In the deep mountainous area of Fuyuki City, further west, the national highway stretches westward with its back facing the city lights. Waiting ahead on the road is an undeveloped forest. Crossing the county border along this road, the national highway quietly winds into the distance.
Although it is a two-lane road, there are hardly any signs of oncoming cars on the sparsely lit national highway. In late-night hours, the national highway seems forgotten and engulfed in silence.
Amid this quiet night, a silver beast races forward.
A Mercedes-Benz 300SL, with its elegantly streamlined body, exudes an air of nobility, while the roar emitted by its side-by-side six-cylinder engine is as mighty as a wild beast.
Surprisingly, the person driving this classic car at speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour is none other than the lady, Irisviel, who appears to be a wealthy noblewoman.
Objectively speaking, driving at 100 kilometers per hour on a national highway is not particularly fast, but the road on which the Mercedes-Benz races is winding and twisting, with cliffs on one side. To take corners at such speeds requires either exceptional driving skills or a reckless daredevil.
Unfortunately, Irisviel falls into the latter category.
Through the windshield of the sports car, one can see the excitement and madness filling Irisviel's delicate face. It is a stark contrast to her usual elegance and grace. Her right foot moves back and forth between the brake and accelerator, her left foot occasionally stomps on the clutch, and her hands swiftly switch between the steering wheel and gear lever. She appears incredibly skillful, but as soon as she enters a corner, the entire car begins to drift, with the constant danger of flying off the cliff.
Saber, seated in the passenger seat, is drenched in cold sweat, feeling more pressure than when facing the relentless attacks of Lancer and Berserker.
Scáthach, who is monitoring from above, is at a loss for words, once again experiencing the meaning of the phrase "looks can be deceiving."
Scáthach gained fame in the BC era, at least 2000 years ago, and has observed countless people over the years. She rarely misjudges, so Irisviel managing to surprise her even slightly speaks volumes about her strength.
After disappearing from Saber and the others' sight, Scáthach and Shinji didn't go far at all. Instead, they hid in the warehouse where they had previously taken refuge, secretly monitoring their movements.
Saber and Irisviel left the warehouse district and boarded the Mercedes-Benz sports car prepared by Kiritsugu Emiya, speeding along the national highway. Kiritsugu Emiya and Maya Hisau, on the other hand, discreetly boarded a Toyota and headed to the city center.
Shinji and Scáthach split up, with Shinji following Kiritsugu Emiya, and Scáthach following Saber, who is also a Servant. As a side note, they investigate the Einzbern family's stronghold at the request of Justeaze.
With Scáthach's original runes and her excellent A+ Agility attribute, she silently maneuvers through the forest, dangling behind the sports car without entering Saber's perception range or losing sight of the target.
Suddenly, Scáthach's body trembles, and she missteps a few times, causing her to hide behind a large tree. Her red eyes shift, focusing on the spot where the sports car is about to pass, right in the middle of the national highway.
Standing, a tall man is wearing an ancient luxurious robe, adorned with dark material embellished with deep red patterns resembling blood. His unusually large pupils easily bring to mind nocturnal creatures.
Scáthach is not unfamiliar with this man. She and this man initiated the first battle of the Holy Grail War. He is the seventh Servant, Caster.
"I see, so that's why he said this route wouldn't be peaceful," she whispers from behind her veil.
Irisviel and Saber in the sports car also notice this person. The screeching sound breaks the silence of the forest, and the Mercedes' tires skid on the asphalt, emitting a puff of white smoke.
The doors of the Mercedes-Benz open upward like wings, and Saber exits the car first, keeping a vigilant eye on the Caster before her.
Caster smiles at Saber for an unknown reason. It's not the smile of a generous warrior ready to die in battle but rather the expression of joy, as if long-lost brothers have reunited. His face radiates an immaculate smile.
Just as Saber is puzzled, Caster makes an even more bewildering gesture.
Caster respectfully lowers his head, kneeling on the asphalt road as if he were a subject presenting himself before a king, and says, "I have been waiting for you, Your Highness, the Holy Maiden."
Saber is completely confused.
As King Arthur, she has naturally received the homage of others, but all those who kneel before her always address her as "King Arthur," not as the "Holy Maiden."
Irisviel, who had gotten off the Mercedes, hid behind Saber, who was on high alert, and quietly watched Caster.
"Saber, do you know him?" Irisviel asked.
"No, I have no recollection," Saber replied.
Seemingly having heard the whispering between Saber and Irisviel, Caster raised his head and said, "Oh, how could this be? Have you forgotten me?"
Saber's expression turned cold in response to his increasingly irrelevant words. "There's nothing to remember or forget. This is our first meeting. Perhaps you've mistaken me for someone else."
"Oh, oh, oh..." Caster whimpered as if deeply saddened, clutching his hair. The joyful expression he had been wearing moments ago suddenly transformed into an incredibly disheveled and pitiful look. The change was so abrupt it could be described as erratic.
"It's me! I am your most loyal servant, Gilles de Rais! I have always prayed for your resurrection, eagerly awaiting the miracle and the day when I could see you again. I came here for that purpose, Jeanne!"
"Gilles de Rais...?" Saber murmured, trying to make sense of the situation.
This was the third Servant who revealed their true name in front of Saber and Irisviel. Although they were unsure of his intentions, Caster didn't seem to be deceiving them.
However, at this moment, Saber only wanted to dispel the misunderstanding.
"I don't know your name, and I have never heard of Jeanne either," Saber stated firmly.
Upon hearing Saber's response, Caster became even more confused. "How... Could it be that you have forgotten everything? Have you forgotten your life before?"
Saber started to feel annoyed by this unclear situation and looked at Caster solemnly.
"Since you have revealed your name, I, out of knightly courtesy, shall tell you my true name. My name is Artoria. I am the son of Uther Pendragon, the King of Britain. In this Holy Grail War, I manifest as Saber."
Caster continued to stare blankly at the girl in front of him, who stood proudly with her chest held high and confidently revealed her name. After a moment of silence, he cried out in a voice filled with disbelief.
"Oh, oh! Ahhh!!"
Caster, while desperately wailing, began to pound the ground uncontrollably.
"How tragic, how lamentable! Not only has she lost her memories, but her sanity is also in turmoil... It's despicable... How despicable! Oh god, why are you so cruel to my Holy Maiden?"
"Are you done making a scene? It's disgusting," Saber rebuked loudly. She felt an intense sensation of disgust, completely different from fear, as if she was being stalked by something repulsive, causing her hair to stand on end.
Just as Caster was preparing to continue his grandiose speech, a low, feminine voice sounded from above.
"Saber, step back."
Saber's passive ability, Instinct, immediately kicked in, and she pulled Irisviel as they jumped onto the hood of the car.
Before the two of them could steady themselves, they heard the sound of several sharp objects tearing through the air. The ground in front of the vehicle was devastated as if it had been bombarded by artillery shells.
Amidst the swirling dust and sand, a queen with a red spear in hand and dressed in a tight black outfit rose to her full height.
+20 Advanced Chapter in:
patreon.com/AbsoluteCode