What is the mission of a Servant?
Saber once asked herself this question and eventually found her own answer.
The mission of a Servant is to fight!
And, when not in battle, to actively prepare for the inevitable fight that could come at any moment, ensuring they are well-rested and ready to fully complete their mission!
So, after having a good meal, Saber felt a bit sleepy, thinking how nice it would be to have a pillow and a blanket right now.
"Saber, can you please not fall asleep during the strategy meeting…"
In the living room of the Emiya residence, Illya, who had just finished a late-night meal, voiced her reminder while rubbing her forehead in exasperation.
Upon hearing this, Saber instantly woke up!
She nearly forgot that the real Shirou was still in the hands of the enemy because of the familiar taste of the food made by this world's Shirou and the familiar environment!
Damn! I let my guard down!
Saber clenched her fists, biting her lower lip, cursing herself for being so careless. She had almost forgotten such an important matter, thinking she was still in her original world because of this overly familiar setting!
Shirou is suffering at the enemy's hands right now, possibly even being tortured with whips, tigers' benches, or chili water!
Shirou, wait for me! I will definitely come to rescue you!
Seeing Saber come to her senses, Illya addressed everyone at the table again: "Next, we need to talk about that Darius, whom we've only heard but not seen. Honestly, his voice gives me a very bad feeling. He might be the biggest threat."
After spending dinner understanding the whole situation, Rin began to analyze, holding her chin thoughtfully.
"It's unimaginable that someone could specialize in displacement magic and use it to such an extent. As the head of the Enzbern family, that Darius indeed deserves our attention."
At this, Rin looked at Shirou: "Emiya-kun, among us here, you've participated in the Holy Grail War organized by the Enzbern family and defeated the doll they created through displacement magic to win and send Miyu away using the Grail. You should be the most familiar with the Enzbern family, right?"
"Perhaps." The hero responded, then shook his head seriously, changing his tone: "But, this is the first time I've heard the name Darius. The current head of the Enzbern family that I know is a boy my age named Julian Enzbern."
"What?!"
Everyone was shocked.
Emiya nodded solemnly and continued, "The previous head of the Enzbern family was Julian's father, Zachary Enzbern, who was my final opponent in the last Holy Grail War."
"Wait!" Rin quickly asked, "The previous head of the Enzbern family... does that mean he's already dead? You just said that those participating in the Holy Grail War are dolls created by displacement magic of deceased people!"
"Yes, that's right. I estimate that Julian's father died in that catastrophic event ten years ago. During the last Holy Grail War, the doll with his consciousness fought us, and he entrusted Julian to me before his end, though he didn't explain clearly."
Rin, Illya, Luvia, and Bazett exchanged glances, each noticing the seriousness in the other's eyes.
"It seems things are a bit complicated," Illya said, and Bazett, frowning, added, "When we broke into the Enzbern workshop, to be honest, we didn't see anyone named Julian Enzbern. If he exists, our enemies might have increased by one."
"Two people claiming to be the head of the Enzbern family, one named Julian, the other named Darius. A magical family with a thousand-year-old wish, and the troublesome displacement magic…"
Listening to Luvia's analysis, the quick-witted Illya suddenly thought of something.
"Could it be!"
"What is it, Illya?" Saber asked.
"It's quite likely that the so-called Darius Enzbern serves a role similar to Ahad in the Einzbern family in another world!"
His role would be to pass down the family's wish to each generation of Enzbern successors, preventing the wish from being distorted or disappearing over time!
After all, without such a reminder, a thousand-year wish could easily be distorted by time!
Like someone who lived for five hundred years, without constant reminders, ultimately twisted and forgot their true wish!
Just like the family of the second magician's disciple, in less than two hundred years, they twisted their wish to save humanity into a selfish desire to reach the Root!
"That makes sense," Rin nodded, then added her doubt, "But Illya, the examples you gave of forgotten wishes seem familiar…"
"Oh my, it seems the head of the Tohsaka family has a bit of self-awareness, huh?"
Seeing Illya smiling with her eyes curved, Rin suppressed her annoyance at the other's sarcasm.
After all, she wasn't wrong. Her family indeed forgot their original wish.
By the time it reached her father, the wish had become solely to reach the Root, and that's what was passed down to her!
The wish to save humanity was not even mentioned in the family archives!
Luvia then said, "So Darius might be something like an AI terminal program for the Einzbern family, ensuring their inherited wish doesn't deviate."
"Quite likely," Illya agreed seriously, "The Enzberns and the Einzberns are like counterparts in these two worlds. Technically, I'm the head of the Einzbern family in this generation, but Ahad is the true head. Perhaps Julian and Darius are in a similar situation!"
Bazett then added, "So, we need to be ready to fight both Julian and Darius. We might need to reassign our forces."
"Leave Julian to me," the hero said.
"Your body can't fight anymore. If you force yourself…"
Illya trailed off, knowing his body was in ruins, and more intense battles would only lead to death.
Emiya Shirou didn't care, smiling lightly, "I know. But it's my responsibility. Not just as Miyu's brother, but as Julian's friend. Please take care of this for me."
Seeing the seriousness and pleading in Emiya Shirou's words, everyone reluctantly agreed to let him join the midnight raid rescue plan.
...
A sneak attack always comes at three in the morning.
Boom!!
Boom!!
Beatrice, shaken out of bed for the second time in twenty-four hours, was furious. This was beyond disrespect; it was provocation!
Without waiting for Darius to inform her, she neatly placed her Julian pillow on the bed, softly saying, "Julian-sama, please wait for me," before rushing out.
At the same time, in Angelica's room.
Moonlight covered her modesty as Angelica, emotionlessly, began dressing quickly, causing someone who had been watching her to gulp several times!
...
Blonde, ponytailed, wearing pajamas, and holding a cute stuffed toy, Erika opened her room door, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"What's happening? It's so noisy…"
Walking down the hallway, Erika's light steps suggested she was somewhat excited by the sudden event, despite looking under ten years old.
"Oh, you can't go any further."
Darius' voice made Erika stop.
Turning around, she saw Darius Enzbern, looking tired, leaning against the hallway wall.
"Why?" Erika blinked her adorable big eyes.
Darius smiled, crouching down and speaking in a soothing tone, "Because it's bedtime for children. Children who don't sleep well will be punished. Of course…"
Saying this, Darius looked at the window, "Those 'children' who are acting smart and not sleeping are also in trouble. It's the second time now. Erika, do you think we should forgive them?"
Erika tapped her jelly-like cheek with her finger, pondering seriously for a couple of seconds.
"Erika doesn't know!"
Satisfied with the answer, Darius smiled and patted Erika's head.
"You're right. I don't know either. After all, Illyasviel is an important tool. Whether to kill her or not is troubling. Ah, such a dilemma."
"Really? If you're troubled, why not die now and stop worrying."
Turning around, Darius saw a blue Lancer who had slipped in unnoticed, without showing any surprise or other emotions.
"Oh dear…" Darius scratched his messy hair, standing up, "It seems I don't need to worry anymore…"
Outside the castle, Uncle B faced Beatrice, while Red Archer and Saber confronted Angelica.
Inside the castle, Lancer and Bazett found Darius Enzbern.
Rin, Luvia, Emiya Shirou, and Illya split into two groups. One infiltrated the dungeon below the castle to rescue the other Emiya Shirou, while the other headed to the tower where Miyu was imprisoned…