"Roar—!"
The dust hadn't even settled before a furious bellow ripped through the air—aimed straight at Saber.
"Iri, get back!"
"Okay—"
Boom!
Irisviel barely had time to react before a black blur shot toward her like a cannonball.
Saber's reflexes kicked in instantly—she raised her sword and blocked.
"Berserker!"
The attacker's identity was clear now—it was the same Berserker who had blindsided Archer during the mission against Caster.
"Roar—!"
He was wrapped in thick black mist, the faint outline of dark armor beneath, face completely hidden except for a pair of glowing red eyes. Gripping a long weapon, he let out another enraged roar at Saber, clearly fixated on her.
"Iri, go to Shichen!" Saber barked.
Berserker's raw power was forcing her back.
"Got it!"
Irisviel didn't hesitate—she slipped around and ran straight to Shichen.
"You okay?" he asked, taking her hand.
"I'm fine…" She shook her head, though her eyes stayed locked on Saber. "Why did Berserker just show up out of nowhere?"
"Probably bad luck with the location."
"Huh?"
"Last time we came here, Lancer attacked. Now it's Berserker. I'm starting to think this place just doesn't want us here," Shichen said, half joking.
"Seriously… I thought you were making a point. Can't you ever be serious?" she sighed. "Saber will be alright, won't she?"
The two combatants were already clashing hard—sparks flying at every hit, dust exploding around them. To a normal person, their speed was inhuman, more like watching a video game battle than reality. Saber was deliberately pulling the fight farther away from the group.
"Don't worry. Saber's strong. And that guy…" Shichen's eyes narrowed at Berserker's back.
"Shichen?" Irisviel frowned at him.
"It's nothing… wait." His gaze flicked toward the trees along the embankment.
"What is it?" She followed his line of sight but saw nothing.
"Forget it." Shichen shook his head, then called out, "Frieren, take Iri and the others home."
"Shichen…"
"Relax. I'll be fine." He ruffled her hair.
"Fine… but you'd better not get even a scratch. If you don't, I'll give you a reward when you get back."
"You realize that's what we call a flag, right?" he smirked.
"A… flag?"
"It means—mmph—"
Frieren had just appeared, but he covered her mouth before she could explain.
"Flags don't work on me. Now I'm really looking forward to that reward." He winked at Irisviel.
"Fine."
"We're going, then?" Frieren asked after shoving his hand away.
"Yeah, go home. Eat, drink, watch TV, play games—don't worry." He patted Illya and Shiying on the head.
"Good luck, Daddy! We'll be waiting at home!"
"Come back soon, Onii-chan!"
"Got it~"
Frieren disappeared with the three of them, leaving only Est behind.
"Want me to finish him in one swing?" she asked, hopping onto Shichen's shoulder, eyes on Berserker.
"No. Let Saber have her fight—this is their reunion."
"Reunion? More like a waste of time. He doesn't deserve to stand in front of her again."
"You know him?" Shichen raised a brow.
"Of course. Lancelot," she said flatly.
Berserker's true identity—Lancelot du Lac, the famed Knight of the Lake. As renowned as King Arthur herself, yet also the man who destroyed her kingdom. His affair with the Queen—platonic or not—was a national scandal. When caught, he killed to escape, triggering civil war and the fall of Camelot.
Shichen didn't care about the moral details. Hurting Saber was reason enough for a death sentence.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Even without holding back, Saber was being pushed back. Berserker seemed to know the exact reach of her invisible sword—a knowledge only someone who had fought beside her would have.
She knew him.
"Who are you? If you're truly a knight, show yourself and fight me openly!"
"Arthur…"
Her only answer was another guttural roar and a storm of brutal strikes.
"Onii-chan, seriously, let's help her," Est said.
"No. This is hers to settle. We've got other targets." His eyes went back to the treeline, and he started walking toward it with Est on his shoulder.
"Shichen!" Saber called after him.
"I believe in you. You've got this," he called back with a grin.
And then he was gone into the forest. Saber knew he wouldn't abandon her—but he clearly wanted her to finish this herself.
"Arthur…"
Berserker roared her name again, swinging without mercy. Saber's eyes hardened—her blade burst with golden light, revealing its true form.
Boom—!
Wind and dust exploded around them as their battle intensified.
Meanwhile, Shichen found his other target—a pale, gaunt man slumped under a tree, face twitching unnaturally as something writhed beneath his skin.
"Matou Kariya," Shichen said.
"Saber's Master," Kariya rasped, glaring like a predator.
"Why did you attack me?"
"You… took Sakura? Why?"
"So that's it… Yes, I took her."
"Give her back!" Kariya shouted—but his voice was weak, his body already failing.
"She's mine now. Why would I give her back?"
"What are you going to do to her?!"
"You're dying, Kariya. Your body's full of those worms. Was this Zouken's idea?"
"What…?"
"You saw how happy she was earlier, didn't you? Do you really think I'd hurt her?"
"I—"
"I don't know what lies he fed you, but Sakura will grow up safe with me—happy, untouched by any cruelty. You know I have the power to make that happen."
"You… mean that?" Kariya's voice cracked.
"I have no reason to lie to a dying man."
"…Alright. Then… I'm leaving her to you."
He closed his eyes—and was gone.
"I didn't need your permission," Shichen muttered, tossing a flame over the body before walking away.
"Onii-chan." Est's voice cut in.
"What is it?"
"Things don't look good for Sis."
"Hm?"
Shichen stepped out of the woods and looked toward the shore—Saber was standing frozen, shock in her eyes.
The reason was clear. Berserker had fallen—her sword driven straight through his chest, the tip jutting from his back.
~~~
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