Can Caster Face Saber Directly?

Choosing the Matou family as a temporary residence wasn't a spontaneous decision but one made after careful consideration.

When a Magus selects a location, the first thing they consider is the leyline aspect. As one of the three founding families, the Matou residence was naturally built on a leyline foundation. Although not as good as the Tohsaka family's, it was more than sufficient for Naoki.

Additionally, from a geographical perspective, the Matou family was located on the outskirts of Miyama-cho, Fuyuki City, far from the new downtown area, the current core of the Holy Grail War.

Lastly, this place was quite hidden.

Since Kiritsugu blew up Fuyuki Hotel, almost all groups were now focusing their attention on Shinto, and not many would pay attention to the Matou family in the mountains and dense forests. The Matou family was already a fallen Magus family, destroyed by Arthur in one move. Even the friendly Tohsaka family wouldn't pay much attention to this side.

In other words, everyone was now fighting in the midlane, while Naoki sneaked to the side and started stealing the lane.

Of course, Naoki actually had another purpose in choosing the Matou family.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Since Arthur had once broken into the house, all the Matou family's defensive structures were destroyed, including the main gate. The iron gate was severely damaged, and the main door of the mansion was also shattered into pieces.

After being supported by Arthur into the house, Naoki stopped and shouted into the dark house: "Are you there? Kariya?"

Yes, it was Kariya.

This was another purpose of Naoki's visit to the Matou family. Although he had rejected Kariya's request for cooperation, since Kariya had joined the war, Naoki might as well make some use of him.

However, after the shout echoed for dozens of seconds, there was no response at all.

Naoki sighed: "He's not here? That means he didn't use this place as his base. Take me to the basement, Arthur."

"The basement? The worm pit?"

"Correct."

"Master, I don't recommend going there. Although I killed all the insects there, their bodies are still present. You might not be able to handle it."

The entire basement was filled with insects. Even Arthur would find it hard to accept such a disgusting sight, let alone Naoki.

Holding Arthur's hand, Naoki smiled and said, "Did you forget that I can't see anything right now? The basement should be the place closest to the Matou family's leyline. I'll go there to set up a simple Magecraft barrier. I can't do much to protect it otherwise."

Today was the second day of the Holy Grail War, and Kayneth had also given him his second Magusc lesson. Although Kayneth wanted to follow the steps, at Naoki's strong request, he changed the teaching content to basic barrier Magecraft.

"I'm really lucky that I worked hard all day to memorize a few simple barrier layout methods."

Seeing Naoki's relieved expression, Arthur couldn't help but ask curiously: "Why does Master want to become a Magus?"

"Huh? What's this? Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"I'm just a little curious. Master doesn't seem like someone very interested in Magecraft. Why do you want to become a Magus?"

Why become a Magus?

Naoki smiled and said, "There's no special reason, it's just for my own selfish wish."

"A wish?"

"Arthur... your Masters in the previous two Holy Grail Wars were probably all great Magus, right?"

Was this really a good thing?

Certainly, Sajou Manaka was the Root Princess. Although Sajou Ayaka wasn't as great as Manaka, she gradually grew into a mature Magus through battle.

But what about Naoki?

"I should say... I want to compete with you. Since your previous Masters were all such great people, I can't be worse than them. Even if I can't support you in the Holy Grail War, I can't hold you back."

At this point, Naoki scratched his ear with a bit of embarrassment: "That's the reason, very selfish and boring, right? Laugh if you want!"

"How could I laugh at you, Master?" Arthur stroked Naoki's hair. "I feel very proud and honored that Master has such awareness. This time, Master is you. Perhaps this is the reason you summoned me."

"Oh...oh...you better understand—and don't touch my head! Do you think I'm a child?"

Pushing Arthur's hand away, Naoki was about to step further into the room, but as he moved forward, a sudden chill ran from his back to the top of his head. He abruptly stopped mid-step and pulled his foot back!

Someone!

At the same time, Arthur suddenly appeared in front of Naoki, extending his hand to stop him while holding his holy sword: "Be careful, Master, I can sense a Servant's presence."

"Eh....."

Naoki nodded, still shocked. At that moment, he truly felt that he would die if he took another step forward! Although there was nothing in front of him, his body kept warning him not to move forward.

And the next moment, a woman's voice suddenly rang in his ears.

"Huh? You didn't step into it?"

"—!"

Behind him—as he realized this, Naoki instinctively wanted to turn around, but before he could move, Arthur grabbed his hand and hugged him, while the holy sword slashed backward in an instant!

*SWOOSH!*

The slash swept forward in a flash! Most of the already ruined Matou residence was destroyed in one sweep!

However, compared to the shattered Matou residence, the figure that emerged from the smoke and dust not far away seemed embedded in the ground, unmoving even after being directly hit by the holy sword.

"Yes, that's the power of the Holy Sword, but it's a bit strange. Its power is slightly stronger than what I remember. Without using Invisible Air, the Holy Sword itself doesn't have such a long attack range."

A woman's voice, tinged with doubt, reached the ears of the two men. When Arthur heard this voice, his eyes trembled, and his body tensed even more.

"Saber?"

Noticing Arthur's change, even though he couldn't see, Naoki couldn't help but look in the direction of the voice. As the smoke and dust gradually cleared, the owner of the voice appeared before them.

A beautiful black dress, long white hair like moonlight, a black crown, red tattoos on her chest and waist—though her face was covered by a black veil and her true form couldn't be seen, and even blocked by defensive Magecraft, based on these features alone, Arthur could still recognize the identity of the person—or Servant—before him.

"Morgan..."