Or, you guys find another savior

In that case, it's necessary to avoid routes that might be observed and approach this "second battlefield."

Soon, Kiritsugu found a position that allowed him to monitor any other Masters who might be on the gantry crane and overlook the warehouse district battlefield. He raised his rifle and searched for the combatants through the night vision scope.

Once he could clearly see the situation, Kiritsugu Emiya thought he was mistaken. He lowered the scope and, using his magic-enhanced vision, looked at the site of the engagement.

"This... how is this possible..."

Initially, Kiritsugu assumed the situation Maiya had detected was the Berserker's Master evading Lancer's pursuit, which had caused the commotion.

In reality, it exceeded Kiritsugu Emiya's expectations.

They were evenly matched.

Even though the Berserker's Master, Xi Jianxi, who fought bare-handed, was constantly dodging Lancer's attacks, his movements and responses showed no signs of disarray, and he could even counterattack.

At times he used his fists and feet, and at other times he unleashed magic that he might have prepared in advance.

The ground and the shipping containers on both sides were covered in jagged icebergs. Lancer even had to prioritize maintaining his balance several times due to the frozen ground.

"A water-attribute Magus," Kiritsugu Emiya narrowed his eyes.

Information about Xi Jianxi was very limited. The most he could gather from his prior investigation was that Xi Jian belonged to the Mage's Association and had some connection to Touko Aozaki, who had analyzed and restored the foundations of Rune magic.

Specific records of Xi Jian's use of magic were extremely scarce. Basically, they were all sealed according to regulations after he completed special missions as a contractor for the Mage's Association.

"What a troublesome fellow."

Kiritsugu Emiya gave up on sniping Xi Jianxi because his scope couldn't even lock onto the man.

Chapter 12: Gaze

Kiritsugu's group was not the only one observing the two battlefields on the northern coast.

In the basement of the Fuyuki Church, fifteen kilometers away.

Kirei was also selectively observing the two battlefields by sharing vision with Assassin.

He had recently applied for protection from the Holy Church due to "Servant's retreat," but that was merely a smokescreen to deceive other Masters.

The Servant he had summoned was named "Hassan of the Hundred Faces," who possessed numerous personalities. After Hassan was made into a Servant, these personalities manifested as a Noble Phantasm, becoming countless individuals.

The Hassan killed by Archer was just one of them. Such a loss was, at most, like losing a little finger to the Hundred Faces.

This was the strategy Kiritsugu and his father, Risei Kotomine, prepared in assistance to Tokiomi Tohsaka.

They would feign Assassin's withdrawal and continue to monitor the movements of other Servants and Masters from the shadows.

"...I didn't expect the first two battles to start simultaneously."

Kirei spoke to an old phonograph on the table.

A voice responded to Kirei from the phonograph.

"Strictly speaking, these are already the second and third battles in terms of public recognition."

The sound quality was somewhat distorted, but the owner of that calm and detached voice was Tokiomi Tohsaka, Kirei's Magus teacher.

The master-disciple estrangement was also a smokescreen for outsiders, with the aim of concealing their cooperation and allowing Kirei to more conveniently direct his Servant to continue assisting Tokiomi after his "retreat."

Tokiomi could not share consciousness with his Servant to observe the battlefield and could only rely on Kirei and Assassin as his eyes and ears.

"The battle happening at sea appears to be between Saber and Berserker. Saber's abilities are particularly outstanding, with most of her stats appearing to be A-rank. Berserker is similar; I wonder if his stats in all aspects have been enhanced due to Mad Enhancement."

"A well-matched opponent," Tokiomi commented.

"More than that. According to what Assassin saw, Saber and Berserker look very similar. Judging from their initial engagement, it's likely that those two Servants knew each other in life, perhaps even having a familial relationship," Kirei provided an even more shocking fact to Tokiomi.

"Can you see their Masters, Kirei?"

"There is only one silver-haired woman standing by the seaside watching. She is likely Saber's Master. She just fell due to the aftershocks of the two Servants' battle and is preparing to evacuate with the assistance of her guards."

"A silver-haired woman?" Tokiomi was slightly surprised.

"Yes, silver hair and red eyes. She doesn't look like an ordinary person."

Tokiomi pondered for a moment before making a conjecture, "...She must be an homunculus from the Einzbern family. Did they create another puppet Master? I thought Kiritsugu Emiya was a pawn prepared by the Einzberns, but it seems I was mistaken."

Kirei did not agree with this, instead reserving his own judgment and continuing to report to Tokiomi.

"Berserker's Master had previously separated from his Servant and returned to the city alone to pick up two children. He only arrived near the battlefield after Saber and Berserker began their fight."

"...Is that so," Tokiomi said with some emotion.

As a father, he was glad that Sakura had a new father to adopt her. As a Magus, he felt a sense of regret that Xi Jian, even at such a time, prioritized trivial matters.

"I recall that you and Xi Jianxi have some acquaintance, don't you, Kirei?" Tokiomi asked.

"Yes..." Kirei gave a concise affirmation.

Not only was she Tokiomi's second daughter.

Kirei himself, due to his own circumstances, had entrusted his biological daughter, whom he could not personally care for, to Xi Jian, who was gradually stepping back from the front lines of Magus work at the time.

After that, he heard that Xi Jian came to Fuyuki and adopted Tokiomi Tohsaka's second daughter, claiming the need for a qualified successor to inherit his magic.

For the purpose of gathering information, Xi Jian, who had obtained the qualifications of a Holy Grail War Master, also fell within Kirei's scope of intelligence gathering.

However, Kirei could not understand Xi Jianxi.

This Magus, younger than himself, possessed a humanity that was completely uncharacteristic of a Magus. Beyond teaching Sakura magic, he had, while unmarried, admirably taken on the role of a father.

No matter what... Karen, adopted by Xi Jian, would perhaps have a better life than she would elsewhere, and grow up.

Kirei, who found it difficult to feel the happiness of ordinary people, could only offer his prayers for his daughter, whom he would never see again, out of the morality instilled in him since childhood.

"You say Jian is near the battlefield, can you see him?" Tokiomi was very concerned about Xi Jian's actions.

If possible, he was willing to fulfill the gentleman's agreement from two years ago: to eliminate only Xi Jian's Servant and then let him take refuge at the Church until the Holy Grail War ended.

If necessary, he might even let Xi Jian help look after Rin.

After all, Tokiomi knew that regardless of whether he won or lost, he would not be able to return to Rin's side.

If he won, he would reach the Root through the Holy Grail; if he lost, he might be killed by another Master.

"Yes, but..." Kirei was uncharacteristically hesitant.

"What is it?" Tokiomi thought something had happened to Xi Jian.

"That person is currently fighting the Lancer Servant, alone," Kirei added to ensure Tokiomi understood.

Even though he himself felt it was beyond comprehension when he saw it.

"...What?" Tokiomi's surprise was undeniable, and he was about to disregard the Tohsaka family's motto.

"Assassin saw it with his own eyes, and I find it hard to believe as well," Kirei agreed. "Xi Jian is locked in a fierce battle with Lancer, and I don't think this is due to Lancer's combat power being too low..."

After all, no matter how weak a Servant was, they should be an insurmountable enemy for a human.

Even Kirei, as an agent with extraordinary combat abilities, wouldn't claim to have a sure victory against his own Assassin.

However, Xi Jian had shattered this common sense.

Kirei only remembered how proficient Xi Jian was with Rune magic, like an extension of his own arm, when they were on a joint mission under the joint auspices of the Mage's Association and the Holy Church.

"It seems the worst enemy of the Holy Grail War has been determined..."

Tokiomi's voice was exceptionally grave.

In that case, perhaps only by relying on Archer's powerful combat ability to kill both Xi Jian and his Servant could the Tohsaka family's wish entrusted to the Holy Grail be realized.

However, if that were the case, Sakura would lose her place to stay... and Kirei's daughter.

Was there a better way to resolve this situation?

Tokiomi Tohsaka could not think of one for the time being.

"Kirei, continue to monitor the battlefield's movements. The other Servants and Masters have likely been drawn away by their simultaneous battles."

"Yes."

After accepting the task, Kirei continued to focus on the two battles taking place in the distance.

Chapter 13: Why don't you go yourself?

"Did she hold back?"

Artoria lightly swung her long sword, and the Wind King Barrier unfurled once more, concealing the true form of the golden sword in her hand before the waves subsided.

As she fiercely counterattacked the Demon Spear summoned by Morgan from the sky, Artoria felt that if Morgan had launched other magic to interfere from the front at that moment, she would have had only two choices—

Either retreat, heavily wounded, on the spot.

Or activate her Noble Phantasm, reveal her true name, and resolve the crisis.

With Morgan among the enemy Servants in the Holy Grail War, hiding her true name had become a useless tactic that could be exposed at any moment for Artoria.

Conversely, Morgan's true name was also revealed. However, the difference was that Morgan had displayed something Artoria did not understand during their exchange.

The disadvantage brought by revealing one's true name differed in degree for both of them.

"As I said, I'm just here to say hello tonight, Artoria," Morgan said with a faint smile that seemed timeless.

"Say hello..."

Artoria knew how malicious and cruel her sister's personality was.

Considering such a life-or-death struggle as a greeting was not an entirely incomprehensible motive.

"If you want to eliminate an opponent tonight, or withdraw tonight, feel free to step forward," Morgan said teasingly. "That person wouldn't mind."

That person? Artoria hesitated for a moment before realizing Morgan was referring to her Master, Xi Jian.

In the Holy Grail War, Masters would naturally not mind their Servants eliminating other Servants.

"However, if we defeat the most excellent Saber class on the first night, we'll likely become targets for everyone," Morgan hypothesized a difficult situation, but her voice remained calm, showing no sense of crisis.

"Unfortunately, I have no intention of withdrawing from the Holy Grail War at this point."

Artoria recalled her wish and gripped her sword hilt again, preparing to continue the fight.

"Hmph..." Morgan gripped the Demon Spear.

The tense battlefield atmosphere, however, was disrupted by sudden lightning and thunder.

Artoria looked at the bay warehouse in shock. The thunder rolled across the ground like snakes, and the dazzling light did not diminish even when viewed from hundreds of meters away.

Sensing the magical energy contained within the lightning, Artoria felt a sense of vigilance.

Morgan had been leading her around by the nose, forcing her to focus only on the battle before her, leaving no room in her mind for anything else.

It was then that Artoria noticed Irisviel being helped away by a woman with short black hair.

That was Kiritsugu Emiya's assistant, Maiya Hisau.

Does that mean Kiritsugu has also come to this area? Artoria immediately realized the current situation.

"So it wasn't a misperception; he's finished his business and come over?" Morgan also showed slight surprise, letting out a silent sigh. "He'd rather fight himself than let his Servant act – my husband is truly stubborn—"

Husband? Artoria was utterly shocked.

"...So there's an outsider who's going to interfere here and block for us? I'm in your debt." Morgan's gaze drifted elsewhere, not looking at Saber, her tone filled with teasing towards the person she was conversing with.

She's communicating with her Master directly through a long-distance mental link. Artoria understood.

"If that's the case, I should observe the battle as his wife. Don't feel ashamed; fight with all your might."

With that, Morgan phased into a spiritual form and disappeared from the sea's surface.

But Artoria, as a fellow Servant, could see Morgan rapidly moving towards the bay warehouses.

Irisviel had already been evacuated by Maiya, and Kiritsugu must be observing the battle from the warehouses.

Having made up her mind, Artoria, though unable to phase into a spiritual form, quickly leaped from the sea's surface, following Morgan's figure to another battlefield where a quiet battle had begun.

"Oh? Instead of ambushing me from behind, you've disarmed yourself. Are you that uncertain, Artoria?"

Morgan, having shed her Servant form and returned to modern attire, looked mockingly at Artoria, who had also changed back into her black suit.

This clearly indicated that both had chosen to end the battle without any communication.

"If it were a direct confrontation, I wouldn't hesitate even if I had to kill my sister as a Servant," Artoria's attitude was straightforward. "But ambushing a blood relative from behind... it would leave a bad taste in my mouth afterward."