Chapter 230: Temporary Cooperation
"The thing inside the mist—you must have seen it just now as well. I don't know how Caster managed to create that monstrosity, but if we fight it one-on-one, it will be nearly impossible to defeat it in a short time!"
Iskandar's tone carried the weight of caution toward the monster lurking within the fog. But it was only caution—nothing more.
"You mean, you could defeat it alone, but it would simply waste too much time?"
Hikigaya Hachiman, hearing Iskandar's words, couldn't help giving him a few more appraising glances.
As expected, none of the Heroic Spirits summoned to this war were easy prey…
Letting out a quiet sigh in his heart, Hachiman nodded and pressed further: "So, what's your idea?"
"A temporary alliance, of course!
Just until we've eliminated Caster and that beast he summoned. That's the condition. How about it?"
"An alliance, huh?"
Hachiman fell silent at Iskandar's words.
Iskandar's true name had already been revealed back at the harbor—King of Conquerors, a title that commanded trust.
And if it meant they could defeat Caster without forcing Karna to unleash his Noble Phantasm, Hachiman would gladly accept.
"Fine. I agree to form a temporary pact."
Raising his head, Hachiman gave his consent to Iskandar's proposal.
"Oh! As expected of the man I had my eye on—you're refreshingly decisive!"
Iskandar's estimation of him rose further at this resolute decision.
He then hauled his Master, Waver, out from behind him and ordered him to draft a temporary contract.
"Honestly… I'm the Master, you know…"
Grumbling under his breath, Waver dug out the special parchment used to write binding contracts.
Soon enough, the terms of a binding agreement were inscribed.
After confirming there were no issues, Waver and Hachiman each imprinted their spiritual signatures upon the sheet.
"Then, Lancer's Master, shall you come with me to invite the others as well?"
Now more approving of Hachiman than ever, Iskandar extended an invitation. But Hachiman shook his head and refused.
He already knew both Kayneth and Irisviel. He was certain that under the current circumstances, those two would agree to temporary cooperation without hesitation.
Rather than waste time in negotiations, he preferred to study the monster hidden in the mist and consider how to bring it down.
"Very well."
Iskandar had thought Hachiman would be more agreeable, but he only shrugged and did not press the matter.
After a quick farewell, he steered his ox-chariot toward Irisviel's side, leaving Kayneth for last.
Clearly, in Iskandar's mind, Irisviel had left the better impression.
More than ten minutes later—
Except for Gilgamesh, who hovered high above unseen through the fog, all four remaining groups on the ground had signed the temporary truce and gathered together to prepare for the subjugation of Caster's monstrous summon.
"I can't help being curious about something."
With everyone assembled, Hachiman crossed his arms in front of him and voiced his doubt.
"Oh? And what discovery have you made, my young friend?"
Iskandar turned to him with interest, and the others' gazes followed as well.
"From the moment Caster summoned that thing until now, at least half an hour has passed, hasn't it?
And yet, aside from attacking those of you who entered its territory directly, it has only launched one offensive in all that time…"
"You mean to say… in ways we don't yet know, Caster has been using the beast for something else?"
Hearing Hachiman's words, Artoria's expression shifted to sudden realization.
Indeed—
When the monster had first appeared, it should have devoured all the humans in the district.
But after that, it had done nothing.
That was far too abnormal!
"It's only speculation. Perhaps the monster is simply too large to move?"
Trying to ease the oppressive mood, Hachiman made a small joke.
But no one present was a fool—and they all knew Caster wasn't one either.
If he dared summon a monster of that size, then surely it was capable of moving.
"In any case, we should test it with an attack first."
After a moment's hesitation, Irisviel clapped her hands lightly and offered her suggestion.
Rather than wasting time standing around, better to let the Servants probe its defenses and learn what the monster was doing in the mist.
"In that case, I'll take the vanguard."
Hearing her words, Iskandar volunteered.
His chariot was capable of flight, so even if he encountered danger, escape would be easier for him than the others.
"Then I shall cover you."
Karna nodded slightly and stepped forward.
Though he was not an Archer-class Servant, his spear could still unleash blasts of magical energy to provide ranged support.
"Oh? Then I leave it to you!"
With a wide grin to the others, Iskandar set Waver down on the ground, gripped the reins, and directed his chariot into the fog.
No sooner had the oxen entered than dozens of massive tentacles surged out from within the mist.
"Hah!"
With a bellow, Iskandar summoned down countless bolts of lightning, striking the tentacles and charring them to ash.
A pained howl echoed from the depths of the fog, proof that his lightning had inflicted grievous harm on the beast.
As the others exhaled in relief, thinking the monster weaker than expected—
The charred husks of the tentacles suddenly split apart, revealing freshly regenerated limbs, which lashed toward Iskandar once again.
Iskandar called down lightning once more, intending to repeat his tactic.
But this time, the tentacles seemed to have developed resistance. Though scorched and damaged, they were no longer so easily destroyed…
"Evolution…"
From a distance, Irisviel's face twisted in shock.
To develop resistance after only a single injury—this monster was far too terrifying.
And with that horrifying regenerative ability, unless they inflicted an irreparable mortal wound within a short time, even if all seven Servants combined forces, they might still not be able to overcome it!
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