Despite wanting to converse longer with Souya—a friend they hadn't seen in ages and weren't sure they'd ever see again—Gawain, Lancelot, and Tristan knew the timing was inappropriate. Morgan could not maintain the Noble Phantasm indefinitely.
After hasty farewells, the radiant glow of "Camelot: The Radiant City that Never Falls" began to retract. The three Knights of the Round Table vanished alongside the fading illusion of Camelot.
Souya did not linger either. After briefly explaining Amakusa's plan and the invitation extended via phone call, the couple left the urban area of Sighisoara and headed for the outskirts.
They were not heading to Amakusa's church or their own villa. They had accepted the Assyrian Empress's invitation to view her domain: the Noble Phantasm she was most proud of, the "Hanging Gardens of Babylon."
It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
This was the ideal battlefield Amakusa had chosen for his grand plan, the fortress from which the Red Faction would launch their assault against the Black Faction.
As for Elizabeth, after some consideration, Souya decided against bringing her along. He left her at his villa, deploying a familiar to contact him once she awoke.
He made this decision primarily due to concerns about the Black Assassin being rescued by the Caster suspected to be Merlin. He also felt that Elizabeth's abilities and personality were entirely unsuited for the battlefield.
Furthermore, she lacked the foundational class framework necessary for combat. As an entity akin to a Phantom, she was better off staying in Sighisoara, safely protected by Morgan's Bounded Field.
Having finalized their plans, Souya and Morgan dropped the Bounded Field and departed the town, leaving behind heavily damaged plazas and streets.
Meanwhile, after reuniting with Sisigou, Mordred also chose to leave the town, retreating to their graveyard base on the outskirts to recuperate.
"I have to say, Master, you were pretty manly back there."
Deep within the underground crypt, Mordred absentmindedly tossed a skull—likely belonging to the crypt's original occupant—while watching Sisigou bandage his wounds.
During the battle against Carmilla, Sisigou had exhausted all his preparations except for his ultimate "Secret Treasure." Facing the bombardment from Fiore's Mystic Code and interference from evil spirits summoned by Caules, he had inevitably sustained injuries.
If he hadn't used wind magecraft to rapidly shift cover and kite his enemies, he would have suffered massive losses against the combined assault of the Yggdmillennia siblings and the Black Faction homunculi.
"If you want to praise me for being cool, you can just say so directly." Sisigou, knowing she was referring to him continuing to supply her with mana despite his own dire situation, smirked and replied jokingly.
"Hah?! You are awfully confident, Master. With that face of yours, you'd only scare girls away. You have absolutely nothing to do with 'cool.'" Mordred didn't hold back, blatantly roasting him.
Sisigou didn't take offense. He just chuckled and finished wrapping his bandages.
Thanks to this banter, Mordred's previously awkward mood finally dissipated. After thinking for a moment, she asked:
"So, Master, what is our next move? Do we continue hiding in this dump waiting for the Black and Red factions to weaken each other, or do we take the fight to them proactively?"
Hearing Mordred ask about business, Sisigou lifted his head. He stared at the flickering, dim light of the crypt for a moment before speaking.
"Well... originally, I planned to take advantage of their clash to sneak into the Black Faction's territory and snatch a few things, or maybe even extract the Holy Grail. But after tonight's battles, I believe you have witnessed their strength firsthand."
Mordred instantly recalled the Black Archer, Chiron, who had fought her to a standstill in close combat bare-handed. Although she hadn't used her full strength, those brief exchanges were enough to cement his power in her mind.
If one Archer was this formidable, the other enemy Servants wouldn't be weak either.
Nodding gravely, Mordred replied, "You're right. As Servants, those guys definitely have skill. We cannot underestimate them."
Realizing something, she looked at Sisigou again. "So, Master? Does that mean we stick to the original plan?"
Despite trying to hide it, Sisigou clearly heard the disappointment and frustration in her tone.
As the Treacherous Knight, she never feared strong enemies; fighting them only fueled her courage. Moreover, with her Royal Mother Morgan present on the battlefield, even if she didn't say it aloud, Sisigou knew this rebellious kid desperately wanted to prove herself in front of her.
As her Master, he naturally wouldn't let her expectations fall flat.
Sisigou smiled and firmly rejected the idea. "Of course not. After tonight, I realize that playing it entirely safe will not yield results. Since this is a Holy Grail War, we must adapt our strategy accordingly."
Mordred's eyes lit up. She looked at Sisigou with anticipation. "Then we are going to?!"
"We are going to Trifas to participate in this Holy Grail War openly," Sisigou grinned, raising a finger.
"Hell yeah! Awesome! Master!"
Getting the answer she wanted, Mordred leaped up in joy, clapping Sisigou hard on the back. "That's the spirit! Master, this proves you are worthy of being Mordred's Master!"
"Cough, cough!"
Taking the full brunt of a palm strike fueled by A-rank Strength, Sisigou's already pale face from his injuries turned a shade greener.
But to avoid dampening her enthusiasm, he forced himself to agree. "Cough... of course. Since I summoned you, I must consider your feelings as well."
"Then let us not waste any time. Let's find a vehicle and head to Trifas immediately."
"A vehicle?" Mordred paused, looking at him suspiciously. "Hey, Master, didn't you say you were out of money? How are you going to get a vehicle? Borrow one?"
Sisigou smiled mysteriously and raised a finger. "You will see in a moment."
Half an hour later, Mordred watched speechlessly with crossed arms as Sisigou shattered the window of a car parked on the street with his elbow, then expertly hotwired the engine.
"So, Master, your brilliant idea is to steal a car off the street?"
"When a magus does it, it isn't stealing," Sisigou chuckled. He slid into the driver's seat of the running car and waved at Mordred. "Come on, Saber. We are going to Trifas."
"Sigh. I really don't know what to do with you." Seeing Sisigou totally unapologetic, Mordred sighed helplessly. Then, brimming with excitement, she squeezed into the driver's seat, shoving Sisigou into the passenger side.
"Whatever, move over! Let me try driving this thing!"
"Hey, hey! Hold on, Saber! Do you even know how to drive? Do you even have the Riding skill?!" Sisigou questioned frantically.
His doubts instantly turned into pure despair as Mordred floored the gas pedal, accelerating wildly while yelling:
"What the hell is Riding?! I don't know!"
The next moment, the car shot forward like a loose arrow, speeding off in the exact opposite direction of Trifas.