I, Kurumi Tokisaki, Am a Wanderer

The seething hatred and madness in his chest transformed into a deadly sword. The ominous wraith wielded the black-and-red lamppost, launching a relentless assault on Saber.

This was the one Servant that Emiya Kiritsugu had not fully explained, as its very nature obscured all information about it.

All that could be discerned was that this had to be a knight of unparalleled martial skill. Even in a state of madness, he displayed extraordinary technique. Any "weapon" he held became a Noble Phantasm.

What was terrifying was that his strength surpassed Saber's, and his speed was even greater.

Peering through the magnified night-vision scope at the battlefield, Kiritsugu's crosshairs wavered between Waver and Berserker. His finger lightly caressed the trigger. Why? Why was this ominous wraith recklessly charging at Saber? Kariya Matou's goal should be to seek revenge on Tohsaka Tokiomi.

Aoi's husband, Sakura's father—the man who trampled on the happiness Kariya Matou had longed for.

Arghhhhhhhh—

The roar of the hateful one echoed through the night sky, full of resentment, though it was unclear whether it was directed at others or at himself.

"This war is even more interesting than I imagined," remarked the King of Conquerors, the man known as the "Alexander the Great," as his broad hand patted his young Master's head. "Let's go. Staying here would only get in the way."

He could see that the reason Saber was struggling so much was because she was also keeping an eye on him.

"Hey! Hey, hey! Now's the time to team up with one side to take down the other!" Waver protested.

"Hahaha! Such a clear, resounding clash of swords—that's the kind of battle we warriors long for. A real man should fight honorably!" The burly man lectured his Master. "By the way, can't you try to be a bit stronger?"

"Farewell!" The chariot thundered away amidst the roar of lightning.

Waver knelt on the seat, looking back at the battlefield where swords and spears clashed.

"There's no mistake. That voice... that voice is... Teacher Kayneth."

Kayneth had used an illusion created by his Mystic Code to lead Kurumi elsewhere. He had brought nearly all of his belongings to participate in this Holy Grail War.

Behind him lay the Mion River, the late winter sea breeze chilling to the bone.

When the connection with the illusion was abruptly severed, Kayneth knew that the crazed Servant girl would soon be in pursuit.

Tap—

Tap—

The crisp sound of leather boots stepping forward echoed like the footsteps of death, hammering on Kayneth's heart.

"Oh my, oh my, Teacher Kayneth~~ I can see you, you know," Kurumi's heterochromatic eyes, one gold and one red, were filled with mischief.

But Kayneth had already regained his composure as one of the Lords of the Clock Tower, brushing off his coat with his right hand.

In a flash of golden particles, the tall and valiant Servant, wielding dual spears, appeared to guard Kayneth.

Lancer, ready!

Diarmuid's parameters were as follows:

Strength: B

Endurance: C

Agility: A+

Mana: D

As a Lancer, his basic abilities weren't particularly outstanding, but he excelled in tactics and strategy, making him a formidable opponent for any Servant reliant on their Noble Phantasm.

Kayneth was confident that this Archer, with her pitifully low stats, could never be a match for Lancer.

Wait—Kayneth noticed something strange about Kurumi. Had she... suddenly become stronger?

Strength: D

Endurance: C

Agility: C

Mana: B

But even with these improvements, she was still too weak, and Kayneth issued the order, "Kill her, Lancer."

"Hehehe," Kurumi's lips curled into a smile that sent a chill down Kayneth's spine. "Come on, come on! Let's begin!"

"Come forth, Zafkiel!" Kurumi raised her right hand high.

Tick—

A massive, ancient golden clock materialized behind her, exuding an aura that could shake one's soul.

"That's... a Noble Phantasm!" Lancer dashed towards Kurumi, the crimson spear in his hand gleaming coldly. Lancer was exceptionally fast, known for his agility. In the distant Age of Gods, only a handful of heroes could match his speed. "If it's magical energy, I can... cut through it!"

"Hmph." Kurumi sneered, and to the shock of both Kayneth and Lancer, she aimed the flintlock pistol in her hand at her own chin.

"Aleph—First Bullet."

Her figure vanished in an instant, almost as if she had teleported, reappearing beside the charging Lancer.

Bang—

Kurumi fired at Lancer's head. However, Lancer, known for his agility, managed to twist his body, turning his head just in time. The bullet grazed his cheek, spraying blood into the air. The purple waves of magical energy rippled, as if they had taken something away.

Lancer reacted quickly, stomping his left foot into the ground to halt his momentum. He understood that this Servant could only achieve near-teleportation through the use of her Noble Phantasm; her agility was not actually that high. He swept his crimson spear horizontally, aiming to slice through the girl's slender neck.

But the moment the spear was unleashed, he regretted it.

She was smiling—it was a trap! But it was too late.

A golden-red light radiated from the girl, not magical energy but something akin to a fundamental law.

Status Effect - Super Armor!

"Vengeance—Counterattack!"

The dark barrel of the gun aimed directly at Lancer's forehead. He couldn't comprehend how the girl had managed such an inhuman counterattack.

But he had to dodge. The spiraling bullet, propelled by a wind-like force, shot straight towards Lancer's face. He bent back in a bridge-like maneuver and rolled away to escape.

Lancer knelt on one knee, and behind him, dozens of wraiths materialized. He didn't want to rely on his Master's help to defeat the girl before him, but he had to admit, her abilities were too bizarre—he couldn't win.

Tap—

Tap—

Kurumi advanced unhurriedly, her left arm pressed against her abdomen, her right hand pointing downwards at "VII."

"Zayin—Seventh Bullet."

Diarmuid raised his spear, watching Kurumi's movements cautiously.

But Kurumi merely raised both arms, crossing them, and pulled the triggers.

"Multi-Shot."

Even though no bullets were fired, all the wraiths and the back of Lancer's head exploded in a shower of blood, as if they had been shot in the forehead. Simultaneously, their bodies froze, even the dark smoke of magical energy rising from the wraiths remained still.

Time Stop!

A bone-chilling fear surged through Kayneth's heart—this Archer... can't be defeated!

The black muzzle of her gun seemed to lock onto him, and Kayneth knew he couldn't withstand such a blow.

—Kayneth used a Command Seal to order Lancer—

—Restore everything to normal—

"We're retreating!" Kayneth ground his teeth.

Bang—

Bang—

...

Four gunshots echoed through the night sky, severing the link between all the wraiths and Kayneth. Lancer cradled Kayneth in his arms as they fled at high speed, Kayneth feeling as though his chest had been struck by a hammer.

Despite the Archer's pitifully low stats, Lancer had seemed like a helpless child before her.

Sola... let's just go back to teaching at the Clock Tower.