Chapter 12 Fight, Berserker!

"Your assistant is someone experienced with firearms, but she likely never expected me, a magus, to use something as 'unconventional' as bombs, did she?" 

The combination of magic and technology was a familiar field for Kiritsugu, but most other magi never dabbled in it. 

Using technological products as weapons—why not? 

With this mindset, Kirei had set a trap using Irisviel as bait, mixing conventional explosives with the arcane.

"You're someone who must be dealt with," Kiritsugu said, suppressing his pain and steadying his gaze. 

He pushed thoughts of Maiya and Irisviel's fate out of his mind, focusing on the present. 

He needed to survive this confrontation. 

Saber's scabbard had been stolen, its current location unknown, but he suspected that Kirei himself was using it. 

If that was true, then Kirei would be able to recover from seemingly fatal wounds. 

This made Kirei an even more dangerous adversary, someone eerily similar to Kiritsugu himself.

If he didn't take Kirei down here, it would become an even bigger problem later. 

'Assassin is losing the battle and can't provide support. If I can catch Kirei while he's casting magic, a well-placed origin bullet might seriously wound him...' 

However, with the scabbard's restorative properties, Kiritsugu found himself in a dilemma. 

Simply injuring Kirei wasn't enough; he needed to confirm whether the scabbard was embedded in Kirei's body. 

That knowledge would dictate his next move.

"I have to test it out," Kiritsugu thought. 

He decided to fire regular bullets first, to see if Kirei's injuries would heal.

Bang!

---

"Hahahaha!" 

"So entertaining! A quick change in demeanor—is this something you've learned from Assassin?" 

Archer, Gilgamesh, watched the entire spectacle, fascinated by Kirei's actions. 

The man who once claimed to have no desires was now exploring uncharted emotional territory. 

This was the beginning of his moral decay.

Kirei Kotomine—what an amusing creature. 

"Foolish souls are attempting to intervene in this fight now," Gilgamesh said, smirking. 

"Perfect timing. It's about time this king made his grand entrance." 

"Let these mongrels witness the splendor of their rightful ruler!"

Without so much as consulting his Master, Tohsaka Tokiomi, Gilgamesh vanished into the night.

"Ugh..."

Tohsaka Tokiomi, sitting in the basement, felt a surge of unease. He glanced at the Command Seals on his hand, hesitating. 

That king had acted on his own so many times now, it was no longer surprising. 

Tokiomi had tried to communicate with him, only to be rebuffed repeatedly. 

Gilgamesh's impression of him could be summed up in one word: *boring.*

Even with his limited social skills, Tokiomi understood that he had failed to gain the king's favor. 

"Oh well..." 

"As long as he doesn't do anything too outrageous, letting him act freely isn't entirely a bad thing." 

Tokiomi hadn't used a single Command Seal yet, always keeping some in reserve. He needed to be cautious, especially given Kirei's unpredictable behavior and his father's support.

"And the Master from the Matou family still hasn't made a move..." 

The letter he had sent them had gone unanswered. Frowning, Tokiomi couldn't discern the other party's intentions. 

The report from his apprentice had mentioned that "Berserker is their Servant, but his true identity remains unknown." 

Using this information, Tokiomi had sent a letter, hoping to test the waters for an alliance. 

But the Matou family had completely ignored him.

Considering the history between the Tohsaka and Matou families... 

This cold and dismissive attitude didn't seem like something Matou Zouken would allow. 

"Could there be a special reason for this?" 

Unsure, Tokiomi sent out familiars to investigate further.

---

Matou Kariya walked down the street, carrying a shopping bag as he observed Berserker, who had just finished a small task. 

Dressed in modern clothes, Berserker was surprisingly helpful and cheerful, almost like a good Samaritan. 

He helped push carts, found lost items, and even played with children and the elderly. 

Though his appearance was menacing in his dark, evil-looking armor, his demeanor was completely different.

Without speaking a word, Berserker had somehow won over the townspeople. 

Children and elders alike were drawn to him, as if his silent presence exuded warmth.

Among the crowd, a red-haired boy looked up at him with awe. 

"Hey, mister! Can I borrow this book for a bit?" 

"I didn't finish reading it yet, but I'll return it once I'm done!" 

The boy held up a thick book, excitement glowing in his eyes.

*The Memories of the Sky* 

It was a story that detailed the life of a great hero, and the boy had been captivated by it.

". . ." 

Berserker nodded, and the boy's face lit up with joy. 

"Awesome!"

"Hey, Berserker, if we're late getting back, Sakura's going to be upset," Kariya said with a chuckle. 

As the boy ran off, Berserker's tall figure slowly turned to leave, the boy still beaming with admiration. 

To him, Berserker was the perfect role model—a silent, heroic figure who always helped others.

"Is it really okay to lend out that book?" 

"I think Sakura liked it a lot, too."

Kariya asked, having noticed Berserker's gesture. 

But when Berserker shook his head to indicate it was fine, Kariya let the matter drop. 

As they returned to the Matou household, they were greeted by a pouting, purple-haired girl waiting at the door. 

Kariya smiled, already anticipating the scolding they were about to get.

Then, something caught his eye—Sakura reached into her skirt pocket and pulled out a large, glowing orb. 

Inside, several stars sparkled. 

Kariya recognized it immediately—it was one of the Dragon Balls, the coveted items in this war. 

But why was Sakura showing it to them now?

"Berserker..." 

"I've made up my mind. I'm going to fight in this war." 

"Wh-Why, Sakura?" Kariya was stunned. Until now, Sakura had shown no interest in participating in the battles. 

Why had she suddenly changed her mind?

"This war will end eventually, and when it does..." 

"You'll disappear, won't you?" 

"That's why I need to gather the other Dragon Balls."

Her words were shockingly direct for such a young child, her desire clearly on display. 

Even Kariya could sense it—the powerful, hidden ambition within her.

"You'll help me, right, Berserker?" 

A faint smile appeared on Sakura's face as she spoke softly.

". . ." 

Berserker sighed. For a moment, he saw a fleeting image of someone else in Sakura's place. 

But he didn't refuse. 

After all, it had been Sakura's desperate call for help that had summoned him into this war. 

Whether or not the Dragon Balls mattered to him was irrelevant. 

If he were to wish for anything, it would be the restoration of all those who had perished in the apocalyptic catastrophe of his own world.

"Go fight, Berserker!"

At his Master's command, Berserker donned his pitch-black armor once again. 

His towering figure vanished into the night.