madness visible in a man she had thought was sane.

"How could I trust them! That’s why I brought this to you—because you have someone who isn't a proper magus. The one I want to talk to is you, yet not you. It’s your ally, the collaborator."

That must be why he brought the machine. Indeed, a magus who used the latest technology was not a "proper" existence. Kiritsugu was hated by magi like a venomous snake. Well, his alias as the "Magus Killer" also had a significant influence on that.

"Saber."

"I will follow Irisviel's decision. However, there isn't much time. Make a quick decision."

Saber, whom she had hoped to rely on, returned the decision to her. With her vigilance against Kariya and Berserker, she had no capacity to spare for a judgment.

Irisviel choked on a small sound and agonized over the choice. How comforting it would have been to contact Kiritsugu at a time like this. He was in the middle of an important 'operation.' Contact was impossible, neither through scientific nor magical means. She had to decide herself.

She contemplated the risks and benefits for a while and then eventually abandoned the thought. She couldn't grasp which option was equivalent to which.

If so, the focus was one: Could Saber and Irisviel stop Kariya and Berserker? After a brief thought, she judged it possible.

"Get in the car. We'll hear the details at the castle. Saber, you sit in the back seat, next to him. If he makes any strange moves, kill him."

"Yes, I understand."

"I'm sorry... Thank you...!"

The man offered his thanks through tears, but Irisviel’s mood was sinking. If it were Kiritsugu, he might extract all the information he could, steal the Servant, and then kill him. No, he would definitely do that unless there was an overwhelming benefit not to.

Even so, Irisviel was the wife of Kiritsugu Emiya and an Einzbern. Every action had to result in their benefit. Even if it was a heartless decision.

"...? What's wrong? Hurry up and get in."

She said this to Kariya, who was still sitting down. But Kariya returned a look that was extremely apologetic and pathetic.

"Well, I'm sorry. Could you lend me a hand, if possible?"

"..."

"...Saber, please help him."

"Understood. Kariya, I will lift you now, give me your hand."

"Really... sorry for the trouble..."

She might have been overly cautious of this man. With a sense of slight regret, Irisviel gripped the steering wheel.

It doesn't matter, but from the moment the car started until they reached the castle, Kariya's faint screams did not stop.