Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

……

After returning to her room at the inn, Joan of Arc sat down on the bed.

The room she's using now was given to her by Shirou and Aika.

They each booked a single room, giving one to Jeanne d'Arc, while Aika shared a room with Shirou.

Although Joan of Arc suggested that it would be better for the two women, who were both women, to share a room, Aika refused.

Also.

Even though she is Ruler, she is still one of the Servants in the Holy Grail War. It's normal that she can't trust Jeanne. She would probably feel safer living with her own Servant.

Joan of Arc changed into her nightgown and, while combing Leticia's beautiful blonde hair, organized her thoughts.

Tonight's battle saw the "Red" faction field Archer, Rider, and Berserker, while the "Black" faction deployed its entire force.

The forests, which served as the battlefield, were not severely damaged; only some trees were cleared away, which was generally within acceptable limits.

In addition, although it was somewhat strange, Joan of Arc noticed a detail.

The magicians of Yggdrasil were all stationed inside the fortress, which was fine—but why hadn't she seen any of the Red Team's Masters tonight?

However, considering that the war has only just begun, this situation is by no means unbelievable.

Most of the Masters who participate in the Holy Grail War are mages from the Clock Tower, and may not be accustomed to fighting.

"...In short, this was a typical battle."

That's right. Although there were many Servants participating in the battle, the tactics were reasonable.

Archers snipe from a distance, berserkers break through, sorcerers command and control golems with magic, spearmen summon stakes to pierce the enemy, and cavalry and swordsmen are not irrational beings that exceed the scope of heroic spirits.

The only exception is Artoria, Joan of Arc thought.

Among the fourteen Servants in the present world, he is the most outstanding, after all, he defeated the dragon slayer Siegfried head-on.

Aside from Artoria, the "Red" Lancers and Cavalry are also top-tier Servants.

Especially Karna, if he gets serious, he could turn forests and even towns into scorched earth.

At that point, Joan of Arc would be needed.

She will use the privileges exclusive to the Arbiter to minimize the damage of the Holy Grail War.

But a lingering, uncontrollable doubt remained in my heart.

Why do the Servants of the "Red" faction want to exclude themselves?

Ruler knew Karna was a noble hero, which is why he came to kill her under his Master's orders.

It seems I really need to find a way to contact the magicians in the "Red" faction.

In short, tonight's battle is over...

Just as Joan of Arc was thinking this, there was a knock on the door.

"Ruler, are you asleep?"

—It was the voice of the boy who lived next door.

It's so late, what's the matter?

Joan of Arc responded as she went to open the door.

As she passed the mirror, she stopped and spent a dozen seconds adjusting her pajamas and hair before opening the door to make sure everything was alright.

"What's wrong, Artorius? It's so late."

"Excuse me, Ruler, have you seen Ai Ge?"

"?"

Jeanne d'Arc frowned slightly: "Isn't Miss Aige with you?"

"Yes," Shirou nodded. "I tried to contact her telepathically, but there was no response."

So I searched the entire hotel but couldn't find her. I wondered if she might be with you.

"I didn't see Miss Aika either."

"That's it, I understand."

Shirou nodded and prepared to leave, when Jeanne called him back.

"I'll go with you to look for it."

"No, you must be very tired already. You should get some rest."

Leticia's body had indeed reached its limit, and she wouldn't be able to hold on if she didn't rest soon.

"Okay, contact me if anything happens."

"I understand."

……

……

Let's rewind half an hour.

Deep within a solemn and majestic palace, in an audience hall even more grand than those of the city of Mirenia.

The "Red" Assassin, Semiramis, is closely watching the chaotic battle in the Tulifas Forest.

"That Berserker guy!"

Her beautiful face was slightly distorted with anger as she slammed her fist heavily on the armrest of the throne.

In the end, Spartacus left the battlefield without achieving any results.

Ignoring his Master's orders, and even the Command Spells he used on him were completely ineffective, he recklessly charged into the heart of the enemy lines, only to end up eliminating some grunts.

Tonight's operation can be described as a major failure.

However, it can't be said that there's absolutely no good news:

The good news is that Saber from the "black" faction has also left the stage, although it wasn't the red faction that defeated her.

From a strength perspective, the Thousand World Tree side, having lost its swordsmen, is definitely at a greater disadvantage.

However, after witnessing Shirou's effortless handling of the situation firsthand through the pigeon familiar's perspective, Semiramis was still left with a lingering unease.

This man... will definitely become Shiro's biggest obstacle!

"We must speed things up and make sure the Greater Grail is in our hands as soon as possible."

Just as the Assyrian queen bit her lip, preparing to rise from her throne—

She squinted and looked toward the entrance to the audience hall.

"what?"

A petite young girl walked in with calm steps.

Semiramis suspected that there was something wrong with her eyes.

This hall is the very center of his proud "palace," and to reach it, one must first pass through thousands of barriers and traps.

Do not……

Considering that the "Palace" was only activated tonight, it's not surprising that there might be some vulnerabilities that even the developers themselves haven't noticed.

However, even disregarding the feasibility of infiltration in magic, it is physically impossible.

Because of the "palace" where she and the girl were—

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are now located in the troposphere, 8,500 meters above the ground!

"..."

Semiramis remained expressionless and calmly asked, "You are..."

"Nice to meet you, Assassin—no, it shouldn't be our first meeting, should it?"

I even greeted your pigeons when I was outside the church that day.

Aika Sajou gracefully pinched the hem of her dress: "I am Saber's Master."

Semiramis immediately understood the identity of the girl before her, but—

Are you Saber?

Wasn't Saber killed by your Servant tonight?

She was puzzled, but remained silent, waiting for the girl to speak.

"I'm here tonight to make friends with Assassin."

With a bright expression, Aika said, "In your magicians' terms, it's about forming an alliance."

Upon hearing the girl's words, Semiramis revealed a bewitching smile.

"They actually want to form an alliance with me, what a lovely idea..."

Do you consider yourself qualified to speak with me on equal terms?

The reason you are still able to stand is because of my great mercy.

In this "garden," Assassin can plunge a girl into an abyss of no return with just a snap of his fingers.

Poisoning, strangling, beheading... Semiramis has countless ways to kill Sajyou Aika.

However, she did not do so because she was curious about the red-haired boy's Master.

Semiramis exuded a cold and oppressive aura befitting an empress, but Aika did not back down because of it.

"Qualification...is it enough to just show me your strength?"

Assassin raised an eyebrow with interest.

Instead of answering with words, we responded with actions.

"Fill it up, reveal it."

With the Empress's brief incantation, a terrifying colossal shadow appeared in the audience hall—

In Mesopotamian mythology, the creator goddess Tiamat gave birth to eleven monsters that fought against the gods.

Now, she has summoned one of them.

Bashumu is a terrifying serpent said to have been born in the sea, possessing two brightly colored horns and forelimbs, and reaching the highest rank comparable to dragons.

Its sharp teeth possess a venom more potent than that of the Hydra in Greek mythology; a mere graze can inflict fatal wounds on Heroic Spirits. It is the most powerful biological weapon that even the Empress would use with caution.

Summoning Bashmu without obtaining the Greater Grail was somewhat of a stretch.

Semiramis rested her chin on her hand, languidly leaning her graceful female body against the back of the chair.

"If you can defeat it, I will acknowledge you as my ally."

"oops?"

After singing, Sajou Ai tilted her head back and gazed at the giant, dark green snake that was over a hundred meters long, and said innocently.

"This monster is so powerful, I can't possibly beat it... Assassin is so unfair."

The empress ignored the girl's pleas for mercy and beckoned with her finger.

The next second, the giant snake turned its heavy body and coiled up as it swam towards Ayaka Sajou.

Semiramis had no intention of killing the Master who had come to her doorstep.

She wanted to use the child to control the red-haired boy who called himself Saber, so she simply ordered Bashom to intimidate him.

But what happened next left her speechless.

"How could this be...!?"

The ferocious snake did not obey its master's command. Instead, it quietly laid its body on the ground and peacefully closed its eyes.

That expression was utterly incompatible with the legendary venomous snakes and dragons; it was clearly—

A child is being affectionate with his mother.

Semiramis held her breath.

As an empress who once ruled Mesopotamia, she couldn't possibly be unaware of that legend.