Artoria herself wasn't sure why she acted as she did.
Was it out of sympathy for the Master manipulated by her sister? Or was it the sight of Morgan—so often associated with cruelty and ruthlessness—fighting so hard to protect someone?
Even if that person was only her Master in this Holy Grail War, their relationship was purely cooperative.
"Even enemies have a priority order," Artoria said as she kept a wary eye on Gilgamesh.
Seeing yet another Servant step forward to oppose him, Gilgamesh grew even more brazen and amused.
"Very well, very well! If you're so eager to be eliminated here, then I shall grant your wish!"
He raised his hand slightly. With just one gesture, the Noble Phantasms already summoned would rain down on Shiomi, Morgan, and Artoria like a storm of arrows.
Even so, Artoria could counter with the release of Invisible Air: Barrier of the Wind King, neutralizing Archer's offensive.
With Morgan's Magecraft creating a window for retreat, escaping wouldn't be difficult.
Normally, assisting an enemy in the Holy Grail War would require the Master's approval.
But Irisviel, acting as a temporary Master, had already retreated. Artoria, who had only intended to observe the situation, hadn't expected the battle to escalate this far.
Still, the confrontation had yielded valuable intelligence.
Now that Maiya Hisau had appeared to escort Irisviel away from the shore, Saber reasoned her true Master, Kiritsugu Emiya, must also be nearby.
However... it was hard to expect any direction from a man who refused to communicate with his Servant.
Artoria had no choice but to make the decision herself.
"What are you waiting for? While she's holding off Archer, retreat already," Morgan urged Shiomi in a low voice.
The tone made it clear she was fully prepared to leave Artoria behind.
So she's still the same Morgan. Saber sighed inwardly.
"No, doesn't look like that'll be necessary," Shiomi replied calmly.
At that moment, everyone saw Gilgamesh's smirk twist into a scowl of fury.
"You think someone like you can force me to retreat? You've got some nerve, Tokiomi…"
His tone was cold and dismissive, yet the glow of the Noble Phantasms behind him faded, the weapons vanishing into the void.
Despite his displeasure, Gilgamesh's icy gaze slid past Artoria and settled on Shiomi, still shielded by Morgan.
"For the sake of my subject, I'll overlook your insolence today. But next time we meet on the battlefield, if you haven't dealt with the rest of the trash, your death will be no less certain."
With those final words, Gilgamesh dematerialized. His golden armor lost all substance and dissolved, leaving only shimmering fragments of light.
"Tokiomi Tohsaka is nothing like that golden show-off," Shiomi remarked knowingly. "To push this far in the very first encounter... for someone like Tokiomi, who prefers playing it safe and winning step by step, this definitely wasn't part of the plan."
He reached out and gently placed a hand on Morgan's arm.
Even after Archer had retreated, she remained in position.
"So, you're acquainted with Archer's Master as well," Morgan suddenly recalled.
Rider looked surprised. "Wait, you know that guy? So you challenged Goldie on purpose?"
"Not just Tokiomi Tohsaka. I know Lancer's Master, Kayneth, and your Master, Waver, too," Shiomi said as he buttoned up his coat. "I'm affiliated with the Mage's Association—used to be a regular Magus who frequented the Clock Tower."
"Is that true, kid?" Rider asked, turning to Waver.
"Yeah!" Waver nodded emphatically.
He hadn't expected Shiomi to know who he was.
After all, the Velvet family was a young bloodline in the world of Magecraft, without much history, and his own talents weren't particularly noteworthy.
Shiomi, on the other hand, was different. Despite lacking a background, he was said to have caught the attention of Touko Aozaki, the Grand Puppeteer, and had actual experience with Sealing Designations Enforcement.
They were only a few years apart in age, but Waver could feel just how wide the gap truly was.
"So, what gives? We meet here in the Far East, and you're not even going to say hello? No warm greeting, Professor Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald?"
Shiomi took a few steps forward and called out loudly in Kayneth's direction.
Though he clearly heard him, Kayneth didn't respond—he just stood there, silently observing.
"Magus really are a cold-blooded, heartless bunch." Shiomi turned around with a shrug, tossing the remark casually to the rest of the group, as if the remaining Masters and Servants weren't potential enemies.
His gaze swept across the gathered Servants. Even Lancer, despite the comment being aimed at his own Master, couldn't help but offer a resigned nod of agreement.
Iskandar burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! But aren't you a Magus yourself? What a funny guy you are!"
"Fair enough." Shiomi curled his lip in a half-smile.
He dropped his arms and looked toward Morgan.
"If none of the others plan on continuing the fight, then we'll take our leave for now."
"No objections here," Iskandar said heartily. "I just came to greet everyone and see if anyone wanted to join my army or give up the Holy Grail. But it looks like that's not happening."
Artoria nodded.
"My Master has already retreated. If we're going to fight, I can't just go on without him."
"Alright then, let's head back." Shiomi let out a yawn and gestured to Morgan. "Come over here for a second."
Morgan nodded silently. She had no particular preference—it all depended on Shiomi's decision.
Just then, Kayneth's voice rang out.
"Tenkei Shiomi. This may not be the place to ask, but let me confirm something."
"Go ahead."
Shiomi, who had just been preparing to activate his transfer Magecraft, paused.
"You're a Magus with no lineage. Are you trying to use the outcome of this Holy Grail War to prove your worth to the Democratic Faction?"
It was a pointed question—unexpected, coming from Kayneth.
Waver's eyes widened as something clicked in his memory.
There were three major factions within the Clock Tower: the Democratic Faction, the Aristocratic Faction, and the Neutral Faction. The conflict between the Democrats and Aristocrats was especially fierce.
Kayneth belonged to the Aristocratic Faction—El-Melloi.
Shiomi, on the other hand, had once worked as a Sealing Designation Enforcer and was known to be closely aligned with the Democratic Faction's Lord.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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