The day slipped by quietly, and soon the next evening arrived.
As the first lights of the city flickered on, the night deepened. A silver moon hung high in the silent, profound sky, casting its cold radiance across the courtyard. The air was thick with tranquility. Kamitani Yuu stood alone on the lawn, waiting patiently for a certain red-haired giant.
To ensure tonight's operation proceeded smoothly, he had sent Sakura to stay at the Church for the night. This was a precaution to prevent Emiya Kiritsugu or the "Old Worm" (Zouken) from taking advantage of his absence to target his daughter.
"They're here."
Sensing a disturbance, Yuu turned his gaze toward a specific point in the distance. High in the sky, flashes of lightning and rolls of thunder were visible, rapidly approaching the Kamitani residence. Watching the ox-drawn chariot tread upon the air, Yuu raised his hand slightly, temporarily deactivating the mansion's boundary fields so the Gordius Wheel could land without obstruction.
Seeing the barriers vanish, the chariot slowed and descended gracefully before him.
"Ho! Caster's Master, we've come to fetch you!"
A boisterous voice boomed from the driver's seat. Iskandar grinned, waving Yuu over. Beside the giant stood Waver and Fionn, curiously surveying their surroundings. As for Kayneth, unlike Waver, he chose not to risk himself on the front lines, opting instead to wait for news from the safety of his magical workshop.
"Mhm."
Yuu gave a simple acknowledgment and leaped onto the broad platform of the chariot. It was spacious enough to hold all four of them comfortably without feeling crowded.
"Now that everyone is gathered, let's move out!"
With a sweep of Iskandar's massive arm, lightning crackled beneath the hooves of the divine bulls. The Gordius Wheel soared into the sky, heading toward the Einzbern castle in the outskirts. Protected by a magical barrier, the passengers remained safe from the biting winds of high-altitude travel.
"Waver, take this."
After reactivating his home's defenses, Yuu turned to the somewhat dazed Waver and handed him a small wooden block inscribed with a rune.
"...Ah, what is this?" Waver asked, his train of thought interrupted as he stared at the wood.
"I'm concerned there might be 'accidents' tonight, so I've prepared a little something," Yuu explained with a patient smile. "This Rune-carved charm might save your life at a critical moment."
Yuu wasn't helping an "enemy" out of charity; he needed to ensure the survival of his specific pieces. If more than four Servants were retired, the purification ritual would fail. Until Odin resolved the Great Grail's issues, Yuu had to keep at least three Servants alive. Since he couldn't be everywhere at once, he chose the two Masters with the least obsession for the Grail—Waver and Kayneth—as his primary subjects for protection.
"I see... then thank you for your kindness, Senior Kamitani."
Waver looked at Yuu with genuine gratitude, carefully tucking the charm into his pocket.
Fuyuki City, Outskirts Forest.
Under the shroud of night, a deafening roar shattered the silence.
"Hahaha! Saber, we have arrived!"
The moment the chariot breached the forest boundary, Irisviel sensed their arrival. Iskandar's hearty laughter left no doubt as to his identity. The divine bulls, treading on thunder, pulled the ancient chariot to a halt in the courtyard of the Einzbern castle.
Responding to the call, Proto-Arthur—clad in his azure and silver armor—appeared at the entrance. He scanned the arrivals and asked, "Where is Archer?"
"I sent the invitation; he should be on his way," Iskandar replied, baring his teeth in a wide grin. "No harm in waiting a bit longer. More importantly, Saber, where shall we hold this banquet?"
Iskandar hopped down from the chariot, tucking a large wine barrel under one arm while looking around loudly. Saber sighed; he truly wasn't suited to dealing with such free-spirited individuals. Fortunately, the role of "host" fell to Irisviel.
By the flowerbeds in the castle's courtyard, Iskandar placed the wine barrel in the center. The three Servants and Kamitani Yuu sat facing one another in a relaxed yet vigilant confrontation. Irisviel and Waver stood behind their respective Servants, watching the scene unfold.
Waver, however, was preoccupied. Earlier that day, his mentor Kayneth had actually visited him for a conversation. Though the man's words remained sharp and condescending, it had allowed Waver to see the true nature of his teacher—the "Tsundere Lemon-head" Yuu had described.
"Waver Velvet, if you wish to survive in the Clock Tower, keep your 'innovative' ideas to yourself..."
It was a warning, but also a counsel. Kayneth hadn't even scolded him for the theft; instead, he begrudgingly stated that Waver could return to his lectures after the war. Waver felt a complex swirl of emotions. Perhaps only now did he truly understand what Yuu had meant.
"Professor Kayneth..."
Muttering under his breath, Waver felt a sense of lost direction. He didn't know how he would face that man once they returned to London.
___
There's a few advance chapters on my P@treon
Usually upload 2 Chapters a day in there, except Saturday and Sunday
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