Ruler, Jeanne d'Arc, arrived in Romania.
Even though the Red Faction had the intelligence network of the Empress's familiars, one must not forget who the true ruler of Romania was.
Jeanne did not deliberately conceal her presence upon arriving in Romania. Black Caster Avicebron's golems quickly detected her and relayed the information to the throne room.
Thus, the Black Faction's Masters gathered once more.
"As the Ruler of this Holy Grail War, our Black Faction must engage with her and strive to secure her support," Darnic's gaze swept across each Master. "The Great Lord must guard the Fortress of Millennia, Caster is occupied, and neither Rider nor Berserker's temperament is suited for negotiations..."
"In that case, I shall go."
The speaker was none other than Gordes, who had been brimming with confidence ever since summoning Black Saber.
"Siegfried... With him, even if the Red Faction interferes, there should be no cause for concern." Darnic's eyes flickered as he observed the proud, rotund man, unable to suppress a frown.
Of all people, it had to be this man who summoned Saber.
"We believe it prudent to dispatch another Servant as a precaution," Vlad III, seated upon the throne, interjected. Clearly, he and Darnic were of the same mind.
To Darnic and Vlad III, this was nothing more than a standard safety measure. Yet in Gordes' eyes, it was a blatant lack of trust in his capabilities. The self-proclaimed nobleman's brow furrowed, and he was on the verge of refusing—
But then, someone stepped forward from the crowd and bowed to the two leaders upon the throne.
"In that case, allow me to accompany him."
It was... her?
A faint stir rippled through the Masters as they recognized the one who had volunteered. Darnic observed Reika, now clad in a white-and-gold formal robe, her delicate beauty accentuated. Though surprise flickered in his eyes, after exchanging a glance with Vlad III, he nodded in agreement.
"Granted."
Even more astonishing was that the notoriously stubborn Gordes, after scrutinizing Reika from head to toe, silently acquiesced.
Thus, the gates of the Fortress of Millennia opened, and the Black Faction's Saber and Assassin set out on their journey.
Along the way, Gordes deliberately lagged behind, his beady eyes darting about as he indulged in the... scenic view.
Unlike the slightly loose, pale green dress she had worn before, the Yggdmillennia uniform made no distinction between genders. Now clad in white-and-gold attire, Reika's innate elegance was further magnified, surpassing even the magi who prided themselves on nobility.
Unlike the youthful, budding Fiore, the form-fitting outfit perfectly outlined Reika's slender waist and the full, voluptuous curves of her chest—showcasing the most alluring proportions of a woman's figure.
Especially since Reika had once been a courtesan. And men could never resist a woman with ample bosom, a narrow waist, and a natural air of delicate vulnerability.
Magi were no exception—their values might differ from ordinary people's, but certain instincts were not so easily forgotten.
Just look at the way she swayed—that waist, those hips... Tsk, tsk, tsk...
Fortunately, Gordes still had the restraint of a nobleman, otherwise, he would have long since blurted out expletives. Even so, the look he gave Reika was burning, thirsty, and utterly undisguised.
Having summoned Saber Siegfried, this fat man who hadn't yet woken from his noble dreams grew even more inflated. Deeming himself the master of the most powerful Servant, Gordes was already fantasizing about victory in the Holy Grail War and the revival of his family.
The decline of the Osarei family made them easy to suppress, and the aura this woman had displayed in the throne room was only second-rate at best—not top-tier, but still sufficient...
Sufficient to become the wife of the great Gordes.
In the end, the portly, meticulously mustachioed Gordes reached his conclusion. The mere thought of rolling in the sheets with this stunning beauty made his breathing quicken.
With the intention of building a good relationship with his future wife, Gordes quickened his pace, grinning and rubbing his hands together as he attempted a clumsy approach.
"Uh, Reika Rikudou—no, Reika…"
"Hmm?" The beauty's polite smile remained unchanged, merely humming softly to signal Gordes to continue.
It wasn't that Reika was deliberately aloof, but she had encountered too many men like him. The more indifferent she appeared, the more these foul men seemed to revel in it.
What a strange affliction… Though unaware of the term 'simp,' Miss Reika couldn't help but think so.
Sure enough, Gordes saw no issue with her demeanor. Chuckling awkwardly, he pressed on, "After we return tonight, would you care to join me in my room for dinner?"
More like you want to feast on something else, don't you?
Reika's smile cooled slightly as she pondered how to tactfully send this fat man packing. But then, the Assassin who had been silently standing beside her suddenly reached out, shielding her Master behind him.
"Watch out, Master!"
As he spoke, Assassin's crimson spear thrust forward, deflecting a bullet with a sharp clang.
Meanwhile, Gordes let out a pathetic scream as a white-haired swordsman appeared, using his blade to parry a second bullet.
Clang!
The clear, resonant sound drowned out Gordes' cries. Staring at Siegfried standing protectively before him, he finally regained his senses, scrambling to his feet and practically clinging to his Servant's back.
"W-what's going on?"
"It's a Servant." Reika was far calmer than Gordes. Standing behind Artoria while maintaining enough distance to allow her room to maneuver, she added, "The Red Faction's Servant is attacking us!"
Of course, these words weren't directed at Gordes but rather at the surveillance magecraft on her person.
After all, the task Sakatsuki had entrusted to her was to secure a place for herself within the Black Faction by any means necessary.
***
Fortress of Millennia, Throne Room.
Celenike watched the panicked Gordes and the composed Reika, who had instantly deduced the enemy's identity, and couldn't help but click her tongue in annoyance.
"That useless Gordes…"
Without comparison, there'd be no harm. The more incompetent Gordes appeared, the more Reika's excellence stood out.
For Celenike, a practitioner of black magic, this was utterly intolerable—especially since the Osrae family was…
Bang!
The deafening sound from the throne startled the Masters, making them look up only to see their king, Vlad III, slamming his fist against the armrest with a darkened expression.
Though Uncle Gordes could indeed be a bit... excessive, was this level of anger really necessary?
Fiora was puzzled, while Caules studied the shadowy figure that had appeared, hesitantly murmuring:
"Is that... the Servant from back then?"
Silence fell over the room at his words. The Masters swallowed hard, casting fearful glances at their two leaders as if staring at gathering storm clouds.
What other moment could have left Darnic and Vlad III so deeply scarred?
Who else could it be but the one who had grievously wounded the Black Lancer and forced Darnic to expend two Command Spells!
A chill ran down Fiora's spine as she watched the two Masters on the screen, whispering anxiously:
"Uncle and Miss Reika Rikudou... they're in danger..."
But before she could finish, a woman's sharp cry echoed from the screen.
"Defeat him, Assassin!"
Such folly!
The Masters' expressions twisted in horror as they turned toward Reika, the source of the command. Even Darnic froze momentarily before his eyes burned with intensifying fury.
This was an opponent whose strength had long been confirmed to rival that of the mightiest Servants!
If the dragon-slaying hero Siegfried could barely hold his own against him, what chance did Reika possibly have?
Assassins in the Holy Grail War were rarely powerful—they might handle Masters well enough, but facing a Servant head-on? Preposterous!
The Osarei family—utter fools!
Had he known this would happen, he should have stripped that woman of her Command Spells!
"As you command!"
Yet Reika's Servant obeyed with unsettling readiness. A clear feminine voice rang out as the black-cloaked woman casually summoned a crimson demonic spear into her grasp, charging toward the youth infamous for regicide.
This was the end...
The Masters closed their eyes in despair, unwilling to witness the Black Faction lose a Servant—all except for Celenike, whose face lit up with sadistic glee.
Clang!
The clash of weapons resounded. Despite knowing the outcome was inevitable, Fiora and the others couldn't help but open their eyes, desperate to see the result.
What they saw left them wide-eyed and speechless in disbelief.
How... was this possible?!
With a flick of her scarlet spear, the black-cloaked woman sent the pistol-wielding youth flying helplessly like a ragdoll, crashing deep into the dense forest beyond!
Under the moonlight, the Black Assassin coldly watched Sakatsuki's retreating figure before giving a disdainful snort. Her cloak billowed like a war goddess's mantle as she brandished her spear, pursuing him with terrifying momentum!
The two dark figures vanished into the woods. Back in the Black Faction's throne room, everyone blinked at each other in stunned silence.
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
***
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