Fate/Magus Path

Annoyed, very annoyed, extremely annoyed.

This was how he felt at the moment.

On the streets of Fuyuki City, hidden in an alley, Kiritsugu Emiya extinguished the cigarette in his hand, glanced up at the deep night sky, and then heavily exhaled a cloud of smoke.

Although he had anticipated from the start that his compatibility with this particular king might be problematic when summoning, the actual dissonance upon summoning her was far more extreme than he had imagined.

The great King of Knights, who left a significant mark in Celtic mythology's British chapter, was actually a woman.

This made Kiritsugu feel deceived.

The rigid knightly demeanor, the upright knightly spirit... there was no doubt this Servant would never agree with his combat methods. From the very first moment of summoning her, he had felt deeply disappointed with his Servant.

However, this disappointment wasn't due to her strength.

After all, a legendary hero like King Arthur, renowned in mythology, certainly wouldn't be weak.

Rather, he simply couldn't see any compatibility between himself and this king.

A Master and Servant with no compatibility... forget about cooperating, they would only hinder each other in battle.

Therefore, everything would have to rely on himself. King Arthur would merely serve as a support to hold off other Masters' Servants, while he would be the one to determine the outcome of the battle.

After all, in the Holy Grail War, the true target was not just the Servants. Targeting the vulnerable Masters was undoubtedly the most effective strategy.

...

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

On the beach of Fuyuki, a white-haired beauty strolled leisurely under the moonlight, walking along the shore.

This was the first time she had ever seen the sea, having never left the ancient castle of ice and snow before. Everything in the outside world seemed so new to her.

Like a blank sheet of paper, pure and innocent, she experienced true freedom for the first time in this unfamiliar city, her face adorned with the most sincere smile.

"Irisviel..."

Watching that flawless, beautiful smile, Artoria, who followed closely behind, found herself momentarily lost in thought.

Such a pure and innocent smile stirred something within her, bringing back memories of her own past.

Was the young Artoria as beautiful and pure as Irisviel back then...?

Just as she was enjoying this peaceful moment, Saber's gaze suddenly sharpened, as if sensing something, and she turned her head in a specific direction. The faint aura of her blue energy subtly radiated around her.

"What's wrong, Saber?"

Sensing the energy emanating from Saber, the nearby Irisviel asked curiously.

"A Servant is inviting me to come. No, more accurately, he's inviting all the Servants in this city."

"Irisviel, should we go check it out?"

"Huh? Wait a moment, Saber, let me ask Kiritsugu first."

"Alright."

At that moment, the phone in her pocket began to ring. She quickly answered it.

After a brief, hushed conversation, Irisviel nodded slightly and turned to the knightly figure of King Arthur beside her, saying.

"Kiritsugu said he also sensed the magical power emanating outward. He wants us to go to the port for the battle. He'll be there shortly."

"Understood. So that direction leads to the port? Got it. Irisviel, let's go."

Receiving her Master's command, Artoria nodded and, like a gentle knight, took Irisviel's hand, guiding and protecting her temporary Master, Irisviel, as they headed toward the battleground.

...

At the edge of Fuyuki's port area, in the warehouse district.

The moonlight was as bright as frost, and a man with long golden hair stood there holding a spear.

He unleashed his magical energy without reservation, letting his presence radiate out like a fisherman casting a line, luring other Servants to take the bait.

"Hmm? Finally, some changes are happening on the battlefield."

Under the oppressive night sky, a rugged man with short red hair and muscles straining against his clothes stood proudly on a massive steel bridge in Fuyuki City, gazing into the distance at the unfolding battle. His cloak billowed in the night wind.

The man stroked the beard on his chin, his eyes wide as he intently observed the battle scene, carefully watching the blue-skirted, golden-haired girl who was facing off against the golden-haired spearman near the containers.

"Aaaaaaaah, Rider, this is too high! Put me down, please!"

Meanwhile, the overlooked Waver trembled in the cold wind, glancing down at the flowing river and the busy vehicles below, his legs shaking uncontrollably.

"Little brat, as my Master, you can't be this timid. Look at your teacher; he uses himself as bait to draw out all potential enemies. You should learn that courage and confidence."

"Huh? What nonsense are you talking about? Professor Kayneth is the Lord of the Clock Tower, a genius known as a prodigy in the magical world. How could I possibly compare to him? Besides, if we expose ourselves like this, won't it cause trouble? Shouldn't the Holy Grail War be fought in secrecy for greater advantage? Isn't revealing ourselves too reckless?"

Looking at his little Master, who was trembling on the steel beam, the King of Conquerors sighed and summoned his divine chariot, taking Waver under his arm and lifting him up.

"Speaking such downcast words before a battle is a taboo, little Master! Your teacher is formidable, but don't forget, he will be our enemy after we deal with the others. As my Master, Alexander the Great, you must not show weakness!"

"Even if you say that, I still can't win against Professor Kayneth…"

Seeing the King of Conquerors's serious expression, Waver sighed helplessly.

"In terms of magical prowess and aptitude, we are far too apart. How could I possibly defeat Professor Kayneth? And... didn't we form an alliance? Professor Kayneth wouldn't attack us, right?"

"Fool, the Holy Grail War is still a war. Only one victor can emerge. Even if we are allies now, after dealing with the other Masters and Servants, we will still become enemies. So you must be prepared in advance, understand? Little Master."

"Can I really challenge Professor Kayneth?"

"And I've told you so many times, just call me Master! Don't add the 'little' in front of it!"

Amidst Waver's frustrated reprimand, the King of Conquerors stroked his bearded chin and thought for a moment before saying, "However, if you think about it carefully, your teacher is quite cautious. While he has Lancer exposed to lure out other opponents, your teacher himself remains well-hidden."

"His aim is to stage a show, luring out other Masters and Servants as much as possible, bringing the hidden into the open. However, this indeed requires enough confidence and bravery; with a slight misstep, he could easily be overwhelmed by many Servants."

"Doesn't that mean Professor Kayneth is in a dangerous position right now?" 

"Not necessarily; the golden Lancer he summoned is a rare hero and won't be so easily defeated."

"And don't forget, we've established an alliance with your teacher. Even if things go awry, isn't this king here? In fact, I've been eager to join in."

"Seeing them fighting so fiercely, witnessing the clash of heroes from different eras, this king's heart for conquest cannot be contained, hahaha... "

As he spoke, the King of Conquerors burst into a wide grin and leaped onto his Noble Phantasm, the Gordius Wheel.

"Huh? Isn't Professor Kayneth letting us observe here? Rider, what are you doing?!"

"Hahahahahaha!"

Amid Waver's shocked cry, the King of Conquerors laughed heartily, grabbing the reins of his chariot and shouting, "Let's go! Regardless, little Master, we're joining the fray! Seeing them battle so fiercely, I can't hold back any longer! Let's go! Join this grand gathering with this king!"

"No! Rider, we'll definitely get scolded by Professor Kayneth! You idiot!"

"Hahaha! So what? This king's heart for conquest knows no bounds. We'll deal with the aftermath when it comes!"

After a bout of laughter, the King of Conquerors pulled the reins, and with a sharp crack of the whip, his Noble Phantasm, the Gordius Wheel, roared to life, illuminating the night with a bluish arc of electricity.

...

Fuyuki City Port.

Compared to the laughter and chatter coming from the King of Conquerors, this place was evidently much livelier, with the fierce clashes of magical spears and holy swords echoing throughout.

Bathed in the cool moonlight, a long-haired handsome man threw his golden hair back, revealing a stunning face that could drive any woman mad with desire.

With a casual wave of his uniquely designed spear, resembling a magical wand, he commanded a continuous flow of water, effortlessly countering the fierce onslaught from Saber.

The waves and starlight danced together under the night sky.

"Quite an intense aura of battle; I believe you must be a seasoned warrior. Though you have concealed your weapon, I know you are the Saber of this Holy Grail War."

"Not necessarily; you can't confirm my weapon. I might actually be Lancer or Archer."

Upon hearing this, Artoria remained unfazed, channeling more magical energy as she summoned a blue wind to slash toward her enemy.

"You jest."

Lancer smiled slightly and once again swung his spear, guiding the water to deflect Saber's attack. Observing Artoria's figure in the moonlight, the golden-haired man bit his thumb and continued speaking.

"I have great confidence in my discernment."

This is... the aura of the planet's power.

Saber, the planet's power, and the signature weapon that must be concealed.

"I see. Now I understand."

With a sudden flash of insight, Lancer had unraveled Saber's secret.

"So you are the famous King Arthur. I didn't expect you to be a woman."

Hearing her secret revealed, Artoria felt no need to continue hiding and unleashed her magical energy, dispersing the blue wind on her sword to reveal its true form.

"So what if I'm a woman? Can't King Arthur be a woman?"

"Unknown hero, please do not underestimate your opponent due to gender. Before being a woman, I am still a knight and a king; I am King Arthur!!"

"Saber..."

Seeing Saber's true name easily recognized by her opponent, Irisviel felt a twinge of worry from her position behind.

"Don't worry, Irisviel. Just stay a bit further away; I'm going to fight seriously now!"

The Holy Sword - Excalibur.

"Indeed, you are the genuine King Arthur. I'm just a little surprised; I mean no disrespect, as such a sharp sword cannot tolerate my arrogance."

"Exactly. The fact that you could discern my class and identity in such a brief encounter shows your remarkable insight. I suspect you must possess some kind of intelligence-based Noble Phantasm. With your exceptional skill, almost cursed beauty, and this extraordinary magical spear, considering the legends, your true name must be... Diarmuid, right?"

"Ah?!"

Upon hearing that familiar name, the golden-haired man's face twisted slightly in reaction.

He then awkwardly yet politely smiled, raised his spear to perform a flourish, and then attacked with lightning speed.

As the spear struck down, Artoria couldn't help but feel as if it carried a hint of anger.

"While I admire King Arthur, I will not reveal my true name before battle. If you want to know the truth, come and experience it for yourself."

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