The Golden Heroic Spirit

Scáthach was especially displeased.

"Where... did he come from?"

Artoria had no idea what she meant.

"What?! That traitorous disciple Waver Velvet has already shown himself!!"

Elsewhere, Kenneth, who was relentlessly pursuing Emiya Kiritsugu, was also somewhat surprised.

Rovey immediately began applauding, playing along perfectly. "Good. He certainly has the bearing of a King of Conquerors."

Internally, however, he complained, Charging straight in like that—he really isn't afraid of getting ganged up on by all three of them...

Matou Zouken looked puzzled.

"Part of the plan?"

Rovey shook his head slightly and answered with an innocent expression, "Obviously... this is completely outside the plan."

"In other words... Lancer, Saber, Caster, and the newly arrived Rider have all revealed their true names. Including Berserker Lancelot, we already know five. Add Assassin, who withdrew after attacking the Tohsaka Residence, and the only Servant whose true name remains unknown is Tokiomi Tohsaka's."

Zouken Matou did not doubt Rovey's words. Instead, he stroked his chin and thoughtfully analyzed the current situation.

"Oh? Zouken Matou, surely you don't really think Assassin would be eliminated so easily on the very first night of the Holy Grail War?"

Faced with Zouken Matou's analysis, Rovey calmly shook his head and gave him a reminder.

"You mean..."

Zouken Matou frowned at that. But they said the longer one lived, the sharper one became. Having lived for over five hundred years, he was naturally no fool and immediately understood the implication behind Rovey's words.

"Anyone who can become a Heroic Spirit is a true hero who left their name and mark upon human history. Even Assassin, whose combat abilities may be somewhat weaker, is no exception. How could he possibly withdraw so carelessly?"

"And even if he wanted to take advantage of Assassin's strengths for an assassination, there was no reason to act on the first night, when everyone was at their most alert. The third or fourth night, when all sides began fighting in chaos and exposing openings, would have been far more suitable. Yet he chose the first night, a time that was obviously suicidal. In other words..."

Rovey did not spell it out, leaving room for Zouken Matou to draw his own conclusion.

"Assassin did it deliberately?! He wanted to create the illusion that he had been eliminated on the first night, then go from the open into the shadows and hide himself within this Holy Grail War."

"The Assassin class is inherently skilled at assassination, so under normal circumstances, every Master would be especially wary of him. But if he removes himself from the board, he can vanish completely into the darkness. Then, once everyone lets down their guard, he can plunge into the enemy's chest like a blade and seize an absolute advantage."

Within mere minutes, Zouken Matou's eyes lit up as he immediately arrived at the correct answer.

"Exactly."

Rovey nodded. "Then, Zouken Matou, why do you think Tokiomi Tohsaka helped Assassin put on this act?"

Why put on this act...

Hearing Rovey's question, Zouken Matou looked at him, then thought of himself, and quickly understood everything.

"Hahaha, so that's how it is. So that's how it is... I never expected that we weren't the only two who had formed an alliance before the Holy Grail War began. That brat from the Tohsaka Family had thought of this in advance as well."

"He summoned the powerful Archer to hold the front and fight openly, while secretly joining forces with Assassin. He clearly intends to attack us from both the Master and Servant sides at once. Truly impressive."

Even Zouken Matou could not help praising the meticulous plan Tokiomi Tohsaka had devised.

Even he had to admit that the open-and-hidden combination of Archer and Assassin possessed a far greater advantage than their Berserker and Caster pairing.

For example, right now...

After realizing Assassin was still alive and might possess extremely high-level Presence Concealment and an ability akin to a substitute death, Zouken Matou immediately became vigilant.

He swept his gaze around the area, then released a great many more insects to stand guard, terrified that Assassin might suddenly rush out of the darkness the very next instant.

Then he lowered his voice and asked Rovey, "Crowley Patriarch, what should we do next? Too many Servants have been drawn into tonight's probing battle. If it continues, it will be difficult for us to control what follows. And... should we still send Matou Kariya and Berserker to the scene?"

If possible, Zouken Matou still wanted to keep Berserker close by. They were facing an Assassin who could be hiding in the darkness at any time. It would be impossible not to feel uneasy.

Moreover, he had never expected King Arthur to appear in this Holy Grail War. The Berserker he had summoned was no obscure figure, and he just happened to share a tangled, ill-fated bond with King Arthur.

Lancelot, one of the culprits responsible for King Arthur's kingdom falling into ruin. If he charged out there, he would undoubtedly place Saber directly on the opposing side, and there was a high chance his true name would be exposed at once.

After all, he was Lancelot, Knight of the Lake—a crucial figure who had fought beside King Arthur to conquer the land, guarded the kingdom, and ultimately stabbed him in the back. Even if the Berserker manifested this time possessed the ability to disguise his identity, he might not be able to fool King Arthur, who had spent every day at his side. That was why Zouken Matou hesitated over whether to send Lancelot into the field.

"Of course he should enter. Since we came all this way, how can we return empty-handed?"

Rovey immediately tried to persuade Zouken Matou.

"Four have already gathered on the battlefield. Aside from that hidden Assassin, only Lancelot is missing. At such a grand gathering, Tokiomi Tohsaka's Servant will surely appear soon as well. Let Lancelot enter alongside him then. Have him act as a mad dog to test Tokiomi Tohsaka's Servant's strength. If he truly cannot prevail, Scáthach will intervene."

"Have Berserker conduct the test..."

Zouken Matou nodded, quickly agreeing with Rovey's plan. "That is indeed a good idea. A berserker who has lost his reason is the best cover. As for that detestable Assassin... no hero would wish to be watched at all times by some petty man lurking in the darkness while they fought. Once we expose his fake withdrawal, he will undoubtedly become the target of everyone."

"Good. Then I'll leave things here to Zouken Matou."

"Hm? Crowley Patriarch, you do not intend to watch until the end?"

Seeing Rovey propose to leave, Zouken Matou looked somewhat surprised.

Rovey did not conceal anything and directly answered his question.

"Excuse me, Zouken Matou. My teacher is also participating in this war, and he appears to be fighting the Einzbern Family's son-in-law Master right now. I am worried for his safety, so I must go and take a look."

"Your teacher? That... Lord of the Mineralogy Department, Kenneth?"

Zouken Matou was somewhat surprised.

He could not understand what there was to worry about.

That was a Lord. Without a Servant, if he truly faced Kenneth, even Zouken Matou himself would have no choice but to flee in panic. How could Emiya Kiritsugu possibly...

Though countless questions filled his heart, seeing the serious look Rovey gave him, he did not ask further. He merely nodded lightly and offered a reminder.

"Then leave this place to me, Crowley Patriarch. Be careful of the one hiding in the darkness."

"Thank you."

The reason he wanted to leave was not solely because he was worried about Kenneth's safety.

Aoko, who had just arrived, had also sent him a message through her phone saying that she seemed to have made an unexpected discovery on her end. No matter the reason, he had to personally go and see today.

Besides, his Servants were actively fighting on the front lines. As their Master, he could not afford to be so idle. He had to do something as well.

If everything settled and he still had not completed that magecraft concept or met the Queen of the Land of Shadows' requirements, his final outcome would not be pleasant.

After all, she would not go easy on him in the final battle merely because of the friendship they had formed over these past few days.

This was a race against time, as well as a ritual that wagered his life.

Thinking that, Rovey could not help sighing softly before turning and walking into the darkness.

Golden Heroic Spirit

"Hahaha! Well? Does anyone here have any interest in my proposal?"

Under the night sky, Iskandar's booming voice echoed continuously in everyone's ears, and the scene fell silent for a time.

"..."

"Hm? Why has everyone stopped talking?"

Seeing that the battlefield had become somewhat silent after his arrival, Iskandar stroked his chin with a puzzled expression.

"Did I speak too quickly just now? In that case, I shall repeat myself. Ahem..."

He considered it for a moment.

"I am Rider, my true name is Iskandar, King of Conquerors. Are there any like-minded heroes present who would be willing to become my retainers?"

Then, this bizarre fellow cleared his throat and actually loudly announced his true name once more.

"...This guy."

The expressions of the three present all became strange at the same time. Their reactions still differed, but essentially...

"Rider! Did you barge in and interrupt our battle over such a pointless question? As a knight, I cannot easily tolerate such behavior!"

Having grasped the situation, Artoria blinked, then sternly rebuked Rider.

"I agree with Saber. If you interrupted the battle of heroes for such a pointless reason, you are being far too rude, Rider."

Fionn mac Cumhaill wore an indifferent expression and nodded lightly. "The Holy Grail War naturally exists to contend for the Holy Grail, but there is only one Holy Grail. It is the treasure my Lord is meant to obtain, and I will not yield it so easily."

"..."

Compared to Fionn mac Cumhaill and Artoria, Scáthach was in no better mood.

After all, anyone would be unhappy if a battle was interrupted just as it was about to begin by some reckless fool, let alone her, the queen of warriors.

She raised a hand and lightly turned it in the air, directly aiming the two Crimson Magic Spears at Iskandar, who stood atop his chariot. Her icy killing intent poured forth without the slightest concealment.

"Since you interrupted our battle, I assume you are prepared to pay the price, Rider?"

Scáthach spoke in an icy tone.

"Uh..."

Feeling three hostile gazes lock onto him at once, even Iskandar's expression could not help turning somewhat awkward. He scratched his head...

"Actually... the terms are negotiable."

"Say no more!"

Saber, clearly provoked, loudly rejected the absurd subject.

"King of Conquerors, Iskandar, it is true that you are a renowned king in history. But do not forget that I am also a king—the king who protected Britannia. Therefore, no matter what kind of king I face, I will neither submit nor yield."

Artoria turned her blade and answered coldly.

Since all three of their identities had already been exposed in battle, there was no issue with announcing their names now.

"Oh... so you are Britannia's Knight King."

Hearing Artoria's response, a trace of astonishment appeared in Iskandar's eyes.

"King Arthur... I truly did not expect this. The renowned King of Knights is actually such a young girl."

Iskandar sighed instinctively, and that poorly timed remark immediately enraged Artoria.

She aimed the holy sword in her hand at him, then coldly questioned Iskandar ahead of her. "A young girl? Then would you like to personally test the edge of this young girl's sword?!"

"King of Conquerors, Iskandar... there is no mistake. It truly is you."

On the other side, after hearing Iskandar announce his name, Fionn mac Cumhaill nodded to himself before shifting his gaze toward the small, dark figure on the chariot.

The pairing of Magus Waver Velvet and Iskandar, King of Conquerors, was indeed one Kenneth had told him about beforehand.

However, this renowned King of Conquerors seemed vastly different from what he had imagined.

"There is no need, King of Conquerors. Though I am not a king, I am the honorable leader of the Knights of Fianna and a hero who wishes to reclaim his former glory."

"Since I answered my Lord's summons, I must naturally help him survive and secure the final victory. Therefore, I will not serve two masters, much less commit the dishonorable act of betraying my Lord for personal desire or romantic feelings!"

Fionn mac Cumhaill's words were equally sharp. He swung the Double-Headed Spear in his hand and rejected Iskandar's recruitment without hesitation.

"Hmph... King of Conquerors? Merely a mortal king. I am, at the very least, the queen of death who rules the realm of the dead and the distant other shore. Even the ruler of the Underworld cannot make me bow. No matter how mighty mortal warriors may be, they will fall silent in my kingdom after death, and you... are merely one of them."

Compared to Artoria and Fionn mac Cumhaill, Scáthach gave Iskandar absolutely no face.

Her first battle since returning to the present world after so long had been interrupted like this, leaving her extremely displeased.

After all, she had wanted to witness both Fionn mac Cumhaill's famed godslaying arts and the power of King Arthur's holy sword.

"The renowned godslayer Fionn mac Cumhaill and Scáthach, queen of the Land of Shadows? Hahaha, no wonder. No wonder King Arthur was forced into such a predicament."

Hearing the three announce their names in turn, Iskandar was highly satisfied and gained a measure of understanding about them.

They were all heroes of myth, and aside from King Arthur, they were all renowned godslayers. Whether it was Fionn mac Cumhaill, who was absurdly powerful in the original myths, or the queen who ruled the Land of Shadows, both were among the strongest Heroic Spirits.

Not a single one was mediocre...

Though he had absolute confidence in his own strength, even proud Iskandar had to admit that against these three, he was not certain he could defeat any one of them without fail.

There truly are countless outstanding heroes in this world...

He felt a faint sense of wonder.

Meanwhile, Waver Velvet, whose mind had been spinning from being flung through the air, suddenly came to his senses amid the cold wind and the bone-piercing killing intent unleashed by the three top Servants.

Three supreme heroes from Celtic Mythology, alongside Iskandar, the overwhelmingly powerful king who had achieved a world-shaking hegemony in human history—this was not a place for a small figure like him.

Every person present was a hero possessing power far beyond this era. With the slightest movement of a finger, they could take his life in an instant.

Waver could not help swallowing, inwardly cursing the version of himself from a few days ago.