"Master!"
Arthur, who had been surprised by Gilgamesh's partial reveal of "Lancer's" true identity, suddenly sensed an intuitive danger.
His body instinctively shot forward, appearing behind Irisviel. He used the holy sword in his hand as a shield to block the incoming bullet, which let out a sharp clang.
"Master, are you alright?"
Shielding Irisviel behind him, Arthur gazed in the direction the bullet had come from, his face wary, in a full battle stance.
It was only then that Irisviel seemed to snap out of it. She blinked blankly before realizing she had almost been ambushed.
"I'm fine, Saber. But was that just now... another Master?"
Since Servants wouldn't use modern firearms as weapons, Irisviel couldn't help but associate the attacker's identity with a Master.
"I'm not sure. But what is certain is that it was a sniper shot from a considerable distance."
Even with his vision and senses, Arthur couldn't locate the attacker. He felt that there were far too many variables in tonight's battle and began to consider retreating.
However, compared to the tension of Saber and his Master, Gilgamesh, who had been planning to test Aozaki Rin, looked as if his amusement had been interrupted. Displeasure crept onto his brow.
"What stray dog dares to disturb this King's amusement."
A portion of the dozens of golden ripples that had been aimed at Aozaki Rin turned around. Without even looking back, Gilgamesh fired several Noble Phantasms from the ripples, reflecting them back in the direction the bullet had come from!
—BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM...
The sound of exploding Noble Phantasms echoed continuously from a distant complex of buildings slated for demolition.
The scorching flames momentarily lit up half the sky, sending thick smoke billowing upwards.
But Gilgamesh seemed completely unconcerned about the impact of his actions. He just frowned, glanced in the direction of the explosions, and muttered to himself.
"Did they escape? However... Hmph, a Counter Guardian? All sorts of strange things are popping up..."
He retracted his gaze and looked back at the young man on the lamppost at the other end, who was in a slight battle stance. Gilgamesh chuckled lightly.
"It seems this Holy Grail War is much more interesting than this King imagined. Two mongrels calling themselves king, a demigod hero who has lost his reason, a little fellow disguised as Lancer, and that one from just now..."
"In that case, this King shall deign to take a slight interest and play with you all."
"Especially you, boy. This King would like to see just how long you can keep up this act."
Faced with a divine aura he had never felt before and a pure soul without a trace of filth, Gilgamesh's interest was piqued for once. After a deep look at the young man, he vanished from the lamppost in a shower of spiritual particles, just as he had arrived.
At the same time, Kayneth, who had been listening in on the entire conversation from a distance, also gave a loud command.
"Berserker, retreat. Also, Waver Velvet... I thought you would do something earth-shattering after stealing my catalyst, but I never expected you to do something so foolish as to participate in the Holy Grail War! Very well! In the coming days, I will let you experience firsthand what a magus's practical lesson is all about, hah!"
The cold laugh and Heracles's leaping figure both disappeared into the dark night. Waver, huddled in the chariot, couldn't help but grab his hair in panic after hearing those words.
"Wh-What do I do?! I never thought that man could still participate in the Holy Grail War! If he targets me, I..."
"Calm down, boy. I don't know what happened, but what's done is done. Don't look back! Show me the same spirit you had when you stole the catalyst!"
A heavy slap on Waver's back snapped him to his senses with a jolt of pain. He retorted stubbornly.
"That wasn't stealing, it was... borrowing! How can things between magi be considered stealing! Besides, I never said I wouldn't return it to Professor Kayneth, and..."
Waver's justifications trailed on. After confirming that the ambusher would not strike again, Arthur turned to Aozaki Rin on the lamppost and said apologetically.
"My apologies, Lancer... although I know you are likely not the real Lancer, allow me to call you that for now. It seems our battle will have to be postponed until next time. Please forgive me."
Aozaki Rin nodded without objection. In fact, even if Arthur hadn't said it, he was planning to leave anyway.
He had gained enough tonight. Although he didn't know how his adoptive sister could so quickly identify the True Names and some of the abilities of the other Servants, she was a genius magus, so she must have her own unique methods.
He didn't linger. After nodding farewell to Arthur, Aozaki Rin snapped his fingers, gathering the remaining papers on the ground and forming them into wings.
But amidst the flurry of papers, he seemed to sense something, as if by illusion. He instinctively swung his spear at the empty space behind him. After feeling nothing, he blinked in confusion, and his figure vanished under the cover of the papers.
Iskandar, who had been preoccupied with bickering with his Master, saw that all the other Servants had left and couldn't help but show a trace of regret on his face.
"I thought I could take the opportunity to grab a few people for a drink, but I guess I'll have to wait until next time."
"Even if you had asked, no one would have agreed..."
Waver muttered under his breath, rubbing his back to ease the pain.
Honestly, tonight's Holy Grail War had been a huge shock to him.
It wasn't just the display of power between the Servants, but the clash of their spirits, which ignited a sense of longing in his heart.
But a moment later, Waver shook his head, casting aside such sentiments.
After all, he just hoped his Servant wouldn't cause him any more extra trouble in the rest of the Holy Grail War.
Sigh, maybe I shouldn't have been so impulsive and joined the Holy Grail War in the first place...
The young magus's inner turmoil and regret were unknown to anyone, except for a certain black-haired man on top of a distant building who sneezed again without warning.
...
Time rewinds a few minutes.
Under the night sky, the girl in the green dress finally stopped, standing before a certain residence.
On the outer wall of the house, the family name of the owner was written.
—Matou.
-------
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