As Roy predicted, Scáthach and Lancelot soon engaged in a fierce clash.
The symphony of spear against sword resounded once more. Unlike Artoria, who was thoroughly outmatched by Scáthach's martial prowess, Lancelot held his own in their contest of skill.
The legendary knight Lancelot...
In Arthurian legend, he was a formidable knight, born of King Ban and a faerie, the chief of the Round Table, and its most skilled warrior.
Even King Arthur, without her Noble Phantasm, couldn't best Lancelot in martial prowess. Even Gawain, empowered threefold by the sun at noon, couldn't defeat him, dragged into dusk and thoroughly vanquished.
His destructive power was evident in his decimation of much of the Round Table, his unmatched skill echoing across Camelot's lands.
Thus, indisputably, in this Holy Grail War, the only Servants who could rival the Queen of the Land of Shadows in martial skill were Fionn, another god-slayer, and Lancelot, the Round Table's greatest knight.
"Remarkable skill. To wield such mastery even in madness... Lancelot, I'd love to face you at your peak as a Saber."
Scáthach, repelling Lancelot with her spear, spoke with a hint of regret.
Her skill, honed through endless ages and slaughter, had surpassed human limits, reaching the divine. Among Heroic Spirits, few could best her in pure martial prowess, and those who could match her were rarer still.
Even Lancelot, famed as myth's greatest warrior, struggled to comprehend or reach her level.
Yet his relentless training allowed him to contend with her. As a Saber, perhaps. But as a Berserker... not quite.
"Arrrr...!!!"
Unable to respond to Scáthach's words, Lancelot could only growl low in his throat.
Seeing Artoria's figure vanish, his initial frenzy subsided. The clash with Scáthach had vented much of his rage, and he gradually calmed.
Thus, he didn't attack, standing still, his killing intent fading.
"Tch... as expected."
Seeing Lancelot's waning battle spirit, Scáthach found it dull, her curiosity about Britain's grand stage growing.
First, Merlin, the great sage, intervened across the Reverse Side of the World to save Saber from her. Then, Lancelot, the Knight of the Lake, driven by deep love and hate, protected his lord even in madness.
Yet the protagonist, King Arthur, unaware of the aid, even thanked her knight as she fled.
What would Saber feel if she knew Lancelot saved her?
Scáthach grew increasingly curious about that revelation.
Britain, she thought, was far more entertaining than her own lands, with such vivid characters.
At that moment, Kariya Matou, seeing the two cease fighting, rushed between them to prevent further conflict, raising his hands and shouting, "Stop! No more fighting!"
"Especially you, Berserker. I don't know what got into you, letting Saber escape, but stop now. If you keep this up, I'll use a Command Seal!"
Clearly furious over Berserker's release of Artoria, Kariya's face twisted, raising his hand toward the Black Knight.
His tone was cold and firm. If Lancelot insisted on fighting Scáthach to the death, he'd have no choice but to use a Command Seal.
Scáthach's expression turned odd, thoughtfully eyeing Kariya.
Fortunately, Lancelot didn't defy further, calming down. He stood silently, gazing at Kariya like a lifeless knight statue.
Without mention of Arthur, the Knight of the Lake was quite composed, letting Kariya breathe a sigh of relief.
Good—no need for a second Command Seal...
Command Seals were invaluable in the Holy Grail War. He needed them for Tokiomi. Unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn't waste them on trivial matters.
"Phew... finally calmed down?"
Seeing the motionless Lancelot, Kariya sighed inwardly, then bowed deeply to the Queen of the Land of Shadows in apology.
"Sorry, Queen Scáthach! Because of me and Berserker, your certain kill on Saber escaped."
Then, with a serious expression, he added, "To make up for it, Berserker and I will assist you with utmost effort."
Oh? Utmost effort?
Scáthach said nothing. She'd intended to let Artoria go, and Berserker's actions gave her an excuse. If Lancelot had attacked the wounded Saber, she'd have intervened.
No need to say it—everyone understood.
As Scáthach prepared to report to her Master, a familiar voice echoed from afar...
"Hahaha! This king smells battle and conquest! A thrilling fight must've just happened here!"
A rough, unrestrained voice resounded over the ruins. Iskandar, having swiftly dispatched all Assassins, approached with his Master from the ruins' edge.
"Idiot, keep it down! Don't be so flashy—we can't be seen by civilians. We need to leave."
Meanwhile, Fionn, worried by Scáthach's delay, hurried over with Kayneth.
They saw Scáthach, the Black Knight, and a gaunt young man.
"Berserker?!"
Recognizing the Black Knight, Iskandar was surprised, clapping his hands. "So, the enemy sent more than two Servants? Berserker too—what a force! Four Servants in one night. Impressive..."
"What are you marveling at? Stop chatting! Assassin's gone, Saber's vanished—likely taken out by Scáthach. Just Berserker remains. No need for honor with these sneaks, Lancer, Rider—take him down!"
With his workshop reduced to a third and having narrowly escaped Assassin's blades, Kayneth was livid, ordering Fionn and Iskandar to eliminate Berserker.
Though reluctant to gang up, Fionn, recalling the enemy's dishonorable ambush, drew his twin-headed spear, leaping toward Scáthach, shouting, "I'll aid you!!"
"Hm?"
Hearing Fionn's cry, Scáthach turned, surprised.
More figures closed in.
Seeing the all-star lineup, Kariya quickly restrained Berserker from retaliating, raising his hands and shouting, "Friendly! I'm an ally!!"
"Huh?"
The sudden turn stunned Fionn, who slowed and stopped before Scáthach, looking to her for confirmation.
Scáthach nodded lightly, saying, "He's an ally. Our Master recruited him."
"Oh."
Fionn understood.
"You're Berserker's Master?"
With Scáthach's assurance, Kariya cleared suspicion, securing his and Berserker's safety.
Kayneth frowned, stepping forward to Kariya, asking, "You're the ally my student recruited?"
"Yes, esteemed Lord El-Melloi. I'm one of Roy's allied Masters. I rushed here after his battle intel."
Kariya answered tactfully, per Zouken's instructions.
"Hm... thank you for your aid."
Kayneth nodded, asking, "By the way, your name?"
"Kariya Matou."
Kariya answered truthfully.
"Matou? One of the Three Families?"
Surprised, Kayneth's brow rose, his eyes showing astonishment.
"But weren't the attackers from the Tohsaka and Einzbern families? Why is a Matou, one of the Three Families, allied with us?"
Curious, Kayneth had assumed the attack was a coordinated effort by Fuyuki's Three Families to keep the Grail from outsiders, like their El-Melloi alliance.
He'd even thought the defeated Assassin was the Matou's Servant, but it wasn't.
The Matou not joining the attackers and aligning with his student surprised him.
"I know you have questions, but please, hear me out..."
Seeing Kayneth's confusion, Kariya mentally recounted the events, using his novelist skills to weave a concise tale.
...
It was a tragic, heartrending story of childhood sweethearts, a tale of mutual love with a bittersweet end...
A boy and girl met in youth, growing up together, their bond deep and pure.
In a typical romance, they'd grow up, confess their love, marry, and live happily.
By novel logic, that's how it should've been, but...
Sadly, stories are beautiful, but reality is cruel. This wasn't a world of love and joy—uncertainty ruled.
One day, as they grew, a stranger entered their world, changing the boy's life.
The man was tall, handsome, wealthy, and refined, from the city's most prestigious family. He pursued the boy's childhood love, shattering his peaceful life.
The boy saw through the man's false nature, knowing he wouldn't bring her happiness.
But the naive girl fell for his pursuit, truly loving him. In other words... Kariya Matou, no, the boy, was cuckolded, losing his love to a rival.
Though he knew he had a chance—the girl wasn't fully swayed—family issues forced him to step back.
This wasn't a tale where the man used his family's power to drive the boy away. The boy's own family was the problem—dark and vile. If the girl married into it, could she find happiness?
At the decisive moment, Kariya hesitated...
He thought of that wretched old worm and pictured his love's misery in the Matou family.
Reluctantly, unable to let go, he stepped back for her happiness, leaving the city one night, only returning after she married and had a child, to quietly check on her.
Yet...
That vile man didn't cherish the happiness Kariya sacrificed. He sent his daughter to another family as an adopted heir, just for their magical crest.
Indeed, that man was a thorough mage, a scoundrel.
Worse, the family he chose was Kariya's own—the one he'd abandoned and despised.
One night, his phone rang—a number silent for years, a name he'd never forget...
Trembling, Kariya answered, learning of this betrayal. Furious, he cursed the man's cruelty, rushing home, hoping it wasn't too late.
Fortunately, whether by fate or chance...
The girl he cared for wasn't sent to his family's abyss, easing Kariya's heart.
But it wasn't a happy ending—she was sent to another family.
Still concerned, Kariya used his skills to track her in Fuyuki, sneaking after her to save her from a mage family's harm.
Mages were no good.
Having seen Tokiomi's actions and hailing from a mage family, Kariya distrusted them all.
Though he'd forsaken his happiness and dreams, he now sought to protect hers.
Then, Roy caught him.
That day, seeing Kariya tailing him, Roy was stunned, wondering why this wreck was there.
After questioning, learning the truth, Roy was at a loss, speechless at this tragic drama.
After consideration, he decided to use Kariya's plight, leveraging him in the Holy Grail War.
That night, they formed an alliance.
Kariya would return to the Matou as their Master, following Roy's orders. In return, Roy offered a chance to kill the old worm who ruined his life and to confront Tokiomi.
Though Kariya knew Roy saw him as a tool, a pawn...
So what?
The boy was now a man, resolute. His past weakness be damned—he wouldn't retreat. This time, he'd save the abandoned girl, defeat that scoundrel, and demand, "Where's the happiness you promised Aoi?!"
...
Kayneth fell silent.
Fionn sighed, clutching his forehead.
Painful, too painful...
Though not his story, it resonated.
Rider, uninterested in the drama, approached Berserker, recruiting again. Scáthach left without a word.
Waver, watching the chaotic Masters and Servants, facepalmed.
"Aren't we in a hurry? Why are you listening to stories?"
Unlike Fionn, though moved, Kayneth was confused...
By his view, the man—clearly Tokiomi—did nothing wrong. Lacking two inheritances showed incompetence, but his choice was sound.
The girl sent away was his student's ward, Sakura Tohsaka. Kayneth was grateful for such a prodigy, but Kariya's heartfelt outpouring was undeniably genuine.
He didn't know how to console him, being the beneficiary.
From Kariya's view, Tokiomi was a scoundrel, stealing his love and failing to bring her happiness—an unforgivable act.
From Tokiomi's view, Sakura was a magical treasure. He couldn't let her talent go to waste, sending her to the path of magecraft for her happiness.
A clash of mundane and mage ideals, common enough.
But...
Kayneth firmly sided with Kariya. He wasn't alone anymore. If someone stole and harmed his beloved, he'd fight to the death.
Kariya seemed foolish, but his passionate, daring spirit earned Kayneth's respect.
Moreover, Tokiomi had just attacked his workshop, while Kariya was his enemy.
The enemy of an enemy is a friend—no choice needed.
Kayneth grasped Kariya's hand, saying earnestly, "Rest assured, Kariya. As a man soon to wed, I understand and support you. I've seen Tokiomi's treachery, and I won't let it slide. Since you're my student's ally, you're naturally mine."
"I'll regroup for two days to build strength, then on the third night, we'll strike the Tohsaka residence to avenge tonight's actions! How about it, Kariya? Will you join us?"
"Of course, it's what I want!"
Hearing Kayneth's invitation, Kariya gripped his hand without hesitation, replying sincerely.
If his earlier words might've been false, this was true.
Anything to thwart Tokiomi, Kariya would support.
***
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