The situation was dire.
At the very least, it shouldn't have been this one-sided from Kiritsugu's perspective. He couldn't confirm the sensing range or capabilities of that second Servant, so rash action was out of the question. Just glimpsing through his scope a moment ago had nearly given his position away.
"Maiya, be careful on your end."
"There's a new Servant at the northeast position."
Pulling out his transceiver, Kiritsugu issued brief instructions to his partner, his mind racing through possible responses.
Clang!
Screech!!
The clash of steel rang ceaselessly from the shoreline, where Saber and Assassin were locked in fierce combat on the sand.
'His swordplay is razor-sharp and blindingly fast...'
'And his agility on top of that...'
'Hard to believe this is actually an Assassin.'
The longer she crossed blades with him, the more Saber appreciated just how advanced his skill was. If not for the unknown variable of her concealed holy sword, his fighting style might have been even more aggressive.
"Hah!"
Catching one of his diving slashes, she shoved him back with raw force. Not a single moment of carelessness could be afforded.
'Saber is actually being pushed back?'
Irisviel's pupils wavered slightly as she watched the scene unfold in disbelief.
It was common knowledge that Saber was the highest-performing class among the seven. The only ones capable of matching her head-on were the other two Knight Classes.
An Assassin should never have been able to accomplish this, let alone suppress Saber in swordsmanship.
And this was with the Assassin class container. If this man had been summoned as Saber instead? He'd be unstoppable.
"Who on earth is he?"
Skill this sharp couldn't possibly be unknown to history. Judging by his attire and the curved blade at his side, he was undeniably Japanese.
'The cross-shaped scar on his left cheek...'
'A local Heroic Spirit?'
The realization dawned on Irisviel. He might very well be benefiting from fame and home-territory bonuses. Under those circumstances, going toe-to-toe with Saber wasn't impossible after all.
Swish!
The figure shot toward her in a straight line, and Saber met it with absolute focus.
Clatter!
But in the heartbeat before their blades met, Assassin's silhouette abruptly shifted sideways.
"No!"
Understanding flashed through her. Saber spun on her heel, her holy sword unleashing a tremendous burst of wind pressure.
"Tch..."
Kenshin eyed the tip of his blade, which had grazed past the woman's neck by a hair's breadth, clicking his tongue in frustration. His body was then blasted backward by the incoming shockwave.
"Ah..."
Belatedly, Irisviel realized she had just grazed the edge of death. A thin line of crimson and a hairline cut on her neck testified to how close it had been.
"You...!"
Saber rushed to her side, shielding her. Beautiful features were twisted with fury. A moment's slower reaction, and she would have lost her "Master."
She never anticipated the enemy would resort to a feint, pretending to duel her head-on while hunting for an opening to reach Irisviel.
"As I thought... she has Instinct."
Rising from the ground, Kenshin quietly reviewed the engagement, confirming his earlier assessment. A sneak attack would have been detected just as quickly, making this direct approach the better gamble.
"Kirei, it appears Assassin has displayed combat ability far beyond expectations."
"To face Saber head-on like that... this gives us a real opportunity."
Tohsaka Tokiomi and his disciple Kirei watched the battle unfold from their workshop. Kenshin's performance exceeded every expectation.
This meant that a coordinated assault with Archer could easily corner Saber, eliminating a major threat from the equation.
"The moment an opening presents itself, request that King to attack and annihilate them in one stroke!"
Yet while every faction calculated their next moves, something beyond imagination hovered in the sky above.
"Are you really sure about this, Rider?"
Waver watched the scene below with his heart in his throat, asking from within the cockpit.
"Relax. With their level of perception, detecting this machine is impossible."
Lelouch wore a confident smile, studying the observation feed within the Knightmare's display. Perhaps it was a consequence of having become a Heroic Spirit, but his possessions had transformed considerably.
The "Gawain" should have been destroyed long ago, yet here it was, fully summonable and operational. Its performance and weaponry had been enhanced with magical energy, granting it power far beyond what it had possessed in "life."
The benefits were considerable, though there was a trade-off: the frame required magical energy to operate. But for him and Waver, that was no real obstacle.
"I didn't expect three Servants to be present."
"Saber, Assassin, and... that one in the golden armor. What Class is that?"
"Besides Saber's Master, who are those other two? Assassin's Master?"
With Rider's reassurance, Waver shifted his attention to the display, pointing to the figures of Maiya and Kiritsugu with a puzzled expression.
Under the Knightmare's advanced sensors, every life signature below had been pinpointed instantly. Waver couldn't help but marvel; sometimes, technology truly outclassed familiars and magecraft in sheer utility.
"That's enough observing."
Watching the resumed battle on screen, Lelouch spoke.
"Uh..."
Waver swallowed hard, anxiety mounting over what was about to happen. Rider had already briefed him on the plan; knowing what came next, he felt a blend of tension and anticipation.
If Rider's gambit succeeded, they could potentially eliminate one or two major threats in a single blow. That alone would lighten their burden immensely.
"Then... let this spectacular explosion announce our entry into the war."
The trigger was pulled. Purple energy surged and converged at the Knightmare's chest. A moment later, a devastating beam of purple light tore downward.
"Hmm?!"
"!!"
"!?"
Everyone on the ground sensed the threat plummeting from the sky. Even without looking up, the unnatural glow illuminating the night sky screamed of mortal danger.
"By my Command Spell I order you! Saber, come to my side!"
"No!"
At the critical moment, having detected the anomalous attack, Kiritsugu used a Command Spell without a shred of hesitation.
Saber vanished from Irisviel's side, leaving her alone with Assassin.
In that same instant, the aerial bombardment struck the earth, unleashing a detonation beyond imagination.
BOOM!!
Purple radiance illuminated the entire ocean surface. Even the ground itself trembled from the shockwave.
Crash!
Devastating force swept across the coastline. The city shuddered in the dead of night, jolting countless residents awake.
"What happened?"
"An earthquake?!"
The violent tremors sparked fearful speculation.
"A fourth Servant was present?!"
Even Tokiomi and Kirei, safe within their workshop, never anticipated this outcome.
"Kirei, what about Assassin?"
Concern for their own piece on the board forced Tokiomi to ask.
"The contract hasn't been severed, but Assassin seems to have sustained serious injuries."
Feeling his magical energy being steadily drained, Kirei furrowed his brow and answered.
"Good enough."
The King of Heroes, who had gone to spectate, would certainly be fine. But losing Assassin for nothing would be a devastating blow.
"Who in the world was that?"
The familiar dispatched to investigate had been caught in the blast and destroyed. The situation at the scene remained entirely unknown.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]