Ghouls.
Unlike zombies or vampire familiars, which were fully converted undead creatures, ghouls were created by injecting necrotic magical energy into a recently deceased body. By utilizing the residual soul and fading lifeforce, the creator could force the corpse to stand and obey orders while retaining a fraction of its former abilities and intelligence.
The ghouls present here were different from those created by typical necromancy. They could not act independently, nor could they last long. Without constant maintenance, their bodies would fully decay and disintegrate within a single day.
Sisigou, being one of the few remaining Necromancers, naturally knew how to create them. However, that was precisely why he could not understand why someone would use them here.
Even though these people were skilled magi in life, as ghouls, their abilities were severely degraded. Using them to fight Servants was utterly impossible. It was a thankless, inefficient tactic.
"So, the Black Assassin is the type who prefers to fight with magecraft?"
Sisigou blasted a ghoul away with his shotgun before it could finish casting a spell. While reloading his weapon with fingers harvested from corpses—his specialized ammunition—he observed the others.
Although they were draped in black cloaks, his expertise allowed him to quickly spot something identical on all of them. On the side of their necks were two deep puncture wounds.
Vampire bite marks? Sisigou frowned.
Beside him, Mordred showed no mercy. With a sweeping horizontal slash, she bisected several ghouls, shattering their spells and golems alike.
"Tch! Who cares what type she is? Hiding behind these pathetic meat shields because she is too afraid to face me directly... I bet she wouldn't even survive a single swing of my sword!"
Watching the ghouls attempt to crawl toward them even after being dismembered, Mordred's eyes filled with disgust. As someone who revered strength, she deeply despised cowards who refused to fight their own battles.
"You are not wrong. You are a Saber, the strongest class, while Assassin has the lowest parameters across the board," Sisigou replied.
He instinctively reached for a cigarette, but stopped himself after glancing at Mordred. Seeing her focus entirely on the ghouls, he quietly tucked the pack away.
"Well, it seems she has no intention of showing her face. Let us go find her ourselves."
Sisigou aimed his reloaded shotgun at a ghoul's head. With a pulse of magical energy, the necrotic fingers blasted forth, obliterating its skull. This time, the headless corpse collapsed and did not rise again.
"Saber, their weakness is the head. Destroy their skulls and they will stay down. Also, try to leave one intact. I should be able to trace the magical connection back to the Black Assassin."
"Understood."
Mordred grinned. The crimson lightning wreathing her sword flared brilliantly. In just a few breaths, the raging lightning annihilated the surrounding ghouls. Even though a few managed to cast offensive spells, they were useless against Mordred's A-rank Magic Resistance.
Within moments, every ghoul—except for the alchemist Sisigou requested—was reduced to ash.
"Tch. Boring," Mordred complained, looking at the charred corpses littering the alley.
"I admit these ghouls were a joke, but you cannot afford to be careless, Saber."
Sisigou sighed helplessly at his Servant's disappointment. But just as he looked up to console her, his eyes widened in terror.
Moonlight had finally crested the rooftops, illuminating the narrow alley. Under the pale glow, Sisigou noticed something horrifying: Mordred's shadow had not receded. Instead, it was twisting and expanding beneath her feet.
"Saber!"
Realizing the danger, Sisigou instinctively aimed his shotgun at the shadow. But before he could pull the trigger, the shadow erupted.
The darkness expanded into a three-dimensional object. Before Mordred could react, an iron maiden standing two meters tall, topped with the sculpted head of a woman, materialized from the shadow.
Accompanied by a release of blood-red mist, the doors flew open, swallowing Mordred whole. Under the moonlight, Sisigou caught a horrifying glimpse of the countless spikes lining the interior.
At that moment, a third voice echoed through the silent alley.
"This is my Noble Phantasm, 'Phantom Iron Maiden.' Due to the false accusations levied against me in life, as long as the target is female, even a Servant cannot escape it."
Sensing a bizarre and sinister aura, Sisigou did not hesitate. He aimed his shotgun at the source of the voice and pulled the trigger.
Bang! Bang!
The bullets, packed with necrotic energy and corpse poison, formed a dense barrage as they tore toward the slender figure manifesting in the darkness.
But to Sisigou's shock, the specialized ammunition he had prepared specifically for this war was stopped dead in midair by a wall of blood-red magical energy that reeked of iron and sweetness. Even the corpse poison contained within the bullets was entirely suppressed, unable to detonate.
An attack capable of instantly killing most magi was completely useless against her.
Sisigou instinctively reached into his coat. He had a necrotic bomb crafted from a human heart hidden there; it might be enough to injure this Servant.
But the opponent anticipated his move. With a soft chuckle, several more iron maidens materialized around Sisigou.
Although they lacked the overwhelming pressure of a true Noble Phantasm, Sisigou had no doubt that even these degraded versions could easily trap and kill him.
Realizing he was outmatched, the anxiety from Mordred's capture cooled into grim calculation. Seeing that the woman only trapped him without immediately attacking, he ceased his movements.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" Sisigou asked, remaining completely still as he stared at the figure stepping into the moonlight.
She possessed a graceful figure, snow-white hair, pale skin, and an alluring black dress. She was undeniably beautiful, but considering his life was currently in her hands, Sisigou had no desire to appreciate her looks.
The woman observed Sisigou in return. Seeing him maintain his composure despite being surrounded by her torture devices, a glint of satisfaction appeared in her amber eyes.
Not bad. He is qualified to be my tool.
"Allow me to introduce myself, human. I am the Black Assassin you have been searching for, and the one who killed those magi. As for my True Name..." She paused slightly before finishing, "You may call me Countess Carmilla."