In Type-Moon, it all starts with adopting Sakura.

Upon hearing Scáthach's words, Irisviel's pupils constricted sharply, her eyes filled with disbelief. She hadn't expected her secret to be seen through in an instant.

She looked up at Scáthach in surprise, feeling increasingly that the other was unfathomable.

"..."

Artoria, standing to the side, could only remain silent in the face of this fact. In any case, agreeing to wander the streets with Irisviel during this time, and even having her secret exposed, was a big problem for her.

It was probably because she was too soft-hearted. She thought Irisviel had been staying in the castle for too long, so it wouldn't hurt to go out for a stroll with her now. After all, it was still daytime, and with her by her side, there was no need to worry about encountering any enemies. So she risked coming out to accompany her shopping...

I didn't expect to encounter the enemy so soon.

"White hair, red eyes... and that strange magical aura... you're from the Einzbern family, right? You're her Master?"

Compared to Scáthach, who knew little about the Einzbern family, Aozaki Touko was much more knowledgeable.

She put her glasses back on and then looked Irisviel up and down curiously several times.

"You are...Shang...No, you are Aozaki Touko?!"

Upon hearing Aozaki Touko's words, Irisviel, who had been focused on Scáthach and hadn't had time to pay attention to her surroundings, began to carefully examine the other's true appearance.

With her red hair and powerful aura, and especially when she saw the familiar face that looked remarkably like the one in the photo, she finally remembered that this person had appeared in the picture before.

Aozaki Touko, not long ago, was a dangerous individual who single-handedly led many familiars to storm the Einzbern family and steal important information and familiars.

"Injury... never mind, it's me. Are you the Master of the Einzbern family?"

Hearing Irisviel about to blurt out that nickname she loathed, Aozaki Touko frowned. She instinctively prepared to teach the guy a lesson, but then, remembering the unknown blonde Heroic Spirit beside her, she abandoned the idea.

Since she wasn't Scáthach's Master, and in fact, she was the one trying to win Scáthach's favor and seek her guidance, Aozaki Touko couldn't guarantee that Scáthach wouldn't help her if a fight broke out, so she had no choice but to give up.

However, what bothered her more was... where was Kiritsugu Emiya? Why hadn't that magician assassin she had recently taught a lesson to appeared?

Loewy said that the contestant from the Einzbern family should be that ally of justice, so what is this white-haired android in front of us?

Aozaki Touko glanced at the back of her hand and noticed that the other person was wearing gloves, which led her to some speculations.

Is it bait? Probably. If that's the case, then Kiritsugu Emiya is probably hiding in the shadows, waiting to ambush someone...

"...Yes, is that not allowed?"

Although Irisviel was surprised to encounter a dangerous individual like Aozaki Touko here, she could deduce the general situation from the news that Touko had recently broken into the Einzbern family and taken away most of the Holy Grail War data.

Kiritsugu's prediction was correct after all. Aozaki Touko, that dangerous Grand Puppeteer, has indeed participated in this Holy Grail War!

She deliberately looked at the back of Aozaki Touko's hand, to which Aozaki Touko simply smiled mockingly and then waved her gloved hand at her.

"...What are you looking at over there, Miss Android?"

Irisviel: "..."

'That woman is so annoying!'

However, compared to the two magicians who were outwitting each other, Scáthach was much calmer.

"Well... speaking of which, you're really lucky. Although you can tell you're a very young person and have a rather naive personality, a cute Master like you is much better than some of those annoying guys."

Scáthach smiled slightly, then spoke to Artoria.

Artoria did not answer her question. Instead, she raised her head and let her tall, golden ahoge sway gently in the breeze. Her expression was meticulous. Although she looked only sixteen or seventeen years old, her spirited demeanor was quite impressive.

"Hmph... No need for you to say more, unknown Heroic Spirit. Since we were summoned by different mages and have gathered in the same Holy Grail War, then we are enemies. In order to obtain the Holy Grail, I will definitely defeat you!"

Artoria had absolutely no intention of getting along with Scáthach, especially after noticing Irisviel's unease behind her, she wanted to get away from there immediately.

"Oh? You seem to crave the Holy Grail... and are quite eager to fight?"

"So what if it is?!"

"It's nothing. I just wanted to say that I actually prefer warriors like you to those cowards."

Scáthach flicked her fingers, twirling the designer handbag she had just bought, giving the illusion that she was spinning some kind of weapon. She licked her lips, and her gaze towards Artoria held a different kind of emotion.

The feeling of being watched by a venomous snake made Artoria feel very uneasy, and she was about to say something more.

"Alright, it's getting late, and we won't get any interesting information from continuing this conversation, so I'll stop here... Enjoy your modern food, you need to be well-fed to fight, my lovely Miss Saber."

Scáthach smiled calmly, then stopped spinning the handbag between her fingers, and pulled Aozaki Touko into the crowd.

The words he left behind echoed in Artoria and Irisviel's ears until they finally disappeared completely.

"Then... are they the other Servants?"

Seeing Scáthach completely disappear, Irisviel clutched her chest and said with lingering fear.

She never expected that she would encounter such a terrifying Servant so soon after arriving in Fuyuki City, before she could even do anything. Not only was the Servant female, but the terrifying magical power she exuded also filled her with dread.

Although she had great faith in Saber's abilities, she couldn't help feeling uneasy when facing that female Heroic Spirit...

Not only that, even that dangerous woman, Aozaki Touko, has appeared here, and she seems to be partnered with the Servant from before...

After all, they were so close.

Remembering Kiritsugu Emiya's warning, Irisviel immediately took out her phone and sent this important message to Kiritsugu Emiya, who was in Fuyuki City debugging equipment.

Then, she turned to Artoria beside her and said, "Saber, did you figure out her class? She actually recognized your class in such a short time..."

"Hmm... Based on our recent interaction, I'm certain that the other party is also an extremely powerful warrior; that battle-hardened aura is undeniable."

"As she twirled her handbag with her fingers, I even vaguely saw the shadow of a long gun spinning. She must be... Lancer! There's no mistake. Judging from her movements and demeanor, she is a veteran with a gun."

Artoria pondered for a moment, then solemnly gave her answer.

"Lancer... I understand."

Irisviel, who was standing nearby, nodded slightly and then hurriedly sent this important information to Kiritsugu Emiya via her mobile phone.

[—We encountered a female Lancer with purple hair, and her Master is Aozaki Touko.]

What they didn't know was that the information Saber gleaned was merely a facade that Scáthach had deliberately revealed.

Breaking news! Big update tonight!

As the title suggests, I've almost finished posting my drafts, but through my tireless efforts these past two days, I've managed to save up over ten thousand words. So, tonight at midnight sharp, I'll be releasing a ten-thousand-word update, transforming into Gokkou Ruri. Those who are interested can take a look. Thank you so much!!

As the title suggests, I've almost finished posting my drafts, but through my tireless efforts these past two days, I've managed to save up over ten thousand words. So, tonight at midnight sharp, I'll be releasing a ten-thousand-word update, transforming into Gokkou Ruri. Those who are interested can take a look. Thank you so much!!

If you've read this far, please give the author a "1" to show your support.

I'd like to know how many people are still reading this book, thank you!

Chapter Twenty-Five: Taking the Initiative (1/4)

Location: Underground parking lot near the Fuyuki City Gymnasium.

"Master, I'm back."

Carrying bags of expensive new clothes, the purple-haired beauty swaggered in back to the somewhat shabby-looking hideout. She then casually picked up the beer that Aozaki Touko had bought a few days ago, downed it in one gulp, and leaned back in her chair, looking at the young man intently studying a book beside her.

"Lancer... no, I should call her Queen Scáthach. You're back so soon? I thought you and Orange would be out having fun for a few days before you remembered that you had a Master like me here."

Lovi slowly closed the book in his hand, then glanced around at the surrounding area, beginning to examine the results of his carefully completed magical ritual. Only after finishing the examination did he look at Scáthach, who had just returned, and said calmly.

Scáthach's outrageous behavior of running around during the Holy Grail War instead of staying in the workshop to help set up the defenses, despite being a Caster, would have likely angered any other magician master.

However, Lovi was different. He did not have the arrogant personality of a magician, nor did he have the haughty attitude of his teacher and Tokiomi Tohsaka. Moreover, he did not believe that he was qualified to command an extraordinary hero like Scáthach with his current status and power. Therefore, he did not intend to make Scáthach completely obey his orders.

Moreover, he was not entirely unaware of Scáthach's personality.

Based on his past memories, he has gained a considerable understanding of most of the more famous heroes.

As a warrior, Scáthach is incredibly proud and refuses to flatter anyone; she is born into the ruling class. She possesses a regal air and understands that she should reign supreme as a queen who brings happiness to her people.

Furthermore, from any perspective, Scáthach is undoubtedly a very powerful and suitable hero. As the Shadow Queen with magical wisdom in Celtic mythology, she is far stronger than the originally planned Caster Cú Chulainn.

Although the class that appeared this time was not the most suitable Lancer, but Caster, it was not a problem for the Queen of the Shadow Kingdom who had mastered all the primordial runes.

With just a few minor adjustments to her Spirit Origin and this fabricated body using runes, she could simultaneously possess both Caster and Lancer classes. Even if the modified version wasn't as powerful as the original Lancer stats, it was more than enough for her.

Moreover, she also offered her help and advice on the problems that Luo Wei had overcome.

The reason the magic workshop was chosen to be located underground near the stadium is because it is closest to the place where the Greater Grail will descend, influencing the ley lines here. When the time comes, the circulating magic power can be used to directly attack the Greater Grail, giving us a significant advantage.

However, if he only wanted to win the Holy Grail War, Love would not summon Caster.

What he wanted was the true Holy Grail, the untainted Holy Grail. And now that he knew that the Einzbern family, which loved to cause trouble, had summoned the Avenger, Angra Newman, in the Third Holy Grail War, he had his own plans.

Summon a magician from the Age of Gods, conduct a purification ritual with him, and obtain the true Holy Grail after winning the Holy Grail War.

Although Scáthach's appearance was completely unexpected by Loewy, and her personality was not suited to positional warfare, none of that mattered.

Without a doubt, Scáthach is a talented and insightful individual. From the very beginning, she was the one who understood that she was different from ordinary people. She also possessed a keen eye for discerning the qualities and character of others (especially distinguishing whether someone was truly ordinary). She could see into a person's talents and potential.

Even Cú Chulainn, the mad dog famous in Celtic mythology, was recognized and given high hopes by her in this way. She held the same mindset towards this interesting Master before her, intending to nurture him, so she didn't personally preside over the magical ritual. She simply gave him a few primordial runes related to purification, magic power, and curses, offered a few pointers, and then let Rowe complete the ritual himself.

And the result...

Isn't this great?

"That's really well done. You've already mastered those runes I gave you so quickly? Your learning speed really surprises me..."

Even Scáthach couldn't help but sigh as she glanced at the ritual array that Lovi had completed during this time in the workshop.

"To be honest, your magical talent is almost exaggerated. Even among my disciples, this speed is among the best. Moreover, the secrets you possess pique my curiosity. If you are the one, perhaps you really could accomplish what I expect before everything is over."

"The thing you're hoping for... you really trust me."

When Scáthach mentioned the matter that was giving him a vague headache, Rowe didn't respond directly, but just smiled helplessly.

"This isn't about trusting you, but about trusting my judgment. After all, that's why I came here, and that's why we've come together, isn't it?"

"Yes... then thank you for your kindness, Queen of the Land of Shadows. In short, I will do my best."

Luo Wei shook his head, not intending to dwell on such matters right now.

“That would be best.” Scáthach nodded slightly.

"Seriously, you actually went to investigate with Orange... I thought neither of you would do something like this."

Just now, Aozaki Touko, who had returned shortly after, told him over the phone that they had found the Einzbern family's Servant and Master on the street.

Through verbal descriptions, he learned that one of the Servants was a petite Heroic Spirit with golden hair and emerald eyes, who was likely Saber, while the other, with white hair, was a homunculus from the Einzbern family.

Through Aozaki Touko's description, Luo Wei immediately understood that they had just run into Irisviel and Artoria while shopping.

This message was of great significance to Lovi, as it confirmed in advance that the Sword Heroic Spirit group had not changed and remained the same: King Arthur Artoria and Emiya Kiritsugu.

That's enough.