"Fog, assassins lurking in the darkness... I believe these elements have proven everything."
The conference room recreated yesterday's scene. Not only were the Black Faction's Servants and Masters present, but even the defected Servants from the Red Faction had gathered.
After clearly stating they wouldn't assist the Black Faction, there was only one reason for the Red Faction Servants to assemble—
"Before our Masters were assassinated, their rooms were already filled with fog," Atalanta bit her lip.
Achilles played idly with his spear, his eyes shadowed: "Moreover, when we were fighting the giant, a Servant used fog to capture our Masters, forcing you to retreat."
"It's a female. We've heard her voice multiple times," Karna added further information. The group exchanged glances—everything was understood without words.
Going to extreme lengths to obstruct the Black Faction, assassinating Masters, attempting to steal Command Spells—
So it was your doing, Empress Semiramis and Priest Amakusa!
Unaware of the hidden Blue Faction, with the Black Faction repeatedly threatened, everyone naturally pinned the blame on the Red Faction.
The room transformed, with fast-receding clouds outside the window. After listening to Sakatsuki's analysis, Reika couldn't hide her worry.
"But... in that case, little Jack will become the target of everyone's hostility."
Jack the Ripper, who had carried out assassinations multiple times, would undoubtedly be seen as a thorn in the Black Faction's side!
"Don't worry, Reika," Sakatsuki reassured her. "Have you forgotten little Jack's inherent skill?"
[Information Erasure: B]
At the moment the battle ends, all information about her—abilities, true name, appearance, and characteristics—disappears from the memories and records of witnesses and opponents.
"By now, this ability must already be in effect," Sakatsuki's cold laughter echoed briefly in the room before fading away.
—Just like the memories of the Black Faction members.
"That's not a Servant we can't handle. I once even—"
Unusually, Chiron stopped mid-sentence.
"What's wrong, Archer?"
"Master, do you know that Servant's parameters? You should have witnessed him/her firsthand."
Or rather, during the battle against the giant Adam, all Masters had faced his/her assassination attempts.
Perhaps recalling the Servant's parameters, Fiore closed her eyes. But soon, she looked at Chiron in confusion.
"I'm sorry, I don't know. It's really strange—I should have read his/her parameters... Huh?"
Then, Fiore covered her mouth in shock.
"Not just the parameters, but even their appearance, form, and even gender—I can't remember any of it!"
Other Masters also voiced similar horrified exclamations. Achilles tapped his head and glanced uncertainly at Chiron.
"...Is it that Servant's inherent skill? Or perhaps their Noble Phantasm?"
"Most likely. Just as Mordred wears a helmet to conceal her true name, it wouldn't be strange for that Servant to possess 'something' that hides their true identity."
"There was nothing unnatural during the battle. Most likely, the moment we realized that Servant had vanished without a trace, the information we obtained was erased as well."
—What an extraordinarily convenient assassin.
"This is precisely why I chose little Jack. Of course, there's a third reason I haven't explained to you yet."
In the Hanging Gardens, the 'thousand-layer cake' Sakatsuki had created was still being peeled back layer by layer. However, the 'filling' revealed this time was utterly unexpected.
"That is, to help Gordes."
"Wait, did you say... help?" Siegfried exclaimed in shock. "My Master—no, my former Master nearly became a traitor to the Black faction because of me!"
"Don't rush, Siegfried." Sakatsuki's tone remained calm. "Think about it—if he hadn't lost you, what would have become of Gordes?"
"Hmm..."
"He would only have grown more arrogant because of you. As long as you showed signs of obedience, Gordes' conceit would never have been cured."
Faced with Sakatsuki's incisive words, Siegfried fell silent.
He understood Gordes' flaws all too well. He had simply thought to take things slowly, believing there was plenty of time... Who could have guessed Sakatsuki would kick Gordes straight into hell mode with one swift move?
Had Gordes' resilience been even slightly weaker, the new director of Chaldea would have been done for.
"I understand your concerns, but don't worry. Have faith in your former Master—and then, pledge your loyalty to me without reservation."
"...Understood."
The sound of a door opening and closing came through the communication spell. In his private quarters, Sakatsuki leaned back against the bedding and sighed softly.
Only Siegfried's immense strategic value had compelled Sakatsuki to offer so much explanation—hadn't Avicebron already been driven to the brink of despair by Sakatsuki's ruthless methods, grinding his teeth while focusing on farming and development?
After all, Siegfried and the others were rogue ninjas; it was only natural they lacked cohesion... Next, there was the matter of little Jack to handle... And finally, how to deal with the remaining members of the Blue faction after securing the Holy Grail...
Just as Sakatsuki was about to cut the communication, Artoria's voice suddenly came through.
"Hold on, Sakatsuki. Are you still keeping something from me?"
Instantly on high alert, Sakatsuki frowned slightly, his mind racing through countless possibilities.
Had she found out? Was it Plan A or B? Plan C or D? Or perhaps the third sub-clause of contingency plan No. 10086...
Rather than whether to confess, Sakatsuki was more concerned about which particular matter Artoria had uncovered.
Just as an internal storm of thoughts was about to erupt, the King of Knights, ever perceptive, offered a clue:
"For example... the one you truly wanted to help wasn't Gordes, but that adorable student of yours, Sieg, wasn't it?"
In Artoria's view, it made perfect sense for Sakatsuki to place Gordes in a difficult position to ensure Sieg received support.
Of course, Sakatsuki's explanation to Siegfried wasn't wrong either—it was simply that no one else had grasped the deeper layer of meaning. Only she, the brilliant King of Knights, had discerned Lord Sakatsuki's true intentions!
As expected of me!
Artoria thought triumphantly, while Sakatsuki secretly let out a huge sigh of relief, amused at his own overreaction.
That's it? That's all?!
And here I thought some critical intelligence had been exposed!
But on the surface, Sakatsuki still pretended to be slightly surprised and played along: "As expected of my king, you saw right through my thoughts."
"Hehe, of course. After all, I'm the one who knows you best."
"...Yes."
After showering the ahoge with praise and successfully boosting her mood, Sakatsuki ended the communication. He stood motionless in the unlit room for a long time, the faint starlight reflecting off his expressionless face.
It was as if he had derived no joy whatsoever from their earlier conversation.
The more Artoria showed her trust in him, the more Sakatsuki's heart ached—because he knew exactly what choice he would ultimately make, and what expression his trusting king would wear when that time came.
And then there was the other Ruler who had also formed a bond with him—that gentle, steadfast, even adorably foolish saint—
This couldn't go on any longer.
Leaning against the wall, Sakatsuki suddenly clenched his fist, his eyes burning with iridescent blue light.
Should he choose them, joining hands to see this Holy Grail War through together? Or should he resolutely betray them all, walking a path of blood and fire to seize the Grail alone?
The long night stretched on, the rainbow-hued blue glow illuminating the room until the young man finally stood up and strode out the door.
Between justice and desire—he had to make his choice.