Chapter 5: Sola-Ui is a Love Addict

For Sola-Ui, yesterday had been a day where she felt she could hardly breathe. No, it wasn't just yesterday. Whenever Lancer, the man she had fallen in love with for the first time, headed to the battlefield, she was always forced into a state of extreme tension.

How many times had she felt frustrated with her own helplessness?

Even if that was the role expected of her—by Kayneth, and even by Lancer himself. Everyone except her believed so. And she understood well enough that with her own abilities, she couldn't fulfill any other role. That was why, whenever he fought, she continued to pray, clinging to the "path" (contract link) that connected them as her only tether.

She believed the turning point came yesterday. Not that she had enough information to say so with certainty. She didn't even know what had changed or how. She was convinced of it only because of the attitudes of her fiancé and her beloved. Thus, even without understanding, she simply matched their demeanor. By doing so, for the time being, it wouldn't become a problem. At the very least, aside from the fact that she didn't understand, nothing seemed to be happening.

And now, she was walking through the town. With her two companions—and, surprisingly, one more. Even more astonishing was that the newly added person was leading the way. Incidentally, she had no idea why she was walking around town with him either.

A tall man with blonde hair, dressed in stylish modern clothing. This was Archer, with whom they had formed an alliance yesterday.

He was probably the Servant most adapted to the modern era—even in the sense of possessing social influence. He felt almost too mundane to be seen as a Heroic Spirit, a sort of transcendent existence. Only the pressure radiating from his presence confirmed that he was the real thing. Even so, there was a vast difference in 'handsomeness' compared to Lancer. However, she was self-aware enough to know that this was largely due to her own bias as a maiden in love.

She had no complaints about the current situation itself. After all, Lancer was manifested and walking right beside her. The modern clothes Archer had prepared gave him a wilder impression than usual, which was also wonderful. Quite frankly, she had fallen for him all over again.

Lancer remained materialized simply as a precaution against other Servants—against Archer himself, but especially against others like Assassin. According to Archer, if Assassin was still active, they could be caught off guard even if Lancer were in Spirit Form. There was likely enough truth in those words to justify keeping Lancer materialized. For Sola-Ui, however, the fact that he was by her side was all that mattered. She noticed her fiancé’s sharp gaze, but that was just how maidens were—blind and self-indulgent.

"Archer, how long do you intend to keep us wandering through the city like this?"

Kayneth spoke with a tone twice as harsh as usual. He was directing his aimless frustration toward Sola-Ui and Lancer.

"Don't be so hasty. Based on my experience, it won't be much longer."

"And what exactly is 'much longer'?! Explain yourself already!"

It seemed Sola-Ui wasn't the only one who didn't know the reason for their wandering. In fact, looking at the situation, Archer was the only one who understood. This was likely another reason why he had Lancer remain materialized.

"Watch your tone when you speak to me, magus. Besides, you wouldn’t want the building I previously owned, which might have who-knows-what kind of traps set in it. That's why I'm 'acquiring' a building right now."

What the hell is this guy talking about? Kayneth looked at Archer with eyes that weren't just suspicious, but filled with total disbelief. Lancer wasn't as blatant, but he also had a bewildered expression. Sola-Ui was in complete agreement. In fact, she thought the man was completely insane.

"Think what you like. You'll understand the reason soon enough... Ah, here they come."

With that, the conversation ended.

Before they knew it, a man had approached them. He was a middle-aged, short Oriental man. He showed no reaction of magical energy and didn't seem particularly dangerous. However, the way he was trembling with tears of overwhelming emotion made him dangerous in a different sense. Sola-Ui's heart throbbed as Lancer stepped forward to shield her.

The man came before Archer and knelt. After a brief exchange of words, he held something out. Archer took it and immediately started walking again. The man continued to pray toward Archer's departing back for a long time.

It was an unprecedented experience in her life, passing by someone who looked like nothing but a religious fanatic. It might be useful the next time she encountered a fanatic, but then again, she wouldn't approach such places to begin with. In short, it was a completely unpleasant experience.

No one could keep up with what was happening, but Archer, acting perfectly natural, pushed what he had just received onto Kayneth.

"H-Hey, Archer. What exactly did you just do?"

Lancer asked, sounding perplexed but acting as the representative. In truth, it was something both Kayneth and Sola-Ui wanted to ask as well.

"What? ...You were watching, weren't you?"

"No, I’m asking because I watched and still didn't understand..."

Lancer's voice trailed off in response to Archer’s "what are you talking about" tone. Archer placed a hand on his chin, seemingly deep in thought.

"I've accepted an offering. Since it's something I just acquired, it should be safer for you than the ruins you were using before, right?"

"An… offering?"

"Yeah. I thought you guys might want a base of operations. So, someone came to offer one. I accepted it and handed it over to you. That’s all."

No, that explained nothing. What they wanted to know was why a complete stranger would suddenly come and hand over property. Archer didn't seem to understand their confusion at all.

While they were talking, another person approached. Though not as suspicious in behavior as the first, his eyes were filled with the light of a fanatic.

"Enough talk. I'll take it, so hand it over."

Archer immediately handed the documents over to Kayneth while the man bowed deeply. Starting with that, more people gathered, one after another.

Archer was an enigmatic Servant. In a Holy Grail War where many obsessed over fair play or their own personal styles, he was rare in that he constructed tactics like an actual "war." In the sense of having an understanding of a magus’s logic, he might be the only such Servant. His abilities were also diverse: he possessed flight, used swords, and had things like familiars. Kayneth had racked his brains trying to deduce his True Name but ultimately failed. Likely, Archer had done nothing that would reveal his identity yet. In terms of prioritizing secrecy, he was probably a rare specimen. Generally, Servants don't place much importance on their True Names being known—partly because even if the name is known, there is often no obvious way to counter them. If so, would knowing Archer's True Name reveal an easy weakness? He didn't seem the type. He was the kind of person who would hide what could be hidden until the very end.

He was certainly mysterious. However, Kayneth seemed to trust Archer more than Lancer. Originally, there was friction between the two (though it was one-sided). Even setting that aside, Archer, who recognized Kayneth's background and skill as a magus and proposed the alliance, seemed to have struck a chord with him. From Sola-Ui's perspective, Kayneth was just a flashy, picky man.

The problem was, this could easily lead to Lancer being cast aside. Of course, a Servant who understood magus would be easier to work with—even if it weren’t Archer. But logic and emotion are two different things. Women, especially, live by their emotions. She had no intention of letting Lancer be discarded, no matter what it took. To begin with, Kayneth was the strange one for trusting an enemy Servant so easily.

Archer had accepted offerings from five or six people by now, all of which ended up in Kayneth’s hands.

After shooing away the crowd—whether they were followers or subordinates, no one could tell—Archer turned back.

"Those deeds and rights won't become yours officially until you file them, but they'll be useful for driving away the police and such. They're all authentic, so the police can't complain. Also, be careful if you're giving bribes. Giving them to low-ranking cops is meaningless—actually, it's counterproductive. If you’re going to give, do it secretly to the higher-ups. If you don't have a connection, I can set one up for you."

"Mind if I ask you something?"

"Sure, uh…"

"Sola-Ui. Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri."

"Then, Sophia-Ri."

"That’s fine."

Since she didn't have a habit of being happy about a stranger calling her by her first name, she agreed. Her reason for speaking up was simple: Kayneth was still frozen, and her competitive spirit refused to let her back down. Even if it was meaningless, she wanted to gain the security of feeling superior.

"So, about these deeds… What exactly are they?"

Archer visibly frowned. How many times do I have to say it? his expression said.

"Like I said, pick a base you like from those. As I mentioned before, you wouldn't like a base where I might have done something. That’s why I'm telling you to pick one you like from the ones I just received. It’s easy to understand, right?"

"No, that’s not what I mean..."

She heard that. She understood that too. Above all, one of the conditions of the alliance was the arrangement of a new base. It was natural for that location to be presented, and choosing from multiple locations made sense.

What was naturally nonsensical was the method of acquisition. Walking through town, being spoken to, and obtaining a base. How was one supposed to understand that and give a sane reaction? Even in a picture book for children, there wouldn't be such an incomprehensible development.

"What I want to know is why complete strangers are bringing those to you."

Feeling a slight headache, she supported her forehead with her fingertips. "Ah, that," Archer said, his face brightening. He truly hadn't understood her question.

"Golden Rule."

"Eh?"

"I said, Golden Rule. The Skill."

"...Hah?"

To be sure, she knew he possessed the Personal Skill "Golden Rule" at Rank A. Was he saying that this was what caused all this? A rebuttal formed in her mind: Is that even possible? But what point was there in saying it? No matter how he explained it, she wouldn't be convinced. In that case, no matter how much she cursed him in her head (without saying it out loud), it would have no impact or meaning.

However, a sense of dissatisfaction certainly remained in her heart. She reached out slightly and grabbed the clothes of Lancer, who was standing beside her.

"Hey, Lancer. Can a Skill really do something like that...?"

"My apologies, Sola-Ui-sama. I have never seen anyone else with such a Skill, so I cannot say."

He looked more dazed than apologetic. It was a power that felt like cheating to that degree.

Archer, as usual, paid no mind to the details. Just walking through town was enough for people to bring him wealth.

Witnessing this farcical scene, Sola-Ui, who had grown weary of life in the ruins, decided it was fortunate Archer was on their side.

For now, we’ve successfully pulled the Lancer faction to our side. That’s one less thing to worry about.

The best-case scenario would have been to take down all three Masters at that castle, but since I failed, it can't be helped. I didn't expect Kariya Matou’s reaction speed to be that high. Or perhaps it's because he has so few options that his reactions are so quick. Either way, cornering them too much might only invite unnecessary damage to myself.

There’s a reason why I chose them for the alliance. Frankly, it’s just that the other camps were useless. I don't want Kirei to have some weird awakening, and I don't need Assassin. I also didn't want the trouble of dealing with Tokiomi. Waver goes without saying—I don't think that Rider would listen to anyone, and he’d likely do something unnecessary. There’s hardly anyone more unsuitable as an alliance partner. The Caster duo is even more out of the question, so this was the only camp left.

Besides, looking only at their abilities, they are actually quite excellent. It goes without saying that Kayneth is a first-rate magus. Now that he knows the threat Kiritsugu poses, he likely won't head out himself. He should leave the combat to his Servant.

Lancer’s Personal Skills and parameters themselves aren't that incredible. But within the context of this Holy Grail War, he’s a surprisingly strong character. Gáe Buidhe (Yellow Rose of Mortality) seals the Holy Sword, and Gáe Dearg (Red Rose of Exorcism) allows him to act without worrying about Knight of Owner or the lightning of the Chariot, and can shut down the functions of Prelati's Spellbook. He can take advantageous actions against more than half of the participants, regardless of whether he can actually win. At the same time, it is reassuring that I do not have to fear Lancer losing his Noble Phantasm (Gáe Buidhe) like in the original story. Since I'm in Gilgamesh's body, parameters other than Strength and Mana are mostly for show anyway.

In any case, if they weren't on bad terms, they would be the most likely candidates to win.

Making them allies was very easy. For people with high pride, you just have to stimulate that pride. Even if I act arrogantly so as not to be looked down upon, if they see someone of the "lower kind" (Kiritsugu and Kariya) who they evaluate as being at the bottom of the barrel nearby, I'll look relatively better by comparison.

The fact that I could ally with them at no risk to myself was another bonus. The information and base I provided cost me nothing. Without any of my own information at stake, there was nothing to lose. In fact, if they approach me to propose a joint Servant hunt, it’ll be perfect.

By the way, I said something about Lancer having an advantage in a fight against Saber, I didn’t actually believe that. True, in terms of parameters, there might not be a huge difference. However, the difference in Skills is massive. Mana Burst could momentarily double Agility and Strength, and Instinct at Rank A surpasses Lancer’s Mind's Eye. She simply outclasses him in raw ability.

Well, if Lancer won normally, that’d be ideal. Even if he loses, it’s fine as long as he holds out until I finish off Berserker, it’d be fine. Easy enough.

The alliance between the Saber and Berserker factions threw me off momentarily, but this has given me some breathing room. I can afford to be generous.

"What’s wrong? Pick one quickly. Ah, you can use multiple ones if you want. You’ll probably need spares."

"I... I see..."

Kayneth and the others still haven't recovered from the effects of my Golden Rule. I totally understand how they feel. I was like that at first, too.

However, familiarity is a frightening thing. Even if people bring offerings every time I walk down the street, I’ve become able to handle it normally. In this instance, by showing them that side of me, I was even able to create a psychological advantage. ...Well, even though I did it myself, it felt very strange.

I’ve finished all my errands. Kayneth and the others will probably be busy turning their chosen base into a Workshop. Just as I thought we were done for the day, I received a contact from Sakura through our "path."

『They’re here.』

Even her telepathy through the path was monotonous and lacking in emotion. It was also too short. But that wasn't a problem. We had discussed the communication patterns beforehand.

Finally, luck is turning my way. I quietly curled my lips into a smirk. It was worth waking Sakura up early and having her keep watch.

『It's the place we expected, right?』

『Yes. …They’ve brought many children.』

『Understood. You can stop the surveillance now. Also, don't look at that place anymore. Tune your "channel" to somewhere else.』

I had told her before, but I gave the warning again and cut the telepathy. Then, I turned around.

"I found Caster."

Kayneth was stunned by my abrupt words. However, he was still an excellent magus. After a moment, his expression shifted back to a cold, composed one.

"They’ve just returned to their new base. I’m launching a raid now. What will you do? You can return to your base and set up a defense line."

I said this, but I was certain he wouldn't choose that option. If we win here, he’ll get one Command Spell, a powerful trump card. Above all...

"Of course we’re going...! I’ll show Those fools who mistake Magecraft for a toy what the true path of Magecraft is! Lancer, prepare yourself. Sola-Ui, I’m sorry, but please come with us. I can't leave you alone and let Assassin target you."

"As you command, my lord!"

"Very well. Hand me what you’re holding."

Once a policy is decided, they are a team that can move toward its achievement without hesitation. If only there weren't such a mess between them, they’d be truly great people.

The time for relaxing is over. I also steeled myself and cast aside any carelessness.

"We need to hurry. He was bringing several children with him. Likely for sacrifices."

"What? Say that sooner! Archer, can your 'aircraft' carry this many people?"

"It’s fine, but I can't hide it."

"I’ll take care of the concealment. We’re in a hurry, move!"

There was no reason to refuse. The significance of hiding the Gate of Babylon from them had diminished, so I agreed immediately. I unlocked the space that had almost turned into a different world. From a door that was invisible and intangible but existed at the bottom, Vimana emerged.

All four of us (Lancer didn't turn into Spirit Form, just in case) boarded it and rushed to the scene. In an instant, we reached the entrance: a massive sewer outlet. Sola-Ui looked extremely disgusted, but I didn't have the leeway to show her any consideration. Without a word, we stepped inside.

After proceeding for a while, I felt an anomaly ahead. Lancer seemed to feel it too, his steps slowed.

"Wait, Archer, Lancer. There’s a Bounded Field set up there."

Kayneth, who arrived a bit later, sent out a warning.

He stepped forward and investigated the Bounded Field for a while. After chanting a few spells, I heard him click his tongue.

"The level of Magecraft isn't much. However, it’ll be difficult to dispel it by force without being noticed. Archer, do you have a way to get inside the Bounded Field without Caster noticing?"

"Don't ask for the impossible. All my methods are flashy. I'm not suited for being quiet and unnoticed. Besides, if you, the expert in Magecraft, can't do it, neither can I."

With proper use of my treasury, I can indeed do almost anything. But that’s only a matter of being able to make things work out in the end.

For example, at the very beginning. I severed the contract with Tokiomi and wanted the Command Spells. Cutting the contract was easy. Legends about contracts, like Rule Breaker, exist all over the world. In other words, there are as many ways to break a contract as there are legends.

However, the retrieval of the Command Spells didn't go perfectly. One reason was that it was a magical method. Another was that it wasn't a contract-based magecraft in itself. Another was that it was a top-tier spell formulation. Finally, it had protection from the Holy Grail to repel interference from Servants. Because of all these factors, I couldn't seize all the Command Spells. Conversely, you could say the Noble Phantasm that could still seize some of them was incredible.

In short, my approach to magecraft is brute force. If you told me to destroy the Bounded Field by any means, it would be easy. But dispelling it without the caster noticing is impossible. Perhaps it would be different if I were summoned as Gilgamesh with Caster-class.

"It can't be helped. Lancer, do it."

"Yes!"

As soon as he answered, the red spear was swung. With that alone, all the anomalies I had felt were blown away. Now the intruder’s presence was known, but the Bounded Field likely couldn't be reconstructed immediately. It was far better than leaving them room to set up something else.

Confirming the collapse of the Bounded Field, Lancer and I started running at the same time. Whether we could stop Caster from summoning Sea Demons and keep him from touching the children depended on our speed.

However, just as we were Servants, Caster was also a Servant. Putting aside simple movement speed, he wouldn't be significantly behind in decision-making speed. Although not many in number, Sea Demons were already peeking out from the dark vortexes forming on the ground.

"Archer! Secure the children, and if possible, take down the Master!"

''Understood!''

I pulled a single sword from the Treasury. Before I could even swing it horizontally, the blue shadow in the lead leaped upward and ran across the ceiling.

A streak of red light shot from the tip of my swung sword. It flew straight along the path of the sword’s swing and pierced the head of a Sea Demon that was halfway born. Upon impact, flames erupted. The intensity of the fire wasn't enough to burn the Sea Demons with its aftereffects, but the blast was enough to blow them away. The monsters serving as a wall in the front vanished just from that, revealing Caster’s hidden form.

This Noble Phantasm is a constantly active type with a legend that flames overflow when it is swung. It sounds terrifyingly powerful, but in reality, it’s not quite that great. Although the added effects are flashy, the actual power isn't as much as it looks. Furthermore, this is treated as a magical effect. If one has Magic Resistance at Rank B, they can block it with ease. The range isn't that long either.

It’s a mediocre effect in a Servant battle, but in this situation, it displays unsurpassed power. Lancer's Magic Resistance is Rank B. Moreover, he possesses Gáe Dearg (Red Rose of Exorcism), which has absolute superiority against Magecraft. In other words, even if I swing my sword recklessly, the children won't sustain a single scratch.

“You bastards! Damn you all to hell!”

"Silence, you monster!! To use innocent children as sacrifices... just how far have you fallen!"

From behind the explosions and flames, a voice like it was squeezed out of hell could be heard. At the same time, Lancer’s voice, which sounded like a scream of rage, rang out.

Arriving a bit late, I positioned myself to shield the children, and the blue bullet sprinted again. From behind him, I showered the area with a mountain of scorching beams, not caring if he was caught in it. Only the ones that touched Lancer vanished due to his Magic Resistance, while the rest burned Caster’s Sea Demon defense line to shreds. A wall that had lost its density was as good as non-existent to him.

Lancer, having easily broken through, closed in on Caster. Caster realized and tried to retreat, but the difference in speed was obvious.

"Jeanne...!"

"Your atrocities end here...!"

The Noble Phantasm used as a shield, Prelati's Spellbook. However, against the red spear that had gained sufficient momentum, that level of defense was as good as nothing. Along with the book emitting an ominous aura, Caster's head flew into the air.

The sound of a thud was his masterless body falling to the ground. After that, no other sound echoed. Before reaching the ground, he vanished into particles of light. Shaking the spear that had pierced the monster once, the figure standing in a ready stance was truly the image of a hero that anyone would imagine.

"M-Mister!"

"You've said enough."

It wasn't a conscious action. The moment I heard the voice, my foot had already pierced the man thought to be Ryuunosuke Uryuu. He flew horizontally through the air with ease, slammed into the wall with a sickening squelch, and hadn't moved since. He might be dead, or he might not. Either way, I didn't care. At least...

I looked behind me at the children I was protecting. There were children whose faces were twisted with terror, those who had lost limbs but couldn't even open their mouths from the pain. The worst of them were children who had already been broken to the point where they could no longer feel anything.

It was a stomach-churning sight, I felt awful. The worst feeling. The last time I felt this way was when I found Sakura and, in my rage, burned everything around me.

"How is it?"

"Hah, Caster's Servant has been defeated. But..."

Lancer looked at the children with a face that looked like he was about to cry. Even the children whose bodies hadn't been harmed had lost their sanity due to the extreme cruelty.

Being a magus, there are times when one harms others. In fact, they even treat people as mere tools for researching Magecraft. And yet. If I were to make an excuse, it’s not that they enjoy hurting people. There was an undeniable look of disgust on Kayneth's face. Sola-Ui was even covering her mouth at the horrific scene.

"I’ll handle the healing. Can I leave the rest to you?"

"I don't mind. It was originally a magus's job. However..."

Kayneth didn't, or couldn't, finish that sentence.

Even if their memories are altered, experiences don't simply vanish. The more traumatic, the more they linger.

Children whose bodies were turned into toys while they were still alive. Healing their wounds and making them lose the memories of what was done to them. To think they could return to daily life after that was far too optimistic. These boys and girls had already seen the "Abyss" once. Now that they had seen it, they would become sensitive to its presence, and every time they found it, the memories that shouldn't exist would resurface... until one day, the weight becomes too much. That moment will be the last of their lives.

Still, the only thing we can do now is pray. At least for the rest of their lives, I hope they never remember.

After completing the healing and memory manipulation, the children fell into a deep sleep. All that was left was to release these kids in a suitable place, and this matter would be over. Or so I thought.

From the large corridor in the direction we came from, a roaring sound echoed. The neighing of horses, the sound of something scraping, and then thunder.

Dammit, I thought, grit my teeth. Why did Rider have to show up at this timing?

There was no time for idle thoughts; the lightning strike pierced even into the room. And from the emerging chariot, a single hero appeared, boasting a giant frame and crossing his arms.

"Well, well, I thought I’d found that Archer fellow, but Lancer is here as well? Now this is a stroke of luck!"

His fearless laugh shows not a trace of hesitation. The new force once called the King of Conquerors has arrived on the scene.