Legend has it that in the deepest part of this dense forest, there is a "mythical city." Of course, this legend is just a boring weird story. Although the forest has not yet been developed, it is less than an hour's drive from Fuyuki City. If there really were such a strange castle, everyone would know about it. In fact, there have been several land surveys in this primeval forest in the past, but no traces of artificial structures were found.
Once upon a time, a group of children walked into this forest in a mood of half play, half adventure. There was also a lost hiker. Out of the fog, they saw an ancient city suddenly appear—a magnificent castle made of rock. The castle was uninhabited, like an abandoned city. However, the castle was well-equipped and everything was in order, which made people feel as if someone lived there. It is said to be an unusually bizarre ancient city.
Of course, no one believes this legend. Only a handful of magi know that this castle is real. The castle only welcomes its owner, who enters to participate in the war once every sixty years; it is a castle of demons. The castle is shrouded in multiple layers of illusion and magical enchantments, which are never revealed except under the most rare circumstances. It is a bizarre space. People who know about the existence of this castle call this dense forest the "Einzbern Forest."
"This is it."
Tohsaka Tokiomi, who stepped out of a black commercial car, stood on the ground with a gem-encrusted magic staff in his right hand. He raised his head and looked into the depths of the woods with a dangerous gaze. His gaze seemed able to penetrate the night fog and reach the castle that stood in the darkness. This vast primeval forest is shrouded in enchantments and completely isolated from the outside world; the Einzbern family has transferred their entire original castle to this forest. This shows the Einzbern family's immense wealth and their extraordinary dedication to chasing the Holy Grail.
At that time, the Tohsaka family negotiated for the purchase of land in Fuyuki and toiled at covert work in the area, which was only a laughable move compared to the Einzbern family. Long before the banquet, Tokiomi searched extensively in this area through Kirei's Servant—that is, the clones of Assassin. With the Presence Concealment of Assassin, even Emiya Kiritsugu and the others in the Einzbern castle did not realize they had exposed the location of their base camp.
"Everything goes according to plan, Kirei. I'll use the Command Spell to get Archer to fight with you, and I'll defeat Saber and her Master!"
"Understood, Teacher."
Kirei nodded respectfully at Tokiomi. But the moment he lowered his head, an irrepressible smile appeared on Kirei's face. Tohsaka Tokiomi, who had devoted all his energy to understanding his opponent Emiya Kiritsugu, did not know the real reason why Archer would not resist this order...
...
"It's over there..."
Shirou rode his motorcycle down a mountain ring road and looked up at the forest not far away. Although it looked close, it actually takes about ten minutes to get there. Far from the city, all one can see is a quiet forest that looks mysterious in the moonlight.
"Master, I sense a strange aura of magic ahead."
"Is it another Servant?" Shirou asked.
"No... it's not the same."
Hearing the materialized Diarmuid's answer, Shirou frowned. "Is it a magus?" At this point in time, only Tohsaka Tokiomi, Kotomine Kirei, and others should be here, but with their personalities, it is impossible for them to release their magical aura with such fanfare.
"Can you lock onto that target?" Shirou asked.
"Yes."
Receiving an affirmative answer from Diarmuid, Shirou nodded. Then he turned the grip of the motorcycle firmly.
Vroom————!
The speed of the bike suddenly accelerated, dragging black and red afterimages. Shirou sped down the circular lane on his motorbike and soon found himself on a mountain trail with nothing but thick dirt and no asphalt.
"Right ahead, Master!"
Because he was worried about the enemy, Diarmuid chose to materialize as soon as Shirou stopped. At the same time, from the mountain road, a group of Crest Worms flew out!
"That's!?"
Diarmuid, who had fought Matou Zouken, recognized them immediately, and anger ignited in his eyes. After all, he was confident in his promise to the Master that he would definitely kill Zouken, but that man is still alive. The enemy he promised to kill did not die, which was undoubtedly a shame for Diarmuid, who believed in knighthood.
"Damn it! Master, I'm not going to let him escape this time!"
Without hesitation, Diarmuid flashed his twin spears and rushed into the mountain path. Even in the face of a magus, he still used both spears, which showed his seriousness and anger. Shirou relied on his current strength to follow closely without fear. Soon, under Lancer's search, one of the altars used for hiding was revealed. The altar was littered with human flesh and blood; it was clear that Zouken had captured many innocent humans to restore his body.
"Meet your death, you filthy worm!"
From the depths of the altar came the roar of Diarmuid. After he saw the remains of the humans, he understood the situation, and his anger intensified. Then, wielding a crimson spear, Diarmuid quickly stabbed a golden bug against the wall.
"Damn, why you again!? What kind of grudge do I have against you!?" The bug twisted and let out an angry sound. At this time, he noticed Shirou, who followed Diarmuid into the altar. "Is that what you drive!? Master of Lancer!"
When he saw Shirou, he was immediately anxious and manipulated the Crest Worms hidden around him to swarm toward the boy. Seeing this, Shirou raised his right hand without hesitation to drive his magic power.
"Hurricane, strangle my enemy!"
In an instant, the light blue magic turned into a hurricane, engulfing the swarming worms. The wind blades, compressed to the extreme, strangled them all!