Or, you guys find another savior

Incredible fighting will and agility beyond normal imagination.

Is this truly a Master participating in the Holy Grail War as a magus? Or perhaps an unknown hero born in an era where heroes have long since declined.

The weapon, which he had only recently acquired, was now being wielded by Xi Jianxi like a hundred flowers blooming in a dazzling display.

In the blink of an eye, Xi Jianxi once again closed the distance between himself and Archer to a point where he could strike the opponent with just a thrust of his magic spear.

Archer's Noble Phantasms gathered behind him and flew forward, and Xi Jianxi's body disappeared once more.

This time, everyone saw it clearly: a flash of light appeared when Xi Jianxi disappeared.

"That's—!" Diarmuid exclaimed again.

When Xi Jianxi had previously stopped him from intervening in the battle between Morgan and Artoria, he had appeared in that same peculiar manner.

Now, it seemed likely to be some kind of spatial transfer magecraft.

However, that slow method was probably for long-distance movement, whereas this was short-distance.

In less than an instant, Xi Jianxi appeared in mid-air behind Archer, and without a word, spun his magic spear, slashing down with the axe-shaped blade on its side.

Clang—!

Gripping the spear shaft with both hands, Xi Jianxi pressed down hard, but could not move it an inch further.

Archer, wielding two golden longswords, crossed them in front of him, blocking the attack.

Although he could use magecraft and footwork to dodge the opponent's Noble Phantasms and charge forward, there was still an unavoidable gap in raw strength, making it impossible to suppress a Strength stat of B rank or higher.

"Hmph—!"

Gilgamesh grunted, easily parrying Xi Jianxi's killing blow with his twin blades and retreating. The twin blades vanished into golden light in his hands.

Unexpectedly, Archer did not seem to be in a continued rage. A cold smile reappeared on his face, and the golden Servant crossed his arms, looking down at Xi Jianxi.

"I didn't expect to have to use Enkidu on you, you insignificant mongrel. You're quite capable, aren't you?"

With an extremely delighted voice, Archer let out a wild laugh. He suddenly spread his arms, and the surrounding space distorted again, this time manifesting a full thirty-two "gates."

Xi Jianxi took a deep breath, secretly calculating in his mind how to break through this situation.

"Human! Prove your worth to me, or face death!"

The murderous atmosphere caused the winter night air to solidify further. If everyone could still afford to watch from the sidelines before, now, facing so many Noble Phantasms, they could no longer just spectate.

If Archer were to suddenly decide to annihilate the other Servants present, there were thirty-two gates deployed now. Would there be more later?

Sixty-four, one hundred twenty-eight, or even more?

No one could predict the extent of the golden Servant's true power anymore.

Morgan calmly stepped forward, blocking Xi Jianxi once again.

"Testing him to this extent is enough, isn't it? I'll use my magecraft to block Archer's attacks, and you'll be responsible for activating the retreat magecraft," she calmly instructed Xi Jianxi.

"It seems so," Xi Jianxi replied impassively, preparing to retreat with Morgan.

At this moment, Artoria suddenly landed in front of him and Morgan.

"I'll cover you here. You two retreat first."

Just ten minutes ago, Artoria, who had been an enemy of Morgan at sea, reappeared in her armor, holding her invisible sword, ready to cover their retreat.

Morgan couldn't help but ask:

"What are you plotting?"

Chapter 18: Unexpected Complications

Artoria found it difficult to explain the exact intention behind her actions.

Was it out of sympathy, or perhaps for the Master who was being toyed with by her sister?

Or was it because she saw Morgan, who was known for her sharp cruelty, trying so hard to protect someone?

Even if that person was merely Morgan's Master in this Holy Grail War, and their relationship was only the most basic form of cooperation.

"Even enemies have a priority order," Artoria said, warily watching Gilgamesh.

Seeing another Servant step forward to oppose him, Gilgamesh's attitude became even more arrogant and delighted.

"Excellent, excellent! If you wish to make your exit here, I shall grant you your wish!"

He slightly raised his hand, and with a single gesture, the already manifested Noble Phantasms would rain down like a torrential downpour of arrows upon Xi Jianxi, Morgan, and Artoria.

If it were only that, Artoria could fully unleash the Wind King Barrier, which concealed her Noble Phantasms, to block Archer's assault.

Coupled with Morgan's magecraft, creating an opening for retreat would not be difficult.

Originally, such an act of aiding an enemy in the Holy Grail War would require consultation with her Master.

However, as Irisviel, the proxy Master, had already retreated, Artoria, who had only intended to observe the battle situation and then withdraw, did not expect the battle to escalate to this point.

Thanks to this, she had indeed gained a considerable amount of information.

But since Maiya Hisau had appeared and escorted Irisviel away from the seaside, Saber inferred that her true Master, Kiritsugu Emiya, should also be nearby.

However... it was difficult to expect that man, who refused to communicate with his Servant, to offer any instructions regarding the current situation.

Artoria had no choice but to make her own judgment.

"What are you hesitating for? While that guy is holding Archer back, hurry up and retreat," Morgan urged Xi Jianxi in a low voice.

However, her tone clearly indicated that she intended to abandon Artoria here.

Just like that Morgan, Saber mused inwardly.

"No, it seems we don't need to," Xi Jianxi stated casually.

Then, everyone saw Gilgamesh's lips suddenly curl into an angry expression.

"You think someone like you can make me retreat? How audacious, Tokiomi..."

He said in a disdainful, deep voice, but the Noble Phantasm behind him retracted its light and vanished into the void.

Despite his displeasure, Gilgamesh's cold gaze passed over Artoria and fixed on Xi Jianxi, who was shielded by Morgan.

"For the sake of my subordinate, I shall forgive your aggression today. But if we meet on the battlefield again and you haven't eliminated the other weaklings, your own end will not be far off."

With those final words, Gilgamesh dispelled his physical form. The golden armor lost its solidity and dissipated, leaving only scattered remnants of light.

"Tokiomi Tohsaka's personality is nowhere near as resolute and warlike as this golden Servant," Xi Jianxi said knowingly. "To have reached this point in the first battle, for Tokiomi, who wants to win steadily and advance step by step, that certainly wasn't what he wanted to see."

He extended his hand and gently pressed on Morgan's arm.

She maintained that posture even after Archer had retreated.

"Speaking of which, you know Archer's Master too," Morgan suddenly recalled.

Rider also seemed surprised. "What? You know him? So you deliberately challenged that golden guy?"

"Not just Tokiomi Tohsaka, but Lancer's Master, Kayneth, and your Master, Waver, I know them all," Xi Jianxi fastened the front of his coat. "After all, I'm registered with the Mage's Association and am a regular magus who frequently visited the Clock Tower in the past."

"Is that really true, kid?" Rider asked Waver.

"Mhm, mhm!" Waver nodded vigorously in confirmation.

He hadn't expected Xi Jianxi to know him.

After all, the Velvet family was a rising magus family with only a few generations of accumulation, and his own aptitude wasn't outstanding.

But Xi Jianxi was different. Although he lacked background, he was said to have gained the favor of the Grand Caster, Touko Aozaki, and had practical experience participating in Sealing Designation enforcement.

Even though they were only a few years apart in age, Waver could feel the difference.

"So, since we've met in this remote land, don't you have any intention of coming out to say hello and greet each other? Professor Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald?"

Xi Jianxi took a few steps forward and called out loudly in Kayneth's direction.

Although he heard it, Kayneth didn't respond, merely standing there and watching them.

"Magi are truly heartless creatures," he turned around, spreading his hands in exasperation, complaining to the others as if the remaining Masters and Servants were not enemies.

His gaze swept over all the Servants, and even Lancer, despite being spoken of as his liege, couldn't help but agree with a wry smile.

Iskandar laughed heartily. "Hahaha! If that's the case, aren't you a magus yourself? What an interesting fellow!"

"That's true," Xi Jianxi pouted.

He lowered his hand and looked at Morgan. "If the remaining few don't intend to continue fighting, we will withdraw for today."

"No matter, I only came to say hello and see if anyone wanted to join my ranks and give up the Holy Grail," Iskandar declared grandly. "Unfortunately, it seems no one has that intention."

Artoria nodded. "My Master has also retreated. Even if we were to fight, we cannot rashly continue without our Master."

"Is that so? Then let's go back," Xi Jianxi yawned and beckoned to Morgan. "Come over here."

Morgan nodded silently. She didn't mind, as it all depended on Xi Jianxi's thoughts.

Just then, Kayneth's voice suddenly rang out:

"Xi Jianxi, I shouldn't ask this here, but allow me to confirm one thing."

"Go ahead," Xi Jianxi, who was about to leave, stopped his preparations to activate teleportation magic.

"As a magus without background, are you trying to prove your worth to those in the Democratic faction through the outcome of this Holy Grail War?"

A peculiar question came from Kayneth.

Waver suddenly realized something. He also remembered something.

There were three factions at the Clock Tower: the Democratic faction, the Aristocratic faction, and the Neutral faction. The conflict between the Democratic and Aristocratic factions was the most intense.

Kayneth hailed from the Aristocratic faction, from El-Melloi.

And Xi Jianxi was a former Sealing Designation enforcer who was closely associated with the leader of the Democratic faction.

Chapter Nineteen: The Extension of Factional Disputes

"Is this matter important? Or, as the head of the El-Melloi family, who is the only one with ties to Baseloid among the Aristocratic faction, do you want to bring the factional strife of the Clock Tower into the Holy Grail War?" Xi Jianxi asked, looking at Kayneth from a distance. "I advise you to give up, or you will die."

After all, this was the Holy Grail War. Although it was currently considered a remote magus competition ritual in the Clock Tower, once the truth was revealed, even if Xi Jianxi killed the leader of the Aristocratic faction, Kayneth, during the war, the Clock Tower would not simply sentence him to death.

"This is my final ultimatum. If you continue to maintain your connection with Baru'ereta, then I will have no choice but to prioritize eliminating you in the upcoming Holy Grail War," Kayneth declared.

Xi Jianxi raised his eyebrows high. He had underestimated the value he displayed externally, never expecting to receive a death sentence from the leader of the Aristocratic faction.

Of course, this was not Kayneth acting on impulse or purely out of self-interest.

There was another reason: before leaving the Clock Tower, he had already heard various warnings about him from within El-Melloi's faction.

"If you encounter Xi Jianxi, you will die, because the democratic faction is also looking forward to this outcome."

The leaders of the various factions within El-Melloi were aware of the general situation of the Holy Grail War, and their not participating was simply due to their own lack of strength.

Perhaps it was to preserve the faction's strength, or perhaps they had other plans and deliberately said such things to provoke Kayneth.

Regardless, too many people saying it made Kayneth have to take it seriously.

If they could form an alliance and win over the aristocratic faction to act as their muscle, they would join forces. If not, they would eliminate them.

Kayneth knew perfectly well what level a Sealing Designation executor was.

Therefore, he made such a declaration.

"Alright, if you want to fight, I'll accompany you. Shall we fight now, or another day?" Xi Jianxi looked at Waver. "Waver, this is a good opportunity to defeat the teacher you dislike. We can team up."

Then, he looked at Artoria. "Saber, I don't know what your Master is thinking, but if you take down Lancer with me here, your Master definitely won't object. Or you can help the other side. But two-on-two is definitely not as stable as three-on-one."

In just a few words, Xi Jianxi had swayed the Masters of Rider and Saber with the potential benefits.

"Hahahaha! What a diplomat! What do you say, Lancer's Master! Are we fighting here or retreating? I'll give you a little more time to hesitate." Rider didn't mind fighting.

Whether it was a free-for-all or a combined effort, it all suited his taste.

After all, Waver also looked like he was tempted by the proposal.

"Let's retreat, Lancer..."