The Third Holy Grail War (Part 4)

"Hmm."

"Seems like they were both instantly killed by long-range attacks." Darnic crouched down and examined the frozen corpse of Isaac. "They didn't even get a chance to counterattack. The Master was taken out in one hit, and the Servant was most likely sniped by Archer."

"We can plainly see that." Annelia frowned in displeasure and crossed her arms below her perky chest. "So tell us something useful or you should just keep your mouth shut over the obvious and useless details."

She was clearly irritated by the temporary ceasefire. The four Servants have returned earlier, and under the still-fighting Masters' shocked faces, told them that a battle have probably happened in the city and there's a high chance that a Servant or Master was defeated.

They have agreed to stop fighting for a short while to go and investigate the location where the explosions came from. However, all that they discovered was a headless body and what seemed to be the evidences of a disappeared Servant.

They would not know for sure that a Servant have died here since they were not in possession of the Lesser Grail, but they could be sure that the man who died was actually a participant of the Holy Grail War because they saw Command Seal-like bruises on the back of his hand.

"This is worrisome... Someone is taking us out when we're off guard." Darnic decided to speak up at this moment. "I propose an alliance. We can help each other to take out the dishonorable Master and Servant before we officially start the war. How is it?"

Ignoring the Masters, the four present Servants were all either knights or rulers. They have a standard level of conscience and honor, meaning that they would not betray someone or use dirty tactics unless they were commanded or were in the most critical situations.

"I agree. I do not feel safe knowing that someone is targeting ours back while we are fighting against each other." Kaito frowned and nodded. He didn't like teaming up with a stranger, but he felt more threatened by an unknown sniper who summoned an Archer-class Servant.

"No, I disagree." Eineline stated in disdain. "I will not be in an alliance with the likes of you." She turned around as if the two men weren't even in her vision. "We have had enough tonight. Let us return to our residences, Annelia." She glanced at her sister and then started walking away with the black knight following behind her.

The younger sister merely stared at her elder sister's receding figure. "Yes. We have had enough tonight... Let's go home, Saber." Annelia frowned since she felt like she was following Eineline's orders. Nevertheless, there was no reason to stay here anymore.

"At your will." The younger Lancelot gave Boudica a noble salute and moved to escort his Master.

"There they go." Darnic was provoked. The pair of sisters have foiled his plan. If they have agreed to cooperate, he was going to take out the three other Servants, and then work with Kaito to defeat the two Sabers. He then could simply stab the Makiri Master in the back and seize the Chalice of Heaven.

Although Darnic was vexed by the Edelfelt sisters acts, he did manage to suppress the boiling emotions from showing on his face. The two young women just have to make this Holy Grail War much more complicated for him, and he might even need to call in the Nazi death squads from Tokyo.

"Since the two sisters do not want to form an alliance, how about we help each other? We'll defeat the other Servants first, and then we will have a fair duel between our Servants. So, what do you say?" Darnic smiled and asked Kaito.

"...I am fine with that." The blue-haired man nodded. "However, I will only work with you at nighttime. We'll meet each other at this location, but I will call this alliance off if one of us were to be late." He pulled out a note from his pocket and scribbled it with a pen he took out from another.

Darnic took the note. He scanned the paper for any signs of tampering and then nodded. "All right. See you at 6 p.m." Finishing the sentence, he smiled for one last time and made his way away from the wrecked streets.

-x-X-x-

"Please come in."

"Ruler." Liliyasviel knocked on the door and entered her Servant's room. The Asian man was performing his daily prayer. He was knelt on the ground and a cross necklace was held in his hand.

Amakusa Shirou rise from the floor and gently smiled. "What can I help you with, Master?"

"I have received a response from the Lesser Grail." The homunculus stared at the smiling man and stated. "The Servant who you have engaged yesterday night, Assassin, has perished."

"Oh?" Ruler raised his brows in surprise. "The Master of Assassin still has two Command Seals left. Shouldn't he have used them in order to escape from whoever that tried to attack them?"

"I do not know." Liliyasviel shook her head. "He must have died before he had the chance to use a Command Seal."

"An instant death." Amakusa Shirou narrowed his eyes and frowned. "I see, we have a pair of finer and more careful assassins amidst the participants. You'll have to hole up in this residence in the future or you may be the one to be ambushed next, Master."

"I understand."

-x-X-x-

"I am staying home today, Archer. Please patrol the city tonight and only attack a Servant when you can deal a fatal blow." I put my Mystic Code back onto the table and turned to my Servant.

"Alright. Please be careful, Master." Sunlight came through the windows as its light further amplified Arash's grave expression.

"I will, I will. You don't have to worry about me." I chuckled and Arash slowly nodded before exiting my workshop.

Hnhn. What a great Servant, checking on me if I was injured. I am safe, my suicide boy, now go out and land a few lucky shots for me. I can't wait for the sweet, sweet Noble Phantasm from one of the Servants.

What? It's daytime? Who do you think I am? I am an evil man, a villain who doesn't mind attacking another Master in broad daylight, especially not since I know most of them will be more relaxed.

To be honest, I do not care if Magecraft were to be exposed. We can just blame it on the Nazis while the Church and the Mage's Association take care of the cover-up. Sure, the aftermath will not be pretty. Some innocent bystanders might have their memories erased or killed for knowing too much, but that's not my problem, is it?

Ah, yes. It's all thanks to Assassin's Personal Skill. [Information Erasure] is such a beautiful thing. Thank you, Jackie, for the magnificent Skill... What? It's not hers since it belongs to one of the nineteen Hassans? No, I do not care. I'd like to thank the psychopathic little girl rather than the anti-social midget.

...Umu, no matter how many times I examine it, this bow is so ravishing and gorgeous. No, I am not comparing it to a female, I am simply appreciating the creation of an A-Rank Skill.

Moonlight Falling

Rank: -

Type: -

Classification: Mystic Code

Effect: Arrow creation, projectile acceleration, air resistance lessening

Prerequisite: Only Fenric von Leiqritus

Description: A purple and black bow designed and created by a famous Heroic Spirit. Mana arrows can be materialized using its wielder's magical energy and the cost is incredibly low, causing even the weakest Mages to be able to produce hundreds of arrows. All fired projectiles will be accelerated and air resistance will be greatly reduced.

I am not replacing my gun with this bow, at least not right now. I am still better with Desperate and Moonlight Falling relies more on its wielder's physical capabilities. Despite the acceleration, a normal arrow travels way slower than my rifle's bullet since it's not enchanted by the Elements.

I will only start using this bow when my physical parameters reach 10 times of a normal human's.

Reflexes beyond human logic. Flexibility which allows the body to fly in critical situations. Vision which allows me to observe and learn quickly in certain situations. Thorough understanding of the human body. Critical thinking in highly pressured environments and executing tactics others wouldn't even be able to think of. Adaptability allowing me to perfect a difficult movement in just one try etc.

At that time, my arrows will definitely hit harder than the force of a bullet and magical arrows will also have more piercing power.

Look at how beautiful it is. It's purple and black, and it's like an unique gemstone that does not reflect any light. Then for now... Let me just caress this bow... Hehehehehehe- No, I am just kidding. I do not have so much free time to stroke this... beauty.

I still need to do gun maintenance and monitor the other Masters and Servants. Most of them should be alerted and discovered that I have ambushed Isaac and Assassin. [Information Erasure] should have also kicked in and erased my involvements.

However, I have a bad premonition. It's as if some perverted woman was stalking me... Although it only happened for half a minute after I pulled the trigger, I must have surely been spotted.

I have got to say, the feeling of being watched by a pervert is hair-chilling. I think I finally understand the plight of Gudao... But it shouldn't be Kiyohime, Brynhildr, or Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

I do not know if they can be summoned in the Caster class, nonetheless, I wouldn't have been their target because they'd only care about their own Master and not me... Though there are many other depraved and immoral Casters... such as Medea's obsession towards Artoria. Ah, did I perhaps just jinxed myself?

In any case, I'll obediently stay put and watch over our little home. Good luck, Arash~

-x-X-x-

Tokyo, Japan.

A hidden war raged on as soldiers in grey and khaki traded bullets with each other. A Japanese sniper spotted a German officer yelling at his subordinates. He quickly took aim and hit the shouting man in the head.

Tens of meters away, a German marksman saw his commander getting shot. He followed the trail of bullet and muzzle flash, and found the building where the sniper hid. He raised his bolt-action rifle and a lead round found its way into the Japanese sniper's head.

Despite the exchange being in the capital of Japan, the sounds of gun fires didn't alert the sleeping citizens since the allied Mages hired by Darnic managed to erect a Bounded Field that dispels excess noises and repels any random passerby.

A squad of Nazis took up position in a four-story building and a machine gun nest was swiftly established. A hail of bullets rained down on the unsuspecting soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army and almost twenty Japanese soldiers were killed.

All of a sudden, three nearby buildings exploded as the Magi decided to join the chaos. Earth spikes, wind blades, ice spears, fireballs, and many other spells were throw around, decimating an entire company of 120 Japanese soldiers.

However, the Mages aren't completely invisible. Grenades and machine gun fire assaulted the group of six powerful men, forcing them to change their focus to defense. The Germans responded by putting down suppressive fire and creating a retreat route for the Magi.

"Keeping holding them back!" One of the Mages ordered. He stepped out from his cover and produced multiple earth spikes, impaling multiple Japanese enemies. "We must keep them from approaching Fuyuki City at any cost!"

"""Sir, yes sir!""" The German soldiers cried out in affirmative and continued firing their guns.

CRASH!

A tank with the symbol of the rising sun crashed out of a building and took aim on the lone Magus. A tank shell was launched, and it impacted on a earth wall the shocked man hurriedly erected. It penetrated the soft earth and the metal projectile burst through the Mage body, instantly killing him.

"Dammit. That idiot should've taken cover." One of the remaining Magi cursed. He peeked out and glared at the iron giant. Lifting his hand, the air below the tank heated up and flames surrounded the metallic machine. Another Mage came out of hiding and pointed his hand at the vehicle's hatch.

Screams came out of the Japanese tank. The crew tried to open the hatch but it didn't budge at all. The soldiers within the tank could only wail and stare in horror as they were cooked alive by the flames.

Mortars round rained down on the Germans and tens of soldiers died yet again. The Japanese reinforcement has arrived. A group of men came out of a corner and hurled tens of grenades at the Mages' shelter.

A Magus with blonde hair glanced at the explosive devices and snorted with contempt in his eyes. He manipulated the wind and the grenades bounced back to the group of Japanese soldiers before detonating.

Rounds of bullets were exchanged continuously and many headed towards the Mages. The blonde man exclaimed in shock and quickly took cover. Unfortunately, he was hit in the shoulder, causing the man to groan in pain.

"Gustav, are you still not ready?!" The blonde Mage shouted in frustration. He actually got shot... No, he wouldn't mind taking a hit because he knew the risk of this mission. However, his worthless pride just couldn't accept that the one who successfully harmed him was an ordinary man.

"I'm ready, now!" A black-haired man replied. He has heavy eye bags and his complexion was extremely pale. Despite the cliché appearance, he was a man who specializes in Spiritual Evocation, Summoning, and Necromancy.

His Magic Circuits flared up and formless shadows materialized in the center of the war zone. They were malicious spirits and ghosts, supernatural beings that are extremely effective against the common men. And the reason is because-

"Argh! W-What?" A Japanese officer screamed in shock as his pistol rounds passed through the shades without harming them. The ghosts then rushed at the man and passed through his body, causing him to crumble down. A nearby subordinate quickly ran to him and check for any signs of life. However, the man was no longer breathing.

He was dead.

That's right. These spirits are formless. They aren't exactly immune to modern and conventional weapons, but most of the physical damages are negated by their special nature. On the other hand, they are exceedingly weak against magical attacks. Unless they are of the higher tier summons, most of them would die in a few Single-Action spells.

Having tasted their first blood, the shadows screeched in delight and raced towards the other Japanese soldiers. The terrifying creatures wrecked havoc amongst their formation, causing massive casualties to the Imperial Japanese Army.

Just when the German soldiers and Magi were about to smile in victorious, artillery barrage rained down on them and wiped out half of the men on the east side. The stream of death bombarded their position repeatedly and even more Germans lost their lives.

"Oh god..." A soldier prayed. They have forgotten... forgotten that this was foreign territory. Enemy reinforcements could be sent and arrive at moment. They wouldn't be able to have a break or a triumphant laugh-

Because they were in the capital of Japan.

As if announcing their appearance, several tanks crashed through the residential buildings and fired at the group of five Mages. The wounded blonde man was immediately killed, and the necromancer luckily survived thanks to his comrade protecting him with a spell.

This was a battlefield. A war zone. No one could be absolutely safe in this hell on earth. Not the soldiers. Not the commanding officers. Not the war veterans. Not the tank crew inside an iron giant. And not even the powerful magic-wielding Magi. No one. Absolutely no one. Is safe in the arena of war.

'-What chaos... I hope the that the Führer is right about this one... We even had to invade our future ally in order to complete this mission.' A German officer sighed and watched the scene of carnage.

He has the rank of Oberst, which is equivalent to Colonel, and he was supposed to be the one to lead this secret operation. However, he knew that the ones who actually have any authority here are the ones who called themselves 'Magi.'

He simply hope that the soldiers sacrificed here could help his country in its advance. Didn't they start this war with the purpose of acquiring more land and making their nation more prosper? But this... is it truly worth it to sacrifice the young ones to better their country...?