Chapter Fifty-Four: Do You Dare Defy Me, Who Holds the Command Seal?

While Roland was gaining a new friend, the battle in the arena did not cease with Gilgamesh’s departure. As soon as Gilgamesh was gone, Danic’s mental command swiftly echoed across the battlefield.

“Fall back, Lancer.”

Though Lancer had served as the main force against Archer, more so than the other two who first clashed, Danic would not allow himself to grow complacent. Having participated in the previous Holy Grail War, he was well aware that he would attract unwarranted hostility. Now that Lancer had displayed his strength appropriately, he became a target of both wariness and desire for alliance among the other Masters. His Servant was not like Archer, after all, who relished the thrill of fighting against three at once.

Victory among Servants was not determined by raw strength alone; none could know what strange Noble Phantasms the others might be concealing.

Lancer had no objections. With Gilgamesh gone, he no longer felt any urge to fight.

Any Master with sense, having witnessed Lancer’s might, would refrain from reigniting the conflict at this moment—yet there are always exceptions.

“Berserker, attack!”

From either the perspective of a magus or tactician, Kariya Matou was an amateur. He possessed a kind heart, but was so consumed by obsession that he often forgot his true priorities. He wished to save Sakura, but the moment he saw Tokiomi Tohsaka’s Servant’s face, resentment welled up within him. If he could bring trouble to Tokiomi, he would do so, even at the cost of shortening his already dwindling lifespan.

It was only upon hearing Danic’s voice that he remembered his true target was not Tokiomi, but this man instead, and so he forced Berserker to advance.

The black knight, upon receiving the order, suddenly dashed forward, only to veer off midway, brandishing the stolen Noble Phantasm from Archer, and launched a ferocious attack against Saber.

Even Lancer, prepared to counter, was caught off guard by this sudden turn, to say nothing of the others.

“What’s going on?”

In a deserted alley, Kariya spat a mouthful of blood. “Damn it, is it because of that King Arthur? Berserker’s gone berserk. Damn, I overexerted my prana earlier—I can’t keep him under control.”

In the battle before Lancer’s arrival, Berserker was the undisputed main force—relying solely on his hands and unparalleled skill, he emerged unscathed from Archer’s storm-like assault. The cost in mana was immense; even with Kariya’s prana reserves now much greater than before, he could only issue a retreat order. To command an attack, though, he could no longer suppress Berserker’s frenzied impulses.

Though Saber was momentarily at a loss before Berserker’s ambush, he quickly regained composure. The invisible sword in his hand howled once more with surging magical energy, and he met Berserker’s relentless assault in silence, parrying blow after blow.

“Does that Berserker… perhaps know Saber?” Rider asked in confusion. But Saber, locked in desperate combat, had no mind to answer.

“Who are you?” Saber demanded in a voice of steely resolve, but the black knight did not relent. In the close contact with that invisible blade, Berserker let out a non-human wail, a cry of cursed hatred. Even in his frenzied state devoid of language, he could voice such pain—testament to the depth of his grudge.

“Arthur… Arthur… Arthur?”

Yet, as he spoke his words of resentment, his tone grew increasingly odd, until finally it became a question. His offensive weakened, and at last, he merely raised eyes burning with hatred to look upon Saber’s face, venting his confusion in a tormented howl.

“A man… Arthur… impossible…”

As if his worldview had been shattered, Berserker stood dumbfounded, his mind, eroded by madness, struggling to comprehend the situation.

Though King Arthur was a woman, the one before him looked like Arthur, wielded Arthur’s sword, and possessed Arthur’s aura. Thus, he must be King Arthur!

With the help of the “King’s Cook Radar” lurking in his soul, Berserker’s murderous intent surged anew, and he charged once more at Saber.

Immediately, the two were embroiled in battle again.

Witnessing this, Kenneth’s desire to intervene stirred once more. Though he had miscalculated regarding Archer, if Rider would now obey his command, it would be as if the enemy lost a Command Seal for nothing. Now, with the troublesome Lancer and Archer both withdrawn, and Saber’s Master present, was this not the moment he had hoped for?

From the earlier test skirmish, it was clear that Saber possessed the potential befitting her class; Rider had been at a disadvantage. Compared to Berserker’s Master, who seemed unable to control his own Servant and was not worth worrying about, now was the perfect opportunity.

“Hey, Rider. Go assist Berserker in attacking Saber—I’ll handle the Einzbern homunculus.”

“I refuse to obey such an order.”

Not even bothering to explain, Rider cast a cold glance at Kenneth and turned back to the battlefield.

His imposing air, combined with his powerful stature, made Kenneth’s breath catch. But his pride would not allow him to bow his head before his Servant.

“Why? Did you not see the outcome just now?” Kenneth forced out, his expression strained. Even Waver could tell he was barely holding it together.

Rider merely shook his head in boredom, not even deigning to reply.

This attitude only further enraged Kenneth. He raised his hand—now dim after one Command Seal had been used—his voice blustering but hollow.

“Do you dare defy me, who holds the Command Seals?”

But Rider fixed him with a sharp gaze and spoke in a deep voice.

“It seems, Master, you do not understand why Servants obey their Masters. You offer your prana as tribute, granting us bodies in this world and support in battle. We share the same dream of the Holy Grail, thus forging cooperation between individuals from different eras and personalities. That is the nature of our bond.

“I shall not treat you as a mere subordinate, nor should you treat me as a tool. Otherwise, when all three Command Seals are spent, your Servant may well seek a new Master to serve.”

“You dare speak of betrayal!” Kenneth roared, but Rider only looked at him with indifference, patting the trembling Waver, who shrank within the tense atmosphere.

“At most, this would be the rupture of a partnership. For me, Iskandar, to betray? Master, you are not worthy. If you truly wish to end our contract, use your Command Seal as you please.”

Hearing this, Kenneth could only grit his teeth and watch as Berserker was sent flying by Saber, hastily withdrawn by his own Master.

And so, with the departure of the interloper, the chaotic opening battle came to an end.

“Though it was more unpredictable than expected, everything remains within our grasp,” Roland remarked, having watched the conclusion of the first battle with Caster after seeing the contemplative, seemingly enlightened Kirei Kotomine off.

“Save for us, the true names of the other six Masters and Servants are now in your hands,” Caster nodded. “But among them are formidable foes; we must proceed with caution. The best course is to target the Masters directly, severing their contracts.”

“Neither Archer nor Saber can escape my grasp. As for Lancer… well, Danic has already stepped into the snare. Does he believe he can escape? He should know—the power of self-imposed geis is absolute.”

Roland narrowed his eyes, which gleamed with a cold light.