Thanks for the invitation. I'm in Type-Moon, inheriting the legacy of Zi-O.

But the battle ended without serious incident. The last artificial life form turned into sticky white dust and dissipated, leaving only Nian Zhuo and the others breathing heavily in the same spot.

"Wow, there are so many~ phew." Mordred wiped the sweat from his forehead with a sigh of relief and pulled the blade out of the center of a pit. The blade had previously pierced through a living being and pinned it to the ground.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone." Mashu still had relatively plenty of energy. Looking at her companions, she asked, "Do you need to rest, everyone?"

"Hmph, I don't need a rest!" Momotaros put his hands on his hips and stroked his sword. "Although I don't know why you guys came here, I'm not done yet!"

"You've got to give up now." Suddenly, Nian Zhuo appeared behind Momotaros and kicked him in the butt. "Don't think I can't tell, you're almost out of stamina, aren't you?"

“…Uh.” Momotaros abruptly stopped, then awkwardly turned her head away.

“I’ve been wondering since the battle just now. With your strength, how could you not catch up with these monsters…?” Nian Zhuo tapped Momotaros on the head. “Besides, you’ve never let any monsters slip through in previous battles… but you’ve let them slip through twice now. Alright, go back and rest. Leave the patrol to us.”

"...Wait—" Before Momotaros could say anything more, he met Nen's turbid purple eye armor.

Click-clack—click-clack—the sound of Nianzhuo constantly moving his fingers.

"Hmm?" Momotaros looked at her 'kindly'. "What's wrong? Aren't you going back? Ryotaro has been waiting for a long time, you know?"

"Tch... I'm only letting you have the rest of the monsters because of Ryotaro." Sure enough, Ryotaro was always Momotaros's weakness. Scratching his head, Momotaros waved his hand at Nencho and the others with his back to them, "Don't die! Before I get back!"

Their figures gradually disappeared into the smoke, leaving only Nian Zhuo and the others with a wry smile.

"What an insincere fellow..." Mordred chuckled, looking at the enemy who had completely vanished.

"What's wrong, Mordred?" Mashu asked with concern, noticing Mordred's slightly absent-minded expression. "Are you feeling a little tired too?"

"How could that be?" Mordred scoffed, expertly swinging the blade in his hand. "They're just a larger number of grunts. But if there were Chaos Mechs, that would be a different story." Recalling that tall and intricate creature, Mordred's grip on the blade tightened slightly.

"That guy is really strong. In this world, besides you guys, the only ones who can give me a pleasant battle are that guy."

“Yes, after all, Nencho, Mash, and Ritsuka encountered it once.” The analysis report of that monster was on the table, and Mary could still recall its strange hook structure. “But it was really strong. Are there not many of them? That makes sense, we’ve traveled to so many places and haven’t seen them again.”

“Yes…” Mordred nodded in agreement. “Now that you mention it, I’ve never seen those things appear in groups before. It’s rare to find something worth fighting. I wonder if we’ll run into one tonight.”

"Hey... Mordred, isn't that just setting a flag for yourself...?" Ritsuka couldn't help but complain. "According to the plot of the manga, what she says will definitely come true in the end... Don't jinx it!" She still reminded Mordred with a little worry.

"Oh, really?" Instead of being worried, Mordred seemed rather eager to try. "Hehe, should I say more?" she muttered to herself.

"Well, let's not think about that too much for now." Nian Zhuo clenched his fist, also hoping to encounter someone worthy of a fight. "Let's walk a little further; we're still quite a distance from the edge of the city."

“Ah, no…” Nianzhuo then shook his head again, saying uncertainly, “I only glanced at the map a few times… I’m not familiar with the geography of London.”

"It's alright. If we run into anyone, we'll just deal with whatever comes our way." More than anything, Mordred was incredibly excited about the enemies to come.

Following Mordred's lead, Nianzhuo and the others circled Jekyll's apartment, taking a long walk around the SoHo district.

The only minor incidents were receiving complaints from Momotaros, who had returned to the apartment, and Ryotaro's words from Mary. The only other thing was fighting those small monsters.

"...Seriously, it's so weak." Mordred easily finished off the enemy with another blow, looking disdainfully at the shattered puppet fragments scattered on the ground.

"Of course, we've repelled all the opponents." After reporting the battle situation, Mash leaned over to Nencho and Ritsuka. "Um... I feel like... these enemies didn't seem so weak after all?"

"If Servants emerge from the mist, I really hope more powerful ones will appear." Mordred recalled Andersen's conclusion, slinging her sword over her shoulder. "Ah... but there are other possibilities, aren't there? What appears might not necessarily be an enemy?"

“That’s right, in fact, you are helping us.” Mary’s voice softened as she sat down in a chair. “Of course, Andersen is too. But Nursery Rhymes and Jack are the enemies; they must have also manifested in the magic mist.”

"Oh dear, I just hope that it's not always guys who only scheme against people from behind." Neither Mephistopheles, Jack, nor Nursery Rhyme had ever fought Mordred head-on, which made her somewhat obsessed with the idea.

"Occasionally, someone will openly and honestly issue a challenge."

“Indeed.” Ritsuka wholeheartedly agreed. “Although the underhanded tactics were quite good, I still can’t bring myself to like them…”

Happy Birthday, Mr. Moss!

Whether it was Nian Zhuo's sixth sense or Mordred's jinx that worked, it's hard to say.

At the end of the path they were walking on, stood a man in a tuxedo with orange-yellow hair, his back to them.

"...?" Those who can stand in this magical fog that is deadly to ordinary people are either magicians or... Servants.

Upon realizing this possibility, Mordred and the others instinctively placed their hands on their weapons.

"Come on—!" Suddenly, a deep male voice rang out. The orange-haired man turned around with an exaggerated expression upon hearing the noise behind him. Holding a book in his hand, he raised his hand towards Nian Zhuo and the others in front of him. "Who summoned us! Caster Shakespeare, come to the Mist City at once!" Then, looking at the several Servants in front of him, Shakespeare paused.

"—Ahem, although I'd like to say that, it seems this isn't a summoning based on the usual Holy Grail War." Thinking of this, he scratched his head in distress. "Ugh, this is a headache. God, where is the story that requires our presence?!" He raised his head as if in prayer, but all he saw was a fog that could obscure the sun.

"Ah, no answer. No answer." The man said in an exaggerated gesture, then clutched his chest. "Has God abandoned me?! Where is the exciting, thrilling story?!" Suddenly, he opened the book in his hand.

“Then this is all we can say! Ah ah—” Suddenly, he dramatically opened his arms and closed his eyes.

"Love is not about using your eyes, but your heart!"

"..." His exaggerated performance did not win Nian Zhuo and the others' applause; instead, they looked at him with eyes that could not bear to look at him.

“…You’ve got the wrong person. Keep looking.” Mordred struggled to resist the urge to beat him up and removed his hand from the hilt of his sword.

"Oh, who is this...?" Unexpectedly, the other person came closer, looked the blond swordsman up and down, and nodded as if to confirm something. "I didn't expect to have the honor of meeting you in this strange fog."

"An acquaintance?!" Mashu's eyes widened as she looked at Mordred. "Um, do you know... Caster Shakespeare?"

“I don’t know him.” Mordred denied it without hesitation, but her gaze lingered on Shakespeare for a moment. “This isn’t the guy I’m looking for. But now I’m certain.” She looked behind Caster, where there was nothing, no one.

"This guy just appeared out of the demonic mist."

"It is unfortunate that I have no Master, but I have met you. Perhaps this is fate." Shakespeare bowed slightly and spoke in a humble tone, while opening the book in his hands. "Now let me weave your story. I hope to write a tale that matches the legends."

“Ah…” Upon hearing the story and rumors, Mordred couldn’t help but show an interested expression. “It seems—not an enemy. But if that’s really the case, then things are getting stranger and stranger.” Turning away to ignore Shakespeare’s presence, Mordred nervously touched her chin.

“What exactly is the difference between him and the Joker and Jack’s gang?” Turning back to look at the smiling Shakespeare, Mordred turned away, still somewhat troubled. “Leaving Jack aside, everyone else is acting according to their own will. And—” She wanted to say something more, but Mordred casually raised her head and looked behind Nian Zhuo and the others, instantly drawing her sword.

“…No, wait.” Gritting her teeth, Mordred’s eyes gradually hardened with wariness. “Looks like the midnight patrol was the right thing to do.”

At the same time, Nianzhuo also sensed a massive magical fluctuation behind him.

Turning around, they saw an extremely familiar figure gradually solidify and appear in front of Nianzhuo and the others.

"What?" Mash and Ritsuka turned around following Nencho's gaze and immediately saw the guy standing not far away. "...!" Ritsuka quickly hid behind Mash's shield, watching him warily.

The newcomer was none other than the mysterious Servant [P], who had been killed by Nenju after making those outrageous remarks, but had been resurrected.

"Ha, the guy we've been waiting for has arrived." Mordred shouted as he saw the white-robed man standing not far away. "Hey! You escaped last time, but you still have the nerve to show up now."

"...It seems I'm late." The man wasn't angry; instead, he calmly looked at the Shakespeare statue behind Nian Zhuo and the others and spoke serenely.

"...It's [P]!" However, Ritsuka still couldn't understand, "How exactly did you... get here!"

"Tsk, it seems you've managed to win over the Servants of the new world." Without answering Ritsuka's question, the man simply clicked his tongue and shook his head. "What a pity." Glancing at Shakespeare, [P] continued speaking.

“It seems that the one in the present world is Caster.” Even knowing that she had been recruited, [P] still opened her arms. “If she could join our side, she should have become our good partner.”

"Haha, I understand now!" Mordred raised his sword, pointing it directly at the white-robed man not far away. "Once we figure out the reason, things become very simple!"

“…Yes, I understand now.” Mash raised her shield and stepped forward, blocking the way, her tone becoming equally serious.

"Hmph, capturing and retrieving Servants born and emerging from the demonic mist, making them your allies. That's all there is to it, isn't it?" Marie gave a disdainful snort, but then shook her head. "I see, the principle is simple. However, doing it is probably not as easy as it sounds. If you want to manipulate Heroic Spirits at will, no one but the Holy Grail can do it." She especially emphasized the word "Holy Grail."

“First of all, I should say this—the answer is correct.” The white-robed man clapped his hands, a smile of approval on his face. “You are right. We have been waiting for the people we need to appear in this London. Therefore, we have captured the heroic spirits that have appeared in the Demonic Mist one by one and [adjusted] them so that they can expand the Demonic Mist.” As he spoke, his gaze involuntarily shifted to the side, [P]’s eyes filled with the cold indifference of looking at a lab rat.

"So, I really... really regret not being able to catch you guys." He clapped his hands and smiled at Ritsuka. "Otherwise, we would definitely be good friends by now."

"...Don't joke around." Her face turned pale, but Ritsuka still answered with a look of disgust, "That's absolutely impossible."

“…Yes, senpai.” Even the usually gentle Mashu looked angry, her fingers gripping the shield hilt until they were almost white. “I feel the same way as you.”

“Those heroes, burdened with either fame or infamy, have been arbitrarily [adjusted] by you.” Nian Zhuo gripped the Time Gunsword in his hand. “We can never be friends with someone like you who tramples on the dignity of heroes.”

"Ha! Exactly!" Mordred chimed in, spitting at the white-robed man. "I don't want to!" At the same time, he gripped his sword tightly with both hands.

"This time, I won't let you escape!" A chilling crimson lightning appeared on the sword. "Before I send you on your way, hurry up and state your name, magician!"

"—Alright." It was clear he had struggled with the decision, and he finally sighed, "This time, there's no catalyst prepared for teleportation. I'll capture you here myself."

He drew his short sword and pointed it at Nianzhuo and the others.

“I am von Hohenheim Paracelsus. The one who wields the four Elves and seeks the true Aether.” This time, he looked seriously at the enemies before him and shook his head slightly. “However, this time, I… am pursuing something entirely different.”

"Master! This is a Servant battle!" Mash stepped forward, shield in hand, awaiting Ritsuka's command. "Please give your instructions!"

At the same time, various colored gems appeared in Paracelsus's hand, forming four different colored halos around the short sword in his hand.

"That's—!" Nian Zhuo had seen the other party use it before, but to be able to unleash four different gem magics at once... "Last time, he wasn't using his full strength—!"

“This time, after all, it’s to deal with the newly appeared Servants.” Colorful gems appeared between Paracelsus’s fingers from time to time. He channeled his magic and placed them into the halo surrounding the short sword. “So, this time we are quite well prepared.”

Bang! Bang! Bang!—with several crisp sounds, all the gems surrounding the short sword shattered, emitting a dazzling brilliance.

"Well then, please take a good look." He raised his hand, and fragments of various colored gems moved with his fingers, appearing behind Paracelsus with the same colorful magic.

"The charm of this elemental spirit!"

The yellow elemental spirits, Earth and Fire, which Nian Zhuo had previously fought, appeared behind Paracelsus. Not only that, but two more unfamiliar elemental spirits also appeared.

The two elemental spirits are green and blue, presumably corresponding to the elements of wind and water.

"Everyone, be careful." Nian Zhuo twirled his sword and reached into his pocket. "Those four elves are not to be underestimated; each one is quite troublesome."

As soon as she finished speaking, Mordred brandished her sword and charged forward, accompanied by crimson lightning.

"Strong or not..." She raised her sword high and slashed straight at Paracelsus. "As long as I kill you faster than they can attack, that's enough!"

"No!" Nian Zhuo couldn't help but stop her. "His elemental spirits all have their own consciousness!"

Sure enough, just as Mordred was about to succeed, a golden crystalline arm blocked her way.

Clang—Mordred naturally swung his sword down, but his full-force strike, gripping the hilt tightly with both hands, failed to sever his opponent's arm.

"Tch... So hard!" Not only that, even Mordred himself was so shocked by the reaction force from the other's arm that his hands went numb. He gritted his teeth in annoyance and turned the sword hilt with both hands.

The next moment, Crimson Lightning appeared, and a rapid stream of electricity struck the opponent's arm, finally leaving some scorch marks on the opponent's crystal-clear arm.

"Mordred! Watch out!" However, it wasn't over yet. Mash's worried shout came from behind, and Mordred also noticed the sound of something cutting through the air.

A pillar of fire shot out from the hand of the fiery red monster next to the golden monster, heading straight for him.

Feeling the intense heat even before they got close, Mordred simply moved the blade away and used his strength to push off the opponent's arm, retreating backward.

The pillar of fire immediately engulfed the spot where she had just been, but Mordred had already moved to the rear.

"What—!" But it wasn't over yet. The pillar of fire, which had detached from its target, was whipped around by the opponent and rushed towards Mordred in mid-air.

"Tch—Damn it!" He quickly raised his sword, the bright silver blade gleaming with crimson lightning clashing with the flames his opponent had drawn.

The crackling of electricity and the popping of flames rang out continuously, but in the end, neither could do anything to the other, only pushing Mordred's figure backward.

However... there is more than one elemental spirit.