The Assassins hidden throughout Fuyuki City acted like surveillance cameras, transmitting the events happening in various locations to Sakatsuki.
The mastermind behind today's chaos sat at the center of the great void, orchestrating everything.
"Berserker, Saber, you've successfully affected Lancelot, accelerating Kariya's mana consumption—that's enough. Preserve your strength and retreat. He's my prey."
"Retreat before Kiritsugu makes a decision, Caster. Head to the designated location to recover mana and prepare your magecraft."
"Lancer is still alive? Unexpected, unexpected... cough It seems Gilgamesh has entered spectator mode again. Good, keep watching until the day I turn you into part of the entertainment."
Miyu had been by Sakatsuki's side, watching him methodically command the Servants born from the Class Cards.
Those who have watched 'Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA☆ILLYA' know that Class Cards, after absorbing mana from the leylines in the imaginary number space, can materialize into the forms of corresponding Heroic Spirits—even if they lack reason, these materialized Class Cards caused significant trouble for Illya and Miyu, the magical girls, in the first two seasons.
However, when faced with proper Servants in the main timeline...
"As expected, there's a significant gap in strength."
Sakatsuki smiled wryly.
His setup made it clear—the strongest among the Class Cards, Berserker Heracles and Saber Artoria, together could only catch Lancelot off guard. As for Caster Medea, she didn't dare to descend, only destroying the Einzbern Castle. And with Gilgamesh, if it weren't for the fact that the King of Heroes was in it for the spectacle, neither Lancer Cu Chulainn nor Rider Medusa would have made it back alive.
Moreover, the Class Card Servants have no Masters. Their actions rely solely on the mana they absorb from the leylines. Once their mana is depleted, they revert to Class Cards. Thus, after manifesting in the real world, their active time is as limited as Ultraman's.
Despite this, Sakatsuki did not retrieve the Class Cards. Instead, after completing their respective tasks, he ordered them to gather and converge at a single location.
After harassing Kariya Matou, Kiritsugu Emiya, and Tokiomi Tohsaka, the next target was obvious.
Waver Velvet, and his Servant, Rider Iskandar.
"Brother, are you planning to... settle this now?"
Sakatsuki replied briefly, watching Waver and Rider's base through the magical screen.
"If possible, it's best for Rider and Waver to exit the stage now."
Before Miyu could ask, Sakatsuki explained.
"Archer is naturally beyond the reach of a group of Class Cards, given his overwhelming power. As for Saber, once Irisviel retrieves the sheath within her, victory will undoubtedly be hers. As for Berserker, I plan to deal with him tonight... That leaves only Rider and Waver."
"Additionally, Waver's growth has far exceeded my expectations. Among all the Masters, he was the first to organize an alliance against me. But his weakness is also clear—his magical circuits aren't strong enough to sustain the Conqueror's battles."
"Even if the Class Cards fail, the battle between Rider and them will significantly drain Waver's mana."
Sakatsuki snapped his fingers.
"Last night, I already dealt considerable damage to Rider's Gordius Wheel. Combined with today's distractions, Rider won't be able to return to his peak condition unless..."
"Nothing. If that happens, it would actually be better."
Sakatsuki didn't answer Miyu's question. Once the five Class Card Servants gathered, he rhythmically tapped the back of his chair, like a general issuing orders.
"Caster, take to the skies. Lancer and Rider, hide on either side of the grove. Saber, stand in the center, wield your demonic sword—yes, it'd be best to remove your mask... The subconscious resistance is strong? Fine, just reveal features similar to our King. Berserker, go downstairs and provoke them, release your aura, but no howling. If you scare the old folks in the house, I'll end you."
Thankfully, the Class Card Servants lacked reason, or Sakatsuki would have been brutally ganged up on. Regardless, under the young man's meticulous command, a net to trap the Conqueror, Iskandar, was slowly cast.
"Now, begin the operation!"
At the Mackenzie residence, Waver's base.
"First, he circled Fuyuki City, then went to the ruins of the bombed-out Hyatt Hotel... Excluding the last location, all the places Sakatsuki visited were along the leyline map. Did he tamper with the leylines? And what's the deal with the Hyatt Hotel?"
Waver's desk was covered with maps and manuscripts. Just as he was racking his brains, a sudden chill ran down his spine.
Before Waver could react, Iskandar behind him sprang into action, instantly donning his combat attire, ready for battle.
"Kid, we've got trouble. There's a Servant outside provoking us."
"Our base has been discovered?"
Waver was startled but quickly realized the issue.
"We need to head out, Rider. We can't let the fight endanger the elderly couple!"
"Exactly, kid. Hold on tight!"
Grabbing his small Master, Iskandar crashed through the window, not summoning his chariot but instead leaping from the second floor and sprinting toward the grove.
"Target spotted, Berserker, fall back."
Through the shared senses of the Hundred Faces, Sakatsuki caught sight of the two figures, an unconscious smile spreading across his face, his eyes gleaming.
"Here we go. Prepare to close the net."
After a frantic run, Iskandar stormed into the grove, gradually catching up to the figure emitting the mana fluctuations.
Seemingly sensing the presence behind him, the mysterious Servant turned around, facing Iskandar head-on.
Waver peeked out from under his Servant's arm, staring at the giant figure towering even over Iskandar, his face filled with shock.
It was a dark-skinned giant clad in a battle skirt, his muscular frame exuding wildness. His long hair flowed over his shoulders, his right eye glowing red, his left eye golden. In his hand, he held a massive axe-sword.
Even in silence, the giant's ferocious aura was unmistakable, exuding immense pressure.
"I don't recall encountering you in this Holy Grail War, unfamiliar Servant."
Iskandar set Waver down, gripping his sword of Kupriotes, tightly, ready for battle.
"Lancer and Assassin are out. We've already faced Berserker, Archer, Caster, and Saber. What's going on? Has something gone wrong with this Holy Grail War?"
Waver cautiously watched the black giant, moving behind Iskandar to give the two Servants space to fight.
But at that moment, Waver's head brushed against something soft.
Waver instinctively turned around to see a purple-haired woman with an eyepatch and an icy demeanour standing behind him, looking down at him.
A scream reminiscent of a small animal echoed through the sky. Iskandar, who was facing Heracles, tensed, instinctively turning his head.
"Watch your back, you idiot!"
Even as Waver was bound by Medusa's snake hair, he didn't forget to warn his Servant.
Iskandar turned around in a flash. A petite swordsman clad in armour, wielding an inverted holy sword, was already in front of him, slashing down.
At the last moment, Iskandar raised his sword, blocking Saber's sudden attack.
"You are... the King of Knights? No, this inverted aura..."
Iskandar stared intently at the small swordsman, his expression grave.
"What on earth has happened in this Holy Grail War!"
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