The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

"You bastard! You bastard, you bastard, you bastard, you bastard...!"

In a fit of despair, Caster's face twisted so violently his eyes rolled back as he foamed at the mouth and screamed furiously.

"Did you think that was enough?! You'll pay for what you've done!"

Yoru spoke coldly. This may have been the first time he'd ever been this angry. Usually a man of few emotions, his years living peacefully with the Einzberns had dulled much of his rage.

But for the first time, because of this Servant's actions, Yoru understood what true fury—no, wrath—felt like.

His fingers clenched tightly around the grimoire bound in human skin. Torrents of magical energy surged through it. What Yoru wanted was simple: to destroy this evil artifact completely.

Caster quickly realized what Yoru was trying to do. With a sharp screech, he too poured his magical energy into the book.

"Do you want to die?!"

Caster was surprised by the sheer strength of Yoru's magic. But no matter how powerful he was, Yoru was still just a human. How could a mere mortal possibly compare to a Servant?

Servants were miracles made flesh, summoned into the world by the Holy Grail. It was an unshakable truth: humans could not defeat Servants.

As magical forces clashed between them, the energy waves stirred the air. A dull impact followed, and Yoru felt a sweetness rise in his throat—then his body was hurled backward uncontrollably.

"Are you alright?!"

Saber, startled, quickly caught him and looked at him with deep concern.

"I'm fine."

Yoru shook his head and pushed her away gently.

"I'm not so weak that I need help from a woman."

His words and tone left Saber deeply uncomfortable. She wanted to refute him, but didn't even know where to begin.

Had it been yesterday, if someone had dared say something like that to her, she might have drawn her sword without hesitation.

But now, after Yoru said those words, all Saber felt was confusion and uncertainty.

Why…? Is being a woman truly something to be looked down on?

Her Master thought so. Rider yesterday had shown the same mindset. And now, even this man was treating her the same way.

Saber closed her eyes. In her mind echoed the desperate cries and tears of the children, torn apart before her eyes.

Is it because I'm a woman… that I'm weak? That I couldn't protect them?

She was supposed to be the strongest heroic spirit of the sword—the foremost of the three knight classes, the great Saber. And yet now, she couldn't do anything. All she could do was watch a mere human fight in her place, and even that human claimed he didn't need her help.

Why? Why has it come to this?!

The magical clash had ended with Yoru at a disadvantage. Caster's grimoire had returned to its original form, and he began chanting again.

"Struggling to the very end!"

He had to strike before Caster finished his chant. Injured and battered, Yoru surged forward once more. A wave of blood-red mist erupted, instantly obscuring his vision.

Yoru frowned. Cold spread from his palm and sliced through the fog. That mist, made entirely of water, might have worked on others—but freezing it was child's play for him.

In a flash, the dense red fog turned to frosty crystals and fell like a blood-hued frost.

But once the fog cleared and visibility returned, Caster's figure—his very presence—had vanished.

"Escaped…?"

Yoru clenched his fist. It seemed this madman of a Caster wasn't as foolish as he appeared. At the very least, he had the sense to realize continuing the fight was no longer in his favor.

With Caster gone, Yoru saw no reason to remain. But just as he turned to leave, Saber's voice called out behind him.

"Wait! Why did you come here today? Why… why did you help me?"

"What else? To take down Caster, of course. And as for helping you… don't get the wrong idea. I had no intention of helping you."

With that cold dismissal, Yoru turned away, ignoring the look of pain on Saber's face.

Leaving behind the stench-ridden street, he stumbled around a corner. Waiting there were Irisviel and Flandre.

"Yoru… are you okay?"

Irisviel, seeing his state, hugged him tightly. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Why do you always push yourself like this? Wouldn't it have been better to let Flandre fight instead?"

"There are some things I have to do myself. For those children… I had to be the one to end him."

Yoru smiled faintly, brushing her hair gently.

"Don't forget… I'm the father of two children."

"It's because you're their father that you must take care of yourself! If anything happened to you, what would Illya and Sakura do?!"

Hearing her words, Yoru froze slightly. A moment of confusion crossed his face.

Why would Irisviel say something like that? As if implying… she wouldn't be there in the future. That if something happened to him, Illya and Sakura would have no one left.

"Iri… are you hiding something from me?"

Gripping her shoulders, Yoru asked seriously.

"No… why would I hide anything from you?"

Irisviel looked away nervously, her voice flustered. It was obvious from her panic and tone that she wasn't telling the truth—but Yoru chose silence. He didn't ask further.

If Irisviel truly didn't want to tell him, he wouldn't press her. He believed that one day, she would confide in him.

Because she was his wife—

The one he trusted most in this world.

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