The Knight Piece is on The Move

Few hours after the fight in docks.

There were many things Kiritsugu hated in his life. Wars, pointless violence and Old Man Acht. However, one thing he both hated and feared more than anything else, was being unprepared, like right now. With his style of life, any mistake can cost him his life. Tonight, things didn't go according to his plans at all, everything went wrong even before the eighth servant showed up. He and Maiya had a chance to slay Lancer's Master, but the appearance of the assassin ruined it. And if it wasn't enough, all other servants decided that it was the best moment to show themselves.

What made it even worse is the fact that Irisviel was there surrounded by them. While Saber was there as well, Kiritsugu doubted that King of Britain would have been able to protect his wife against five servants.

'Now we need to deal with this Avenger. We need to change plans.' He thought as he looked around the room. Right now all of them were in Einzbern castle in their 'war' room. Maiya didn't have any emotions as usual, while Saber had a frown on her face. Irisviel was thinking about something since they come back after Caster showed himself. Oh yes, then there was a Caster, Gilles de Rais and the thought that their Saber was Jeanne D'arc. 'This night is tiring. But at least I didn't break anything while failing from crane.'

Back in port, Avenger was able to sense either Assassin or him. When she aimed that weapon in his direction, Kiritsugu didn't waste a moment to jump off the crane. Thankfully, it wasn't the first time he was fired at. However, it was probably the first time when someone used something so powerful. He was curious if Assassin was able to leave. Irisviel needed some time to relax before their meeting, he spent time trying to gather and analyze whatever information they learned tonight.

"With new servants, our plans for this war need to change." he started and looked at women before him. All of them stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. "First, Lancer." he eyed Saber. "From what you have told us, it seems his golden lance is cursed."

Arturia nodded. "Because of Lancer's curse, I can't fully use my sword...I'm sorry for allowing myself to be caught like that."

"Saber, it isn't your fault." Irisviel tried to cheer her up, but the servant shook her head.

"I should have seen it coming. It was stupid of me to understate Lancer. Now, I can't use my sword. Not to mention he saw my sword during the fight." she said and looked at her hand that cursed. Lancer knows her true name while she does not know his.

"Saber, can you use your Noble Phantasm with one hand?" her actual Master asked, but Saber just shooked her head again. "I see. In that case, Lancer is a top priority. While he is alive, we cannot fight at full capacity. Our second priority is the new servant, Avenger." As Kiritsugu, he noticed how Irisviel looked at the side. "Iris." When he called her, his wife turned to him. "Tell them."

Irisviel looked at Maiya and Saber. "As you know the Einzbern family was in the Grail War since the beginning, however, we never won it. In fact, we always were the first to lose." Kiritsugu remembered how Acht would always speak about how other Masters cheated and that his family would have won war easily, arrogant old man. "Well, 60 years ago during the Third Holy Grail War my family decided to change rules a little bit."

"What do you mean, Irisviel?" asked Saber and Irisviel sighed before speaking.

"The Einzbern family wanted to win a war no matter what and since they were one of three founding families, we know how to interfere within the Grail system. In hopes to achieve complete victory, my predecessor summoned an ancient God as a servant. He was of the Avenger class."

Saber frowned. "I don't know anything about it. To summon God nonetheless..."

"Grail doesn't give new servants full information about previous wars. Since the Einzbern know the Grail system better than the rest of the families, it wasn't difficult to change rules without others noticing it." Irisviel didn't hesitate to tell him all the secrets of her family. "But-"

"But even with God as our servants, we were first to lose. Avenger during the third war was the weakest servant we ever saw." Irisviel bitted her lower lip. "But this new Avenger, she is something different."

"She is strong, extremely strong. Not to mention her being a Japanese hero makes things only worse for us."

"Excuse me." Maiya suddenly spoke up, having been silent until now. "But is there any difference with one servant being from Japan?" Irisviel nodded.

"Yes, if the servant has been summoned at his homeland or place that strongly connected to him, then this servant will get buff. There was regulation among seven Masters to not summon a heroic spirit from Japan."

"Surprisingly, this rule wasn't broken by anyone until now," commented Kiritsugu. "If someone summoned a Japanese servant, others would hunt him down. There is a chance that other Masters will do the same in our situation. However, not only it is a Japanese heroic spirit but a new class as well, so anything might happen."

Saber thought for a moment before speaking. "Avenger already demonstrated a fraction of her power and was willing to fight Archer when he showed up. Rider has already been invited to join him."

"But he invited others to serve him in the army." Pointed out Irisviel.

"Nothing but formalities. If Avenger and her Master would be hunted by others, they will form an alliance with him. That reminds me, Irisviel." he glanced at the white-haired woman. "You told Avenger to go to the church."

Irisviel looked worried. "Did I do something wrong? I thought like this we will be able to learn more about her and her Master."

Kiritsugu shook his head. "No, in fact, you did a good job." he turned to his assistant and spoke. "Maiya, I want you to send more familiars to the church. Avenger's Master might head there soon. If he really doesn't know everything about the war, he will do it." Without words, she obediently nodded. "Now, we need to learn her personality or at least what she is capable of."

Saber was first to speak. "She called herself a ruler of this land. She might be royalty." That was the most crucial detail that the blonde girl remembered. This meant that there were at least two Kings beside her. Kiritsugu thought about it for a second.

"It is possible but there too many potential candidates. Japan had many emperors, shoguns and regular warlords who called themselves rulers of Japan. There are centuries of Japanese history. Not to mention she might be like Saber, being female while being remembered as male." Maiya looked at him and spoke.

"Avenger used matchlock rifles. With this, we can shorten the time span."

"There are still too many possible historic figures." Answered Irisviel after what her husband shook his head.

"This is no use. Trying to guess Avenger's identity will take too much time. Instead, we'll focus on finding information on her Master and try to take him down." Saber narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists.

"Kiritsugu, this is a dishonourable method." Her knight's honour couldn't allow her.

"This is the best and least life costly way right now." He said and turned away from his servant. Saber looked down, angry at this situation. "Maiya, our original plan to deal with Kayneth will have to wait." She nodded without question. 'Why can't Saber be like this? I needed to summon a servant without a catalyst after all.'

"Kiritsugu, what about Caster?" his wife asked, and he looked at his servant.

"Gilles de Rais, a Marshal of France and hero of war. People believed that he was killing children and sacrificing them to spite God who took away Saint Maiden." He said as if reading a page from the history book. When his wife told him what they were dealing with, he decided to make a quick visit to the castle's library. "I don't know why he thinks that you are his Jeanne, Saber. But we can use it."

"What do you mean, Kiritsugu?"

"As you said, he believes that Grail already granted him his wish and resurrected Jeanne. We will play along and draw him out. Caster will come to you and try to persuade you again." he noticed how Arturia's expression became darker. "What is wrong, Saber. Don't tell me it is about your honour?" she shook her head.

"No, it isn't about honour. I just don't like the idea of pretending to be someone's lover." As she said, Irisviel couldn't help but laugh while the blonde girl became embarrassed. Even Maiya looked like she was smiling a little bit while Kiritsugu didn't understand the situation.

"Is that a problem?" he asked and suddenly felt how all three of them glared at him.

"Kiritsugu!" shouted his wife angrily at him. "Of course, it is a problem! No woman wants to pretend to be someone else lover."

"Really?" he asked genuinely surprised, never thinking about it before. It would seem it was a wrong question since his wife slightly punched at him at the chest.

"Of course! How would you felt if I pretended to be someone else wife?"

'I would kill whoever it is.'

"I would kill whoever it is," he said without a second thought. Irisviel suddenly blushed, not at the thought of him killing someone but meaning that he will do it because of how much he loves her. Maiya didn't say anything but if one looked closer at her, then he would notice how the edges of her lips went up. Even Saber seems more relaxed now.

"It seems that at least you value your wife."

"You don't need to worry about it too much, Saber. During their lives, Jeanne D'arc and Gilles de Rais weren't lovers but more like siblings. Some say that he was like an older brother to her."

Saber sighed. "It doesn't make your idea more appealing to me." If anything it made things more difficult for her. Pretending to be someone else's little sister was even worse in Arturia's mind.

"Arturia," Irisviel called her by knight's real name. "I know you don't like it, none of us do, but Caster seems to be too unstable and dangerous to be left alone. I ask you to endure it for the time being, please." His wife looked at his servant with a warm expression. Saber was silent for a few seconds before sighing.

"If it means putting end to someone like Caster than I'm ready to do it." She looked at her Master and nodded. Kiritsugu said.

"Good. Now when we will meet Caster next time you know what to do. Pretend to be his Holy Maiden until he drops his guard and finish him." Arturia didn't look pleased with such a plan but Kiritsugu didn't care. "However, getting rid of this curse is still our top priority. Avenger forced us to change plans but we still going after Kayneth and Lancer. We will try to gather information on Avenger and her Master. If an opportunity opens itself, we will deal with them. And finally Caster. He is going to show himself to us, when that happens Saber will pretend to be Jeanne D'arc and kill him when he isn't doesn't pay attention. Everything is clear?"

When all of them nodded, Kiritsugu made his way outside the room."In that case, Maiya and I are leaving. We will be in the city." without any words he and his loyal assistant went away.

Once Arturia and Irisviel were alone, a white-haired woman asked. "Arturia, how about a little walk in the yard outside the castle? I'm sure you want some rest after everything that happened tonight."

Her blonde friend sighed before speaking. "I suppose after fighting in port not to mention speaking with Kiritsugu I wouldn't mind some time to think about all of it."

"Don't worry. Kiritsugu means well, he just doesn't show it."

"I like to believe it too. Well, at least he has someone like you by his side." soon two women were walking outside the castle while a certain pair of servant and Master were planning their next move.

_________________________________

And that's folks another Chapter done with 2,100 words