Both Scáthach and Caenis recognized the same issue. They had both misjudged the other's strength.
In her true form, having violated the world's inherent "rules" by leaving the Land of Shadows, from which she was never meant to depart, Scáthach's actual combat power wasn't much higher than when she served as a Servant. That said, even with this peculiar circumstance, Scáthach herself was still among the very top tier of Servants. Yet the opponent before her possessed remarkable strength, holding her own even against the most elite Servants.
"Ugh—" Their spears collided with a heavy thud, the impact sending both figures staggering backward. Scáthach stomped down hard into the knee-deep snow, steadying herself as she pointed her Gáe Bolg at Caenis.
"Is this level of power due to your excellent Servant class as a Divine Spirit, or because you have a top-tier Master supporting you?" Scáthach asked calmly.
"Tsk..." Caenis closed one eye, clicking her tongue in displeasure. "Both!"
With that, she launched another attack.
Queen of the Land of Shadows, Scáthach—Caenis had heard tales of her from her Master, Kirschtaria. It was only after confirming the ruler of the Scandinavian Lostbelt was Scáthach-Skadi that Kirschtaria had briefly explained the situation. The woman rumored to have slain countless Divine Spirits and mentored numerous heroes proved to be this formidable.
Just clashing with her made Caenis feel an oppressive discomfort, like something sticky clinging to her mind, preventing her from gaining the upper hand. The God-Slaying Spear against a Divine Spirit? Truly the worst possible matchup.
"That Servant whose name we don't even know—what's her deal?" Shiomi stepped forward, spear in hand. "She's got Master in such a bind."
This wasn't a one-on-one duel, but a bloody battle. He planned to seize the moment to join the fray and assist his master in eliminating this Servant. Regardless of which Crypter served as her Master, losing such an exceptional Servant would be like having an arm torn from its socket—a devastating blow. Even if Caenis's Master later performed a Summoning or chose a new Servant to fill the void, that was a matter for later.
"I do have a name!" Caenis thrust her shield to parry Scáthach's Gáe Bolg thrust. "My True Name is Caenis, the Divine Spirit Caenis! Remember that!"
"Caenis..." Shiomi's eyes widened slightly. From the True Name the opponent had voluntarily revealed, he quickly grasped her origins. The reason for so readily exposing her True Name was simple. For the moment, Shiomi couldn't think of anything effective against Caenis. Only his master's God-Slaying power had an inherent advantage in their nature. Yet Caenis had compensated for this disadvantage through sheer strength alone—truly astonishing.
He couldn't linger.
Resolute, Shiomi thrust his spear like an arrow from a bowstring, diving into the fray to join Scáthach in a pincer attack against Caenis. The clash of blades echoed from the flank. A short blade aimed at him was intercepted by Artoria before it could strike.
"Who goes there?" Artoria demanded, gripping her sword horizontally.
A man emerged from the woods, clad in black armor, wielding a ruby-hued longsword, his face concealed by a mask. A pair of eyes glowed crimson beneath the mask.
"A Servant from the Lostbelt? Truly, an aura of ill omen radiates from you. How unexpected." Morgan, who had been observing, offered her assessment in a quiet yet clear voice.
"One human, three heroic spirits—and all female, I see."
The masked Servant paid them no mind, instead sizing up the three present as if tallying prey.
"Hmph... So you came after all, Saber." Caenis didn't use his True Name, instead taunting him with a reminder. "Is it alright? Your Master probably told you not to come here to die, right?"
"It's fine." Saber pointed his sword at Shiomi. "Half for you, half for me. That man is my prey."
Realizing he'd been targeted by a Servant from the Lostbelt, and to the extent of defying his Master's orders, Shiomi wasn't surprised.
"Was it Ophelia's command? Or your own arbitrary decision as a Servant?" Shiomi abandoned his charge, slowly moving away from Scáthach to face Saber.
"My own decision, but also for my Master's sake," Saber said coldly. "I'm eager to see just how formidable the man who makes Ophelia wary truly is."
Shiomi's smile gradually darkened with murderous intent. "Russia's Caster thought the same. I hope your strength lives up to your words."
Just as Morgan had said, though a Servant from a Lostbelt, he carried an ominous aura unbecoming of a Servant. Perhaps, like Britain's Fairy Knight, his own lineage and origins differed, causing him to diverge significantly from his counterpart in Proper Human History.
He silently signaled Morgan with a glance, urging her to prioritize supporting Scáthach in ending the battle.
Seizing this moment of distraction, the crimson eyes on Saber's mask flared as he lunged toward Shiomi. Yet mid-charge, he saw Shiomi's form dissolve into a shimmering phantom. From within that haze, a scarlet magic spear shot in a straight line, aiming straight for Saber's heart. Saber raised his sword to meet it, the blades grinding together with a deafening screech.
THUD—!
The first exchange ended abruptly. Just as Saber prepared his second strike, a solid kick struck his abdomen, sending him flying backward. He crashed through four or five massive trees, each requiring two men to embrace their trunks. The crashing trees stirred a whirlwind of snow, startling the silent forest birds in the distance.
Shiomi slowly lowered his foot, watching as Saber emerged unscathed from the swirling snow.
"I see. Such power and speed. Even with my momentary carelessness, I still underestimated you." A distinct aura of killing intent emanated from Saber.
"That sword... it truly is a demon blade. After all, I sense not even a trace of the Holy Sword's aura."
Shiomi advanced slowly. "If you wish to test me, at least show your true strength first, wielder of the demon sword."
"To be so thoroughly underestimated by a mere human is truly displeasing." Saber raised his sword.
"Then, allow me to face you in his stead!"
A voice as clear as the moon sounded from above. Just as Saber focused on Shiomi, Artoria had already used Mana to leap into the air, launching a full-force charge toward the masked Servant on the ground.
Then, both Shiomi and Artoria witnessed a shocking sight. It was clearly Saber wielding Runes Magecraft. And it was the Primordial Runes.
"Oh? So the Sword Saint also comprehends the principles of the Primordial Runes." Shiomi countered Saber's Magecraft with the same Runes, forcing him into close-quarters combat.
"Could it be...?" He had roughly guessed Saber's True Name.