On the forest path near the park.
Riding the small electric scooter rented from the park, Roy was driving with one hand while answering a call.
"Hello, is this Roy?"
It was Waver's voice on the other end, and from the sound of it, his injuries seemed to have healed quite well.
"Yes, it's me. What's up?"
"Of course there's something! Where have you been? It's almost dark."
Amid Waver's voice, the loud noise of Iskandar could be heard, seemingly watching a military channel. He was laughing and shouting about how some president wasn't worthy to be his enemy.
"Shut up, you idiot, Rider! I'm on the phone."
"It's fine, don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. You guys, on the other hand, should be more careful. Didn't Professor Kayneth tell you I was going off on my own?"
"...No, he didn't. Professor Kayneth is still in the basement, researching that woman we brought back."
Waver paused for a moment before continuing, "I went to call him earlier but got kicked out. When Professor Kayneth is in research mode, he forgets everything. I guess he just forgot about you..."
Forgot?
"Haha, that sounds like something he would do. A magus immersed in the unknown is bound to be obsessed." Roy chuckled wryly.
"I understand that, but..."
"But are you serious? Going off alone in this situation? No matter how strong you've become, you're no match for a Servant. What if you encounter..."
Waver's concern was evident, but Roy laughed softly, cutting him off.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything reckless. My Servant has already betrayed me, so targeting me would be pointless for them. If anything, you guys should be more cautious."
"He's right... Compared to Roy, who no longer has a Servant or the right to compete, we're the ones facing the real danger. Do you understand that, Waver?"
"Ah... "
Hearing Kayneth's voice suddenly from behind, Waver jumped, dropping his phone in the process.
Seeing Waver's clumsy reaction, Kayneth shook his head in disapproval.
"Fool! As a student of the El-Melloi Classroom, how could you let someone sneak up behind you without noticing?!"
"S-sorry, Professor Kayneth!!"
"Hmph, normally, I'd punish you for this incompetence, but given the circumstances, I don't have the time to correct you. Since you're sincere in your apology, just submit a 30,000-word self-reflection essay when we return to London."
'Are you a devil, Professor Kayneth?!'
Waver screamed internally.
After discovering the secrets of the Lesser Grail, Kayneth was feeling refreshed. He put on his white gloves and instructed Waver.
"Don't worry about Roy. I trust he can take care of himself. Through my research on the Lesser Grail, I now understand everything. I never expected the Holy Grail War to also conceal the Third Magic. No wonder Amakusa Shirou was so confident about achieving that so-called salvation for all humanity."
"The Third Magic..." Waver was stunned.
"Are you talking about the Third Magic from the Five True Magics, Professor Kayneth?!"
Hearing the term Magic rather than Magecraft made Waver realize the significance of what Kayneth was referring to.
"Yes, the Third Magic. I was surprised to discover such a secret hidden in this backwater ritual."
"But now that I understand what this Third Magic, Heaven's Feel, is, we must stop Amakusa Shirou's insane wish. If he succeeds, while we may gain eternal life, Sola... no, human emotions will gradually fade over time. Eventually, even magus will lose their desire for the unknown and their pursuit of the Root. Such a world would have no future for humanity!!"
Though, you seem more concerned about your fiancée.
Roy thought to himself, recalling the many times he had seen Kayneth staring at his fiancée's picture.
Though he didn't know how this timeline had shifted, it was wise of Kayneth not to bring that troublesome woman along.
"Waver, we can't just sit back any longer. Prepare Rider, it's time for us to attack!"
"However, I must confirm one last time. Roy, are you really planning to face Emiya Kiritsugu and Saber alone?"
"Relax, Professor Kayneth. I'll handle Kiritsugu. You and Waver just focus on dealing with Ruler at the church. If you see the Count, say hi for me. Tell him I'll be seeing him soon."
"Very well then..."
*Boom!*
Before Roy could finish, an ear-piercing explosion replaced his voice, followed by the sound of a busy signal.
In that instant, Kayneth's pupils constricted. Even Waver, who had been preparing to command Rider, froze. Rider quietly turned off the military channel on the TV.
Fionn knelt down slowly. "Master, please issue your command."
"Should we go to aid him or proceed with the plan? This king is growing impatient."
"I understand..."
"It seems the enemy is moving faster than we anticipated. We have no time to waste. We move out immediately!"
"As you command."
...
On the other side of the call, near the wooded area along Fuyuki City's highway, asphalt and dust flew as black smoke slowly rose from the shattered diesel engine.
The small scooter Roy had just rented had been blown tens of meters away. Having sensed danger in advance, he leaped off at the moment of the attack, emerging completely unscathed.
However, his expression was far from pleasant, his eyes locked on the man wielding an RPG in front of him... Emiya Kiritsugu.
'Wow, I was just about to go cause trouble at the Einzbern mansion, and here you are coming to me. How convenient.'
It was clear the other side had anticipated his arrival.
Assassin must have already revealed his movements beforehand.
"Well, what a coincidence, meeting you here again, Mr. Emiya. And…"
"Miss Artoria."
Roy smiled as he turned around, greeting the blonde King of Knights who had cut off his retreat with a casual nod.
"How do you know that name?"
Roy had called her by her true name, not by King Arthur.
Hearing her true name spoken, Artoria was surprised. Aside from Merlin and her foster father, even many of the Knights of the Round Table didn't know it.
"Indeed, how would I know? Why don't you take a guess? I'll reveal the answer soon enough."
"Are you mocking me?"
Her expression darkened as Roy's flippant attitude reminded her of a certain unburnable trash.
Meanwhile, far away in Avalon, Merlin sneezed. "Who's talking about me?"
Roy shrugged, a helpless look on his face. "I'm not mocking you. I'm merely acting on someone else's request. I'll tell you the truth soon enough."
It was clear that Kiritsugu wasn't buying his calm demeanor. The dark muzzle of the gun remained pointed at Roy's head as he demanded in a low voice, "I'm not here for idle chatter. Where's Iris? She was taken by Kayneth, wasn't she?"
"Ah, you already know she was taken by Kayneth, so why ask me? I wasn't the one who took your wife."
Roy looked helplessly at the pathetic man in front of him, whose face was now twisted in anger.
"Ultimately, you just can't break through Rider and Lancer to get her back from Kayneth, can you? So now you're trying to use me, right? It makes sense. After all, I've never hidden my movements, and Assassin must have informed all of you as soon as I stepped out."
"You're right." Kiritsugu admitted coldly.
"I don't have confidence I can save Iris unscathed from Kayneth. If she gets caught in the crossfire, things will only get worse."
"So you picked an easier target, like me? You plan to threaten me into helping you rescue Irisviel?"
Roy shrugged again. "I'm curious... are your feelings driven by anger over the Lesser Grail being taken, or are you truly worried about Irisviel's safety?"
"You love her so much, yet you're willing to sacrifice her because it's her fate as the Lesser Grail, to use her life to fulfill your dream. Even if Amakusa Shirou's plan won't work, you'll still use your own method to make a wish? Even if it means... sacrificing her? Mr. Emiya, your values are even more twisted than those of a magus…"
Roy yawned, looking wearily at the man before him. He hadn't expected the illusion he projected that night to fail at shaking Kiritsugu's determination to save humanity. Kiritsugu remained just as obsessed with the Holy Grail, which was impressive in its own way.
"Is that all you have to say?" Kiritsugu remained expressionless, his gun still trained on Roy.
"More or less. Are you going to make a move? Have Saber capture me, draft some geis, and force me to help you rescue Irisviel? Is that your plan?"
"…"
Kiritsugu was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, his intent clear.
"Then go ahead and try. Let's see if Artoria can capture me."
Roy showed no fear.
"Are you insulting me?" Artoria felt a surge of anger, sensing she was being belittled.
"This isn't an insult, King of Knights. I'm merely stating the facts. Because even if you weren't coming after me, I'd be seeking you out eventually."
Roy spoke with absolute certainty. "Before you exit the stage, your only enemy will be me."
Kiritsugu frowned. "Are you serious?"
"Of course. I never lie."
He couldn't understand.
Facing these ancient heroes head-on, Kiritsugu couldn't fathom where this young man's confidence came from.
Yet, a sense of unease crept in. Though he didn't fully know Roy, he knew the young man wasn't one to speak recklessly. What kind of trump card did he possess to face Saber directly?
But even if he hadn't said it, Kiritsugu would have still had Saber subdue him and then gone to Kayneth to make an exchange. One way or another, this battle was inevitable.
As Kiritsugu thought this, the Origin Round had already been loaded into the magazine, ready to fire at any moment.
"...Is that so? You've already made up your mind?"
"Then forget it. If you want to get your wife back, head to our base. There's no one left there. If you're lucky, she's still in the basement. Kayneth was only researching the secrets of the Lesser Grail and didn't harm her." Roy glanced at Emiya Kiritsugu and Artoria, letting out a soft laugh.
"Unlike you two, we're not interested in the so-called Holy Grail. Our curiosity about the Lesser Grail was just fleeting. We've already studied its secrets, and if you want her back, it's no problem."
"But... I hope this time, you can protect what you hold dear. Because the next time you lose it, it will be forever."
There was a deeper meaning in Roy's words, and the intensity in his gaze made Kiritsugu's heart tighten. He understood exactly what Roy was implying.
But Kiritsugu had no retort. After confirming Roy was serious, he left without looking back.
To him, Irisviel was far more important.
"Kiritsugu..."
Artoria wanted to follow after him but was stopped by Roy, who extended his hand, blocking her path.
"Don't bother. He won't listen to you right now. Besides, I wasn't lying... everything I said is the truth. I have no reason to deceive him."
"You!!"
Annoyed by being stopped, Artoria channeled her magical energy, intending to break free and catch up, only to be surprised that Roy could match her speed.
"What are your intentions?"
"I have no ulterior motives. I just want to have a private chat with you."
"I have nothing to discuss with you. Get out of my way, or I'll..."
Sensing the powerful magical energy surging from her, Roy merely smiled, his fearless gaze still fixed on her.
"Or what? Planning to take me down? Don't bother. I won't let you pass."
"After all, someone specifically asked me to take good care of you... It's not over yet, and I can't let you cause trouble."
"Then I'll just have to defeat you first!" Enraged by Roy's provocation, Artoria tightly gripped Excalibur and swung it at him.
Faced with her powerful strike, Roy didn't dare try blocking it with a single finger. He raised his hand and summoned a mass-produced holy sword gifted by Merlin to intercept the blow.
Clang!
The two similarly shaped swords collided, unleashing a surge of magical energy. Roy was forced several steps back from the impact, and cracks spread across the mass-produced holy sword he held, unable to withstand the gap in strength between it and Artoria's sword.
A D-rank Noble Phantasm was destroyed just like that by Artoria.
"What terrifying strength... But you held back just now, didn't you? That strike was only meant to incapacitate me, not kill."
"What are you?" Artoria's eyes filled with caution as she witnessed Roy easily blocking her attack.
"With this kind of power and magical energy... Are you really human?"
Her battle stance became more serious, no longer showing any carelessness. She now treated him as a Servant-level enemy, her aura rapidly intensifying.
"Huh? Of course I'm human, very much so. But isn't this a bit much? You're even using your Mana Burst... do you really need to go all out, King of Knights, just to deal with a modern-day magus?"
"..."
Artoria gave no answer, merely staring at him intently, the wariness in her eyes undiminished.
"You don't want to answer? Fine, let's get to the point. Someone asked me to deliver a message to you."
As Roy spoke, he began gathering magical energy. In his palm, a spectral image of a sword slowly took shape, and he grasped it, causing ripples in the air.
The moment she saw the sword, Artoria's eyes widened in shock, unable to speak.
"That sword is..."
Arondight!
"That's Lancelot's sword! Why is his sword in your hand?!"
"Oh, King, you've already done so well. The fall of Britain was the fading of the Age of Gods. Please don't take all the blame upon yourself. None of us have ever resented you. From beginning to end, you were always the King we pledged our loyalty to."
"Do these words make sense to you? Lancelot, for certain reasons, couldn't come to apologize to you in person."
"But he entrusted me with his sword, hoping I could guide you. So now... let's see, King of Knights!"
***
Keeping a precious item like the Power Stone is hard, so for your own sake, drop the Power Stone here, otherwise I can't guarantee your safety!