The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

Kiritsugu Emiya was even beginning to wonder—would he have performed better in this Holy Grail War without Saber as his Servant?

Right now, things had become passive precisely because of Saber's reckless actions. Having his cards exposed on the very first night of the Holy Grail War was anything but ideal.

"So now... what should we do?"

Maiya Kyōsuke, standing beside Kiritsugu, asked with concern.

"Have Saber prepare to retreat. I'll see if I can spot Lancer's Master."

Kiritsugu replied coldly, keeping his eye trained through the sniper scope.

No matter how powerful a mage might be, all it took was a moment of carelessness—and he could take them out in one shot. As a magus killer, Kiritsugu was confident in that.

The cold, tense air between them was suddenly shattered by a thunderous roar.

"Hm?"

Yoru blinked and looked toward the sky, where a strange flying object cut across the heavens in a straight line, heading directly their way. Purple lightning scattered in its wake, making it clear the sound had come from it.

Irisviel's jaw dropped, stunned.

"A chariot…?"

"All of you, put your weapons away—IN MY PRESENCE!"

A booming voice rang out like thunder. A burly man stood atop the chariot, surveying the surroundings with a commanding gaze before boldly introducing himself:

"I am Iskandar, King of Conquerors! I have joined this Holy Grail War and been granted the Rider class!"

"What the hell are you doing, you idiot!!"

A hysterical voice came from beside the giant man. A boy, on the verge of tears, tugged frantically at Rider's cloak, looking like he was about to lose his mind.

What the hell is going on here?

Everyone watching—whether on the ground or from afar—sweated awkwardly at the spectacle of this bizarre Master-Servant pair bickering like children.

"You worry too much. Reporting your name before battle—openly and proudly—is the act of a true hero!"

Rider casually flicked his Master away with a finger, then spoke as if he were entirely in the right.

"Saber! Lancer! Such an honorable duel between warriors! I am moved by your spirit! What say you—join me! Hand over the Holy Grail, and together we shall share in the joy of conquering the world!"

Rider spoke enthusiastically, as if Saber and Lancer had already agreed to become his vassals.

Is this guy an idiot…?

From across the harbor, Kiritsugu—watching the battlefield through a sniper scope—felt utterly defeated. He'd finally found a Servant even more unreliable than his own.

"Kiritsugu, something's wrong. Look—on top of the crane! And below it too!"

Maiya's voice came through.

"Assassin? That's impossible… I thought he'd already been eliminated…"

Kiritsugu was stunned to see a white skull mask standing on the crane.

"There… I can see two people. Another Master-Servant pair?"

Due to the angle, Kiritsugu couldn't see Flandre—only Yoru and Irisviel standing there.

Still, the situation was already more than chaotic enough.

The clash between Saber and Lancer had clearly drawn in too many parties. Things were becoming more and more unpredictable.

"Damn it…"

Kiritsugu grit his teeth in frustration, but there was nothing he could do for now except watch and wait.

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Down below, after Rider finished his speech, both Saber and Lancer stood frozen for a moment.

"Did you interrupt our knightly duel just to spout nonsense?"

The two Servants who moments ago had been locked in deadly combat now both turned hostile eyes toward the suddenly-appearing King of Conquerors, their gazes openly filled with hostility.

"Are you trying to negotiate with us?"

"Spare us your nonsense!"

Seeing that Rider seemed about to flatter them, Saber and Lancer rejected him in unison.

Saber's face darkened in disappointment.

"Let me repeat myself. I am a monarch—King of Britannia. No matter what kind of king you are, I will never kneel before anyone."

"Oh? A King of Britannia, you say?"

Rider raised his eyebrows, seemingly intrigued by Saber's declaration.

"How astonishing. The famed King of Knights is just a little girl?"

"Then come taste the sword of this 'little girl,' King of Conquerors!"

Saber lowered her voice as she raised her sword. Though her left hand was still injured and weak, with only four fingers resting on the hilt, the aura rising from her blade was even more imposing than during her fight with Lancer.

Rider furrowed his brow and sighed.

"So negotiations have failed. What a pity."

"As if that was ever going to work, you idiot! IDIOT! IDIOT!"

His Master's nearly-deranged screams came from below, as the boy furiously punched Rider's plated armor.

Rider scratched his head awkwardly.

"I knew the chances were slim, but there's a saying, right? 'You never know until you try!'"

"'You never know until you try'?! Don't tell me that's your true name!?"

The boy sobbed and wailed, pounding his fists.

Ironically, the antics of Rider's overly dramatic Master actually relieved some of the tension hanging in the air.

"I see. So that's how it is."

But then… another voice spoke up—low, cold, and full of menace. Like a growl rumbling across the ground. And just like that, the atmosphere froze again.

The boy's expression turned to stone. Then, fear.

This voice… could it be… Lancer's Master?

Yoru and Irisviel exchanged looks.

"He finally slipped up. Maiya, can you determine the location of that voice?"

Kiritsugu adjusted the barrel of his rifle and asked through his headset.

"Not exactly. I have a rough idea, but he's hiding well. I can't get a clear shot."

Maiya's calm voice came through the earpiece.

"Then keep observing Assassin and that other Master-Servant pair."

Kiritsugu gave the order. For now, there was nothing else to do but watch and wait.

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