Chapter 59: Caster's Visit

It turned out that Shinji's choice was right. After realizing that the monsters had disappeared at an astonishing speed, Caster, who had been lying low for a day, finally began to take action.

Although Caster carefully concealed his traces, Scathach still managed to find some clues.

Caster left the city and moved in the southeast direction.

As soon as Shinji received this information, he immediately guessed the destination—Einzbern Forest, where Saber was located.

Caster had an inexplicable obsession with Jeanne d'Arc, and since he believed Saber to be Jeanne, how could he give up his "dream" and his "wish" because of this small "obstacle"?

"The wretched also have their pitiful aspects." Hearing Shinji's analysis, Scathach let out a sigh.

"But I won't forgive him just because he's pitiful."

As he spoke, Shinji swung his scythe blade, cutting a lurking monster in the water into two pieces just as it was about to launch a surprise attack.

"In any case, he must die. Sensei, I can't leave right now, so I leave everything to you and Justeaze."

"Understood. A firm will is a prerequisite for being a qualified warrior, and you have taken another step towards being a warrior, my little Master."

After saying that, Scathach severed the communication magecraft and leaped down from the rooftop of an apartment building.

In the garage next to the apartment, there was a black motorcycle parked. It was the vehicle that Shinji provided for Scathach, and she had been using it to travel around the city for the past few days.

Accompanied by the exhilarating roar, the dark figure shattered the silence of the night.

Scathach's movements were swift, but Caster's movements were even faster. Before the former had left the city, the latter had already infiltrated Einzbern Forest.

Caster was still alone, dressed in a black robe with crimson patterns that resembled blood, faintly visible in the dark jungle, emanating an ominous aura.

This scene was captured by the Einzbern's barrier and presented on a crystal orb placed in the center of the meeting room, through the hands of Irisviel.

"Is that Caster?"

It was the first time Kiritsugu had seen Caster, and Irisviel nodded in response.

"Where is he located?"

"In the northwest direction of the castle, less than two kilometers away. It seems that Caster has no intention of venturing further into the forest."

This answer brought a sense of regret to everyone in the meeting room. They knew that the Einzbern barrier was divided into two layers—the outer layer served as isolation and early warning, while the inner layer had defensive mechanisms.

Caster's current position was at the border of this barrier. If Caster advanced further into the inner layer of the barrier, Irisviel could utilize the power of the barrier to assist Saber in battle.

However, as if he had seen through Irisviel's intentions, Caster stopped his steps at the outer periphery of the barrier.

His beast-like eyes slowly lifted, meeting Irisviel's gaze on the edge of the crystal orb. He had sensed the surveillance coming from the castle.

Caster politely raised both arms in a somewhat comical and ridiculous gesture of a gentleman.

"Gilles de Rais has come to pay a visit."

The surface of the solid crystal orb began to tremble, and a voice came through from the monitoring location.

"I hope I can have the chance to meet the beautiful Saint Jeanne d'Arc."

Irisviel hesitated, and so did Kiritsugu. Saber's left hand was injured, and they were concerned about leaving her alone to face Caster without any external support.

Caster seemed to have seen through the thoughts on the other side of the crystal orb, and he spoke with a tone that combined remorse and arrogance.

"Due to the obstruction of the detestable dog of God, I don't have much time. If you cannot make up your mind, I will have to resort to more forceful means. Please don't mind."

As he spoke, he produced a thick book in his hand. The cover of the book was damp, shimmering with light, and it had a piece of human skin attached to it. Tremendous magical power emanated from the human-skin book, transforming into a substantial mist that rapidly spread in all directions.

Caster began flipping through the book.

With each page turned, a grotesque monster emerged from the magical mist.

Amidst the rustling sound of flipping pages, an army of monsters quickly took shape.

Among them were over a hundred cannon fodder-type sea demons.

As Caster's guards, there were eight tentacles.

Caster's summoning showed no signs of stopping. Through the summoning channel opened by the "Prelati's Spellbook," an even greater fluctuation of magical power was brewing.

This surge of magical power shook the large-scale Einzbern barrier that had been in operation for sixty years, making the individuals inside the castle, including Saber, aware of the danger.

"This is the magic book left to me by my ally. With this book, I have obtained the spells to command a demonic army and freed myself from the wretched God's restraints. What do you think, Jeanne? No army gathered in Orleans in the past could compare to this magnificence."

Caster burst into laughter as if celebrating his victory.

Everyone knew they couldn't allow Caster's summoning to continue unchecked, or else not only Saber herself but also the other people in the castle would be in danger.

"Master, please give the order."

Saber stared at Irisviel, ready for battle.

At the same time, Kiritsugu nodded towards his wife.

"Saber, go defeat Caster."

"Yes, understood."

The response from the King of Knights was unusually brief.

Just as Saber transformed into a gust of wind and rushed forward with an unstoppable momentum towards the battlefield, the Einzbern Forest welcomed its second wave of visitors for the night.

It was a master and servant pair. The master wore a blue mage robe, with meticulously groomed lemon-yellow short hair. Even while walking in the wilderness, he held his head high, exuding powerful confidence—Kenneth Archibald El-Melloi.

The servant wore a form-fitting grayish-blue suit that outlined a slender yet athletic figure. His handsome face, coupled with a teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of his eye, had an irresistible charm for naive girls—his true name was Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.

After escaping from the explosion created by Kiritsugu, the two relocated their base to an abandoned factory. The factory was located near a national highway, and Kenneth happened to witness Caster's attempt to stop passing vehicles through his suggestive actions. As a result, they followed Caster to the Einzbern Forest.

Kenneth glanced at the mist that had already spread around him, then turned towards the direction of the castle and spoke slowly.

"Lancer."

Lancer knelt on one knee.

"Deal with Caster."

"Yes, my master."