Lancelot, You...

With sword and spear in hand, they performed a symphony of battle.

Lancer reveled in this near-legendary duel. His Noble Phantasms were passive, requiring no true name chant to activate.

Gáe Dearg, the Crimson Rose of Exorcism.

Gáe Buidhe, the Yellow Rose of Mortality.

But what troubled him greatly was the relentless pressure from the girl before him. Saber, though appearing as a petite maiden, exuded such overwhelming magical energy that it was terrifying. Each of her strikes was powerful and heavy, giving Lancer the feeling that he was facing a dragon.

Even her breaths seemed to release a terrifying magical aura that sent chills down his spine.

Lancer skillfully wielded his twin spears. In this close combat, the longer spear was at a disadvantage, but the shorter spear lacked the ability to break through Saber's magical armor. Once an enemy learned a Servant's true name, the fight often became as challenging as this.

He parried Saber's invisible sword with his short spear, and after multiple clashes, he had roughly discerned the shape of the sword. He swept his long spear towards Saber's waist, demonstrating the skill that earned him the title of the Fianna's finest warrior, able to wield two different weapons simultaneously.

But Saber was too fast. The moment she deflected his short spear, she was already blocking the long one.

The wind pressure surrounding her sword was sliced open by the anti-magic long spear, creating a swirling, chaotic wind.

Lancer saw it—the fleeting image of a golden sword flickering in the air.

He had a vague guess, but he didn't dare confirm it. Could the undefeated warrior of twelve battles really be this young girl?

Arthur.

Lancer withdrew, pondering. Saber was far too cautious, making it difficult to gain the upper hand.

"Your skill and strength are commendable," Lancer praised, despite his predicament. He longed for such a battle.

"Thank you for the compliment," Saber replied, her solemn face unflinching, her emerald eyes steady. "If you had brought 'The Wave of Fury' and 'The Wave of Passion,' this would not have been so easy."

Diarmuid's fame was greater for his swordsmanship than his spear techniques.

But there are no "ifs" on the battlefield.

Saber unleashed her Invisible Air, and a howling wind surrounded her as she transformed into a roaring dragon. The golden sword in her hand shone brightly in the night sky.

Roar!

Her sword's point led the charge, unstoppable.

In the filthy underground of the city, a black-clad Servant lifted his head.

That familiar, undefeated swordsmanship was painfully recognizable, filled with regret and hatred.

Arghhhhhhhh—

A crazed voice echoed, full of resentment and killing intent.

"Berserker. You hate them too, don't you? You curse them too, right?" Kariya Matou, the second son of the Matou family, a man filled with hatred for Tohsaka Tokiomi, looked at his Servant. The surging hatred within him resonated deeply with Berserker.

"Then go."

As Saber slashed with unparalleled power, she suddenly felt a pang of unease through her instincts.

She shifted her sword, and the roaring wind reversed direction, sweeping into the sky.

Purple lightning crackled and fell from the night sky, the rumbling of thunder never ceasing.

From the southeast of the warehouse district, near the Fuyuki Bridge, a peculiar flying object pierced through the darkness.

Saber's ahoge twitched as it locked onto the target.

It was an ancient chariot, drawn by two massive bulls, their muscles rippling like waves, powerful and majestic.

They thundered towards the warehouse district, the sheer force of the lightning they summoned making Saber's hands tremble. It had to be a Noble Phantasm.

Rider.

Saber retreated, raising her sword to shield Irisviel.

The man who descended from the chariot was a giant of a man, his muscles bulging and imposing. In contrast, the Master he held in his hand looked like a mere chick.

It was Waver Velvet, a magus from the Clock Tower and a student of Kayneth. He was a young man eager to prove himself to his teacher.

Rider was a figure of overwhelming presence, his sharp eyes burning like flames. Everyone present, even those watching from the shadows, could feel his intense passion.

"I am Iskandar, the King of Conquerors! I have manifested as Rider in this Holy Grail War." His voice boomed like thunder, a confident grin on his face.

Beside him, his young Master was filled with despair.

"What are you thinking?! You idiot!"

Waver tugged at Rider's sleeve, only to be flicked away with a single finger.

Everyone was stunned, not expecting a Heroic Spirit to openly reveal his identity.

"I know you all have come to claim the Holy Grail, but even so, I must ask this." Rider spread his arms wide. "My fellow warriors!"

"Would you consider joining my army and letting me take the Holy Grail?"

"In return, I would treat you as friends and share the joy of conquering the world with you."

"Sorry, but I will only offer the Grail to the new king I have sworn my loyalty to," Lancer declined.

Saber raised her sword, which once again became invisible. "I too... am a king!"

Even though she wished to avoid it, the one who won twelve undefeated battles but ultimately fell on the Hill of Swords was her.

"Ah, so you refuse." Rider scratched his head in disappointment. "The terms are negotiable, you know."

But seeing the resolute expressions of the two, Rider sighed.

"That's truly a pity."

At that moment, a torrent of chaotic magical energy surged.

Before everyone's stunned eyes, a black mist swirled, revealing a shadowy figure.

Indeed, this Servant could only be described as a shadow.

Cloaked in darkness, clad in pitch-black armor, he was like an abyss—a terrifying blackness from hell.

The unyielding knight raised his head, and within the small slits of his helmet, flames of hatred burned like the fires of purgatory.

This knight, full of resentment, appeared more like a vengeful spirit than a Heroic Spirit, devoid of any noble legend.

But there was no doubt—he was Berserker.

Arghhhhhhhh—

The moment he saw Saber, he fell into madness. He ripped a streetlight out of the ground, the black and red veins of energy spreading across it, and charged at Saber.

"Lancer, come to my aid."

Kayneth's voice echoed, as Kurumi's barrage of attacks grew harder to withstand. He had been forced back to the side of the Mion River by this "inferior" Servant. In the chaotic melee, Lancer was unable to make a significant impact, so it was better for him to resolve his Master's crisis.

Lancer bowed and then dissipated into countless points of light.

Clang—

The force of the clash left the surroundings in ruins as Saber parried Berserker's blows. Both were knights of exceptional skill.

...

"Ugh, this is really troubling," Rider scratched his head.

Had he just been ignored?

"Hey! Hey, you two! Why don't you reconsider? The terms are really negotiable."

-153:59:47