At that, Sasuke stopped and turned to look at Shirou Emiya, whose expression was resolute.
Though Sasuke hadn't interacted much with Shirou Emiya, he could sense the boy's resolve.
Besides, Shirou Emiya had never wanted to take part in this Holy Grail War. He wanted to bring it to an end as soon as possible, too.
Sasuke, on the other hand, wanted to eliminate Caster before he could threaten the Sakura family.
In that sense, Sasuke and Shirou Emiya had reached an understanding.
At least when it came to taking down Caster.
Saber stood with Shirou Emiya as well. Though she had been somewhat displeased by Sasuke's earlier remarks, she was willing to set aside their differences if it meant defeating those who followed the path of evil.
"Uchiha, though I disagree with the ideals you spoke of earlier, perhaps you and Shirou are simply taking different paths toward the same goal."
"So whatever happens from here on, Shirou and I will help you defeat Caster."
Sasuke's lips curved into a faint smile. He turned and headed outside.
Saber followed first. Shirou Emiya then turned to look at Rin Tohsaka and Archer.
Noticing his gaze, Rin Tohsaka spoke to him calmly.
"Emiya, you two go on ahead. Archer and I have something to discuss. We'll catch up."
Shirou Emiya couldn't argue with that. He nodded and headed outside.
Soon, only Rin Tohsaka and Archer remained in the spacious living room of the Emiya Residence.
"So, Archer, what are you really thinking?"
"Even if Assassin and Caster are at Ryudou Temple, you and Saber could easily defeat them if you teamed up, right?"
"Especially with Uchiha joining you."
Archer remained composed as he looked at Rin Tohsaka and spoke in a serious tone.
"So what? Are you planning to rely on them to win in the end?"
Rin Tohsaka's brows furrowed. Archer's attitude clearly irritated her.
But before she could respond, Archer continued.
"Let's set Shirou Emiya aside for now. He's foolish and childish, practically beyond saving."
"That man named Uchiha is more dangerous than any Servant. You'd do well to be wary of him."
Archer had been making roundabout remarks like this for a long time. Yet, in a way, he sounded as though he had known Sasuke Uchiha for years.
Archer had barely met Sasuke Uchiha. It was hard to believe he could reach such a conclusion based on just a few encounters.
Rin Tohsaka had noticed something was off. She stared into Archer's eyes and pressed him.
"Earlier, it seemed like you were trying to provoke Emiya, but instead you got Uchiha to take things seriously."
"And when you came into the living room just now, you kept watching Uchiha, didn't you?"
"You're not the type to stir up trouble for no reason. It's rare to see you act like that."
Archer closed his eyes and replied without expression.
"Is that so?"
"I think I act that way toward everyone."
Rin Tohsaka stared at him, growing even more certain. She continued questioning him.
"Only the person himself would think that."
"On the surface, you're sharp about everything around you."
"But when it comes to things involving you personally, you always seem a little clumsy."
"So, do you know something about Uchiha?"
After Sasuke Uchiha had shown off his abilities and strength, Rin Tohsaka had secretly looked into his background.
She had found a record showing that Sasuke Uchiha had arrived in Fuyuki City three years ago. Beyond that, she could find nothing.
He also seemed to know nothing about Magecraft, though it was possible he was deliberately pretending.
After all, who would believe that a strange mage with Mystic Eyes and all kinds of powerful Magecraft knew nothing about the world of magecraft?
And Sasuke Uchiha's identity was highly unusual, to boot.
All these signs pointed to one thing: Sasuke Uchiha was no ordinary man.
Archer's behavior just now only confirmed it.
Rin Tohsaka ventured an extremely bold guess.
"Or could it be, Archer..."
"Did you know him when you were alive?"
Archer's expression didn't change in the slightest at Rin Tohsaka's conjecture. He replied calmly.
"Rin, perhaps those far-fetched fantasies of yours could make you a fine novelist."
"If I couldn't see his potential danger, I wouldn't be much of a Servant."
"Besides, I'm only trying to carry out what I believe is the safest plan."
"Think whatever you like about the rest."
Archer teased her with a perfectly serious expression. Rin Tohsaka knew she wouldn't get another honest answer out of him.
She was more than a little annoyed. Every time, she had no idea what Archer was trying to do.
But this really was just one of Rin Tohsaka's wild guesses. She had only wanted to see how Archer would react.
Now, though, Archer was giving nothing away, and she couldn't get the slightest clue from him.
Rin Tohsaka decided not to press him further. She stood, stretched, and said,
"Anyway, I'm going tonight too. If you don't plan to fight, just watch from the sidelines."
No matter how things turned out tonight, Rin Tohsaka was going to support Shirou Emiya and the others.
After saying that to Archer, Rin Tohsaka hurried out of the Emiya Residence.
Only Archer remained in the living room, his expression calm. But it was clear from his eyes that he was thinking about something.
Rin Tohsaka caught up with Sasuke and the others on the stone path leading up to Ryudou Temple. Archer hadn't come along, which left her somewhat displeased.
She could have used a Command Spell to force him to help, but Sasuke's killing intent was already spreading through the mist around them.
Rin Tohsaka understood that Sasuke intended to get serious. If she called Archer over and the two of them started fighting, any unforeseen situation could become a serious problem.
So, to be safe, Rin Tohsaka decided not to force Archer to come.
Saber was already in her battle armor. She wore a suit of armor gleaming silver and deep blue, with a breastplate and gauntlets formed from magical energy.
Gripping the Invisible Sword, Saber ran up the stone steps beside Sasuke!
Just as on the night Sasuke and Illya had come, Assassin Sasaki Kojiro stood guard before the gate of Ryudou Temple.
Unlike the last time, when he had put his sword away, Sasaki Kojiro was now fully prepared for battle. He held his Nodachi in both hands and watched Sasuke and Saber, who had stopped some distance away, with a grave expression.
Sasaki Kojiro slowly descended the stone steps and greeted Sasuke.
"We meet again. Have you finally found your fighting spirit this time?"
"Before we begin, might I ask your name?"
But in the next instant, Sasuke, his Mangekyō Sharingan activated, appeared in front of Sasaki Kojiro in a flash. With an indifferent expression, he said in a low voice,
"Sasuke Uchiha."
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