"Are you still going?" Hohenheim asked in his usual calm voice.
"Yes. Because that is my duty," the girl replied with a resolute nod. She was a contrast to the white-haired, red-eyed Hohenheim, possessing golden hair and blue eyes.
The Servant Ruler. Her true name was Jeanne d'Arc. One of the world's most famous saints, a hero who brought hope to her homeland, France.
Her fame was nearly at its maximum wherever she went. Especially in the West, there was likely not a single person who did not know her name.
"Lord Hom, please stay here."
"Mu... It's frustrating, but I suppose there's no help for it. I cannot even assist you." Thanks to the healing magecraft applied to the dagger, his body was spared from degradation. But that was only compared to a normal homunculus; it was by no means enough to allow him to leap into the battlefield where Servants crossed blades.
If he stepped in carelessly, death awaited him nine times out of ten.
"I shall wait here for your return."
The words "wait for your return" made Ruler's heartbeat quicken slightly, and she scratched her cheek.
"Somehow, that feels reversed," she said.
"?"
"Ah, no. It's my own issue. Please pay it no mind." Covering up her reaction, Ruler deployed her armament and clad herself in armor.
"By the way, do you have any messages?" Ruler asked.
At her words, Hohenheim fell silent for a moment, thinking.
It was probably a message for those who had saved him.
"I might meet someone on the battlefield. I'd like to at least convey your words, if possible?"
"Understood. In that case, please tell them that I have gained a name and am living vigorously in the city. And also, my words of gratitude." In the end, he hadn't even been able to thank them properly. That was his lasting regret.
"I understand." Ruler nodded firmly.
"...Well then, I shall take my leave." Having said only that, Ruler began to run.
Once she touched the air of the battlefield, she could switch her mindset.
The time she spent with Hohenheim and Alma was brief, but it was a peaceful interlude. However, this body was that of 'Ruler'. She must carry out her duties to the very end.
The Holy Grail War was anomalous from its very beginning.
The original Holy Grail War was, at most, a battle royale involving seven Servants. It had never developed into a literal war with two factions, "Red" and "Black."
The total number of participating Servants was fourteen.
That alone was twice the number of the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki.
Furthermore, the Servants summoned were not mere wraiths, but great figures whose names were recorded in history and myth. Each one of them was a fierce warrior who slaughtered dragons, hunted giants, drove out demons and ogres, and was engraved in people's memories as a hero. Crystals of power capable of facing an entire army alone, if fourteen of them gathered for a decisive battle, the impact on the surroundings could be extremely severe.
But was that all?
Driven by an anxiety like a cold wind blowing into her chest, Ruler plunged into the battlefield.
The fact that Ruler was summoned at all indicated that a danger that could shake the very foundation of the Holy Grail War was imminent. But she could not pinpoint the cause. Ruler's role was to supervise the Holy Grail War with her own discretion, ensuring it did not derail.
The presence of Servants she felt on the battlefield was fourteen. It seemed all Servants were fighting on this stage of plains and forest.
There was something wrong with this Great Holy Grail War.
The number of Servants was not the issue here.
The starting point of the question was Ruler's irregular summoning, where she possessed the body of a French girl. But that had turned into near certainty with the incident of being attacked by "Red" Lancer upon arriving in Romania.
For some reason, the "Red" camp seemed intent on eliminating her.
The fact that they intentionally attacked Ruler, who was fundamentally neutral, made it clear they were hiding something shady. That was undoubtedly the factor driving Ruler's urgency.
That was precisely why Ruler's target was the "Red" Master.
If she did not question their true intentions and ascertain them, a fair judgment would be impossible.
"Mu...!"
Blocking Ruler's path were countless Dragon Tooth Warriors. They ignored the golems controlled by "Black" Caster and attempted to attack Ruler.
"As I thought...!"
Ruler swung her holy flag, mowing down the Dragon Tooth Warriors in one sweep.
If they were going to take such clear hostile action, it was actually easier to understand.
No matter how many foot soldiers, worth a pittance per head, they lined up, they could not even delay Ruler. To face a Servant, one needed a Servant. That was the principle, and even a Servant summoned in the irregular class of 'Ruler' possessed combat abilities not inferior to normal Servants. Furthermore, since she had the role of supervising the Holy Grail War, she was granted privileges allowing her to fight favorably even against first-rate Servants. To attack such a powerful Servant, knowing she was neutral, meant they must have considerable circumstances.
Fortunately, she knew the location of the "Red" faction's stronghold.
The inverted Hanging Gardens floating in the sky was likely it.
A super-giant Noble Phantasm floating in the sky was not something that appeared easily. The one controlling it was likely a magus from the Age of Gods, when physical laws were not yet stable.
"Tch!"
Ruler instantly swung her flag.
In that moment, a tremendous shock assailed her entire body. Enveloped in a dazzling light, her vision turned white.
It was an EX-Rank magecraft fired from the Hanging Gardens.
What powerful magecraft. The density of its mystery might even rival True Magic. But despite taking a direct hit from such an attack, Ruler was unharmed. Her Magic Resistance was EX-Rank. Effectively, all magecraft was useless against her.
Therefore, a magus Caster could not defeat Ruler.
"Kuh...!"
However, knowing this, the bombardment showed no signs of stopping.
Lightning strikes, explosive flames, magical artillery—a variety of magecraft were launched at Ruler and repelled. The surrounding area was instantly turned into a scorched plain, with only the spot where Ruler stood remaining unharmed. The golems and Dragon Tooth Warriors, all having scattered to avoid Ruler, were wiped out by the EX-Rank magecraft.
Ruler's Magic Resistance did not negate magecraft, but scattered it.
While she herself remained unharmed by magecraft, the surroundings were scorched by the magecraft deflected by Ruler.
It was fortunate no one was around.
Ruler patted her chest in relief while analyzing the situation.
The Dragon Tooth Warriors that had been swarming around until moments ago had vanished. In their place, magecraft poured down incessantly. Continuing the attack despite knowing Ruler wouldn't be hurt wasn't out of desperation. There was a clear intention. He, or she, was not trying to defeat Ruler, but to delay her. In other words, it meant that ahead lay the person who held the key to this Great Holy Grail War.
Then, she had to push through.
"Haa!"
Swinging her holy flag, blowing away the magecraft, she stamped the ground and broke into a full sprint. Now that the Dragon Tooth Warriors had disappeared, the surroundings had become a plain with nothing. The only thing hindering Ruler was the pillars of light pouring from the sky, and even they were not very meaningful.
To stop Ruler, a physical wall was needed.
Such a thing would not appear easily. It seemed as if nothing could stop Ruler anymore.
To Ruler's worst misfortune, and to the Servant in the sky's good fortune, a conveniently placed shield was advancing right nearby.
"Wha...!"
Ruler forcibly killed her momentum and leaped backward. It was a move where her body acted before her vision could confirm it, but her danger detection ability was extremely high. Moreover, she couldn't possibly fail to notice the giant figure charging towards her, scattering extraordinary magical energy.
For a moment, she didn't understand what it was.
She also thought it was unbearable to look at.
It was a giant monster that one had to look up at. Its height already exceeded ten meters, and its wax-like, pale, sickly skin pulsed in places. It would have been better if it still retained a human form, but unfortunately, this monster had long since abandoned any human semblance.
"Could it be, "Red" Berserker!?"
It was shocking.
His true name was Spartacus. A rebel who actually existed in ancient Rome. Given his background, he had no connection to magecraft, and as a hero from after the Age of Gods when deities roamed freely, he possessed no divine blessings. Yes, although ancient, he was a hero from historical fact.
But, somehow, his form had transformed so grotesquely that it reminded one of mythical monsters.
His arms had increased to four. His body was hugely swollen, with his back bulging like a turtle's. His neck was already buried in flesh, and eyes and fangs had appeared on his shoulders. Perhaps to support his overly large body, his legs had also been added, and his posture had become like that of a quadrupedal animal.
When legends and anecdotes manifest as Noble Phantasms, abilities not possessed in life can be acquired. This was probably of that category, but...
"A Noble Phantasm that transforms one into a monstrosity...?"
Forgetting the human body, becoming a pure mass of power. Certainly, it could be said to be an ability befitting the 'Berserker' class. However, it was far too abnormal to be considered its original power. This was likely a byproduct of his Noble Phantasm. Was it the result of a runaway cycle of his body-enhancing ability?
As Ruler created distance, another Servant fell from the sky. It was "Red" Saber, clad entirely in armor. Upon landing, Saber turned his gaze towards Ruler while paying attention to Berserker.
"You, a Servant?"
"You are "Red" Saber, correct? I am the Servant Ruler."
"Ruler? Ah, now that you mention it, there was something like that." Saber had also received a report about the summoning of the irregular class 'Ruler' this time.
"If you're supposed to be neutral, why are you in the very center of the battlefield?" Saber asked Ruler while leaping over Berserker's whip-like, bending arms.
"Because I need to gather information to make a proper judgment as an adjudicator."
"I see, that must be tough. So, let me ask you one thing. Can you remain neutral against this guy?"
"Huh?"
Gyorori — Berserker's eyes caught Ruler.
"To this insane bastard, do you look like an ally?" Saber's sword cut Berserker's neck. The gushing blood stopped instantly, and the wounded area swelled, further advancing his transformation.
"Tch..." It was doubtful whether Berserker could even distinguish friend from foe anymore. Furthermore, he was a Servant whose primary purpose was to rebel against authority. With the ultimate authority figure, the adjudicator of the Holy Grail War, before his eyes, there was no reason for Berserker not to attack.
"Ruler, you said? Aaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Kuh...!"
Letting out a beastly roar, Berserker struck at Ruler with a delighted expression.
That inevitably meant turning his back on Saber, and Saber, not missing this opportunity, severed the tendons in both of Berserker's legs.
Losing his balance, Berserker fell, raising a cloud of dust.
"Saber? Weren't you planning to push him onto me?"
"Hah? If I did that, wouldn't it look like I was running away from this guy?" Saber jumped onto Berserker's back and thrust his sword into his spine. A goki sound of a thick bone breaking echoed.
"Tch, he's still recovering." Saber leaped back, dismounting from Berserker's back. Berserker, whose spine was severed and leg tendons cut, had already repaired his wounds and spread his insect-like arms before Saber and Ruler.
"Tyrants... May you be crushed in my embrace..."
That was his only wish for being on this battlefield. That was Berserker. He did not hesitate. He did not think. His thoughts were fixed, and he believed without doubt that it was the ultimate good. Ruler knew people like this. Those who sacrifice themselves for what they believe in, even justifying the oppression of others in the process. And those who possess no self-awareness of this whatsoever. Namely, fanatics.
Spartacus. Truly, a fanatic who martyred himself for the path of rebellion.
"Ruler. What will you do? It seems this guy has his eyes on you too?"
"Kuh... I have no choice. However, please understand that I am not siding with you." Ruler had to maintain neutrality, but she still had to brush off the sparks flying her way. Defeating him would be going too far, but protecting herself was permissible.
"Fine." Saying this, Saber circled around to the side of Berserker, who was charging at Ruler.
Berserker was not an overwhelmingly powerful Servant, but his ability was extremely troublesome. Saber and Ruler. Both were first-rate Servants, but even with two of them, a hard fight was unavoidable.
The fighting styles of "Black" Lancer and "Red" Archer were polar opposites.
Lancer had deployed his Noble Phantasm 'Kazıklı Bey: Lord of Execution' and transformed the area around him into a forest of stakes. The stakes protruding from the ground according to Lancer's will could be produced infinitely as long as his magical energy lasted. Individually, each stake wasn't much of a threat, but the fact that they emerged from underfoot and their overwhelming numbers were significant strengths.
Lancer remained as if holed up in his own castle, not moving a single step since the battle began. Still mounted on his horse, he continued to attack Archer.
On the other hand, Archer ran through the forest of stakes with her innate leg strength, firing arrows through the gaps between them. As a huntress, sniping from concealment suited her nature better than fighting head-on, but in this situation, she had no choice.
The countless stakes attacking her were certainly a threat, but not a single one had managed to catch Archer so far. That was because Archer's agility was simply that superior.
Clad lightly, without even armor, a single hit could mean a fatal wound. However, Archer was one of the fastest heroes in Greek mythology, alongside "Red" Rider. In life, no one had surpassed her in speed. Exceptional archery and speed. These two qualities elevated Archer to the pinnacle of archers.
Furthermore, the ability to maintain an evenly matched fight was also due to Archer's skill 'Aesthetics of the Chase.'
This skill, which allowed her to let the enemy take the initiative, confirm it, and then act preemptively, was highly effective against Lancer, who always struck first. The stakes always appeared at Archer's feet. Regarding attacks, Archer was always in the position of having the initiative taken from her. However, against Lancer's initiative, Archer utilized her agility and skill to maneuver, allowing her to snipe vital spots even from any disadvantageous posture.
"However, troublesome." Archer tightened her expression and climbed one of the stakes. She took aim at Lancer within her sight and fired an arrow. The series of movements, reminiscent of a circus performance, contained no waste.
Archer's arrow shattered the stakes deployed to protect Lancer and stopped. It was the same repetition since earlier.
"Hmm... I don't know which heroic spirit you are, but that's quite the bow skill. "Red" Archer." Lancer smiled with composure. Unlike his enemy, Lancer had no restrictions on his Noble Phantasm or magical energy. While the fight seemed evenly matched, in truth, Lancer was gradually cornering Archer.
The courage to face this overwhelming quantity head-on without flinching was praiseworthy.
But it was futile.
No matter how excellent an archer Archer was, a bow could not break down a castle wall.
Archer was not facing someone equivalent to the leader of an army. His very existence was already a castle, a nation.
"A beautiful barbarian huntress, I see. There were no such fierce warriors like you in my reign. I suppose this is unique to the Great Holy Grail War." In the era Lancer lived, women had few opportunities to be active on the battlefield. Joan of Arc was one of those rare examples. She was burned at the stake the year Lancer was born. Having known the anecdote of the saint who saved France since his lifetime, he did not deny the existence of female heroes, but it was still rare.
"If you think lightly of me because I'm a woman, you'll regret it. Lancer."
"Think lightly? That is impossible. For a woman to become a heroic spirit... On the contrary, I should be cautious, shouldn't I?" True to his word, Lancer never took his eyes off Archer. While they seemed to be exchanging banter, Lancer was looking for an opening in Archer, and conversely, Archer was aware that Lancer was watching for an opening.
"It's fine to be nimble and quick. But I wonder how long that will last." Lancer still had leeway.
His magical energy supply was abundant, and his fame correction was at its maximum. Nowhere in the world could one find another Servant fighting under such favorable conditions. He didn't know who "Red" Archer was, but it was impossible for her to be in as good a condition as this Lancer.
The battle began in the preparation stage.
Then, it was only natural that Darnic's Servant, who had continued the best preparations for half a century, would be summoned as the greatest Servant in history, and it was also perfectly natural that Archer would be at a disadvantage the moment she challenged Lancer.
Magical energy ran wild, and the wind carried the smell of blood.
On the ground lay the golems, tragically shattered, and the homunculi who had become lumps of flesh. None of the main characters, the Servants, had fallen yet, while the foot soldiers were being consumed.
Having reached this point, their very reason for existence became questionable.
Once the Servants began fighting amongst themselves, they could not intervene. Since they were only expected to serve as delaying tools from the start, them fighting and falling against the Dragon Tooth Warriors now seemed meaningless.
But they did not stop.
The golems were dolls moving according to the instructions of their creator, "Black" Caster, and their role was still the annihilation of the enemy. If Dragon Tooth Warriors were before them, they had no choice but to attack. And the homunculi. They could be considered higher beings than golems because they could think for themselves. But even so, they were innocent and knew nothing, capable of thinking only about fulfilling their given tasks.
They did not know death, held no fear, and thus were the perfect pawns as soldiers, which was precisely why they were easily consumed.
A thick fog suddenly covered the battlefield.
"So much delicious food!" A lisping voice reached their ears. Simultaneously, their eyes, throats, and lungs were tormented by intense pain. They wanted air. But if they inhaled, their throats would burn and fester. Tears streamed uncontrollably from their eyes. The intense pain made the homunculs forget the command to fight.
Some dropped their weapons and ran in various directions. Others collapsed on the spot. They varied, but all shared the same realization.
They were destined to be preyed upon.
"This must be what they call 'spoilt for choice'! I'm really at a loss!" The invisible enemy devoured the homunculi one by one.
Shirou, who was facing "Black" Berserker, noticed the presence. Even the calm and composed Shirou couldn't help but click his tongue.
"Caster. Let's retreat. Her 'awareness' came sooner than expected."
"I've heard that Servants summoned as 'Ruler' to perform impartial judgments are often saints. It seems she is of that type."
The materialized "Red" Caster had truly done nothing to help Shirou, merely watching over him.
"Let's hurry. If she denounces me here, the story will fall apart. What you might call a cancellation."
"As a writer, that is an outcome I must avoid at all costs. Very well. Let us conclude the Master's debut battle here for now."
Throwing Black Keys before Berserker, who was about to launch a pursuit, Shirou left the battlefield at full speed.
Although trained, his speed was abnormal. Could one even call a human who dashed through the dark forest where moonlight didn't reach at nearly 60 kilometers per hour a human? It was a feat only possible for a person from the Church who had reached the limits of the human body.
Certainly, Shirou was fast. An ordinary human could never catch up, and to pursue him, one would need the aid of an automobile.
But that was if the pursuer was human. The Berserker he had just been facing was a heroic spirit who transcended humanity. Even if her mystery was shallow and her appearance that of a cute girl, she would not be inferior in speed to a mere human. Moreover, she was Frankenstein. A mechanical heroic spirit. No matter how much a human trained their body, they could not surpass a machine in strength and speed.
"Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!!" Berserker pursued Shirou, not wanting to let him escape.
Though hindered by the wall of Black Keys and starting late, the distance opened was only enough to be easily recovered. Berserker had firmly captured Shirou's figure in the dense night forest.
"Berserker... is pursuing me." Though anxiety raced through his chest, Shirou did not stop running.
"As expected of the mechanical young lady. Her leg speed is quite impressive."
"Yes. But, facing Berserker, I did not die. It seems I was correct. If we overcome this, it is our victory." Originally, there was no need for Shirou to appear on the battlefield.
But he ventured onto the battlefield despite the danger to ask fate whether his actions were right or wrong. If he could still remain alive in a world filled with death, did that not mean his plan was approved by God?
"...This is—" The trees on both sides of Shirou, fleeing from Berserker, were blown away. Scattering splinters, golems appeared.
"Even "Black" Caster is participating? At a time like this." The combat ability of the golems was low. They were only on a level that couldn't match that Berserker. However, being surrounded in a situation where he needed to leave immediately was not good at all.
"I shall ask you to step aside." Shirou swung his Noble Phantasm sword, cutting off a golem's shoulder joint, and with the returning blade, severed its head. He was not a master swordsman, his skill being average or slightly above, but it was enough to handle golems.
He did not obsess over defeating them, using minimal movement to restrict their mobility and escape.
However, as if intent on not letting Shirou escape, the golems increased in number. Berserker also caught up, and finally, Shirou found himself in a situation surrounded on all sides.
"Well, Caster. What do you think of this situation?"
"Hmm. Let's see. I'd say I alone could possibly return alive. After all, I am a writer, you see."
"I see. Then, I have no choice but to struggle." Caster was a writer, not a magus. Having no legend as a magus, he naturally possessed no special powers aside from his skills and Noble Phantasm. Of course, he had no power to rescue his Master from a predicament. In terms of combat ability, Shirou was superior.
Shirou evaded a golem's fist and scurried across the ground like a mouse, slashing its legs to disrupt its posture. Then he jumped onto its back, ran up to its head, leaped to the adjacent golem, and severed its head.
Opponents of this level were still less troublesome than vampires. But there were many. It was quite physically taxing, and the presence of Berserker made the situation even more severe.
"Even so, I cannot stop." Muttering, he desperately swung his sword.
The Japanese sword that had become a Noble Phantasm through Caster's power was a masterpiece with sharp cutting ability, capable of slicing through even the enemy Caster's golems, but it possessed no special power to handle groups. It was visibly obvious that Shirou was becoming increasingly disadvantaged over time.
"What are you doing, Master!"
"Red" Assassin sent a telepathic reprimand. Then, an ear-splitting roar echoed. Countless lightning strikes fell around Shirou.
That alone was enough to blast the golems away.
"You've saved me, Assassin."
"......Hmph, no need for thanks. If you fall, I cannot remain manifested. ...With that, the little girl has detected your location. Hurry."
"Yes, I will." Shirou stepped on the land flattened by Assassin's magecraft and began to run.
The trees burned, were blown away, and the golems also shattered. The attacks launched from the Hanging Gardens were all extraordinary. Its bombardments blew away everything on the ground.
That applied to Servants as well.
Berserker, who had taken damage from Assassin's single strike, still tried to chase Shirou. Because the golems became a wall and she was relatively far from Shirou, she avoided a direct hit.
Upon such a Berserker, a finishing lightning strike poured down from the sky.