The siege on the Masters had last for the duration of the night, ending at the sign of daybreak. The beam of light that now scarred the mountainscape was a herald to the defeat. Mountains of corpses had piled into the streets and all across the school grounds. It would take a long time, but before long, the city would be rid of the putrid smell of death and blood. The blood would be an easy fix. It was disposing of so many corpses that would be the problem. After all, a dead body was a much more prominant stain than some droplet of blood. Thankfully, however, the solution was Rider's chariot. The woman had protested fiercely to this idea, saying that her chariot was a place of love making, not a hearse.
Her pleas went largely ignored and had to be consoled by Koneko with a peace offering of sweets, though even that did little to help her mood.
However, the glaring problem at hand still remained. Atop the roof of Kuoh Academy, Sona stared at the large scare with both irritation and dread. "If what we felt was accurate, that was done by Saber." Caster said as he stood by her side, hands clasped behind his back. Seeing the damage caused by what he presumed was either an empowered strike or a partial Phantasm release, he couldn't help but feel that they were at a disadvantage in terms of firepower. "To think she would possess so much power... It's rather frightening, really."
"The greater problem is trying to come up with an explanation behind it." Sona replied, adjusting her glasses. She idly noted how chilly the morning wind was, making her wonder if she should purchase a jacket. "I doubt the citizens would believe that a simple wildfire was the cause of this."
"I'm sure you will think of something, Master."
"... This skirmish, as well as what we've seen thus far. What do you make of it."
Caster smiled thinly. "A coordinated attack and a diversion. The number of forces brought to Kuoh were great in number, but they were obviously far too weak. They had sheer numbers, yes, but what good are numbers against four Servants? One of which is a man who was feared for impaling all foes on a pike? However, given the amount of focus and damage to the church, I believe the true target was either the Overseer, or perhaps someone of interest who had taken refuge."
"Namikaze-kun?"
"Doubtful. He has a Sacred Gear and is obviously very frightened of his enrollment in the war, but something drives him to continue. To power through his fear. No, there was someone else in the church at the time of the attack. That was who I believe Assassin and Freed Sellzan were after." Caster chuckled softly. "A failed effort, however. Assassin has perished. Although..."
Sona pursed her lips. "Then you've heard the news as well." she said, clearly troubled by the news she received from her familiar. "That a new Master and Servant had appeared. A Second Rider, no less."
"A deviation we should have expected, given the unusual nature of the war." Sona's Servant stated. "In the meantime, though, I believe our current plan should be to conceal the scar as best as possible." His Master agreed. There was no way that no one wouldn't question how a scar like that appeared one night out of the blue. Massive memory manipulation was also out of the question as well, given how fragile the false memories were. The slightest stimulus and they would fall apart. Hypnosis was out of the question as well, given how many people they would have to affect. "By the way Master, I've been curious about something."
Sona turned to Caster, wondering what the man could be wondering. "What is it?"
"When you discussed the repercussions of the city discovering the existence of Servants, Magi and whatnot, you told him that it was necessary for obliterating an entire city's population." Caster recalled the conversation with perfect memory, showing a small tilt as he looked at Sona with intrigue. "The boy's reaction was understandable... Yet when you claim such a thing is necessary, you abhor it as much as he does. Your words contradict your own wishes. Why is that?"
"... Because I can't be optimistic." Sona replied with a hint of aprehension. "Yes, like Namikaze-kun, I find purging an entire city to keep the secrets of the war and everything involved in it to be horrible, but in the end, what can someone like me do in that scenario? I could mitigate the damage, but even I can't stop something like that."
That was the reality of the situation. If even a single civilian became aware of Magecraft, the clocktower would have no choice but to silence them and many others who are in contact with said individual to keep its existence hidden.
Truly, the Magi Association can be quite cruel and unforgiving. Sona didn't wish for such an event to happen, but if it did, she would have no choice but to accept it. Of course, that didn't mean she wouldn't try and prevent it from happening. Kuoh was under her protection. Rias would no doubt attempt the same. They both had expectations riding on them. And, if worse came to worse, their elder siblings would step in to lend a hand, regardless of the politics.
Older siblings, especially those like Serafall and Sirzechs, were just scary like that.
Caster looked pleased by her answer, evident by the gentle smile that spread across his lips. "Excellent. I was hoping for that answer. It seems there's hope for you yet, little one."
Sona smiled back, albeit rather sheepishly. "Well, I have a famed alchemist for a teacher and Servant. I imagine I'll have to be doing something right." she said before she turned back to the scar. "Regarding Saber... You've managed to figure out her identity through this, I believe?"
"I have." Caster nodded. "Based on her mannerisms and characteristics, as well as the level of power she has displayed... I can only think of one individual. A Warrior King who advanced without fear nor relent, destruction as their only purpose in life. Countless lives and countries have fallen to her blade and all fear her coming. Known by men in history as the Scourge of God, and known by others as the most fearsome Red Dragon Emperor in years.
The White Demon of Rome and King of Destruction... Attila the Hun."