The Abnormal Archer

Hearing this, Sasuke Uchiha stopped in his tracks and looked back at the resolute Shirou Emiya.

Although Sasuke did not have much interaction with Shirou Emiya, he could, to some extent, sense the determination within him.

Moreover, Shirou Emiya had no intention of participating in this Holy Grail War to begin with, and he also wanted to bring this war to an end as quickly as possible.

As for Sasuke, if Caster were left unchecked, it would sooner or later endanger the Sakura household, so it was better to eradicate her now.

Therefore, in a sense, Sasuke and Shirou Emiya had reached a consensus.

At least regarding the matter of subjugating Caster.

At this moment, Saber also stood with Shirou Emiya; although she was somewhat dissatisfied with Sasuke's earlier remarks, she could set aside their dispute if it meant defeating evil.

"Uchiha, although I have objections to your philosophy, perhaps you and Shirou are walking different paths toward the same destination."

"So, regardless of what happens in the future, Shirou and I will lend you a hand in the crusade against Caster."

Hearing this, Sasuke curled his lips into a slight arc and turned to walk out of the house.

Seeing this, Saber followed him first, while Shirou Emiya turned to look at Rin Tohsaka and Archer.

Noticing Shirou Emiya's gaze, Rin Tohsaka said to him in a calm voice:

"Shirou, you go ahead. I have something to discuss with Archer, and then I will catch up with you."

Since that was the case, Shirou Emiya had nothing more to say; he nodded and walked outside.

Soon, only Rin Tohsaka and Archer remained in the spacious living room of the Emiya residence.

"So Archer, what exactly are you thinking?"

"Even if Assassin and Caster are at Ryudou Temple, it should be a simple matter for you and Saber to defeat them by joining forces, right?"

"Not to mention, there is also the addition of Uchiha."

Archer remained calm internally, staring at Rin Tohsaka as he said seriously:

"And so? Do you intend to rely on them to achieve final victory?"

Hearing this, Rin Tohsaka's brows furrowed; it was clear that Archer's attitude annoyed her greatly.

But before Rin Tohsaka could speak, Archer continued:

"Shirou Emiya aside, he is foolish and naive, simply beyond saving."

"That man named Uchiha is more worthy of caution than any other Servant."

It was not the first day that Archer enjoyed making such convoluted remarks, but from a certain perspective, it seemed as if Archer had known Sasuke Uchiha for a long time.

One must know that Archer had barely met Sasuke Uchiha a few times; it was clearly unlikely that he could make such a judgment based solely on those few encounters.

Rin Tohsaka, having sensed something amiss, stared into Archer's eyes and questioned him:

"Although what you said earlier sounded like you were provoking Shirou, it actually made Uchiha take things seriously."

"And when you first appeared in the living room, you were staring at Uchiha the whole time, weren't you?"

"You don't seem like the type of person who enjoys stirring up conflict for no reason. It is rare to see you adopt such an attitude."

To this, Archer closed his eyes and said expressionlessly:

"Is that so?"

"I, however, feel that I have that attitude toward everyone."

Rin Tohsaka, staring at Archer, seemed even more certain and began her follow-up questioning:

"Only the person himself would think that."

"On the surface, you are incredibly shrewd about everything around you."

"But when it comes to matters concerning yourself, you always appear somewhat clumsy."

"So, do you know something about Uchiha?"

After Sasuke Uchiha displayed such strength and ability, Rin Tohsaka had secretly checked his records.

Except for the record that Sasuke Uchiha arrived in Fuyuki City three years ago, she could find nothing else.

Moreover, this person knew nothing about magecraft—though the possibility of deliberate deception could not be ruled out.

After all, a strange magus possessing ocular powers and various powerful spells claiming to know nothing about the world of magecraft—anyone else would find it impossible to believe completely, right?

Not to mention that Sasuke Uchiha's identity was highly anomalous.

All the signs mentioned above pointed to the fact that Sasuke Uchiha was extraordinary.

Archer's behavior just now confirmed this even further.

At this moment, Rin Tohsaka threw out an extremely bold guess:

"Or is it, Archer..."

"Did you know him during your lifetime?"

Regarding Rin Tohsaka's speculation, Archer's expression remained without the slightest ripple, and he responded in a flat tone:

"Rin, perhaps these unrealistic fantasies of yours could make you a very good novelist."

"If I couldn't see the potential danger he poses, I would hardly be qualified to serve as a Servant."

"Besides, I am simply executing the plan I deem most secure."

"As for anything else, think what you will."

Faced with Archer's earnest banter, Rin Tohsaka knew she wouldn't be getting another word of truth out of him.

Rin Tohsaka felt more than a little annoyed by this, as she could never quite grasp what Archer was truly aiming for.

Still, this was merely a flight of fancy on Rin Tohsaka's part; she had only wanted to see how Archer would react.

But at this moment, Archer was so watertight that Rin Tohsaka couldn't catch a single clue.

Seeing this, Rin Tohsaka had no intention of pressing the matter further. She stood up, stretched her body, and said:

"In any case, I'm going tonight. If you have no intention of fighting, just watch from the sidelines."

Regardless of how tonight's outcome might turn out, Rin Tohsaka was determined to support Shirou Emiya and the others.

After saying this to Archer, Rin Tohsaka hurried out of the Emiya residence.

The living room was now left with only the calm-faced Archer, though it was easy to tell from his eyes that he was deep in thought.

Rin Tohsaka finally caught up with Sasuke Uchiha and his group on the stone path leading up to Ryudou Temple, though Archer had not followed, which left her somewhat dissatisfied.

Although she could use a Command Spell to force him to assist, the killing intent radiating from Sasuke Uchiha was already permeating the surrounding mist.

Rin Tohsaka understood that Sasuke Uchiha intended to get serious; if she called Archer over and the two of them started another dispute, it would be troublesome if uncontrollable accidents occurred.

Therefore, for the sake of caution, Rin Tohsaka did not intend to force Archer to come.

Saber had already entered her combat gear, clad in armor that shimmered with silver and azure light, complete with greaves and gauntlets woven from magical energy.

With her invisible sword in hand, Saber strode up the stone steps side-by-side with Sasuke Uchiha!

Just like the night Sasuke Uchiha and Illya had arrived, the Assassin, Sasaki Kojiro, was standing guard before the gate of Ryudou Temple.

Unlike the last time when his blade was sheathed, Sasaki Kojiro was now fully prepared, gripping his Nodachi with both hands and watching Sasuke Uchiha and Saber, who had stopped a short distance away, with a solemn expression.

Sasaki Kojiro slowly descended the stone steps, fixed his gaze on Sasuke Uchiha, and greeted him:

"We meet again. Have you finally found your fighting spirit this time?"

"Before we begin, might I ask for your name?"

But the very next moment, Sasuke Uchiha, having activated his Mangekyou Sharingan, appeared before Sasaki Kojiro in a flash, his face indifferent as he spoke in a low voice:

"Sasuke Uchiha."