Another One Down

TYPE-MOON Universe, Earth, Japan, Fuyuki City. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Saber asked while looking at Tatsuo in the rear view mirror. 

Currently, Tatsuo, Saber, Illyasviel, Sella, and Leysritt were riding in Illyasviel's Rolls-Royce Phantom, with Saber in the driver's seat, towards the Grand Hyatt Hotel. And just as Saber said, Tatsuo was glaring at Saber through her reflection in the car's rear view mirror. 

However, Tatsuo did not respond to Saber's question. Instead, he only continued to glare while pouting at the blonde King of Knights. 

Meanwhile, Illyasviel could not help but giggle when she saw Tatsuo's and Saber's back and forth. Sella joined her mistress in giggling, as well. As for Leysritt, she only stared blankly out of the front passenger seat's window. 

"I think it's rather obvious why he's looking at you like that." Illyasviel replied in Tatsuo's place. "It was obvious how much he wanted to drive the car, after all. Yet, you and your Master took that opportunity away from him." 

"I see." Saber replied with an understanding nod. "But as I said, this was the safest option." 

"Hmph!" Tatsuo snorted like the fifteen year old he was. Then, he activated [Maiestas Divina] to phase through the vehicle before shifting into his astral form and speeding ahead to the hotel. 

"That was kinda cute." Illyasviel said after Tatsuo disappeared from the inside of the car. "I wonder how old he was before he died in his time. He acts even younger than I am." 

No one had an answer to Illyasviel's question. As a result, the rest of the ride to the hotel proceeded in silence. 

Meanwhile, Tatsuo quickly reached the Grand Hyatt. However, instead of heading inside, he scaled the side of the hotel as quickly as he could. And when he reached the roof, he found Lancer standing there with a pair of binoculars held to his face and looking in the direction where the Phantom was approaching from. 

"You know, a telescope would be better when it comes to watching the stars." Tatsuo said as shifted back into his physical for while he approached Lancer from behind. 

Spinning around quickly, Lancer lowered the binoculars while simultaneously materializing his spear in his right hand. 

"Tch! What are you doing here?" Lancer asked as he let the binoculars fall to the roof. 

"Oh, you know... Just taking a walk." Tatsuo replied with a shrug. 

"Sure, you are." Lancer said skeptically. "I'm guessing you noticed that the Einzbern girl was traveling with Saber, too. You probably wanted to get the drop on them like I did." 

"Nope." Tatsuo replied casually. "Actually, that girl is Lici's guest tonight. As for Saber, you don't need to know about her. But I can tell you, she hasn't made a new contract with her." 

"Hmph! And why should I believe you?" Lancer replied while relaying the conversation to Bazett over their telepathic link. 

"Honestly..." Tatsuo said as he materialized his modified trench knives in his hands. "Whether you believe me or not doesn't matter to me. But I did actually have another reason for coming up here other than a walk." 

"Oh? And what is that?" Lancer asked. 

*Clang!* 

Before replying, Tatsuo rushed forward and swung his knife at Lancer's throat with a smile on his face. Yet, Lancer reacted quickly and blocked the attack with the shaft of his spear. 

"Well, since we're alone, I thought I'd take the opportunity to repay you for that sneak attack you tried a little while ago. I wanted to do it back then, but you ran away too fast." 

"Ha! You think too highly of yourself, Kid." Lancer said as he shifted the angle of his spear, causing Tatsuo's blade to slide towards its tip. "You're out of your league here." 

"I doubt that." Tatsuo replied before bending his back. 

*Swoosh!* 

Just as Tatsuo bent backwards, the butt of Lancer's spear passed by where his head used to be. Tatsuo then performed a backhand spring while flinging his feet at Lancer's chin. However, Lancer was able to tilt his head out of the way. 

Unfortunately, because he was standing near the edge of the roof, Lancer was unable to step back. As a result, he was unable to establish a proper distance before Tatsuo rushed forward again. 

Even so, with his skill at handling his spear, Lancer did not fall into a disadvantage. Instead, he slowly managed to push Tatsuo back, gaining himself enough space to maneuver without the fear of falling to the street below. 

'He's not quite as good as the Lancer in James' Peerage.' Tatsuo thought to himself while he exchanged blows with the Lancer-Servant in front of him. 'But he's definitely much more experienced. And that shows by how fast he was able to gain himself some room.' 

While Tatsuo was thinking about the difference between the two versions of Cu Chulainn he had met, Lancer quickly stepped back to reach his preferred fighting range. All the while, he was reporting to Bazett about what was going on. And she was rushing up to the roof to possibly help her Servant if necessary. 

As soon as Lancer had the distance to use his spearmanship to the fullest, his spear shot out, its tip aimed at Tatsuo's heart. 

*Clang!* 

However, before the attack could connect, Tatsuo twisted his body and punched at the spearhead with the blades covering the fingers on his right hand. Then, using the momentum, he continued his spin and trapped the spear's shaft between his right arm and torso. 

"What the?" Lancer exclaimed in confusion. 

However, instead of receiving an answer, Lancer was forced to release his spear with his left hand to deflect the backhanded stab Tatsuo threw at his heart. 

"What kind of crazy-ass fighting style is this?" Lancer asked as he raised his left leg to throw a kick at Tatsuo's lower back. 

However, before the kick could land, Tatsuo, after having his strange attack stopped, let go of the spear and leapt forward. Then, after performing a half-spin in the air, Tatsuo landed while facing Lancer again. 

"Oh, just something I picked up over the years." Tatsuo replied with a grin. 

"Crazy bastard." Lancer replied, a grin of his own creeping onto his face. 

With that, Lancer once again thrusted his spear forward. And once again, Tatsuo punched it to the side. However, this time, instead of doing some strange maneuver, he was forced to step back when Lancer swept the spear at his chest. 

Then, before Tatsuo could counterattack, Lancer once again thrusted his spear forward. And like that, the two continued to exchange blows, the speed and intensity of their exchanges growing as time passed. 

Meanwhile, Elicia was sitting with Zelretch in the living room of the suite she was sharing with Tatsuo and Saber. And while Zelretch was drinking a cup of tea, Elicia was using her [Thread Magic] to cut and sew the clothing she had quickly designed for the Wizard Martial. 

"Hmm... It looks like Assassin is having fun." Elicia said in a sing-song tone while working. 

"So, it would seem." Zelretch replied as he lowered the teacup onto the table. "But I'm curious to know, just how did he know Lancer was up there. Most Assassins don't have Skills that would let them sense a target from as far away as he did before he slipped out of the car." 

"Oh, I forgot you said you've never seen either of us before." Elicia replied without looking up from her work. "You'd understand right away if I told you his real identity. But I'll keep that to myself for now. But I can tell you this, he's skilled enough with Magecraft to qualify as a Caster-Servant, too. In fact, he qualifies for all the normal Classes other than Rider." 

"Hmm... That actually narrows it down a lot." Zelretch replied while stroking his beard. "But there are still a few Servants I have to consider in that case. Oh... It looks like the Lancer's Master has arrived on the rooftop. Do you intend to step in?" 

"Nah." Elicia replied casually. "Assassin will be fine." 

Though her tone was casual, Zelretch noticed that Elicia was sending more magical energy through the connection she had with Tatsuo. However, he did feel as though the energy he could feel from Elicia was a bit different than what he was used to. Even so, he decided he would not delve to deeply into her secrets. 

'If I get too nosey, she might not let her Servant cook for me.' Zelretch thought to himself as he picked up his teacup to take another sip. 

*Clang!* *Clang* *Clang!* *Thud!* *Clang!* *Swish!* *Swish!* *Clang!* 

And just as Zelretch said, Bazett had just reached the hotel's rooftop and pushed the door open. And when she did, she saw Tatsuo and Lancer exchanging blows and destroying the hotel's roof while they were at it. 

However, instead of marveling at the display of skill the two Servants were putting on, she activated the [Runes] all over her body and rushed into the fight. 

Knowing that Bazett was coming already, Tatsuo was ready when she threw a jab at the back of his head. So, while pushing Lancer's spear to his left with his right hand, he made a quarter turn, allowing Bazett's punch to pass just in front of his nose. 

Tatsuo then reached out to grab Bazett's wrist to throw her into Lancer. However, before he could, Bazett pulled her arm back as quickly as she could. 

At the same time, Lancer drew his spear back, as well. Then, he swept its head at Tatsuo's legs. 

Hopping straight up to avoid the sweep, Tatsuo twisted his body to avoid Bazett's follow-up kick. Then, he lashed his leg in her direction. 

*Bang!* 

"Urgh!" Bazett grunted as Tatsuo's heel landed on her arms, which she used to block the kick. 

Despite the fact that Bazett was able to get her arms up in defense just in time, she was sent flying from the force behind Tatsuo's kick. Unfortunately for her, the fight was taking place close enough to the edge of the hotel's roof that if nothing were done, she would be sent falling to her death. 

"Shit! Bazett!" Lancer shouted, cancelling the thrust he had prepared. 

As it turned out, the timing of Tatsuo's kick was a God send. Because not only Was Tatsuo at risk of being stabbed by Lancer's spear, Lancer was also gathering his mana to invoke the curse on his spear and unleash his [Noble Phantasm], [Barbed Spear that Pierces with Death]. However, with Bazett's predicament, Lancer was forced to move to save her instead of attacking. 

Then, just as Bazett flew over the edge of the hotel's roof, Lancer's hand reached out and caught her by the arm. However, he did not look happy when he did. Instead, he wore a wry smile. And the reason for that was simple. 

As soon as Lancer had a tight grip on Bazett's arm, he felt the sharp tip of a dagger pressed against the back of his neck. 

"I guess this is the end, huh?" Lancer said in a somewhat disappointed tone. "Well, it was fun while it lasted. I mean, the modern world is much more interesting than my era, especially with all the technological advances." 

"Yeah, things are pretty cool in this era." Tatsuo replied, sounding as if this was his first time in a modern city. "Honestly, it's too bad things had to end like this. I was enjoying the fight, too. But that's just how things are." 

"Yeah..." Lancer replied while looking down into Bazett's eyes. He then addressed Bazett with his next words. "Sorry, Little Lady. It looks like we're not gonnna win this time." 

Bazett, on the other hand, had a deep sadness swirling in the depths of her eyes. Not only was she going to fail her mission to win the Holy Grail, but she was also about to lose her Servant, who she had made a connection with during the time they spent together. 

"I'm sorry I wasn't a better Master." Bazett said sadly. 

"None of that." Lancer said with a smile. "I got exactly what I wanted after I was summoned. I got to fight in a few honorable fights. What more could I ask for?" 

After speaking those words with a smile, Lancer slightly turned his head to look over his shoulder. 

"Hey, do you think you could let her live?" Lancer asked casually. "I Mean, without me, she probably won't be a threat to you or your Master." 

"Oh, we never had the intention of killing her anyway." Tatsuo replied with a shrug, the tip of his knife slightly scratching the back of Lancer's neck as he did so. 

Tatsuo then raised his free hand and created a bright light that he shined down to illuminate the space below Bazett. When he did, Lancer looked down subconsciously. 

And when he did, the sight he saw dumbfounded Lancer. A moment later, Bazett, after seeing the expression on Lancer's face, also looked down. And when she did, she was just as dumbfounded. 

Because what the two saw was a large net woven from threads hanging off the side of the building to catch Bazett in case Lancer was unable to reach her in time. 

"So, are you saying that I could have just let her fall and everything would have been fine?" Lancer asked incredulously. "No, things would have been even better than fine. Because I could have continued to fight." 

"Pretty much." Tatsuo replied with another shrug. "Anyway, let's bring this to an end. I have guests to cook for. Oh, and Bazett Fraga McRemitz, you're invited to join us after this is all over, too." 

Neither Bazett nor Lancer replied immediately, both still staring blankly at the illuminated net below them. Unfortunately, Tatsuo did not want to wait. So, after rolling his eyes, he plunged his knife into the back of Lancer's neck, ending his summoning, which led to Bazett falling onto the net. 

As Bazett fell, she watched as Lancer's body began turning transparent while motes of mana floated away from his body. And although she knew he was not dying for real, she could not help it when tears started pooling in her eyes. 

"See ya next time." Lancer said as he struggled to raise the hand that just released Bazett to wave her goodbye. "It was fun." 

A moment later, Lancer's body faded away, his essence traveling towards Illyasviel where it would be stored in her heart until the end of the Holy Grail War. 

Meanwhile, Bazett fell into the net, which Elicia had woven with her magic just before she fell from the roof. 

As for Tatsuo, he shook his head while watching the motes of mana that made up Lancer's body scatter into the night's sky. Then, he turned around and started walking towards the roof's access door while Elicia used her magic to raise Bazett back to the rooftop. 

"*Sigh* There are only three Servants other than me left." Tatsuo muttered to himself just as Bazett was placed on the roof. He then turned his head to look at Bazett over his shoulder as he spoke to her at a normal volume. "Well, are you coming with me? A good meal might make you feel a little better." 

However, Tatsuo did not stop walking. If Bazett wanted to join him and the others for dinner, she would have to make that decision for herself.