I am the protagonist

[It seems the Matou family's Master and Uncle Tohsaka have a grudge. Even if I don't go after Berserker, given the Matou family Master's personality, he'll still run into Uncle Tohsaka, and Berserker will undoubtedly die as well.]

For now, let's prioritize dealing with Assassin and Caster; Berserker can be addressed later.

Chapter 162 Caster's Extermination Mission

Has Lancer left the scene?

"Toki-kun, according to Assassin's intelligence, it seems that Lord El-Melloi has gone to Einzbern Castle outside Fuyuki City. It looks like the first person to be eliminated has already appeared."

"It seems so."

He responded to Father Lizheng's topic with a light laugh, while shifting the conversation to another topic.

"Father Lizheng, are you already aware of Caster's actions?"

This topic made Kotomine Risei's expression turn serious.

"I've already heard it from Assassin."

“Caster and his Master continue to hunt ordinary people with impunity, and I’ve been troubled by this behavior lately.”

Summoning Heroic Spirits is, in a sense, a blasphemy against the gods. However, it is precisely because the Church of Saints holds such views that it was appointed by the Mage's Association to carry out the Holy Grail War. Only priests of the Church of Saints who despise the existence of magic itself can treat any magician fairly.

However, actions that exceed a certain scope during the Holy Grail War also need to be addressed.

The church also handles the cleanup work.

Every Holy Grail War inevitably involves some Heroic Spirits or Masters indiscriminately killing ordinary people, which violates the rules of the Holy Grail War.

Every Heroic Spirit and Master knows the method of concealing the news of ordinary people witnessing the Holy Grail War; otherwise, if news of magic were to reach the world of ordinary people, it might cause a great deal of trouble.

Magic needs to be hidden.

The Holy Grail War also needs to be conducted in secrecy.

Because of these regulations, the Holy Church will not concern itself with the murder of ordinary people in special circumstances. However, if the situation escalates to the point where it might expose the magic, neither the Holy Church nor the Magic Association will allow it.

Now, Caster and her Master's unbridled killing has crossed this line, and Kotomine Ryougi is also thinking about how to deal with this matter.

“Father Rissho, I think the Holy Grail War can be temporarily suspended to stop the conflict between Masters. This time, Caster has really done something unforgivable.”

"Toki-kun, I share the same thought."

Kotomine Risei clearly shared the same thought.

“Caster’s actions have undoubtedly violated the basic rules of the Holy Grail War, and the fact that Caster’s Master has been confirmed means that if the harm continues to spread, it could even affect the entire Holy Grail War.”

“Father, I think so too.”

Caster Master's killings have become increasingly brazen, especially now that Caster is involved. The occurrence of such murders in Fuyuki City is gradually expanding its influence, and it won't be long before this behavior affects the Holy Grail War that is currently underway in Fuyuki City.

"In that case, given this unusual period, let's exercise our right as overseers of the Holy Grail War, end the disputes between all other Masters, and resolve Caster's problem first."

"Thank you very much for your understanding, Father Lizheng."

"No, this is also my responsibility as the overseer of the Holy Grail War."

In addition to overseeing the entire Holy Grail War process, the Holy Church's oversight also includes each Master.

Therefore, the Church can know the specific movements of each Master at all times.

However, this form of right can only be used in very special times of crisis, and only when the supervisor of the Holy Grail War believes that the current situation has developed to the point of affecting the course of the Holy Grail War.

The next morning, the Masters who received the call dispatched their familiars to the Church.

"Everyone, it has now been confirmed that Caster's Master is the culprit in the Fuyuki City serial murder case."

"If Caster and his Master continue to commit murders in Fuyuki City with impunity, the Holy Grail War will also be affected."

"Therefore, I will use my supervisory authority to temporarily change the rules of who will lead the Holy Grail War."

"All Masters, immediately cease fighting each other and focus all your efforts on annihilating Caster."

"Furthermore, as a special measure, I will grant additional Command Seals to anyone who meets Caster and his Master."

Kotomine Ritsu was rolling up the sleeve of his right hand, revealing dozens of Command Seals etched on his arm.

It's important to know that even a single Command Seal can bind a Servant, or even allow them to unleash greater power in crucial moments. This means that any Command Seal is a precious resource for the Master, and even adding just one can significantly alter the course of events.

It can be said that the allure offered by the Holy Grail War supervisor this time is quite astonishing, and it is something that no Master can ignore.

"The Holy Grail War will restart after Caster is annihilated."

"So, does anyone have any other questions?"

Since all those who arrived were familiars, and no Masters came directly, naturally no one could ask any questions.

However, due to the temporary change in the rules of this Holy Grail War, Masters who wish to obtain Command Seals will temporarily stop fighting each other and instead focus their attention on Caster.

Upon receiving the news, all the familiars left the Holy Church.

Their Masters, on the other hand, need to consider the current situation.

As for Kotomine Risei, he returned to the lower levels of the Holy Church.

"Thank you for your help, Father."

"No, this is also the normal procedure of the Holy Grail War. Caster and his Master have gone beyond a certain range."

Tokiomi Tohsaka, who was at his home in Tohsaka, exchanged a few simple pleasantries before ending the conversation.

Whoever obtains the Command Seals may not necessarily affect the current situation.

Perhaps any Command Seal will have different effects at different times.

Binding Servants is only one aspect; many Masters can also use Command Seals to assist Servants in battle.

A Master with insufficient magical energy can even use a Command Seal to restore their Servant to their optimal state.

However, only a minority of Masters actually use it in this way.

In fact, every Master knows that it's best to use only one Command Seal, and the other two Command Seals are used to bind Servants.

No heroic spirit is easy to get along with.

Some have incompatible personalities, and some Servants may even harm their Masters.

Minimizing the use of Command Seals is key.

Of course, Command Seals are just special means used in emergency situations. The real key lies in the individual abilities of the Servant and the Master's control over the situation.

Only the abilities of Servants and Masters are the key to the Holy Grail War.

Chapter 163 The Bold Conqueror

This is the fourth night.

[Shirou, the Holy Grail War is almost over, isn't it?]

"There are only three days left after today."

If you count the days, the seven-day deadline is really fast approaching.

The Holy Grail War is drawing to a close, but tonight's passing signifies that the battle has reached its climax. An unprecedented atmosphere of battle will soon envelop the entire city of Fuyuki, and as the night draws to a close, both Masters and Servants are beginning to stir with agitation.

"Caster was defeated last night, and this morning the Church sent a summons about defeating Caster. I think the other Heroic Spirits will definitely start making big moves tomorrow."

Well, theoretically that's not wrong, but so far only Lancer has left the stage. Isn't this Holy Grail War being a bit too reserved?

"It's not a matter of being reserved, it's just that the battle between us is too intense, and it's impossible to clearly determine the winner in one go."

"With Rider and Archer standing like pillars of heaven, any other heroic spirits that make a move are merely helping those two resolve some troubles."

"Now everyone is waiting to see who will be the first to give in."

So, this time it was Caster who couldn't hold back anymore?

"I think he's about to lose his temper."

“I personally defeated him yesterday. Next time I want to talk about the Saintess, I should show more strength... Perhaps this time I provoked him too much, which is why he wants to cause a big incident.”

When can Rider and the others make their move?

"It's too early now."

"There are still six Heroic Spirits left. Assassin and Caster haven't left the stage yet. We can only start taking action after those two have completely left the stage."

"Acting rashly now will not bring any benefits."

There are far too many Servants still alive. Six is ​​really beyond Shirou's limit. At least when there are only four, the other Servants behind him can step forward one by one.

"Right now, I just hope I can get a good night's sleep tonight."

"boom!!!"

"Moo!!!"

"..."

【…】

The sounds from both sides abruptly stopped.

Rin looked at Shirou, who seemed to have lost all will to live, with a pitying expression.

[Shirou, keep up the good work and keep working overtime.]

"Hey……"

What could Shirou say in this situation? He was speechless.

Yesterday he faced Lancer and Caster, and today he has to deal with Rider. How come he's so busy every day?

"Shirou!"

Seeing Saber Shirou barge in, he could only nod helplessly.

"Let's go see what Rider is up to so late at night."

Shirou took the armed Saber to the front hall.

Rider had smashed the front door of the hall to pieces with his oxcart, while he himself, dressed in casual clothes, sat on the oxcart and greeted them.

"Yo! Saber, it's been a long time."

"..."

Saber was speechless in the face of such a guy who had no will to fight. Her fighting spirit, which had just been raised, was completely wiped out by such a greeting.

Shirou realized that Rider wasn't there to fight, but it was precisely this attitude that gave him a headache.

He was really exhausted from the Holy Grail War, and he really wanted to get a good night's sleep today.

"Rider, can you please stop causing trouble so late at night?"

"Couldn't you have said something in the morning?"

Rider scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed.

"Well, I had no choice. This kid said that Heroic Spirits should only act at night."

Weber, whose name was called, shrank back.

Although he really wanted to argue that "Heroic Spirits should only be able to act at night!", he didn't dare to at the moment.

If he dared to say that, Rider would probably make him suffer the consequences of saying such things.

Shirou sighed helplessly. There was no point in arguing with Rider; this guy's methods were anything but conventional.

"You're not here to fight this time?"

"no no."

Rider waved his hands repeatedly. He hadn't come here specifically to fight. Besides, he had brought alcohol with him. Who brings alcohol with them?

He picked up a barrel of wine that was next to him and gently patted it.

"I'm here to have a drink today, Saber's Master, could you please make room for us?"

There was no other way for Shirou to find a suitable place to leave.

However, the interior of the castle was not suitable; it was a complete mess. The fierce battle between the foster father and Lord El-Melloi in the castle was no joke, and many parts of the castle had been destroyed.

Shirou could only take a few people to a relatively open area in the center of the castle.

"Snapped!"

After a snap of the fingers, several trees quickly grew in the center where there was nothing.