Kiritsugu Emiya was confident he could deal with Berserker once the King of Heroes was out of the picture. If Saber could hold Berserker off for just a few minutes, he could kill Kariya Matou and forced Berserker to disappear.
But before that, Kiritsugu needed to figure out how to contact Kariya and, more importantly, how to convince him to join forces to eliminate Tokiomi Tohsaka and Archer.
…
The golden rays fell below the horizon, and the moon climbed into the inky sky. Compared to the daytime hustle and bustle, Fuyuki City at night was so quiet even the crickets seemed to hold their breath.
"It's beginning."
Looking up, Ailin whispered. He sensed battle lust rising in the distance. He recognized it as Lancer, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, issuing a challenge to the other legendary heroes.
"What is it, Berserker?" Hearing the murmur, Kariya Matou asked.
"A Servant is releasing his aura at the port, challenging the others."
"What?"
Kariya was taken aback. In the Holy Grail War, magi would stop at nothing to obtain the Grail. To openly challenge the other Servants… it spoke volumes about the Master's confidence, either in their Servant, or in themselves.
"Is it the Servant from last night?"
"No, this aura is different. But the purity of his magical energy tells me he was a knight of noble character in life."
"A knight?"
Kariya looked in the direction of Ailin's gaze. With his remaining eye, however, he could only see the darkness of the night and the brightness of the moon. He couldn't perceive the "pure magical energy" Berserker had mentioned. Still, he didn't doubt Berserker's assessment. Such a brazen challenge wouldn't be out of character for a knight who adhered to a strict code of chivalry.
"Berserker, do you want to answer his challenge?" Kariya asked.
"Why do you ask, Kariya?"
"Because I know your strength, Berserker. And don't strong individuals enjoy battling other strong individuals?"
"Hahaha, Kariya, I didn't realize you had the potential to be a strong individual yourself. But not tonight. Let's deal with that… thing… at the Matou mansion first. You seem rather restless."
Kariya took a deep breath and nodded. "Very well, Berserker. Let's make this quick. Hopefully, we won't be late for the knight's invitation after we've dealt with that… old monster."
"Of course not. How long do you think that foul-smelling soul can last against me?"
Ailin grabbed Kariya by the scruff of his neck and, with a Shunpo, vanished into the night, heading towards the Matou mansion.
…
"Kariya, what are you doing here at this hour?"
As soon as Ailin and Kariya landed in the Matou courtyard, countless Crest Worms swarmed around them, coalescing into the form of Zouken Matou. Though his words were directed at Kariya, his gaze was fixed on Ailin. Even without the blackish-red flames, the distinctive captain's haori confirmed his identity. This was the Servant summoned in the basement the night before.
"You already know why I'm here," Kariya replied coldly.
Zouken's eyes narrowed. After witnessing the battle between Berserker and Archer the previous night, he knew the vast difference in their strength. And given Kariya's deep-seated hatred, Zouken knew he wouldn't be spared once Kariya realized Berserker's power. He'd simply assumed Kariya would wait until after obtaining the Grail. He hadn't expected him to act so soon.
"Kariya, have you forgotten what I taught you? A magus must always weigh the risks and rewards. Attacking me now is foolish."
Zouken chided, buying himself time as he discreetly directed the Crest Worms forming his body to disperse and flee the mansion. He was loath to abandon the Crest Worms he had cultivated, but as long as he survived, he could create more. What good were they if he was dead?
Zouken's actions might have fooled Kariya, but they didn't escape Ailin's notice. "Finished reminiscing, Kariya? If so, I'll take over. He's about to escape."
"What?" Kariya was startled. Berserker was even more perceptive than he'd imagined.
"You!" Zouken, too, was taken aback. He hadn't expected the Servant to detect his movements.
"Surprised, old man? This is just the beginning. Berserker, kill him!" This time, Kariya didn't hesitate.
"Um." Ailin nodded and stepped forward.
Seeing Kariya's resolve, Zouken abandoned all pretense. A torrent of Crest Worms erupted from every corner of the mansion, a writhing sea of insects that surged towards Kariya and Ailin. The Crest Worm hosting Zouken's soul, however, sped away, fleeing the mansion.
"Disgusting,"
Observing the approaching wave of insects, Ailin shook his head. Fortunately, he'd anticipated this and knew precisely which Zanpakutō would be most effective against Zouken.
Extremes of temperature, both high and low, were lethal to insects. And he had Zanpakutō capable of both. However, compared to the widespread destruction caused by intense heat, freezing the insects seemed more prudent. After all, Kariya and Sakura would be living here. Burning the mansion down would only create further hardship for them.
A blackish-red spatial ripple appeared before Ailin. A Zanpakutō hilt emerged. He drew the blade and called upon its true name, unleashing its Shikai.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"
"Negative Fifty Degrees!"
Unlike Rukia Kuchiki, who needed time to lower her body temperature, Ailin could instantly unleash Sode no Shirayuki's full power. A thin layer of frost formed on his body, making him appear even more aloof. An unbearable cold radiated from him, freezing the moisture in the air. The ground beneath his feet iced over and began spreading rapidly outwards. The Crest Worms approaching him froze mid-flight.
Dissatisfied with the rate of freezing, Ailin swung Sode no Shirayuki, carving a wide arc in the air that encompassed the entire Matou mansion.
"First Dance, White Moon!"
A white glow enveloped the mansion. In an instant, a massive ice pillar, dozens of meters high and a hundred meters wide, encased the entire structure. Every Crest Worm within, including the one hosting Zouken's soul, was frozen solid. At negative fifty degrees, their life force was instantly extinguished.
BOOM!
With a Shunpo, Ailin carried Kariya out of the mansion. As soon as they were clear, the ice pillar behind them shattered into a million pieces, the frozen Crest Worms crumbled into a shower of crimson ice shards that rained down on the courtyard.
Kariya looked back at the mansion with mixed feelings. For this house, for this family, he had abandoned the woman he loved. And yet, in the end, he hadn't been able to protect her daughter from the same fate.
Knowing what Sakura had endured, Kariya no longer held the same idealized image of Aoi. Perhaps, in Aoi's eyes, her actions had been those of a dutiful wife, fulfilling Tokiomi Tohsaka's wishes. But that "duty" had come at Sakura's expense.
As a mother, Kariya now believed, Aoi had failed. If he survived this war, he wouldn't allow Sakura to return to the Tohsaka family. She was a Matou now, his daughter. She had no connection to the Tohsaka.
"Let's go, Berserker. It's time to answer the knight's challenge."
"Very well," Ailin replied.
…
CLANG!
CLANG! CLANG!
By the time Ailin arrived at the port, Saber, Artoria Pendragon, and Lancer were already locked in combat. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed. The shockwaves from their blows ripped through the surrounding shipping containers.
Ailin hadn't bothered concealing his presence. Thus, both Saber and Lancer noticed him as he landed atop a container.
CLANG!
Their weapons collided, creating a powerful shockwave that forced them apart. They turned to face Ailin.
"Don't worry, you two," Ailin said. "I was also drawn here by the knight's pure magical energy. But since Saber arrived first, I won't steal your opponent."
Diarmuid twirled his spear as he smiled. "I was already surprised by Saber's arrival. To have another hero answer my call… it's truly an honor. But as the host, I can't allow my guests to wait. Saber, and this… Archer or Caster… if you don't mind, how about a three-way battle?"
"A three-way battle?" Ailin grinned. "Interesting."
He'd observed Saber and Lancer's fight. In close combat, their skills, honed by centuries of experience and further enhanced by their spiritual ascension, were comparable to even the most seasoned Shinigami. And with abilities like "Instinct" and "Eye of the Mind," their combat effectiveness was further amplified.
Ailin was confident he could defeat either Saber or Lancer individually. But both at once…
He looked at Saber. "What do you think, Saber? Lancer's suggestion. If you agree, I'm joining in."
Saber hesitated, glancing at Irisviel von Einzbern. As a knight, she shouldn't refuse a challenge. However, she was here as Irisviel's protector. Her priority wasn't defeating other Servants, but ensuring Irisviel's safety.
"Go, Saber," Irisviel said, sensing Saber's eagerness. "I'm not as fragile as you think." Compared to Kiritsugu, Irisviel understood Saber better. To deny her the chance to battle heroes from other eras… Irisviel wouldn't forgive herself if Saber regretted missing this opportunity.
"But…" Saber began, then stopped, glancing at Diarmuid. There was another presence here, hidden in the shadows: Lancer's Master. If he attacked Irisviel while they were fighting, Saber wouldn't be able to protect her in time.
She couldn't voice her concerns, however. To do so would imply a lack of trust in Diarmuid. But even without her saying it, Diarmuid understood. A wry smile touched his lips. He didn't know his Master well yet, but given his willingness to use his fiancée's magical energy, and their frequent relocations… Diarmuid couldn't guarantee his Master wouldn't attack Irisviel.