The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

Compared to the omnipotent Holy Grail—the universal cauldron capable of granting any wish—the summoning ritual for Heroic Spirits and the magic circle used seemed almost absurdly simple.

But that was to be expected. After all, it wasn't the magus's power that summoned the Servant, but the power of the Holy Grail. The Master merely served as a medium linking the Heroic Spirit to this world, providing the mana needed to materialize them here.

"I hereby declare:

Thy body shall be under me, and my fate shall be entrusted to thy sword.

Abide by the summons of the Holy Grail, if thou dost accept this will and reason, then answer me!"

Reciting the incantation aloud, Yoru for the first time truly felt the will and power of this world—a sorrowful force, utterly unlike the one he had known in Orario.

If the power of adventurers in Orario was joyful and full of hope, then the power of this world struck Yoru as filled with sorrow and anguish.

That was because Orario's power came as a blessing from the gods. But in this world, such power was something born from mortal defiance of the natural order—born of rebellion.

To use such power meant bearing the burden—and the resolve—that came with it.

Yoru's expression contorted slightly. The magical energy coursing through his body was something no magus could escape—the cold, writhing pain caused by the activation of his internal magical circuits.

Gritting his teeth to endure the pain, Yoru continued the incantation:

"Yet, I have sworn: I shall become all the good in the world of man, I shall cleanse all the evil in the world of man."

His vision darkened.

A sharp pain surged from the back of his hand. The previously indistinct Command Seals began to transform.

The base became a six-pointed star, twisted and coiled like a serpent. And now, bleeding wings extended from either side of that serpent.

Faintly, Yoru thought he could hear the soft sound of wind chimes and a girl's laughter.

Had the summoning succeeded? He didn't know. His mind felt like a machine devoid of self-awareness, mechanically continuing the chant.

"Do your best."

A strange vision flashed before his eyes. For a fleeting moment, Yoru thought he saw a majestic golden figure speaking those words.

But there was no time to dwell on that. Gritting his teeth, Yoru recited the final lines:

"Let the three words of power bind thee. Come forth from the Wheel of Restraint, O Guardian of the Scales!"

With that final prayer, the mana surging through Yoru's body pushed to its absolute limit.

Lightning cracked, the wind howled. Under the pressure of the storm that forced even their eyes shut, the summoning circle erupted in radiant light.

What… had been summoned?

Irisviel's eyes widened as she stared into the summoning circle. The magic circuit had connected to a realm beyond this world. From the blinding glow that surged forth endlessly… a crimson figure emerged, standing tall.

At long last, their wish had been heard.

From beyond, she came—cloaked in storm and lightning, a phantom of legend.

Though born human, she had transcended humanity. Elevated by divine power to the realm of spirits. These extraordinary beings had gathered—from the Thrones of Suppressed Divinity, woven from countless dreams, Heroic Spirits now descended upon the earth.

And then…

"This is the Servant I summoned?"

Yoru stared in blank bewilderment at the small girl sitting atop the high altar, her legs dangling.

"…Looks like it."

Now effectively a mother of two children, Irisviel nodded with some difficulty, her expression as surprised as Yoru's as they both stared at the girl sitting on the altar.

Clearly, this girl was the Heroic Spirit summoned. Judging by her appearance, she seemed to be around the same age as Sakura or Illyasviel. At that moment, the girl was playing with the staff in her hands—the very one Yoru had used in the summoning ritual.

Perhaps sensing Yoru and Irisviel's gazes, the girl flashed a mischievous smile and spoke softly:

"You're the Master, right?"

"Ah… yes, I am."

Yoru replied instinctively, feeling a sharp sting on the back of his hand. At the same moment, a strange connection formed between him and the girl before him.

It seemed… she really was his Servant. The Command Seals never lied.

"Then… take Fran out to play!"

As Yoru stared blankly at his hand, the girl spoke again—and then leapt down from the tall altar.

"Ah—!"

Irisviel let out an involuntary gasp, but Yoru had already caught the falling girl in his arms.

Even though she was his summoned Servant, her small frame and resemblance to both Sakura and Illyasviel made every one of her gestures tug at the hearts of both Yoru and Irisviel.

To them, she looked like nothing more than a child.

"Mm, Fran isn't that fragile, Master. No need to be so nervous."

Although she said that, the girl squinted happily, clearly pleased that Yoru had instinctively caught her.

"Um… your name is Fran?"

"That's right. Flandre Scarlet—second heir of the Scarlet family. I have descended in the class of Berserker. From this moment, our contract is sealed."

As she answered, Flandre gracefully leapt out of Yoru's arms. Holding the edges of her skirt, she curtsied elegantly toward Yoru and Irisviel.

"Eh… You're a Berserker? How is that even possible?"

Irisviel stared in disbelief at Flandre. Servants of the Berserker class were typically known for overwhelming strength—but they also lacked sanity, driven only by blind obedience to their Master's orders.

What's more, Berserkers were notoriously prone to going out of control, often requiring the use of Command Seals to suppress their madness.

In short, if used well, Berserkers could be invincible—but if handled poorly, they could become a liability.

But this girl—this Flandre—seemed completely sane. She could talk with them freely. How could someone like her possibly be a Berserker?

---

Access more chapters at patreon.com/dzeref887