My Fates Codex in Type-Moon Chapter 30

An unseen voice questioned him coldly, but Lancer wore a grave expression. He lowered his head in humility, yet his body remained upright, standing on the ground like a spear:

"I, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, swear upon my honor that I will defeat Saber!"

He declared loudly to the void:

"If you do not believe me, I shall first deal with this mad dog to prove myself! I beg your permission, my Lord!"

The warehouse district fell into silence, as if the entire world was listening, listening to the request of this noble man.

A gentle evening breeze blew, bringing a refreshing coolness to the night.

"I command you with a Command Spell."

The silent atmosphere froze on the spot.

"Cover Berserker and... kill Saber..."

The light in the man's eyes extinguished. Sakutsuki beside him sighed softly.

"Kill."

The hidden spot was illuminated by a red light, and after returning to darkness, only two Command Spells remained in Kayneth's hand.

Command Spells were absolute orders for Servants; no matter how great a Heroic Spirit, they could not defy a Command Spell's order.

This also meant—Lancer had lost his free will.

The tip of the red spear turned, whistling towards Saber. At the last moment, Saber leaped back, the tips of her two spears, one long and one short, slicing through the air before her eyes.

Lancer's astonishing spear technique allowed him to thrust his two spears at the enemy directly behind him before he even turned around. This masterful dual-wielding spear technique was Lancer's true skill. There was no mercy left on his sharp spear tips.

"Lancer!" Saber exclaimed, but her words caught in her throat. She saw Lancer's handsome face contorted with anger and humiliation. That expression of extreme grief and indignation conveyed his feelings more fully than any words of explanation.

A soul proud of chivalry had been twisted into a killing machine that only obeyed orders. The martial arts and abilities honed by the Heroic Spirit Diarmuid would disregard his beliefs, only to be ruthlessly employed to fulfill his Master's command.

As a fellow Heroic Spirit, Saber could deeply understand that sense of regret.

"...Saber... I'm sorry..."

Lancer groaned in pain as he gradually closed the distance with Saber. Although his face was filled with shame and indignation, his two demonic spears emitted killing intent-filled magic, rising like a mirage.

In the silence, Berserker slowly stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Lancer, who maintained his attacking posture. Dense red veins covered fragments of the iron pillar, transforming them into monstrous weapons more terrifying than swords.

The two powerful Servants unleashed their unreserved killing intent, menacing Saber.

There was no escape.

If her left hand weren't injured, she might have found a way out, but Saber was already exhausting all her strength just dealing with Berserker alone. If Lancer were also her enemy at this point, there would be no chance of victory.

"Irisviel, I'll hold them off here. You take this chance and go, as far as you can!"

Irisviel resolutely shook her head, refusing Saber's request.

"Irisviel, hurry and go!" Artoria urged, already resigned to death.

"Don't worry, Saber, trust your Master." Irisviel remained motionless, her fists clenched tightly, speaking with hidden meaning.

This was a secret only they knew—Irisviel standing beside Saber was not the one who summoned her. Saber's true Master was hidden behind the scenes, watching everyone's every move on the battlefield.

"So—please, my dear."

Irisviel, with a clear heart, earnestly prayed for her husband's assistance, wherever he might be.

"With your help, you can surely turn this situation into a chance for victory."

On top of the building, a trench coat fluttered in the wind.

Returning to his sniper's nest, Kiritsugu Emiya, his abdomen still bandaged, raised the Walther WA2000 again. The sniper rifle equipped with thermal imaging was aimed at Lancer's Master—Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald.

The Rider team had retreated earlier, and the Assassin who threatened Kiritsugu Emiya's life had been killed by an unknown Caster piercing its heart.

Now, no one could interfere with the magus killer's performance.

"Maiya, have you found Berserker's Master?"

"No."

Thus, Kiritsugu Emiya reached a conclusion.

"From here, shooting Lancer's Master is the only way to break through this situation."

Attack when the count reaches zero. This time, there must be no more mistakes.

"—Six"

Kiritsugu began to count down in a low voice, aiming the crosshairs of the thermal scope at Lancer's Master.

"—Five"

The scope was adjusted to zero at five hundred meters. When the target was closer than the zeroing distance, the impact point would shift upward from the crosshairs. Lancer's Master was about three hundred meters away from Kiritsugu, so he carefully adjusted the aiming point.

"—Four"

Lancer was forced to act against his will by his Master's Command Spell. Although he couldn't predict Lancer's reaction after losing his Master, Kiritsugu believed he wouldn't continue attacking Saber. If the most direct threat returned to being only Berserker, Saber would be capable of finding a way to escape with Irisviel.

"—Three"

His sleeve was tugged.

"I won't allow you to do that."

The girl's clear, cold voice rang out, then paused for a moment, as if searching for a name.

"Kiritsugu."

"That's my brother's prey."

One devoted, one summoned, both pairs met unfortunate ends in the original story. It could only be said that fate played cruel tricks.

Who is it?!

In a panic that felt like his heart had stopped beating, Kiritsugu Emiya retracted his gun and rolled backward. While instantly creating distance, he aimed the muzzle at the person who had appeared behind him.

It was a familiar girl, though she wasn't wearing her usual strange ceremonial attire. Instead, she was dressed in an elegant, patterned kimono, standing there demurely, her small hands still holding the hem of her garment.

Seeing Kiritsugu Emiya's wary expression, Miyu tilted her head, looking somewhat confused.

Whether due to the Holy Grail's seal or memories too distant, Miyu's impression of Kiritsugu Emiya was limited to "Onii-chan said Kiritsugu is his savior and role model." Since her brother said so, he must be a good person!

(Because in Miyu's route, Kiritsugu Papa died early, Miyu has no idea Kiritsugu intends to use her as a tool...)

Kiritsugu also recognized Miyu as the mysterious Caster who had saved his life earlier. He coughed lightly and awkwardly put away his gun.

Not out of gratitude, but because ordinary weapons couldn't penetrate a Servant's defense.

His hand had already reached for the necromancy magazine inside his coat, but he maintained a calm exterior as he asked, "Why didn't you let me shoot?"

"Onii-chan said that's his prey," Miyu obediently repeated. "So Kiritsugu doesn't need to shoot, just let Onii-chan handle it."

Brother... Shirou? No, Sakutsuki?

Kiritsugu Emiya realized a possibility and quickly walked to the edge of the rooftop, looking down at the battlefield.

At the same time, Maiya's urgent report reached his ears:

"Master Sakutsuki is engaging Lancer!"

With a black iron bow in hand, Sakutsuki held his breath, drew the bow, and released the string.

The arrow shot without hesitation towards Lancer and Berserker, who stood side by side.

"Ngh!" Completely unprepared for a sneak attack from behind, Diarmuid still managed to flip over in the critical moment and dodge.

However, Berserker, whose attention was solely on Saber, didn't even have time to turn around.

The arrow whistled past Lancer's nose and embedded itself fiercely in Berserker, exploding.

In the smoke generated by the explosion, the black-armored knight was sent flying backward like a torn sack, rolling dozens of meters on the ground before being unable to even stand, lying on his back.

"Are you insane, Caster's Master!"

The participants of the Holy Grail War were now clear. Kayneth naturally knew what class Sakutsuki's summoned Servant was, but it was precisely because of this that his anger became even sharper and more incredulous:

"This is a perfect opportunity to defeat Saber, the strongest class!"

"Yes, you're right," Sakutsuki said, holding the black iron bow, his tone playful.

"With a bit of luck, I might even turn around and finish off Berserker as well."

"Since you understand, it's not too late. If you just come with me—"

"I refuse," Sakutsuki replied with a bright smile, interrupting Kayneth's persuasion.

"The thing I like doing most is saying no to those who think they're so great!"

"You... are you insulting me!" Rejected multiple times, Kayneth was on the verge of exploding, his voice, masked by illusion, becoming distorted. "Are you insulting a Lord of the Clock Tower, insulting the leader of the El-Melloi faction!"

"Quite the opposite, Kayneth, you're insulting us!" Sakutsuki's voice was clearer and higher than Kayneth's. He drew his bow, the arrow aimed directly at the magician's hiding place.

"We Heroic Spirits, though from eras that would never intersect, and even if we were mortal enemies, still possess the brilliance of our Noble Phantasms—even as mere phantoms of those from the past, this body retains inviolable dignity and honor!"

"How dare you, who has reached this point under the shade of your predecessors, defile Lancer's dignity!"

"Please, Lord Sakutsuki, don't say such things!"

Kayneth didn't respond. Instead, Diarmuid held his spear and proactively stepped in front of Sakutsuki.

"Thank you for your sincere words, my lord, but please, enough is enough," the handsome man lowered his eyes and said lightly. "If my master is insulted, I, as his knight, cannot stand idly by."

"Loyalty is also a knight's virtue, Lancer."

Sakutsuki smiled, not lowering his iron bow, but instead redirecting the arrow to aim at Diarmuid. "Then, let me put it another way—I will protect Saber. If you wish to act against Saber, then you must defeat me first, warrior of the Knights of Fianna, Diarmuid."

"I couldn't ask for more." This time, a joyful smile finally appeared on the handsome man's face.

If he were to fight Sakutsuki...

Then he wouldn't be disobeying his master's orders, nor would he need to suppress his own desires!

However, their battle was destined not to happen—as Berserker, who had been blown away by the arrow and lay on the ground, slowly stopped moving, his silhouette gradually faded and disappeared like a mirage.

He had retreated.

If Kayneth insisted on having Lancer attack, then it would be his turn to face a disadvantage of one against two.

"..." In the humiliation of wasting a Command Spell, a gritted-teeth voice echoed from the void. "Retreat, Lancer. Tonight... this is as far as it goes."

Lancer let out a relieved sigh upon hearing that and lowered his spear.

"I am deeply grateful, Lord Sakutsuki." Hearing Lancer's quiet thanks, Sakutsuki pouted, seemingly dissatisfied that a fight hadn't broken out. Then, as if remembering something, he dispelled his spiritual outfit and suddenly shouted:

"Hey—Lord El-Melloi I!"

"Lord Sakutsuki!" Lancer was somewhat surprised by this persistent attitude.

"What else is it?!" Kayneth's tone was full of impatience, but Sakutsuki's next words changed his mind.

"Your workshop is at the Hyatt Hotel, isn't it?" Suppressing the killing intent and hostility emanating from him, Sakutsuki gradually began to exude a magical aura. "Then, as a magus, I will visit there tonight to discuss the mysteries of magecraft with you."

This was a declaration of war from one magus to another, in the capacity of a magus.

The disappointment of the night was completely swept away. In response to Sakutsuki's challenge, Kayneth returned with a proud and reserved laugh:

"Very well, I don't dislike capable individuals, especially courteous magi. While it is regrettable that you refused my request earlier—I will neither flee nor hide, so I look forward to seeing what you're capable of. Let's go, Lancer."

Lancer once again expressed his gratitude to Sakutsuki with his eyes, then nodded to Saber as well. The knight, who appeared as a young girl, returned the gesture with a nod.

No superfluous words were needed; both parties knew the oath they should have made.

Someday... they would settle their score.

After confirming this, Lancer turned into a spiritual body and disappeared. Moments later, the barrier Kayneth had erected in the area was also dispelled.

The sound of waves crashing against the rocks, as if long forgotten, and the distant clamor of the city began to gently vibrate the night air, descending upon the battlefield that had been ravaged by the storm.

Suddenly, I remembered "Gilgamesh 2.5" from Mama's voice lines. Mama was so cute when she apologized afterward (giggles)