Correction by the Counter Force, Caster's Identity

Gilgamesh was still firing Noble Phantasms at the others with rapid whooshes across the battlefield. The other three Servants were either darting about to evade or blocking the attacks. They appeared to be suppressed, but each of them had a trump card they were unwilling to reveal so soon.

What I was actually wondering was whether the Counter Force's correction would still happen. Kariya Matou had originally appeared to interrupt this battle, but now that he was gone, would the battle continue? Or would someone else step in to stop it? Surely it would not end with one person wiping out six in a single night.

What I needed to see now was what would happen after I had altered part of the plot. Would events still proceed at the same pace as the original story?

Or would things develop differently? After all, the normally cautious Tokiomi Tohsaka had yet to summon Gilgamesh back. Perhaps having an extra ally this time had filled him with confidence.

If the Counter Force forcibly corrected things, then Tokiomi Tohsaka and Risei Kotomine were doomed to die. The only question was how.

Just then, Mother asked whether she should make a move. I told her to wait a little longer. I had a feeling something unexpected would happen, so I wanted to witness how this unfolded.

Sure enough, before long, an overwhelmingly powerful surge of mana appeared. Even Mother turned to look at it. "That mana is powerful enough to crush everyone here."

I asked, "Even you, Mother?"

The answer I received was, "Yes. Even me."

A wave of unease washed through me. Is this the Counter Force's correction? It was terrifying beyond belief.

At that moment, Caster gradually revealed herself. A woman's voice drifted from the smoke. "For such a grand banquet, I haven't arrived too late, have I?"

When the smoke dispersed, everyone present wore a different expression. The most agitated were Spiky-Haired King and me. She was the first to shout, "Elder Sister!"

I, meanwhile, said, "This isn't the right version. This was supposed to be the Chinese server—how did it become the Japanese server? Though we are in Japan already." Caster's identity was Water Morgan.

After all my calculations, I had never accounted for crossing servers. The Knights of the Round Table dining-table fragments really could summon her. What a blunder. My greatest opponent had turned out to be Zouken Matou instead.

In the game, Water Morgan's mana was ranked EX. No wonder she had moved Mother.

Then I said, "Let's observe for now. Don't attack first. Caster's true name is Morgan. Her race should belong to the fairy kind, and she has a history with Saber."

Minamoto no Raikou said, "Morgan le Fay? This battle is becoming more and more interesting. So, my child, what would you like me to do now?"

Everyone was here, so it was time for Mother to enter the field and bring me victory.

Spiky-Haired King was still trying to talk Morgan down, asking why she had destroyed the hard-won peace and why she had done such things. Looking at her repeatedly collapsing expression, I could only say that the Counter Force was incredible. It could patch up anything.

Morgan spoke then. "My foolish younger sister, even now, you still do not understand the human heart. Was I truly the one who caused the destruction of Britain and Camelot?"

Spiky-Haired King retorted, "What did I do wrong? I acted for the people, for my ideals. Why?"

A blade aura swept through, splitting the road in two. At the same time, a voice said, "Your reunion has gone on rather long. I couldn't help but intervene. I am Minamoto no Raikou, Berserker-class, and once a general as well. Please treat me kindly."

"Introductions are over. Shall we start killing each other now? My child hopes that I will bring him victory, after all. This is still the Holy Grail War."

I said, "The talking phase is over. The slaughter phase begins. Noble Phantasm: Come forth, my loyal retainers, my brothers-in-arms, my armor. As you can see, these are the Four Heavenly Kings—Ox-King Summoning Thunder. The net of heaven is vast and wide." (My mana dropped by 800 points. Very realistic—enough mana for one battle.)

The indiscriminate attack targeted every Servant on the field. The manifested doubles wielded axes, spears, bows, and swords. Heavy axes smashed into the ground, producing shockwaves like an earthquake.

Spears thrust forth, generating typhoon-force winds. Arrows flew from bows and struck every Servant present with flawless precision. Finally, lightning-wreathed slashes swallowed the entire battlefield the instant anyone reacted.

"My, my, my," Minamoto no Raikou said again. "Were you all satisfied with my opening strike?"

Perhaps the law of no injuries where there was smoke had been proven once again. Aside from Saber and Lancer, who were not in particularly good condition, no one else seemed harmed. Gilgamesh and Morgan did not even have a speck of dust on them.

However, this had been Yuan Shikai's instruction. Mystery Killer and Lightning Mana Burst had not been activated. Otherwise, the outcome might not have been everyone's survival. After all, I still wanted things to follow the plot.

Yuan Shikai's plan was for this seemingly all-out attack to inflict no substantial damage, making the others believe Berserker was nothing special. It would lull them into complacency and lay the groundwork for later battles.

"Let's call it a day," Rider said unexpectedly, speaking first. "It's only the first day, after all. Deciding victory or defeat so quickly lacks a sense of ceremony. Most of those gathered here are kings. Ending the battle so hastily does not suit our status. It would feel like a disservice to the name of the Holy Grail War."

Morgan followed. "I only came to see my foolish younger sister and find out whether she had matured. But she is still just as naive. I will be taking my leave as well."

Lancer also received a message from his Master and secretly withdrew. Gilgamesh said, "A bunch of mongrels. I'll let you live a little longer."

Minamoto no Raikou said, "So it ends like this? How disappointing." With that, she vanished as well.

Assassin had slipped away long ago. Only Saber remained, kneeling on the ground, her eyes seemingly unfocused as she muttered endlessly, "I don't understand the human heart?" The achievement, "A World Where Only Spiky-Haired King Gets Hurt," had been unlocked.

Watching the first battle come to an end, I deeply felt the terror of the Counter Force. No matter how things were altered, some events were bound to happen. The only difference was when. Without Lancelot's verbal blow, it had become Morgan's verbal blow instead.

What I needed to consider now was who would kill Risei Kotomine. If Risei Kotomine did not die, Kirei Kotomine would have a hard time seeing what he truly wanted in his heart. If he could not awaken, how would he ever kill Tokiomi Tohsaka?

A satellite phone message came in. Tokiomi Tohsaka asked why I had done this. I could hardly answer that it was to keep the plot from deviating too far.

I could only lie and tell him Berserker was too battle-hungry. If she had not attacked Archer as well, it might have aroused the other Masters' suspicions. It could also draw the other Masters' attention. The explanation was perfect, and Tokiomi Tohsaka believed it.

After ending the call, I pondered it and found no good opening. I could only wait for the Conference of the Three Kings. No, perhaps it could now be called the Conference of the Four Kings, or even Five Kings. Should my mother join in on the fun?