Three days have passed since the Fourth Holy Grail War began. During these three days, multiple battles have taken place, with several heroic spirits engaging in fierce combat. However, until now, there have been no casualties. This fragile balance was finally shattered on the third night.
For the first time since the war began, a Servant has fallen—Assassin: Hundred-Faced Hassan!
While keeping watch over Alaric, Hundred-Faced Hassan lost sight of their target as night fell. Just seconds later, they were decapitated in a single strike!
Only their Master, Kotomine Kirei, was aware of this incident.
"Is Assassin dead?"
Tokiomi Tohsaka, Kirei's mentor, was immediately informed of the situation and fell into deep thought.
It was not unusual for Servants to perish in the Holy Grail War, but one detail particularly caught Tokiomi's attention.
Had Alaric killed Hundred-Faced Hassan?
As an Assassin-class Servant, Hundred-Faced Hassan did not possess abilities like Battle Continuation. If they suffered a fatal wound—such as decapitation—they would die instantly.
The last thing Kirei could discern was merely the fact that Hassan had been beheaded. Who the killer was and how they accomplished it remained unknown.
Regardless of the identity of the assassin, the fact that they executed a strike so swiftly that even an Assassin-class Servant couldn't react made Tokiomi extremely wary.
Should I have the King of Heroes make a move?
Tokiomi's expression darkened. He found Gilgamesh's attitude increasingly displeasing. However, due to Gilgamesh's overwhelming power, Tokiomi had no means to force him into action aside from using a Command Spell.
Even advising the King of Heroes would only work if it aligned with Gilgamesh's whims.
While Tokiomi was deep in contemplation, Kotomine Kirei, who had reported the incident, remained expressionless. However, in a place, Tokiomi could not see…
Kirei's arm was already covered in the crimson markings of Command Spells.
His journey with Alaric's archive greatly stimulated his initiative. Originally, Kirei had only joined the Holy Grail War at the behest of his father and Tokiomi Tohsaka. For him, it was merely a means to seek a cure for his emptiness.
But after meeting Alaric, Kirei's perspective changed. He wanted to understand—what was it that Alaric was so obsessed with?
And so, even though his Servant had been slain, Kotomine Kirei had no intention of withdrawing.
Thus, the curtain quietly rose on a banquet of treachery.
Meanwhile—
"Good evening, Mr. Zouken."
Paying another visit to the Matou residence, Alaric smiled at the old man before him. His gemstone-like eyes swept over the decrepit figure, a withered, foul-smelling husk of a man.
!
The moment Matou Zouken met Alaric's gaze, every hair on his body stood on end. If he even had hair left, that is—after all, his body was now composed entirely of worms.
Yet just by being observed by Alaric, every single one of those worms inside him screamed in agony.
Something that had happened years ago was repeating itself. But this time, Zouken was certain—Alaric truly intended to kill him!
"Try moving, and you'll die. Want to test it?"
Alaric, unconcerned about Zouken attempting to escape, grinned. "I didn't come here tonight to reminisce. Hand over Matou Kariya and Lancelot—actually, I only need Lancelot."
"You—"
Zouken suppressed his fear and glared at Alaric, whose expression was gradually turning cold.
If he handed over Lancelot, the Matou family would effectively be eliminated from the Holy Grail War.
But Zouken valued his survival far more than the war itself. Losing this round didn't matter—he could simply try again next time.
At least, that's what he told himself.
But would there be a next time?
Zouken glanced behind Alaric—at the nameless girl standing there, her form eerily human.
She had crimson hair cascading over her shoulders, and snow-white skin so pale that veins and flowing blood seemed almost visible beneath it.
Her features bore a striking resemblance to Alaric, yet the aura she emitted was utterly ominous—an embodiment of pure malice.
The girl displayed no emotion, standing motionless like a lifeless doll behind Alaric.
However, from the shadow beneath her feet, something black and fluid-like stirred. Scarlet, malevolent eyes opened within the darkness, all fixated on Zouken.
Zouken knew of Angra Mainyu's existence, but he had never expected someone to corrupt the inside of the Grail itself.
And Alaric's creation of a Lesser Grail…
It gave Zouken an extremely bad feeling.
"Hurry up. If Matou Kariya doesn't return, then it'll be your turn."
Unbothered by Zouken's internal struggles, Alaric casually pulled out a Black Key taken from Kotomine Kirei. With a slight infusion of mana, the blade extended instantly, gleaming coldly, ready to sever the old man's lines of death at any moment.
The moment Alaric finished speaking, a furious, shattering roar erupted within the Matou estate.
"Arthur!!!"
From the blackened shadows, a knight emerged, shrouded in endless darkness, charging straight for Alaric. The holy sword in his hands gleamed with a chilling radiance.
'Arondight, the Unfading Light of the Lake—'
Upon seeing that sword again, Alaric couldn't help but feel a tinge of nostalgia.
As the Lake Knight, Lancelot, lunged at Alaric, he immediately located his Master.
"So, he sensed my presence through the worms?"
Unhurried, Alaric calmly gripped the Black Key. Meanwhile, the girl beside him began to react to the knight's approach.
Her lifeless gaze started to focus. Her doll-like face slowly came to life.
In another worldline, Matou Sakura, who had been turned into a Lesser Grail by Matou Zouken, had once reached an extreme level of synchronization with Angra Mainyu, nearly becoming one with it.
With that malefic energy, Sakura had awakened her Imaginary Numbers ability, displaying unimaginable power.
Similarly, Alaric had cultivated a Lesser Grail using his flesh and blood. Though he had originally intended it to be a mere lump of meat, its growth far exceeded his expectations.
It had formed a human shape—something vastly more complex than just a mass of flesh.
Alaric still didn't understand exactly where things had gone wrong to result in this, but at least it saved him a great deal of effort.
All he needed to do was bring this entity along and let her devour defeated Servants.
Clang!
Without any unnecessary words—or need for them—hundreds of Chains of Heaven suddenly materialized, surging forth like iron dragons in an absolute onslaught.
There was nothing in the surroundings that could withstand such an overwhelming force. And the one hiding in the distance was now completely exposed in the chaotic storm!
"Arthur!!!"
Even with peerless martial prowess, the Lake Knight, Lancelot, could not withstand Alaric's assault!