The New City, an Abandoned Building
In a deserted alley, Rider was enjoying her "lunch"—a young woman whose shabby attire suggested she came from a poor family and couldn't even afford pants in February. However, after just a couple of sips, Rider let go of the hypnotized young woman.
For some reason, the blood tasted off today. Rider used to love this flavor! Why did it now feel so unsatisfying?
Of course, Rider didn't know the saying "It's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality." If she did, she might have cursed the culprit who led her to extravagance instead of feeling confused.
After thinking for a few seconds, Rider gently propped the hypnotized and slightly blood-drained young woman against the wall and placed her on a nearby empty spot. Knowing she would wake up in half an hour after venting her work stress in a dream, Rider decided not to undo the hypnosis and chose to leave quietly.
Just then, Rider sensed another Servant's presence! She instantly summoned her twin daggers and turned to face the approaching figure with caution.
Seeing Rider ready to fight, Archer appeared at the alley's entrance, arms crossed. "Calm down, Rider. I'm not here to fight. I want to know if you're interested in cooperating."
"That's my Master's decision, not mine," Rider responded curtly, not lowering her weapons.
"Then could you pass on the message to her? I'm proposing we work together to deal with Berserker. She should be interested, as no one can handle Berserker alone in this Holy Grail War."
Rider frowned, "Isn't your Master currently collaborating with Saber's Master?"
"That's only for dealing with Caster. I'm thinking ahead to what comes after Caster is defeated."
After a brief consideration, Rider nodded. "I'll pass the message to my Master."
...
At 2 PM.
Shinji, who had finally escaped Taiga's tight surveillance, sneaked back home. He had just opened the garage and was about to start his motorcycle when Rider called out to him.
In the living room, Shinji sat on the sofa, listening to Rider's report about "Archer proposing cooperation after defeating Caster." His expression grew increasingly strange.
I'm not your Master, why are you telling me this?
Shinji was puzzled, but then a thought occurred to him: Is it because the other side is Tohsaka's girl, whom Bazett has been taking care of, that Bazett sent Rider to ask for my opinion?
"Just let Bazett decide. Matou has nothing to do with these matters anymore."
Nothing to do with it?
Rider's thoughts began to swirl.
Could this mean that this Master (Shinji) believes it's not the right time to act, so he wants me to continue playing Bazett's Servant without revealing any flaws?
That must be it!
Understanding this, Rider nodded slightly.
Two minutes later, as Shinji was about to ask why Rider was still standing there, she suddenly squatted down in front of him and started unbuckling his Hermes belt!
"Hey, wait! This isn't right! I need to maintain high energy levels! I can't waste any of my vital energy or third element!"
Rider stopped, looking up at Shinji with an expressionless face.
"Bazett has enough mana now, right?" Shinji muttered softly, but the next moment he noticed Rider starting again...
Shinji was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure as a commander.
The enemy was openly challenging him right in front of his stronghold!
He had to show the power of his fortress!
"Let's move to a different place; this isn't suitable for battle!"
...
Rider, who had been overpowered and captured by the enemy commander, felt a mix of reluctance and helplessness.
Of course, this outcome was expected by Shinji. Whether modern or ancient military tactics, Shinji knew them all by heart!
Tricks like "escaping by a hare," "resting while the enemy is exhausted," "taking advantage of a fire," "luring the tiger away from the mountain," "attacking the east and striking the west," "making distant alliances and attacking nearby," and "turning the guest into the host" were all expertly employed!
On the other hand, Rider's forces had no strategy to speak of, except for her A+ riding skill, which barely put up a fight.
Each time, Rider was defeated by Shinji's well-practiced tactics that hit her weak spots directly, until she was captured again.
Though victorious, Shinji's forces paid a heavy price, with countless soldiers lost deep in enemy territory, never to return. What a tragedy!
"Do you submit? Will you continue to defy me?"
Shinji asked for the third time.
"...No..."
"Hmm?"
"I won't dare anymore..."
"Good."
The victorious commander nodded in satisfaction and retracted his world-class weapon.
...
"By the way, Rider, can you help me with something?"
Rider, who would have rolled her eyes if she weren't wearing a blindfold, thought, Why not just give an order directly? There are only two of us, why the pretense?
Seeing Rider nod slightly, Shinji smiled. "It's nothing troublesome. In the next few days, Archer and Saber's Master plan to attack Caster. I need you to reveal Caster's identity and Noble Phantasm to them."
"Hmm?" Rider was stunned. How does this Master know such secret information? When did he investigate this?
"You can also tell Bazett, but in your own name, saying it's something you found out."
"Understood." Rider didn't hesitate. After all, this was the first task given to her by her Master in this Holy Grail War!
"Caster's true name is Medea. Her Noble Phantasm is Rule Breaker, which can destroy magical contracts, including Servant contracts."
"So, it's her..."
"Anyway, please take care of this. Consider it a return gift for the life force and third element I gave you earlier."
Rider, dismissing Shinji's words as a joke, patted her behind and left, taking the bed sheet Shinji had destroyed.
Shortly after Rider left, Shinji tidied up the room and took a quick shower. He then sensed a familiar presence outside.
Standing by the window, Shinji saw a delighted Gilgamesh at his doorstep, holding a stack of Yu-Gi-Oh cards.
Is he addicted to this game?