"Is that true?"
"Yes, of course. I came after confirming it directly with Saber."
"A second Ruler and a third Servant... I see. Well done, Gordes."
After receiving the report from Gordes, Darnic immediately discussed it with Vlad III.
"A second Ruler? And a Servant summoned by the Counter Force? Then does that mean there's something wrong with this Holy Grail War?"
"That's not yet confirmed. Conversely, we can also view it as the Red Faction attacking first because they have something up their sleeve."
"Hmm... Indeed, I also verified the Holy Grail. There was no issue... That means certainly, that side did something. However, it's troubling. Not only a Ruler in a neutral position but a judge dispatched by the Counter Force acting arbitrarily. And a new Servant at that? Does Fergus mac Róich have such a Noble Phantasm?"
"He is a hero who used Caladbolg in legend, but I don't know why he has a Noble Phantasm that summons Servants. Moreover, I've never even heard of a Noble Phantasm named Caladbolg."
"The spear Gáe Bolg, made by the legendary hero Scáthach, is said to be made from the hide of the monster Cú. It wouldn't be strange if it's related to that... but fundamentally, it seems different. The Grail's Ruler is one thing. We must make that Ruler above them our ally."
"Wise words. I will ensure he comes to the castle next time."
The two shared the same opinion. Bringing Fergus to their side. That was the best choice and the way to prevent variables.
Meanwhile, in the Red Faction.
Karna returned to a church in the forest.
"I saw it, but it's hard to believe. A Ruler sent by the Counter Force."
"Based on direct confrontation, he was undoubtedly a proud warrior."
"Hmm... I see. Thank you for your report, Lancer."
After receiving the report, Shirou dismissed Karna and consulted with Semiramis.
"Hmph, no matter who else appears to interfere, they will be powerless before the Hanging Gardens."
"That's likely true. However, it's best to minimize variables as much as possible. He fought evenly with Lancer, and there are three of them... Sending other Servants would be difficult for now. It's not yet time, so let's wait."
Shirou decided to wait for the Black Faction to join the battlefield since they are also present. But then... upon hearing that Berserker had gone on a rampage and charged alone towards the Black Faction, Shirou sighed and decided to send Archer and Rider.
Berserker・Spartacus charged majestically alone towards the Black Faction where the oppressors were. As soon as he heard from Caster where the Black Faction was, he ran without a moment's hesitation to judge them.
"Hey! Calm down, Berserker!"
"Ooo! Comrade, let us go judge the oppressors together!"
"He's not in his right mind...!"
"Hah, in a way, he's a man worthy of Greece! So, he's from Rome!?"
Archer・Atalanta and Rider・Achilles are Greek heroes facing Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator who was active in Rome, a descendant of Greece. Whether his blood was Greek or not, since he was active in Rome, he was a man very much like a Greek hero. The two Greek heroes were taken aback by him, but...
"That won't do. If you do that, you'll expose the concealment of mystery, proud gladiator."
""!!!"""
At that moment, a woman appeared suddenly without any presence. Atalanta and Achilles were flustered by the appearance of an existence they hadn't even noticed, but Spartacus smiled brightly at her.
"Ooo, I see! You think the weak will fear upon seeing this Spartacus! But it's fine, if they see this Spartacus's smile, they will surely be reassured!"
"In some ways, you're arrogant."
"But... are you an oppressor?"
"Hmm... Well? I'm a queen, so I could be an oppressor."
".... No, you are not an oppressor. You're a bit different. Oppression level 70%, I judge you as a comrade for now. That heart that thinks of the weak, of comrades, is proof!"
"Oppression percentage? Haha! You're an interesting fellow. Then... shall I deal with those troublesome interrupters?"
She grinned, looking at Atalanta and Achilles who had come for support from a distance, and soon golems and homunculi sent by the Black Faction came rushing.
"Ooo, pitiful dolls being used by oppressors! Allow this Spartacus to send you off with my own hands!"
"Huh, leave that to me, gladiator. I have interesting opponents to deal with, you see."
She drew her spear, spun it around, and walked towards the two.
"Hey, do you plan to face us alone?"
"Hmm... Sis, this won't be easy. An opponent that gets my blood boiling like this hasn't come since Hector."
Unlike Atalanta, Achilles felt a competitive spirit along with fear that the woman before him might be able to kill him. He grinned, drew his spear, and stood before her. He was concerned about leaving Berserker, who continued to advance alone, but as a warrior, he couldn't ignore a fight and leave.
"Huh, my name is Scáthach! As the Shadowland's Queen and Ulster's warrior, I shall face you."
"!!!"
"Heh... a big shot has arrived. A teacher-like case, perhaps. I'd like to reveal my True Name too... but it's the Holy Grail War. You're not a Black Servant, are you? What kind of Ruler is there that brings out such a big shot?"
"He is a man too tall for you to look up to."
"That's... an interesting story!!!"
CLANG!!!
Achilles and Scáthach clashed, and Atalanta quickly supported him. But Scáthach dodged or parried all of Atalanta's arrows, nullified all of Achilles's spear strikes, and wounded him. Though she lacked Divinity, she could temporarily grant herself Divinity through the wisdom of the Land of Shadows.
BOOM!
"Ooo! Oppressor! Come out now!!!"
Spartacus was fighting alone, blowing away golems and homunculi. Following that, Black Rider・Astolfo came rushing to stop him.
"What's that...?"
He looked bewildered, seeing the others fighting in the distance. He decided to focus on his task for now, but...
"Hup!"
"!?"
Siegfried's sword and Chiron's arrow quickly nullified the artillery fire coming at him. When Astolfo looked up at the sky, he saw a woman flying. A woman who closely resembled the Red Servants from behind.
"Heroes exist in every era. You are worthy opponents. Worthy of facing me, Aífe."
"Aífe...? Who's that?"
"......."
Aífe was hurt by Astolfo's innocent words. Enraged by this, dozens of primordial runes were inscribed in the sky, and small meteor showers fell.
KABOOOOOOM!!!
"Tch!"
"This is... that man!"
Astolfo quickly ran to avoid it, while Siegfried, advancing by enduring with high Magic Resistance and a tough body, was convinced that Aífe, like Medb from the previous night's fight, was a Servant summoned by Fergus. However, even Siegfried didn't know the name Aífe... She is only known as the mother of Cú Chulainn's son Connla, which is all the legend she has in this already minor worldline, making her so obscure that even heroic spirits might not know.
"From the moment you don't know me, you are sentenced to death."
"How long do you plan to wear that wedding dress? Get serious, Aífe."
"Shut up, Scáthach!"
The two bickered while each dealt with the Red and Black Factions, and Vlad III stepped in when he couldn't stand it anymore...
CRACKLEBOOM!!!
""!?""
At that moment, a giant wall of trees rose up, blocking the Black Faction. A thick wooden wall over 10 meters in size.
"I'm sorry, but could you not interfere?"
"Who are you?"
"Deirdre. You can call me the Sage of the Forest."
Blocking Vlad III was Deirdre, who had been watching from the trees. He immediately launched stakes at her to impale her, but...
[Dum~my.]
"A fake..."
It was merely a wooden puppet from the start. Instead of the real Deirdre, numerous clone Deirdres began to emerge from the forest trees.
[Don't underestimate the sage raised in the Druid's forest? I'm fundamentally different from you, who became stronger as a Servant?]
"Do you underestimate me, child of tragedy?"
[Your tale is the tragedy, Mr. Dracula.]
"How dare... utter that name...!"
Vlad III, enraged, deployed stakes, and soon the trees moved grotesquely, extending root tentacles.
CRREEEAKBOOM...!!!
While the battle was in full swing, Spartacus noticed Vlad III and moved to kill him, but a great magecraft soon blocked his movement.
"Ooo, is this oppression!?"
"It's not oppression; it's helping you."
A witch walked up to him.
"Are you going to die after killing just one oppressor? Isn't that insufficient? Right now, there is an oppressor trying to eradicate humanity."
"Ooo, who is that!? This Spartacus shall judge them!"
"You alone can't manage it. So, will you come with us? That person is doing work to save the world. How about it?"
"... Hmm, these are words of a true comrade. This Spartacus is overjoyed!"
"Before that, we must first liberate you."
The moment she stabbed his body with a dagger, the Command Spells for Spartacus were engraved on the back of her hand.
"Now, let's go quickly."
"Ooo, where are we going, comrade!"
"Where else?"
"Where the hero is."
At that moment, in a village in Trifas. Red Saber・Mordred and her Master, Sisigou Kairi, encountered a man and woman on the street...
"Step-dad, no, step-mom, Mordred!"
"He is my husband, Mordred."
".................."
"????????????????????"