Beneath the dusk, a trace of firelight burst forth from the end of the horizon.
The giant raised the flame sword high, the flame rings condensing on the blade like a volcano erupting before them, the gushing firelight instantly overshadowing the setting sun falling behind.
This was the exact scene the four of them saw after rushing out of the flame tornado.
Scorching, massive, and despair-inducing.
The pungent smell of sulfur rushed into their nasal cavities.
Just how much destructive magical energy was gathered on that sword?
They would soon experience it firsthand.
The moment they appeared, the flame sword swung down.
There was not even a chance to dodge.
Rider’s expression was incomparably solemn.
The opponent had long been prepared, just waiting for them to rush under the sword themselves.
No, if they hadn’t come out, they probably would have been directly cleaved to death within the tornado.
Ha, they really got played.
Thinking about it, the opponent must have discovered them earlier; if they didn’t come, she would get Berserker, and if they came, she would keep them all behind.
What a bold and aggressive strategy.
Even deep in a perilous situation, Rider had to admire the opponent’s boldness.
Speaking of which, there was a similar situation last time; that time it was at night, the opponent was also someone holding a sword, and he similarly drove his cattle cart charging towards the opponent.
However, it ultimately didn’t succeed.
Then, how would it be this time?
Rider grinned, flicked the reins, maximized the magical energy on his body to the utmost, and used it to greet the falling sun.
But it probably wouldn’t be enough.
Breaking through the flames just now had already depleted a wave of it; in a rush, the magical energy that could be gathered was limited, and wanting to completely defend against it was probably impossible.
It seemed the cart was going to be gone again this time.
He thought to himself with feigned optimism, but the next moment, a tender yet exceptionally firm shout came from behind.
“Berserker!!!”
Almost simultaneously, a black giant shadow sprang out from behind, its tall body reflecting in Rider’s eyes like a shield, taking the lead to meet the descending scorching sun.
The sound of flesh and blood being scorched by flames came from ahead.
In just a brief moment, the giant’s skin, blood, and bones turned to powder under the flames.
But the opponent did indeed buy a sliver of time for the few people behind her.
“Defeat the opponent! Rider!”
Waver shouted loudly.
This unathletic man shouted this sentence with almost the fastest reaction speed of his life.
He likewise remembered ten years ago, but at that time he could do nothing except hug the other person’s legs and scream.
Now it was different.
Before this Holy Grail War, he had already experienced a lot, and he decided to achieve victory together with Rider.
With a stroke of a Command Seal shaved off, Rider’s already surging magical energy instantly expanded under the effect of a miracle, and the thunder entwining his entire body reached an unprecedented level.
The next moment, the thunder symbolizing Zeus and the firelight of destruction produced a violent collision on the street.
The high temperature dissolved the ground, the escaping thunder tore apart buildings, and the diffused impact blasted the entire street into smithereens.
A huge mushroom cloud filled with firelight and thunder soared into the sky.
The gale brought by the impact made Illya’s petite body involuntarily take two steps back, shielding her cheeks with her arms; the girl squinted her eyes and looked toward the center of the explosion.
She whispered to herself.
At the same time, she remained vigilant of her surroundings to prevent a sneak attack by Caster.
If Berserker hadn’t been sent up to take the brunt, they would have been completely wiped out; sending the opponent forward would have most likely resulted in a sneak attack by Caster.
Between two evils, choose the lesser.
Illya felt that as long as she was a bit more vigilant, she could still stall Caster for a while.
Of course, that was on the premise that it was Caster who came.
“Evenly matched, I suppose.”
A clear and beautiful female voice abruptly sounded from behind, and a soft hand stroked Illya’s little head, rubbing it as if petting a cat.
“Although Gordius Wheel is strong, in terms of sheer destructive power, it is still a notch below Lævateinn. But with Berserker and the Command Seal’s blessing, it barely managed a draw.”
The female voice explained the battle situation to Illya.
Don’t ask her why she knew so clearly; Illya didn’t really want to know.
Surtr could feel the body of the little one beneath her instantly stiffen, lips parting and closing as if wanting to say something.
But Surtr obviously wouldn’t give the opponent a chance.
A sharp pain came from the abdomen, then spread throughout the entire body.
Illya lowered her head, only to see that a dagger was piercing her abdomen; a woman in a black robe appeared in front of her, the corners of her mouth painted with purple lipstick curling up.
“I’ve caught you this time, brat.”
Clearly there were no bloodstains, but a severe pain as if nerves were being stripped away instantly spread across her entire body.
The Command Seals engraved all over her body uncontrollably manifested on the outside.
Clutching her abdomen, Illya squatted down, curling her body into a ball, whispering the most trusted name in her mouth.
“Berserker…”
But there was no response; the contract had already vanished the exact moment she was stabbed by that dagger, and the opponent was no longer able to hear her voice.
In an instant, her jewel-like pupils turned dim, resembling a broken doll.
Observing for a moment and finding that the opponent was simply withdrawn, Surtr didn’t bother with her anymore.
She was not some emotional master, and couldn’t say heaven-defying remarks like ‘I indeed killed Berserker, but you still have me’.
The interactions between the two of them afterward probably wouldn’t be much; once the problems on the other party’s body were resolved later, she would just dump her to Emiya Shirou and let him reform her with a kind heart.
However, speaking of which, this brat was already eighteen years old, not quite a child, considered a legal loli.
It was a pity she didn’t like lolis.
Meanwhile, a kill notification sounded in Surtr’s mind.
[Killed Berserker]
[Reward: Primogems × 300]
[Current Primogems: 1173.2]
Berserker was thoroughly dead.
After cutting off the contract, without magical energy supply, it was impossible for the opponent to resurrect herself on her own.
However, she had just checked the quest list, and the opponent’s quest was still there.
Can dead people’s quests still be done?
[Because Servants themselves are dead people, which belongs to a special case, under normal circumstances it is not possible.]
The system explained.
Surtr nodded, no longer dwelling on it. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
She raised her hand.
Amidst the smoke and dust, a crimson greatsword flew out from within and landed in the palm of her hand.
Although according to classification Lævateinn should be in the ranks of a Noble Phantasm, it was still somewhat different from ordinary Noble Phantasms.
It was conscious; the lava giant was something similar to an artifact spirit, and as long as magical energy was provided, releasing the Noble Phantasm didn’t necessarily require Surtr to do it herself.
Following closely behind was Rider’s chariot.
The chariot stopped ten meters away from Surtr; apart from the fur of the two divine bulls being slightly scorched, it didn’t look like there was much major damage.
Rider’s gaze first fell on Surtr’s hand, and then on Illya who was squatting on the ground.
“I didn’t expect you to succeed in the end after all.”
His expression helpless, he asked.
“What do you plan to do with Berserker’s Master? Since she already has no Servant, you shouldn’t go as far as exterminating her completely, right?”
“Raise her until the Holy Grail War ends and then release her.”
Surtr’s tone was as if she were talking about raising a small animal.
“Even though the opponent no longer poses a threat?”
“Just some personal preferences.”
Surtr waved her hand and didn’t dwell much on this topic.
“Is there something you need by staying here? Surely you don’t still want to continue?”
“No, there’s no need anymore, and besides, the commotion just now was a bit too big.”
Rider pointed around.
The sound of sirens had already rung out not far away; even with a barrier, that kind of commotion couldn’t be concealed.
Turning back, he looked at Surtr with a serious expression.
“This King is named Iskandar, unknown Master, have you considered joining this King’s command?”
Saying that, Rider extended his hand toward Surtr.
A familiar invitation.
Hearing this, Surtr had the illusion of walking onto the F/Z set.
Beside them, Gray and Waver whispered to each other.
“Master, isn’t a Servant’s true name very important? Is it really okay to just state it out like this?”
“He’s just that kind of personality.”
Waver also revealed a trace of a wry smile.
But precisely because of that, his figure was so captivating.
The conversation between the two continued.
Surtr shook her head at Rider.
Naturally, she refused this question, as she had no interest in conquering the world.
“Is that so.”
As if already knowing the answer, Rider did not dwell on it, but continued to speak.
“Since that’s the case, how about revealing your true name at the end? You shouldn’t have any rules against exposing your true name, right.”
“Mm… No problem.”
After thinking about it, Surtr felt that she didn’t have any need to hide her true name.
Thus, she spoke.
“I am.”
“Surtr.”