It was an impact so strong that every Servant on the battlefield sensed it and froze. Just when it seemed that the abundant prana dispersed as if having exploded, a tremendous 'something' was born.
Rider of Red and Archer of Black, who were facing each other intensely, put a temporary hold to their battle and ran out of the forest—
Caster of Black suspended his control over the golems.
Lancer of Black and Lancer of Red turned their gaze to the 'something' even while remaining cautious of each other.
Archer of Red stopped running and looked at the 'something' with a dumbfounded expression.
Caster and Assassin of Red were unable to hide their shock either.
Even Berserker of Red stopped moving for an instant.
Saber of Red, even while doubting what had happened before her very eyes, sent an urgent telepathic communication to her Master.
'Hey, Master.'
'What?'
'Let me confirm. All the Black Servants have been summoned already, right!?'
'They should be.'
'...Then who's this guy standing in front of me!?'
'...I'm looking at him from the eyes of an owl, but he seems to be a Servant.'
'As far as I can see, he isn't Archer, Lancer, Rider, Berserker, Caster, or let alone Assassin. He's a Saber, the same Saber class as me. What's the meaning of this...!?'
'Hmm. Well, this is the Great Holy Grail War. Such things also happen.'
Shishigou said that in a light tone, and continued speaking without giving the confused Saber any time to give a rebuttal.
'Go and crush him. I've finished healing almost all of your wounds. Even if your opponent is a Saber, he's irregular... A normal Servant shouldn't lose against an abnormal one. Right?'
Understanding his words, Saber of Red discarded her doubts. She spoke in a light tone that matched Shishigou's.
'...I somehow feel like you're smoothly taunting me, though.'
'What, I don't really mind if you retreat. You should do what you want. What, do you want to retreat? Then shall I use another Command Spell to get you out of there?'
'—Ah, damn it. You're taunting me, you're definitely taunting me! But I'll do it! I'll do it. If my father was here, he definitely wouldn't choose to retreat!'
Saber of Red swung her silver sword, clustering her uplifted battle spirit—and advanced forward to attack the man who looked like Saber of Black.
And meanwhile, Rider of Black, most likely the only one on this battlefield who understood everything, desperately tried to hold back tears at the corners of his eyes. But he couldn't stop himself, and so he quietly wept.
That wasn't Saber of Black. Saber had definitely vanished back then.
Then who was that standing there? Who was that facing Saber of Red and gripping a sword in his hands?
It was obvious; he could only be one person. Rider of Black didn't know how such an astounding thing had happened, and he didn't care how either.
Rider simply regretted that 'he' hadn't chosen a peaceful life, and cried at the path of hardship 'he' had chosen instead. In life, Rider had never once lamented his own weakness. But right now, he lamented. His weakness, his words and deeds, his decisions had led 'him' astray here.
