Deep within the forest, a fierce battle was underway—
"Trap of Argalia!"
Crack!!
Facing the oncoming charge of Berserker, Astolfo grasped his knight's lance with both hands and called out its true name.
Bzz~
Golden light gathered at the lance's tip, condensing into a beam that shot directly at the hulking man.
Upon striking him, the light shifted to his leg.
"Hahaha!!! Battle! Batt—ugh ah!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In the next instant, his left leg dissolved into golden particles and vanished into the air… The force of his momentum sent his massive body crashing to the ground with earth-shaking thuds.
"Ugh…?"
Berserker pushed himself up, confusion in his eyes as he looked at his missing left leg, still glowing faintly with golden light.
"Heh heh~ As long as you touch this lance, your foot is forced into spirit form! Pretty neat, right~?"
Astolfo strutted forward, chest puffed out in pride, shaking his knight's lance with a smug grin.
"Hahaha! If that's all you've got… it's nowhere near enough—!"
Unfazed by such a trick, Berserker forced himself upright.
Whoosh!!
He raised his massive arm, greatsword in hand, and swung down at the youth before him!
Shluk!
But in that moment, three black, miasma-coated spikes erupted from the ground, piercing his torso and lifting his huge body into the air.
"Gahhh…"
He spat blood.
"Guess it's someone else's turn now…"
Seeing the main force arrive, Rider quickly slipped away.
"Mm?!"
Wiping the blood from his mouth, Berserker then heard the sound of approaching hooves and marching feet. He lifted his gaze.
"Rebel, Berserker of Red. If what you seek is one with authority, then before you stands he who claims the pinnacle."
The Grand Prince himself, astride his steed and accompanied by Caster and others, arrived before the giant.
"Hahahaha!"
Yet Berserker only laughed louder, wrenching the spikes from his body and charging once more, great blade raised high!
Snap…
At that instant, Caster snapped his fingers. The soil beneath Berserker writhed as though alive, turning to sludge and binding him fast.
"Kazikli Bey."
Scarlet mana gathered in the Grand Prince's palm, condensed in his grip.
Boom!
A surge of magic rippled outward, and countless spikes erupted from the earth!
Shluk, shluk, shluk!!
They pierced into the giant's body, merging seamlessly with Caster's spell.
"Rebel, be transformed!"
Shluk!
One spike drove through Berserker's neck, spraying blood. His boastful strength faltered instantly as his head drooped, steam rising from his body.
"I leave the rest to you."
The Grand Prince turned his steed and departed, leaving behind only that simple command. His part was done.
"As you command, my king."
Darnic bowed, then looked to the robed man beside him.
"Oww! My back! I'll head back first~ I'm exhausted~"
Feigning pain, Astolfo seized the chance to excuse himself and fled.
"Wait… Rider! Damn that fool!"
Celenike fumed, glaring after his vanishing figure.
"Caster, I intend to sever this Servant's connection and force a new contract. Assist me."
"I understand. But… we are not alone here. Other Servants' presences linger nearby."
Caster nodded, but the eyes behind his mask narrowed as he sensed something, warning the others.
"Is that so… Others hidden in the forest? No wonder this one could charge in alone. He was the bait."
From the fortress, Archer's vantage must cover the field well. Support would not be difficult.
"Then… I leave the remaining battle to you, Berserker."
At Darnic's command, Frankenstein materialized from spirit form, nodding silently.
A few minutes later…
In a part of the forest, a green-haired man with a long spear—Achilles—leaned casually against a tree, whistling idly, as if waiting for someone.
Step, step…
"Hm?"
He stopped whistling at the sound of footsteps and looked up… Berserker had already appeared before him.
"Yo~"
He stood up and greeted him lightly…
"Ah… Berserker?"
Achilles chuckled, but his expression soon hardened—though he still carried that lazy air about him.
"Man… they really underestimate me, huh~? Thinking they can deal with me using some mad dog? Hey… even humiliation has its limits!!"
With his roar, every bird and beast in the woods scattered in terror.
"Grrhh…"
Seeing Achilles' infuriating attitude, Berserker trembled with rage, her expression twisting ferociously.
"Oi… bring out your Saber. I want a real opponent."
Achilles looked down on him with disdain, openly provoking.
"Uwahhh!!"
Berserker could bear no more. She charged forward, her massive hammer crackling with lightning, and swung down!
"Angry, are you? Good!!"
Achilles' grin turned feral as he rushed in, his spear clashing against the war hammer!
Bang!
Boom, boom!!
Explosions thundered deep in the forest, clouds of dust rising high.
Meanwhile, the Shogun stood upon the fortress watchtower's edge, her violet eyes fixed upon the distant battle. Her vision was sharp enough to rival Archer's clairvoyance.
The night wind stirred the hem of her purple kimono and its long, flowing sleeves, her bangs swaying lightly. Bathed in moonlight, she was like a living painting.
"Shogun… can you see anything?"
Beside her, Fiore glanced at her profile and asked softly.
"Our side has engaged… but… they are at a disadvantage. The enemy has the upper hand."
The Shogun narrowed her glowing eyes, her calm, matter-of-fact tone making the others present instinctively quiet and steady.
In her gaze… Berserker was being completely overpowered, suppressed from the very start.
"Impressive… to rival clairvoyance without being an Archer."
Chiron, bow drawn and aimed, took the chance to praise the Shogun.
"Berserker…"
Caules was deeply worried for his Servant…
"Archer, cover her!"
Gordes barked an order.
"At once… Hm?"
Chiron immediately drew his bow, ready to fire toward the battlefield, but in the next instant he froze, sensing something.
"What is it?"
Gordes demanded.
"There is another presence… is that Red's Archer?"
Being an Archer himself, he was acutely sensitive to his counterpart's aura. He knew instantly. This complicated matters greatly—for the enemy Archer was surely lurking, waiting for the chance to strike at their Berserker.
"What?! Then what are you waiting for?! Shoot that Archer!"
Gordes urged impatiently.
"No… I cannot find him. I can sense his aura, but not his precise location. He's hidden too well. Only if he looses an arrow will I be able to pinpoint him."
Chiron shook his head.
"Then… doesn't that mean we'll lose one of our Servants first?!"
Gordes clenched his fists in frustration.
"Berserker… beware. Another Archer hides in the shadows around you."
Caules quickly sent a mental warning to his Servant through their link.
"..."
Fiore, realizing the gravity of the situation, instinctively turned to the Shogun… who just so happened to look back at her.
"The time has come. This vessel… will fight."
The Shogun informed Fiore. Though she could have simply teleported, she thought it better to notify her Master. As for Darnic's talk about reserving her strength until the end—what nonsense. Whether she or Ei, both were warriors. The choice of when to fight was theirs alone. No one else had the right to decide.
"Mm… Shogun, be very careful."
Fiore did not hesitate in the slightest. She nodded firmly, for she understood where the Shogun's heart lay.
The Shogun inclined her head slightly in return. Violet lightning coursed over her body—
Bzzzzt~
The next second, she vanished in a flash of thunder.
Since they wished for her to enter the fray… she would oblige.