In the dense thicket, an overwhelming surge of magical energy erupted, signalling the intense battle taking place within the woods.
Bang!
The reversed holy sword drew a purple arc of light, only to be shattered by the sturdy blade of the Kupriotes sword.
After a brief moment of shock, Iskandar quickly regained his composure. Instead of engaging Saber further, he turned and swiftly headed towards Medusa, who had seized Waver and was retreating.
For a Servant, the Master is the lifeline, the one who must be saved at all costs!
However, Saber was not the only one blocking his path. With a roar, the Heroic Spirit Card transformed into Heracles, who loomed like a small mountain, his axe sword aimed directly at Iskandar's head, slashing down!
"Do not hinder me!"
Raising the Kupriotes sword, Iskandar's muscles bulged with veins as he forcefully pushed back the axe sword, then raised his battle sword high.
"Charge with me, my bulls!"
"Moo!"
Thunder crackled as the chariot appeared. Even though the chariot was broken and the divine bulls were injured, once the Conqueror mounted his vehicle, he became like a true storm, sweeping everything in his path.
The axe-sword was pushed aside, the swordsman was forced back, and the Conqueror let out a deafening roar, carrying thunder as he crashed into Medusa, who was too slow to react, and snatched his Master back to his side.
"Hold on tight, Waver. I don't know why so many Servants are gathered here, but we need to retreat for now!"
"I agree, Rider. Let's head to the Holy Church and report this to the overseer—"
Before Waver could finish, he saw Iskandar's expression change drastically. The Conqueror's large hand wrapped around his body, shielding him.
Thud!
Time seemed to freeze.
Amid the sound of flesh tearing, Waver's eyes widened as he watched a red spear pierce through Iskandar's armour, penetrating his chest. Blood and flesh splattered, grazing the tip of Waver's nose as it flew past.
"Rider!!!"
In Waver's heart-wrenching cry, the divine bulls, struck by Saber's sword energy, let out a mournful cry and crashed to the ground. Already injured, they lay in the grass, gasping for breath. Waver struggled to crawl out from under the unconscious Rider, his face pale with the experience of near death, as he looked at the man who had thrown the spear.
"Gáe Bolg... I understand now who is commanding you."
"That move you had Miyu use back then was indeed a mistake, but it's too late to realize it now."
The black-armoured Saber slowly approached, the doll on his shoulder emitting Sakatsuki's voice.
"Waver, run. Get as far away from the Holy Grail War as you can. But as a Servant, Rider must die here."
"It really is you, Sakatsuki."
Even though his legs were trembling and every cell in his body was screaming with fear, Waver still shakily stood up, shielding the unconscious red-haired giant, his Servant.
"But I haven't lost yet."
"No, you've already lost."
Sakatsuki sighed.
"Why struggle further? With your intelligence, you should know how well-prepared I am for this Holy Grail War. Even if you escape this time, can you escape the next?"
"Thank you for the compliment."
Waver forced a smile.
"By the way, just a side note—is my teacher, Kayneth, dead?"
"Yes, he died from the contract backlash caused by me and Kiritsugu. Lancer was personally sent off by Saber."
"I see..."
A wave of guilt washed over Waver. Under the nausea caused by the dual mental pressure, he almost fell to his knees, but he clenched his teeth and slowly raised his right hand, where his Command Spells glowed.
"Ah, yes. After deceiving my rationality for so long, I must admit to the crimes I've committed—I took my teacher's luck for myself, which is why I've survived until now. If it weren't for my incompetence and hopelessness, my teacher could have achieved glory with Rider."
The remaining two Command Spells began to glow. Throughout this, Sakatsuki made no move, simply listening quietly to Waver's monologue.
"I am a mediocre, even inferior magus—I've come to realize that. But Rider is different. He is the King of Conquerors, the ideal I can never reach. He has the potential to win the Holy Grail War—so as his Master, even if I am crushed to pieces, I must prove this to the world!"
"Conqueror Iskandar must not stop here!"
With the magus's declaration, the Command Spells, symbols of 'miracles,' transformed into power, infusing the weakening king's body.
"By the power of the second Command Spell—Rider, heal your wounds and awaken!"
Concentrated magical energy surged into the Servant's body, repairing the horrifying puncture wound. Yet, even so, Iskandar only furrowed his brow, not opening his eyes.
A fatal wound that nearly reached the spiritual core was not something a single Command Spell could easily mend.
Realizing this, Waver did not hesitate to use his final authority as a Master.
"By the power of the third Command Spell—get up, you fool!"
The two Command Spells were released in succession, the miraculous magical energy creating a whirlwind. The sudden emptiness in his heart made Waver collapse to the ground, staring blankly at the figure of his Servant.
As a magus, he would likely never have the chance to wield such vast magical energy again in his lifetime—but for the first time in his life, he felt a deep satisfaction in his wasteful actions.
"Well then, good luck, Waver."
Sakatsuki sighed softly, then began to order his Servants to retreat.
With only these Heroic Spirit Card Servants, they could not withstand the wrath of the Conqueror King empowered by the Command Spells.
However, he was a step too late.
"I won't let you escape, you rats!"
The moment Iskandar opened his eyes, he was already on his feet, his eyes burning with anger. Carrying his weakened Master, he mounted his chariot and began to chase the retreating Servants.
Although he had fallen into a self-protective coma, Waver's declaration had still reached him through their contract.
"I have the best Master, a friend I can be most proud of. As a king, how could I let his efforts go to waste—'Ionioi Hetairoi'!"
With a loud roar, fueled by the endless supply of magical energy from the Command Spells, the Conqueror unleashed his Noble Phantasm. The World Egg expanded rapidly, chasing after the fleeing Servants.
But at a certain moment, it suddenly stopped.
"Please halt, Conqueror."
Behind the fading Servants, a man stood before the enraged Conqueror, holding a moonlit spear. As the spear was thrust into the ground, a peculiar wave spread out, hindering the expansion of the Conqueror's Noble Phantasm.
"Do not disturb them. Let me be the one to vent your anger."
"You dare show yourself, Sakatsuki!"
"No, Rider, something's wrong. He doesn't look like Sakatsuki!"
With a resonant hum, the World Egg fully matured, enveloping the Conqueror and the mysteriously appearing man, disappearing into the thicket.
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹
Thanks for being awesome! ❤️