Shirou's Return From the Fae Kingdom

"Guh..."

Kaineth's face turned a sickly green and white.

Just moments ago, the Lancer team had held a post-battle blame-assigning meeting.

While Kaineth was doing his utmost to mock and ridicule Lancer—

his fiancée, Sola, suddenly burst into the room, defending Lancer while simultaneously accusing Kaineth.

"That's enough, Kaineth."

"Lancer did his best last night; your criticism is baseless. Your opponent was the renowned Sword Master. There's no shame in not winning. Simply discovering her true name proves Lancer performed admirably."

"Lancer did all he could. And you... Kaineth, think about what you did last night?"

Sola, like a queen addressing her subject, spoke from a position of superiority, showing no mercy as she criticized her fiancé.

"Why did you ignore Saber's Master last night? The woman from the Einzbern Family stood there completely defenseless. While Lancer was holding Saber back, you had plenty of opportunity to attack her, didn't you? But what were you doing then? You were hiding in the shadows the entire time. Just like Rider said, you're a cowardly disgrace..."

"Shut up!!!!!"

The previous night's failure, coupled with his fiancée's humiliation, pushed Kaineth's patience beyond its limit.

Volume 1, Chapter 051: Birth of a Demon

Sola Naizare Sophia-li.

She was the daughter of the renowned Sophia-li family, who presided over one of the Clock Tower's twelve departments, the Spirit Evocation Department. Her father, Lou-Fei-Le-Wu-Si, was Kaineth's mentor.

But this was by no means the reason Kaineth tolerated her insolent words.

The only reason the Clock Tower Lord, despite being thoroughly humiliated by Sola, remained silent with a flushed face was this:

He was utterly in love with his fiancée.

From the moment Kaineth first laid eyes on her, this Clock Tower prodigy had become Sola's captive.

From then on, their relationship was no longer equal.

Under normal circumstances, Kaineth would have continued to endure until the very end.

But yesterday, the pride of the Clock Tower had suffered his first defeat in life, his self-esteem severely wounded.

In this situation, not only did Sola fail to comfort him, but she also attributed all the reasons for Lancer's loss to Saber solely to him—

Even Kaineth, who was usually obedient to Sola, exploded.

"Shut up!!!!!"

Sola's face first turned pale with fright, then contorted into a ferocious expression.

"Kaineth, how dare you speak to me like that? Who do you think has been strategizing for you all this time? Hah, after losing on the battlefield, you come back and take your anger out on a woman? You've finally shown your true colors! You hypocrite!"

Sola roared and lunged at Kaineth.

But Kaineth merely raised a single finger, causing her to fall into an infant-like slumber.

After that, Kaineth ordered Lancer to take his fiancée to an empty room and keep her confined until the Holy Grail War ended.

After settling his fiancée, Kaineth, with Lancer in tow, headed to another room.

On the way, his legs felt light and airy.

I'm... I'm finished...!!

Although it was a momentary fit of rage, he had actually yelled at Sola and even confined her.

Given Sola's strong and proud personality, she would definitely keep her word upon returning home and break up with me... Guh!

Kaineth's shoulders trembled.

There was no turning back now.

No matter what, he had to obtain the Holy Grail and make Sola see him in a new light.

No, that wouldn't be enough.

I will make her understand how outstanding a Magus her husband is!

I will make her never dare to interrupt me again!

This is your chance to finally clarify the hierarchy between us!

Since arriving in Japan, Kenshinnes El-Melloi Archibald felt his fighting spirit ignite for the first time.

Even if it meant gambling the family's honor—this Holy Grail War, he absolutely had to win.

With that thought, he pushed open the door to the room.

"..."

Shirou stared intently at Kenshinnes and Lancer as they entered the room, doing his best to suppress his presence.

"My Master... what is this?"

Lancer's expression was one of utter astonishment upon seeing the Triple Magic Furnaces displayed in the room.

Even if one were to rewind time to the Age of Gods in Celtic mythology, such an item would likely only exist in the most distant of fantasies.

"This is a treasure passed down through my Archibald family for generations, once the supreme Mystic Code of the El-Melloi School: the Triple Magic Furnace. Centuries ago, my ancestor modified the highest-level fantasy discovered in 'Spirit Tomb Albion' to create this."

"Spirit Tomb Albion."

Shirou silently noted the place name, intending to ask Mage A-li about it later.

Kenshinnes continued his explanation: "It continuously extrudes the Magic needed to otherworldly-ize an entire building for weeks, and by activating the three set pieces in conjunction, it forms the ultimate state of an infinite Magic Furnace. Its output alone is enough to overwhelm everything. It is precisely because we celebrate the omnipotence of El-Melloi that it reflects the ultimate form of 'simple is best'—"

At this point, the man's expression suddenly turned to one of blatant disdain.

"—But it lacks aesthetic appeal."

"What?"

Lancer asked in surprise. Kenshinnes looked at the core of the Magic Furnace, his grim face filled with contempt.

"An object that only possesses Magic lacks aesthetic appeal, so I denied its very reason for existence and created its substitute—This is 'Volumen hydrargyrum,' the origin of the El-Melloi School's supreme Mystic Code."

Without a doubt, the latter half of the explanation had devolved into Kenshinnes's self-aggrandizement.

However, anyone who heard this story would inevitably be impressed by the genius of Lord El-Melloi. As a Magus born in the modern era where mystery was fading, Kenshinnes, merely as a casual pursuit to satisfy his personal aesthetic, created a Mystic Code that could rival the fantasies of the Age of Gods. This man's intellect might have surpassed his own mediocre era.

"Lancer."

Kenshinnes spoke with a mocking expression.

"Regarding last night's battle, do you have any excuses to offer?"

"I have nothing to say. I was utterly defeated by Saber."

Lancer replied with a respectful bow of his head.

"I swear upon my honor as a knight that I gave my all in last night's battle, yet even so—my spear tip could not even touch Saber. The King of Knights of Britain, she is a more powerful and admirable opponent than any legend. I am truly ashamed—but not because I failed to defeat the King of Knights, but because I am deeply ashamed that I was unable to obtain the Holy Grail for my Master."

"...Hmph!"

Kenshinnes let out a dismissive snort. Diarmuid showed no hint of resentment or unwillingness, which was precisely what angered him the most. Kenshinnes was well aware of how supreme King Arthur's specifications were as a Heroic Spirit. If it were Iskandar, whom he had obtained earlier, it might be one thing, but there was no way Diarmuid could contend with that King of Knights.

"Because you are a mediocre and incompetent Servant, I will provide you with comprehensive support from now on. If you still possess even a shred of pride as a hero, strive to make amends for your mistakes last night."

Lancer knelt on one knee and said earnestly.

"Yes, my Master."

In the past, when Kenshinnes had asked him about his wishes, he had said: "I don't want any Holy Grail." Lancer desired no reward. The foremost warrior of the Knights of Fianna only wished to be loyal to the Master who summoned him and to achieve honor as a knight. This was his wish in this life and his lingering regret from his past life.

"I swear upon my honor as a knight, as long as it is within my power..."

"As long as I can obtain the Holy Grail for you, I, Diarmuid O'Dyna, will do anything."

"If that's the case..."

Kaineth's lips curled into an evil smile as he looked down, raising his right hand, which bore the Master's mark.

A strange, crimson light illuminated the room.

"By Command Spells, I order you—

Lancer, abandon your chivalry."

"..."

Shirou watched the astonishing turn of events with a blank expression.

"Ahhh... Ahhhhhh! Stop... My Master!!!"

Lancer writhed on the ground, letting out a roar, his handsome face contorted in pain and resistance.

Command Spells held immense coercive power over Servants, however—this power could only be fully exerted based on "a certain defined action."

If a Command Spell was used to order "Come to my side," the Servant would instantly teleport to the Master's location.

But if a Command Spell was used to order "Win the Holy Grail," the effect of the Command Spell would be very weak, only providing a slight enhancement.

Without a doubt, "Abandon chivalry" belonged to the latter category, as "adhering to knightly conduct in the Holy Grail War" was too broad a proposition.

But unexpectedly, this absurd command was highly effective on Lancer.

For him, chivalry was no longer a concept but a tangible faith.

"Lancer, if your chivalry is truly as noble as you claim, then try to resist my Command Spell?"