Ma chère, zere is no need to be so impersonal. We are partners, no? Zen let us drink and make merry like partners should. We will 'ave a lot of work a'ead of us soon enough, after all. Starting tomorrow, ze 'Oly Grail War begins in earnest.

They departed into the cold night. Albert could sense his network of familiars expanding throughout the city like a root system, various observation nodes sprouting in its most distant corners and crevices as JK flew across the city dropping clusters of rats and bees. This was only the initial phase. Many of the familiars which represented these nodes would no doubt die soon enough, and the network would shrink slightly in places, tightening like it had been pinched. Small familiars like rats, mice, and his demonic bees tended to make great prey for larger animals.

Then again, that was exactly what they were made for. They were valuable because they were disposable. Their job was to collect as much information as possible and relay it back to him for as long as possible until they were found or killed. He'd explained this to them long before even embarking on the path to the Holy Grail War. The rats didn't care, so long as he gave them food and a home as long as he was able, and his bees barely had any concept of their own individuality, let alone self-preservation. They'd all made peace with their roles in life a long time ago. So had Albert. It made it just a bit easier when the first of those little nodes blinked out like a light.

So they've started already, he thought, rallying more familiars to that area.

The trek back to the hotel took longer than expected. Late evening traffic had backed up the streets and expanded like black ice through the veins of the city. The sidewalks offered no reprieve, as it became blisteringly obvious that Fuyuki wasn't far enough to find any respite from the urban congestion that plagued most of Japan.

But mostly, the trip took so long because Albert insisted on taking the most circuitous possible route back in order to ditch what he imagined were the prying eyes of other Masters. Whether this was just another facet of his peculiar brand of crazy manifesting itself or a genuine attempt to ward off a threat visible only to him and not Berserker was unclear, but also a question best left to someone else. Justified as he may or may not have been, Albert had no intention of making himself such an obvious target as Togami, and would not compromise on their safety.

Finally, after a few trips around the block and meandering visits to a jewelry store, the department store, a bakery, the bank, an internet cafe and the Ahnenerbe, his randomly chosen meeting place to converse with the other Masters, Albert walked through the doors of the Hyatt with confidence, quite certain that they were no longer being followed (had they ever been to begin with). He carried in his arms a bag containing freshly-baked cheesecake and some new outfits he'd bought for Berserker at her request. After all, if she was to protect him, it only made sense for her to stay in physical form as often as possible, and that required clothes. Clothes that would help her fit in better. Materializing from spirit form was a pain, and it cost precious seconds which they might not have in the middle of a surprise attack or ambush. Therefore, she assured him, clothes were absolutely necessary. He hadn't argued.

Unlocking the door to their penthouse suite (just because he wasn't Togami didn't mean he couldn't indulge in a few base pleasures), Albert removed the cheesecake from the bag and dropped the clothes on a chair for Berserker to examine or try on whenever it pleased her. He didn't have much experience buying women's clothes (why would he?) so he honestly wasn't sure if what he'd bought would fit her. That's why he'd opted mostly for sweaters and baggy jeans.

He opened the minifridge and then immediately pinched his nose. Right. He'd forgotten. David the dead cat was still slowly decaying in the fridge. Hoping Berserker wasn't looking, he hurriedly moved the cat to the freezer so he could work on it later. The decomposition was nowhere near bad enough to leave a lingering smell yet, but he was glad he'd left the wine in the ice box instead.

Slipping the cheesecake into the fridge along with some bottled water and orange juice, Albert quickly shut the door and produced a bottle opener and a couple of quartz glasses. He handed one to Berserker, then clinked the glasses together. One of the hounds carried the ice box by the handle over to Albert, panting happily as he dropped it at his feet.

"Zat's a good boy, Arthur. You go and play wiz Conan now."

The big black dog scampered off to wrestle with his canine compatriot, and Albert did something most unexpected. He opened a box tucked away in his suitcase and brought back a large ornate dagger, close in size and shape to a shortsword or a kukri. It had the word "AZOTH" carved into the blade in monumental block capitals, and the knife looked immaculately well taken care of. It was clear this was an item of some significance to Albert.

He fished the green and gold champagne bottle out of the icebox, and set it solemnly on the table, dagger in hand.

"Alright, if I remember correctly, zey said to do it like zis in ze Youtube video..."

He swung the dagger, nicking the neck of the bottle. The glass chipped, but clearly whatever Albert had intended to do hadn't worked.

He swore. "Damn. Let's try zat again!"

He hacked inexpertly at the bottle a few more times. Finally, the blade slid, and the top of the bottle popped off, dribbling foam. Albert poured it into Berserker's glass.

"Finally... Alright ma chère, what you 'ave in your 'and is a glass of Salon 1994 Blanc de Blanc, ze finest vintage bubbly I could find, at least on such short notice, and as chasers I bought us a fine selection of Chinon rosè, Chalonnaise burgundy, pinot noir, and even a vintage Bordeaux I uhhh... procured from my family's own cellar." He grinned at her. "Trust me, zis shit 'as stewed. Mon grand-père was quite ze wine snob. 'E was a mean old bastard, but 'e knew 'ow to drink, and zis Bordeaux is almost as old as 'e was when 'e died."

Albert snorted. "Well if zat Togami snot is anyzing to go by, we'll be facing a lot of ze usual competition you'd expect from mages. Zat is to say arrogance, cowardice, and a bizarre flair for ze flamboyant."

He took a sip from his own glass, sighing as he adopted a more serious tone.

"In all 'onesty ma chère, I do not know what we'll be facing in ze days to come. I did not 'ave long to know zese Masters, but zey are a mixed bag for certain, and zat's leaving out ze unpredictability of Servants and zeir own abilities. While I doubt we'll get much trouble from most of zem, zere are a few who worry me."

He tried to organize his thoughts into something coherent.

"Hmmmm... Zat woman, for one. Brynhilda was 'er name, I zink. She carries about 'er ze stench of blood, and I do mean zat literally. Believe me, as someone who specializes in familiars and ze kind of conjurations zat require ehh... certain sacrifices," he added for Berserker's benefit, omitting the grisly details, "I am used to ze smell. But it is so thick on 'er zat you can smell it even under a layer of soap and perfume. It's seeped into 'er skin. Zat tells me two zings, and I'm not sure I like either. She's eizer a lifetime practicioner of some sort of magecraft zat uses blood as ze key component, or she's a killer so soaked in ze stuff ze scent will never leave 'er. She may even be a vampire, and zat's just ze worst of both worlds. On top of zat she's summoned Rider which, and let's be frank about zis ma chère, is about as bad a matchup for you as Archer is. She is someone we will need to keep a close eye on, no doubt. Right now, what little we know about 'er is what is 'urting us most."

He continued, keeping up his momentum. Rooms reorganizing themselves in his head, he was getting a better idea of what his initial impressions were.

"Ze second name on my shitlist is zat mercenary, James. Call it somezing personal, like a gut feeling, but I find guns and ze people who use zem distasteful. It's 'ypocritical, I know, but I don't need a mage's upbringing to tell you zey are crude and brutish zings. Magecraft has a variety of practical uses besides violence. Even a sword can be used for fencing, decoration, or, 'ell, opening a wine bottle, but all a gun is good for is killing. Unlike ozer weapons, zere is literally nozing you can use zem for except to kill people. Zey 'ave no ozer purpose. It's barbaric."

He stared at his reflection in the champagne before taking another sip.

"So zere's zat, and I also zink 'e 'as a stick shoved so far up 'is ass 'e can't bend over. I have no idea if ze woman who was with 'im was also a Master, but I suppose it doesn't really matter. Takumi proved zat zere are some in zis war who do indeed conduct zeir business through intermediaries as I often do. I don't 'ave much to say about Leon or Jonathan 'owever, ozer zan zat Leon seems inexperienced and I zink 'e should watch 'is ass around zat man. 'E seems creepy."

He narrowed his eyes. "And now finally we get to ze Daily Double. Togami... for as much shit as I give 'im, and believe me, it's not nearly as much as 'e deserves, I could sense zat 'is abilities are no joke. Zat boy," he thought, having to remind himself that they were the same age, "is more zan just talk. Stupid as 'e is, ze impression I get from 'im is someone who is wet behind ze ears, but still trained from birth to do what we are all 'ere to do. 'Is family crest looks familiar as well. I shall be sure to take 'im up on 'is offer and do 'im ze 'onor of googling 'im and 'is family. Who knows? Could 'elp us plan a strategy. If we can catch 'im off-guard, we may never need to find out if my suspicions are warranted."

He leaned back into his seat, finished with his assessment. "Zat was my takeaway from ze whole ordeal. I've already started sending my familiars out into ze city, so we should know more soon. Now zen, concerning your Noble Phantasm, I 'ad a few-"

Albert stopped, digesting the last thing Berserker had said like he was swishing around another mouthful of the champagne. The glass clinked as he set it back down on the table.

"Ma chère," he said questioningly. "What exactly do you mean by zat? 'Ze flowers of curteous combat'? You do know what zis is, don't you? Zis is ze 'Oly Grail War, not a duel between knights. While I'm sure ze opportunity to clash swords wiz ze ozer 'Eroic Spirits must excite you, and we'll get to zat eventually no doubt, you must remember zat zis is first and foremost a fight between magi for ze 'Oly Grail, and zey are not going to be very curteous about it. Mages are by zeir very nature cunning and a little bit manipulative. If we want to win, we 'ave to zink like zey do, and sometimes zat's going to mean playing dirty."

Albert pinched his eyebrows, cursing that they were already having to have this conversation. "Look, you 'ave my word right now zat I'm not going to force you to do anyzing zat goes against your code of 'onor. I wouldn't make you do zat unless our lives depended on it. But I do expect you to adjust your expectations a bit, ma chère," he pleaded. "Not many of our enemies, not even ze Servants, are going to be willing to just come out and face you out in ze open. For one zing, zey know you outclass zem in one on one combat. You are Berserker, zat is what you do best. I highly doubt Caster or Assassin are going to feel like fighting you 'onorably, and Archer's entire schtick is killing people from a distance. If you're going to get any kind of fair fight, it'll only be from Saber, Lancer, or Rider, and zat's assuming zeir Masters don't try and interfere. I don't zink zat I'm being unfair, zose are just ze facts."

Albert winced as she shattered the wine bottle, then winced again at her words. Then, once he saw her making a move towards the priceless Bordeaux, he hurriedly lunged to snatch it away from her before she could destroy it.

"No!" he shouted, loud at first and then softer. "Nonono... no... no..."

The magus regarded the wine bottle with relief, then sighed. "It does not work on wine bottles, ma chère. Ze immense pressure ze champagne is under is what causes it to pop like... you know what, nevermind."

The young magus pinched his brow worriedly, unsure how to handle his Servant's... rowdiness. Should he be forceful and make her aware of his status as Master? No, that was the last thing he wanted to do with a Heroic Spirit whose defining attribute was their pride. Overstepping his boundaries might irreparably damage their relationship, and he had no desire to use a Command Seal to force her obedience. It would be a waste and an insult to his own sensibilities. Then should he be calm and accommodating to her wishes? No, he'd already done that once today.

He had wanted to approach this as a partnership, an agreement between equals, but Roland seemed determined to have it... what was the expression Americans used? "Her way or the highway". He could respect sticking to your guns and defending your principles, no matter how ludicrous they seemed to anybody else, but they had to reach an equilibrium at some point. This would be a pointless relationship if only one of them benefitted, and it would reflect even more poorly on him as a Master if he could not control his Servant. But was "control" really what he wanted?

His mind split again. Well at least it seemed like she had some military sense at least. That was to be expected. The trick then was to determine where she drew the line between duplicitous and dishonorable. Trickery and wit were a mark of pride for many warrior Heroic Spirits, but each had their own ideas of what constituted a harmless deception and what would be a grievous stain on their honor. He just needed to learn where that line lay.

"So you are saying zat you will not listen to me or cooperate wiz my plans if you find zem distasteful?" he said seriously. "Ma chère, I do not propose we skulk around in ze shadows like Assassin or play tricks on people like Caster. We are French. Despite what World War Two and seventy years of memes about 'cheese-eating surrender monkeys' would have ze rest of ze world believe, we do not give quarter and we do not surrender. I intend fully to fight. 'Owever I simply propose zat we be practical about it. I am not ze kind of scumbag who would stab an ally in ze back simply to gain ze upper hand, 'owever I will take advantage of whatever opportunities are presented to me, and I have a skillset zat is better suited to strategy and gazering intelligence zan combat. Zat is why I need you."

He traced the rim of his champagne glass with his finger, looking down into it meaningfully. Finishing his drink, he set the finely-carved crystal aside, a gesture of civility and statesmanly "proper-ness" out of place with the smashed glass and spilt wind that besmirched an already weary carpet. He folded his hands in his lap.

"I 'ave power but I am no fighter myself, if zat makes any sense. I am a general, and out of all ze soldiers in my vast army you are my most powerful and trusted warrior. Would you not agree zat zis a proper anology? Even if ze general appears 'imself on ze battlefield, 'e never leads ze charge. Zat is what 'e 'as 'is men do, trusting in zem zat zey will obey 'is orders and bring 'im victory. In return, 'is men trust in 'im zat 'e will do everyzing 'e can to keep zem alive and support zem on ze battlefield. This is 'ow it was in your time too, no? Zen you know zat ze whole zing falls apart once ze men stop trusting ze general and disobey 'is orders. Ze reverse is also true. We 'ave a mutually beneficial relationship ma chère, but it does not work if you are not willing to trust in my judgment."

The moment of tension over, Albert reclined into the plush of his seat. Reaching for the bottle opener, he gently creaked open the priceless Bordeaux and poured himself a glass. He had no doubts at all that what he just said would've made her mad or insulted her pride. That was, after all, the idea. A show of force, or at least a show of forceful-ness. Now it was time to relax, and show her that he was willing to work with her, if not for her.

"However, I am not entirely deaf or unsympathetic to your plights and concerns. If I was, I would not be doing a very good job as ze general, would I? So zen it falls into my court to ask, ma chère," he said, pouring Berserker her own glass of the Bordeaux. "What exactly is it zat you are and aren't willing to do for me? And don't just give me vague platitudes, tell me exactly what it is zat you would consider cowardly or dishonorable. Zat way, we will able to work togezer better because we understand each ozer better, no?"

This had to work. This was as much quarter as he was willing to give before he started making a complete fool of himself. As a Master he thought he was being perfectly reasonable, even respectful. The only question now was would she listen to him?

Looking past the soaring buildings as Caster and Jonathan made their way to the scene, above the rooftops, they went as one leap to another which was their discreet means of traveling through the city of those unsuspecting. While of course Caster while not the strongest of Servants, was more capable than any human and would be suitable for the task. Moving through Fuyuki City as they quickly passed through the familiar streets and sights that they had saw days beforehand to get acquaintance with the city. Their attention now, however, was solely focused onto the black plumes of smoke that lingered in the air that was getting closer. Together the two were pondering on what they might expect from the scene, as the closer they got allowed them to begin sensing the scale of the fighting.

Once in the general area, the two of them stop at Jonathan's command and Caster's knowledge on picking up a perfect scouting what is happening right now. The clash between two servants was obvious, as they were in public in a duel that seemed to be dragging on for a while now with craters and debris everywhere. However, Jonathan didn't give himself the time to be enthralled by the eerily beautiful fighting of the two legendary figures and prepared to stretch his abilities. Tapping into his abilities not only as a Magus but a Master of the Grail War as well, he extended those magical senses through the battlefield to determine the position of things that he could determine. It was obvious that there were two Servants who were fighting in close combat but there was another that if they weren't hidden that seemed to play in the supportive role from afar, perhaps an Archer or Caster? There was no dispute though with the fact that the fight was taking place were involved with Servants as the spiritual energy in the area was concentrated from their repeated clashes and blows that anyone could see. It, however, wouldn't be good remaining exposed outside and began making his way inside through the door that lead inside the building that he was standing on. Taking his time to relay all that he discovered to Caster who was occupied doing his own thing.

Caster, a specialist of war, could easily read and gauge the situation along with making further insight into the conditions of the battle even with the sliver of what he saw. It was easy to see that one side was superior and dominating the other who was barely hanging on by apparently ranged support as his Master assumed. Taking heed of his Master's warning as he too took cover while continuing to look at the battle of dancing flurry of blades and the sounds that resonated from them. His unveiling eyes scanned the two Servant's forms as a lifetime of wartime experience served him in determining the abilities between the two servants. However, with such mysteries surrounding historical figures like themselves didn't serve a good place marker for him with only bad estimates of their true power. His vision didn't fully catch the third servant who was wandering around the place but there seemed to be brief pauses in the battle where a stray arrow seemed to target one of the Servants. It seemed like this was a two versus one situation, that must be a concerning problem then if two Servants were getting pushed back by a single one... Caster himself didn't bother staying for long on the roof and head inside with his Master as well, knowing full well that the building has windows to peer from inside. It was a good place to set up a brief meeting and build a scene where they could briefly work at.

Once the two were inside, there it began Caster's true abilities as he assessed the information they both collected and began to build the battlefield. Looking at the empty space inside the building they were in, Caster took no time in quickly constructing a simple territory with his class skill and began quickly. Manipulating the floor as models of the surrounding area began to arise from the floor as a map was created from Caster which depicted the battle scene in a three-dimensional scale. As a competent strategist, it was easy for creating the area with magic but the indiscretion was required for quick capitalization of the battle.

"From what it seems Master, there are three Servants who are engaged in a fight right now. Currently it is a two versus one situation, but apparently, the lone wolf is pushing through and winning against the partners with a display of amazing skill that is no ordinary brute force. The other fighter seems to be honed in the art but only as a means of surviving trouble should it ever come, while skilled is inferior to the former." Caster commented as he looked at the map which detailed the surrounding area "With my abilities, I am sure to be able to sway the battle which ever way and guide them to victory but that chances at exposing ourselves and my own skills." Caster said with confidence, trusting his skills but in the end it would be up to Jonathan to give the final verdict in the say.

"Hmmm, it seems like it would be wise to take on the Lone Wolf then?" Jonathan asked Caster who simply nodded as it was obvious of how big a threat that Servant was. "Then what shall the plan be then?" He smiled mischievously as he knew already that Caster had one, and began explaining it to him before they got moving to set things into motion. They didn’t even have to leave the building, rotating the side that they were on as they soon came to a section of the building that had windows out looking the fighting happening below.

Setting up their scene quickly, Jonathan distorted the windows with the ‘Isa’ and ‘Mannaz’ runes that caused the windows to improperly reflect light causing a false image to appear to those outside looking in as if nobody was there. The next was giving his glasses to Caster which was the mystic code to improve one's eyesight and would prove useful for Caster. Watching him effortlessly channel his pool of magical energy into the glasses as the lenses flared up.

With the start of that, Caster's vision was enhanced by the activation of the 'Kenaz' and 'Ansuz' runes when they were activated. Focusing the lens on their ocular abilities as they functioned as binoculars once magical energy was provided to them. They also complimented Caster's own abilities of 'Advice of the Strategist' and 'Command of the Strategist' as the runes of insight, revelation, knowledge, and inspiration were working together.

To announce their presence onto the battlefield, Caster began summoning his Noble Phantasm 'He Dao' in a surge of magical energy that would have attracted any Magus or Servants' attention. The use of his weapon was a risky one, but disguised behind the illusionary wall, for now, he was safe to use it indiscriminately. As a Noble Phantasm that allowed telepathy to send out orders and in general conversation, anyone in his direct vicinity would be able to hear his commands so he chose to let them hear it. Whether they would listen to his commands or not would be their choice but it would be their best chance to win and thus Caster gave a wave of his crane feathered fan that started everything.

To the Servant who was losing the unrelenting onslaught of the Lone Wolf "If you wish to face this beast alone next time without the assistance of two other then feel free to go ahead but it would be best to neuter him quickly. Even if we do fail, I will try to guarantee your escape so that we may fight another day against this beast." He telepathically told to the Servant before he first began commanding on how to better defend against the skillful attacks of his opponents. Describing his opponent and his powerful and brutish fighting style so that he could understand the mentality of his opponent that would allow him to predict their moves. There would be a few moments of silence as Caster continued his diligent and proactive analysis on the Lone Servant with his abilities as he relayed them. "Where is your support? I shall tell them the best way to declaw this brute from afar despite the futile attempts so far against him." He mentally said to them with a wave of his fan both communicating both his words and continuous analysis on the Lone Servant fighting him. Telling him the different ways to adapt his defenses to suit any changes that his opponent may have done from the last instance that Caster intervened.

To the Servant who was firing from afar, Caster had observed enough of the Lone Servant to allow their shots to be even more precise and accurate now that he was acting as their spotter. They would no longer have to uncertainty wait for a moment to fire in hopes that their projectiles wouldn't hit their ally and would hopefully prove to be a formidable offense. Together, he could cooperate with the two and maneuver beyond normal means between two strangers on the battlefield.

However, this plan hinged on the other two Servant's ability to trust a stranger in guiding them to victory. Should those arrows be futile, then perhaps a combined offensive assault between the two would be able to seal the deal. But, as an unlikely event which he didn't plan on happening, there was a number of contingency plans in case the expected came. He hasn't even used his Crane Feather to its full potential yet, but he hoped he didn't have to use it.

Caster looked on at the fight continued as the Servant who he was contacting too seemed to be not be welcomed in engaging in mental conversation. It was no matter, as Caster's own help was providing minimal effect onto the course of the battle but if seconds were enough to be bought then it would work. But it seemed like the Servant that Caster was working with seemed to have had the wrong idea on who he was his companion but it was fine, to distort one's knowledge was fine as the possibilities of finding out his true identity would be kept low. However, with other pressing matters such as presence finally being noticed, not like they were planning to be discrete about their approach. However, it was a concern now that the other Servant seemed to have noticed them and thusly assume that whoever assisting him would try to disrupt him if they could.

"Master, prepare ourselves a defensive area around the map and get ready for when I call upon you. It may not be discrete if we continue like this but our options are much more diverse if we do this" Caster said to Jonathan and waved his feathered fan at his describing more details on what he wanted to do which Jonathan agreed on. "I am assuming the best I can do then? A bounded field it is then!" He smirked before getting to work on building a protective bounded field as he watched as Caster pace around deep in thought. Caster was briefing Jonathan as he was working on his spell, telling him about the situation so that he was aware of what was happening.

Finally, Caster turned himself away from the window and went back to the inside of the building was a central area that was empty, except for the map that depicted the scenes happening outside which Caster updated. Taking in the surroundings as he contemplated on what to do with the limited resources he had before looking at his feathered fan and raised it up as a surge of magical energy activated his weapon's secondary ability. Within this space of his, the creation of soldiers to provide the power needed was indeed possible and made simpler through channeling with his fan that was able to create twenty-five warriors who were engorged with mana to fight for him. It would be suitable for fulfilling the need of providing firepower against the lone Servant who had overwhelming power. As each attack was backed behind a dense form of mana which created it form that was stronger than most humans. Sadly, Caster knew he wasn't able to help much in the physical department but his reservoir of magical energy would allow him and his master to fill up the gaps.

Looking around for his Master, spotting him in the corner of his eye as he wondered if he had finished his preparations which he received a nod. With a wave of his hand, he could feel the dormant structure of the barrier and raised it up by supplying the energy needed for it. The amount of mana that he had on hand was more than enough for him and could prove to support his Master's own spells for the meantime. Watching as the magical energy he provided to his Master's rune begin to glow as they began to build a barrier around the central area defending it. 'Perfect Master, this will be the ideal place for you to stay while I am commanding the different sides of this battle' Caster said with a sly smile 'Wait... What?' Jonathan blinked several times but with a wave of the crane fan, many things went unsaid and could be felt instinctually. With the sudden movement for ten of those soldiers that Caster had made, were suddenly armed with bows and began heading to the rooftop while the rest remained on standby. 'Wait, you sure about that? The last time they did that it didn't work but we can try again...' Jonathan said as he received his own orders but remembered Caster telling him some important things earlier.

'It doesn't hurt to try on our end and learn more about that Servant, but if it doesn't succeed then it would be a problem for our fighter in the front.' Caster said mentally as watched Jonathan finish inscribing his spell onto one of the soldiers who were purely built from mana, they would function as remote detonators for the spell that his Master would create. Looking at the runes that his Master had written, he questioned the purpose of the spell that he had created 'Oh, those runes are combined to create a fire spell which considering our resources is the best that I can do right now.' Jonatan said before continuing 'The Laguz rune (ᛚ), Gebo rune (ᚷ), Ingwaz rune (ᛜ), Sowilo rune (ᛊ) and the Tiwaz rune (ᛏ) work together to form essentially a bomb. Of course, science and magic don't usually mix well together but in this case, they compliment each other and in this weather it will work!' Jonathan said as he droned on about the abilities of the spell



Knodding to his Master's explanation, he was only partially listening as he watched the position of his archers began to set themselves of the rooftops. Waving his fan as an order was given to them 'Fire at our Lone Target, avoid hitting our ally.' he commanded as he knew they would follow his commands as best they could. The soldiers in the room with Caster and Jonathan also received their own mission as they became armed with their own weapons. Fifteen soldiers armed with various weapons that would cover the different ranges in close and personal combat. Some were armed with short swords and shields, others with lances and a few with chain whips that would cover each other weaknesses. Watching them in awe as Jonathan looked at Caster who commanded them and saw him return the windows once more to observe what was going to happen now. However, before he left 'Remember, stay in this room and you shall be safe. I trust in your capabilities Master but just in case I have left some soldiers to defend you.' he said before leaving. Jonathan sighed at his Servant's command but there were five other soldiers guarding him. Sighing at his situation, at least he should take his time and hide so he wasn't so obviously spotted, and thus stowed away in the room.

Looking back outside the battleground, he watched as the Lone Servant was continuing his clash. He watched as his mana-created soldiers began exiting the building, exposing their position but as they rushed the Lone Servant it would serve as a distraction. With loud noise echoing as the doors crashed to the side announcing the presence of the ten men 'As a note of caution, avoid the arrows and get far back when my soldiers approach the brute, lest you want to get burned again. I'll do my best to allow yourself to get some room' Caster said to the Servant he was cooperating with a wave of his fan before his ten archers on the roof took aim and began firing in a systematic way. Trained with experience as if decades of military service were drilled into them, they would be able to fire three shots in per every minute like the Servant's support earlier if given the time. However, a hail of ten arrows was something not simple to defend from even in the case of the mana soldiers. It, however, was only a veil to distract the advancement of Caster's soldiers on foot who were moving forward. Together the two groups moved in perfect synchronization, as expected of Caster who was the military tactician during the era of The Three Kingdoms.

Within moments, the soldiers were participating in the melee combat as the surrounded the Lone Servant who was now even further outnumbered. Five soldiers in the front with swords and shield, three behind them to support with spears and two with chains to cover any openings. Of course, Caster wasn't going to fight fair, as the formation of soldiers was purely numerical advantage to cover their lack of strength with skill and knowledge ingrained into them. Their approach to the situation was quick to be aggressive and entered the range of the Lone Servant before entering the defensive before holding out. It was the perfect moment to escape the Lone Servant's attention for the cooperating Servant that Caster was helping out. As his soldiers sparingly would retaliate with their own attacks but it only served to encircle the Servant.

Once the other Servant had disengaged from the battle, the soldier that was written with Jonathan's runes approached the Lone Servant and locked hands with the other soldiers. By the command of Caster, these walking batteries of magical energy was consumed to activate his Master's spell. Upon activation, it would take more than a simple leap back as the mystery contained within the spell released itself upon everyone in the direct vicinity. Consuming the soldiers in their entirety as a generous amount of mana was packed into generating the strongest result from the spell. Its effects were further empowered as the wet atmosphere of Fuyuki City fueled the spell along with by being near the docks and air heavy with water as evident with the snow. As the widely available water resources were turned into oil suddenly that slathered the ground and uncomfortably in the air for a moment which ignited. The next events that happening was a vacuum suddenly centralized by the Lone Servant as a fiery inferno consumed it in the center if it hadn't managed to escape. Even if they did, the force of the winds generated by the flames sucking in oxygen could be felt by the other Servant who would have to ground themselves as best they could. Luckily, spiritual beings such as Servants needed no such things as oxygen to survive but other things did such as humans or like the fires in the general vicinity that had their own fuel stolen from them as they quickly were extinguished from the sheer reach of the runic spell that Caster had just activated. Consuming it blindly and indiscriminately, the flames raged as it burned with sheer heat that the surrounding snow had turned into water as it could be felt quite a distance away. Had the other Servant not sufficiently ran away far enough, it wouldn't be a surprise that they got second-degree burns from the scale of the spell as Caster did warn him.

To say the least, there were no more fires in the surrounding area like before but only black scorch where Caster's soldiers had once been. The air seemed thinner and unnaturally warm that was obvious to anyone who could feel the change in temperature. With the surrounding area devoid of snow from the sheer heat, that was produced as it rained for a short time before turning back to snow of the slushy kind. Whatever the aftermath was, it was clear that if that didn't work was time to run more or less for everyone involved...