Evening.

“Bazett-san, will you be hunting tonight?” Yuyami asked as Bazeet was readying herself to depart.

"I have other business to attend to." Bazett didn't want this alliance or her allies interfering in her personal matters.

[Master, where are we going?] Lancer asked telepathically.

[I want to meet a friend, I get seldom opportunities to see him.]

Bazett then left.

If the Clock Tower hadn’t made forging an alliance with Yuyami Bazett’s top priority, she would have gone to see her friend first.

[Your friend?] Lancer’s interest was aroused.

"That's right, I haven't seen him in a long time. In addition, he also has a role to play in this war.”

. . .

“The hunt continues.” The black-haired woman leisurely walked through the city streets.

Despite being amongst the crowd, no one noticed her.

She asked herself, 'Should I use the tallest building as an observation point?'

The woman looked at the tallest building in Fuyuki city.

It was the Center Building, and it was currently four kilometers from her current location.

But when she scanned its rooftop, the woman grumbled silently.

'Tch, as expected, masters and servants have already claimed such a prominent landmark.'

Even though she didn’t care about the Holy Grail War, she couldn’t ignore it.

Masters and servants will always mistake her for their enemy.

That sight caused her to reminisce, 'Maybe I shouldn't have accepted that 'offer'.'

Although she regretted her choices, she couldn’t change the past.

Even if she could’ve refused the 'offer', this responsibility would have still fallen onto her.

It would’ve been only a matter of time before this 'responsibility' was forced onto her.

'It’ll be better to just be a watcher for this war .'

'That way, I'll have fewer encounters with them compared to previous wars.'

With a bright orange glint in her eyes, the woman could see everything happening on top of the Center Building.

She saw a teenage girl accompanied by a red robed man.

With just a look, the woman sensed something from the red robed man.

"Archer?" With just a glance, she could discern the man’s class.

Meanwhile on the roof, Archer had a similar sensation.

Noticing this, Rin asked. "What's the matter, Archer?"

Archer tensed up, his eyes quickly scanning his surroundings. Rin could sense his wariness.

Rin swiftly prepared herself.

"Enemies? Servants?”

"I am not sure." Archer answered, his eyes continued to scan for threats.

“I felt something looking at us.”

"Huh?" Rin was flabbergasted.

Since Archers were experts at long-range combat, they also had the strongest observation abilities of all the classes.

Despite that, Archer couldn’t even detect the smallest clue of what entity was watching them.

"It's gone."

Archer lowered his guard slightly, but not completely.

"Was it Assassin?"

Rin’s first suspect was Assassin, as only the Assassin class could avoid Archer’s eyes.

"I am unsure." Archer paused, “But it's definitely something more troublesome than an Assassin.”

When the woman saw Archer react, she quickly broke line of sight.

'As expected, Archer has very sharp instincts and eyes'

The woman chose to ignore Archer for now and continued on her way.

. . .

[Master.] Lancer called out suddenly.

Bazett, who was heading to church to meet her friend, stopped when she heard Lancer's voice.

Bazett immediately entered combat readiness.

Lancer appeared in front of Bazett and raised his spear.

Only an empty road dotted with trees lay before them.

From behind the trees, a young child spoke out.

“Spear? You must be a Lancer, right?”

A little girl revealed herself and stood in front of Lancer.

Bazett knew her identity, "It is a Master from Einzbern.”

Without Bazett ordering, Lancer charged with his spear.

But before the tip of Lancer's spear could reach Illya, a beast screamed and a large shadow dove towards Lancer.

It wielded a crude and barbaric weapon.

The servant swung his weapon at Lancer.

Lancer agilely dodged the first attack, then blocked the giant’s next swing.

As the weapons clashed, the clanging metal echoed into the distance.

Even though Lancer was able to nimbly dodge and parry the giant’s attacks, he was clearly outclassed in terms of strength.

Slowly but surely, Lancer was being pushed back by the giant servant.

“Kuaaahhhh…” With a beast-like scream, the giant servant continued his assault, giving Lancer no room to breathe.

While the two servants fought, Bazett quickly sprinted towards Illiya, without a servant besides her, she was left vulnerable.

The runes she prepared strengthened her muscles, improving her speed.

Like a bullet, Bazett shot towards Illya.

Illya dodged Bazett’s iron fist and summoned her familiars.

Illya’s animal-looking familiars were connected to her through a series of threads, and each familiar was tied to a main thread that connected to Illya’s body.

Three bird-shaped familiars spread out from her and attacked Bazett from a separate side

“Berserker!” Illya shouted at her servant.

The Berserker responded by swinging his crude weapon at Lancer, determined to fling Lancer away from the battle.

Cornered by Berserker’s barrage, Lancer was forced to parry his powerful attack, resulting in him being thrown backwards by its impact.

As Lancer was launched away, Berserker immediately jumped at Bazett, the latter of which was currently distracted by Illya's familiars.

Bazett dodged the blow that could have crushed her body into a meaty paste, causing Berserker's swing to hit air and dirt.

However, his attack still shattered the ground below Bazett’s feet.

Losing her footing, Bazett attempted to retreat.

However Berserker was faster and more agile. As Bazett struggled to regard her balance, his left hand slammed into her body.

With a bang, Bazett rocketed into the sky.

Although her senses were reeling from Berserker's blow, she was still able to move.

Bazett landed on her feet.

Bazett was a magus that specialized in runes.

She had powerful runes on everything she wore and used, strengthening their capabilities.

Due to this, she was able to survive against Berserker's superior strength.

However, she was still wounded, as Berserker had the strongest attacks of the seven servant classes.

Despite her injuries, Bazett didn't falter; she controlled her breathing and prepared to enter combat once more.

"Master." Lancer appeared beside her.

The two sides paused to observe each other for a moment.

Illya had familiars flying through the air and Berserker shielding her in front.

Bazett had Lancer at her side.

Pleased at what happened, Illya laughed. “As I thought, the Berserker is the strongest.”

[Master.] Lancer telepathically called to Bazett.

[We are at a disadvantage currently.]

[With your wounds, you’ll become a burden if I fight Berserker.]

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Bazett understood what Lancer was saying, not only did Berserker possess superior strength, his agility almost equaled Lancer’s.

Based on this, it was clear Lancer would lose to Berserker.

Coupled with her injuries, Bazett would be picked off by Berserker and Illya.

Bazett nodded.

instantly understood, Lancer charged towards Berserker.

Focusing her body-strengthening runes on jumping, Bazett began to flee while Lancer bought her some time.

Even though it was two against one, Illya didn't help Berserker against Lancer.

In the end, Lancer stalled long enough for both of them to escape.

Meanwhile, some distance away.

Rin and Archer silently watched the battle between Bazett and Illya.

Rin grumbled at what she just saw. "Hey isn't this unfair? The Berserker class has the strongest strength, but what’s with its agility? Aren’t all berserkers insane?”

Berserkers traded their sanity for power.

"Not always. If a heroic spirit had sharp instincts before becoming a berserker, they would still be a killing machine even without rationality and sanity."

Rin pouted and looked at Archer.

Archer looked back at her and said in a heavy tone “Strength and agility are not the only factors that determine victory, master.”

"Hmph." Rin simply ignored him.

“Lancer, Caster, and Berserker have made an appearance. That only leaves Rider, Assassin, and Saber.”

"We also don't know if the other masters have allied with each other yet."

Rin tried to think through all the possibilities.

“Archer, could you handle that Lancer we just saw?”

"Most likely, yes." Archer didn't think too much about it, he felt quite confident in his abilities.

“That just leaves Caster, right?”

Rin had investigated the disappearances, but found no clues or evidence.

This caused Rin to suspect Caster.

The Caster class was skilled at magecraft, and it was a high possibility that they were using humans to fuel rituals.

. . .

Illya returned home.

Illya sighed, “Hah… the first Master we met ran away.”

Illya looked at the Berserker and said. “Berserkers are indeed the strongest class.”

The Berserker then returned to his astral form.

“Now~Should I go visit my 'big brother' ?”

Illya chuckled childishly.

. . .

Yuyami's house.

A maidservant, one who looked to be in her forties. Despite that, she still looked very beautiful and elegant.

"Yuyami-sama." The maidservant called.

Yuyami looked at the maidservant, she had been sitting in her dojo. She was wearing a kimono and had a katana in front of her.

"What's wrong, Shiyona?" Yuyami smiled at her.

Shiyona politely lowered her head, "It's getting late, you should get some rest."

Yuyami looked back at the katana in front of her.

Her gaze filled with emotions and remembrance.

Shiyona understood what Yuyami was thinking, however she could only watch. Nothing she could say would calm her mood.

Then suddenly, Saber appeared.

"Master." She skipped over towards Yuyami.

Looking at the katana in front of Yuyami, Saber grinned. "When are you going to unsheath that katana?"

“You never use that katana during our spars.” Saber grumbled.

Awakening from her reminiscing, Yuyami smiled at Saber, "If you really want me to use this katana to spar, will you take responsibility for what happens?"

Yuyami was serious.

"Haha." Saber laughed it off. "My sword path exists to extend into the void. As someone always traveling to improve my skills, if fighting you can hone my abilities, why not?"

Yuyami closed her eyes as she stood up. “I will use this katana when the time is right.”

“But before that happens, Saber.” Yuyami looked at Saber. "Shall we play for a few rounds before I go to sleep?"

Shiyona could only sigh at her master's actions.

Saber drew one of her swords and stood at the ready.

On the other side, Yuyami took one of the katanas on display and prepared herself

Her aura changed instantly, llowing her body to move faster and more flexibly.

The first slash was followed up by another

To the outside observer, Shiyona, both Saber and Yuyami seemed to be dancing gracefully, but every time their swords clashed small sparks flashed out.

As time went on, both combatants intensified their attacks, driving Yuyami to the limits of her strength.

Thus, Saber decided to only defend against Yuyami’s attacks.

As a Servant, Saber had all of the advantages in combat, the reason they sparred was to train Yuyami’s skills.

Due that Saber only used a portion of her power.

. . .

[Master, why did you do that?] Caster questioned Koe’s decision.

"Hmm?" Koe, who was sitting in his verana, was looking up at the beautiful night sky, it reminded him of his past.

He remembered how he had ridiculed Shirou for his inability to save Sakura, yet now he was the object of ridicule.

Koe had tried to help Sakura, but because Sakura was abnormal, Koe was left helpless.

But now, he was a Master and with two servants at his beck and call.

Koe felt that he could have saved Sakura, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was a hypocrite.

“This is simply my selfishness and my past hypocrisy.”

"I sent Assassin to save Sakura, actually to save myself, I don't want to have a feeling of regret arise in my heart because I didn't do what I could do."

Koe thought of Shirou and his own hypocrisy.

"I just wanted to save someone who wanted to be saved but never asked to be saved, that's all."

[I didn't know you had these kinds of feelings.] Caster smirked.

“By the way Caster, I've been trying to learn that spell you taught me. But no matter what I do, I can’t use get it to work"

Koe raised his palm, and willed a magic circle to form, however it was rather dim.

The magic circle was incomplete and unstable, having flaws here and there, proving Koe’s inexperience with the spell.

“No matter how I think about it, this thing is completely unusable.”

Koe had used all of his knowledge and experience in mana manipulation in his attempts to cast it.

However, he couldn't figure out how the spell worked, let alone how to cast it.

"Even after several tries of trying to draw the basic structure of the spell and control the flow of mana, I always fail right before it can activate."

The magic circle in Koe’s palm then collapsed into itself, it could only last that long whenever Koe tried to use it.

Koe looked to the side, as if Caster was physically next to him.

"What am I missing?"

This is the first time Koe has experienced a bottleneck while learning magecraft.

Caster appeared and sat in the place Koe was looking at.

"Ufufu." Caster giggled.

Koe ignored Caster’s laughter.

Koe frowned and repeated the spell in hopes of succeeding this time.

"No matter how many times you try, nothing will change, Master."

"The problem does not lie in controlling mana or spell structure."

"Instead, the fault lies within you."

Caster raised her right arm and opened her palm.

A small magic circle appeared and fired a purple crystal.

It was the spell Koe failed to activate.

"Then tell me, what am I doing wrong?"

Caster smiled, her purple lips sparkled.

“Your unique advantages are blocking you from success.”

Koe silently stared at Caster.

Understanding what Koe wanted to know, Caster continued. “Your mentality is preventing you from casting this spell.”

From just that sentence, A bulb lit up in Koe's mind.

He looked at the palm of his right hand, then he produced a mass of mana that he could control.

He molded the lump of mana like clay.

Then, he changed the shape of the lump into the crystal shard that Caster fired earlier.

The crystal shard was the size of three adult fingers and were a pale blue color, similar to the color of mana.

He examined both the external and internal components of the crystal shard to the best of his abilities.

Koe moved his right hand forward and shot out the crystal shard.

But the crystal shard he shot out was far slower than Caster’s.

Koe stopped and pondered over everything that had just happened.

"Looks like you're getting closer to the solution you seek, Master." Caster then vanished.

. . .

The Matou residence.

Assassin was ordered by Koe to save Sakura from that place.

The residence was protected by many barriers, thus, caution was mandated.

Assassin emerged from hiding, then began to approach the residence.

She could clearly feel the boundaries of the barriers protecting this residence.

Assassin warily crossed the barrier.

Without delay, Assassin snuck in to search for Sakura.

Although Assassin activated several traps, she easily neutralized or destroyed whatever was thrown at her.

Then, Assassin felt a weak lifeforce, attracting her attention.

The source of ity was behind a door, Assassin paused for a moment before opening the door.

There, Assassin was greeted by an old geezer, neither of his appearance nor his aura felt pleasant.

He smiled at Assassin.

“So this place is a target, but alas, there's nothing for you here."

The old man laughed, turned into a swarm of insects, and fled.

Assassin was unfazed, leaving the room, she continued to search the residence, no room was left unopened.

But in the end, she couldn’t find her target.

. . .

Rin, who was still investigating the mass disappearances, finally got a lead.

It was a quiet and empty part of the city, no one seemed to live here.

Rin strolled down the middle of a road, there didn’t seem to be anyone around.

[Master!] Archer sternly alerted Rin.

In front of Rin, in a place that seemed devoid of life, a massive fluctuation of mana began to spread like the tide.

Behind everything that casted a shadow, a tentacle appearced from within the darkness. Each tentacle looked like a black band with purple lines circling around them.

Archer appeared beside Rin, ready to escape at any moment.

However Rin didn't waver, instead she observed the phenomenon calmly.

The mana made her feel uneasy.

As the strange tentacles continued to grow in number, the desolate place quickly filled with dozens of them.

[Master!] Archer warned again.

However, Rin ignored Archer, rather her gaze focused on what lay at the end of the road.

Only darkness lay in that part of the road.

Inside, a silhouette could be seen.

Step by step, the silhouette walked into the light.

Rin's pupils dilated when she saw a fraction of the silhouette's appearance.

She became tense and restless

The silhouette was now fully visible beneath the moonlight.

“Nice to meet you, Onee-chan.”

The silhouette looked very similar to Sakura, it might not be wrong to say that the silhouette was actually Sakura herself.

But there were slight differences. The figure had white hair and a black, striped robe covering her body.

"Sakura." Rin called.

[Master! We have to leave now!!!]

Sakura, sporting a strange new look, asked. “How long has it been since I’ve called you, Onee-chan?”

Emotions were fluctuating in her voice, as if she was lonely, angry, and even happy.

“As I thought, you became a Master and joined this war, Onee-chan.”

Rin ignored Sakura's quivering voice.

“Are you behind these disappearances?”

Sakura tilted her head, as if she was trying to remember something.

"Disappearances? People?" Then, as if recalling something, she happily replied, “Oh! You mean the residents of this town?"

"Don't worry Onee-chan, I’ve sent them somewhere else, no need to worry."

It was starkly clear that Sakura was not of sound mind.

"Hehe.." Sakura then cackled and gazed into Rin “Onee-chan, why have you come here too?”

Then suddenly, all of the tentacles began to rise up and attack Rin.

Archer swiftly grabbed Rin and fled the scene.

Seeing Rin leave, Sakura looked a little sad, but her emotions seemed mixed and muddled as if she was sad and glad simultaneously.

With a voice that chilled bones, Sakura whispered. "We will meet again, Onee-chan."