"Quick, dodge!"
Sakura Kyoko felt an inexpressible sense of frustration; she could only shout at her Master, who was currently trying to hide.
Red thorny chains were weaving through the air, blocking his escape route.
(At this moment, I'm actually quite glad my normal attack methods are sealed.)
Looking at the magic circle on her body, Sakura Kyoko truly felt lucky.
Otherwise, in her current state, her Master might not have had a chance to escape.
"Bang, bang, bang!!!"
Sparks flew, and silver droplets protected the surroundings like slimes, but the gradually indenting marks hinted at a dire outcome.
Moonlit World Essence.
Kenneth possessed this Mystic Code, which had excellent offensive and defensive capabilities.
He had specifically brought it to assist Sola.
(Even if Lancer isn't attacking with his spear, we can't hold out much longer.)
Kenneth frowned, protected along with Sola, but the two were unable to escape smoothly.
It was an unexpected turn of events that Lancer was being controlled by Caster.
Or rather, they had never witnessed such a direct method of control before.
"Sola, use a Command Seal!"
Having made this judgment, Kenneth could only try this method.
They definitely couldn't outrun Lancer, who was a Servant.
Without knowing the principle behind the opponent's control, the best method currently was to use a Command Seal to reclaim Lancer.
"But... how should I give the command?"
Sola heard this and hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Although Command Seals were said to be able to command Servants, the problem was that if the command given was too vague, its effectiveness would be insufficient.
"Just tell him to leave here directly."
"Given the current situation, other Servants and Masters will probably approach soon, right?"
"We first need to leave the center of attention and can't stay here long."
It could only be said that Caster's peculiar methods had forced them into such a predicament.
These heroic spirits always possessed incomprehensible techniques.
"By my Command Seal, I order you!"
"Leave here, Lancer!"
A red light flashed on the back of his hand, and the thorny chains weaving through the sky paused, their attacks no longer coming.
Seizing this opportunity, Kenneth immediately took Sola and left the scene.
"Heh, quite agile, aren't they!"
Her body stopped in place, and Sakura Kyoko let out a sigh of relief.
She was afraid her Master hadn't thought things through and would try to fight, which would only make things worse.
Now, merely exposing herself wasn't a bad thing.
"Tsk, I can feel the flow of magic decreasing."
"It seems Caster's magic isn't entirely omnipotent, and the control magic has a counteracting effect with the Command Seal."
The restraining force binding her was already weakening, but the magic circle on her body remained conspicuously visible.
Contemplating methods to counter Caster, Sakura Kyoko appeared somewhat troubled.
Just one opponent was already so troublesome; she dared not imagine what the other guys would be like.
Although she had also regained the "Inherent Skill" a Magical Girl deserved due to "Heroic Spirit Transformation," it could only be used as a surprise move.
Once seen by those skilled in combat, it might lose its effectiveness forever.
"This war... is much harder than fighting witches!!!"
..."Are Rider and Berserker the only ones who haven't shown up yet?"
Tokiomi Tohsaka sat in his magic workshop, deep in thought.
He had witnessed the confrontation between Caster and Lancer through his familiar.
Including the Servants he had already seen, only Rider and Berserker had not appeared.
"Last night's bombardment."
"Was it Caster's doing after all?"
Based on the methods Caster displayed today, it was difficult to determine who was responsible for yesterday's attack.
"Rider."
"Berserker."
It was more likely to be one of these two.
"The Matou Family is also participating this time, but so far, I haven't seen any action from them."
"That's very strange."
Thinking of a forgotten faction, Tokiomi Tohsaka frowned in contemplation.
Logically, the Matou Family seemed to have no participants in this Holy Grail War, but later he heard that someone from their family had also been chosen.
However, it was never revealed who it was.
Previously, Tokiomi Tohsaka had simply assumed the Matou Family also had ambitions and hadn't paid much attention, but now it seemed very suspicious.
Were they perhaps too quiet?
It was also unknown which of Rider or Berserker was their Servant.
"Teacher?"
"How is Assassin's condition?"
"His injuries are very severe; it's difficult for him to move at the moment."
"Is that so?"
Looking at his disciple entering the room, Tokiomi Tohsaka immediately inquired, but after receiving his reply, he felt somewhat troubled.
Originally, sending Assassin to gather information was the best option, but due to his injuries, this unexpected trouble arose.
"Send a familiar to observe the Matou Family."
"Surveillance?"
"They should also have a participant; we need to be vigilant."
"Understood."
Kirei Kotomine obeyed Tokiomi's arrangements without saying much.
Even as he left, his expression remained indifferent.
Compared to Tokiomi's pursuits, Kirei Kotomine was now more focused on achieving "satisfaction" for himself.
Perhaps he was once an obedient "good boy," but merely dreaming of a part of Assassin's life experiences filled him with "emotions" he had never had before.
Was it sadness, surprise, or joy?
That impulsive urge to do something gave him, who had always been without desires, some enlightenment.
With the awakening of these unusual emotions, Kirei Kotomine no longer clung to his former tranquility and lack of desire.
"Indeed, the possibilities between people are full of unknowns."
"The answer I seek is becoming clearer and clearer."
Initially, he wanted to personally meet Kiritsugu Emiya, but now it seemed unnecessary.
"To make me so curious, indeed... the Holy Grail War is truly incredible."
Filled with a sense of inquiry, the priest, who already had a sense of self, began to seek.
"Assassin."
"You should still pay a little attention to Teacher's words. Sending familiars isn't foolproof; you should go personally."
"Be careful."
Kirei Kotomine instructed the figure in the shadows with his hands behind his back, very naturally.
"Whoosh!"
The blurred figure vanished from its spot, making Kirei Kotomine marvel at how effective the medicine Gilgamesh had given him was.
Such severe injuries had healed in just one night.
Although he had traded a dragon ball for it, it didn't matter.
As for participation qualifications...
As long as he and Assassin cooperated well, they wouldn't lack such opportunities.
As long as a Servant was in hand, they could always snatch new dragon balls and return to the chessboard.
As for the dragon ball Gilgamesh had retrieved into his treasury, that was even less of a problem.
As participating Masters, the knowledge granted to them by the dragon balls far exceeded what the Heroic Spirits knew.
Empty promises and the concealment from his teacher.
Thinking of his audacious actions, his heart was filled with an unknown sense of satisfaction.
(Gilgamesh is, after all, too naive.)
(Does he think that by retrieving the dragon ball into his treasury, no one can obtain it again?)
A subtle curve appeared at the corner of his mouth, and Kirei Kotomine eagerly awaited the sight of the "King" losing his composure.