Chapter 9. Departure!

I Will Eventually Embark on the Path of No Return Called a Hero [Arc2] - 9. Departure!

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"Oh~ So this is what they call 'yesterday's enemy is today's friend'?"

Caster sighed, holding his forehead.

"What exactly are you here for, Caster?" Kotomine Shirou asked, somewhat exasperated.

"Well, to put it simply, Berserker has gone berserk," Caster gave a thumbs-up.

"Huh?" Assassin's eyes widened.

"To be precise, he has embarked on an unwavering journey towards his destined enemy. I genuinely admire a hero like him," Caster closed his eyes in regret.

"So… you told him the direction of his enemy?" Kotomine Shirou shook his head. "Caster, you're too focused on fulfilling your own story desires..."

"Please don't say that. To a creator, stories are life," Caster loudly proclaimed, not at all worried about revealing his true name.

"Would anyone be willing to stop Berserker?" Kotomine Shirou smiled at Karna and Achilles.

Now that it had been revealed he had subdued the other Masters, it didn't matter. As a Ruler, Cyd had no intention of intervening, so he needed to adapt.

Karna's expression was heavy. He could tell Kotomine Shirou was no longer trying to hide his intentions. Although still speaking amicably, if he refused, Kotomine Shirou might immediately use his Master as leverage.

"I could beat him to death," Achilles grinned.

"Please don't do that. After all, he is still our companion," Kotomine Shirou said reluctantly, shaking his head.

"He must have gone to the Black faction's camp," Cyd stood up, slinging the [Reforged Pandora] onto his back. "I'll go check it out."

"You want to help me stop Berserker… which is obviously impossible," Kotomine Shirou scratched his face.

"Of course not," Cyd rolled his eyes. "I just want to make sure he doesn't cause too much trouble. If he does make a scene in public, I'll find a way to stop him."

"I'll go with you," Atalanta stood up as well. "I'm quite good at taming fierce beasts."

"I'll go too!" Achilles raised his hand, entirely unaware of how much of a third wheel he would be.

"Then... Rider, Archer, I'll leave it to you," Kotomine Shirou nodded.

"Alright, we'll be off then," Sisigou stood up. Knowing that Kotomine Shirou had control over the other Masters, he couldn't possibly stay here in peace, especially after learning that Cyd wouldn't intervene.

"Goodbye," Kotomine Shirou waved. "But I still hope you can lend a hand."

"Got it," Sisigou scratched his head and left the church, bypassing Caster.

"Oh~ I can tell that person has a story," Caster nodded seriously.

"By the way, although it's a bit overstepping, I hope you can release the other Masters after the Holy Grail War," Cyd said to Kotomine Shirou, looking at Assassin's Master.

"Sure," Kotomine Shirou nodded.

"Tch," Assassin glared at Cyd before dematerializing.

"Thank you," Karna slightly bowed to Cyd.

"Let's go," Cyd patted Atalanta's shoulder and then disappeared into spirit form.

"Then I'll leave it to you," Kotomine Shirou waved.

…

"You should understand the conversation just now," Sisigou said while texting the Magic Association, addressing Mordred who was swinging her legs on a tombstone.

"Everyone is an enemy. Even if we defeat the seven Black Riders, we might face attacks from our own side," Mordred, now back in her jacket, said with a heavy tone.

"Even worse, based on Rider and Archer's attitude towards Cyd, I can roughly guess their true names," Sisigou smiled bitterly. "Archer is Atalanta, and as for Rider... His mother has ties with Cyd, and if Cyd wants to repay her, then it has to be Achilles."

"And that Lancer…" Mordred picked a stone from the tombstone and threw it at Sisigou's head, "Very strong!"

"According to legend, Achilles has an invulnerable body, with his only weakness being his heel, and he's the fastest hero in all of Greece," Sisigou sighed. "In this entire Holy Grail War, probably only Cyd can outmatch him."

"What the heck! I'm strong too!" Mordred jumped off the tombstone and stood in front of Sisigou, discontented. "Why do you keep praising other heroes!"

"Well… I know you're strong, Saber," Sisigou pressed the send button, then raised his hands in surrender. "I trust you completely."

"I haven't forgotten that you summoned me using a second-hand altar," Mordred crossed her arms and looked up with disdain.

"I had no choice. I signed a binding contract to summon Cyd first," Sisigou explained, somewhat embarrassed.

"You were enjoying yourself quite a bit back then," Mordred pouted, not forgetting Sisigou's arrogant expression when he claimed to be Cyd's Master.

As if a Ruler is just a bit stronger than me...

"Ahem, I had no choice..." Sisigou coughed lightly. "It was to intimidate Kotomine Shirou."

"Hmph, I'll forgive you this time. But there won't be a next time!" Mordred turned her head away in displeasure.

"Don't worry. You are my Servant, and I am your Master. I've never regretted that," Sisigou instinctively reached out to pat Mordred's head, seeing her sulking.

"Huh?" Mordred grinned with a fierce expression that said she would cut him down if he touched her.

"Ahem! Given the dire situation, I think we need to change our strategy," Sisigou lowered his hand and took out a map, pointing to the Black faction's base, Millennia Castle. "Because of these locals, it's like a fortress. If we rush in, we'll likely be surrounded."

"So we should just stay here and watch?" Mordred raised an eyebrow.

"No, we're heading here tonight," Sisigou grinned. "After all, someone's already drawing their attention."

"Berserker!" Mordred's eyes widened.

"With Berserker being such an obvious target, the Black faction won't let him go. They might try to capture him, which means they'll have to send out three to four Servants," Sisigou folded up the map. "The chance of encountering other Servants will be greatly reduced!"

"What a bummer…" Mordred instantly lost interest. "I thought we could take down some Black Servants along the way."

"Come on, we're fighting alone right now," Sisigou sighed. "My King, let the enemies exhaust each other first. That's our chance for victory."

"What did you call me?" Mordred froze.

"My King," Sisigou spread his hands. "Didn't you keep saying last night that you wanted to be king? So, I'm starting now."

"King, huh... Yes! I will become king!" Mordred raised her fist.

"Then... My King," Sisigou slung the prepared pack over his shoulder, "it's time to set out."

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