Prelude to Battle: Preparations and All Sides

Outside the altar, the spiritualized Black Knight Lancelot kept a close watch on Master Shiki's condition.

When he saw bloodstains appearing around Shiki's Magic Eye, a surge of anxiety welled up within him.

This ability, exceeding the normal limits of the naked eye, was bound to cause severe damage to his eyes. Overuse could even lead to irreversible harm.

"Master."

He called out silently in his heart but could do nothing.

He didn't understand the use of mental power and could only wait helplessly, desperately hoping it would all be over soon.

In his anxious state, time seemed to stretch on. Although only a few minutes had passed, it felt like hours to the Black Knight.

Finally, as the green light on Shiki's Magic Eye gradually faded, Lancelot knew that Master's consciousness had returned.

He immediately stepped forward, picked up the prepared medical supplies, and carefully wiped the wounds on Shiki's eyes.

Shiki said, "I'm fine, Mr. Lancelot. It's just broken capillaries, nothing serious."

He was already accustomed to the throbbing pain in his eyes, able to judge the severity of the injury by the subtle pain in his eyes alone.

Even though this ability was not something he wished to possess.

"Master, how is it?"

After cleaning up the blood, the Black Knight finally inquired about the results of Shiki's operation. The outcome itself wasn't crucial to them; it was only because he noticed Shiki's unusual expression that he couldn't help but ask.

Mentioning this, Shiki's expression turned troubled.

It wasn't that the result was bad, but his conversation with the Winter Saintess had complicated matters.

How to put it? What was originally a simple E-rank information-gathering mission had escalated into an S-rank one.

This was quite unexpected, but on second thought, not entirely out of the blue.

For Shiki, this might even be a good thing, probably.

"In short, with too many lice, you don't feel itchy; with too many debts, you don't worry. Things are quite good, and our subsequent actions can proceed."

The Black Knight was confused, but he understood Master's meaning: the situation was tricky, but Master had a way to resolve it.

This matter had little to do with them as Heroic Spirits, and Master certainly wouldn't elaborate. So, he didn't press further. The priority was to take care of Master's eyes.

"Master, it's done."

After applying the medicine and helping Shiki put on an eye patch, the cool sensation made Shiki feel much better. He only regretted that he didn't know healing magic, though it felt useless.

The eye patch felt somewhat uncomfortable, and he instinctively poked at it.

This action made the Black Knight quickly intervene: "Master, don't move around. If it affects the medicine, the healing time might be extended. Also, I suggest Master refrain from using the Magic Eye in the upcoming battles. Overuse will cause permanent vision loss due to eye damage."

"Mr. Lancelot, did you hire a doctor?" Shiki said jokingly.

The Black Knight responded helplessly, "Master..."

"Yes, yes, I understand. I won't misuse it, don't worry."

Although Shiki himself had little confidence in his own words.

Having resolved this major issue, Shiki stopped fidgeting and rested quietly, waiting for the opportune moment.

He glanced at the Command Spells on the back of his hand. Originally, there was only one. Previously, he had taken a large number of Command Spells from the priest and placed them on his arm, not transferring them to the back of his hand, as a precaution against unexpected situations.

Now, with the Winter Saintess's support, the Command Spells on the back of his hand had been restored to three, appearing in their complete state.

"Heh, if needed, I can even obtain new Command Spells from the Greater Grail at any time. This is the Saintess's authority."

Shiki felt a sense of awe. This was undoubtedly incredibly powerful support, although such a situation only occurred during the Holy Grail War.

"Mr. Lancelot, be prepared. Tonight, we will hunt Archer and eliminate him."

In the corner, the Black Knight, who was cleaning up the medical waste, slightly curved his lips and responded loudly, "As you command, Master."

The Black Knight had long disliked Archer, that Servant who had once humiliated Saber. And Rider too; both were targets he wished to eliminate. Facing the upcoming battle, his fighting spirit was high.

Time slowly passed. During the day, all parties remained peaceful.

After Saber and Rider formed an alliance, Kiritsugu, upon returning to their base, learned of this news from Irisviel. He didn't react much, tidied up his weapons, and left the base.

Here, his relationship with Saber had become irreconcilable. Leaving felt more peaceful, and it would allow him to properly consider the future direction of the war.

Watching Kiritsugu leave alone, Irisviel felt a pang of sympathy. She grasped Saber's hand and said with a hint of pleading, "Saber, can't you talk to Kiritsugu one more time?"

Saber sternly refused, "It's impossible, Irisviel. There's nothing to talk about between us. Our positions and goals are different. Further discussion will only lead to arguments, and perhaps at that moment, I would draw my sword and kill him. Kiritsugu choosing to leave like this is actually for the best."

"Kill!"

This word made Irisviel realize how resolute Saber's attitude was now. She felt helpless. How had things escalated to this point?

What was once a good combination, no, perhaps from the very beginning, this combination had inherent problems.

Seeing Irisviel's distress, Saber sighed and comforted her, "Don't worry, Irisviel. As long as Kiritsugu doesn't do anything to betray us first, I won't draw my sword. Unless..."

Unless Kiritsugu could give up the Holy Grail, give up his unattainable dream, and choose Irisviel, Saber would absolutely not fight for him.

Irisviel was speechless and could only watch Kiritsugu's receding figure. That figure was so lonely, just like when she first saw him at Einzbern, exuding a chill, very cold, very cold.

Also in Miyamachi, in a residential area near the southern coast, Waver was frowning at his laptop, his pen scratching out lines of damage on the pages. He himself didn't know what he was busy with.

A large hand suddenly clapped down on his shoulder, causing him to stumble and nearly fall to the ground.

Iskandar's booming voice echoed in his ear, "Kid, are you that distracted? What are you worried about? Don't you trust my power? Who was it that swore Rider is the strongest before, haha."

At this moment, Rider, dressed in casual clothes, sat on the ground, holding a world map and engrossed in its study.

If this had happened before, Waver would have jumped up to retort. But this time, he didn't. Instead, he looked at his Servant with deep concern, "Rider, is this Holy Grail War about to end?"

So much had happened in just one week; it was perhaps a wondrous journey he had never experienced in all his previous years.

Rider laughed heartily, "Kid, is that what you're worried about? Don't fret. Once we win the Holy Grail War, and once I obtain a physical body, I'll properly teach you how to become a true man, haha."

Waver stared blankly at Rider, envying the confidence radiating from him. When would he also possess such spirit, to face any terrifying thing?

For the first time, he truly wished to face that terrifying enemy – Archer, that guy radiating golden light – together with Rider.

The precious quality called courage sprouted in the corner of his heart.