Humankind takes pride in its wisdom, yet fears the unknown.
Ryuunosuke, who had always believed in this saying, quickly shook off the Public Security's agents.
He found himself in an abandoned factory, located in some unknown suburb or other desolate area.
"Damn it, damn it, this is just too infuriating!"
He roared in anger. From Ryuunosuke's perspective, his luck was utterly cursed.
Despite making all the preparations to kill, every single one of his attempts ended in failure. It was like having the money ready, the location scouted, only to run into his wife right outside the first 'massage parlor'.
After bluffing his way out of that, he'd get caught by Public Security at the next place. Repeating this over thirty times was enough to break anyone.
Slamming his hands on the filthy ground in his agitated state, Ryuunosuke didn't notice the strange pattern that had appeared on the back of his right hand… the mark of a Command Spell.
"Well now, Master who has summoned me, you seem to be troubled by something."
Gilles de Rais. A marshal from the history of the Hundred Years' War in France. In life, he was an undefeated military commander, but he was more famous for his research in magecraft and his family background.
Having once supported Joan of Arc, he strayed onto a dark path after her death. He was the final Servant of the Fourth Holy Grail War.
"My most excellent Master, could you tell me what is on your mind?"
Gilles patted Ryuunosuke's shoulder amiably. His appearance was peculiar… while his features were decent and his skin fair, his eyes were excessively large, like the grin of a Kuchisake-onna, creating a profound sense of dissonance.
Affectionately called 'Big-Eye Moe' by many Fate series fans, Gilles and Ryuunosuke, the most evil duo, had indeed found each other.
…
Einzbern Castle.
"And now, I announce the winning team for the second event is..."
After three consecutive nights of competitions, it was finally time for the results. All the girls of Einzbern waited with bated breath for Ryuya's announcement.
Among them were Merlin and Irisviel, who had debuted in bunny girl and maid outfits.
There were Morgan and Artoria, dressed in gorgeous court dresses, singing together.
There was Souji, clad in samurai armor, expressing her feelings through a sword dance.
There was Yukino, content just being with her 'brother' while wearing a traditional kimono.
There was Kaguya, unsure what to do and ending up in her work suit with black stockings.
And finally, there were...
"The winners of this competition: First place goes to the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh. Second place is the Chains of Heaven, Enkidu. Third place is the Venus Goddess, Ishtar."
Haruno was a bit stunned that the top three ended up being these people, but she quickly accepted it. It wasn't a big deal.
"Huh? Gilgamesh first? I don't believe it!"
Merlin was the first to object. She felt that her team with Irisviel might not be guaranteed first place, but with that tail, they should at least make top three!
"I also have questions. I wish to see the truth of the matter."
Souji, equally curious, chimed in.
The other girls also expressed a desire to understand the reasoning. It wasn't that they distrusted Ryuya's judgment, they mainly wanted to know where they had fallen short!
"Hmm, Gil, Enkidu, Ishtar, what do you think?"
"No! Absolutely not!" x3
Recalling that strange feeling, Ishtar, Gil-chan, and Enkidu spoke in unison. They completely refused to tell anyone what their performance entailed that night, carrying their secret to the ends of the world.
(A/N: The chosen outfits were destroyed by the aftermath of Gilgamesh's attack. With no costumes left... it turns out sincerity is the ultimate weapon!)
…
"Ryuunosuke, your artistic ideas over the years are quite remarkable."
At Ryuunosuke's home, looking at the extensive 'artistic photos' taken by his Master, Gilles showed great interest by these things, 'No wonder we were brought together… the essence of our souls was nearly identical.'
"Ah, Caster, you've misunderstood. These are just materials I collected from others. I haven't actually managed to kill anyone myself."
Ryuunosuke revealed a sunny, boyish smile and recounted his years of failed attempts to Gilles.
"I see... Complete failure, then?"
Somewhat touched by Ryuunosuke's experience, Gilles nodded and told him not to worry.
"Ryuunosuke, if we are to create art, I believe we should either not do it at all, or perform a grand spectacle, a ritual shocking enough to astonish everyone."
"Oh? What do you mean, Caster?"
"I have prepared a grand ritual to welcome the arrival of all Servants. Ryuunosuke, would you care to participate?"
Looking at his Master, Gilles revealed a meaningful smile.
…
Meanwhile, at the Tohsaka Residence.
"Very well, then our alliance is formally established."
The contract of alliance with Kiritsugu and Kayneth, Tokiomi was finally signed… These three were all shrewd individuals, and the treaty, filled with enough clauses to fill a book, was truly an eye-opener.
"Agreed. For now, we are allies."
They all nodded. The 'Oath of the Peach Garden' sworn by these three, who together possessed eight hundred cunning schemes, was thus formed.
However...
"Hmm?"
Mana. Dark, damp, nightmarish. It was a presence that made all three men turn their heads simultaneously towards a certain direction… a seaside dock.
"This mana... It's Caster?"
"What is he doing?"
"Unknown, but the mana feels strange, like some kind of ritual."
An indescribable feeling made the hairs on their arms stand on end.
After a moment's thought, Tokiomi decided they couldn't ignore this and they had to investigate.
"Using magecraft on such a large scale under these circumstances is unforgivable."
"Emiya-san, Archibald-san, we should take action."
Rushing towards the dock, the three witnessed...
"What is that?"
A massive, evil, Cthulhu-like existence.
"A sea monster?"
Its form occupied half the dock. From their viewpoint, its body was at least several hundred meters long, its numerous tentacles utterly repulsive.
"Unfathomable, but it feels like Caster's handiwork."
Scanning for Caster's presence, Kiritsugu believed that to deal with this unknown sea monster, the primary targets were the Servant and his Master.
United in their extreme hostility towards the sea monster's appearance, their goal, for this moment, became strikingly consistent: eliminate Caster first.