The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

Yoru knew what Aoi wanted to say, but he didn't offer her any clear answer.

At this point, making a promise like "I won't kill Tokiomi Tohsaka" was meaningless.

All he could promise was this: as long as Tokiomi bore no killing intent toward him, he would not act against the man.

But if Tokiomi ever posed a threat—or harbored the intent to kill—then Yoru couldn't be blamed for acting without mercy.

Flandre had already escorted Irisviel back to the Einzbern estate. Now, walking alone through the quiet streets of Fuyuki City, Yoru tilted his head back and drew in a deep breath of the cold night air.

He had no destination. No purpose. He simply walked—aimlessly wandering the night.

The first Servant had been eliminated. Not just any Servant, but one that had been marked with a bounty. Defeating him granted the victor an extra Command Seal—yet Yoru didn't view it as a good thing.

If anything, his impulsive actions might have painted a target on his and Flandre's backs.

"So now… everyone probably knows that Flandre is the real Berserker, huh?"

He scratched his head with mild frustration. Tonight's actions had definitely been impulsive, but Yoru didn't regret them. Every second that Caster remained alive in this world had been a threat to innocent people—especially children.

But now that he'd acquired a fourth Command Seal, there was no doubt the others would see him as a dangerous enemy.

Yoru looked at the glowing brand on the back of his hand and let out a bitter smile.

Command Seals sounded impressive, sure—but Yoru wasn't fully convinced by their power. And he had no intention of using them to force Flandre to obey him.

After all, Flandre was a sweet, lovely girl, not much older than Illya or Yozakura.

Yes, she was a vampire. A cursed one, perhaps centuries old. But Yoru could still sense the pure, innocent child within her.

At her core, Flandre was just… a lonely little girl afraid of being alone.

Without realizing it, Yoru had wandered far from the Einzbern estate. He chuckled and shook his head—he really should head back. If he kept wandering, Irisviel would surely worry.

"…So, when did you start following me?"

He suddenly stopped and casually turned around, speaking softly to the empty street behind him.

"I told you to look after Irisviel, didn't I?"

Seeing Flandre standing there, having chased after him, Yoru frowned and chided her mildly.

She lowered her head awkwardly, fidgeting with her fingers.

"…Forget it. I doubt anything will happen at this hour. Come walk with me, Flandre."

Seeing her remorseful posture, Yoru couldn't stay mad. He looked up at the night sky and resumed walking.

Flandre didn't reply—she simply followed him in silence.

◇

In the darkness, several Assassins moved soundlessly, making their way to report to Kirei Kotomine.

"Tohsaka's daughter was rescued? And Berserker… has been eliminated?"

Kirei was visibly shocked as he listened to his Servants' report.

The plan to corner Berserker had been carefully crafted—meant as an excuse to hand a Command Seal over to Tokiomi Tohsaka.

Yet someone had swooped in and snatched the kill first.

Rubbing his temples in frustration, Kirei sank back into his chair and stared blankly at the reports in front of him.

"Wait… if what you're saying is true, then this so-called Berserker wasn't really Berserker at all."

He stroked his chin, digesting what his Assassins had described.

That little girl—Flandre—was assumed to be Caster. So, naturally, the final unknown Servant had been labeled Berserker. It was the obvious conclusion.

But that obviousness had blinded them. They'd all overlooked a key possibility:

Flandre had hidden her true class. She was the real Berserker.

"What should we do next, Master?"

One of the Assassins asked.

Kirei paused to consider, then replied slowly.

"The original plan remains unchanged. But… increase surveillance on Caster—no, on Berserker's Master."

The Assassin blinked, puzzled. Hadn't Berserker and his Master already been eliminated?

"We were deceived. That girl is the real Berserker. It was Caster who was taken out."

"…I see. Understood. We'll increase monitoring of the true Berserker and her Master."

The Assassin bowed and retreated into the shadows.

Though he accepted the order, he couldn't understand its purpose. How would surveillance help win a war like this?

Since yesterday, Kirei had added strange new instructions: he wanted details not only on the activities of enemy Masters but also on their personal lives, hobbies, and appearances.

Now, scattered throughout Fuyuki, the Assassins had to massively increase the intensity of their watch.

This city's night was surely full of unseen Hassans, eavesdropping in silence.

Orders were orders—even if they seemed irrational. Though troublesome, they weren't impossible. So there was no reason to complain.

And so, in the cover of darkness, the Assassins continued tracking Yoru.

"I thought only Kiritsugu Emiya would interest me in this Holy Grail War... but now another one has appeared."

After the Assassin left, Kirei sat in his dim room, gazing absentmindedly at a photo of Yoru.

"What is it that drives you to seek the Holy Grail…? And… could I find the answer I'm looking for in you?"

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