A few minutes before the explosion.
"Dilectus Incursio!"
"The night is silent, my shadow shall engulf the world!"
"Shadow of the Imaginary Numbers!"
Dark emotions surged as the shadow of a giant, returning from the void, descended upon the battlefield. Devouring all lingering phantoms, it clashed with the toxic rcury blades before each force rushed toward their intended targets.
However, strikes as powerful as the chaotic space disrupted the laser beams. The imaginary giant lost its target, causing its attacks to miss entirely.
After a brief pause, the two magi unleashed their next moves.
"Anfang!"
"Trace on!"
A tempest of wind and fire erupted as the clash of gemstones and reckless sword strikes led to mutual destruction. Twin yin-yang swords shot out from the explosion, embedding themselves into the cylindrical rcury defence, unable to move further.
"No need for defence, automatic attacks—what an advantageous tactic. As expected of the supre mystic code of the El-lloi family, 'Volun Hydrargyrum.'"
"The sa could be said for you. A magus who can summon giants from imaginary space—perhaps you've already reached the rank of Brand or even Grand?"
"Hah, I'm just good at combat, that's all."
Exchanging casual remarks, Sakatsuki and Kayneth t each other's gaze, their eyes filled with unwavering confidence and murderous intent.
For magi, whose lives were often long and dedicated to the pursuit of the Root, at least there was the occasional opportunity for secret technique exchanges—sothing to add a bit of colour to their otherwise predictable existence.
But don't expect these people, who have never experienced nine years of compulsory education, to think like normal humans.
A "secret technique exchange" was nothing like a noble socialite's salon, with soothing music and exquisite cuisine.
Want to exchange mystic arts? Fine!
Then wager your life and use your own body to experience the power of magecraft. Survive the exchange, and surely, you'll be one step closer to your lifelong goal!
Call it sick, call it a survival ga—it was all just a ans to approach the Root. To orthodox magi, both the mysteries of magecraft and their own lives were re chips to be traded at any ti.
That is what it ans to be a magus.
In reality, Sakatsuki wasn't truly a magus. He had no interest in the Root, treating magecraft simply as a useful tool—just like a certain Kiritsugu. People like him were rely "magic users," a term the self-proclaid noble magi would use to belittle them.
Regardless, even though magic user Sakatsuki and magus Kayneth had different ideologies, at this mont, they were both enjoying the thrill and beauty of their clashing magecraft.
Then, suddenly—an explosion shattered everything.
As if the very earth had abandoned them, the intense tremors of the building shook them to their core, spreading from their feet to every part of their bodies before shattering like fragile glass.
Rumble…
The magically reinforced floors collapsed instantly. The glow of mystery paled under the sheer destructive force of the explosion. Caught off guard, Sakatsuki and Kayneth faced a world crumbling around them.
Their reactions differed in the face of imminent destruction.
Kayneth, after a brief mont of shock, sighed in relief—only for panic to seize him imdiately afterwards. He hastily activated Volun Hydrargyrum, clinging to the debris like a giant spider as he rushed toward a certain room.
Sakatsuki, on the other hand, simply sighed in resignation, his expression filled with the helplessness of a child dealing with a troubleso parent. Then, stepping forward, he vanished into a diamond-shaped displacent space.
When he reappeared, he was already outside the Hyatt Hotel, where two Servants anxiously awaited. Upon seeing him, one of them broke into a joyful smile.
"Onii-chan, welco back!"
"Yo, Miyu. I'm back."
Sakatsuki ruffled her hair with a smile before turning to the visibly worried Lancer.
"Kayneth should be fine. With Volun Hydrargyrum, he'll survive."
"Thank you, Sakatsuki."
Hearing the reassurance, Diarmuid relaxed and quickly departed to aid his Master.
The siblings exchanged smiles.
But before Sakatsuki could speak further, an eerie chill crept up his spine.
Innate skill 'Mind's Eye (True),' Clairvoyance activated.
Eliminating interference.
Locking onto an object, tracing trajectory, and target analyzed.
7.62mm sniper rifle round!
The shooter was identified as Emiya Kiritsugu.
Calibre matches… suspected Origin Bullet!
And the target—
"Miyu!"
Sakatsuki barely had ti to push his sister aside before searing pain shot through his right hand.
There was no sound of a bullet penetrating flesh, no bloom of blood.
Miyu's pupils shrank as she stared at the sudden gaping hole in Sakatsuki's hand, montarily forgetting to breathe.
But Sakatsuki couldn't afford to care about her reaction. He yanked Miyu behind him with his uninjured left hand before stomping hard on the ground. A broad, shield-like greatsword descended from above, blocking the line of fire between him and Kiritsugu.
Even he hadn't expected Kiritsugu to go straight for the kill.
He had placed powerful suggestion magecraft on the personnel list and ensured the receptionists called out nas that would cause Kiritsugu unbearable pain. Under normal circumstances, without outside interference, Kiritsugu shouldn't have recovered so quickly!
Yet reality was what it was. The shock was secondary—what mattered now was correcting his mistake.
Clenching his injured right hand, Sakatsuki's golden eyes sharpened as he rapidly calculated Kiritsugu's next move.
Due to his unique constitution, he couldn't confirm whether this bullet was truly an Origin Bullet. That ant he had to consider both possibilities.
If it was an Origin Bullet, then Kiritsugu's goal was to cripple Miyu and weaken my combat strength. Even I would struggle to survive this Holy Grail War without a Servant… In that case, he must be retreating by now. Kiritsugu knows how dangerous I am when enraged.
But if it wasn't an Origin Bullet…
I know Origin Bullets threaten magi. Even a Caster-class Servant couldn't completely negate their effects. Miyu's Mystic Code, Sapphire, is crucial—it must not be damaged. There's no way Kiritsugu would take that risk…
Which ans his target was never Miyu.
It was all along!
That man knew I would take the bullet for her!
Since he had anticipated this, Kiritsugu's attack couldn't be simple. There had to be a deeper purpose… But what?
Sakatsuki recalled his own actions—blocking the shot with an enchanted hand, shielding Miyu, and establishing a defence against further sniping. Every movent had been seamless, with no apparent flaws.
A night breeze blew, slipping past Sakatsuki's barrier from the sides.
His defence wasn't airtight.
And Kiritsugu Emiya wasn't alone. There was one more person who would definitely be here—
"Damn it, Maiya Hisau!"
Sakatsuki turned in haste, but it was too late.
As if sensing Sakatsuki's panic, Kiritsugu allowed himself a faint smirk.
Still too green, kid.
For an assassin, even a revealed trump card could beco a new killing move.
He issued the order into his earpiece.
"Maiya, do it."
In an instant, a barrage of gunfire erupted from the other end of the communication line.
***
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