Chapter 29: The Third Additional Servant

"Did that guy also get a Heroic Spirit Summoning Card?" Emiya Kiritsugu muttered, frowning as he observed from the shadows. It seemed he wasn't the only one with this kind of advantage. The mysterious figure who had just appeared, "Assassin" or rather, the Heroic Spirit Cutlass wasn't some agent sent by Alaya as Chihiro had suspected. Instead, Kiritsugu had summoned him using a Heroic Spirit Summoning Card obtained from a silver treasure chest during the previous day's quiz.

However, unlike Chihiro's Chaldea version, the card Kiritsugu had obtained was a "Holy Grail" variant, meaning the summoned Heroic Spirit could only exist for seven days before returning to the Throne of Heroes. Still, Kiritsugu found it more convenient to work with his alternate self than with Saber. They shared similar skills and instincts, even if their life experiences differed.

Meanwhile, over on the battlefield, the Knight of the lake was pushing Gilgamesh back, his relentless assault bringing him closer to overwhelming the "King of Heroes." But just as the tide seemed to turn, a horde of Assassins, each wearing skull masks, swarmed from the darkness, blocking his path. Disrupted by the sudden appearance of the numerous masked figures, the Black Knight let out a furious roar.

"That's... Assassin?" Irisviel gasped. "But why are there so many of them?"

"Hahaha, looks like it's even livelier than I expected tonight." Iskandar chuckled before turning to Chihiro. "Hey, boy! Stop hiding your Caster in the shadows. Let him join the fun already!"

Chihiro responded with a smirk. "Oh? And where's your Master, then? You left him behind?"

Iskandar didn't seem concerned at all. "We can't always stick to plans, can we?" He raised his voice, calling out to a nearby overpass, "Hey, little Master! You're not fooling anyone hiding up there!"

An irritated voice echoed in response. "Really, Rider? What are you doing?!"

Waver Velvet emerged, looking thoroughly exasperated. "We were supposed to observe from a distance, but then you charged right in and blew our cover!"

Iskandar shrugged. "What's the problem? It's more fun this way."

Grumbling under his breath, Waver hurried over to join his Servant, realizing that with his position exposed, the safest place was next to Iskandar. However, he wasn't alone. Walking alongside him was a tall, slender man with an unmistakable air of authority.

"El-Melloi II?" Chihiro murmured, recognizing the figure. But how could he be here? The real El-Melloi II was supposed to be Waver himself in the future, after all. This meant that what they were seeing now had to be a summoned Heroic Spirit.

Chihiro quickly pieced it together. Given Waver's streak in the quizzes, it wasn't surprising that he might have drawn a Heroic Spirit Summoning Card, just like he himself had.

Watching from the shadows, Kenneth's face twisted with jealousy. It seemed everyone had an extra advantage , everyone but him. Playing alone was starting to feel dangerous; he needed to step up his game and earn some rewards if he didn't want to be left behind.

Matou Kariya shared a similar sentiment. His primary target remained Tohsaka Tokiomi, but with Kotomine Kirei guarding his rival, his chances were slim. His earlier opportunity to capitalize on Gilgamesh's injury had been thwarted by the unexpected chaos of the Black Knight's attack. He needed to strengthen his own hand.

"Long time no see, Red Hare," the man beside Waver said, his voice laced with a nostalgic warmth. He had produced a feather fan from somewhere and now held it casually in one hand. "I didn't expect the first familiar face I'd encounter to be yours."

Red Hare's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

The man merely chuckled. "It seems you don't recognize me in this form, but then, I am not quite the Zhuge Liang you remember." He turned to Chihiro with a smile. May I know your name Red hare's Master?

"Chihiro, Tachibana Chihiro." Chihiro said politely.

"A fine name, a very fine name indeed," Zhuge Liang replied, nodding approvingly. There was a twinkle in his eye as he looked back at Red Hare. "You seem puzzled, my old friend. I'll explain later."

"Mr. Wolong…" Red Hare murmured, still visibly perplexed. This Zhuge Liang was nothing like the brilliant strategist he remembered.

Before the conversation could continue, Waver spoke up urgently, "Can we wrap up the pleasantries already? Don't you hear that?"

The faint but unmistakable wail of sirens was approaching the dock, growing louder with each passing second. The authorities had finally caught wind of the disturbance.

Iskandar scratched his head, looking mildly disappointed. "Seems like our fun is cut short for the night," he grumbled. "Didn't even get to do much."

Waver shot him an annoyed look. "What were you expecting? You rushing in ruined our plan before it even started!"

The King of Conquerors just laughed it off, summoning his war chariot with a flourish. "We'll see everyone again soon enough. Until then!"

With a roar, the chariot took off into the night, Waver and Zhuge Liang in tow.

"Hmph," Kenneth's voice echoed from the darkness. "I'm withdrawing as well. Lancer, let's go."

Diarmuid gave a respectful nod to Artoria. "Until next time, King of Knights." He then swiftly departed to follow his Master.