Boom! Boom! Boom!
From the northern forest of the Fortress of Millennia came an unending series of thunderous crashes, like a pile driver striking the earth. The forest's beasts scattered in panic at the relentless noise, each impact shaking the entire woodland!
"Hehehehe! Hahahahahaha!!!"
In that moment, a massive Spartan warrior, several meters tall, charged joyfully toward the fortress with great strides. His booming laughter, like clanging barbells, and his constant grin turned the scene into one both comical and grotesque.
Crack!
He hacked away the branches blocking his path, advancing without hindrance, as if afraid others might fail to notice him.
And he was not alone… perched upon the trees behind him were two Servants of the Red Faction, their eyes fixed upon the charging giant, as though intending to use him as bait.
Bzzz~!
The next second, the giant stepped onto one of the automatic magic traps set around the fortress! Several magical circles instantly formed around him, unleashing fierce beams of light!
Boom!!
A violent explosion erupted upon the giant's body, filling the forest with thick smoke and dust.
"!" ×2
The two Servants trailing him instinctively shielded their faces and quickly glanced at the still-active magic array below.
"Magical defenses, huh… Seems we're close to the target, missy."
The man with the spear on the left turned to the beast-eared woman beside him, who carried a bow.
"My name is Atalanta, Achilles. Don't call me missy."
Atalanta sighed, correcting the man at her side.
"Hehehehehe… Hahahahaha!!!"
Below, the giant, struck by the trap, once again bellowed with laughter. From the smoke emerged his colossal frame—utterly unscathed, his joyous grin unchanged.
"Enemy! Hahahaha!!!!"
With a booming voice, the giant once again barreled forward toward the fortress. Naturally, the two behind him followed in pursuit.
...
"Ha~ mm~"
A soft, sweet yawn with a hint of charm pulled the Shogun's thoughts back. She glanced down at the girl in the wheelchair making such an adorable gesture.
"Rested enough?"
She asked casually.
"Mm… Every time after taking medicine, I sleep well. This way, I'll have the energy to last through the night."
Fiore turned her head and smiled as she answered.
"Do you always rely on medicine to sleep?"
"It's not like that… Normally, I sleep whenever I feel sleepy. Just now, it was only the side effect of the medicine. Once it sets in, I take the chance to rest more."
Fiore understood the faint concern hidden in the Shogun's words, so she shook her head slightly, reassuring her.
"...Medicine is three parts poison. Best to take less of it. Unless absolutely necessary, it should be avoided."
The Shogun shifted her gaze toward the corridor ahead, speaking words of caution.
Hearing this, Fiore lowered her head with a faint smile, her expression becoming gentler.
"Mm… I'll remember that, Shogun."
Clack…
They pushed open the grand doors of the hall… everyone was already present.
"Is everyone here? Caster, it's time."
It seemed the two of them were the last to arrive. After Darnic gave a signal, Caster manipulated the floating screen, projecting the scene outside the fortress.
By using a magically-animated eagle flying overhead as the relay point, the spell's range far exceeded that of normal clairvoyance magecraft—an extremely useful application.
Everyone, including the Shogun and Fiore, looked toward the screen. There, a burly half-naked giant was rampaging through their forest!
"Whoa~ What the heck is that thing?"
Astolfo muttered dumbfounded, lips trembling.
"A Servant of the Red Faction, no doubt…"
Chiron concluded calmly.
Darnic spoke then,
"Everyone, this Servant is charging straight toward the Fortress of Millennia, day and night without pause. I judge him to be the 'Red Faction's Berserker.'"
His words were met with composed silence from the others. After all, the Holy Grail War had officially begun yesterday. From then on, an enemy attack at any time was no surprise.
But really, was charging in alone like this not a problem? Foolish as it was, since he was a Berserker… among the seven classes, only he could do such a thing.
"Doesn't he even listen to orders?"
Astolfo asked in surprise.
"Heh… Perhaps this is his Master's command. He could well be intended as bait."
Gordes sneered dismissively.
Fiore calmly turned her eyes toward Darnic on the steps…
"Uncle, what do you intend to do?"
Her tone was steady.
"Of course, we cannot let this opportunity slip. If all goes well… we may even turn Red's Berserker into one of our pawns."
"Darnic… let us hear your plan. This is why you gathered us here, is it not?"
The Grand Prince, seated upon his throne, now rose and turned toward Darnic, his tone solemn and dignified.
"Yes… my king."
Darnic smiled faintly, nodding in assent.
"The glorious battle is about to begin!"
And so… under the command of Darnic, lord of the fortress, the operation to capture Red's Berserker quietly commenced.
Though the Shogun offered to eliminate him in a single strike, Darnic shook his head. For the sake of future plans, Black needed to preserve his life. Since he was already within the fortress's range of control, killing him could be done at any time—there was no need to rush.
Hearing this, the Shogun no longer concerned herself. After all, this was his plan. If trouble arose later, it would be his burden alone. Why should she waste her effort?
That said… she had heard that Servants summoned by the Holy Grail War were all heroes or figures of renown from history. And yet—
"Hehehehe!!! Battle!! Battle!! Hahahaha!!"
The voice still echoed from the projection…
Her violet eyes gazed wordlessly at the screen's image of the "cheerful giant infant."
Did such a hero truly exist?
A few hours later—
With the plan finalized, the members of Black stood upon the ground before the fortress gates. It was now around nine at night, the sky entirely black.
Present were Caster and Master, Rider and Master, and Lancer and Master—six in all. Together, they faced the dense forest, shrouded in night.
"Why not send Saber as well?"
"No… Saber's strength must be preserved as our trump card. Against Red's Berserker, the rest of us suffice."
They had all witnessed the Shogun's battle with Karna in full. Such divine power was certain to be the key to victory.
"That Berserker was born for battle, and he is destined to die in it."
Darnic gripped his staff tightly, gazing at the faint haze rising from the forest, murmuring his sentiment.
"It is strange that he can even speak… our Berserker cannot say a word—"
"Uwahhh!!"
From atop the castle wall, Caules' sister hollered down angrily at Rider.
"Ah~ sorry, sorry! I just meant—since he can speak, maybe someone could reason with him?"
Astolfo instantly cowered.
"The chances are slim. In his eyes, there is only the enemy."
"Then let us greet that Berserker with an iron hammer! Rider, you first!"
The Grand Prince turned toward Astolfo, who rested his head in his hands, looking rather bored.
"Eh?"
Rider was dumbfounded. Why him?!
"Go, Rider! Show us the strength of the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne!"
His Master, Celenike, twitched the staff in her hand as she commanded him.
"Ugh~! I really don't want to do something so barbaric… but fine, I'll show you my strength!"
Bzzz~!
The next instant, golden light welled up in his hands… golden particles condensed into a silver-and-gold knight's lance.
Whoosh, whoosh!!
Spinning it skillfully, he slammed his feet upon the ground with a bang, kicking up dust as he sprinted at high speed toward the Berserker deep in the forest!
The others watched with confident smiles, not even questioning why a Rider was charging on foot.
Fiore and the Shogun, meanwhile, stood with Chiron and Frankenstein on the fortress's watchtower, observing the distant movements. Caules and Gordes were there as well.
Below, the Grand Prince calculated Rider's timing… then ordered Darnic and the others to accompany him into the forest. Before leaving, he glanced back once more at those still upon the fortress wall.
"Berserker, you will accompany us as well."
As a precaution, it was better to have another hand.
Frankenstein looked to Caules. When the boy nodded, she vanished from sight.
"Archer, I leave the cover to you."
Darnic also turned back to Chiron above, instructing him.
"At your command. Rest assured."
With a bow in hand, Chiron smiled and gave a formal bow in return, putting their minds at ease.