Compared to Sakura and Rin, whose movements were slightly delayed by their roles as students, the other Masters had already taken action.
As night began to swallow the twilight sky, Bazett, carrying a cylindrical case holding her family's heirloom Mystic Code, crossed the Fuyuki Bridge, planning to cut through the park on her way to the streets of Miyama Town.
She had spent the day cautiously scouting around Shinto but hadn't uncovered much. So, she decided to use the cover of night to investigate Miyama Town instead.
Based on intel she'd gathered beforehand, all three founding families of the Holy Grail War—including the Einzbern family, who held property in Fuyuki—had settled west of the Mion River in Miyama Town.
That area sat closer to strong ley lines, increasing the chances of encountering other Servants and Masters.
Staying concealed and moving with care, Bazett followed the disciplined habits she'd developed during her time as a Sealing Designation Enforcer.
But she quickly noticed something was off—the park was unnaturally quiet.
Even in winter, it shouldn't have been this deserted. Not a single person in sight.
Bazett came to a halt.
There was no mistaking it: a repelling barrier had been placed to drive off bystanders. This was a battlefield someone had carefully chosen.
It wasn't that she had let her guard down—the opposing side had simply been more thorough. Bazett hadn't noticed the barrier at all.
It looked like a Master had already come for her, ready to initiate combat.
Lancer, who had been following in spirit form, suddenly manifested and stepped in front of her.
Normally, Lancer wouldn't do something like this—he already knew Bazett's strength. Which made her pause.
"Stay sharp, Master. This one's not ordinary," Lancer said in a low voice.
A chill wind, laced with bloodlust, swept past as Bazett instinctively looked up—
There, perched atop a park lamppost, was a figure.
"...Shiomi... sir?"
Bazett recognized Shiomi instantly—she had reviewed his dossier before.
"Oh? So this is the acquaintance Master mentioned yesterday?" Lancer grinned, his killing intent unmasked. "You one of the seven Masters?"
"No, just the opposite."
Shiomi had his hands tucked casually in his coat pockets as he leaned forward slightly, peering down at them. "I just happened to notice Miss Bazett's movements, so I thought I'd stop by to say hello."
Had it been any other Master, Bazett might've already launched an attack.
But this wasn't a Master. And that made her hesitate.
Especially since the power radiating from him was unmistakably far above her own.
"Aren't you supposed to be in London? What are you doing in Fuyuki?" Bazett asked.
"That's an odd thing to say. I used to live in Fuyuki—what's strange about coming home for a bit?" Shiomi answered with an easygoing tone.
It was such a simple and straightforward answer, Bazett couldn't refute it.
"I'm just here to ask one thing—was it you who took out the Association's supervisor?" Shiomi asked again.
Bazett frowned. She hadn't expected that the Association would send someone like him as a replacement after the supervisor went missing.
"From the sound of it, you're the substitute for those rookies?" Lancer spoke up, his crimson eyes locked onto Shiomi. "What a bloodthirsty way to greet someone."
He found the man in front of him very strange—clearly a human Magus, yet carrying the scent of that place.
"We're all in the same business. A little bloodlust comes with the job, doesn't it?" Shiomi shrugged, showing no sign of backing off.
Lancer narrowed his eyes. "I see. Then I'll have to ask you and your colleagues to go join them."
As he spoke, a crimson spear slowly materialized in his hand.
This time, even Bazett felt the sudden shift in the air.
"Oh?" Shiomi's expression changed too. Gone was the relaxed, professional demeanor—his face grew serious. "I didn't expect your Servant to be the Child of Light... Cú Chulainn."
To speak a Servant's true name outright—Bazett was visibly shocked.
But Lancer didn't react. He simply leveled his spear at Shiomi.
"You saw my spear and guessed my name immediately," Lancer said coldly. "You know this weapon?"
Shiomi drew his hand from his pocket and slowly opened it.
"Know it? That's putting it lightly…"
A spear similar to—but not the same as—Lancer's appeared in his hand.
It was unmistakably a Noble Phantasm.
Bazett was stunned. Was Shiomi also from a lineage like her own—perhaps one of the Carriers?
Lancer's pupils narrowed sharply. "How do you have that spear?"
"Isn't it obvious? For the same reason as you," Shiomi replied, looking down at Cú Chulainn. "Traditionally speaking, even if we're separated by eras... I should probably call you 'senpai,' right?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Lancer shifted into a fighting stance. The smile on his face twisted into one brimming with killing intent.
"Well, isn't that something... Are you a fraud stealing a legacy, or the real thing—a fellow disciple?" The smile vanished as veins bulged on his forehead. "Let's find out if you're worthy of holding that spear!"
As soon as the words were spoken, both Lancer and Shiomi vanished—only to reappear mid-air, their red spears clashing in a violent spark of steel and pressure that rippled through the park.
"Not bad! You can keep up with my speed," Lancer said with growing excitement. "Back up, Master! I can't guarantee your safety once this gets serious."
"Understood."
Bazett quickly pulled back.
Under normal circumstances, even without being a Master, an attack like this would've called for her response.
But she understood perfectly—right now, to Lancer, Tenkei Shiomi was an opponent meant only for a Servant of the spear.
No matter what, Bazett couldn't interfere. She could only observe until the battle reached its conclusion.
Until then, anyone who intervened would be treated as an enemy by both fighters.
"That's what I should be saying. Is that really all the speed you've got?"
In the blink of an eye, Shiomi appeared at Lancer's side, sweeping his spear out in a gleaming arc—a flash of light that traced a fleeting crescent.
The strike would've skewered anyone who hesitated—but Cú Chulainn twisted aside just in time, countering with a side strike of his own.
A massive surge of mana burst across the park's walkway.
Within mere seconds, the two spears clashed hundreds of times.
Each strike sought an opening. Each time, the attacker was read and deflected before they could land a blow.
They moved like precision marksmen—no wasted movement, no pointless strikes.
Every action aimed for the heart.
Bang—
With a thunderous shockwave, the two finally broke apart from their last exchange, leaping back into ready stances.
Lancer grinned wider, his face now painted with bloodlust.
Shiomi stood silent and cold, his gaze like ice, locked on his opponent.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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