The time had come to around eight in the evening—
The floating Aerial Garden had already entered the territory of the Black Faction, halting on the plains several kilometers from the Fortress of Millennia.
With a gesture from the Empress, a storage chamber about three meters in diameter materialized beneath the Aerial Garden. Floating downward past the bow of the vessel where the Red Servants stood, it reached its designated point before inverting and opening its hatch.
Clatter, clatter!!
In the next instant, a torrent of yellowed bone fragments poured forth like rainfall. As they sank into the soil below, they sprouted like seeds—birthing countless skeletal soldiers resembling lizards.
Though fragile and easily broken, their sheer numbers made them a dark, crushing tide—a massive army advancing with relentless, oppressive steps toward the Black Faction's fortress!
This scene was observed with perfect clarity through the Eye of Stormy Judgment hovering above the Shogun's head.
Suspended in the air, the ominous eye shifted its pupil as though alive. Standing with Fiore upon the fortress's watchtower, the Shogun narrowed her eyes slightly at the sight.
It seemed the Red Faction intended to decide the battle tonight.
The Black Faction had considered many possibilities, predicting various methods by which the Red Faction might attack, and had prepared accordingly. After all, in a Holy Grail War, reckless charges without planning were unthinkable.
They had accounted for the possibility of a direct assault through Trifas, or perhaps a ground invasion with troops, and even an aerial strike. But—
"Never expected they'd bring their entire fortress to attack us."
Chiron shaded his eyes with his hand, gazing at the massive floating castle with unease.
"What?! Are you serious?!"
Gordes, hearing this, paled visibly.
Indeed, just as Chiron had said—the enormous Aerial Garden hovered boldly in the distance, as if flaunting itself, daring them to notice.
"Shogun… what's the situation now?"
Fiore turned toward the Shogun beside her. Though she showed little surprise, there was the faintest tremor in her voice.
The Shogun dispelled the Eye of Stormy Judgment in the sky, then cast the girl a brief glance.
"The enemy has ceased advancing. It seems they intend to use this plain as the main battlefield."
She reported calmly to Fiore and the others.
"So… this will be a full confrontation?"
Fiore's expression grew solemn.
"More or less…"
Seven days were allotted, and most had already passed. Now, both sides could no longer avoid direct conflict.
"Tch… those bastards finally came!"
Though Gordes tried to sound defiant, his voice betrayed his deep tension. Of them all, he was the most stubborn in his bravado.
Step, step…
At that moment, Darnic—the effective leader of the Black Faction—arrived with the Grand Prince and several other members at his side.
"Masters, please withdraw to a safe location. The enemy likely intends to pit Servants and familiars against one another."
Seeing the approaching army, he turned back to caution the Masters behind him, then fixed his gaze on his niece.
"Fiore, you too should go inside. Your body is still injured and you need rest. From here, the battle's outcome must be entrusted to the Servants."
For his niece, Darnic showed genuine concern. From a broader perspective as well, Fiore was Saber's Master—should any harm befall her, it would deal a grave blow to the Black Faction's strength.
"Understood…"
Fiore hesitated a moment, but in the end did not try to resist. As her uncle had said, this was now the Servants' battlefield. Masters' strength counted for little here—and besides, she had faith in the Shogun.
"Darnic speaks true. From this point on, it lies within the Servants' domain. To trespass upon our territory and even dare to spread such filthy incarnations—!"
Hum!
With a wave of the Grand Prince's hand, a spear materialized in his grasp, and a massive steel golem warhorse was led to him by attendants.
"My king, I bid you—unleash your might without restraint."
Darnic placed a hand to his chest, bowing respectfully before the Grand Prince.
"Ah… and release Rider and the Red Faction's Berserker as well."
"…Are you certain, releasing that traitor?"
Darnic raised his head, questioning.
"Of course. The enemy seeks a full confrontation—only by committing all our forces can we meet them in proper form."
"I understand. I'll see to it immediately."
Whoosh!
With that, Darnic vanished from sight.
"Sister… how's your body holding up?"
At that moment, Caules approached Fiore with concern.
"It's fine now. Thanks to the Shogun's treatment, I survived. Sorry for worrying you, Caules."
Fiore smiled gently from her wheelchair, reassuring her younger brother. Though her back still ached, she was much improved—the rest was only a matter of recovery.
"I should be the one to apologize… if only I had—"
"Caules… there's no need to blame yourself. Perhaps this was a trial I was meant to endure. Everything is my own responsibility. But… your feelings reached me. Thank you."
Fiore knew her brother's doting nature all too well. She couldn't force him away, so she could only accept him in this vague, gentle way. Perhaps it was her own weakness—being too soft-hearted.
"Mm… and Saber, about my sister's condition—huh?"
As Caules turned to thank the Shogun for saving his sister, he froze, struck dumb by her sudden behavior.
"?"
Noticing this, Fiore also turned curiously toward the Shogun, who had been silent the entire time.
Just a minute earlier, while the others discussed battle, the Shogun had been standing idly as if nothing concerned her. Spacing out was something she often did—in her own words, she was merely on "standby."
Flutter, flutter…
At that moment, a plump little sparrow, its wings covered in soft down, fluttered over and perched on the stone wall before her. The faint sound of its wings stirred her from her daze, and she lowered her gaze toward the tiny life before her. Her hand instinctively rose toward it.
"…!"
Flutter…
The sparrow tilted its head, then, as if indulging her, hopped onto her hand, pecking lightly at her fingers with its beak.
"…"
The Shogun gazed at the small creature in a quiet trance. She slowly raised her hand closer to her face, tilting her head like a child as she studied the sparrow intently. Every twitch and movement was captured in her violet eyes as though recorded by a lens.
Perhaps sensing the unwavering gaze, the sparrow stopped pecking, cocked its tiny head, and looked directly back into her eyes.
"…"
"…"
For about a full minute, the two stared silently at one another without so much as a blink.
When the Shogun tilted her head, the sparrow tilted its head in return.
Apparently bored at last, the sparrow shook out its wings and feathers, scattering droplets of rainwater it had carried from the earlier storm—splashing them onto the Shogun's face—before taking flight.
"!"
Feeling the cool, wet touch on her face, she reflexively turned her head aside, shutting her eyes and wiping away the droplets with her hand.
"…"
"…"
Sensing two pairs of eyes on her, she turned—and found Fiore and Caules staring at her in a daze.
"…Were you just calling me?" the Shogun asked with a puzzled tilt of her head.
"Eh? Ah… I mean, um… about yesterday—thank you for saving my sister," Caules blurted awkwardly, picking up where he had left off.
So it was about Fiore…
The Shogun exhaled softly.
"To protect her safety is my duty. There is no need for thanks."
"Hehe… yes. I'll go prepare, then. See you shortly."
Relieved by her words, Caules reassured his sister before leaving the watchtower. Berserker, slated to fight soon, remained behind.
"Mm…"
Fiore nodded faintly. After Caules left, she looked at the Shogun with a smile she struggled to suppress.
"…Why do you laugh?" the Shogun asked, confused.
"Pfft… nothing. It's just… I saw another side of you."
Blushing, Fiore turned her face away, her voice tinged with laughter. The Shogun truly did possess a natural air of cuteness—that was her charm.
"…?"
The Shogun's mind went blank.
What was that supposed to mean?