FATE: Target of Grand Master

When Xia Yansu woke up, it was already 10 a.m. the next day.

After eating a simple meal, Xia Yan received two pieces of news.

First, last night, Rin Tohsaka and Archer noticed a battle taking place at the Fuyuki Church while patrolling the city, but by the time they arrived, both sides had already left.

Judging from the traces of the battle at the scene, the intensity was not low, and a large area around it was razed to the ground.

Most surprisingly, Rin Tohsaka also discovered Kirei Kotomine's body in the church's cemetery.

The fact that the overseer of the Holy Grail War was killed during the war demonstrates just how lawless the mastermind behind this incident has become.

The second piece of news is that the monster that left last night has reappeared and, just like yesterday, has started devouring humans all over Fuyuki City.

However, this time, thanks to preparation, the Hero King Gilgamesh single-handedly intercepted a massive number of monsters in front of the Fuyuki Bridge.

However, the academy was located on the side attacked by the monsters and was not protected by Gilgamesh, so it was necessary to arrange Servants to defend it.

"Let's go, we'll bring Ilya here today, even if we have to tie her up."

Leaving Caster, the most suitable master and servant for defensive purposes, Xia Yan, Shirou, Rin, Lancer, and Archer went to Einzbern Castle.

Because Artoria's Noble Phantasm had cleared half of the forest earlier, the group's progress was exceptionally smooth this time, and they soon saw the Einzbern castle in the distance.

Boom!

After a loud bang, Archer spoke first: "There's a battle going on at the castle."

The others looked over and saw that only half of a tower in the castle remained, with an unusually flat cross-section, like a candle that had been cut at an angle.

"This is bad, someone is trying to harm Ilya. Since Gilgamesh is still in the city, the only person who could do this is the mastermind behind all this."

The group quickened their pace, but the closer they got to the castle, the more monsters they encountered.

Upon discovering the group of monsters and seeing them swarming towards the castle, Rin said, "Archer is better suited to dealing with large numbers of enemies. Archer and I will clear a path for you; you can head to the castle first."

Without any hesitation, Xia Yan and Shi Lang readily agreed.

Emiya projected a black bow, unleashing a dense rain of arrows at the three running ahead, wounding more than a dozen magical beasts in front of them. Then, Cu Chulainn hurled his crimson spear, which, although not at the level of a Noble Phantasm, still killed all the magical beasts in his way, clearing a path.

Xia Yan unleashed the maximum acceleration magic he could muster on himself and Shirou, and the two rushed to Einzbern Castle with all their might, only to find Matou Ryōken confronting Illya.

Sera and Liselle were lying on the ground, their fates unknown.

Before Ilya's golden needle magic could even touch Matou Ryouken, it was completely devoured by countless black flying insects.

"Hehehe, the troublesome fellow has indeed appeared."

Matou Ryouken did not stop them, and Xia Yan and the other two ran smoothly to Illya and protected her behind them.

"Shirou."

Ilya was somewhat surprised and touched, but the situation did not improve at all because of the three people's arrival.

"roar!"

Hercules' massive body dodged back and forth not far away, and the target of his attacks was none other than the knight princess Artoria Altera, who was wearing black armor.

"Saber? How is that possible?"

Looking at that familiar yet unfamiliar figure, Shirou Emiya could not believe his eyes.

"Hehehe, this is all thanks to you, Emiya kid."

"Shirou, don't listen to him. Lancer, attack!"

Xia Yan immediately ordered Cú Chulainn to attack.

The crimson spear pierced through Matou Ryouken's head in an instant, but his body softened like mud and then reformed into human form not far away.

It seems that ordinary attacks are ineffective against him.

Cú Chulainn cried out, "Master, I request permission to use my Noble Phantasm."

Xia Yan immediately agreed.

"I'll take your heart! Piercing Thorn Spear!"

The crimson spear, brimming with magical power, pierced through Matou Ryouken's heart in an instant. Yet, despite being stabbed in the heart, Matou Ryouken was still laughing.

"Hehehe, you don't actually think that I still have weaknesses like humans, such as a brain or a heart, do you?"

Xia Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. Based on his understanding of Matou Ryouken's personality, this old bug would never reveal his trump card on his own initiative.

Although Xia Yan couldn't see through the magic, he was certain that the "Matou Ryouken" opposite him was definitely not the real person.

"Lancer, use runes."

Cú Chulainn immediately understood and unleashed a series of runes: Isolation, Purification, and Fire Magic, trapping Matou Ryouken in a cube of transparent magic before slowly dissolving and purifying him.

Matou Ryōken was taken aback for a moment, then grinned maliciously, "Boy, your name is Xia Yan, right? I really underestimated you; you actually saw through my clone's true form. Not only that, it wasn't Kotomine Kirei who ordered Lancer to destroy my Matou mansion, it was you, wasn't it? You really made me suffer a lot. You just wait, next time we meet, I'll repay you tenfold. Hehehehe."

Xia Yan paid no heed to the old insect's threat; he was more concerned with the battle between the followers not far away.

Artoria Altera, relying on her abundant magical power, continuously unleashed her magic to attack Hercules.

Due to the losses in yesterday's battle, Hercules not only lost his weapon but also only had three lives left.

Under the Black Knight Princess's fierce attack, Hercules was quickly cut into several pieces by the black holy sword, losing another life.

This can't go on, so Xia Yan immediately ordered Cú Chulainn to assist.

The blue spearman charged forward at high speed, aiming for the black knight princess's heart without any mercy.

Artoria Altera raised her black holy sword to block the thrust of the crimson spear.

This distance was extremely comfortable for both of them, and they immediately launched into a high-speed offensive and defensive battle, just like when they first met at the Emiya residence.

"Hey, Saber, I don't know why you betrayed us and went over there, but I don't mind continuing the battle we didn't finish back then. I won't hold back now."

After saying that, Cú Chulainn made a feint, flicking his spear upwards halfway through its thrust, the tip aimed straight at the Black Knight Princess's neck.

After realizing she had been tricked, Artoria Alter didn't have time to raise her weapon and could only jump backward to dodge.

The blue spearman's spear tip ripped through the blindfold covering the black knight princess's face, and Cu Chulainn immediately saw Artoria Alter's lifeless eyes.

"Saber, what's going on?"

Cú Chulainn was not answered with words, but with a sword strike unleashed by the Black Knight Princess's magic.