The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

After the storm of destruction swept across the battlefield, silence descended.

The sound of waves crashing against cliffs, and the distant noise of city streets, slowly returned to fill the night. It seemed Lancer's Master had lifted the enchantments cast over the area.

"Well, then… no reason to stay any longer. Next time we meet, I'll reclaim the dignity I lost tonight!"

Rider was, of course, referring to the moment when Flandre nearly singed off his hair.

"I'll be waiting, you big oaf."

Flandre replied with a fearless grin, drawing hearty laughter from Rider.

"Splendid spirit indeed. I guess I really shouldn't underestimate girls—just like that little lass who turned out to be the famous king who ruled all of Britain."

"Would I be so honored to know your name, little lady?"

Rider stood up, asking Flandre with gentlemanly grace.

As if she'd reveal her true name that easily—what are you, an idiot?

Waver sulked silently from the ox-cart, wisely choosing not to say this out loud. If he did, another finger flick from Rider was surely incoming.

But to Waver's surprise, the tiny girl actually answered.

After Rider's polite inquiry, Flandre gave a slight curtsy, gracefully lifting her skirt.

"I am the second heir of the noble Scarlet family—Flandre Scarlet. I have descended upon this world solely to seize the Holy Grail for my Master."

"Oh? Flandre Scarlet? Forgive me, but I don't recall such a family in my memory."

"It's natural you don't—I'm not from this world."

"I see. A fictional Heroic Spirit, then?"

Rider nodded in understanding.

"Then, Lady Flandre, I'll take my leave for now. But the next time we meet, I promise a battle full of burning passion! My little Master, do you have any last words?"

Rider glanced down at Waver, who was slumped over the cart's front seat, but the boy didn't respond.

Now you remember me? Where were you earlier?!

Waver grumbled internally but still replied.

"Nothing. Let's just go already. It's late—I want to sleep."

"Then hold on tight, my little Master."

With that, Rider tugged the reins of his two divine oxen. The bulls roared, sparking lightning from their hooves as they galloped skyward.

"Farewell!"

With the rumble of thunder, Rider's chariot soared into the southern sky.

Irisviel finally exhaled, relieved from the tension. Looking around, she saw devastation everywhere. Understandable, given that five Servants had gathered here—some unleashing their Noble Phantasms with no restraint.

"For a first battle, that was pretty intense. Has there ever been a Holy Grail War this fierce from the start?"

She wasn't frightened by the battlefield's destruction. After all, the Church's supervisor was responsible for maintaining secrecy. This area looked like it had been hit by an earthquake—no doubt the supervisor would send in staff to clean it up properly.

"And attracting the attention of two powerful Servants right from the beginning… isn't exactly a good thing."

Besides Rider, who had just declared his intent, Archer, who left earlier, also bore murderous intent toward them. That was definitely not comforting.

"Rider's not too concerning. He's not the type to strike the defenseless. But Archer… he's trouble. That guy's seriously strong."

Just thinking about that arrogant Archer gave Yoru a headache. Arrogance isn't scary by itself—but it is when someone actually has the power to back it up. That kind of person is a real threat.

Further west, in the mountainous outskirts of Fuyuki City, a long highway stretched away from the city lights and into undeveloped forest. The road wound on quietly, disappearing across the county border.

Though it was a two-lane road, not a single car approached. Past midnight, the highway felt forgotten, wrapped in stillness.

Suddenly, a silver beast tore through the silence.

A Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Its elegant, streamlined body exuded the dignity of a noblewoman, while the roar of its inline-six engine was like the growl of a wild beast.

"What do you think? Pretty fast, right?"

At the wheel, Irisviel grinned proudly. In the passenger seat, a tense-looking Yoru forced a stiff smile.

"Tr-truly… impressive… v-very skilled driving…"

"Right? I trained just so I could handle it like this."

She said it proudly—but judging from her clumsy gear changes, she was still far from being a skilled driver.

Yoru couldn't help but recall the nightmare of watching her spin circles around the castle courtyard back in Germany…

But, well—this was his wife. As long as Iri was happy, nothing else mattered.

Yoru had prepared this car specifically for their time in Fuyuki—transportation was essential—and, to some extent, it was proving useful.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and glanced back. Flandre sat silently in the back seat, perfectly calm. For a Heroic Spirit like her, this kind of speed was probably nothing.

After driving for about an hour, the Einzbern villa finally appeared before them.

Looking at the massive estate—comparable to the ancient castle in Germany—Yoru couldn't help but smirk.

The Einzberns sure are filthy rich…

"During the Holy Grail War, this will serve as our temporary base. But there are no servants here, so we'll have to take care of everything ourselves."

Irisviel explained. Yoru nodded slightly, and the group stepped into the grand, long-abandoned mansion.

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