The death of Celenike was unexpected, yet inevitable.
Sakatsuki had allowed Reika to enter the enemy camp alone precisely because of Jack the Ripper's presence. With her around, no magi from the Black Faction could harm Reika.
Assassin's unique Presence Concealment, the Noble Phantasm The Mist that isolated the interior from the outside, and Jack's inherent suppression of modern magi as a Servant—even within the heavily guarded Fortress of Millennia, Jack the Ripper could effortlessly take the life of any Master.
After all, who would have guessed that besides the openly assisting Artoria, Reika Rikudou also had the infamous serial killer lurking in the shadows to protect her?
Upon receiving Reika's message, Sakatsuki released his presence to restrain Siegfried, preventing him from committing suicide, while rapidly issuing orders:
"Use your black magecraft to mask Jack's Servant presence. Also, have her keep her Information Erasure skill active at all times. Then, go find Darnic—this can't be hidden for long... No, wait."
Suddenly recalling something crucial, Sakatsuki's breathing quickened.
"Did Jack... eat Celenike's heart?"
"No. As per your earlier instructions, it's been preserved with magecraft. It should remain viable for at least three days."
"Perfect!"
Even through the communication, Sakatsuki's excitement was palpable. He pumped his fist before continuing, "Change of plans. Don't go to Darnic yet—find Black Caster, Avicebron, first!"
How could Sakatsuki forget? The ultimate Noble Phantasm Black Caster pursued at the cost of his own Master—the Primordial Man, Adam—required the combined Noble Phantasms of three powerful Servants to destroy!
If he could seize such power for himself—!
Ending the call, Sakatsuki exhaled deeply and leaped down from the treetops, no longer concealing himself as he openly revealed his presence before the group.
"Who's there... It's you?!"
Siegfried glared coldly, while Astolfo tensed as if facing a dire threat. Only Artoria relaxed slightly upon seeing the newcomer.
Faced with the hostility of the two Servants, Sakatsuki, in contrast to his usual combat demeanor, offered a faint smile.
"Relax, both of you. I'm here to help."
Meanwhile, Reika and Jack stepped into the workshop of Black Caster, Avicebron.
"To what do I owe this late-night visit?"
With Roche absent, the golden-masked Caster turned to face the beautiful Reika, his tone indifferent.
"Greetings, Caster," Reika bowed gracefully, her smile flawless.
"I'm here to negotiate."
After infiltration and patience, the claws of the Blue Faction finally reached out toward the Servants of the Black.
———
The black-robed youth, the assassin who gravely wounded the Voivode, the ferocious demonic fist fighter.
With so many titles striking fear into Saber and Rider, they had no choice but to remain on high alert against Sakatsuki.
Yet Sakatsuki, as if oblivious to their hostility, spoke with unshakable composure:
"I know our stances are opposed, so I'll get straight to the point—I have a way to save this homunculus without sacrificing Saber."
The moment these words were spoken, it naturally caused shock in Astolfo and Siegfried.
"Is that true?" Astolfo asked urgently, disregarding his own gradual disappearance. "You really have a way to save them both? Wait, no—you're from the Red Faction! Why would you help us?"
Facing Astolfo's skepticism, Sakatsuki spread his hands and said something no one expected:
"Who told you I'm from the Red Faction?"
"What!?"
Astolfo's first reaction was disbelief, but Sakatsuki continued to explain: "I'm a Servant dispatched by the Mage's Association. You can think of me as an overseer affiliated with them."
"That still makes you an enemy of Yggdmillennia!"
"Hold on, Rider," Siegfried stopped Astolfo. "This is different from the Red Faction. He's not a direct participant in this war—more like an assistant."
Not a member who descended to fulfill a wish and compete with the Black Faction for the Holy Grail, but a Servant who answered the Mage's Association's request to assist, with no direct stake in this Holy Grail War.
—Whether true or not, this was the impression Sakatsuki wanted to convey.
"Thanks, Saber." Though he knew Siegfried's true name, Sakatsuki naturally wouldn't slip up. He continued, "While I was indeed asked to handle Yggdmillennia's rebellion, as a Servant—as a Heroic Spirit—I believe there are some things that can never change."
Looking at the handsome, upright young man, everyone understood the implication of his words.
They were heroes. The reason they were inscribed upon the Throne of Heroes wasn't just their strength, but their noble character and lofty ideals.
The Paladin Astolfo, the Dragonslayer Siegfried, the King of Knights Artoria—they vanquished evil, upheld justice, and extended a helping hand to the weak. Such compassion had nothing to do with factional allegiances.
And the assistance Sakatsuki promised was a manifestation of this very spirit.
"I see." Siegfried's expression softened as he grasped Sakatsuki's meaning.
If possible, he didn't want to betray the Black Faction's name and squander this precious second life.
Astolfo, meanwhile, couldn't wait to ask, "So, so, how do we save them?"
"Easy. First, you need to understand there's more than just this one issue at hand."
Having seized the initiative, Sakatsuki looked at the two Servants with a gradually sly smile, slowly raising three fingers.
"First, we must save the homunculus."
"Second, we must ensure Siegfried survives."
"Third—Astolfo, haven't you realized you're about to return to the Throne of Heroes?"
"Ah! Right! Oh no, how did this happen...?"
Leaving aside Astolfo, who had finally snapped back to reality and was now flustered, Sakatsuki turned to Siegfried with a smile:
"Out of moral duty, I'll save the homunculus for free. But Saber, how will you and Astolfo repay the debt of saving your lives?"
Saving the weak is a hero's compassion, but between heroes, there is no such thing as charity.
Moreover, Sakatsuki was an overseer (self-proclaimed) sent by the Mage's Association. Assisting the Black faction's Saber and Rider would be blatantly aiding the enemy.
"So, Mr. Saber of the Black faction, how do you intend to repay these two additional favors?"
————
"Ahh..." Solomon ibn Gabirol let out a heartfelt sigh of admiration as he gazed upon the weakly pulsating heart presented before him.
"What perfect material, what an exquisite furnace core."
The Black Caster's admiration was not unfounded. This was the sole fruit borne of the Icecolle family, a crystallization of their entire lineage's efforts poured into it.
Like a man beholding his long-cherished treasure, Avicebron reached out toward his Master's heart.
The heart of a first-class magus—if it could be installed into his Noble Phantasm, the giant born from it would surely... complete Paradise—
The heart was withdrawn. The beautiful woman who had offered it to him smiled brilliantly, her expression reminiscent of the serpent in Eden.
"Well then, Mr. Caster," the woman laughed. "What price will you pay for this precious furnace core?"
Black Saber—Sigurd, the Prince of the Netherlands and Dragonslayer.
Black Caster—Solomon ibn Gabirol, creator of Kabbalah magecraft.
Faced with this unparalleled temptation, what choices would they make—
***
Information Erasure: B
At the moment combat ends, all information about her abilities, True Name, and physical characteristics disappears from the memories and records of witnesses and opponents. However, this cannot deceive scientific devices like cameras.
To counter it, one must deduce her true identity through logical analysis of evidence left at the scene.
—In other words, Holmes hard-counters Jack.