Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover

Rider had already retreated, and Lancer followed his Master's lead, leaving only Saber's group and the eccentric Master of Caster on the battlefield.

Saber looked at the young man, who was clearly just a human, with a complicated expression.

"What exactly are you here for, Sakatsuki?"

Looking back at the battle that had taken place that night, aside from the fact that Sakatsuki's servant had never appeared, just the fact that he had fought both Archer and Lancer, only to ignore the perfect opportunity to defeat Saber and instead drag things out with Lancer, suggested his intentions were far from clear. Finally, he challenged Lancer's Master to a duel, making it clear that the chaos was far from over.

But throughout it all, Sakatsuki never showed any intent to take down a servant. Instead, he had been moving around, maintaining a subtle balance.

"Who knows?"

Sakatsuki shrugged nonchalantly in response to Saber's question.

"To borrow the words of the Conqueror King, 'What reason or plan? Those troublesome things should be left for future historians. Us heroes only need to follow our hearts and run wild on the battlefield.'"

"That is not something a true king should say."

Saber replied with disappointment, her tone resolute.

The Knight King believed in the chivalric code, and her beliefs were far from Rider's carefree attitude.

"If we meet again, I'll definitely be victorious—"

"Alright, alright, I regret saying that."

Sakatsuki suddenly appeared beside Saber and lifted her left hand.

"Sakatsuki!"

Saber was startled, not having the time to dodge.

It wasn't just because his actions lacked hostility and her instincts didn't warn her. After the intense battles, Saber was too tired to react quickly.

"That's very rude, Sakatsuki. Please let go of me!"

"Don't be angry. I'm helping you."

Sakatsuki's fingers lightly traced her wound, weaving magic runes, easing the numbness and pain caused by the curse.

Once the magic was done, he quickly released her hand.

"Though my magecraft has reached the level of conceptual transference, the mysteries are bound by greater mysteries… Unfortunately, the 'Yellow Rose of Mortality' is a Noble Phantasm, and the curse power it carries is too high. I can't completely remove it."

Sakatsuki held a short dagger in his hand, with golden patterns flowing along its blade. Clearly, he had used some magecraft to transfer part of Saber's curse to the dagger.

"No, this is enough."

Saber flexed her left hand.

"Thank you so much, Sakatsuki."

"Such a serious personality… That's a cute point, Saber."

The young man gently rubbed his chin, suddenly throwing out this remark with an expression akin to a mischievous blacksmith.

Cute point? What did that mean?

Though Saber had received modern knowledge, she hadn't fully integrated it, and she tilted her head in confusion. Her little ahoge (the strand of hair on top of her head) unconsciously swayed, but Irisviel, who knew more, covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, not bothering to explain it's meaning to Saber.

Realizing his slip-up, Sakatsuki awkwardly cleared his throat and said.

"So, would you like to come with me, Saber?"

"To the Hyatt Hotel, to Kayneth's workshop?"

Saber didn't answer, but Irisviel stepped forward speaking as Saber's Master.

"That's correct."

Sakatsuki said seriously, his expression straight.

"For you two, the priority is to lift Lancer's curse, and I just so happen to be visiting Kayneth's workshop tonight—seems like we already have some common interest."

"Speaking of that, why would you actively enter a magus's workshop? Isn't that dangerous?"

Irisviel asked, puzzled.

Sakatsuki smiled.

"Maybe it's because I'm curious."

"Curious? Just for such a simple reason?"

"Curiosity is human nature, my dear lady. Since I already knew about such an interesting place, why not challenge it?"

Was it really that simple?

The youth's smile was so genuine, but it hid something deeper, and under that peculiar smile, even Irisviel fell silent for a moment. After a pause, she said.

"So, what do you want us to do?"

"Simple. I'll have a duel with Kayneth, and you two will face off against Lancer. That way, whichever side wins can lift Saber's curse, and if either side loses… it'll be no one's fault."

"That's a very direct plan, but it works."

Irisviel thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"But in some sense, you're also protecting that little girl named 'Miyu,' aren't you?"

After all, in Sakatsuki's plan, Caster's servant hadn't appeared at all.

"That's only natural. Isn't it a brother's duty to protect his sister?"

Sakatsuki didn't try to hide anything.

"So, shall we cooperate?"

"I don't think I have any reason to refuse…"

Irisviel was about to answer, but then Saber tugged at her sleeve and whispered something. The woman's expression slowly became uncomfortable, and she looked back at Sakatsuki. She opened her mouth but fell silent.

"Sorry, Sakatsuki…"

"Ah, I understand. Did that guy, Kiritsugu, say something?"

Sakatsuki interrupted Irisviel's apology with a smirk.

Though he had expected Kiritsugu to reject the idea, he hadn't anticipated it happening so quickly. Originally, he had hoped that he could deepen the rift between Saber and Kiritsugu a little more…

"Tell Kiritsugu, while I don't expect him to be grateful, at least tonight, I'd appreciate it if he could delay his actions a bit. Let me enjoy this duel… otherwise, he'll regret it."

With that cryptic parting remark, Sakatsuki swiftly hopped onto his bike, turned the handle, and disappeared from Irisviel and Saber's view.

Saber silently watched the direction in which Sakatsuki had left, her beautiful side profile showing no sign of excitement or exhaustion from the recent battle. The armoured knight stood like a picture on the battlefield—beautiful and untouchable.

"Thank you, Saber. I'm only alive because of you."

In response to Irisviel's gratitude, Saber smiled.

"I can fight without worry because I have you behind me, Irisviel."

Irisviel felt once more how strong, resolute, and gentle Saber truly was.

Though Saber looked younger and smaller, her body petite with delicate wrists, her mind and spirit were those of a perfect knight and a true hero.

"The battle has only just begun, Irisviel. Tonight's situation is only the first night of a series of battles."

"…Yeah."

"All of our opponents are formidable foes, heroes from different eras… None of them are to be underestimated."

Saber murmured.

Even Sakatsuki had made everyone forget that he wasn't a Heroic Spirit, but a person from this age.

Yet, if he were to claim himself as a hero, who could refute?

Even though there were so many heroes and warriors to compete with her, there was no impatience or fear in Saber's tone. Facing the coming storm, she merely steeled her resolve.

This excitement, this rush of blood—it would never change, no matter the world or the era. It was the very proof of a hero's spirit.

Staring up at the star-filled night sky, the Knight King whispered.

"This is… the Holy Grail War."

***

Hey readers!

Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.

🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹

Thanks for being awesome! ❤️