The shift in Berserker's fighting style alerted the other Servants and Masters. His new Master clearly possessed magical energy reserves comparable to Tokiomi Tohsaka.
Previously, hampered by Kariya Matou's limited magical energy, Berserker had fought like an Archer or Saber, conserving his power. But with Sakura as his Master, his magical energy supply had increased severalfold. He could now unleash the full power of his Zanpakutō, even their Bankai, without hesitation. Powerful Cero blasts were now readily available.
While the others speculated about Berserker's new Master, Ailin focused his attention on his inner world.
A low hum resonated through Unlimited Blade Works as Ailin materialized. The countless Zanpakutō within vibrated gently, as if welcoming their master.
Ignoring their greetings, Ailin gestured, and spectral images of swords appeared. Any Servant who had witnessed his battle with Gilgamesh would recognize them. They were the Noble Phantasms Gilgamesh had used, ranging from D-rank to C-rank. While none were above B-rank, their sheer number—over a hundred—was impressive.
Ailin manipulated the "sword element" within Unlimited Blade Works, solidifying the spectral images into genuine blades. Once materialized, he synchronized with each one, learning its name and abilities, then transforming them into Asauchi, the unawakened Zanpakutō, before embedding them in the Sword Hill.
"Still not enough…" Ailin shook his head. Over a hundred low-level Zanpakutō barely moved the needle in terms of increasing his power. "Looks like I'll have to… encourage Gilgamesh to be more generous next time."
"Time for the main course." His expression turned serious. Two Zanpakutō from the Sword Hill flew into his hands. Setting one aside, he placed his right hand on the other.
"Synchronization—begin!"
Blue spiritual pressure flowed from his hand, spreading across the blade in a grid-like pattern. Once the synchronization was complete, the ordinary Asauchi transformed into two distinct spears, one longer than the other: Gáe Buidhe (Yellow Rose of Mortality) and Gáe Dearg (Vanishing Red Rose).
Ailin had created these Zanpakutō in the Soul Society. Now, having encountered the genuine articles in the Type-Moon world, and having fully analyzed them, he would refine his replicas, enhancing their power.
"Calibration—begin!"
This time, his spiritual pressure shifted to a blackish-red hue. Unlimited Blade Works, the embodiment of limitless swords, could create any blade as long as Ailin possessed its "sword element." Most of his creations were based on weapons from his memories, combined with the abilities of Zanpakutō from the Soul Society. But encountering superior versions allowed him to refine his existing creations.
Blackish-red lines flowed from his hands into the spears, making subtle adjustments to their structure and abilities. With each adjustment, their power increased.
By the time he was finished, the spears' power had increased by at least thirty percent.
"Excellent." Ailin nodded in satisfaction. The genuine articles were indeed valuable. His replicas were now almost on par with an A+ rank captain's Zanpakutō.
Returning the spears to their Asauchi form, he picked up the second Zanpakutō. This one was his greatest prize.
"Synchronization—begin!"
…
Emerging from Unlimited Blade Works, Ailin felt his spiritual pressure rapidly replenishing under the flow of Sakura's magical energy. Servants favored Masters with ample magical energy for a reason. A Master's magical energy could enhance a Servant's connection to their original form in the Throne of Heroes, allowing them to access more of their true power. Of course, if the Servant's original form was weak, even the strongest Master wouldn't make much difference.
Angra Mainyu, the "All the World's Evils," summoned by the Einzberns in the Third Holy Grail War, was a prime example. Despite having Illya as his Master, his power remained at the level of an ordinary human. He had been swiftly eliminated. His death, however, had tainted the Grail, transforming its magical energy into a corrupted sludge of malice.
Sakura Matou, despite being only six and not yet having inherited Zouken's magical crest, possessed exceptional magical aptitude, her magical energy remarkably compatible with Ailin's.
Night was the realm of mystery. Day belonged to the ordinary world. The Grail War participants weren't foolish enough to fight in broad daylight. Servants were embodiments of mystery. And mystery couldn't be exposed. The more widely known a mystery became, the less potent it was, until it eventually faded into mundane trickery. The Mage's Association even had a dedicated force to eliminate those who exposed magical secrets.
A magus fighting openly in daylight risked not only weakening their own magic, but also inviting the Association's wrath. Thus, even during the Grail War, daytime was relatively safe, especially with Ryūnosuke Uryū and Gilles de Rais eliminated.
Kariya Matou took Sakura shopping. Ailin, in his spiritual form, followed. While the Matou mansion was now rightfully theirs, the lingering chill from Sode no Shirayuki's negative fifty degrees had transformed it into a freezer. Even during the day, the temperature hovered around negative thirty. Frost covered the lawn and trees. It would take several days for the house to become habitable. The Mion River, however, had been restored by Hyōrinmaru, the frozen water transformed back into vapor.
As they walked, news reports on the recent incidents played on the street-side televisions.
Two hotels had collapsed due to faulty construction, and now their contractors were facing legal action.
A house fire in the suburbs had claimed the life of a woman. The port had been devastated by a terrorist attack involving modern weaponry. And thanks to the tireless efforts of the Fuyuki City police, a serial killer responsible for at least sixty-seven gruesome murders, mostly women and children, had been apprehended.
Four children had been rescued. The perpetrator, however, was currently at large. The police urged citizens to report any sightings.
Ailin glanced at the television. The wanted poster displayed Ryūnosuke Uryū's photograph. He didn't know if Rin's friend was among the rescued children, but he knew the police's efforts were futile.
Unohana hadn't returned yet. Her skills far surpassed Ryūnosuke's. While Ryūnosuke could torture his victims for half a day before they died, Unohana, fueled by Ailin's spiritual pressure, could keep him alive indefinitely.
Even in a fierce battle, she could last for hours. And simply maintaining Ryūnosuke's life… she could do that for days. The police wouldn't find him. And even if they did, they likely wouldn't recognize him. They might even mistake him for another victim.
A flash of red caught Ailin's eye. Materializing beside Kariya and Sakura at a street corner, he startled them.
"Berserker?" Kariya's face paled as he quickly scooped Sakura into his arms. "What's wrong? Is there danger?"
Having been targeted once, Kariya knew the other magi wouldn't hesitate to attack a child. A six-year-old Master was an easy target. Berserker's power, rivaling even Archer's, made Sakura a prime target.
After the previous night's skirmishes, the Masters had a clearer understanding of their Servants' relative strengths. If their Servants were outmatched, they would naturally target the Master.
That was how Kariya himself had been killed. And daylight wasn't a deterrent. Kiritsugu Emiya had proven that. Who said a magus couldn't use modern weapons? A shooting in broad daylight would be attributed to terrorism or a random act of violence, not to the machinations of magi.
"I'm not sure yet, but I saw a Servant." Ailin expanded his spiritual awareness, searching for the figure he'd glimpsed. He quickly located the red-haired giant. Iskandar, the King of Conquerors.
Ailin had respected him, once. But he wouldn't risk Kariya and Sakura's safety on anyone's inaction. Besides, Iskandar's untimely interruption of his fight with Artoria and Diarmuid had annoyed him. His subsequent insults, dismissing the kings of this world as small-minded, hadn't improved their relationship. The three kings likely held a grudge. No one appreciated being belittled.
"Well, well, Berserker, fancy meeting you here. Are you and your Master out shopping as well?" Iskandar, carrying a large wooden barrel, approached with Waver Velvet, his Master, trailing behind.
"Hey, Little Master," Iskandar whispered to Waver, "I'll go chat with him. You check his parameters."
Iskandar's "whisper," however, was clearly audible to everyone present. Ailin mentally facepalmed. The King of Conquerors wasn't one for subtlety.