The moment Shakespeare agreed to Sakatsuki's request to join the Blue Faction, a scorching heat surged through Sakatsuki's chest.
At the same time, he sensed a connection forming with someone not far away.
What was happening?
Pulling open his collar in front of Shakespeare, Sakatsuki's face flushed red, his breathing growing slightly ragged as he looked up at the great British playwright.
Shirt half-open, cheeks flushed, breathing uneven…
Shakespeare froze, stumbling back several steps in a panic before grabbing a random book to shield himself.
"I-I-I may be British, but my orientation is absolutely normal! Ah, just so you know, I prefer young, mature beauties, like Juliet—"
Before he could finish, Sakatsuki smacked him with the book.
"Piss off, I'm not into you either," the young man scoffed with a laugh, ignoring the clownish playwright. But inwardly, his mind was reeling.
As someone well-versed in the Holy Grail War, Sakatsuki had always harbored doubts about this so-called "Blue Faction."
While it was true that in the world of Type-Moon, the gap between the Age of Gods and modern magecraft was vast, and those demons—higher phantasmal beings—could easily modify the Holy Grail system… the deal the Osarei family struck with the demons was meant to overturn the Holy Grail War and seize the Greater Grail.
If the Osarei family had summoned anyone other than Sakatsuki—any ordinary Servant—how could a single Servant possibly defeat both the Red and Black Factions? Each faction boasted seven renowned Heroic Spirits!
Even with the advantage of secrecy, the Blue Faction's numbers were simply too small to play the role of the opportunistic victor.
But now, Sakatsuki finally understood the true terror of the Blue Faction…
Removing his black robe and revealing his chest under Shakespeare's wary gaze, the Command Spells resembling spread wings had transformed once more—though still divided into three sections on each side, three blank outlines of Command Spells had appeared on the left, middle, and right!
These were three Command Spells that could be filled in an instant with just a thought from Sakatsuki… the Command Spells belonging to Caster—Shakespeare!
The identity of the Master connected to Sakatsuki was now obvious.
"Without needing the Master's consent, as long as the Servant acknowledges their allegiance to the Blue Faction, their Command Spells can be seized…"
After unraveling the rules of the Blue Faction, even Sakatsuki couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath, murmuring to himself.
"No wonder the Osarei family was so bold… this faction ability is far too dangerous."
Especially in the hands of someone with foreknowledge—the potential for exploitation was immense.
Straightening his clothes and composing himself, Sakatsuki took a deep breath, resisting the urge to let out a satisfied "delicious," though his delight still showed on his face.
This ability was excellent—and now, it was his.
Osarei family, you need not worry any longer!
"Coo, coo, coo…" Just as Sakatsuki was reveling in his triumph, a snow-white pigeon flew in, landing on his shoulder and pecking at his head with its beak, producing a dull thunk.
"What's going on?" Sakatsuki grabbed the pigeon, looking puzzled at the great writer before him. "Did you miss your deadline? Or did you take a break from writing or just abandon your novel?"
"Don't be ridiculous, how could I possibly do such a thing!" Shakespeare naturally couldn't accept this insult, raising his eyebrows guiltily. "This is Assassin's familiar. It seems there's something they need from you."
"Oh, I see." Sakatsuki understood now. He did remember Semiramis had a skill called [Familiar (Pigeon)] that allowed her to summon pigeons. "Looks like they don't dare ignore me anymore."
Tossing the white bird out the window, Sakatsuki had barely stepped outside before Shakespeare locked the door behind him, sneaking guiltily to his desk. He pulled out an unfinished work from the drawer and began scribbling furiously.
"Coo, coo, coo..." The pigeon circled outside the window, letting out cheerful cries.
————
Returning to the church's main hall, Sakatsuki's gaze swept past the routinely respawned NPCs Amakusa and the Empress, locking onto a newly appeared young man.
His hair grew wildly, maintaining a translucent white. His eyes were as sharp as polished blades, and the crimson stone embedded in his exposed chest shimmered in harmony, exuding a lustrous, bewitching glow. But most striking of all was the golden armor that seemed less like something wrapped around his body and more like an extension of his very flesh, radiating a sacred brilliance.
Though every part of him was beautiful, the young man as a whole gave an impression that transcended mere beauty—what a wondrous youth he was.
Moreover, Sakatsuki knew all too well who this young man was.
—The strongest Servant of the Red Faction, the greatest obstacle in Sakatsuki's plans... bar none.
Almost instantly, Sakatsuki tensed his body, walking over to the trio with practiced nonchalance.
"You summoned me. What's the matter?"
"The time has come. The one I most guard against is heading this way."
Amakusa spoke first, his distant, contemplative gaze now filled with unmistakable hostility.
Not out of hatred, but because this was the one person in the world Amakusa Shirou had to defeat to realize his dream.
"Ruler, I presume?"
"Yes, we've confirmed that individual has infiltrated Romania."
Amakusa wasn't surprised by Sakatsuki's directness. To him and Semiramis, it would be suspicious if Sakatsuki pretended ignorance.
Under the effect of [Familiar (Pigeon)], the Empress's network of pigeons spanned all of Romania. The moment Ruler manifested and entered the country, the pigeons detected the Servant's impossible-to-fully-conceal magical energy surge.
Withdrawing his gaze from the distant figure, Amakusa turned to Sakatsuki and the silent young man.
"Lancer, Lord Sakatsuki, I need you to kill Ruler. At the very least, buy us time."
The saintess who's about to arrive... Perfect timing, I wanted to meet her anyway... Sakatsuki nodded. "Of course."
Beside him, the young man—Red Lancer—gave a slight, indifferent nod of agreement.
Unlike the equally skilled yet rebellious Red Rider... or Sakatsuki, this Lancer's personality could be summed up in one word: "warrior."
With a single command from his Master, he would act without the slightest hesitation or defiance.
Without further discussion, Sakatsuki and the Red Lancer set out, following the guidance of the doves. Meanwhile, in the church, Amakusa restlessly rubbed his fingers together, while the Empress Semiramis watched her Master with amusement, savoring his unease.
Unable to endure her bold gaze any longer, the priest gave a wry smile and turned to his Servant.
"...The way you look at me, it's as if I were the Servant, and you the true Master. As a proper Servant, even if you won't offer words of support, you should at least refrain from scrutinizing your Master so critically, no?"
"Hmph, naturally. Though I am accustomed to being served, I am not accustomed to serving others—let alone offering you comforting words. Ah, but it's not too late. Shall we switch?"
Switch? Such a possibility was unthinkable.
Faced with the empress's whimsy, Amakusa shook his head. "I must decline. You strike me as quite the tyrant."
At this, a mischievous glint flickered in the Assassin's pale eyes. She murmured softly:
"The title of the world's oldest poisoner is no mere decoration, you know? Do you truly believe you can command this Semiramis?"
—Those were the very words the black-gowned empress had declared when Amakusa Shirou Tokisada first summoned her.
Smiling, Amakusa repeated his response from that day.
"Empress of Assyria. In this Holy Grail War, fought by fourteen Servants, my goal lies beyond mere victory or defeat. Will you lend me your aid?"
Hearing this, the Assassin let out a rare, amused laugh.
"Yes, those very words! At the time, I was so startled I wondered what nonsense you were spouting. Truth be told, I even considered finding another puppet Master and switching right then and there."
"And now?"
"You still ask that now? Master, you are amusing. Your wish is my wish. Thus, I find not a shred of hesitation in assisting you."
"...Thank you."
Faced with the empress's blunt declaration, Amakusa's heart swelled with gratitude—yet all he could muster was those two dry words. As if embarrassed, the saintly young man turned away, feigning deep interest in the church's stained-glass windows.
But the empress was not so easily deterred. A fragrant presence pressed against his back, the soft curves of the black-clad beauty molding against his spine as her crimson lips brushed his ear with a whisper.
"Do you believe that Lancer and that Sakatsuki can defeat the Ruler?"
"Trust in them." Amakusa nodded, his gaze pure and unwavering. "After all, one is a peerless assassin capable of defeating Vlad III—and the other... is the son of the sun god Surya himself."
"The Hero of Charity, Karna..." Semiramis scoffed lightly, yet even she couldn't muster words of rebuttal against this pairing.
The church suddenly fell silent. Amakusa gazed intently at the stained glass, allowing her delicate hand to rest upon his vulnerable neck. His flushed face from embarrassment drew a faint smile from the Empress as she tightened her embrace, pressing closer against him.
"Assassin..."
"Shh, be quiet."
With a resigned sigh, the young man looked up again, focusing more intently on the window that seemed to open toward heaven.
***
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