Outside the altar, the spirit-form Black Knight, Lancelot, kept a close watch on his Master Shiki's condition.
When he saw blood beginning to seep from Shiki's Mystic Eyes, a wave of anxiety rose within him.
Releasing an ability beyond what the naked eye could normally endure would inevitably cause severe damage to the eyes. Excessive use could even result in irreversible injury.
"Master."
He called out silently in his heart, yet there was nothing he could do.
He knew nothing about the use of spiritual power. All he could do was wait helplessly, hoping with all his heart that this would end soon.
In his anxious state, time seemed to stretch endlessly. Only a few minutes had actually passed, but to the Black Knight, it felt as though several hours had gone by.
Finally, as the green light in Shiki's Mystic Eyes gradually faded, Lancelot knew that his Master's mind had returned.
He immediately stepped forward, picked up the medical supplies he had prepared beforehand, and carefully wiped the wounds around Shiki's eyes.
Shiki said, "I'm fine, Mr. Lancelot. It's just some burst capillaries. It's nothing serious."
He had long grown accustomed to the swelling pain in his eyes. From the faint pain alone, he could judge the severity of the injury.
Though this was not an ability he had ever wanted.
"Master, how did it go?"
After dealing with the bloodstains, the Black Knight finally asked about the results of Shiki's operation. The outcome itself was not particularly important to them, but seeing the strange look on his Master's face, he could not help asking.
At the mention of it, Shiki looked troubled.
It was not that the result had been bad. Rather, his conversation with the Winter Saintess had made things complicated.
How should he put it? What had originally been a simple E-rank intelligence-gathering mission had somehow escalated into an S-rank one.
It was certainly unexpected, though on second thought, it was not entirely surprising.
For Shiki, this might even count as a good thing. Probably.
"Anyway, when you've got enough lice, one more doesn't make you itch. When you're deep in debt, a little more doesn't matter. Things are still pretty good. We can continue with the next stage of our plan."
The Black Knight was utterly confused, but he understood his Master's meaning. Things were a little troublesome, but his Master had a way to solve them.
This matter had little to do with them Heroic Spirits, and his Master certainly would not say much more. So he did not press further. The priority now was treating his Master's eyes.
"Master, it's done."
After applying the medicine and helping Shiki put on an eye patch, the cool sensation made him feel much better. Still, he regretted not knowing healing magecraft, even though it did not seem particularly useful.
The eye patch was rather uncomfortable, and he subconsciously poked at it.
The Black Knight hurriedly stopped him. "Master, don't move around. If you affect the medicine, your recovery may take longer. And I suggest that you refrain from using your Mystic Eyes in the coming battles as well. Excessive use will damage your eyes and permanently impair your vision."
"Mr. Lancelot, where did you get your medical degree?" Shiki said half-jokingly.
The Black Knight replied helplessly, "Master..."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I won't use them recklessly. Don't worry."
Though Shiki himself had little confidence in those words.
With that major matter settled, Shiki stopped fidgeting and rested quietly, waiting for the right moment.
He glanced at the Command Spells on the back of his hand. There had originally been only one mark. The large number of Command Spells he had taken from the priest had been placed on his arm instead of transferred to the back of his hand, as a precaution against unforeseen circumstances.
But now, with the Winter Saintess's support, the Command Spells on the back of his hand had returned to three marks, restoring them to their most complete state.
"Heh. If necessary, I can even obtain new Command Spells from the Greater Grail at any time. That is the Saintess's authority."
Shiki marveled inwardly. This was undoubtedly incredibly powerful support, though such a situation could only occur during the Holy Grail War.
"Mr. Lancelot, get ready. Tonight, we hunt Archer and make him withdraw from the war."
In the corner, the Black Knight, who was clearing away the medical waste, curled his lips into a faint smile and answered loudly, "By your command, Master."
The Servant Archer, who had once humiliated Saber, had long been an eyesore to the Black Knight. And Rider as well. Both were targets he wished to eliminate. With battle approaching, his fighting spirit burned fiercely.
Time passed slowly, and throughout the day, every group remained peaceful.
After Saber and Rider formed their alliance, Kiritsugu returned to the base and learned of it from Irisviel. He made no particular comment. After packing his weapons, he left the base.
His relationship with Saber had become impossible to mend here. Going out would be quieter, and it would give him a chance to properly consider how the war might unfold from here on.
Watching Kiritsugu leave alone, Irisviel could not bear it. She took Saber's hand and pleaded softly, "Saber, can't you talk to Kiritsugu one more time?"
Saber refused sternly. "That is impossible, Irisviel. There is nothing for us to discuss. Our positions are different, and so are our goals. Further conversation would only lead to arguments. Perhaps then, I might draw my sword and kill him. Kiritsugu choosing to leave is better instead."
"Kill him!"
That word made Irisviel realize just how resolute Saber's attitude had become. She was at a complete loss. How had things developed into this?
What had once seemed like a fine partnership—no, perhaps this partnership had been flawed from the very beginning.
Seeing Irisviel like this, Saber sighed and comforted her. "Do not worry, Irisviel. As long as Kiritsugu does not do something to betray us first, I will not draw my sword against him. Unless..."
Unless Kiritsugu could give up the Holy Grail, abandon that distant, unattainable dream, and choose Irisviel, Saber would never fight for him.
Irisviel had no answer. She could only watch Kiritsugu's retreating figure. His back looked so lonely, just as it had when she first saw him at Einzbern, carrying a chill that felt so cold, so cold.
Elsewhere in Miyamachi, in a residential area near the southern coast, Waver stared worriedly at his notebook. The pen in his hand carved line after line into the pages, and even he did not know what he was busy with.
At that moment, a large hand suddenly slapped his shoulder. He stumbled and nearly fell to the ground.
Iskandar's booming voice rang out beside his ear. "Boy, why are you so distracted? What are you worried about? Do you not trust my strength? Who was it that confidently declared Rider the strongest before? Hahaha!"
Rider was dressed casually, sitting on the floor with a world map in his hands, studying it with great interest.
In the past, Waver would have jumped up and argued after being treated like that. But this time, he did not. Instead, he looked anxiously at his Servant. "Rider, is this Holy Grail War about to end?"
In just one short week, too much had happened. This had perhaps been a more wondrous journey than anything he had experienced in all his previous years.
Rider laughed heartily. "Boy, is that what you're worried about? Relax. Once we win the Holy Grail War and I obtain a physical body, I'll properly teach you how to become a real man. Hahaha!"
Waver stared blankly at Rider. He envied that confidence Rider possessed. When would he be able to gain such spirit, enough to face any terrifying thing?
For the first time, he truly wished to stand alongside Rider and face that terrifying enemy—Archer, that man who radiated golden light from head to toe.
The precious quality known as courage began to sprout in a corner of his heart.
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