The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

If there ever was a definition of a true madman, Ryuunosuke Uryuu would certainly be it.

What made him truly terrifying was that he didn't even realize his behavior was insane—he genuinely believed it was perfectly normal.

A joyful serial killer—that might be the most accurate way to describe Ryuunosuke.

He had no interest in the Holy Grail. In fact, before summoning Caster, he hadn't even known of its existence. But the Uryuu family did carry a faint trace of magus blood, and one day Ryuunosuke stumbled upon an old summoning ritual in the warehouse—something said to call forth a "demon."

Eager to try it out, he drew the magic circle during one of his home invasions. And on his fourth attempt, he actually summoned Caster.

Thus, his entry into the Holy Grail War was purely accidental.

Before summoning Caster, he had already killed 42 people. After gaining Caster's help, his killings became even more gleeful—more artistic, as he saw it. Though Ryuunosuke still didn't understand the purpose of the Holy Grail War, it was clear that he had come to love this deadly game.

Witnessing Caster's power only fed his delusions. With such a powerful Servant guarding him, what did he have to fear? He could slaughter freely, day after day—what could be more wonderful?

He had no idea what the Holy Grail War truly meant. He didn't understand the meaning behind the other Masters and Servants.

And more importantly, he had no clue just what kind of man was now standing before him.

To him, this was just another busybody—someone interrupting his fun. He'd met many like that before. And without exception, all of them had died.

"You dare interrupt me? Then go ahead and DIE!"

Ryuunosuke shrieked, raising the knife in his hand—but before he could bring it down, a sharp pain bloomed in his chest.

Confused, Ryuunosuke looked down—only to see a small girl standing there, somehow right in front of him.

In the darkness, her face was hard to make out. But what he could see were the wings gently fluttering behind her, adorned with seven-colored crystals… and her blood-red eyes.

So beautiful… such a cute little girl. Killing her would've been so much fun…

That was his final thought before a metallic taste flooded his mouth. A stream of crimson ran down his lips.

What's going on...? Am I… coughing up blood? Why am I spitting blood?

Still dazed, he looked up and saw the girl—Flandre—grinning with eerie delight. Slowly, she pulled her hand out from his chest, holding a still-beating heart in her palm.

"So fragile… I barely touched you, and you broke already~"

At that moment, there was no doubt that her Berserker class designation was more than fitting. Watching her from the shadows, Irisviel shivered and instinctively moved closer to Yoru.

Meanwhile, Yoru kept Rin firmly pressed against his chest, preventing the curious girl from turning around and seeing what was happening.

Then again… maybe a sight like this doesn't even faze her anymore.

After all, she was the heir of the Tohsaka family. A normal child would've been traumatized by such horror.

Yoru gently stroked Rin's head. Though the underground bar was pitch black, the thick stench of blood told him all he needed to know.

They all deserve to die—Caster, his Master, all of them. They must pay for what they've done.

"Kill him, Flandre."

For the first time, Yoru issued a command as her Master—without hesitation.

"As you wish~"

Giggling sweetly, the girl raised her arm… and crushed the heart in her hand to pieces.

Ryuunosuke hadn't even realized what had happened. His expression froze. Then he slowly collapsed to the floor.

Even in death, he didn't understand what the strange girl had done to him.

But just before his life slipped away, a single, human thought surfaced: I don't want to die.

He'd finally found a life where he could kill as he pleased. He didn't want to lose it.

And perhaps that single thought marked the line between a normal human… and a monster.

Ryuunosuke's heart had indeed been destroyed. For a normal person, that would mean instant death.

But for a Servant—especially a caster well-versed in magecraft—it wasn't necessarily fatal.

With the right measures, and quick enough action, he could still be saved. Especially with the power of a Command Seal.

And sure enough, as Ryuunosuke began to fall, a violent surge of mana erupted around him—like a dam bursting—enveloping his broken body.

Then, a man in a wide cloak slowly materialized.

"What happened?! What in the world happened to you, my dear Master?! Who would dare lay a hand on you?!"

Eyes bulging like a dead frog's, Caster wailed as he cradled the dying Ryuunosuke.

"Well, well… we meet again, Caster. You finally decided to show yourself."

A heavy sigh echoed in the darkness. Caster flinched and turned toward the familiar voice.

"You—! It's YOU!"

That hateful face emerged from the shadows. Caster's eyes burned with rage.

It's because of this man that I couldn't bring my beloved Jeanne back!

"You ruined everything! You stopped me earlier—and now you hurt my dear Ryuunosuke! What are you trying to do?! What do you want?! YOU BASTARD! A thousand—no, ten thousand deaths wouldn't be enough for you!!"

He screamed like a lunatic.

But Yoru just chuckled softly.

"You want to kill me? Go ahead… then come try."

The moment Yoru's words fell, Caster's instincts screamed at him. A terrifying pressure surged in the air.

Reacting instantly, Caster rolled across the floor, dragging Ryuunosuke with him.

The space where they'd been standing distorted—like it had been forcibly ripped away from the world.

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