Remilia vs. Shadow Berserker / An Invitation to Form an Alliance

"Hey! You perverted old man! What are you doing?!" A flash of violence surfaced in Ritsuka's eyes.

In truth, she was dangerous too. She was simply far weaker than a Servant.

"Anyway, let's ask about the situation first. He looks like a relatively normal Heroic Spirit."

An image immediately appeared, showing a figure who looked extremely timid.

"Oh, there's someone easy to talk to. How did you manage this? Some kind of magecraft communication method?"

Cú Chulainn immediately looked curious.

"Pleased to meet you, Caster's Servant. Though we do not know which Heroic Spirit you are, we still hold you in reverence."

"Yeah, yeah, skip the opening spiel. I'm sick of hearing it. If you've got something to say, say it already, weakling. You're better at this sort of thing, right?" Cú Chulainn waved a hand and spoke blandly.

As he spoke, though, Cú Chulainn swept his gaze around before clicking his tongue.

That Master-Servant pair had left... Though he had expected them to do that.

They had only just met, after all. There was no way they would join him so easily.

"Uh... I-I see. Then I'll ask... Weakling... being called that the first time we meet again..."

Dr. Roman looked utterly devastated as he said this.

Remilia VS Shadow Berserker

"...That is Chaldea's current situation. Ritsuka is now conducting an on-site investigation as a Master."

After Dr. Roman finished explaining, he began asking about the current situation.

"I would like to confirm something. Are you the only surviving Servant who participated in Fuyuki City's Holy Grail War?"

"If you mean whether I lost or won, then yeah, I didn't lose. But at some point, our Holy Grail War changed."

A trace of gravity appeared on Cú Chulainn's face.

"I don't know the exact sequence of events either. The city was swallowed by flames overnight, and every human disappeared, leaving only Servants behind. Saber was the first to reignite the Holy Grail War. She went around picking fights like a fish in water. Then she personally took out Archer, Lancer, Rider, Berserker, and Assassin one after another."

"A survival battle among seven Servants... Those are the rules of the Holy Grail War held in this city."

Olga Marie explained it to Ritsuka beside her. Strictly speaking, Ritsuka was still a novice.

"They were the Servants who emerged victorious from that fierce battle... No, more accurately, the Servants who survived that war."

Mash continued.

"Yeah. And the Servants defeated by Saber become contaminated by black mud, just like those two from earlier. Along with the monsters crawling out like maggots, they seem to be looking for something. And the troublesome part is that I'm among the things they're looking for. Because unless I'm destroyed, this Holy Grail War won't end."

Cú Chulainn also looked troubled as he said that.

"The only Servants left are Saber and you... So if you defeat Saber..." Dr. Roman said.

"Yeah, then the Holy Grail War should end. But whether this place can return to normal is another matter."

Cú Chulainn shrugged. It was none of his business, and he did not understand this incident anyway.

"What? Even though you helped us, you're ultimately doing it for yourself. You want to defeat Saber. But you have no chance on your own, so you came looking for us... Am I wrong?" Olga Marie sounded displeased.

They could resolve this Singularities, but she was still slightly unhappy with his actions.

"That's right. But that's not a bad thing, is it?" Cú Chulainn admitted it frankly, then swept his gaze around.

"Anyway, look. We've got visitors."

At once, numerous black shadows emerged from nowhere and began closing in on them.

"Eek...!" Olga Marie immediately hid behind the others.

"They'll keep pouring out without end. So naturally, the more companions we have, the better!"

As Cú Chulainn spoke, he flicked his right hand, and several runes turned into flames that shot toward the shadows before them.

Mash also stepped forward alertly. Fighting Shadow Servants was difficult, but she could handle small fry.

This was where the burned forest had once stood. Honestly, Koizumi had no idea where Remilia wanted to go. From his perspective, they were just wandering around nearby. But was it really all right to wander around like this?

Koizumi felt they could not keep going. Otherwise, something would happen. There was always a sense of danger ahead.

"My lady, are you sure you want to keep going?" Koizumi asked, concern appearing in his eyes.

"Of course. But it seems you have already sensed the presence ahead. That's right, there is someone very strong up ahead. I intend to meet them." Remilia descended slowly from Koizumi's body, looking utterly confident.

"You needn't come any closer. This enemy is not someone you can approach. At the very least, I won't have the spare strength to protect my servant in the battle to come. This enemy... is very strong..."

Cold killing intent flickered in Remilia's scarlet eyes. If she had not sensed wrongly, the enemy before her possessed Divinity. Their strength was likely not much weaker than hers. If they truly fought, it was still unknown who would win.

But Remilia had never feared an enemy before her. No matter how strong they were, she would challenge them.

"Roar!"

A furious roar suddenly rang out, as if something had sensed intruders entering its territory. The next moment, the earth shook, and a massive figure charged out. Though it was wrapped in shadow-like blackness, Koizumi could still make out its appearance. That was precisely why he was so shocked.

It was a hardened giant of at least two meters tall, with messy black hair, heavily corded muscles, a powerful build, an armored battle skirt, a savage axe-sword in hand, a bare upper body, and bare feet.

With the appearance of this rugged giant, a savage aura like that of a ferocious beast spread from him, instantly covering the surroundings and making Koizumi feel suffocated.

This was Berserker. This was a true Berserker in every sense of the word.

"Get back!" Remilia shouted sternly at Koizumi. Then, carrying her petite body forward, she charged at the giant who stood in such stark contrast to her.

The giant swung down, but Remilia did not dodge. In the blink of an eye, a spear wrapped in pink light appeared in her hands. The moment the axe-sword collided with the shaft, something unexpected happened. Though Remilia seemed to be straining, she did not retreat even a step. Instead, she blocked the attack.

A blast of air burst outward, and Koizumi hurriedly retreated. Just watching was enough for him to sense Remilia's extraordinary strength.

Although she was weaker than him in raw power, the vampire's boost at night allowed Remilia to barely contend with him. But—

"He's really strong. Berserker truly lives up to the name. But... if he's a Berserker, then his Madness Enhancement should have robbed him of his reason. He might not be able to react properly in battle!"

With that thought, Remilia shook off the giant before her and began using her agility to fight him.

But to Remilia's surprise, the giant's speed was not inferior to hers in the slightest.

"You've got to be kidding... How can such a huge body move so fast?!"

Remilia's scarlet eyes narrowed sharply, and she could only grit her teeth as she launched a furious assault on the enemy before her.

Slash, slash, and slash again...

Once the giant got close to an enemy, that was the only move he used. Yet it was more effective than any technique.

The giant was clearly a power type, but the key was that not only was his strength extraordinary, his speed was equally unmatched.

However, perhaps because he had become a Shadow Servant, his strength had declined to a certain extent. That was the only reason Remilia had the qualifications to fight him.

As she dodged his attacks, Remilia continued to swing Gungnir in counterattack.

The giant's beastlike attacks gave Remilia a serious headache.

This kind of straightforward attack was harder to handle instead. Facing that enormous axe-sword—

It unleashed terrifying bursts of air, becoming a violent storm of force that crashed heavily toward Remilia.

Remilia gritted her teeth and held Gungnir horizontally before her, but the enemy's strength was simply too great. She was still sent flying by that blow.

"What terrifying strength..." Remilia believed that as a vampire, coupled with the boost of night, her power was already strong enough. Yet faced with the giant's strength, she still felt danger.

But that was what made it interesting, wasn't it...? The corner of Remilia's lips rose. Her thirst for battle had been stirred.

In Gensokyo, the Spell Card rules prevented her from having a proper fight. Now that she had finally met an opponent, how could she not enjoy herself? How long had it been since she had encountered someone of this caliber?

With that thought, a dangerous smile appeared on Remilia's lips as she charged at the giant without hesitation.

Gungnir kept swinging in her hand. Though the enemy possessed tremendous strength and endurance, that did not mean she could not hurt him. As long as she could deal damage, she had a chance to kill him.

"Roar—"

The giant roared as the enormous axe in his hand hacked wildly toward Remilia.

The force behind that air-rending blow was enough to drive anyone into despair, but Remilia revealed a cruel smile. She leaped from where she stood, flashing past the giant's axe at lightning speed, then shot into the air behind him before diving down.

But the giant reacted quickly as well. His other fist shot straight for Remilia's chest.

Remilia ignored the giant's attack and took his punch head-on. Enduring the agonizing pain, she struck like lightning, her sharp nails stabbing toward his heart.

A vampire's vitality was extraordinarily tenacious. Even if her body were smashed apart, she could quickly recover, though it would still take time.

It had to be said that the giant's punch left Remilia's chest covered in blood and even caved it in slightly. But Remilia's attack had injured him as well.

The giant quickly retreated. Though Remilia had not struck his heart, she had still torn off a large chunk of flesh.

"My lady!"

The instant Koizumi saw the blood on Remilia's chest, his expression changed.

But the next moment, Koizumi felt a burning heat in his right hand. His face twisted in pain as he looked at it.

There were three blood-red marks there, and memories related to those marks flooded into his mind.

"...Command Seals..."

Could they help my lady...? What did she want most right now...? A fiery light flashed in Koizumi's eyes.

Slowly, Koizumi pointed the arm bearing the three Command Seals toward Remilia.

"By the authority of my Command Seal, I command you... Remilia Scarlet... eliminate the enemy before you!"

One Command Seal vanished, and immense magical energy surged into Remilia's body. Remilia froze slightly and glanced back at Koizumi, meeting his gaze.

Very quickly, Remilia looked away again, though the corner of her lips rose slightly.

With an explosive burst of speed, Remilia arrived above the giant and dove straight at him.

The giant roared as the massive axe in his hand swung toward Remilia.

Remilia showed no fear at all. As though venting the dissatisfaction in her heart, she shouted loudly.

"How many times do I have to say it?! Don't call me Remilia Scarlet! Call me Lady Remilia!

"But I'll spare you for now, in consideration of your loyalty! Open your eyes and watch carefully! Watch how I slaughter this bastard!"

Vast Killing Array - Scarlet Nevernight!

Alliance Invitation

"Vast Killing Array - Scarlet Nevernight!"

A violent impact immediately cracked the ground around them, and jagged fissures spread outward. Then, a blood-red radiance bloomed from her body.

The next moment, a huge bloody cross rose from the ground. Red beams made entirely of gathered spiritual energy released terrifying pressure. The giant stood within the massive cross, roaring again and again. The instant the red light stopped, Remilia flew backward with blood spilling from her mouth.

"Are you all right, my lady?"

Koizumi's expression changed abruptly as he rushed forward to support her.

Though blood stained Remilia's lips, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and her eyes were filled with pride.

"I won!"

Koizumi froze for a moment before quickly looking ahead.

The giant before them was already drenched in blood, and his body had begun turning into particles of light. Clearly, this Shadow Servant had lost.

Koizumi could not help letting out a breath of relief. At the same time, Remilia's wounds were slowly healing.

Just as Koizumi had previously guessed, Remilia's greatest strength as a vampire was her vitality. Especially now, without sunlight, in a place where the entire world seemed shrouded in night, she received the greatest possible terrain advantage.

Seeing the crimson light shooting into the sky, Cú Chulainn, who was helping Mash use her Noble Phantasm, froze slightly.

Just as Mash was staring in disbelief after having used her own, that red light entered her sight.

"Um... what was that?" Mash asked in confusion, while becoming slightly wary.

"It looked like a Noble Phantasm being unleashed."

"That's right. It should have been a Noble Phantasm release. With that much magical energy, it could hardly be anything else."

Cú Chulainn nodded. He had roughly figured out who had unleashed that Noble Phantasm, but what surprised him was the direction it had come from. If he remembered correctly, that should have been Berserker's territory.

"That Master-Servant pair actually went into Berserker's territory. Don't tell me she slaughtered Berserker!"

At that thought, disbelief appeared on Cú Chulainn's face.

He had fought Berserker before, so he naturally knew Berserker's True Name. Even Saber had relied on her terrifying reserves of magical energy to defeat Berserker.