Night fell.
Beneath the Fuyuki City Bridge, on the riverbank of the Mion River.
This place was usually a good spot for citizens to take a walk, but tonight, it was enveloped by a faintly visible golden curtain of light.
That was a powerful Bounded Field laid down by the Church, a dual layer of human-repelling and cognitive obstruction.
To prevent a repeat of last time when an ordinary person with magical energy wandered in, Assassin's clones were monitoring every entrance to prevent any accidents.
The river flowed quietly, reflecting the half-moon obscured by dark clouds in the sky.
The air was thick with suffocating magical energy factors, making even the wind feel significantly heavier.
On one side of the riverbank.
Four figures stood like statues.
At the very front was the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh, clad in golden armor, arms crossed over his chest with a look of sheer arrogance.
To his left was the Spearman, Diarmuid, holding his dual spears with a solemn expression.
On the other side was the King of Conquerors, Iskandar, driving the Gordius Wheel, looking somewhat helpless but still exuding a majestic aura.
And the King of Knights, Artoria, holding her invisible sword with a stern expression.
Four Heroic Spirits, four distinctly different yet powerful auras intertwined, forming a terrifying pressure enough to make an ordinary magus tremble in fear.
Strictly speaking, the only ones truly meant to fight tonight were the Spearman, the Archer, and their Masters, but the Church had still issued the subjugation order in the name of all four factions.
Although the other two Heroic Spirits had also arrived at the scene, they had no intention of following the Church's orders; they were only there to witness the outcome of this battle.
In the shadows a short distance behind them, their respective Masters were also nervously watching the front.
Kirei Kotomine lurked in the dark like a ghost.
Waver hid inside Iskandar's chariot, trembling.
Irisviel and Kiritsugu Emiya were concealed within the woods.
Tokiomi Tohsaka stood elegantly on high ground, overlooking the battlefield.
Kayneth, whose body had not yet fully recovered, pushed a wheelchair beside Tokiomi, his eyes filled with venomous vindictiveness.
His fiancée, Sola-Ui, had been delirious ever since being stabbed by that blade full of malice, and was currently slumped blankly in the wheelchair.
This caused Kayneth's fury to grow stronger by the day, rendering him deaf to anyone's words.
"Hmph, making this king wait so long."
Gilgamesh glanced impatiently at the night sky, his tone dripping with disdain. "Could it be that the mongrel was scared out of his wits and didn't dare to show up?"
"If that's the case, this king will just order that worm nest to be leveled to the ground."
"Calm yourself, King of Heroes."
Diarmuid wiped his long spear, his gaze fixed on the darkness across the river. "That man is strong, definitely not a coward. I believe he will certainly come."
"Heh, you actually know the meaning of strength?"
Faced with the King of Heroes' mockery, Diarmuid did not retort, only frowning in displeasure.
If possible, he still hoped that Avenger could clear up the misunderstanding with his lord, rather than fighting under these emotional circumstances.
"They're here."
Iskandar, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up.
All eyes instantly focused on the opposite bank of the river.
*Tap, tap, tap.*
Steady footsteps pierced through the night, reaching everyone's ears.
Two figures slowly emerged from the darkness, stepping onto the moonlit riverbank.
Walking in front was Asuka, dressed in a black Shihakusho with a sword at his waist, his hands tucked into his sleeves, and a calm expression on his face.
Half a step behind him was Berserker, wreathed in black aura, wielding a pitch-black trident, looking as ferocious as a demon.
Only two people.
Facing four Heroic Spirits with an absolute advantage, they did not flinch in the slightest.
"Yo, everyone's here."
Asuka stopped in his tracks, his gaze sweeping over the luxurious lineup opposite him before finally landing on the arrogant face of Gilgamesh.
"This lineup... you guys really think highly of me."
"Hmph, to think you actually dared to come."
Gilgamesh snorted coldly, an inexplicable hatred surging in his mind.
Golden ripples instantly opened behind him, and countless Noble Phantasms peeked out, gleaming with a chilling light.
"For a lowly commoner, this courage to march to your death is commendable. However, tonight is your time to die!"
According to the plan, he would take care of Berserker, while the Spearman would deal with Asuka.
As for that curse... that useless Tokiomi still hadn't found a way to break it.
Just at this critical, tension-filled moment, a burst of hearty laughter rang out.
"Hahahaha! Since Avenger has arrived as invited, then I should return to my viewing stand!"
*Rumble—!*
The thunderous sound of wheels echoed.
Iskandar, the King of Conquerors, who had been on the flank of the formation, suddenly yanked his reins, turning the Gordius Wheel around and driving straight toward a high ground beside the riverbank.
"Hey! Rider! Where are you going!"
Diarmuid twirled his spear and asked in displeasure, "Are you fleeing before the battle?"
"Fleeing? No, no, no, my handsome young lad, you are mistaken."
Iskandar halted on the high ground. "I did indeed receive the Church's subjugation order, and I did indeed come here, but that does not mean I approve of this so-called subjugation."
"To have me join forces with other kings to gang up on two Heroic Spirits without proper titles... I could never commit such a bullying act that tarnishes the reputation of a conqueror!"
"Therefore, I shall just watch this farce from here as a witness!"
"Hmph." Gilgamesh didn't even bat an eyelid, clearly unsurprised by this answer.
"I feel the same."
Artoria, the noble King of Knights, also cast a displeased glance at Gilgamesh and sheathed her invisible sword.
*Phew...*
Asuka watched the two of them withdraw, his tense shoulders finally relaxing a bit.
He had bet correctly.
Although these Heroic Spirits were bound by their Masters and Command Spells, their pride and principles could not be easily twisted.
Asuka pulled his hands out of his sleeves and rested them on the hilt of his sword.
"It seems... luck is still on our side."
He turned his head to look at the silent Berserker beside him, who was radiating black aura. "Looks like we won't be needing your Bankai today."
Berserker did not answer.
But Asuka could feel that the extremely violent Spiritual Pressure surrounding Berserker had also calmed down slightly.
He slowly raised the black trident in his hand, pointing the tip straight at Gilgamesh on the high ground.
The meaning was obvious—
That golden guy is mine.
"Hmph, you reckless mad dog."
Gilgamesh clearly understood Berserker's provocation and laughed out of extreme anger. "Since you are so eager to seek death, this king will personally send you on your way!"
"Spearman! I leave that sword-wielding mongrel to you! Do not disappoint this king!"
Diarmuid took a deep breath, twirling the red and yellow dual spears in his hands before assuming an offensive stance.
His gaze locked onto Asuka, his eyes filled with pure fighting spirit.
"Avenger, it seems fate has brought us together once again. I will not hold back."
Asuka drew his Zanpakuto. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
The moonlight illuminated the riverbank of the Mion River, dividing the four figures into two separate battlefields.
The next second.
The ground trembled.