Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover

When Assassin came to inform Sakatsuki about what happened, he was in a spacious park, seemingly waiting for something.

"So, Rin sneaked in, huh?"

After listening to Hundred Faces' report, Sakatsuki wasn't too surprised, only slightly taken aback by the variable that was Rin Tohsaka.

"I thought it would be Sakura who convinced Kariya to make up his mind... Not intercepting me tonight? Hmph, talk is cheap. They're probably just scared of getting beaten up by me."

In front of the bowing Servant, the golden-eyed young man flashed a confident smile.

"Still, I never expected Kariya to actually desire the Holy Grail. I've told him so many times that there's something wrong with it... Ah, well, I guess as long as there's desire, no one can resist the temptation of the Holy Grail, can they?"

Unlike others, Sakatsuki had seen the entirety of Fate/Zero and knew the truth about the corrupted Holy Grail.

But what about the others? Kariya, Tokiomi, even Kiritsugu... How long had they prepared for this war, and how much had they sacrificed?

In psychology, there's an effect called the "Sunk Cost Fallacy," where the more one invests in something, the harder it becomes to give up, even to the point of irrational behaviour.

Even if Sakatsuki told them the Holy Grail was tainted, would they believe him based on his word alone? The troublesome part was that Sakatsuki couldn't possibly take them to the Greater Grail's location, or his plan would fall apart...

So, knowing the plot, Sakatsuki remained silent, never attempting to prove anything.

But that was fine. Anticipating battles with Servants... Perhaps his blood also ran restlessly.

The young man raised his eyes, his pupils gleaming with the reflection of a speeding golden light. As magical energy gathered, his white robe and red battle attire once again enveloped him, fluttering as he drew his bow and nocked an arrow.

"Please halt, King of Knights!"

The arrow shot out instantly, its magical force forcing the approaching figure to stop and block the attack with her holy sword.

Amid the small explosion, the knight, who appeared as a young girl, stood with golden hair fluttering in the wind, her saintly blue eyes radiating an unyielding will.

"Please hand over Illyasviel, and I will forgive your heinous act of kidnapping a child, Sakatsuki!"

Without a doubt, Sakatsuki had been fishing all day, and finally, as night fell, he got a bite.

"Saber, since you're here, then 'the lady' can't be far behind, right?"

Looking at the radiant King of Knights under the moonlight, the fully armed young man raised an eyebrow, showing no tension despite facing the strongest class.

With the roar of a straight-six engine, a silver sports car barged into the park, skidding to a halt on the grass.

The gull-wing door opened, and Irisviel, with her silver hair and red eyes, stepped out, her beautiful face unable to hide her anxiety.

"Sakatsuki, where is Illya?!"

"Now, where could she be?"

The young man flashed a wicked grin, his black bow dissipating as a crimson spear appeared in his hand.

"This is..."

Saber's pupils contracted slightly, her grip on her holy sword tightening involuntarily.

Twirling the spear casually, Sakatsuki, now resembling a Lancer, pointed the tip at Saber.

"Though you promised not to tell, it seems Kiritsugu didn't share the same sentiment, huh?"

"Want to know where Illya is? Sure."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sakatsuki pushed off the ground with his right foot, transforming into a crimson meteor as he charged at Saber.

"There's still a bit of time left. If you can defeat me before then, I'll tell you where Illya is!"

A bit of time left?

What did that mean!

Distraught by the kidnapping of her daughter, Irisviel dared not think too much, gritting her teeth and giving the order without hesitation.

"Saber, bring me victory!"

"Yes, I will not fail you!"

The Wind King's barrier was released in an instant, propelling the petite girl's body like a cannonball as she collided with the young man's figure!

That familiar feeling.

The holy sword was deflected by the spear's tip, and Artoria's eyes flickered. Without even needing her instinct to warn her, she twisted her arm, using the blade to block the spear pressing down on her.

The thrust, lighter than Lancer's, was parried, but in the next moment, Sakatsuki let out a sharp cry, the veins on his arm bulging as he thrust the spear at her face like lightning, over a dozen times in rapid succession!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The crisp sound of metal clashing filled the air as Saber dodged and parried, quickly stepping back to escape the spear's range.

"Your technique, why...!"

"Resembles Lancer's, right?"

The young man across from her answered readily.

"After all, I learned from his experience and skills!"

Hearing this, Saber felt a surge of disbelief.

How could that be?

That was the spear technique honed over a lifetime by Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, the "Knight of Fianna," reaching near-divine levels!

How could Sakatsuki have learned it in such a short time after only briefly encountering Lancer?

Moreover, during their battle last night, Sakatsuki hadn't shown this level of skill!

"Daydreaming in battle is dangerous, you know?"

The light, almost teasing voice came from behind her. Saber's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively turned to block, but the spear, like an angry dragon, slammed her sword aside.

In the next moment, Sakatsuki mercilessly lifted his leg and kicked Saber in the stomach, sending her flying.

"Ugh!"

With an involuntary groan of pain, the girl knight tumbled over a dozen meters before barely managing to stand up.

That kick... It wasn't something an ordinary attack could achieve.

"Though I'm not like someone who can deliver a kick with the force of a Noble Phantasm, I can still enhance my attacks with magecraft."

Sakatsuki said, unmoved by the pained expression on Saber's face. He planted Gáe Dearg into the ground, and the black bow reappeared in his hands.

"Don't hold back anymore, Saber. If you keep this up—you'll die, you know?"

"Are you alright, Saber?"

As Irisviel's voice called out, a soothing stream of energy enveloped the knight, healing her wounds.

The Master's healing magecraft quickly restored Artoria, and she raised her sword once more. Seeing Sakatsuki's unwavering determination, she finally made up her mind.

"In that case, I'll cast aside any lingering guilt and fight you with all I have, Sakatsuki!"

In the next breath, a surge of magical energy erupted from Saber's petite body, her pure fighting spirit bursting forth as she charged forward like a red dragon!

"Strike Air!"

The violent wind field cleared the magical arrows, and the knight, surrounded by a blue aura, broke through the air, bringing her holy sword down on the white-robed archer!

The light of her Mana Burst illuminated Sakatsuki's excited smile. At the last moment, he didn't pull out Gáe Dearg from the ground. Instead, he summoned Gáe Buidhe into his right hand, and his figure vanished.

Clang—!

The golden spear appeared behind her at an unbelievable speed. Saber twisted her wrist, blocking the attack from behind with a reverse grip, but when she turned her head, the twin blades Kanshou and Bakuya were right in front of her!

Thunder rumbled in the cloudless sky, and a hearty roar echoed.

"AAAALaLaLaLaLaie!!!"

In the midst of the thunderous battle cry, a chariot wreathed in lightning descended from the heavens, carrying countless bolts of electricity as it charged toward the Archer—no, Sakatsuki—who was preparing his fatal strike!

***

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