"How exactly is the battle going?"
After settling the contract issue, Roland asked Medea the same question. Earlier, Medea had sent the appropriate Familiars to monitor the area and record what happened.
That said, Roland was not particularly concerned about the battle. On the first day, most Masters focused on probing their opponents, and very few actually revealed their trump cards.
Not to mention, the quality of both the Servants and Masters in this Holy Grail War was unusually high. It was practically a clash of gods.
"The battle between Saber and Rider was stopped by that King of Heroes who barged in, but he clearly hasn't come out ahead, either. That pitch-black Berserker has set his sights on him and is chasing him down like a rabid dog."
"Oh? With four Heroic Spirits appearing, aside from Assassin and Caster, who normally wouldn't take the initiative to attack, practically all the Servants who can serve as the main fighting force have shown up, haven't they?"
"Exactly. That's why the situation is so chaotic right now. Any rational Master would avoid acting rashly."
Medea offered her assessment from a mage's perspective.
Watching their rivals fight from a safe distance was the best possible situation for Masters. There were practically no hidden opponents left, and they did not have to worry about anyone emerging to disrupt things.
"Unless that fellow's goal isn't the Holy Grail at all, and he's simply after glory."
Turning his attention back to the battlefield, Roland cast a rather mocking look at a certain Lemonhead whose fists were clenched.
On the battlefield, the ground, already shattered by the Chariot's lightning and the Sacred Sword's tempest, was suffering another round of devastation.
Dozens of golden ripples appeared before the Golden King, each containing a high-ranking Noble Phantasm gleaming with the radiance of legend.
The golden Archer's eyes blazed with murderous intent, as though he had suffered some grievous insult.
"Mongrel! Even after I granted you the honor of kneeling before me, you rabid dog still cannot tell which enemy you should bite? Then repay your insolence with your life!"
Swords and blades imbued with immense magical energy hurtled toward Berserker like a carpet bombing, but against his inhuman martial skill and peculiar Noble Phantasm, they proved useless.
Instead, the Noble Phantasms used merely as thrown projectiles displayed even greater power once he took them in hand.
Under the relentless bombardment, he not only held his ground but charged toward Gilgamesh.
The fury of seeing his treasures defiled before his eyes made the murderous intent in Gilgamesh's gaze burn even hotter.
Golden wings spread to either side of him, and dazzling weapons emerged from fresh ripples. Cursed swords, the Spiral Spear, and all manner of Noble Phantasms were nothing more than ammunition to be hurled by this newly arrived Archer.
Though his tone was outrageously arrogant, his strength was certainly not to be underestimated.
"That flashy golden fellow is strong."
Standing atop his Chariot, Rider delivered that assessment in a solemn voice.
Saber stood beside Irisviel, watching Archer and Berserker warily. Although he had not fought either of them, even the shock waves from their clash told him that the other Servants in this Holy Grail War were certainly not opponents to underestimate.
"Master, what should we do?"
Saber looked at Irisviel. Contrary to what most people might think, Proto Saber, as King Arthur, differed considerably in temperament from his female counterpart. He had firm values and a strong sense of justice, but he was by no means rigid. If anything, a large part of the characterization of a certain Archer from a later era, who signed a contract to work for Alaya, had originated with him.
He offered kindness and honesty to those he should protect, and cruelty to enemies who committed evil. Humanity's good and evil were so clearly delineated within him that his perfection almost made this disposition seem like a flaw.
He was both a noble knight and a king who did not understand the human heart.
"But..."
Irisviel still hesitated. A large part of why she got along so well with Saber was their mutual respect. Precisely because of that, she understood that the King of Knights' sense of justice was genuine. Only the coldness that seeped through his words still marked him as a king.
"When facing an enemy, blindly adhering to chivalry is what makes no sense. Rational sacrifices are necessary to achieve final victory."
As though he had seen through Irisviel's thoughts, Saber raised his blade.
"Besides, even if we don't take the initiative, it seems he has no intention of leaving us alone."
Saber was not speaking idly. The savage fury on Archer's face had grown so intense that the atmosphere around him was becoming tense.
At first, he had attacked with just two Noble Phantasms at once, almost as though toying with his opponent. Then the number had gradually risen to dozens. Now, golden ripples filled the air, raining Noble Phantasms down in an unending deluge that sent continuous explosions and clouds of dust spreading outward.
Even though Saber had withdrawn to the side with Irisviel, several of the descending Noble Phantasms were gradually landing near them.
Though Berserker still showed no sign of faltering, Gilgamesh at least no longer had to retreat. Taking advantage of that moment, he let out a cold sneer.
"A mere rabid dog dares defy his superior." As though still unsatisfied, he turned his gaze toward Saber and Rider.
"Well? Do you two buffoons, who style yourselves kings in cities without a king, wish to try your luck as well?"
The instant he gained the upper hand, he taunted every hero present without hesitation. Irisviel could still keep calm enough to assess such behavior, but the other side had no intention of tolerating it.
"A mere Servant dares act so arrogantly?"
Kayneth's face instantly turned icy. In his eyes, Servants were nothing more than high-grade Familiars, and their behavior truly represented the attitude of the Masters behind them.
Yet someone actually dared to get in his face and hurl insults when he was the finest Master in this war.
"Rider, cooperate with that Berserker and kill Archer."
Kayneth issued his command in a grim voice.
"I refuse."
The King of Conquerors rejected him without hesitation. "Though that might break the stalemate, with several parties' situations still unclear, it would only trigger an uncontrollable chain reaction. Besides, as terrifying as he already looks, Archer seems to have more trump cards. Strategically speaking, it would be an utter failure."
What a joke. That fellow was already flickering like a candle in the wind under Berserker's attacks. How could such an obvious situation possibly escape Kayneth's eye?
But no matter how he ordered him, Rider held to his own assessment and refused to step into the chaos so readily. Kayneth's dissatisfaction steadily deepened.
Behind Rider, he removed his glove.
That gesture immediately alerted Waver, standing nearby, to his teacher's intentions. He promptly grabbed Kayneth's arm.
"Professor Kayneth, wasting one here would be far too costly, whether for dealing with Rider later or for the battles to come!"
"Shut up, Waver! It is precisely because that Archer is so powerful that we must seize this opportunity to eliminate him!"
Kayneth's brows knitted tightly, his tone thoroughly displeased.
"Servants can survive only because we mages are willing to maintain our contracts. But abandoning a Servant is hardly difficult!"
"-My power as a Master is limitless!"
Their argument drew the attention of Rider, who had been concentrating on the battle. Then he saw Kayneth raise his ungloved hand, the Command Spells on its back gleaming scarlet.
"By my Command Spell, I order you-Rider, cooperate with Berserker and kill Archer!"
Here's an extra update! Please send votes! Thanks to One-Eyed Cremation Soldier for the tip!