Trust Between Master and Servant

"Lancer, I've arrived."

Kayneth's voice suddenly echoed in Arkhan's mind.

Hearing his Master's voice, Arkhan breathed a sigh of relief. His reinforcement had finally arrived.

Taking Sakura from Irisviel, Arkhan located Kayneth through their connection and quickly met him.

"Huh? Why is the worm inside this girl gone?" Kayneth looked at the peacefully sleeping Sakura in Arkhan's arms with a hint of surprise in his blue eyes.

Seeing his Master's confusion, Arkhan briefly explained what happened today. After hearing it all, Kayneth felt so frustrated he could almost spit blood.

He hadn't slept or eaten since last night, tirelessly researching how to safely remove the worm from inside Sakura. Finally finding a foolproof plan, only to discover that the patient had miraculously recovered!

Wasn't this just messing with him?!

However, to maintain the image of a Lord, Kayneth had to grit his teeth and swallow the bitter pill, putting on an appearance of nonchalance.

"So that's how it is... No wonder your magical energy is running low. By the way, how's the current situation?"

"Not great. Although I've temporarily contained the expansion of the fog, I can't hold out for long. Plus, this fog could drain magical energy. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes. So, everyone is planning to go all out. But if it fails..." Arkhan didn't finish the sentence, as the outcome of failure was self-evident.

"Since you're my Servant, failure is not an option."

Kayneth declared, presenting a sparkling crystal ball oozing with magical energy.

"Lancer, as your Master, I command you to bring me victory."

A red light soon flashed on Kayneth's back of the hand, and instantly, Arkhan's nearly depleted magical energy was replenished.

Arkhan glanced at Kayneth, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"As you wish, Master."

He then handed Sakura to Kayneth and returned to the battlefield with the new magical energy reactor.

As Arkhan returned, Artoria cast a glance at him, and her eyebrows slightly furrowed. It was evident that she had noticed his change.

"To fully restore magical energy in such a short time, that's something only a command spell can achieve..." Artoria remarked in a flat tone.

Command spells were the only means for Masters to control Servants, with only three opportunities. It was rare for a Master to use a command spell for the sole purpose of restoring their Servant's magical energy, indicating a high level of trust.

"Isn't that normal? A relationship between Master and Servant without a foundation of trust can't possibly win the Holy Grail War." Arkhan said meaningfully, locking eyes with her.

Artoria frowned slightly but remained silent.

Before long, Iskandar and Cu Chulainn also returned to their positions, their aura noticeably stronger than before.

Seeing Waver with one less command spell on his hand, Artoria's expression darkened.

"Um, Saber, maybe we should have Kiritsugu use a command spell to support you..." Irisviel cautiously suggested.

"Hmph, that man would never use command spells for things like this. He not using command spells to stop me right now is good enough."

Artoria sneered and her magical energy began to surge. The black magical armor instantly covered her body, while her hand held an invisible sword.

"Watch, even without that man's support, I won't lose to anyone."

"Guhahaha! What a splendid determination, Saber! You've truly caught this king's attention!" Iskandar laughed heartily. "However, this king won't lose to you."

He abruptly swung his chariot reins, accompanied by a loud thunderclap. Gordius Wheel, engulfed in dazzling lightning, quickly charged into the black fog.

"There can only be one victor in this war, and that's me!"

Artoria declared and stepped forward. A surge of magical energy instantly erupted beneath her feet, propelling her like a rocket into the black fog.

"I wonder if this time, I can enjoy myself a bit more..." Cu Chulainn said with a hint of madness in his smile, while his eyes glowed even redder. Without delay, he charged straight into the black fog like a predatory beast.

Watching the vanishing figures of the three, a slight curve appeared on Arkhan's lips. A pitch-black, profound spear materialized in his hand, and like an arrow released from a bow, he also rushed into the fray.

'This is my battle, you're eight hundred years too early to steal it from me.'

With that silent declaration, Arkhan also entered the black fog.

The moment he plunged into the black fog, an eerie chill penetrated to his very core from all directions. A mysterious force entwined around him, causing the magical energy within him to flow out uncontrollably, like a tap forgotten to be turned off.

The once spacious and neat roads were now littered with scattered rubble. Evergreen plants, once used for decoration, seemed to have had their vitality drained, withering away entirely.

Grotesque and ugly otherworldly creatures lurked in corners and shadows, casting malicious and greedy glares at the unwelcome guests.

"Disgusting... How about we slaughter these things first, huh?"

Cu Chulainn's eyes were filled with a bloodthirsty intent as he spoke. Despite being a Berserker in this Holy Grail War, he retained a certain level of rationality. However, his desire for bloodshed and carnage was still intense.

The previous night's bloodbath in Iskandar's Reality Marble had fully activated his aggressive instincts. Every cell in his body now craved battle.

Though the current Berserker Cu Chulainn looked identical to the Mad King Cu Chulainn from the Fifth Singularity on the surface, their essence was entirely different.

The Mad King Cu Chulainn was an artificial creation of Medb, using the combined powers of the Holy Grail and the King of the Demon Gods. On the other hand, the current Berserker Cu Chulainn was the true historical savage hound, with a brutal and tyrannical power as Berserker—two different entities.

"No need for that. These abominations are all summoned by Caster's Noble Phantasm. Just take care of the Noble Phantasm, and they'll disappear on their own." Arkhan said casually.

"Guhahaha! Then let's wrap this up quickly!" Iskandar laughed heartily, driving his divine chariot straight ahead.

*Hiiikkk—!!!*

Hidden in the shadows, the monsters known as sea demons emitted sharp, baby-like cries, twisting their grotesque and hideous bodies. Like an endless wave, they surged from all directions, blocking everyone's path.

"Perfect timing!" Cu Chulainn shouted with excitement and madness.

The red glow in his eyes intensified, a crazed smile forming on his lips, and an icy and violent aura instantly erupted from his boy.

He revealed his fierce fangs, charging recklessly into the oncoming tide of sea demons.