The First Night of the Holy Grail War

After wandering around Fuyuki Central Park, Naoki and Arthur headed to the harbor. Since it was the main location of the first night, Naoki wanted to gather as much information as possible about the situation at the harbor, and also wanted to cause trouble for Kiritsugu.

With Morgan's assistance, Kiritsugu, who originally could only use ordinary thermal weapons, might now pose a threat to the Servants. Additionally, given his fighting style, it would be best to consider him another Assassin.

After instructing Arthur to keep an eye on several cranes and hoists at the harbor, the two returned home—in fact, there was also the Einzbern Castle he wanted to visit, but upon closer inspection, there were barriers around the castle, and he couldn't find it or enter. After all, what happened there basically had nothing to do with Naoki. It was mainly about Kiritsugu, Kayneth, and Kirei.

What? The Banquet of the Three Kings?

Don't joke around, what could Naoki do wherever he went? Isn't the plot that every fanfic must increase his popularity at the same time? And the one there was Morgan, if Arthur were brought there, wouldn't it turn into the Camelot Album?

Moreover, it was still unknown whether the Banquet of the Three Kings would even take place.

Therefore, unless necessary, Naoki would not approach Einzbern Castle.

"That means there's nothing to do from now until night."

After returning home, Naoki glanced at the clock on the wall.

"Arthur, I'll take a nap for tonight's action. You can wake me up around ten."

"No problem. But is sleeping okay? Won't the curse take effect?"

Manaka's curse was a Magecraft that only activated when Naoki fell asleep. The level of torment was determined by the intimacy between Naoki and Arthur during the time of sleep. It was an extremely personal Magecraft. Perhaps Manaka was the only person in the world who could develop such a boring Magecraft.

When the curse was mentioned, Naoki shivered, then he forced himself to calm down and said, "It's fine. Look, I slept for three days before and nothing happened. Maybe this time will be the same. Just stay calm and stay by my side."

"Alright..."

'Merlin, please protect Master this time.'

All Arthur could do was hope that Merlin's magic would remain as useful as ever, and not fail at critical moments like before, calling it a test.

Tests are indeed for heroes, but Arthur didn't want his Master to follow the same path he had taken in the past. Living in such a peaceful era, Naoki didn't need to become a hero.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Day soon turned to night.

In a corner of Fuyuki Harbor, Arthur looked at Naoki, who was pale, while holding onto a container and asked worriedly: "Are you really okay, Master? Why don't we go back tonight? You're in this condition..."

"No... it's fine. It's just a curse of this level. I'm almost... almost used to it."

As he said this, Naoki's legs were still trembling.

Yes, the curse struck again, and it was even stronger than before. Manaka, the yandere, immediately took today's outing between Naoki and Arthur as a date. As soon as Naoki closed his eyes, the girl pulled him into a dream and shattered him again. When he woke up, he was in a mess and drenched in cold sweat.

However, the technique of Merlin, which Arthur had high hopes for, had no effect this time, and the flower mark never appeared on Naoki's forehead.

Arthur was sure that this technique would only take effect if Naoki's soul could no longer endure it. If he could endure, the technique wouldn't activate. It was truly a technique that perfectly matched Merlin's personality.

Arthur was helpless against this and could only take care of Naoki as best as he could.

After leaning against the container and catching his breath for a moment, Naoki asked, "How's the situation at the harbor? Did you sense anything?"

"I could sense it without even trying. The fighting spirit he's radiating is almost provocative. He must be very confident in his abilities, just as you expected, Master." Arthur praised, "But Master, you even guessed that he would be at the harbor."

"It's just a simple process of elimination. The first rule of the Holy Grail War is that it must not be exposed. The harbor is far from the city, no one would come at night, and the terrain is open, so it's the most suitable place to be a battlefield on the first night."

Although there were many containers, for the Servants, the containers were just cardboard boxes, so it was fine to say that the harbor was open terrain.

Naoki took out a telescope and glanced at several cranes and hoists in the distance, but he didn't see Kiritsugu. The other party hadn't taken any action yet.

"It's fine. It's better to end the plan before the situation worsens. Otherwise, things might change. – Saber, please."

"Understood, Master should also be careful."

Arthur turned into his spiritual form and disappeared in front of Naoki, quickly heading toward the direction where a strong fighting spirit was continuously radiating from the harbor.

Covering his chest, Naoki also disappeared into the darkness.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

At the harbor, in an open space near the ship, Arthur materialized, glancing at the deserted road and shouting, "How about you stop hiding? Since you're showing your fighting spirit without fear, why not come out cleanly, Lancer."

"Oh? You already know my identity even before I appear."

Under the shadow of a container, a Servant holding two weapons, one long and one short, walked toward Arthur.

"Why do you think it's me, Lancer? Or maybe it could be Assassin?"

"My Master is capable of predicting situations unexpectedly." Arthur said proudly, once again praising Naoki's predictive abilities. So far, his Master had guessed almost everything related to the Holy Grail War.

Lancer smiled and said, "It seems you have a very good Master, very good. It's a pity I can't announce my name when I have Saber as my opponent. It's a shame I'm bound by such regrets."

"But that doesn't stop us from competing against each other."

"Exactly."

After performing a few weapon dances and striking a somewhat odd pose, Lancer's eyes were instantly filled with ferocity and killing intent.

The next moment—

*CLANG!*

The spear and the invisible sword suddenly collided, and the impact and sound instantly shattered the silence of the harbor at night.