Vol. 2 Chapter 49: Drag Him Out

The colossal squid-like creature lashed its tentacles, emanating an intangible but all-consuming aura of dread.

Across the river, the lights of residential homes flickered in alarm. Though it was well into the night, the disturbance was impossible to ignore. Such a bizarre phenomenon occurring under the eyes of the public was bound to cause panic.

Fortunately, thanks to the thick fog, the monster's presence remained mostly obscured—only a limited number of locations offered any clear line of sight. The ensuing panic, thus, was limited in scope. And on the embankment where Saber stood, there was no one else around.

"Is this beast… beyond Caster's control?"

The moment Saber laid eyes on the sea-demon, her instincts told her the truth.

Caster had not summoned the creature to fight for him—he had invited it here simply to wreak havoc.

He had no sense of strategy, no concept of victory. That mad Servant wasn't interested in the Grail War. He only wished to see the world burn—to see all life in this city perish.

There was no question now.

He must be stopped.

Even if it meant staking everything she had, this madman had to be eliminated—not for the sake of victory, but for the sake of the world itself.

Saber clenched her fists. Her left arm throbbed faintly—that cursed wound left by Lancer's "Gae Buidhe."

If only my left arm were uninjured…

She gritted her teeth in frustration, but shook her head quickly. A knight must never blame her condition. Even if not at her peak, she must face the battle head-on.

Suddenly, the sound of thunder boomed behind her. Saber turned and saw the chariot descend upon the embankment—its reins held by none other than the King of Conquerors, Iskandar.

"Yo, King of Knights. Lovely night, isn't it?" he called, grinning. "Although, given the circumstances, I suppose this isn't the time for small talk."

Ever as cheerful, Iskandar offered a hearty wave.

Saber remained wary, readying her stance. "Iskandar… are you here just to make jokes?"

The Conqueror waved her off. "Come now. Let's call a temporary truce. No sane warrior could ignore a beast like that and still sleep peacefully."

Saber narrowed her eyes. "...What of the other Servants?"

Iskandar scratched his chin. "Already called out to them. Lancer replied—should be arriving soon. As for the others: Assassin? I've already disposed of him. Berserker… let's not even get into that mess. Archer—oddly enough, I haven't seen that guy at all. Strange, considering how often he strutted about the city. It's like he's avoiding me today."

Saber nodded gravely, placing a hand to her armored chest. "Very well. I have no objections to fighting by your side. Conqueror, let us swear an oath—even if this alliance is only temporary."

Iskandar laughed. "Haha! I like your spirit. Still thinking clearly even in chaos, huh? Hmm? And where's that lovely lady of yours?"

"Irisviel isn't feeling well," Saber answered softly. "Besides, this battle is far too dangerous for someone like her. Our enemy tonight is a lunatic who defies all reason."

"Fair enough. A battlefield's no place for a lady," Iskandar grinned, giving a hearty slap to the scrawny youth beside him. "Thank the heavens my Master's a man! We can enjoy the thrill of war together!"

Waver winced, almost coughing blood from the force of that slap. Watching Saber nod in approval, he wanted to scream: "Miss Saber, aren't you also a woman?!"

But knowing her stubborn nature, Waver wisely chose to swallow his protest.

"Master of Rider," Saber suddenly turned to him, "what say you? Will you form a temporary alliance with us?"

Waver grimaced, but nodded. "...Einzbern, do you have any strategy? Rider said you've faced Caster before, right?"

"We have." Saber's expression hardened.

She remembered that battle in the forest. The innocent children taken hostage. And with them, a memory surfaced—

That rowdy little troublemaker back home.

If it hadn't been for Mordred… maybe those children…

No. She couldn't allow herself to dwell on it.

Saber forced the thought away. To falter now would be to doubt the path she had walked all this time.

She gathered her resolve. "Caster possesses no true magical aptitude. His ability to summon and control those monsters comes entirely from that grimoire. Therefore, we must end this quickly. That creature, for now, still relies on Caster's mana to maintain its presence. If it starts to feed and becomes self-sustaining, we'll be unable to stop it. We must strike before that happens."

"Got it. Take him down before he gets the chance to eat. But…" Iskandar frowned at the massive creature slowly drifting across the river. "...Caster's right at the center of that meatball. What do you propose we do?

From behind came a firm voice.

Carrying two cleaning spears like dual pistols, Diarmuid the Love Spot slowly emerged atop the riverbank. He was the last to arrive—since, being the only one too broke to afford a ride, he had to come on foot.

"If we can force that guy's Noble Phantasm to manifest, I can use Crimson Rose of Exorcism to shatter the ritual in one blow… Of course, he's not the type to fall for the same move twice."

Lancer laid out his plan plainly.

"Lancer, can you target Caster's Noble Phantasm and throw your spear from the bank?" asked Saber, gaze firm.

"Hmph. Something that simple? Don't underestimate a Heroic Spirit of the Lance."

With absolute confidence—and no awareness that he'd just raised a glaring death flag—Diarmuid flashed a smile.

"Alright then. Rider and I will take the front. No objections, King of Conquerors?"

"None at all. My chariot needs no road!" Iskandar laughed heartily. "And you, Saber? How do you plan to handle the enemy lurking in the water?"

Hearing this, Saber gave a smile unique to pay-to-win players.

"I am blessed by the Lady of the Lake. No water, no matter how deep or vile, can impede me."

"Ho! Now that's a rare and enviable talent," Iskandar laughed louder. "The more I see of you, the more I wish to have you under my command… But enough joking. Let me take the first strike!"

With a roar of thunder, the King of Conquerors lashed his divine bulls into a frenzied charge. His war chariot tore across the night sky with a thunderous boom, utterly ignoring the terrified screams of Waver, who had barely braced himself.

Meanwhile, Saber nodded once at Lancer, then took a step—her feet treading lightly over the river's surface as if it were solid ground—as she charged toward the massive sea demon.

On the embankment, only Lancer was left behind, standing alone.

He hoisted his spears with a trace of envy in his eyes, gazing at the backs of those two VIP players blazing ahead.

---

At that same moment, two fighter jets streaked across the sky in the distance.

Trailing behind them was a shimmering ark of gold and emerald—Vimana, the legendary flying chariot of Hindu myth.

Aboard it sat Gilgamesh, accompanied by her Master, Tohsaka Tokiomi. She scanned the battlefield below with vague disinterest, looking for a certain friend but finding no trace. A soft sigh of disappointment escaped her lips before her crimson eyes shifted toward the rampaging sea demon.

Tokiomi was admiring the view—meanwhile, on a nearby building rooftop, Matou Kariya stared up at him with eyes full of hate.

Emiya Kiritsugu, hidden elsewhere, had already deployed Arash into an ambush position.

It was a chaotic night, with all signs pointing toward an imminent and brutal clash.