Fate pointed Gae Bolg at the towering Berserker, his stance unwavering.
"Why the hell are you here?" he asked, his voice edged with irritation.
Berserker, however, didn't answer in words.
Instead, he grinned—a huge, toothy grin—before rising to his full height. His battle axe gleamed under the moonlight as he lifted it effortlessly, his muscles tensing as he entered his battle stance.
Then—
"GRRRRRR!!"
A thunderous roar erupted from the Viking warrior, shaking the air around them.
Fate blinked.
"Uh… who the fuck is Gunnhild?" he muttered, slightly caught off guard.
"GRRRR."
Fate's eyebrows furrowed before realization dawned on him.
"Oh. Sorry for accidentally insulting your wife."
"Grr."
There was a pause.
Then—
"Wait, are you actually able to understand him, or are you just screwing with me?" Aesc interjected, her expression genuinely perplexed.
Even Morgan, floating behind Fate in her astral form, looked equally confused.
From what she could tell, some Berserker with [Madness Enhancement] lost the ability to speak normal, leaving them only able to roar or shouted by , Fate was actually holding a conversation with Berserker.
"GRRR!"
Fate nodded, as if completely understanding.
"I see. As much as I'd love to throw down with you right now, I need to make sure my Master is safe first."
He spun Gae Bolg, flipping it once before lowering his stance, his body coiled like a predator.
Aesc, watching this with amusement, let out a light chuckle.
Raising her left hand to cover her lips, she slowly revealed her glowing red command seals.
"How very caring." she mused, her lips curling into a smirk.
"Give her back!" Fate snarled, his crimson spear poised for a devastating thrust as he charged straight at Caster.
Aesc smirked, unfazed by his aggression.
"By the power of my Command Seal, I order you, Berserker! Use your full strength and go all out against him!"
The red glow of the Command Seal ignited on Aesc's hand, its ominous light reflecting in Berserker's already glowing crimson eyes. The Viking let out a deafening roar, his entire body trembling with unleashed ferocity.
"GRRRRRR!!"
Fate gritted his teeth.
"Tch—no time for this."
With a burst of speed, he attempted to slip past the Berserker, moving with fluid precision. But before he could gain even a step forward—
Berserker appeared right in front of him.
Fate barely had a second to react before the Viking swung his colossal battle axe in an upward arc.
Fate twisted his grip, flipping Gae Bolg and blocking the strike, the impact sending a shockwave through the temple grounds.
BOOM!
The sheer force of the blow sent Fate hurtling backward, his boots scraping against the stone tiles as he skidded to a halt.
Install!
His body glowed, his clothes shifting as he activated installed Caster Medea.
His dark cloak spread like wings, his feet hovering mid-air as he gazed down at his enemies. His eyes briefly flickered to Artoria, still unconscious behind Aesc.
'Gotta get her out of here.'
Raising his staff, a series of glowing magic circles appeared in the air, their runes pulsating with energy.
"Let's see how you handle this!"
A storm of magic missiles rained down on the battlefield, their trajectory unpredictable as they homed in on their targets.
Berserker, however, barreled through them.
Each blast landed, but the Viking pushed forward, ignoring the pain.
"Anti-Caster skills." Fate quickly figured it out.
His eyes darted toward Aesc, and he immediately noticed something even more troubling—
She was drawing power from the Ryuudou Temple's leyline.
Just like Medea in Unlimited Blade Works…
That meant she was likely one of the most powerful Servants in this war—her mana reserves practically limitless.
Berserker moved.
The Viking launched himself into the air, his battle axe gleaming under the moonlight.
Fate barely had time to react as the massive weapon came crashing down.
He dodged mid-air, flipping backward—
But then—
The axe glowed ominously.
Berserker swung again—this time, unleashing a crescent-shaped energy slash that ripped through the air straight toward him.
"The hell—?!"
Fate crossed his arms, his cloak shifting defensively just as the magic-infused slash crashed into him.
BOOM!
Fate was sent spiraling downward, crashing into the ground.
Dust and debris erupted around him.
His cloak burned away, his form shifting back to normal.
He groaned, slowly rising to his feet.
Change!
His body shifted again, this time replacing his attire with a black priest uniform and a red holy shroud.
Fate glared at Aesc.
"You fucking enchanted his weapon?!"
Aesc's smug grin mirrored Morgan's.
"Impressed?"
Black Keys materialized in Fate's hands.
He threw six of them toward Berserker—
The Viking swung his axe, deflecting them with ease.
But Fate remains calm.
Set
The Black Keys stopped mid-air—and then suddenly changed direction, homing back toward Berserker.
Berserker dodged left—but Fate was already moving.
More Black Keys materialized—this time, glowing larger, infused with reinforcement magic.
Berserker was forced onto the defensive, evading as the blades expanded mid-flight.
Before he suddenly froze, the many large Black Keys cast shadows that directly linked Berserker's, using this, Fate stabbed a Black Key into the shadow, locking Berserker in place.
Fate shifted back to his normal form, his breathing heavy as his magic reserves dropped to one-fourth.
No time to hesitate.
With a raised hand, his Devil Arm: Hama-Yumi appeared in his left grip.
In his other hand—
A sword.
Aesc's eyes narrowed in recognition.
"That's—!"
The blade of treachery.
Clarent.
Fate placed the sword on the bowstring, pulling it back as it transformed into an arrow.
The moment he released—
CLARENT BLOOD ARTHUR!!
A massive red beam erupted, streaking across the battlefield toward Berserker.
The explosion lit up the temple grounds like a beacon of red light.
The dust cleared—
Berserker, still standing, but badly injured, was on one knee.
Fate didn't let up.
A familiar red spear appeared in his hands—Gae Bolg.
Demonic energy flared as he poured his energy into it.
Berserker tried to rise.
Too late.
With one final throw, Fate hurled the spear forward—
Gae Bolg Alternative!
The crimson projectile pierced Berserker's chest.
A final, guttural growl left Eric Bloodaxe's lips as his body faded into light.
All that remained—
A Class Card, resting on the ground.
Fate exhaled, raising his hand and the spear flew back to him.
Aesc observed the scene, her amused expression unwavering.
"Impressive."
She flicked a loose strand of hair aside.
"Not only did you fire a Broken Phantasm, but you followed up with a Noble Phantasm to finish off the job. Killing Berserker in such a short amount of time... Changer, you're quite the menace."
Since the start of this war, it had been nothing more than a drawn-out stalemate.
Aesc was patient, but she had her limit.
Her ex-Master had been a pathetic excuse for a Magus, incapable of supplying her with even a sliver of magical energy. All talk, no power. The kind of fool who strutted about with empty boasts, believing words alone could turn him into a king.
He was so worthless that she didn't even bother killing him herself.
Instead, she led him to the Ryuudou Temple under false pretenses, severed their contract, and watched in disgust as he crawled on his hands and knees, screaming, pleading—an absolute disgrace.
Aesc looks at the purple seaweed-haired men crawling on the ground like trash.
With a flick of her wrist, a portal opened beneath him.
His screams were abruptly cut off as he was swallowed by the earth—buried alive.
A fitting grave for trash.
Then came Berserker.
She had easily stolen him from his original Master, who had proven to be just as weak as her previous one. They died before they even had the chance to beg for their life, and with that, she had claimed their Command Seals as her own.
Yet despite her efforts, this war had been nothing but a game of defense.
No one truly fought. No one truly died.
At least—not until he arrived.
Fate Redgrave.
He had shattered the stalemate.
Aesc leaned slightly forward, intrigued, watching the man before her.
"That just leaves Saber, Rider... and you." Fate said, leveling Gae Bolg at her.
Aesc's lips curled into a knowing smirk.
"Oh? You mean to tell me the rest have already fallen by your hand?" she murmured, eyes gleaming. "How fascinating..."
Her amusement only deepened.
Morgan, standing nearby, visibly tensed, her lip twitching in irritation.
It was bad enough having to deal with one version of herself, but this one? Aesc radiated power far beyond her own, and now—she was trying to take her man right in front of her.
Aesc extended a hand toward Fate.
"You're truly impressive," she praised, voice as smooth as silk. "Why don't you ditch that Morgan and join me?"
Morgan clenched her fists.
Fate? He merely narrowed his eyes coldly.
"No thanks. I've had enough Morgans for one lifetime."
Aesc let out a melodramatic sigh, lowering her hand.
"Pity."
Then, her expression darkened—sharp, calculating.
She raised her left hand, her Command Seals glowing crimson.
"By the power of my Command Seals...I order you, Changer—Become my loyal Servant!"
A red pulse erupted from her hand.
Fate staggered, his head snapping back as the influence of the Command Seal bore down on him like a thousand screaming voices.
"Ghh—!"
Clutching his head, he gritted his teeth, fighting back against the unnatural compulsion.
Aesc frowned slightly. "Resisting?"
She let out a low hum before lifting her hand once more.
"Let's try again. By the power of my Command Seals, I order you—Changer, become my loyal Servant!"
A second Command Seal vanished.
The influence doubled, the weight of her will pressing against him, the command was like unwanted voices that rang in his mind trying to force him into submission.
It was familiar—too familiar.
The insidious whispers clawing at his mind... they reminded him of Trigon.
Fate growled through clenched teeth, eyes flickering with defiance.
Aesc's expression darkened further.
She already knew Fate was different—an Extra Servant that shouldn't even exist.
But if even two Command Seals weren't enough to force his submission…
Her grip on her final Seal tightened.
There were only three true Servants left in this war—Saber, Rider, and herself.
And if this failed, then there was only one possibility left.
He would kill her.
Unlike the others, who clung to defense, Fate had been on the attack from the very beginning. Over half of the original seven had already fallen to him.
Even with her near-limitless mana from the Ryuudou Temple leyline, she wasn't sure she could win.
She could have threatened Artoria, using her as a hostage, but... Aesc couldn't bring herself to do it.
She also cares about Artoria, and she couldn't bring this innocent, ignorant sister from a different world into this conflict.
So, with a slow, measured breath—
She sighed.
Then, her gaze sharpened.
"If that is your decision, then…By the power of my Command Seals...I order you—Changer—Kill yourself."
Fate's eyes widened.
His body betrayed him.
His hands moved against his will, gripping Gae Bolg—
And before he could even process it—
He drove the crimson spear through his own heart.
The world seemed to stop.
A sickening squelch echoed in the silence.
Blood poured from the wound, warm and thick, seeping into his clothes as a sharp pain tore through his chest.
Fate gasped—his body convulsing—
And then—
His [Instinct] triggered.
In that split second, he dispelled Gae Bolg.
The spear vanished, the open wound still bleeding, but no longer fatal.
Slowly, Fate lifted his gaze.
And when his eyes met Aesc's—
Malice.
Pure, seething, murderous malice radiated from him like a tangible force.
Aesc stiffened.
Had she pushed too far?
She didn't wait to find out.
With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a magic sword and hurled it at him.
The blade pierced his chest, slamming him back into the cold temple floor.
Fate lay still, his blood pooling beneath him.
Aesc exhaled, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
"What a disappointment."
She turned away, not sparing him another glance.
"If only you had just listened."
And with that, she stepped toward the temple, leaving him bleeding in the dark.
Aesc didn't notice.
She didn't see it.
She was already walking away, already believing the battle was over.
She didn't see how Fate moved.
Not until it was too late.
A slow, unnatural rise—his body pushing up against the very blade still lodged in his chest. Blood trickled down the steel, dripping onto the ground in thick, crimson droplets. His body slowly rose, reaching against the hilt—pushing himself up along the very weapon meant to kill him.
Morgan's breath hitched.
Her eyes widened, blinking rapidly as she processed the impossible sight.
"That's... not normal."
Then—
Fate moved.
Aesc barely had time to turn before a hand shot forward, seizing her by the throat.
SLAM!
The temple floor cracked as her body crashed against the stone, air violently ripped from her lungs.
For the first time in this fight—she was the one gasping.
But something else was happening.
As Fate charged forward, Morgan's body moved with him.
Her astral form surged forward, colliding directly with Aesc's body.
The moment she opened her eyes again—
She was staring up at him.
And the first thing she saw was Scarlet's blade—pressed against her throat.
"Wait—why is he—?"
Her breath caught in her throat.
"W-Wait! It's me! Morgan!"
Fate's icy gaze bore into her.
"I know."
The blade pressed closer.
The cold steel bit against her flesh, just enough for a thin line of blood to bead against the edge.
Morgan panicked.
Her mind was racing, screaming at her to move, but her body refused.
The sheer malice radiating from him was palpable—oppressive—suffocating.
For the first time, she felt true fear.
"Y-You used me for eight hours straight without rest!"
She blurted it out in a half-panicked, half-flustered tone, her face burning red.
Fate froze.
His brows furrowed, mildly confused.
"Heh!?"
How did she even know that?
Morgan looked up at him, swallowing hard, trying to compose herself.
"It's me. Your Morgan."
Her hands grasped his, pressing against the one holding Scarlet. She could still feel the sting from where the blade had nicked her skin.
Fate's eyes narrowed.
"How the hell did you get in that body?"
His grip loosened, and he finally let her go, stepping back.
"I'm not sure, but... I'm Caster now."
Morgan exhaled shakily, immediately pressing a hand to her neck, using magic to heal the wound.
But even as she closed the injury, the sensation lingered.
For the first time, she had felt something she never experienced before.
Even with their soul bond, even with the control she had over him—this was different.
This wasn't like when they were in their inner world, with their souls linked together, his killing intent felt like that of her own. So she wasn't much affected by it.
But now, his killing intent here felt more raw and direct.
And it had terrified her.
Fate exhaled sharply, shaking off whatever thoughts lingered.
"Never mind. Get up."
He extended a hand.
Morgan hesitated—just for a moment—before taking it.
With one sharp pull, she was back on her feet.
The two turned toward the unconscious Artoria.
Morgan let out a breath, steadying herself.
"Let's go back for now."
She didn't argue.
"Agreed."
The whole incident with Caster kidnapping Artoria was resolved in a single night.
And, luckily—she wasn't hurt.
Although…
"I'm off to school now!"
Artoria's voice rang through the house as she rushed past both Fate and Morgan in the kitchen, grabbing her bag on the way out.
Fate silently watched her go, his gaze following her until the door shut behind her.
It seemed Caster had erased all of her memories about the Holy Grail War.
That was probably for the best.
At least now, she could return to her ordinary life.
For now.
Morgan, still adjusting to her new body, leaned against the counter. The woman before him was no longer the same Morgan he had bonded with—at least not physically. Instead, she now inhabited the body of Savior Aesc, or as she was known in her own timeline—Ice Queen Morgan.
She tilted her head slightly.
"So, what now?"
Fate continued washing the dishes, his voice calm and composed.
"What else? There's only Rider and Saber left."
A subtle bounded field surrounded them, ensuring that, to any outside observer, their conversation would sound like nothing more than casual small talk between a couple.
Morgan smirked, drying off the dishes with ease.
"So does that mean I'll get the Grail?"
She glanced at him, her tone deceptively casual, but Fate could tell.
She wanted it.
And why wouldn't she?
A wish-granting cup, filled with the accumulated Magic Energy of legendary heroes throughout time.
With it, she could practically wish for anything.
Fate didn't answer immediately. Instead, he handed her another plate.
"We still don't even know where the Grail is."
Morgan finished drying it off and placed it with the others.
"You could use [Tracker] to locate it."
She turned toward him fully now, eyes sharp and expectant.
She wasn't wrong.
With his ability, he could easily locate both the Lesser and Greater Grails.
But the real question was—
Was the Grail in this world corrupt?
Because if it was, then granting any wish would be a disaster.
Fate's fingers stilled against the dish he was washing.
He didn't know.
And that uncertainty didn't sit well with him.
He turned his head slightly, noticing Morgan had gone silent.
She stood still, her gaze locked onto empty space, lost in deep thought.
Something about the way she stood—her expression, her posture—
It reminded him of something.
Something he himself often did.
But for the life of him—
He couldn't remember what.
Target: Fate Redgrave
Gender: Male
Trust: 25% (Lock)
Loyalty: 8%
Love: 15%
Affection: Dom 78%
Mental: 85%
'Why the hell is it locked!?'
Morgan scowled inwardly, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
Did this mean he wouldn't trust her anymore?
No—it couldn't be.
The bond was only at 25%, meaning there was still something she needed to do to unlock it.
But what!?
'I didn't get a useful system like him! I got a damn dating sim system with no helpful tips!'
She gritted her teeth.
How the hell was a system designed for romance supposed to help her, a woman who had never once experienced love, navigate this situation?
There had to be a way.
Maybe she needed to increase his affection for her?
Morgan's mind raced, but she didn't realize the way Fate's sharp gaze flicked toward her.
'Is she scheming something behind my back?'
Her emotions were an open book to him—
Worry.
Confusion.
And... stress?
What the hell was she stressed about?
The Grail?
What to wish for?
Fate shook his head, deciding to worry about Morgan later.
For now, only Rider and Saber remained—
Morgan was already dealt with.
Before anyone knew it, a devilish grin crept onto Fate's face.
This world was weak.
Its magic level was laughably low, and once this war ended, there would be no real way for him to gain more SP here.
So…
It was best to wrap this up early. Morgan has already unlocked the seal letting Fate regain his magic energy.
His training in condensing magic energy had been put on hold thanks to Morgan's interference, but now—he could resume.
With his 50 Magic Circuits, with one circuit equals one unit of magic, by using [Mana Control] to compress his energy, doubling the amount stored in a single circuit, making one circuit then worth two units of magic.
He can continue this endlessly, with [Mana Control] he doesn't need to concentrate much, as the skill makes controlling mana as simple as breathing to him.
Of course, doing this will require him to be able to replenish his magic energy, but the side effect of this training is that his circuits will be overworked, making him overheated much quicker.
But that was just one way to grow stronger. If this goes steadily, he might have infinite magic energy in no time.
Reaching into his inventory, Fate pulled out his Archer Class Card—Oda Nobunaga.
The card flickered in his hand, the image of the famous archer shifting—
Bound in chains. Kneeling.
Not an Archer.
But an Avenger.
Demon King Oda Nobunaga.
Fate's eyes narrowed.
He had no idea how he managed to force a class change, but—
If he could recreate this process…
Then he could unlock even more Class Cards.
Even more power.
Berserker Oda Nobunaga.Saber Ryougi Shiki.Saber/Lancer Artoria Alter.
His heart pounded.
His fingers curled around the card.
"I could get more power..."
For a brief moment, his eyes flashed golden—
Then they dimmed back to icy blue.