Shirou Returns (Continued)

But before long, it was Caster who stepped forward instead.

"If you count the likely dead Assassin out of the equation, the only forces truly capable of matching you are Saber, Archer, and Lancer. Yet you have powerful Servants like Saber, Lancer, Caster, and Assassin. I don't think this battle can be won anymore, can it? Besides, this is the Hanging Gardens—terrain that gives you an absolute advantage."

"—Caster, you..."

Vlad the Impaler III was stunned. Caster had actually betrayed them just like that?

"I merely seek to fulfill my own wish."

A dark shadow fell over Vlad the Impaler III, his face filled with disbelief.

"The wise submit to circumstance, don't they? If the Red Faction can grant my wish, then joining them is the right choice, isn't it? Didn't the Black Faction's Servants gather for the same purpose? Lancer, if you could erase your disgraceful name, you would undoubtedly choose betrayal as well, wouldn't you?"

Vlad the Impaler III was left speechless.

Because what Caster said was indeed true. Even he might choose to betray them.

The situation had already turned grim.

But was there truly no way to win?

Vlad the Impaler III clenched his teeth, wavering slightly. Was defeat truly inevitable?

"Lancer, defeat is not inevitable, as long as you use that Noble Phantasm."

A voice drifted over from afar.

—It was Lancer's Master, Darnic.

"As long as you activate the Legacy of Blood and become a vampire..."

"No, Darnic!"

Gord carefully tended to the surviving homunculi, but his expression soon became complicated.

Homunculi, huh?

He did not want them to be used as batteries at all, but he could not disobey Darnic's orders.

"Uncle Gord, you've worked hard." Fiore wheeled herself over to Gord's side.

During this time, Gord had clearly been doing much