Fate: How About a New Savior?

In the midst of their fierce battle with Berserker, Archer noticed something off.

"Rin, did you catch that?" he asked.

"You're talking about Berserker's Master, right?" Rin held a gemstone between her fingers, ready to coordinate with Archer's next move. "Yeah, something's definitely strange. Einzbern hasn't shown up at all…"

She had assumed her Servant was relatively average, not particularly powerful. But just now, working together, Archer had unleashed two separate A-rank Noble Phantasms against Berserker, managing to take two of his lives.

However, each time Berserker resurrected, he gained resistance to that specific Noble Phantasm. His strength, agility, and defense remained completely unaffected—like the previous blows had never even landed.

"Something's not right, Rin." Archer launched another projected Noble Phantasm to draw Berserker's attention. "Just to be safe, use this chance to get inside the castle and check things out."

On this point, Rin agreed.

Ever since she and Sakura were snatched away by Perseus's bag and hit with Berserker's ambush, up to the current three-way fight, Einzbern hadn't made a single appearance.

Relying on a top-tier Servant and staying behind the lines could be a smart strategy. But the castle's barrier hadn't reacted at all—not even when parts of it were damaged by the fighting.

It was too quiet.

Unnaturally quiet.

"I want to," Rin muttered, cold sweat running down her cheek as she stared hard at Berserker. Though his attention had been diverted, she had no doubt he'd lock back onto her the moment she moved. "Can you really hold this big guy off on your own?"

"I told you, I'm taking this guy down." Archer grinned confidently. "Honestly, you staying here just gets in my way."

Rin understood immediately. She switched the gem in her hand, reinforced her body, and prepared to dash out.

"Alright then, it's all yours, Archer!"

As she shouted, she tossed a gem toward Berserker. Just as his gaze shifted, the gem burst into a blinding flash. Archer timed it perfectly, blocking Berserker's vision to shield himself from the flare.

Seizing the moment, Rin sprinted forward, dodging Berserker's line of sight and attacks as she made for the castle gate.

But—

Out of the searing light, Berserker came charging like a massive projectile, swinging his axe-sword straight at her.

"—?!"

Rin gasped—there was no way to dodge it in time.

In that instant, Archer stepped in, wielding the same weapon, and intercepted Berserker.

He raised both arms and let out a roar, forcing Berserker and his weapon back.

"Run, Rin!"

Without a second's hesitation, Rin pushed her legs to the limit and launched herself forward like an arrow.

Behind her, Archer stood tall, axe-sword in hand, facing off against Berserker.

Even in his mindless state, Berserker recognized that weapon—it was just like his own. And he knew it posed a real threat.

"Trace On," Archer murmured.

For a Magus, activating magecraft meant initiating the magic circuits. Many used some form of self-suggestion to trigger that process.

Archer's self-suggestion is the motion of loading a bullet — a trigger to activate his projection magic.

He wasn't just replicating Berserker's weapon—he was copying the martial techniques encoded within it.

Berserker's Noble Phantasm.

"Nine Lives!" Archer roared, raising his axe-sword high as a swirling gale burst forth from his momentum.

He stepped forward—his weapon clashing head-on with Berserker's.

Nine distinct techniques collided in that instant, unleashing shockwaves that tore through earth and air alike.

Even as a mindless Berserker, he hadn't lost all of his battle experience. With instinct-like precision, he mirrored the same techniques.

Every strike was identical. Every blow matched.

What a monster, Archer thought.

Mad Enhancement hadn't stripped Berserker of all his abilities. He hadn't devolved into a brute that relied on sheer force alone.

Their final clash triggered an explosion, centered between the colliding axe-swords.

Rin barely managed to roll forward in time, diving through the castle gates to avoid being caught by the shockwave behind her.

Once the blast settled, she leaned out to check the battlefield.

At the very moment of that final strike, Archer had already realized that his projected axe-sword couldn't hold up. Without hesitation, he released it just as the weapons shattered, detonating the remaining Mana inside.

Even then, he only managed to wound Berserker—destroying about twenty percent of his body and momentarily halting his movement.

"Looks like I've got no choice but to use my final option," Archer muttered, channeling Mana.

If this dragged on, it would never end. He had to concentrate what strength he had left into one decisive spell—to finish Berserker in one blow.

"I understand. You're permitted to use your true Noble Phantasm." Rin's voice came through their mental link, acknowledging his plan.

She had already begun to suspect what Archer's true Noble Phantasm might be. Otherwise, how could he continuously summon different A-rank Noble Phantasms one after another?

Caladbolg, Durandal—legendary weapons from entirely separate myths. How could a single person wield them all?

Resolved, Rin turned and cautiously stepped deeper into the castle.

But no sooner had she moved than something clicked beneath her foot—as if she'd stepped on nearly invisible threads.

A string of ominous clicks echoed around her—mechanisms triggered by the wires.

Rin immediately dove forward, sliding across the polished floor to evade the first wave of attacking familiars.

But more threads activated, and the air filled with the sound of moving traps. Rin quickly realized the entire hall was laced with threads hidden by magecraft—classic tactics of the Einzbern Homunculi.

"Baut!"

Her body reacted before her mind did. She activated a defensive spell with a gem, shielding herself from the familiars attacking from all directions.

After several seconds of relentless assault, a gem-formed shield hovered steadily at her side. Rin rose to her feet.

"Why don't you come out already, Einzbern?" she called out, eyes scanning her surroundings. "Don't tell me you planned to leave everything to your Servants?"

A slow clap rang out in reply.

But it wasn't an Einzbern who stepped from the stairs at the far end of the hall.

It was a flippant man wearing glasses.

"My, my, that was impressive. I mean, even I could dodge these traps—no way they'd stop another Master."

"…Who are you?" Rin's eyes narrowed as she spotted his pointed ears—clearly not fully human.

"Assassin's Master. Beryl Gut." He gave a mocking bow. "A comrade of Mr. Matou."

Rin's eyes widened—something felt very wrong.

...Sakura!

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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