"In that case, let's bypass the blackened Berserker and sneak back to the city from the left or right!"
"Good plan. Unfortunately, the moment I detected him, he also noticed me. Now he's charging at us like a rabid dog."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?!"
Rin roared in frustration.
"Archer, go hold off the blackened Berserker right now! Buy us time to escape!"
"Tch. All by myself?"
"We'll head back to the city at top speed. Once we're inside the Spirit-Repelling Bounded Field, I'll use a Command Spell to summon you back!"
Fuyuki City's Spirit-Repelling Bounded Field allowed spiritual entities to exit but not enter.
Though the field had been constructed by Zelretch, it was built upon Fuyuki's ley lines, drawing energy from them—no one understood why Zelretch, with his infinite mana, had designed it that way.
Naturally, control of this bounded field rested solely with Rin.
Only she could permit spiritual entities to pass through.
This was her greatest advantage as mayor—and the Mage's Association branch's greatest envy.
The old fossils of the Association had long coveted control of the bounded field, but none had succeeded in wresting it from her.
Thus, while spatial transfer would normally be repelled, Rin could simply adjust the field to recall Archer inside the city.
"Saber, you stay and assist too."
"Understood."
Roy also issued orders to Okita.
"Thanks. That'll take a lot of pressure off."
Rin exhaled in relief.
Two Servants working together were far better than one.
"No, this is my responsibility."
Roy shook his head.
If not for his decision to rescue Illya, they might not have ended up in such danger.
"Even without you, Berserker's mindless nature would've made him chase us like a mad dog on our way back to the city."
Rin waved dismissively, as if he were overthinking things.
Roy considered it and realized she was right.
Even without his involvement, they would have had to return to Fuyuki—and likely would have encountered Berserker anyway.
At least this way, they had Illya with them.
A bonus, in a sense.
"ROOOAR—!!"
No sooner had they finalized their plan than a figure wreathed in black mist came charging toward them from the distance.
Clad in dark armour that obscured his form, the blackened Berserker exuded an aura that seemed to defy perception itself.
Okita stepped forward, her gaze steady.
The pressure radiating from this enemy was extraordinary.
Though mindless, he was undoubtedly a formidable foe—likely even stronger than the twisted Lancer!
"Be careful! The blackened Berserker's true identity is Lancelot, Knight of the Lake! His swordsmanship is peerless, and his Mad Enhancement doesn't hinder him. His reversed holy sword boosts his parameters, and anything he touches becomes his Noble Phantasm—don't let him grab you!"
Roy quickly relayed everything he knew about the blackened Berserker.
"Lancelot? No wonder he obeys the blackened Saber without question!"
Archer muttered as he nocked an arrow.
Okita dashed forward, her speed a blur, while Archer provided ranged support.
The two fought a tactical retreat, luring the blackened Berserker away from the group.
Okita's agility was exceptionally high.
Bolstered by Roy's mana and her haori's enhancements, it reached A++, placing her among the fastest Servants—even surpassing the blackened Berserker.
Having a high-mana Master truly allowed for such excess.
With Archer's constant interference, the two managed to hold their own against the blackened Berserker.
Seizing the opportunity, Roy, Rin, and Illya swiftly bypassed the battlefield and sprinted toward Fuyuki.
"Faster!"
"I don't need a brat like you telling me that!"
"At this rate, it'll be too late! We can't let Berserker's sacrifice be in vain!"
"I know that! But even by car, it'd take half an hour to reach the city walls from here!"
Rin glared furiously at Illya, who was perched on Roy's back, barking orders.
Whose fault is it that your castle is so damn far away?!
Illya guiltily averted her gaze.
Okita and Archer could hold off the blackened Berserker—that wasn't the issue.
The real problem was how long Berserker could last against the blackened Saber.
Even with twelve lives, facing an opponent with infinite mana, holding out for half an hour was nearly impossible.
And with only their legs to rely on—even enhanced by magecraft—they'd never make it back to the city in time.
We're doomed!
Rin internally wailed.
"No choice."
Roy sighed and made a slashing motion in the air.
A long, silver dotted line appeared before them.
Then, as if peeling open a seam, Roy parted the line, revealing a gray, misty space within.
From it, like something pulled from a bottomless bag, a steel machine tumbled out—a sleek, black beast crouched low to the ground.
A motorcycle.
And not just any motorcycle—a four-cylinder beast.
"Imaginary Numbers magecraft?! Why do you even know that?!"
Rin stared in disbelief as Roy conjured the bike out of thin air.
A magus' elemental affinity dictated their potential in a given field. Most wouldn't waste time on elements they lacked—it was an exercise in futility.
Roy's affinity definitely didn't include Imaginary Numbers. Yet he'd studied it anyway?
"Just the basics. Get on!"
Roy swung onto the bike, settling Illya in front of him.
Rin hastily climbed on behind, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"You had a bike this whole time?! Why didn't you bring it out sooner?!"
"Oil's expensive, okay?!"
"Wait—do you even know how to ride this thing?!"
"I practiced in the yard!"
"Hold on, I'm getting a really bad feeling about this—"
"Full throttle! Hold tight!"
With a thunderous roar, the bike shot forward like a raging beast, accelerating to top speed in seconds.
"Hah! Good thing there's nothing left out here—no traffic to worry about!"
"WAAAH—! Focus on driving, you idiot!"
The violent jolts sent Rin clinging to Roy for dear life.
Under different circumstances, the closeness might have been awkward.
But Roy felt nothing—so there was no reaction whatsoever.
The bike raced across the darkened wilderness for over ten minutes.
Then, Illya's grip on Roy's arms suddenly tightened.
Roy understood.
The familiars circling overhead had been monitoring the battlefields.
At Einzbern Castle, Berserker had exhausted all twelve lives and fallen to the blackened Saber's blade.
After defeating him—
The blackened Saber plunged her hand into her own chest.
And pulled out a golden Holy Grail.
Moments later, she grasped Illya's escape and began pursuing at full speed, bypassing the ongoing battle between Archer, Okita, and Lancelot without a second glance.
As if harbouring a personal grudge, she seemed determined to kill Illya in this first encounter.
Several more minutes passed.
The walls of Fuyuki City finally came into view.
And close behind—
The blackened Saber's figure loomed into sight.
***
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