Chapter 217: Subjugating Caster
Night had fallen.
It had been over a year since arriving in this new world, and Hikigaya Hachiman had learned some basic magic, such as using familiars to gather information.
Although the familiars rarely provided any useful intelligence, today, a familiar stationed near the church transmitted a crucial message. It had been observing the priest who once tried to trap Hachiman.
Due to Caster's group's indiscriminate slaughter of innocents the Church's supervisor had decided to temporarily suspend the Holy Grail War. The remaining six groups of participants would have to subjugate Caster before the war could continue.
Moreover, the team that successfully defeated Caster would receive the Command Seal left behind by previous Masters—a highly tempting reward.
If Hachiman hadn't already known that the old priest was colluding with one of the other groups, he might have genuinely believed the priest was acting out of concern for Fuyuki City's innocent residents.
It seemed that whoever was working with Risei Kotomine intended to eliminate Caster's team, observe the strength of the other groups, let Caster wear them down, and then clear the field themselves at the end…
"If that's the case, I might get caught up in this too, huh?"
Hachiman frowned at the thought. After all, Risei Kotomine had personally witnessed the Command Seal appear on his hand. Those cooperating with him would have no reason to spare him after dealing with the other participants.
"What a troublesome competition…"
Muttering under his breath, Hachiman, along with Sakura and Karna, left the inn and headed toward the Einzbern Castle.
While Karna alone would be enough to hunt down Caster, it was better to have an ally in case someone tried to strike from behind.
Irisviel and Artoria, whom he had met before, were undoubtedly the most reliable candidates.
If their previous interactions had been genuine, then forming an alliance would ensure Hachiman need not worry about betrayal during the partnership.
On the way to the castle, a man dressed as a peculiar wizard appeared in the forest outside the castle, accompanied by a dozen or so children.
Claiming to be Caster, the uninvited man politely stated his purpose and then casually crushed a child's head, successfully enraging Artoria.
Since it was their territory, Kiritsugu Emiya hesitated briefly but then allowed Artoria to strike.
Saber naturally had an advantage over Caster, and if they could defeat Caster here, they would gain additional Command Seals.
However, Kiritsugu did not expect that just ten minutes after Artoria's attack, an unexpected visitor appeared at the castle's entrance.
Kayneth stood there with a smile, summoning his Mystic Code— Volumen Hydrargyrum: Moon Spirit Marrow!
If not constrained by his persona, Kayneth would probably have said "Surprise!" to the monitoring screen, delighting in the Einzbern family's misfortune.
After all, the Caster who was already wanted by the Church had voluntarily brought trouble to the Einzberns, and their valuable Servants were already tied up.
How could the Einzbern family hope to resist Kayneth's Volumen Hydrargyrum?
Violently cutting a huge opening in the wall, Kayneth stormed into the castle.
The hall was empty; scattered objects indicated someone had evacuated in a hurry.
As he proceeded further, traps suddenly launched from the surrounding walls.
Volumen Hydrargyrum transformed into a sphere, easily blocking the attacks.
"Found you…"
While defending against the traps, Kayneth also guided Volumen Hydrargyrum to locate Kiritsugu and others.
Unfortunately, it seemed everyone except Kiritsugu had already fled.
But that was enough. Kayneth's purpose in coming to the castle was merely to avenge the explosion from the previous night.
Let Irisviel escape; as long as Kiritsugu, the disgrace of the magus world, remained, it was fine…
"Master, there's a battle up ahead…"
As Hachiman entered the forest, Karna immediately went on alert.
"Oh? Who's involved?"
Hachiman's curiosity spiked when Karna reported a battle at the Einzbern castle.
Though he dismissed Risei Kotomine's words, he still carried considerable authority among the other participants.
He had just declared a truce among the Masters. Who would so boldly defy him?
"There are two clashes. One involves Caster and Saber; the other involves two magi and a Servant. But strangely, the Servant has been invisible the whole time, not participating in the fight…"
"That guy?"
Hachiman immediately thought of Kayneth, whom he had encountered that morning.
Given Kayneth's pride, it was plausible that he would personally enter the fight while his Servant observed from the sidelines…
Of course, it could have been another participant, but lacking sufficient intel, Hachiman didn't want to speculate recklessly.
He quickened his pace, heading with Karna toward the battlefield where Caster was.
Rather than watch a duel between magi, he preferred to eliminate Caster—the vile participant who delighted in killing children.
.
.
.
"Hahaha, Jeanne…"
Gilles smiled with obsession, watching Artoria trapped by the summoned monsters.
Just as he fantasized about returning his "Jeanne" home, a crimson flash streaked across the sky.
A man in golden armor, wielding a spear, descended amidst flames.
With a single strike, all the monsters surrounding Artoria were obliterated.
"Lancer…"
Artoria's eyes were complex as she gazed at Karna, who had suddenly appeared before her.
"Nice to see you again, Saber."
After Karna destroyed all the monsters, Hachiman and Sakura emerged from the forest.
After nodding and greeting Artoria, Hachiman once again ordered Karna to eliminate the grotesque-faced Servant before them.
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