Rider said this, hoisting up Waver—who had collapsed during the attack—as the chariot rumbled, ready to depart.
"By the way, don't forget your sincerity!" Just as they were about to leave, Ryougi Raku suddenly called out to Waver.
This startled Waver so much he nearly collapsed again. He was truly terrified of this Master who could challenge a Servant and had even killed his mentor...
Fortunately, Rider still held him up, sparing him further embarrassment...
Watching Rider's chariot move away, Ryougi Raku said to Saber and the others, "Then, Saber and Lady Irisviel, let's end it here for today." His words signaled a temporary ceasefire.
Saber nodded in agreement. Indeed, there was no need to continue the fight for now. "In any case, thank you, Raku!" At the same time, Irisviel also bowed to Ryougi Raku, covering her mouth with a light laugh. "It seems Saber is quite taken with you, Raku. Would you like to become Saber's Master?" "Ah, if the opportunity arises!" Ryougi Raku responded casually to Irisviel's joke, though his tone remained polite.
Saber didn't particularly mind this kind of jest. After all, she was indeed quite satisfied with Ryougi Raku—that much was true...
"Lancer, let's settle this next time!"
Both Ryougi Raku and Lancer nodded. Lancer gradually faded into spirit form, while Ryougi Raku turned and walked away, his back to them, showing no concern at all for a potential sneak attack...
Seeing Ryougi Raku's retreating figure, Emiya Kiritsugu debated whether to use a Command Seal to order Saber to attack. But after some thought, he decided against it. Although Lancer had vanished into spirit form, he was likely still close by, protecting his Master. Even if Saber attacked, she would undoubtedly be blocked, and Kiritsugu would be exposed...
Ryougi Raku and Lancer had already left.
Irisviel let out a sigh of relief. No matter what, the first battle was finally over...
"The first battle was so intense. I wonder if previous wars were like this..." Irisviel mused about the night's events.
Saber didn't respond, still gazing in the direction where Ryougi Raku had disappeared. Despite the battle, she showed no trace of fatigue, her sacred blue eyes still firm, awe-inspiring and inviolable.
Noticing the wound on Saber's left arm, Irisviel asked worriedly, "Saber, how is your injury?"
"Yes, it hurts a bit, but this is also a trial for the next battle! No matter what, I must settle the score with Lancer!"
"Thank you, Saber! Thanks to you, I'm still alive!"
"Protecting the princess is a knight's duty!" Saber joked in return.
Glancing at the now silent battlefield, Saber said quietly, "The battle has only just begun, Iri. Tonight is merely the start of the war!"
"...Yes!"
"Heroes from different eras gather here, each one a powerful warrior with extraordinary strength!"
Saber looked up at the starry sky. "This is the Holy Grail War!"
…
Caster's crystal ball faithfully reflected the entire scene of the battle.
"Amazing! Truly amazing!"
"Master Uryū, everything that just happened was real! This is the Holy Grail War! You will also take part in it, sir!" The serial killer spoke with excited joy, reveling in his delight!
Caster stared intently at the crystal ball. The image on it was that petite figure! Silver armor concealed her slender form, her hair like golden sand, her demeanor so awe-inspiring and inviolable!
"My lord—?"
"It's her!" Caster was ecstatic!
"It has come true!"
"Come true? What?" the killer asked curiously.
"The Holy Grail has chosen me!"
Turning to his Master, Caster grabbed his shoulders and shook him vigorously!
"We don't need the war! We've already won!"
Caster looked like a madman, staring fixedly at the crystal ball. "My holy maiden... wait for me, I will come to see you right away!"
…
Ryougi Raku, who had already left the battlefield, headed straight for a specific location.
"Lancer, come with me to meet someone!"
Lancer didn't respond, nor did he ask who they were meeting. He simply shifted into spirit form and devoted himself to protecting Ryougi Raku.
After walking for a short while, Ryougi Raku stopped.
This was a dark corner of the city. Without streetlights, visibility was limited to just a few meters...
Soon, the sound of footsteps came from the darkness ahead. Lancer knew it was the person Ryougi Raku wanted to meet...
"Is this our first meeting? —Mr. Matou Kariya..." Ryougi Raku spoke solemnly into the darkness ahead.
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It took Matou Kariya a great deal of effort to open the iron cover of the underground sewer. Wasting so much time on a mere manhole cover showed just how fragile his body had become.
As a magus who had rapidly learned magecraft through insects, Matou Kariya lacked the confidence to face other magi, and Berserker wouldn't obey his commands. Thus, he had allowed Berserker to act recklessly.
Using insects, he hid himself in the sewer and observed the entire battlefield. Even Emiya Kiritsugu probably never expected a magus to hide in such a filthy place!
Exhausted, he leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. Just one battle driven by Berserker had left him feeling half-dead. His life was being devoured by the insects.
Thinking of Tōsaka Tokiomi, he sighed. The path to defeating him seemed so arduous and long. Yet, when he thought of Sakura, suffering from the insect bites back home, he seemed to find renewed motivation!
With a sigh, Matou Kariya supported himself against the wall and walked slowly forward.
Berserker was severely injured. Recovery would require time and magical energy—energy that came from his own life force. He didn't know how much longer he could hold on...
Under the dim streetlights, Matou Kariya trudged slowly forward. The eerie atmosphere gave him a sense of security...
But that sense of security vanished as quickly as it had come. A voice reached his ears, filling him with terror...
"Is this our first meeting? —Mr. Matou Kariya…"
Hearing the voice, Matou Kariya jerked his head up. Standing not far away was Lancer's Master, as if he had known he would be here and had been waiting for him!
"How is this possible! It's him! How did he find my hiding place?!" Matou Kariya's heart filled with fear. He had seen with his own eyes how powerful this Master was! Tōsaka Tokiomi's Servant had nearly been killed by him due to a moment of carelessness!
"Berserker!" There was no time to hesitate. No matter how injured Berserker was, no matter if his body could withstand it, if he didn't act now, he would surely die!
A dark figure materialized from the air, roaring as it charged at Ryougi Raku!
But after just two steps, it was halted by a red spear!
"If you want to get through, you'll have to defeat me first! Berserker!" Lancer declared, blocking Berserker's path. With unwavering confidence, he merely brandished his spear, forcing Berserker to retreat empty-handed!
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(TL : More Chapters @)[1]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/c/Gooberilla