On a night as silent as this, a silver beast flew by.
Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe. The waving, sleek and aerodynamic body with a scent of antiquity looked like a noble lady, while the roar of the Straight-6 SOHC engine was like that of a wild beast. And behind the handlebars of the classic sedan boldly cruising at over 100 kilometers per hour - unexpectedly - were the slender wrists of a young lady.
"Hey, hey, this is going fast, isn't it?"
Irisviel said, who held the steering wheel and whose face was full of contented smiles. Sitting in the passenger seat, Saber's face was full of nervousness, and she barely managed a stiff smile and nod.
"C-certainly, you unexpectedly drive... rather... very skillfully..."
"Right? I had special training, though it may not seem like it."
That said, and based on the unfamiliar way of handling the gears, she was far from being a versed driver.
"Among all the toys Kiritsugu brought to the Einzbern castle, this is my favorite. I always did nothing but drive around the castle grounds, and today is the first time I'm driving in such a wide place. It's wonderful!"
"A toy, huh..."
There would be no objection to calling something like a skateboard or a bicycle a toy. But for a machine with a speed of over 100 kilometers per hour on a winding road, it's a confusion of sorts. People would never call things that can endanger their lives after the slightest mistakes in ordinary situations a toy.
Apparently, Emiya Kiritsugu had specially prepared this car at the Einzbern castle long before. Irisviel and Saber could have transportation other than walking once they arrived at Fuyuki.
For more than half a month, this car was parked in the hotel's underground car park. Now they were driving this precious car to the Einzbern castle residence.
"Hmm. Wait a minute, Irisviel. Weren't you driving on the right side just a while ago?"
"Ah, that's right."
Irisviel casually nodded as if it was just a small mistake. The car gave a jolt and moved onto the traffic lane.
Irisviel had never been outside the Einzbern castle since she was born; for her, it's obviously her first time driving on a highway. Saber had been paying attention to her space of vision ever since they left. Irisviel obviously doesn't know anything about traffic signs. Although it's written in the law that you must drive on the left, it seems Irisviel doesn't know that either.
At least she understood a little about what traffic lights meant, but that only went so far as to consider slowing down at the sight of red light... Even though it's just now midnight and there's little traffic, it would be a miracle for them to reach their destination safely.
"... Is there still a long way to go before we reach the Einzbern castle in these lands?"
"I heard it would only take an hour to get there by car. When we're close, we should be able to see it..." Saber kept wishing that this dangerous journey would end, even if it was just a second sooner. It's already very fortunate that no cars are coming towards them on the midnight highway. Still, the fact that the undulating road posed great danger filled Saber's blood with adrenaline, as if she was just before a battle. As a Servant, she possessed extraordinary reflexes and strength and could immediately carry Irisviel out of the car to escape should danger arise. However, the legendary sports car would then be reduced to an unrecognizable pile of scrap metal. That didn't match Saber's simple economy.
"...Wouldn't it have been better to hire a chauffeur?"
"Of course not. That would be bori- no, that would be too dangerous. After all, once we enter Fuyuki City, we can be attacked by other Masters at any time. Weren't you the one who didn't want to see innocent people involved in this, Saber?"
"That's true..."
Just what's more dangerous in the middle of the mountain road: being attacked by other Masters or Irisviel's driving skills? - Saber was half-seriously considering this question when a cold surge reached her senses like the edge of a sword.
"Stop the car!"
"What?"
Not understanding Saber's sudden warning, Irisviel asked absent-mindedly.
Saber didn't have time to explain. She forcibly extended her torso to the driver's seat, took control of the steering wheel with one hand, and put her left foot on the brake toe first.
Fortunately, the car maintained a straight line during the abrupt braking instead of spinning furiously.
The Mercedes' tires skidded on the asphalt, emitting clouds of white smoke. As the car's uncontrollable sliding continued, Saber once again confirmed the sensation that set her nerves on edge.
This was undoubtedly the scent of a Servant. Speaking of the king.
"Saber, that's-"
Irisviel fell silent. A strange-looking figure emerged on the remote stretch of the road illuminated by the Mercedes' headlights.
The tall figure before them, as if not considering the danger of the walking car, stood unperturbed in the middle of the road.
A luxurious cloak of antique design; blood-red patterns adorned the black cloth. Those abnormally large eyes were reminiscent of nocturnal animals. Even ignoring these bizarre features, no ordinary traveler would appear in a place like this at this hour.
The car's momentum was overcome by the wheels' friction, and the Mercedes finally came to a halt. There were only ten meters between the car and the figure in front of it.
"... Saber?"
Saber quickly analyzed the situation and then said to Irisviel:
"Get out of the car as soon as I do. But don't go far."
If the opponent is a Servant, a car with its iron structure would be as fragile as a single cardboard box. If they were to stay in the car, they would be defenseless. After all, it's better to move to a better defensive position.
Saber opened the gull-wing door and set her feet into the frigid night. Mixed with the smell of trees rustling in the night wind was the pungent stench of burning tires.
The figure in front of his eyes was different from those he had seen before. If it is a Servant she has not yet encountered, it must be Caster, or perhaps Assassin... was what Saber thought.
Although Saber and Irisviel, who did not know about the ruse carried out at the Tohsaka residence the other night, could not eliminate the possibility of Assassin, this Servant who neither escaped nor fled, but stood proudly in front of them, did not seem to be Assassin. By elimination, there was only one conclusion - the figure in front of them is Caster. However...
Is the expression on his face really the expression of a warrior about to start a battle?
The confused King of Knights examined the opponent's countenance again.
He was smiling, which in itself was understandable. For a warrior to be wrapped in joy as he faced his determined place of death was not uncommon. But that was not Caster's expression. It was as if they were long-separated brothers finally reunited, a face glowing so purely with delight that it was almost annoying...
Before the bewildered Saber could challenge him, Caster betrayed her expectations and acted.
Caster arched his head respectfully, knelt on the asphalt road like a courtier presenting himself before the king.
"I have been waiting, your majesty the holy maiden."
"Huh...?"
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Wait, why is there only one chapter today?
That's because we are returning to post daily chapter!!!
Saber was losing track of the situation even more and more. Though she was once a king and accepted the genuflection of countless lords and heroes, she had no memory of this man in front of her eyes. This man was not one of her former subjects in Camelot.
First of all, the title of 'holy maiden' is bizarre. When she ruled Britannia as King Arthur, she never exposed the fact that she was actually a woman even at the end.
Irisviel, who came out of the Mercedes, hid behind Saber, who was full of a nervous guard, and silently observed Caster.
"Saber, do you know this person?"
"No, I have no impression of him -"
As if he had heard Saber and Irisviel's murmurs, Caster raised his head and said:
"...Oh, oh, how can you say that, don't you remember me?"
In consequence of his even more exaggerated words, Saber was stunned.
"Whatever you say, this is the first time I've seen you - I don't know where you might have gone wrong, but... Perhaps you came to the wrong person?"
"Oh oh, wuwuwu..."
Caster started sobbing as if he was very sad, and his hands were clawing at his hair. His completely happy expression until now completely changed; his strange, oily complexion was shivering from dismay and dejection like a caricature. Based on this alone, one can see that this is a dangerous man whose emotions change on a whim.
"It is I! I am your ever most loyal servant Gilles de Rais! I have always begged for your resurrection, always waited for the miraculous day when I would meet you again. I came here at the end of time for that purpose, Jeanne! "
When Irisviel heard the man's words, she held her breath.
"Gilles de Rais...?"
This is already the second Servant to declare his true name in front of them. Though its purpose is unknown, the name is certainly the renowned title given to the Caster in the present world.
But for Saber, once her origin became clear, doubt simply hardened into rejection.
"I do not know your name, nor do I know this Jeanne."
Sighing partly in shock after Saber's statement, Caster let out many other noises.
"What... could it be that, you've forgotten who you were in your mortal life!?"
Saber was getting angry at this situation where she couldn't make her point clear, so she glared relentlessly at Caster and said:
"Since you have already declared your true name, then following the decorum of a knight, I will tell you my true name as well. I am Artoria, the legitimate daughter of Uther Pendragon and the king of Britannia."
At a loss for words, Caster looked in white astonishment at this girl in front of him, who puffed out her chest and proudly declared her name. And then -
"Oh! Oh! Oh waaaaa!!!"
Caster began to wail almost shrilly as he unvirtuously hammered his fists against the earth.
"How painful, how tragic this is! Not only did she lose her memories, but even her mind has also become confused altogether... you... you! God, why are you so cruel to this beloved maiden of mine?"
"What are you talking about? To begin with, I don't -"
"Jeanne, I understand why you won't admit it. You, who were originally the most devoted to God and believed in him even more deeply than anyone else, were instead discarded by God. When you were condemned as a witch and executed, God gave you no help or salvation. For you to act in this way is not without any reason."
Saber suddenly had a repulsive feeling completely different from fear. It was as if every single hair on her body was standing on end.
The man in front of her didn't hear Saber's words at all, nor did he want to hear them in the first place. He had come to a conclusion based on his own delusions regarding Saber, and he held no doubt in the face of this conclusion. Under the control of his own train of thought, none of Saber's words could enter Caster's head.
"Wake up, Jeanne! You don't need to be stunned by those like God! You are the holy maiden of Orleans, the savior of France, Jeanne D'Arc!"
"That's enough! This is disgusting!"
Saber shouted, no longer showing confusion or restraint, and openly displayed her indignation towards the kneeling Caster.
"I am Saber, and you are Caster, a Heroic Spirit. We are both Servants fighting for the Grail. The reason we meet here is nothing more or less than that."
"...Saber, there is no point in telling this man anything."
Behind the agitated King of Knights, Irisviel reprimanded him.
As Saber - Artoria - is an incomplete Heroic Spirit, she should not possess the knowledge that surpasses time and space that one obtains upon reaching the throne of Heroes. Therefore, she is unaware of the tale corrupted by madness, the legend of "Bluebeard", Baron Gilles de Rais.
Gilles de Rais rose to the position of general as a savior and hero of France. Still, he turned his back on glory when he indulged in immortality and the lust of dark magic. The 'monstre sacré' who eventually slaughtered hundreds of young men... Gilles' descent into madness occurred at about the same time as the brave Jeanne d'Arc's final fate, with whom he fought alongside. Thus, many legends have connected the two. The rooted delusion that the Heroic Spirit called by the Grail, Gilles de Rais, is now seeing, can be nothing but madness. It is impossible to know just how many similarities there would be between Saber Artoria and Jeanne d'Arc, but the two of them must certainly be very similar. No matter what, Gilles - Caster already firmly believes that Saber is the person he always thought of and would not allow any doubt about it.
"Jeanne, please stop referring to yourself as Saber or to me as Caster. Soon we will be free from the bond of these Servant shackles. The Holy Grail War is about to end!"
"Those are just your own illusions."
This time it was Irisviel who replied instead of Saber, who was already too furious to speak.
"Hey, General de Rais, since you said the war is already over, what about the Grail?"
"It's so obvious; the omnipotent Grail, the wish-granting machine, is already in my hands!"
Caster, full of satisfied smiles, said proudly.
"My only wish was for the holy maiden Jeanne d'Arc to be resurrected, and now that wish has come true! Without even the need to compete with anyone, my wish has already come true! The Grail has already chosen me - Gilles - without even fighting at all!"
Ding! A shrill sound reverberated. The asphalt in front of Caster's eyes split perfectly in two. It was Saber's invisible sword. Although Caster couldn't see it, he could feel the aura of the sharp blade right at the tip of his nose.
"If you continue to ridicule the wishes of us Heroic Spirits - I will split you without mercy, Caster." Her words were free of emotion, but Saber's voice itself was as cold as the blade of a sword.
"Come on, stand up. Knights cannot attack someone who is kneeling. If you are a soldier, you can keep your witty arguments and obtain the Grail with your frontal fight. Allow me, Saber, to be your first opponent!"
The furious flame in Caster's eyes disappeared.
His face, which was twisted with emotion, also gradually returned to its calm. Caster raised his head to look at Saber; the formidable will harbored within his gaze did not change in the slightest.
It was a face of silent resolve. He had merely changed his determination into an even firmer belief.
"It seems words will not suffice... Is your heart still sealed, Jeanne?"
Caster's somber voice no longer held the lamentation of just before.
"Then I am very sorry. It seems it's necessary to force therapy on you. Whatever it is - I will definitely have all preparations ready for next time."
The long black cloak abruptly floated backward, creating a great distance between him and Saber. Caster, standing up again, was almost a different person from the one kneeling on the ground sobbing just a moment ago. A great air of majestic command that seemed capable of staining the entire earth red with blood emanated from his person... not only Heroic Spirits, but even tyrants would feel the oppressive tension of that fear.
The man in front of her is certainly not an easy enemy - Saber, who stood in front of Caster, undoubtedly understood this from her instincts.
"I swear to you, Jeanne. The next time we meet, I will definitely... save your soul from God's curse."
"Save your words. Leave if you don't possess the will to face a sword."
At Saber's cold reply, Caster silently removed his material form and disappeared into the night.
Letting out a long sigh, Saber also suppressed her fighting tension. Irisviel collapsed on the bumper of the Mercedes, exhausted.
"Confronting such an absurd opponent... it was rather exhausting."
"Right. Anyway, I'm going to slice him up before he opens his mouth next time - I'm going to puke if someone like him stays another minute."
Although Caster had already disappeared, Saber still said that indignantly.
Unknown to Irisviel, Saber, or even Caster, who first retreated, the entire process of this timely encounter between them had been under the surveillance of pursuers.
In the dense forest connected to the state highway, the pursuers wearing the ghostly skull masks cloaked themselves in the tops of the trees swallowed by the darkness and assessed everything that had just occurred with a watchful eye.
Not only did they melt into shadows; the pursuers who cut off all their traces to evade Saber's senses seemed to be shadows themselves. No one else can accomplish this apart from Assassin. It seems that Assassin, according to the command of the Kotomine Kirei, followed Saber and Irisviel from the warehouses to here.
Assassin, who was initially only ordered to mark Irisviel, the Master of Einzbern, obtained an unexpected prize. The last Servant, who did not show himself in the combat in the warehouse districts, Caster, was finally discovered by Assassin.
Although the scent of Caster, who departed in spiritual form, disappeared quickly, Assassin's keen spiritual senses could still detect it. Right now is the best opportunity to pursue him.
"Of course, that's not a task for you."
Suddenly a voice sounded behind Assassin. A vague outline emerged diffusely from the shadowy forest - it was, unexpectedly, another skull mask.
The second Assassin differed from the previous one only in the shape of the body, while the mask and the black cloak they wore were identical. At the same time, both differed from the Assassin doing the reconnaissance in the warehouse district in build and body shape. Although they are Servants of the same class, they are clearly and unmistakably different individuals.
"How about I put you in charge?"
"Yes. You just follow behind Saber and her Master... By the way, did Master Kirei see the situation here?"
"No, Master Kirei did not share his perception with me."
The Assassin who was initially following Irisviel shook his head. It seems it was another Assassin doing reconnaissance in the warehouse district at that moment.
The second Assassin smacked his lips when he heard her reply.
"Just to be on the safe side, we should still report to Master Kirei about the things that happened here..."
"Entrust that to me."
A third voice followed. No longer anything to be surprised about, another white skull mask appeared in the darkness.
This time, it was a boyish-looking Assassin with a high-pitched voice and short stature. Perhaps no one knows just how many Assassins are gathered here.
The monstrous sound of the Mercedes' engine resounded once again in the night sky and roared off on the state highway. Perhaps Irisviel and Saber will quickly be on their way again.
At the same time the three shadows nodded to each other and also disappeared like a whirlwind into the vast night.
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