Chapter 121: World Elimination! A madman who breaks into the formation alone?
The first glimmer of dawn pierced the heavy night, casting a pale, bleak white over the empty ruins.
The wind howled eerily through the torn earth fissures.
Irregular craters left by Noble Phantasm bombardments were scattered everywhere, and the air was filled with the acrid smell of burning and sulfur.
Mordred and Karna stood side by side at the edge of a deep crater, looking down at Siegfried, who was crumbling into ashes in the scorched earth, their eyes filled with shock and confusion.
Don't Servants usually dissipate into pure magical particles when they retreat?
Why did the Black Faction Saber seem more like he was forcibly erased and rejected by the world itself, with even the traces of his existence being completely removed?
With many unanswered questions, Mordred frowned and sent a telepathic message.
"Master, the Black Faction Saber was backstabbed and incinerated by Lancer. But… was that guy really a Servant?"
"The one who fought you at first was indeed a Servant, but later, his body was corroded by an unknown entity."
"An unknown entity?"
This term sent alarm bells ringing in Mordred's heart, not from an instinctive premonition, but from her innate nature as a Heroic Spirit.
It felt as if—
The opponent was an enemy of the world, and she, as a Heroic Spirit, had to oppose it.
"Hmm, I'll explain the specifics later. First, let's ask about Lancer's stance."
Mordred subtly glanced at the solemn Karna beside her, utterly perplexed.
"What about Lancer? Although it was only a brief alliance, I could tell he wasn't evil."
"Ruler is quite wary of me. She claims that Lancer attacked her earlier."
"Huh!?"
Mordred suddenly turned her head, her emerald eyes widening as she stared at Karna, blurting out a question.
"Hey, Lancer! Did you attack Ruler earlier?"
Karna had no intention of hiding it and nodded calmly.
Then, he looked at the rising sun slowly climbing over the horizon.
"It's dawn. My surprise attack on Ruler has failed. I must now return to my Master to atone."
"Saber, I hope we will have the opportunity to fight alongside each other again."
Leaving this ambiguous statement, Karna swung his crimson-black cape, turned into a spirit, and vanished into the morning light.
...
By the highway.
Arthur casually threw Gord, who had died from the backlash of the Command Spells, onto the ground and stood a few meters away from Jeanne.
A gentle, inscrutable smile played on his face as he softly spoke to the Ruler, whose expression was constantly shifting.
"Please don't be nervous. I am operating independently within the Red Faction camp and was unaware of the other Masters' plans to attack Ruler."
As he spoke, Arthur raised his hand, gesturing towards Gord's corpse and pointing at his shriveled, blackened arm.
"Moreover, I suspect there's something fishy within the Yggdmillennia. The anomaly of the Black Faction Saber is probably not an accident."
Jeanne's gaze swept over Gord's bizarre corpse, her delicate brows furrowed.
"Anomaly… Red Faction Saber's Master, do you have any evidence?"
Arthur spread his hands, a look of regret on his face.
"Pure speculation. As for evidence, once I enter Trifas, I will naturally investigate."
"As Ruler, whose role is to ensure the smooth progress of the Holy Grail War, I believe our positions are consistent regarding investigating this anomaly."
Jeanne inwardly did not deny Arthur's words, but as Ruler, she could never form an alliance with any faction.
"This is an unprecedented battle where fourteen Servants will fight each other. To ensure fairness, I will not favor any side."
"Regarding the Servant anomaly, I will pay close attention. Thank you for the reminder."
Arthur smiled noncommittally and nodded.
"I've received Ruler's standard answer. Well then, let's part ways here."
No sooner had he spoken than Mordred, now in casual clothes, sped up in the old ford. She leaned out of the car window and shouted loudly.
"Master, what are you dawdling for! If you don't leave now, are you waiting to be targeted by the enemy?"
"Coming!"
Arthur waved, turned, and walked towards the dilapidated car.
It was only then that the Ruler, who had maintained a serious and vigilant demeanor, realized a critical problem.
The ride she had hitched earlier had already left due to suggestion magic.
Unable to spiritualize, she could only walk to Trifas on foot now!?
"Th-that!"
Jeanne instinctively called out to Arthur, her pale cheeks instantly flushing, her voice barely audible.
"Could you… give me a ride?"
Arthur turned back, his eyes playfully assessing the embarrassed Jeanne, and waved casually.
"Get in."
...
Millennia Castle, King's Chamber.
A black stillness enveloped the entire hall. Vlad III sat high on his throne, silent.
His morbidly pale complexion contrasted sharply with his all-black noble attire.
His silken white hair hung down, but it could not conceal his icy, piercing eyes.
The atmosphere in the King's Chamber was suffocatingly oppressive; even those present, who were all extraordinary, felt a heavy pressure.
Darnic, the patriarch of Yggdmillennia, stepped forward and bowed respectfully to his Servant.
"O King, I implore you to temporarily quell your wrath."
"The matter of Saber's backlash against Gord is unclear. We must not fall into disarray."
Upon hearing the counsel, Vlad III's eyes moved slightly, and the almost tangible oppressive aura receded a little.
"My subordinate fell in battle, and I calmly accept this 'honor.' However, Saber's actions on the battlefield were absolutely abnormal."
Unlike the other Servants who were deep in thought, Astolfo, the neutral Rider, dressed in flamboyant attire with an innocent smile, raised an arm.
"So Lancer is suspecting us? How strange~ Aren't you a Servant too?"
Vlad III unhappily glanced at Astolfo and spoke indifferently.
"Saber's True Name is Siegfried, the famous dragon slayer from German epic poetry."
"I am certain that he, as a hero, would never turn against his Master. Which means—"
Vlad III's gaze, like an icy searchlight, swept over the four Servants present, one by one, a grave expression on his face.
"An unknown dark hand interfered with his will."
Archer Chiron, dressed in light green armor with a sincere smile, a flicker of thought in his eyes.
"Siegfried, huh… If later generations haven't given new definitions to his legend, should we consider whether a Red Faction Master secretly tampered with him?"
Caster Avicebron, wearing a faceless mask, shook his head and calmly analyzed.
"Influencing a Servant through magical offense and defense between Masters? I don't believe modern Magi possess such ability, and… hmm!?"
This sudden exclamation of surprise was like a stone thrown into still water, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Avicebron was silent for a moment, then looked up at his colleagues in the King's Chamber, his tone becoming incredibly subtle.
"Boundary field alert, single Servant reaction, appeared at the outermost perimeter."
"The opponent destroyed the sentinel Golems and is advancing directly towards the castle without stopping."
Upon hearing this, Vlad III's eyes flashed with cold light.
"Only a single knight dares to invade my territory? Very good!"
"Everyone, prepare to welcome our guest!"