The Exorcism Tale of Hachiman

However, before he could even set off, Rider deliberately revealed his location.

Feeling Iskandar's imposing aura and the magic of his intense desire for war, Hachiman Hikigaya was utterly speechless.

He had originally planned to try and negotiate to get Irisviel back, but now it seems that this path is no longer viable...

However, even if it comes to fighting, he's not afraid at all.

Thinking this, Hachiman Hikigaya glanced at Artoria, who was standing quietly beside him, out of the corner of his eye.

After some deliberation, the other party has agreed to become his servant and a new contract has been signed.

Although it was extremely difficult for one person to bear the magical power of two powerful Heroic Spirits, in comparison, the combat strength of the Hachiman Hikigaya Squad had increased by leaps and bounds.

"Irisviel is in Rider's hands. Now that he has shown himself, let's go there now."

After briefly explaining the current situation and seeing that Artoria had no objections, Hachiman Hikigaya led Sakura, Karna, and the newly joined Artoria to follow the magical energy left behind by Iskandar.

"They've finally arrived!"

After releasing his aura, Iskandar didn't have to wait long before he spotted Hachiman Hikigaya and the others rushing towards him in mid-air.

"Hey, why is Saber in his team too?"

As Hachiman Hikigaya approached, his entire four-person team came into the view of Iskandar and Waver.

Looking at Artoria trailing behind the group, Waver frowned with some anxiety.

After all, Saber's appearance was not something they had anticipated.

"It's alright, the worst outcome is just one against two. Kid, you're too nervous!"

In contrast to the worried Waver, Iskandar was unconcerned about the unexpected appearance of Artoria.

He believed that given the personalities of Hachiman Hikigaya's group, they wouldn't do something like two against one, and even if they did, he wouldn't be intimidated by their numbers.

In contrast, Iskandar was more curious about why Artoria would abandon Irisviel and join Hachiman Hikigaya's side.

Given her self-proclaimed spirit of riding, she shouldn't be capable of betraying her Master, right?

"Good evening, Rider and Mr. Webber..."

While Iskandar was pondering, Hachiman Hikigaya and the others had already arrived in front of him. Hachiman Hikigaya raised his hand to greet the two people on the oxcart opposite him, and then got straight to the point and explained his purpose.

"If possible, could you hand Irisviel over to me?"

Chapter 248 Arrangement

"Hey, didn't you come here to fight?"

Waver seemed somewhat surprised when he heard Hachiman Hikigaya state his purpose.

Why should I fight you?

Hachiman Hikigaya looked helplessly at Waver, whose face showed a surprised expression, and shrugged.

He had no reason to fight, and if they could talk things out, why did they have to fight?

Moreover, Karna had already expended a lot of mana in the battle tonight. Even if he recovered some mana on his way here, he would probably be in a state of exhaustion even if he killed Rider. He would need to rest for a while before he could fight again.

"Hmm, that's true..."

Hachiman Hikigaya's reasoning was quite convincing, and Weber nodded in agreement.

There was indeed no conflict between the two sides. Even if they had to fight each other in the end for the Holy Grail, there was absolutely no need to rush into battle when their condition was not fully recovered after defeating Caster.

"More than whether you're here to fight, Lancer's Master, I'm curious why Saber is in your party?"

Seeing that his master was so easily persuaded by Hachiman Hikigaya, Iskandar slapped him hard on the shoulder, then looked up and asked with a serious expression.

If the truth is that Hachiman Hikigaya used some means to cause Saber to temporarily switch sides, then sending Irisviel back would be tantamount to sending her into a fire pit.

"Saber's Master was ambushed and killed by Assassin's group during Lancer's battle with Saber..."

Since he didn't kill Kiritsugu Emiya himself, Hachiman Hikigaya described what had happened without any qualms.

"Is that so, Saber?"

After hearing Hachiman Hikigaya's explanation, Iskandar was already mostly convinced.

After all, Hachiman Hikigaya's explanation was very relevant and didn't seem like a story made up on the spot. But for final confirmation, Iskandar still turned his attention to Artoria.

"That's right, because of my negligence, Master..."

The scene of Kiritsugu Emiya's death flashed before her eyes again. Artoria lowered her head and admitted in a dejected tone that what Hachiman Hikigaya said was true.

"I see. I'm sorry to have reminded you of unpleasant things... but I did this just to confirm..."

After confirming that Hachiman Hikigaya was not lying, Iskandar immediately lifted Irisviel off the oxcart.

Although he was very curious about what was wrong with Irisviel, since Artoria had come to ask for her, he couldn't just refuse to give her up.

"Thank you so much!"

Artoria seemed somewhat excited to see Irisviel again.

After taking Irisviel from her, Artoria turned and walked towards Hachiman Hikigaya, thinking that she would send Irisviel back to Germany once she regained consciousness.

"etc......."

Just when everyone thought the matter was over for the night, Iskandar called out to them again.

"Anything else?"

Looking back at Iskandar's arrogant and warlike demeanor, Hachiman Hikigaya frowned.

Could this warmonger in front of us be trying to get them to fight?

"Although it's only the third night, there are only three groups left: me, Archer, and you guys."

"so?"

Upon hearing Iskandar's words, Hachiman Hikigaya already had a rough idea of ​​what he was planning to do.

"How about tomorrow night? By the time everyone's magic power has recovered by the end of the day, right?"

"Are you serious?"

Hachiman Hikigaya looked at Iskandar, who had taken the initiative to issue the challenge, with a face full of doubt.

Keep in mind that he currently has two powerful Servants, Karna and Artoria, under his command. Iskandar's initiative to challenge him would almost certainly result in defeat.

"Of course I'm serious about war..."

Seeing that Hachiman Hikigaya thought he had lost his mind, Iskandar scratched his head helplessly and confirmed.

"Whether it's the two of them coming together, or just one of them randomly, how about a duel at the bridge tomorrow night at eight o'clock?"

"........Can."

After pondering for a moment, Hachiman Hikigaya nodded and agreed to Iskandar's proposal.

"Well then, see you tomorrow night..."

Upon hearing that Hachiman Hikigaya had agreed to the duel proposal, Iskandar nodded in satisfaction and then left with Waver in an oxcart.

Why did my brother agree?

Watching Iskandar and Waver's departing figures, Sakura, who had practically become invisible since meeting Kiritsugu Emiya, raised her head and asked Hachiman Hikigaya.

Why did you accept Rider's invitation to the final battle when you clearly had no intention of participating?

"Things have come to this point, whether or not to continue competing is no longer up to me to decide..."

Looking at Artoria beside him, Hachiman Hikigaya said with a hint of bitterness.

Indeed, at the beginning, he only planned to stay in the Holy Grail War until it ended so that he could return to his own world.

However, Caster's indiscriminate killing of innocents made it impossible for him to remain neutral, and he was actually drawn into the vortex of this battle.

Especially after three groups of contestants were eliminated in one night, and Saber joined his side under the agreement, even if he clearly stated that he had no interest in the Holy Grail, Rider and Archer wouldn't believe him.

With Saber and Lancer around, he clearly has an absolute advantage...

Rather than begging those two groups to ignore his threat and fight for the Holy Grail, he decided to accept the Rider's invitation.

At least that way, the risk is lower.

"But if we eliminate Rider tomorrow, then we'll have to fight that super strong guy in the end..."

Thinking of that man who was so extravagant that he could use his Noble Phantasm for basic attacks, a look of worry appeared on Hachiman Hikigaya's face.

Although he had enough confidence in Karna's strength, the opponent was simply too powerful...

If he could, he would love for Karna and Artoria to team up and give Archer a combo punch.

Unfortunately, given Karna and Artoria's personalities, neither of them would agree to this...

Chapter 249 The Sorrow After Awakening

Noon on the fourth day of the Holy Grail War.

After a night and a day of rest, Irisviel finally woke up.

"Irisviel, you're finally awake...."

Artoria, who had been staying by Irisviel's bedside since returning to the hotel, breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Irisviel open her eyes.

With Kiritsugu Emiya and Maiya Hisau both gone, if Irisviel remains unable to awaken, she truly doesn't know what to do...

"Saber?"

Before her was an unfamiliar, somewhat dimly lit ceiling, and the bedding beneath her was not soft enough, making Irisviel feel uncomfortable.

Judging from her surroundings, Irisviel could easily guess that she was in a place that wasn't in very good condition.

Her presence in such a place also indicates an important message...

Are we at a disadvantage?

Irisviel vaguely remembered that last night, right after Artoria brought her back to the base, the Archer attacked.

"Oh, right, Kiritsugu!"

Thinking of how Kiritsugu Emiya had asked Artoria to take her away while he stayed behind to cover their retreat, Irisviel struggled to sit up in bed.