Confrontation Beyond the Battlefield

# Chapter 38: Skirmishes Beyond the Battlefield

Just as Luo Zhen and Mashu were preparing to give it their all in a direct confrontation with a seemingly insurmountable foe, on the rooftop of a towering skyscraper, a white-haired man with tanned skin, clad in combat attire, was observing the scene from a distance of several kilometers.

It was Archer.

"So, the battle has begun?"

Archer, using his Clairvoyance skill to witness the scene, wore a grim expression.

"The opponent is that mad god. Even 'that one' would find him troublesome, let alone you. Your chances of victory are practically zero."

This assessment differed slightly from Luo Zhen's own calculations.

That was because, compared to Luo Zhen, this Archer knew more about the giant, and understood that his true terror lay in more than just his incredible combat power.

Besides that, there was another reason why Archer was so sure that Luo Zhen had no chance of winning.

That reason was himself.

"The opponents aren't one, but two."

Red lightning-like magical energy erupted from Archer's hand, forming a bow.

Clearly, this Archer was preparing to strike a blow from the shadows while Luo Zhen and his party were fighting Berserker.

This was undoubtedly an act that was extremely unbecoming of a "hero."

But this Archer didn't care at all.

"As long as it completes the mission, I'll do anything, whether it's assassination or poisoning."

With that conviction, Archer raised his bow.

However...

"The exciting part is just about to begin. You just stay there and watch!"

It was an extremely unrestrained voice, yet it possessed an indescribable charisma.

As the voice echoed, a red light flashed on the rooftop.

It was the glow emitted by a scorching fireball.

The mass of high-temperature flames suddenly appeared, tearing through the air and hurtling towards Archer.

"————!"

Archer's expression immediately changed. Without hesitation, he darted to the side like an arrow.

The fireball grazed the spot where Archer had been standing a moment before, and slammed into the edge of the rooftop.

"Boom————!"

An explosion erupted, sending scorching waves of heat outwards, creating gusts of impact and searing a corner of the rooftop.

The power was such that even a Servant would suffer greatly if they took a direct hit.

This caused Archer to look in the direction of the attack with a somewhat unpleasant expression.

He saw that on the rooftop, swept by cold winds, another person had appeared at some point.

"Ah, as I thought, ambushing from the shadows isn't my style. So it was impossible to succeed."

Complaining like that, the person scratched his head.

He wore a coat like that of a sage.

In his hand, he held a staff made entirely of wood.

His hair was a striking shade of deep blue.

He appeared to be about the same age as Archer, or perhaps a little older, exuding a wild aura.

Looking at this person, Archer narrowed his eyes.

"So you came out on your own, Caster."

This person was Caster's Servant.

"You relied on that hide-and-seek fighting style to take out Rider and Assassin one after the other, and now you're saying that ambushing from the shadows isn't your style? That's ridiculous."

Archer made a mercilessly sarcastic remark towards Caster.

Caster, however, didn't seem to mind.

"It's just a matter of preference. Rather than hiding and sneaking around, I prefer to fight my opponents head-on. But if there's no other way, and I have to do it, I will. You should be the same, right? Nameless Archer?"

Caster's uninhibited tone made it easy to feel a sense of goodwill towards him.

However, Archer didn't feel that way at all. Instead, he released hostility towards Caster.

"Are you planning to interfere with my plans again? Hound!"

Archer's hostility was unmistakable.

This made Caster chuckle.

"So you're still holding a grudge about that time I ambushed Saber's lair while you were away? You really are a devoted follower of that guy!"

If Luo Zhen were to hear these words, wouldn't he understand?

Previously, when Luo Zhen faced Archer, Archer suddenly retreated without any warning, which really puzzled Luo Zhen.

But now it seems that Archer's retreat is closely related to what Caster has done.

"The Holy Grail War is supposed to be a competition where all the Masters and Servants fight each other. Now, all the Masters have disappeared, and you're standing in the same camp as another Servant who should be your enemy. The rest of the Servants have all gone berserk. It's all so irritating."

Caster looked at Archer, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.

"Now that someone who can break this irritating situation has finally arrived, you better not interfere."

Saying that, Caster didn't wait for Archer to respond before changing the subject, revealing news that made Archer's eyes narrow.

"By the way, while you were dealing with those kids, luring Berserker out to cause trouble for them, I already took care of Lancer."

This news made a hint of killing intent appear in Archer's eyes as he looked at Caster.

He didn't expect that he would be bitten by this unpleasant dog in front of him once again.

Faced with Archer's killing intent, Caster laughed heartily.

"Who told you to get distracted after those kids came here? Of course, I couldn't miss such a rare opportunity! Fool!"

With that, Caster raised his staff, pointed it at Archer, and his gaze became full of fighting spirit.

"That way, Lancer, Rider, and Assassin, who might have been obstacles, will be out of the picture. If Berserker is taken care of by those kids, all that's left is Saber and you."

"As long as six Servants are defeated, and I'm the only one left, this Holy Grail War will be over, right?"

"Now that I've finally seen a glimmer of hope, don't interfere, Archer."

Caster's undisguised words made Archer's face darken.

Immediately afterward, Archer let out a cold laugh.

"Do you think those guys alone could possibly defeat Berserker?"

Hearing this, Caster raised an eyebrow.

This was the only question Caster couldn't answer with certainty.

However, the smile on Caster's face didn't disappear.

"If we're just talking about close combat, that Mad God alone can surpass the other six Servants in the Holy Grail War. In this Fuyuki City, only Saber can defeat him, and even then, she'd have to release that Noble Phantasm. Those kids probably can't defeat Berserker, right?"

Caster said this, his smile becoming extremely arrogant.

"But how would we know if we don't try?"

That's why Caster appeared here.

"Just don't interfere."

Caster's goal was to hold Archer back here.

If possible, Caster definitely wanted to eliminate Archer as well.

Therefore, Archer knew that he could no longer afford to be distracted by Luo Zhen.

Otherwise, this guy would definitely take advantage of that moment of distraction to strike decisively.

This made Archer's face darken. In the end, he snorted coldly and turned into a cloud of particles, disappearing from the spot.

Seeing this, Caster seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and shrugged.

"Good thing that guy is cautious. Otherwise, if we fought, my chances of winning wouldn't be high."

After all, Caster's consumption and damage weren't low after defeating Lancer's Servant.

"Next..."

Caster turned his head and looked towards that battlefield.

"Don't disappoint me, Master who came from who knows where."