Chapter 376

Chapter 376: Chapter 376

As Kiriya and Esdeath approached the old church in Shinto, Father Kirei Kotomine was already speaking with his Servant inside.

"I truly didn’t expect that woman who suddenly appeared to push you this far," Kirei said in a low voice.

"Well, things rarely go exactly the way you want. That’s just how the world works, isn’t it?"

Despite his severe injuries and somewhat pale complexion, Lancer still lounged casually across one of the church pews with one leg crossed over the other.

"That is true. It is precisely because the world is uncertain that it can produce so many beautiful things."

Kirei nodded as though deeply moved, and his thoughts briefly wandered to the teacher he had once betrayed—Tokiomi Tohsaka.

Had that not been another beautiful deviation from expectation?

Thanks to it, Kirei had discovered a kind of pleasure he had never experienced before.

"Tch."

Lancer clicked his tongue irritably.

That expression was exactly what made this man so unpleasant.

"All right, you’ve asked everything you wanted to know. I can leave now, right?"

Lancer stood and prepared to go, only for Kirei to stop him.

"Wait."

"What now?"

Lancer narrowed his eyes.

"Listen, I know you’re my Master, but don’t start nagging. If you’ve got something to say, say it."

"I’ll heal you first."

Kirei raised one arm, revealing the numerous Command Spells covering it, and directed them toward Lancer.

"By the power of a Command Spell, restore Lancer’s physical condition to its optimal state."

One of the crimson marks lit up.

A tremendous surge of magical energy transformed into life force and poured into Cú Chulainn’s body.

Within only a few breaths, the deep wounds that had nearly exposed bone closed completely.

Even the magical energy he had consumed during his successive battles was replenished, returning him almost entirely to peak condition.

"You actually used a Command Spell..."

Lancer stared at Kirei with a complicated expression, almost as though he were looking at a completely different man.

That was a Command Spell.

A crystallization of immense magical energy capable of dramatically strengthening a Servant, potentially turning the tide of an entire battle in a single decisive instant.

In a desperate situation, it could even serve as a priceless means of survival.

And Kirei had spent one simply to heal him?

Even if the priest had inherited dozens of Command Spells from his father, surely there was no need to be that extravagant.

Since when had a mere Lancer like him been treated as such a precious asset?

"The mysterious young man has already appeared outside."

Kirei’s explanation was concise.

"There is also a powerful woman accompanying him. I need you in perfect condition."

"That makes more sense."

Lancer visibly relaxed.

For a moment there, he had almost mistaken this twisted bastard for a decent human being.

Fortunately, Kirei was still Kirei.

"So that familiar of yours might constantly collapse at inconvenient times, but I guess it’s still useful."

Lancer summoned his crimson spear and rested it lazily across one shoulder.

"You should avoid saying that in front of that person."

Kirei adopted what was presumably meant to be a troubled expression.

"Otherwise, this church may not survive."

The expression was so stiff that it looked completely fake.

"Hah. What an act."

Lancer had no interest in wasting any more words and started toward the entrance.

Just then, Kirei stopped him again.

"Wait. The situation has changed."

Lancer paused.

"Observe for now."

...

Outside the church, Kiriya’s earlier description had genuinely sparked Esdeath’s curiosity.

"Then let’s go."

She smiled.

"I want to see these so-called ’tax evaders’ of yours."

She reached out to pull Kiriya toward the old, weathered church.

However, just as her fingers were about to touch the rusted iron gate, Esdeath abruptly stopped.

Her previously relaxed posture straightened slightly.

The smile on her face became noticeably brighter.

"Well, this is unexpected."

She glanced toward Kiriya.

"Looks like we found a bonus."

"Yeah."

Kiriya turned with her.

"I didn’t expect to meet her here either."

Together, the two looked toward the right rear.

Under the hazy moonlight, a petite figure emerged through the thin mist and appeared before them.

She looked like a little girl of perhaps eight or nine years old, standing only a little over 130 centimeters tall.

She wore an elegant purple dress, with fantastically beautiful silver hair cascading behind her and wine-red eyes set into a face so delicate that she resembled a princess from a fairy tale.

"Good evening, handsome Big Brother, and beautiful Big Sister."

The little girl lifted the hem of her skirt slightly, crossed one leg behind the other, and dipped into a graceful curtsy.

"It’s nice to meet you. My name is Illyasviel von Einzbern."

Her appearance was overwhelmingly adorable, and her voice was sweet and soft enough to melt hearts.

Under different circumstances, Kiriya might genuinely have been defeated by that sugary "Big Brother" and showered her with gifts on the spot.

But right now...

his attention was focused entirely on the figure standing beside Illya.

The man was a towering giant well over two meters tall.

His long hair was wild and unkempt, his feet bare, his upper body completely exposed. Other than a skirt-like suit of armor and a pair of bracers, he wore almost nothing.

Massive muscles like forged bronze covered his entire body, making it impossible to doubt that those limbs contained enough explosive strength to overturn mountains.

In his hands was an enormous weapon somewhere between a greatsword and a battle-axe.

He stood perfectly still, almost like a statue.

Yet both Kiriya and Esdeath could sense what lay beneath that silence.

A volcano compressed to the absolute limit.

All it needed was a signal, a single spark, and it would erupt with enough force to devastate everything around it.

"What an incredible body."

Esdeath licked her lips as her eyes blazed with excitement.

"And that strength... Kiriya, is this the Berserker you mentioned?"

She looked like someone who had gone three days without food only to discover an entire banquet laid out before her.

There was nothing in her expression except hunger.

"Yeah."

Excitement flashed through Kiriya’s own eyes, accompanied by a trace of regret.

"If we’re only comparing raw parameters, he’s probably the highest in this entire Holy Grail War."

This legendary hero was unquestionably terrifyingly powerful.

Unfortunately, he had not been summoned in Archer—the class that suited him best—but as Berserker instead.

And that, ultimately, was the Einzberns’ fault.

Those decrepit old fools had never wanted a Servant who was too heroic.

Heroism came with pride, principles, and independence, all qualities that made a Servant difficult to control.

The Einzberns did not truly want a great hero.

They wanted a familiar.

A tool that would obey commands without question.

That desire had ultimately led to this situation.

Of all the Heroic Spirits involved in the story, Kiriya found Berserker’s fate particularly regrettable.

"Oh?"

Illya had naturally heard their conversation.

Her innocent smile became even brighter.

"So you noticed Berserker?"

She clasped her hands behind her back.

"That’s right. Berserker is the strongest!"

"The strongest?"

Esdeath drew the sword hanging at her waist and pointed its blade directly toward the giant.

"Then I definitely have to test that for myself."

"Oh my."

Illya leaned slightly forward, still wearing the sweetest expression imaginable.

"You actually dare challenge Berserker? I really admire your courage, Big Sister."

Her smile remained perfectly innocent.

"Very well. I’ll grant your wish."

Then, in the same cute and childlike voice, she delivered an utterly merciless command.

"Go, Berserker."

Her crimson eyes curved happily.

"Kill them."

The instant Illya spoke, the giant who had been standing as motionless as a statue opened his eyes.

A savage light erupted within them.

Beneath his dark skin, scorching crimson energy began to glow like magma through the contours of his enormous muscles.

Then he stomped down.

The ground exploded beneath his feet.

Berserker launched forward like a fired cannon shell.

CLANG—!