Sakumura, who had been investigating, sensed magical energy approaching.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
He turned to look behind him and spoke coldly.
Although there was no one there, nor any hostility, the sensation of magical energy would not simply vanish from his perception.
"So I was found after all. Well, there was nothing to be done about it. Berserker noticed me back then too."
The spatial distortion magecraft dissipated, revealing Caster, Rider, and the others. Manlio shook his head helplessly, seemingly intending to climb down from the ox cart.
"Still, Mr. Sakumura's senses seem to be a little sharper than Berserker's?"
Manlio landed on the ground and offered Sakumura a friendly smile.
"Caster? And Rider?"
Sakumura stared at them, momentarily stunned before breaking into a smile.
"I saw your Noble Phantasm, but when I arrived, neither you nor Berserker were here. I was wondering about that. So you went to fetch reinforcements?"
Though he said that, Sakumura did not lower his guard. Inwardly, he also said something to Kirei Kotomine.
"The alliance between Caster and Rider has been confirmed."
At the convention that day, Matou Kariya had spoken separately with both groups. He had spoken with Kirei Kotomine, and he had also spoken with Waver Velvet.
What he had discussed with Kirei Kotomine had been an alliance, though Kirei Kotomine had ultimately refused. As for what he had discussed with Waver Velvet, that was now obvious at a glance.
"Reinforcements would be an exaggeration. Caster's courage has earned my admiration. But you, Assassin... it seems you're also tracking Berserker's trail."
He rubbed his chin, his expression teasing.
"I have to kill that bastard."
Sakumura's expression darkened, and his voice turned grim.
"Someone like him should not exist in this era."
"He must die."
Sakumura's words made Waver Velvet's scalp prickle