"How… how is this possible!?"
On a remote path near Einzbern Castle, a beautiful and divine woman collapsed to the ground, her body grievously wounded. Her form flickered with instability, as if on the verge of disappearing.
"Why not?"
A shadowy figure loomed before her, voice cold and mocking.
"I will never become like you."
"Heh. Look at you now. Where is your Lord? Where is your God? Where are they?"
"...Within my heart."
"Then keep them there. And take that fragile faith of yours… back to the Throne of Heroes."
The figure moved to finish her, but at that moment—
BOOM!!
A radiant column of light descended from the heavens, illuminating the skies with divine brilliance.
"This... This is—such a powerful concentration of faith!"
The shadow was momentarily stunned. In that instant, the wounded woman before him turned into particles of light and vanished. The figure reached out, but was a second too late—he could only catch a faint wisp of radiance falling into his palm.
"Tch. Ran away? How swift..."
The shadow narrowed his eyes, watching the light fade.
"I don't know who it was… but to wield such overwhelming faith… Hmph, must be another hypocritical fool."
With that, the figure disappeared into the darkness.
---
Elsewhere...
"What is this? Such intense energy!"
"Did you see that light?"
Across the land, people looked up, sensing the divine power.
"The people's unwavering belief in their king… A new Heroic Spirit must have been born."
A towering figure murmured, eyes narrowed. "Now then… who might it be?"
---
In a secluded mage's workshop…
A knight gazed out the window, watching the distant light.
"What is that?"
Lord El-Melloi, Director of the Clock Tower, looked puzzled. Despite his vast knowledge, this was unfamiliar.
"Faith's Blessing," the knight replied solemnly. "But… it shouldn't appear now. A Heroic Spirit... has already manifested?"
Suddenly—
"AHHH! AHHH! AHHHH!!!"
"You still lack discipline."
---
Tōsaka Mansion...
"King! Just now—what happened!?"
Tokiomi Tohsaka burst into the chamber. Before him, two kings were drinking together leisurely.
"What's the rush?" Arthur Pendragon said, his tone casual.
"Should you really be asking?" Gilgamesh smirked, not bothering to hide her disdain. "Don't inquire into matters above your station."
Tokiomi lowered his gaze but pushed forward. "There's news. About Caster."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. That light from earlier… Could it be?
"Caster's gone after the Einzberns? Interesting…"
He set down his wine. "King of Heroes, I'll go enjoy the show. Tell my men not to get careless."
Gilgamesh waved him off. "If he dies, it only proves he was too weak."
Arthur gave her a middle finger and left.
Gilgamesh stared into her wine with a rare, wistful smile.
"Enkidu… I may have finally found another amusing companion."
---
Einzbern Castle
"Strange… this energy feels familiar."
Saber—Artoria—stared into the distance.
"What's wrong, Saber?" Irisviel asked curiously. She didn't recognize the significance of the light. But Artoria—she knew.
"Is it you...? Have you earned their acknowledgment? Congratulations…"
Artoria's voice was distant. Whatever she was thinking, she kept it to herself.
Suddenly—
ALARM!
"Enemy attack!"
They gathered around a crystal ball. Within it appeared a disturbing scene—
Caster.
"Madman," someone muttered.
Gilles de Rais—Gilder—walked calmly through the Einzbern courtyard, surrounded by a dozen children. It was clear he had them under his control.
Saber gritted her teeth. She wanted to rush in and save them. But she hadn't received the command.
And yet—those children gave her an ominous feeling.
"They're all… hostages," Artoria whispered. Her fists clenched.
Gilles adjusted his archaic mage's cloak, then looked directly toward their location. As a Caster-class Servant, it wasn't hard for him to detect their gaze.
"Gilles de Rais, at your service," he declared with theatrical flair, bowing politely.
"I pray the radiant Saint will grant me an audience."
Artoria glanced at Irisviel. But it was obvious—Gilles had no intention of waiting.
"In that case…"
Gilles turned to the children and crouched before them, speaking in a soft voice that masked his cruelty.
"Run, children. If you fail…"
He stretched out a grotesque tentacle.
"NO!"
Artoria shouted instinctively—but he couldn't hear her.
SPLAT!
A child's head exploded. Blood painted the courtyard.
Gilles smiled in twisted delight.
"Run! Run, little lambs! Jeanne, why won't you come out?"
Another tentacle surged forward, aiming at the fastest child. The poor boy ran with all his might, eyes clenched shut in fear.
SHING!
A silver flash!
The tentacle was sliced clean in half. The child opened his eyes—and saw a heroic figure before him.
A woman in shining armor, her blade gleaming with divine light.
"Gilles… that's your name, right? You've crossed a line."
Lancelot stepped forward. She had sensed Gilles' magic and rushed here—but was moments too late. The child's death burned in her heart.
She had sworn, before Arthur himself, to protect the weak. And now this…
This was unforgivable.
"Oh? It's you."
Gilles seemed unconcerned. "Shall we see if you can catch me, then?"
With a swirl of magic, he retreated.
"Coward! Don't run!"
Lancelot turned to the child, her voice soft but urgent. "Hurry to the castle—there are people who'll keep you safe."
Then she bolted after Gilles, her sword drawn. She would not let this pass.
---
Back inside, Irisviel could no longer hold back. Her heart ached at the sight of the slain child and the mad Caster.
"Saber… go," she said, voice trembling with restrained fury.
"Yes," Artoria answered simply.
But the powerful gust of wind as she departed revealed the storm raging inside her.
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