In Type-Moon, it all starts with adopting Sakura.

"You actually get along so well with the Queen of the Shadow Kingdom. You're becoming more and more unfathomable."

As she spoke, her colorful eyes suddenly turned to look into the distance.

Having traversed mountains, cities, and oceans, and crossed countless years, it once again landed upon that petite figure from a thousand years ago, with whom it had once played pranks.

"Artoria, my king... I hope this time I can awaken you."

"He will free you from that nightmare called the destruction of Britain."

With a slight sigh, the voice gradually grew fainter and fainter, finally disappearing completely into the white tower of the amusement park, silently echoing in the unknown realm.

He stopped speaking and simply watched quietly as the future might unfold.

At the same time, wait and hold onto hope.

Chapter Sixty-Nine: Awakening the Knight King (7,500 words)

As night fell, the moon was bright and the stars were few, and crows flew south.

A light mist hung in the air, the moonlight was cool, the stars were bright, and occasionally a few black ravens could be seen flying over the forest outside the castle, their eerie cries echoing from afar.

Crack!

Under the moonlight, the small animals that lived around the castle scattered in panic, leaving the forest far behind. Even some drivers passing by and people who had started jogging on the road at night subconsciously left the area, making the already somewhat remote castle area even more deserted.

Just as the last passerby instinctively ran in the opposite direction, Rowe emerged from the cold forest, followed by Scáthach, a beautiful woman with flowing purple hair, stunning looks, and an almost bewitching aura, wearing a stylish trench coat.

"Mission accomplished. The last few irrelevant people have also left. That way, there won't be any unwanted people bothering us later."

After using the raven familiar to survey the surrounding area, Luo Wei slightly opened his eyes and calmly delivered his conclusion.

"Yes, there are indeed no irrelevant people around here, or more accurately, even irrelevant animals are gone."

Scáthach nodded, then looked at Rowe with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"Master, even at such a critical moment, you still have to go through the trouble of setting up a barrier to disperse bystanders? You really are a stickler for the rules."

"What else? Just go in and start fighting? That would not only lead to the leak of secrets, but also drag innocent people into it. The grievances should be directed at the perpetrators, and the debts should be settled with the perpetrators. We only need to target Saber and her Master. There is no need to do anything like indiscriminately killing innocent people."

Luo Wei shook his head, then looked up at the night sky above. "Besides, I believe you've already noticed, haven't you?"

"Yes, of course."

Scáthach nodded, then looked at the castle, which was only a few hundred meters away, and calmly stated her conclusion.

"It seems they anticipated our arrival and took some precautions in advance. For example, the magic power of this land is constantly converging towards the castle, transforming it into a magic workshop. So no matter how much we cause trouble outside, they haven't come out on their own, and Kiritsugu Emiya hasn't shown up either."

"Yes, whether it's the aura he deliberately emitted along the way or setting up a barrier to dispel evil spirits right in front of someone else's castle, it's all tantamount to a provocative act of entering someone else's territory. But even so, Mr. Kiritsugu Emiya still hasn't shown up. So, what do you think that means?"

After thinking carefully for a moment, Lovi asked Scáthach a question.

"Are you asking me, Master?"

"Ah."

Luo Wei nodded, and then he heard Scáthach reply from beside him, "Well, this situation isn't hard to understand. After all, the plan has already been exposed. Given the specific amount of combat power we control, choosing a simple and brutal approach is naturally the most effective. So the other side guessed our troop deployment and took countermeasures."

"The only options they can take are to fight or to flee. The current situation clearly indicates that Kiritsugu Emiya seems to have chosen the second option."

After all, she was the Queen of the Shadow Kingdom who had lived for countless years, the ruler of the Dead Kingdom in Celtic mythology, and the one who commanded countless warriors. With her rich experience and life wisdom, Scáthach analyzed the battle situation almost immediately and gave a decent answer.

"You mean to say that Kiritsugu Emiya most likely escaped?"

Lovi thought about it and did not agree with Scáthach's point of view, but he did not deny it either.

"It can't be guaranteed, but I feel that the possibility is very high. After all, in this situation, running away is also a tactic."

"Escaping may be shameful, but it's very useful."

"That's true, but there are still some things that are not right. You have misjudged Kiritsugu Emiya's determination."

Luo Wei shook his head slightly, then explained, "Even if running away is useful, it's only in the case of a protracted war. Tonight, it's not just us; Gilgamesh's side is also determined to engage in a decisive battle. At this point, running away is too late."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

Hearing what Rowe said, Scáthach felt a little curious.

"It's simple. Because he's been constantly losing and always on the weakest side, Kiritsugu Emiya's situation is now extremely dire. His only trump card is probably the Lesser Grail, Irisviel. But this Lesser Grail can't be activated directly. To make it a medium for connecting with the Greater Grail, a sacrifice is naturally essential, and the sacrifice required for the Lesser Grail is..."

Lovi smiled and looked into Scáthach's eyes, then continued, "Your souls, so..."

"At this time, Kiritsugu Emiya must do his best to speed up the completion of the sacrifice, so that the Lesser Grail will descend sooner. The best way to do this is to intensify the battles between the Servants and gather the sacrifice as quickly as possible. This way, he can secretly carry out his plan and deceive everyone."

Scáthach and Rowe exchanged a glance, and then they both realized the answer to the question.

"So, since Kiritsugu Emiya is determined to bring about the arrival of the Greater Grail, this castle is naturally not going to be empty. And isn't it already quite obvious who is waiting for us inside?"

"...Yes, you're right, Master. Now I know who's inside the castle."

Scáthach thought about it and realized that Rowe's idea was correct.

"In that case, let's go in and pay a visit, and say hello to that poor, weak, and helpless old friend."

As soon as he finished speaking, Luo Wei strode to the gate of the castle. He then stopped concealing his powerful magic and his gaze narrowed slightly as a burst of blue magic suddenly erupted out.

As the alchemy array beneath his feet suddenly activated, a blurry blue figure abruptly appeared in front of him.

"……This is?"

Under Scáthach's slightly surprised gaze, the blue figure in front of Rowe began to move. The six phantom wings behind him spread slightly, instantly stirring up an extremely violent storm around them.

"Please, Raphael."

Immediately after Luo Wei raised his palm, the blue figure directly in front of him, named Raphael and symbolizing the wind ahead, also raised its own palm made of wind elements, and then chopped down in sync with Luo Wei's movement.

--brush!!

The cyan palm touched the city gate without any hindrance, and the dazzling magic power and the cyan vortex collided in that instant.

The sharp wind blades, composed of dark blue, contained terrifying power and authority. In the very instant after they appeared, the castle gate, reinforced with steel and magic, was easily sliced ​​open as if it were tofu.

The wind is unrestrained, and the wind element is the most unpredictable of the four elements. When faced with the fusion of the wind spirit Sylph and Raphael, the archangel in the Church who is in front of the Lord and in charge of the wind, this iron gate is as useless as nothing.

"An angel? No, it's more of a wind force... but it doesn't seem to have any divinity, though it's somewhat similar to elves. But the one you're controlling doesn't have the same lively intelligence as an elf, so this must be a pure alchemical creation, an empty shell?"

Upon seeing the wind elemental angel controlled by Lovi, Scáthach's expression was somewhat surprised, but she quickly saw through its true nature thanks to her thousands of years of experience and magical skill.

Luo Wei, whose trickery had been seen through, did not deny it.

"Even in the distant Age of Gods, the gods were high above, untouchable by mortals. Let alone in this age of declining mystique, how could a true archangel be replicated? What I summoned is merely a vessel to facilitate the use of my powers. It only looks impressive and may be effective against magicians, but it will hardly be of any use against mysterious and stronger heroic spirits like you."

"The theory of merging angels and elves is truly interesting. It's a variation resulting from the fusion of theology and alchemy. I'm amazed you could come up with that, Master."

"However, if those agents of the Holy Church saw this, that you actually fused and mixed the archangel, who symbolizes the four elements of this world, with the four elemental spirits of alchemy to create such an empty shell, it would surely enrage those guys, wouldn't it?"

"Perhaps so, but for me, alchemy, theology, and science are merely tools to help me progress and move toward the truth. Although I am a magician and an alchemist, I do not arrogantly reject anything useful."

Hearing Scáthach's words, Rowe shook his head and said nonchalantly, "As long as it's useful to me, I'll use it. Anyway, the gods haven't personally shown up to say it's forbidden."

"The gods themselves have appeared... Hah, Master, that's quite a sophistry. Where can you find any trace of gods in this day and age?"

Scáthach shook her head and continued, "However, your current behavior can indeed be described as blasphemous. If this were during my time of the gods, a god might actually appear and punish you."

"However, the era of the gods is long gone. They have all returned to the prison in the Star Sea. Now it is the era of humanity, isn't it?"

“You’re right. The age of gods has passed. This is the age of mankind. To you, those gods are nothing more than things recorded in ancient books. You’re just taking advantage of that.”

"Angel summoning and demon summoning, Master, you remind me of a very powerful guy."

"who is it?"

After witnessing Rowe's talents, even Scáthach couldn't help but exclaim, "That guy's name is, Magic King Solomon."

"Solomon..."

Upon hearing the name, Luo Wei paused for a moment, then shook his head and replied helplessly, "Although there are indeed many things that are interconnected between angel summoning and demon summoning, compared to that legendary Magic King, I am obviously far inferior. If that Magic King were facing this situation, he wouldn't need to use any elaborate schemes; he could simply summon a demon god and overwhelm them."

"That king can summon the real seventy-two demon gods, while I can only summon false angels that have been given names and mixed with alchemy. That is the difference."

Rowe did not accept Scáthach's praise.

After all, he knew his own limitations; he was just a magician with some talent, how could he have the kind of power she described?

And who is King Solomon, the King of Magic?

The true Grand Servant [Caster], the Israeli King of Fighters, is not only unmatched by Jacob's Iron Fist, but also protected by seventy-two demon gods, each of whom is a top-tier Servant. His Noble Phantasm, the Grand Temple of Time, is also a heavyweight.

Even the Demon King Goetia, who could instigate the Burning of Humanity, was merely a being born from Solomon's corpse, inheriting his legacy. In other words, if Solomon wanted to, he could also instigate the Burning of Humanity.

Comparing himself to this king, even setting aside Solomon's opinion, Lowe himself felt he was completely inferior.

"Is that so..."

Seeing that Rowe refused, Scáthach smiled slightly and did not continue to speak. Her crimson eyes held a hint of amusement at this moment, making it difficult to guess what she was thinking.

During the time the two were talking, the castle gate that had been blocking their way was finally completely cut open by the sharp wind blades, opening a path forward.

Without hesitation, they stepped inside.

……

This location is several hundred meters away from the interior of the castle.

A courtyard away, the first thing that caught their eyes was a dashing figure with blonde hair and blue eyes. She stood in the center of the courtyard, holding a sword, as if she had been waiting there for a long time.

—The Heroic Spirit of the Sword, Servant Saber, whose true name is King Arthur, Artoria Pendragon.

Just as Luo Wei had predicted, she was the gatekeeper for tonight, but...

Although Saber has appeared, her Master is nowhere to be seen, clearly having already left the area long ago.

"See, just as expected, in order to accelerate the completion of the Holy Grail, Kiritsugu Emiya will definitely put his Saber on the board."

Seeing that Artoria was holding the line alone, with no one around, not even her Master Kiritsugu Emiya, this undoubtedly confirmed his previous suspicions.

Then, Lovi turned to look at Scáthach beside him and explained why Emiya Kiritsugu had done this.

"Because if we do this, whether Artoria lives or dies, there will be a Servant's soul sacrificed here, which means that one Servant will definitely die on this battlefield."

"So, that guy really doesn't treat Saber like a human being at all? Leaving her here to fight alone and wait to be sacrificed, doesn't that make King Arthur feel disheartened? If my Master dared to betray me like that, I would definitely stab a few holes in him with my magic spear without hesitation."

As she spoke, Scáthach clenched her fist and poked Rowe in the waist as if it were a magic spear, scaring him so much that he begged for mercy.

"Spare me, spare me! Please see the truth, my Queen! I have always been loyal to you and have never betrayed you. My loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon!"

"Pfft..."

Seeing Lovi's exaggerated acting, even the aloof Scáthach couldn't help but laugh. She never expected that her usually serious Master would have such a side.