Later that evening... at the dining table of the Einzbern Mansion
"Hm hm hmm~ hm hm~"
Mordred chewed on a piece of steak while humming a song no one could recognize, swaying side to side in high spirits.
Dracula stared at her for a few seconds, then nudged Nero. "Hey, why's Mo so happy tonight? You take her to buy lottery tickets or something?"
"I most certainly did not," Nero replied, equally baffled. "After bathing with Kirie, I just went back to my room… Besides, wasn't Mo in her own room all afternoon sharpening her sword?"
"Yeah…" Dracula scratched his chin thoughtfully, recalling he'd asked Mordred to visit Nyarlathotep earlier. "I think I know what's going on… That kid must've gotten sweet-talked by Nyarlathotep again. Ugh, I better tag along tonight, just in case she messes things up…"
Taking advantage of the fact that Nyarlathotep hadn't come downstairs yet, he waved over Kuko, who was already downstairs.
"Hey, Kuko. Come here for a sec."
Swinging her twin-tails, Koko bounded over. "What is it, old man?"
"Old man? You're way older than me, okay?" Dracula shot back before pulling a suspicious-looking packet of powder from his coat. "Sprinkle this in Nyarlathotep's room. Arrange it in the shape of my old sigil—it should suppress her powers for a bit. Got it?"
"I got it! I got it!!" Kuko's breathing quickened with excitement, nodding so fast her head blurred. "Such kindness… From now on, you're my most reliable ally, old man!"
"Go for it." Dracula patted her shoulder. "This senpai's help ends here!"
Kuko nodded solemnly like she was accepting a divine mission. Right as Nyarlathotep descended the stairs, Kuko slipped away upstairs.
"Huh? What's up with Kuko?" Nyarlathotep asked, tilting her head.
"Oh, nothing," Dracula said breezily. "She ate some of my… collection and got an upset stomach. Anyway, you didn't say anything weird to little Mo today, did you?"
"Oh, of course not. We just became good friends, that's all," Nyarlathotep replied smoothly—though Dracula's sudden question had clearly made her nervous, and her suspicion toward Kuko faded in turn. "Right, little Mo?"
"Yes, Sister Nyarlathotep." Mordred put down her utensils and turned to Dracula. "Lord Dracula, I'm finished eating. Are you ready to go?"
"I'm done, yeah," Dracula replied.
"Then… shall we depart?" Mordred asked eagerly. "I can't wait to see my father!"
"We can go anytime," Dracula said, eyeing the stack of plates in front of her. "But… are you sure you're full? You only ate enough for, like, two grown men."
Beside her, Jeanne nodded in agreement while reaching for her fifth plate of steak.
"…It's fine. A knight must overcome such trifles!" Mordred said after a pause.
"You should eat a bit more," Dracula suggested. "You'll need your strength to argue with your father… And let's wait for Jeanne. We'll all go together."
"…Alright!" Mordred quickly agreed and dove back into her meal.
Once the two gluttonous Servants were done, Kirie had her undead clean the table. Then, Dracula finally stood up.
"Let's go." He nodded to Mordred and Jeanne, then turned to Nero. "Nero, you want to come with us?"
"Certainly. I have nothing better to do. Consider this an after-dinner stroll." Nero changed into her white bridal battle attire.
Mordred and Jeanne also changed into their combat gear.
"Then let's be off."
Dracula drew a circle in the air with one finger. A portal opened in midair, showing the scene beyond—a familiar view of the Einzbern Castle.
He led the three Servants through.
Meanwhile, Kiyohime and Elizabeth exchanged glances and tried to sneak after them… only for Kirie to stop them.
"Kiyohime, Elizabeth, would you two mind washing the dishes for me?" Kirie asked sweetly.
---
At that same moment, in the forest clearing near the Einzbern Castle, one of this Holy Grail War's Casters—none other than the fallen Marshal of France, Gilles de Rais (Bluebeard)—had arrived.
He wore the same eerie sorcerer's robe as always and held a grimoire made of human skin, pulsing with sinister magical energy. Behind him shuffled a dozen glassy-eyed children.
From the crystal ball, the Saber-side group watched him.
"He's come for me," said Saber. "He's trying to lure us out. Master, please give me the order. With the hostages in his hands, I'm the only one who can charge in and rescue them!"
Kiritsugu Emiya took a long drag from his cigarette, eyes locked on the Caster within the crystal ball.
He didn't answer immediately.
He paused for a moment, then turned to the Archer beside him and asked,
"Archer, with your archery skills—can you take him out from here?"
"Of course I can. Don't underestimate me, my Master," Arash replied with a hearty laugh.
But it seemed the Caster in the crystal orb could somehow sense their observation. He offered a twisted smile, gave a theatrical bow toward the orb, and said:
"Ah, as promised last night, I have come to pay you a visit."
He bent forward and, still grinning eerily, added,
"Also, I know there's an Archer on your side. But rest assured—though I may not be able to dodge his arrows, should he dare to attack me... this is what will happen."
He reached out with claw-like hands and seized a child's head.
"Stop!"
Saber knew her protest would be meaningless, but she couldn't help shouting.
The sound of a skull being crushed. Bits of brain matter splattered across the ground. An eyeball rolled grotesquely through the air.
That nightmarish sight burned itself into everyone's mind.
The children screamed in soul-piercing terror and scattered. In the center of the chaos, the Caster laughed gleefully, licking the blood off his fingers.
"Run, little lambs. Once I count to one hundred, I'll begin the hunt. Now then, Jeanne—just how long will you need to prepare before I catch them all?"
"Dammit!!"
Arash pounded the wall with such force that cracks spidered across its surface.
Irisviel, moved by maternal instinct, turned toward her husband with pleading eyes.
"Kiritsugu…"
"No choice. Let's finish this quickly," Kiritsugu responded. Then he turned to Saber and gave the order.
"Iri, you stay outside. Maiya, protect Iri."
He reached for the case holding his magical equipment and added,
"Arash, you're with me. Looks like we're having unexpected guests."
Everyone sprang into action.
At the same time, Keyneth arrived at the forest's edge, flanked by his two L-Class Servants.
"My Master, I shall go seek out the enemy's Servant."
The handsome dual-wielding knight saluted Kenneth like a proper knight.
"Go, Lancer. Don't disappoint me again."
"By your command!"
The green-haired beauty turned to Kenneth with a soft smile.
"Then I'll be off too, Master."
Keyneth's expression turned idiotic, like a lovesick pig.
"Y-Yeah, be careful out there, Enkidu."
Once the two Servants departed, Kenneth pulled a small vial from his pocket, containing a liquid that shimmered like mercury.
Staring at the trembling fluid, he let out a cold sneer:
"Emiya Kiritsugu… this time, you'll pay."