How About You Guys Pick a Different Savior

Realizing the situation was no longer within his control and that others wouldn't simply stand by, Kayneth gritted his teeth and gave the order to retreat.

Lancer could only offer a wry smile and shake his head. "It seems there won't be a fight. I hope we can have a proper duel next time."

With that, Lancer's figure vanished from the bay warehouse.

"He's a boring man. Thankfully, he's not my Master, or it would be no fun," Iskandar expressed his disapproval of Kayneth.

"So, that declaration of alliance is void then," Xi Jianxi shrugged.

"I was hoping to witness your strategy, but I have no interest in this kind of battle." Iskandar tugged at the reins, "However, if you can break free from this predicament using your own strength, even while being targeted like this, and then come before me, I'll be even more pleased."

"I won't accept your recruitment," Xi Jianxi pursed his lips.

Iskandar was unfazed by this and simply laughed heartily.

With that, he pulled on the reins of his two divine oxen, which let out a bellowing cry accompanied by bursts of thunder. Then, he charged into the void, riding on lightning.

"Farewell!"

Amidst the thunder and lightning, Rider and his Master disappeared into the southern sky.

All that remained was Artoria.

She gazed at Morgan.

"Do you want to fight, Artoria?" Morgan asked, looking at Artoria with her arms crossed.

"No..."

Artoria shook her head. She was merely separated from her Master and was currently in a state of free action without any orders.

"To face your 'enemy' without rushing into battle, isn't that being too merciful, King Arthur?" Xi Jianxi said to Saber with a half-joking tone.

"This isn't mercy," Artoria shook her head.

"If you have nowhere to go because you're separated from your Master, why not come with us for now?" Xi Jianxi suggested.

Morgan expressed doubt, "Artoria coming with us?"

"As you can see, I'm being targeted by the nobles' monarch. But I'm not exactly one to follow the rules, and of course, I'd like to recruit some allies..." Xi Jianxi returned the Demon Spear he was holding to Morgan. "Perhaps El-Melloi has the same idea. As the head of the three knights, being able to win anyone over is a good thing."

"..." Artoria considered whether she should do this.

As a Servant, acting together with another Master and Servant without authorization was tantamount to publicly declaring an alliance.

"Besides, your Master will inevitably reunite with you. Instead of actively searching, it's better to wait for them," Xi Jianxi offered his perspective. "Perhaps... we could even take the opportunity to chat with the Master who comes looking for you about cooperation."

"In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken." Artoria made up her mind. "What do you think, big sister?"

"Interesting. Let's try it out then," Morgan didn't mind.

She could tell Xi Jianxi intended to use Artoria, which was quite fitting.

Xi Jianxi looked up. "Please come closer, King Arthur."

Artoria, not understanding, walked towards the two.

As soon as she stood still, a gust of wind suddenly swept up, and a flock of black crows appeared out of nowhere, surrounding the three of them.

"What is this..."

Artoria was surprised.

But before her surprise could last long, the crows dispersed, and their surroundings became clear again.

The three of them were now in the front yard of a Western-style mansion.

"This is my home. Allow me to play host and welcome the first guest to visit this place during the Holy Grail War," Xi Jianxi said with a casual smile.

At this moment, Morgan, like a mistress of the house, naturally walked across the path towards the main entrance and used a key to open the door.

"All visitors are guests. As long as you don't start a fight here, I'll allow you to visit," Morgan said to Artoria, toying with the key.

After speaking, she glanced at Xi Jianxi, seemingly asking if her actions were appropriate.

However, Artoria couldn't help but smile.

"What's so funny, Artoria?"

"Nothing, it's just that so much has happened tonight, I couldn't help myself..."

Saber turned away and looked at the courtyard gate.

"Please go home first, both of you. I need to confirm the surrounding situation."

Actually, Artoria was just feeling a bit emotional.

Her sister was showing an expression that seemed so ordinary.

Chapter 20: Einzbern Castle

In Fuyuki City, there was a national highway that turned its back on the city's light, extending westward from Shin-Machi into the deeper mountains. Ahead of the road lay a vast expanse of undeveloped, deep forest.

And within this undeveloped forest stood a classical castle in the medieval European style.

This was the Einzbern family's property in Fuyuki City, and it served as their exclusive stronghold, established as one of the three founding families that constructed the Fuyuki Holy Grail War system.

Anyone attempting to enter this forest would be monitored by the castle's owner. Through layers of illusions and magical barriers, neither Servants nor Masters could escape detection.

However, even though she controlled every corner of this forest and used magic with a crystal ball capable of observing distant places, Irisviel saw no sign of Saber entering the forest.

This made her sigh a few times unconsciously.

"Are you tired, Ai?" Kiritsugu asked his wife.

Irisviel immediately put away her worried expression and smiled, shaking her head.

"It's a miracle we weren't caught in the crossfire of Saber and Berserker's battle at such close range. You should rest properly." Kiritsugu was concerned about her condition.

Although Maiya had timely retreated Irisviel from the seaside and brought her all the way to the Einzbern castle, it was still possible that she might have been injured from being so close.

"It's fine... but Saber..." she told her husband, voicing her concerns.

Kiritsugu glanced at the Command Spells on his hand. "Based on the current situation, that King of Knights is not in danger. I saw her leave with Berserker and their Master of her own free will."

Kiritsugu, who was at the bayside warehouse, did not reveal himself until the last moment. However, this decision led Saber to act independently.

"It's just that the way they retreated was more fitting for Caster than Berserker," Kiritsugu commented.

If it weren't for his right as a Master allowing him to confirm his Servant's class, he might have genuinely been confused.

"Regarding that, I haven't had a chance to tell you yet—" Irisviel added.

After returning to the castle and waking up under Maiya's care, she understood the situation from Kiritsugu, who had also returned, and then began using the crystal ball to scout the forest.

After all, being separated from her Servant now put them in a very dangerous situation.

Any Master could raid this place with their Servant without any obstruction.

"Kiritsugu and Miss Maiya were too far away to see clearly. In fact, Berserker and Saber have a direct connection, and Saber knows the other party's true name," Irisviel said. "Her name is Morgan, Saber's older sister."

Kiritsugu's furrowed brow relaxed again. "This is going to be a big problem. Despite being a Berserker with Mad Enhancement B or higher, she appears no different from a regular Servant, and is also a top-tier Divine Era Magus." Kiritsugu looked at the map of Fuyuki City, feeling the difficulty of the Holy Grail War increase with every analysis.

Not only that, but Berserker's Master, Xi Jianxi.

Even though he knew the other party was from the Mage's Association, had received a Pride rating at a young age, and had even participated in Sealing Designation missions.

Kiritsugu still believed he could assassinate such a Magus using his unique combat style.

These pre-conceived tactics were completely shattered by the battle tonight.

A human Magus could contend with a Servant, fight evenly with Lancer, and challenge the unfathomable Archer.

Especially after being ambushed by Lancer, Xi Jianxi was able to counterattack instantly, creating a situation where both sides were injured, forcing Lancer's Master to retreat.

"The priority is to find Saber. If necessary, we can even use Command Spells to force her back," Kiritsugu Emiya said. "If the time we are separated from our Servant exceeds tonight, we will have to withdraw from here and find a new hidden base."

Irisviel asked at this moment, "Then... Kiritsugu, do you know where Saber is?"

"Probably over there," Kiritsugu said, pointing towards Miyama Town through the bedroom window. "When I sensed Berserker moving with their Master and Saber, their location shifted from the bayside warehouse behind Shinto to the residential area of Miyama Town."

"That place should be Berserker's Master's base," Irisviel had her answer.

But the problem followed: how to contact the other party, or should they just visit directly.

A Magus's residence was also their workshop, and it would inevitably have a very sophisticated barrier outside.

What if Saber was actually being held hostage...

"Berserker's Master must have reached some agreement with Saber, which is why Saber agreed to go with them first," Kiritsugu explained apologetically to Irisviel.

He knew clearly that he bore some responsibility for this.

Because he refused to communicate with Saber and let his wife act as Master in his stead, the consequence was that if Irisviel and Saber were separated, they would lack the necessary means of contact, as is happening now.

"Don't worry about it, Kiritsugu. I had already anticipated this situation," Irisviel gently comforted her husband.

Then, a disturbance from the barrier made Irisviel's heart tighten.

"So soon, is a Servant going to attack us?" Kiritsugu guessed from his wife's expression, then picked up his weapon, preparing to fight.

Maiya, who was at the door, was also ready to move.

"No, it's a messenger familiar," Irisviel walked over and opened the window.

A blue bird landed on the windowsill.

As Irisviel reached out, the familiar emitted magic, and the information was transmitted through this magic, which she received.

Once the information was read, the blue bird dispersed like an illusion, which made Irisviel have to admire the ingenuity of the familiar's owner.

She closed the window.

"Kiritsugu, Berserker's Master sent a message, hoping Saber's Master will meet him there tomorrow. Saber will catch up with us later," Irisviel turned back to inform Kiritsugu. "He said it's something important to discuss, but didn't specify what."

"That sounds very suspicious," Kiritsugu couldn't help but mock.

"So, should we refuse?" Irisviel asked.

"No, of course we should go. The other party even proposed letting Saber return first, clearly wanting to allay our concerns as much as possible," Kiritsugu put down his gun. "Besides, we need to reunite with our Servant as soon as possible."

At this moment, Maiya, who had been waiting at the door without speaking, said, "Then, tomorrow I will drive Madam to Berserker's Master's place to meet with Saber. Kiritsugu, as usual, will monitor the situation from the shadows."

"Yes, let's do that. What do you think, Ai?" Kiritsugu asked his wife's opinion.

Irisviel smiled confidently. "Of course, I want to see who Morgan's Master is."

Chapter 21: A Night of Surging Undercurrents

In the living room of the Xi Jianxi residence.

"As you requested, the letter has been delivered to Artoria's Master," Morgan said, sitting by the sofa and looking at Xi Jianxi.

"Thank you, I could have done it myself..." Xi Jianxi shook his head.

Morgan smiled subtly, "But it's just fulfilling my wifely duties."

"Uh... are you really going to stick to this persona?" Xi Jianxi asked weakly.

Being considered the husband of a woman of unparalleled beauty would make any man waver, but the problem was... this was Morgan le Fay.

Even if it was just a nominal title, could he truly handle it?

"May I ask, what do you wish to discuss by inviting my Master to your residence?" Artoria asked, feigning seriousness after hearing the couple's banter.

She was also aware of the message delivered by that familiar.

"As you can see, Lancer's Master has declared war on me and even issued a death sentence," Xi Jianxi said, taking a deep breath. "Therefore, my urgent priority is to defeat Lancer and his Master as soon as possible. Once Lancer is out of the picture—"

"That's how war works, and it's precisely why my husband requested an alliance," Morgan interjected. "If you, Artoria, do not intend to accept, I don't mind. It's merely a matter of whether we deal with you first or the Lancer faction first."

"Sister..." Artoria felt a sense of helplessness.

But this was Morgan's usual way of doing things, Artoria knew that much.

Even if her Master had his own strategic plans, if Morgan disagreed, she would oppose them.

"You've heard him, my husband needs Lancer out of the picture. Once the Servant is gone, his Master will be easy to kill," Morgan calmly took the lead in the conversation, saying to Artoria, "If we are to engage them, we need to prevent other Servants and Masters from interfering and hindering us."

"So we need to cooperate," Artoria understood.

If necessary, she might even need to help Xi Jianxi and Morgan fend off other factions that could interfere with their pursuit of Lancer, possibly with Irisviel's assistance.

Xi Jianxi had revealed too much tonight. The Masters who would see him as the greatest threat were not just Kayneth.