Night once again descended on the Einsbern forest.
The night was still pitch dark and serene, but the signs of battle scattered all around was still evidently visible.
The castle that was specially tidied by the maids she brought over from her own country was also severely damaged in the battle between Emiya Kiritsugu and Lord El-Melloi. Even if she wanted to fix it, the maids in charge of chores had returned to their country. Irisviel sighed as she traversed the corridors, doing her best to ignore this ruinous scene.
Luckily, a few bedrooms were spared, and currently Hisau Maiya was resting in one of them. Although Irisviel had already performed healing magecraft on her, the Einsbern healing magecraft is an extremely large burden to the wounded after all. This is because it is adopted from alchemy and does not cause the injured body to regenerate, but use magecraft to create new tissue and use that for grafting.
That was the only thing she could do for now. It wouldn't matter if the patient is a homunculus, but since she was healing humans it would count as a major operation similar to an organ transplant in modern medicine.
Exhausted, Maiya was deep asleep. It would take a very long recovery time for her to regain consciousness and move her body.
When Irisviel thought that Saber was protecting her she felt worse for Maiya, who was heavily wounded. However, considering her importance in the Heaven's Feel, then undoubtedly Irisviel would be protected with priority. That's an undeniable fact. Feeling painful for her wounded friend would have to be her naive sentimentality.
Meanwhile, Kiritsugu left immediately after he sent the injured Maiya back and still hadn't returned. He didn't even tell Irisviel and Saber his destination – perhaps he went to chase Kayneth El-Melloi, who had escaped. Irisviel had already detected that the enemy magus wasn't successfully killed because of Saber. However, Kiritsugu didn't get angry with nor blame Saber, but left coldly and without her. It's hard to tell if he did it due to a reluctance to wound her pride, but the gulf between these two were getting bigger and bigger and it was already becoming very hard to reconcile them.
Troubled with the relationship between her husband and the King of Knights, Irisviel sighed deeply. Suddenly, a thunderous roar sounded beside her ears. Not only so, but this roar that tore apart the night created a gigantic burden for her Magic Circuits; the dizziness almost made Irisviel faint in the colonnade.
The roar came from a nearby thunder, and the prana impact that followed it meant the bounded field in the forest outside the castle was already under attack. Although a bounded field isn't something that can be easily destroyed, her magecraft had already been damaged. "What's going on… a frontal charge?"
A pair of strong arms held up Irisviel's shoulders; they were Saber's arms, who immediately appeared beside her when this strange change occurred.
"Are you alright, Irisviel?"
"Yeah, just scared. I didn't think such a rude guest would visit."
"I'll go out to greet him, you stay beside me."
Irisviel nodded upon hearing this. Staying beside Saber, who was going out to take in the attack, meant she herself must also face the enemy. However, the battlefield is the safest place for Irisviel, because the strongest Servant is right beside her.
Quickening her steps, Irisviel followed behind Saber. The two of them galloped through the tragically ruined castle; their destination was the terrace outside of the door. Since the opponent was attacking from the front, they should be able to meet him there.
"The thunder just then, and this senseless tactic… the opponent should be Rider."
"I think so too."
Irisviel remembered the overwhelming power of the Noble Phantasm 'Gordius Wheel' she witnessed a few days ago at the warehouse street. The chariot entwined with thunder and pulled by divine bulls – if that type of anti-army Noble Phantasm were to release all of its power, it could easily destroy the magecraft focal points placed in the forest. It wouldn't matter too much if the bounded field was whole to begin with, but it had yet to recover from Caster and Kayneth's attacks a few days ago.
"Oi, King of Knights! I especially came to meet you, come out, aye?"
This sound came from the main hall; it looks like the other party had already entered the door. Without a doubt, the enemy was the King of Conquerors, Alexander. Judging by his powerful and reverberating call, his tone was not like a warrior about to fight.
But Saber didn't dare to be slack; she materialized her silver armor as she ran.
Irisviel and Saber finally went past the corridors and came to the terrace… but when the two of them saw, by the moonlight shining through the skylight, the enemy Servant standing in the hall with his chest puffed out, they didn't know what to say.
"…"
"Yo, Saber. I wanted to have a look after I heard about the castle here – what happened to it, aye?"
Not apologetic at all, Rider smiled, baring his teeth; then he flexed his neck, pretending to be serious.
"It's difficult to get in and out of the house if you have too many trees in the garden. I almost got lost before I arrived at the door, so I cut some down for you. Thanks to me, the view is much better."
"Rider, you…"
Saber said severely. But faced with this enemy who always made his opponent to be at a loss, she didn't know what to say next. It was Rider who furrowed his brows in surprise and said:
"Oi King of Knights, aren't you gonna wear something modern tonight? Don't just always wear that old-fashioned armor."
If Saber's armor-clad form was to be regarded as old-fashioned, then how would Rider's attire of jeans and T-shirt be judged? If this armor is considered to be Saber's pride, but the cracks on the thick breastplate was as if hinting upon its weaknesses. Perhaps, the only thing we could say here is 'the ignorant is indefeasible'.
Waver was half hiding behind Rider's giant torso and looking up towards Irisviel, and it was hard to tell if his expression was one of enmity or terror. Undoubtedly, his face plainly showed he wanted to go home, and quickly too.
Once upon a time, King Alexander took the lead in wearing Asiatic clothing due to his interest in the cultures of his conquered land, and caused his followers to avert him like the plague. Irisviel had heard of this story, but she would never have known that the reason Rider changed into modern attire was because of Saber and the suit she wore.
What made them more confused was the thing in Rider's hand; it wasn't a weapon or anything else used in battle.
It was a casket.
No matter how they look at it, it still appears to be a red wooden wine casket. Rider, who easily carried the casket under his arm, looked just like a wine shop owner coming to deliver his stock.
"You…"
Saber, once again at a loss for words, took a deep breath and said calmly.
"Rider, what are you doing here?"
"You can't tell by looks? I'm gonna drink with you – oi, stop standing there like a stick and lead the way. Is there a courtyard here fitting for a banquet? We can't do with this castle, way too dusty inside."
"…"
Saber sighed helplessly, and the anger piled up in her chest also disappeared. Faced with this opponent who appears to have no ill-intent whatsoever, she found it impossible to keep up her fighting spirit.
"Irisviel, what do we do?"
Irisviel was similarly befuddled.
She was angry at the destruction of the forest's bounded field, but there's no way she'd manage to continue to hate him once she saw his grinning face.
"He's not the kind of person who'd set a trap; could it be he really wants to drink?"
Rider once said he would obey the contract sealed by the Heroic Spirits' pride and honor and pronounce his challenge after Saber and Lancer had decided the victor among them. Therefore, his sudden appearance tonight was truly incomprehensible.
"Could that man be trying to placate Saber?"
"No, this is a challenge."
Saber, who should have lost her will to fight, suddenly became solemn for no reason.
"Challenge?"
"Yes… I am a king, and he is also a king. If we are to find the victor on the drinking table, then that is a 'battle' without bloodshed."
Hearing Saber's words, the King of Conquerors nodded with a smile.
"Hohoho, it's good that you understand. Since we can't oppose each other with swords, then let's battle with wine. King of Knights, I won't go easy on you tonight. Be prepared."
"Interesting. I accept."
Saber, replying resolutely, emanated the sharp battle vigor as if she was facing a battlefield. Only then did Irisviel realize this was not a joke, but a true 'battle'. In the midst of their preparations,
As Kiritsugu layed out his plans he knew that the stakes were higher than ever, and failure was not an option. He silently reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of each of the other Masters and Servants, trying to predict their moves and actions.
Just as he was deep in thought, the atmosphere suddenly shifted. The sound of distant music reached his ears before he could make sense of it, the doors of the room swung open, revealing Saber standing there in a stunning party dress.
"Behold, Kiritsugu!" Saber announced with a mischievous smile. "The carnival has started!"
Kiritsugu was taken aback, completely caught off guard by Saber's unexpected appearance and announcement. "What is the meaning of this, Saber?" Kiritsugu asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of confusion and annoyance.
Saber twirled around, the skirt of her dress billowing elegantly. "I thought it would be a good idea to lighten the mood before the war begins in earnest," she explained. "After all, a little celebration wouldn't hurt, would it?"
Just then, the sound of laughter echoed through the window
Kiritsugu Emiya arrived at the scene of the unexpected drinking competition, and his expression spoke volumes of his bemusement. He had arrived expecting to find a battlefield or a tense standoff, but what he encountered left him dumbfounded.
The chosen location for the banquet was the central courtyard of the Einzbern castle. Unaffected by the battles of the previous night, it was a suitable place to welcome their unconventional guest. The biting chill of the outside air was ignored by all, given the peculiar turn of events.
Rider strode into the courtyard with the wine casket in tow, and the two Servants settled themselves across from each other with an air of casualness that clashed with their heroic status. Irisviel and Waver found themselves seated together to the side, mere observers in this temporary truce. They exchanged glances, realizing that, for now, their roles were passive, and all they could do was watch.
Rider, with his customary exuberance, shattered the casket's lid with a powerful punch, releasing the rich scent of rice wine into the courtyard's air. His comment about the unique shape of the goblet went unchallenged, a testament to the oddity of the situation.
He proceeded to ladle the wine into a long bamboo ladle and, in one swift motion, downed the entire serving. The atmosphere grew solemn as Rider's tone shifted, hinting at something significant.
"I heard that only those who are worthy are able to obtain the Holy Grail," Rider began, his words carrying a weight that demanded attention. "The ceremony of choosing the worthy one is this battle conducted at Fuyuki. However, if we are only spectators, there will be no need for bloodshed. As Heroic Spirits, if we can mutually acknowledge each other's strength... I don't need to say more, do I?"
Saber, who had been watching Rider's every move, accepted the ladle he offered without hesitation. She, too, filled it to the brim with wine, her resolute actions contrasting with her slender frame. It was a display of determination that left others questioning whether she could handle alcohol.
Rider, delighted by Saber's straightforwardness, couldn't help but praise her. "Ah, you're quite the drinker! I like that!"
Meanwhile, Kiritsugu stood on the periphery of this peculiar gathering, his eyes narrowed in consternation. The situation had taken a bizarre turn, and it was clear that his original expectations of a battle had been shattered.
"What is going on?" he muttered to himself, a headache slowly building. He couldn't fathom how a deadly confrontation had transformed into a drinking competition between two heroic figures. Kiritsugu had always been a pragmatic man, and this whimsical turn of events was beyond his comprehension. He turned to see Irisviel von Einzbern doubled over with laughter, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Oh, Kiritsugu," she managed to say between fits of giggles, "the Grail inside me is acting so strangely! It's as if it's excited about something."
Kiritsugu looked on with a puzzled glance . "Excited? About what?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Irisviel shrugged, her laughter subsiding. "I'm not entirely sure. But it feels different, almost alive in a way. Maybe it's reacting to the festivities?"
Kiritsugu's brow furrowed. He was not one to believe in coincidences, especially not during a time as critical as this. "Keep a close watch on it, Irisviel," he instructed, his tone serious. "We can't afford any surprises."
Moments later, an ominous change in the air sent a shiver down the spines of Irisviel and Waver. It was an intangible sensation, but it carried a weight of murderous intent that pressed down on them.
Strange, ghostly white figures materialized in the moonlit courtyard, appearing like eerie blossoms in the night. Their pale visages held a bone-chilling, otherworldly pallor.
These enigmatic figures wore skull masks and black cloaks, and they gradually encircled the central courtyard, their presence unsettling and eerie.
Assassins. Not only Rider and Waver, but Saber and Irisviel had also learned of their existence from Kiritsugu during their conversation on Warehouse Street. Assassin was not a single entity; rather, they were a multitude. The rules of the Holy Grail War had been shattered.
Waver couldn't hide his desperation as he observed the encroaching threat. "So much confusion!" he muttered, struggling to comprehend the unprecedented turn of events.
"This goes beyond the rules of the Heaven's Feel. There should be only one Servant of each class!" Saber's voice held a note of frustration.
Assassins, enjoying their prey's bewilderment, responded with sinister laughter. "You're correct. We act as one Servant, and each of us is but a shadow of the whole."
Waver and Irisviel struggled to grasp the concept of Kirei Kotomine's Assassin, "The Hundred-Faced Hassan." This unique Servant possessed a single physical body but housed a thousand different souls within. He could freely switch between these personalities, utilizing their diverse skills and knowledge to confound opponents and execute unexpected attacks.
"The Hundred-Faced Hassan" was a single entity that had a multitude of souls at its disposal, and they could all materialize simultaneously in different forms. While individually they were not formidable, their collective strength lay in their espionage and reconnaissance abilities.
Irisviel's realization sank in, and she whispered in distress, "So we've been under their watchful eyes all this time?"
Waver shuddered involuntarily, understanding the gravity of the situation. The Assassins had forsaken their stealthy presence concealment and boldly revealed themselves. It was clear that they meant business.
"They are numerous, and we have been their unwitting subjects," Saber calmly stated, taking another sip of wine as if to ward off the unease.
To further compound the bizarre turn of events, one of the Assassins stepped forward and handed out flyers to everyone. The flyers announced a hide-and-seek competition, an absurd proposition given the circumstances.
Kiritsugu Emiya, who had been silently observing, could no longer contain his bewilderment. "What is going on?" he muttered to himself, questioning his sanity as he tried to make sense of this surreal situation.
The Assassins, seemingly undeterred by their bizarre request, continued to stand there, their masks hiding their true expressions. The tension in the courtyard remained palpable as everyone present grappled with the inexplicable turn of events.
As the moon cast an eerie glow on the courtyard and the Assassins watched, the Holy Grail War had taken yet another unpredictable twist, leaving Kiritsugu and his companions in a state of uncertainty and perplexity.