A low voice came from behind him, and Kiritsugu Emiya lowered his head.
A wooden stake pierced him from behind, ran through his abdomen, and pinned him to the rooftop.
Blood ran down the stake, spreading into a pool of dark liquid on the ground.
The Grand Duke stood behind him, his reddish eyes looking down at him. "Miss Sola has been rescued."
"Also, as you requested, I avoided his vital organs."
In the distance, Kayneth's wild laughter rang out.
"Well done!"
He walked over, clutching his shoulder, every step carrying the arrogance of a victor.
"Well done, Lancer!"
He stood before Kiritsugu Emiya and looked down at the man pinned to the ground.
His twisted face bore the pleasure of revenge. "Well? How does it feel to be pinned here?"
He crouched down to meet Kiritsugu Emiya's eyes.
"Just you wait, bastard! I'll let you enjoy the El-Melloi family's 'VIP' treatment!"
Kiritsugu Emiya said nothing. His life was slipping away, but his face showed no expression.
This wasn't part of the plan, but it didn't matter. There was still Play C.
Maiya came onto the rooftop with a pistol raised. She emerged from the shadows at the stairwell entrance, her short hair trembling slightly in the night wind.
She held an ordinary semiautomatic pistol in both hands, its muzzle aimed at Kayneth in the center of the rooftop.
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.
Five gunshots rang out, almost merging into one.
Then, none of them had any effect whatsoever.
Volumen Hydrargyrum deployed automatically, its silver wall of mercury gleaming coldly in the moonlight.
Five bullets were embedded in it, like raindrops frozen in time.
Kayneth turned his head toward the woman who had no idea what she was getting herself into. "Ah, that woman from the beginning..."
He raised