I Can't

"The salary and benefits are all negotiable, right?"

Iskandar, seeing that the two men showed absolutely no interest in recruiting him, made another request, unwilling to give up. Bai Mo looked at the muscular man in front of him, feeling somewhat helpless and unhappy.

Just now, anyone with eyes could see that Bai Mo could have finished off Lancer with a single strike. Iskandar, standing some distance away, slapped his hand and said, "No, how can we let such an outstanding knight leave so easily?"

After saying that, he rode his oxcart at breakneck speed over.

"Saber, this is going too far! If Lancer can't satisfy you, then how about I become your opponent? If you lose, then join my Iskandar's ranks, how about that?"

Iskandar, clearly undeterred, continued speaking to Bai Mo. Bai Mo, glancing at Lancer who was frowning, explained, "Bullying someone? I admit I was adjusting my stance towards him, but how can someone who hasn't attacked be considered bullying? Besides, I'm not Saber."

"Hahaha, it seems I was wrong, Saber. Since it's a knightly duel, hiding your strength is an insult to your opponent. It's alright to lose and die even if you go all out, but you didn't even draw your sword, and you were even weakening your power during the battle."

Bai Mo said, "To deal with him, we can only use our current strength. Do you think you can fight a strategist in a free-for-all? Since this is a fair and square battle, I should naturally fight fairly. Using strength to attack weakness is not a skill."

Bai Mo extended his hand and addressed Lancer.

"This level is just right. Your martial arts are the result of a lifetime of honing, so naturally I should fight you with the martial arts I've honed through experience. Although this still isn't absolutely fair, if your spear strikes my heart, victory will be yours."

Bai Mo withdrew his power, completely abandoning any defensive power, and fought him purely as a martial artist, without using any Magnetic Field Power, and even withdrew his self-defense power.

As for his claim that it wasn't fair, it's because before he withdrew his self-defense power, Bai Mo had already mastered most of Diarmuid's martial arts moves. Therefore, unless the twin guns in front of him possessed some special power, such as their Noble Phantasm some unique features, Bai Mo wouldn't be able to get his clothes torn.

Perhaps this is a foolish act, needlessly increasing the danger, but Bai Mo has an unwavering determination to win, which stems from his trust in himself.

Then, when the self-defense forces were finally withdrawn and it was time to fight without restraint, Rider descended from the sky, saying something like "Join me" that was unclear.

Bai Mo's words brought a knowing smile to Diarmuid's face; a foolish, unspoken understanding that only men could comprehend arose between them.

Iskandar witnessed this scene, and his gaze toward Bai Mo grew fervent. Martial prowess, righteousness, and heart—these three are the most important qualities for a martial artist. However, many martial artists have long since lost their heart, and some have lost their righteousness, leaving them with only martial prowess, reduced to beasts.

Even Artoria, who had to hide in the shadows, smiled at the imposter Saber without realizing it.

But soon, her smile would fade.

After his confrontation with Kayneth, Iskandar delivered another fatal blow to Lancer's ego, then raised his arms and roared, "Heroic Spirit summoned by the Holy Grail, gather here now! Cowards who fear to show their faces will be scorned by me Iskandar, King of Conquerors!"

Artoria:······

Kiritsugu: "Saber, calm down, we have a huge advantage now."

To accomplish great things, one must learn to endure hardship and humiliation!

If that's the case, what was the point of bringing me here? I might as well just turn around and leave now!

Although Artoria was deeply hurt and her sword trembled, she stayed behind after being comforted by Irisviel, while Iskandar's roar made some people restless.

Golden light converged, and a golden-haired, golden-armored Heroic Spirit appeared on the street lamp. Its superior attitude, arrogant tone, and the Noble Phantasm that appeared in the halo behind it indicated that the newcomer was a top-tier heroic Heroic Spirit.

With the appearance of Archer, Berserker also emerged along with the black mist.

What is this guy doing here? This place is already a complete mess, and he's dragging his Servant into this mess too. Bai Mo thought to himself, not paying much attention to the golden Archer.

Just throw weapons at him! Okay, if I were to face him, I'd just finish him off. He has absolutely no martial arts skills, relying solely on his Noble Phantasm to bombard people. This means Bai Mo couldn't gain any martial arts experience from Archer at all. If he had attacked without any regard for the consequences, Bai Mo would have killed him instantly.

Bai Mo's mind was divided. On one hand, he watched and observed Berserker's battle, and on the other hand, he used his mind to find the Master of these Servant. On the container, there was one behind Lancer, who should be Lancer's Master. Not far away, there were two women. Judging from one of their actions, it should be Saber. On the crane, there was a man with a gun. The one at the end of the crane should be Assassin. About 300 meters away at a 49° angle to the left of the man, there was another woman with a gun.

Furthermore, in the sewers about 600 meters away, a hooded man was breathing rapidly and had weak vital signs; he was likely Barserker's Master.

Should we take action and finish them off right here?

The thought flashed through Bai Mo's mind, but after weighing the options, he decided against it. Caster couldn't find anyone right now, and if he just killed everyone, the Holy Grail would appear directly in Caster's hands according to the rules.

Moreover, judging from appearances, Saber and Berserker should possess martial arts skills no less than Lancer's, so they shouldn't be wasted.

Wait, what does that woman look like...?

Bai Mo shifted his attention to Irisviel. Sure enough, she must be Illya's mother; things should be much simpler that way.

After a chaotic battle, the farce ended with Archer inexplicably leaving. Bai Mo watched the two depart, leaving only Lancer, Rider, and Saber.

Let's talk about our duel another time.

Bai Mo waved his hand. When that group of people appeared, Bai Mo restored the self-defense power he had painstakingly regained. After a chaotic mess, Bai Mo lost even the interest in fighting. Since he had already gained some benefits and had more important things to do, he had no choice but to leave.

Diarmuid nodded in agreement. These people weren't spectators, and Kayneth didn't want his Noble Phantasm to be exposed, so the current situation was acceptable.

And so, the two of them simultaneously looked at Iskandar with hostile eyes.

"Hmm, what's wrong? Is there something on my face?"

"Idiot, you've made us a target of their attacks!"

Waver pounded weakly on Iskandar's muscles, but it was no use.

However, neither Bai Mo nor Lancer were people who would stoop to bullying the weak, and the battle ended hastily in the end.

Is it over?

"Irisviel said softly," Artoria said, nodding. Her once clear eyes were now clouded with a mist, like a coward afraid of showing her face. Iskandar's words were nailed to her heart.

"I'm sorry, Saber, I've dragged you down."

"How could that be, Irisviel?"

Irisviel shook her head and said, "In that chaotic battle just now, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to help at all. If I went to the battlefield with you, I'm afraid..."

Thinking of Bai Mo's undetectable speed at the beginning, Lancer's mysterious dual pistols, and the oppressive Archer, it would be a lie to say there was no fear. Even with a prepared mind, those who still have attachments to this world find it difficult to face death calmly.

Illya, the thought of that face she might never see again filled Irisviel with courage, tenderness, and sorrow.

Artoria warmly grasped Irisviel's hand and said, "No, Irisviel, in the name of a knight, I will absolutely protect you."

Even knowing that her fate was beyond redemption, Artoria's caring words still warmed Irisviel's heart.

"Alright, Saber, we've been walking for a long time today, let's go back."

"Irisviel said, and just as they turned back to where the car was, a figure had been waiting there for a long time."

"Are you done talking, Irisviel?"

Bai Mo leaned against the car, waiting for Irisviel and Artoria to finish their conversation.

Saber instantly transformed her black suit into armor, and an invisible sword was immediately grasped in her hand.

"Why are you being so sensitive? You should know that I am not Servant Saber. Since you can tell that I am not a participant in this Holy Grail War, why do you have to draw your swords against me the moment we meet?"

Bai Mo said somewhat jokingly, Artoria was also surprised by her subconscious action, but there was a reason for it, because [Instinct] gave her a sense of danger, a feeling that if the person in front of her wanted to kill her, even [Instinct] would not have time to warn her, so all it could do was tell Artoria about the threat and horror of the person in front of her.

"Why do you know my name? If you're not Servant, why are you involved in the Holy Grail War?"

Irisviel said that Kiritsugu was the only one who hadn't been misled, and now that Assassin's true form had been exposed, the person in front of them, whose melee combat strength far surpassed Lancer's, couldn't possibly be Caster, could he?

"Your name comes from those two maids, Leyritt and Sella, loyal ones who never missed a single opportunity to lead Illya away from that place."

"What?! They and Illya..."

Upon hearing her daughter's name, Irisviel could no longer maintain her calm demeanor. She covered her mouth with both hands, cold sweat instantly soaking her back.

"They're fine. They're having dinner at a hotel in Fuyuki, although the child should be asleep by now."

Hearing Bai Mo's words, Irisviel finally breathed a sigh of relief. Artoria sheathed her sword and helped Irisviel, who was about to fall.

"Who exactly are you? Did you help them?"

Artoria asked on behalf of Irisviel.

"Bai Mo, you can just call me that. As for them, I really couldn't just stand by and watch them perish, so I helped them out in a small way. As for why I participated in the Holy Grail War, it's because I need the Holy Grail. That should be enough of a reason, right?"

Bai Mo's calm words disturbed Artoria and Irisviel.

The person before her was an enemy vying for the Holy Grail, and then Illya was in his hands.

Irisviel, overwhelmed by the series of emotional ups and downs, finally snapped and was about to start a fight when Artoria stopped her.

"Saber?"

Irisviel looked at Saber with a questioning and disbelieving gaze, but Artoria shook her head and said, "Don't worry, Irisviel. How could someone willing to hold back his power and fight Lancer be such a villain? If he were, he wouldn't have told us Illya's location."

Irisviel shifted her gaze to Bai Mo's face. His calm expression gave her a strange sense of security. Perhaps it was a woman's intuition, but she felt that the person in front of her was not a bad person.

"Seriously, there's been a lot going on tonight. I'm not here to threaten you into using Command Spell to make Saber commit suicide or anything like that. I will win this Holy Grail War fair and square. In that respect, I am indeed your enemy."

Bai Mo stood up, walked to Artoria, and extended his hand, saying, "But I'm not that kind of despicable person. I'm here to ask you to take Illya and the others away. You're that child's mother, right? It's time to take her home."

At this moment, Bai Mo spoke calmly, like a homeroom teacher handing a child back to their mother after finishing school, but a tear had already appeared under Irisviel's eye.

"I can't do that."

As if using all her strength, Irisviel uttered these words, and Bai Mo's outstretched hand froze.

Didn't you hear me? Your daughter is waiting for you.

Bai Mo continued speaking, his words like a knife, slowly slicing through Irisviel's heart.

"No, I'm sorry, sir, I can't do that. The Holy Grail War is too dangerous. If Illya were by my side, I wouldn't be able to protect her at all..."

Bai Mo's voice turned cold as he said, "What nonsense are you spouting? Your daughter is only half an hour's drive away, and you're going to risk your life here to stir up some Holy Grail War? Tell your husband this news, then take Illya and those two maids and leave to live a good life. You want the Holy Grail so badly that you can't even care about your own daughter?"

Kiritsugu Emiya once considered taking Illya away, but ultimately failed. On one hand, his actions went awry; on the other hand, he couldn't give up on his own desires.

He wavered on the border, but finally, he made up his mind to take this path.

Irisviel certainly wanted him to leave with Illya, but as his wife, she should silently support him when he made up his mind. Besides, her body had already become a vessel for the Holy Grail, and it was too late now.

There's no turning back now.