Warehouse district outskirts, a hidden corner.
"Have Lancer fight other Servants openly, forcing hidden Masters to reveal their Servants, then analyze to identify the biggest threats?"
A hunched, cane-wielding old man with a decaying aura asked from the shadows.
Behind him, a black-clad Servant with crimson eyes and an ominous presence stood motionless, blending into the dark.
Their decoy, Kariya Matou, waited quietly on the outskirts as planned.
"Exactly. An obvious but effective tactic. It seems foolish to us honorless magi, but for mythic heroes, it's irresistible."
"Any renowned hero can't resist such a challenge, right?"
Roy gazed at a water mirror conjured by magecraft, speaking.
"Ignore Berserker's madness for now. We've got Lancer, Saber, and… my queen who's anything but a Caster."
Mentioning Scáthach, who'd rushed off with Touko, Roy gave a wry smile.
He wasn't too concerned.
Even if he'd summoned Caster Cú Chulainn as planned, the outcome would be similar—neither master nor disciple were tame.
"Lancer's intent is to bypass magi, challenging heroes directly. Most Servants can't refuse."
"Even if Masters disagree, stopping a Servant without a Command Spell is hard. Using one wastes a precious resource and sows discord."
Matou Zouken frowned, analyzing.
"An open conspiration, huh… Lancer's Master is cunning."
"Indeed. My queen went eagerly, didn't she?"
Roy nodded, watching Lancer and Saber clash in the mirror.
Unlike Zouken, focused on the battle, Roy was pensive.
Saber was Artoria, no doubt.
Master: still Kiritsugu.
Berserker: still Lancelot, with the Matous.
Caster, due to Roy, changed from Ryuunosuke's Bluebeard to Scáthach after he dealt with Ryuunosuke.
Everything else should've stayed the same…
But seeing this blonde Lancer, his gaze shifted.
Not Diarmuid, but Fionn…
The Grail War had indeed changed. Was Lancer's Master still Kayneth? And was Tokiomi's Servant still the toughest… the Oldest King?
Roy mused, planning ahead.
"Good. With two Servants, we'd have an edge in a first-night melee."
"Even without a melee, tonight's gains are enough. Thanks to that Lancer, we learned Saber's true name—King Arthur—without cost."
"And… something big's happening at the Tohsaka manor."
Zouken analyzed, then fell silent, watching with Roy, awaiting the right moment.
…
While Roy and Zouken observed, other Masters weren't idle.
Hyatt Hotel.
"This is Age of Gods spearmanship… Even I, a peak modern magus, am awestruck…"
"Lancer, Fionn McCool, truly the perfect Heroic Spirit for a genius like me."
Hands behind his back, watching via magecraft, Kayneth smirked, pleased with Fionn's performance.
Not only did Fionn's divine spearmanship and water control suppress Saber, but his supreme wisdom discerned her true name.
Saber—King Arthur.
A renowned name in European history and myth.
As a London noble, Kayneth knew the legend well, having read it countless times as a child. Seeing her now felt surreal.
King Arthur, a girl? Astonishing…
Watching their fierce clash, Kayneth's lips curled.
Artoria was strong, but his Servant outshone her.
Both from Celtic myth, his was a descendant of war god Nuada, leader of the Fianna Knights, slayer of monsters and gods, a hero rivaling Cú Chulainn!
After losing his cloak relic, Kayneth planned to use a lesser family substitute. But Roy had cleaned out his collection, leaving only scraps and a letter.
The letter warned, [The Grail War is dangerous, you'll die. I cleared your materials to stop you. Stay at the Clock Tower with Sola, don't come.]
Reading it, Kayneth's foul mood exploded.
Clearing his materials and cursing his death? He, Kayneth, Lord of Mineralogy, ninth family head, dying in a backwater ritual? Absurd!
Ignoring the letter, he flew to Fuyuki.
No relic? He'd summon by compatibility!!
He refused to believe he, Kayneth, couldn't compete without a relic.
He'd prove to those traitorous disciples he could win with skill alone!
Thus, by compatibility, he summoned this famed Celtic hero.
Not only strong and obedient, but loyal—a balm for Kayneth's twice-betrayed heart.
Seeing Fionn's performance, Kayneth applauded inwardly, his lips curving.
So compatible.
Was there a more perfect Servant?
Unconsciously, he almost thanked Waver for stealing the relic.
"Hm, it's time. Have Lancer use his Noble Phantasm to finish Arthur, then hold off other Servants…"
Now, he'd hunt the hidden Masters. His feud with his disciples was personal—no meddling magi allowed!
Watching the fierce battle, Kayneth armed himself with dozens of Mystic Codes.
"Roy, Waver… pray you meet me later, or I'll give you a lesson you'll never forget!"
Muttering, he tossed two gems, opening a hidden workshop door, slipping out silently toward the battlefield.
***
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