Chapter 65

"AAAALaLaLaLaLaie!!" The lightning chariot raced through the underground drainage pipes of Fuyuki City, where a large number of tentacled monsters had gathered. King Conqueror effortlessly crushed these weaklings with the divine power of the chariot's wheels.

"How about it, Shin, brat, we still have some gains, hahaha!!!" The water demons howled under the thunder and the trampling of the divine bulls, but King Conqueror's voice remained high and unaffected, indicating everything was going smoothly. At this moment, Shin's phone, which was in his windbreaker, vibrated.

"Shin, can you hear me?" On the phone screen was Kotetsu, who looked anxious.

"What's wrong, Kotetsu? Calm down, it's not like something happened to your...?" Before the Holy Grail War began, Kotetsu had told Shin about his complicated love story. Although he eventually gave up competing with Tohsaka Tokiemi to avoid sending Kiri to the Matou family's insect room, Kotetsu's feelings for Kiri Zenjou had never changed. However, your obsession with a married woman is why Tohsaka Tokiemi didn't hold back in the original story and eliminated you. (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

"No, in fact, after you entered that large drainage pipe, several spirits that couldn't be seen on the monitors but could be detected followed you. They are probably..."

"Assassins, I know. But this shouldn't surprise you so much, right?" Shin interrupted Kotetsu.

"Actually, just now, from the city's surveillance cameras, I saw Rin. You know, the recent child abduction cases are the work of Caster. I'm worried..."

"Since you're worried, go over there quickly." Shin's words made Kotetsu pause. "What are you waiting for? Haven't you forgotten what you should really do in the Holy Grail War? Kotetsu, do what you think you should do. Even if only Yaezuki or Akuren is monitoring the situation, you should be fully armed before you go out. I haven't sensed Caster's presence, but if you encounter Caster, with your strength, you should be able to fight your way out with a little girl even without summoning a Heroic Spirit."

"Of course, those water demons are no problem for me." Kotetsu put aside his work clothes and changed into the special magical robe Shin had made for him. During this time, Shin and Kotetsu didn't idle. The material of Kotetsu's magical robe was a blend of mithril and enchanted silver threads, which, in terms of resistance to magic, was roughly at a B-level. However, before Kotetsu used it, Shin had taken great pains to conceal the information about the materials, otherwise, the Clock Tower, which had less than an ounce of mithril, would have stripped Kotetsu bare if they found out.

Additionally, inside the magical robe, seven gems storing a large amount of magical energy were placed on the shoulders, chest, waist, and thighs, which could automatically control the magical mercury stored on the outside of the robe to activate automatic defense. Compared to the Moon Spirit Marrow Fluid with similar effects, the mercury on Kotetsu's body only had a defensive function. However, in the design, Shin and Kotetsu didn't expect to use the mercury for attacks; the main purpose was to protect Kotetsu's head from attacks when he was unprepared. Although a small amount of mercury would likely not withstand the Origin Bullet from Emiya Kiritsugu, which could penetrate the thick steel of an armored car, as long as Emiya Kiritsugu didn't use the Origin Bullet in the first attack, Kotetsu should have an advantage in a direct confrontation.

After putting on the magical robe, Kotetsu checked the dozens of black-key versions of the Starlight Trace hidden in the robe. Two guns loaded with silver bullets that had anti-magic effects and reinforced by magic were cautiously attached to his back, and the main weapon, a simplified version of the Starlight Trace, was attached to his waist. Seeing Kotetsu's outfit, Shin felt a strange interest awaken.

"Go quickly and come back soon. If you die for this reason, I'll drag your soul back and beat you up." Before leaving, the Shin on the screen looked fiercely threatening, and Kotetsu, who had grown up in fear and had no one to care for him except Kiri, felt a warm current in his heart.

"Don't worry, I won't die until I've taught Tohsaka Tokiemi a lesson."

Putting away the phone and looking around, King Conqueror had already rushed into Caster's workshop. The entire workshop was empty and silent.

"Hmm, it seems Caster isn't here." Rider stood on the stopped Divine Wheel, observing the workshop. Being able to see clearly in the dark was a benefit of being a Servant. With night vision magic, Shin saw the scene in the workshop. The artworks, from an artistic perspective, were indeed astonishing, with creativity, passion, and technique at a world-class level. However, if the materials of these artworks were human? Furniture, clothing, musical instruments, and tableware, as well as some abstract paintings, were all made from human blood, flesh, organs, and bones. Chopsticks, plates, and tables made from human bones, tablecloths made from human skin, fur coats made from children's scalps, and drums made from the pelvis of girls and covered with human skin... Even Shin, who had taken thousands of lives, couldn't help but change his expression, while Waver, who hadn't seen anything yet, was about to get off the chariot to throw some magical flares when Shin pulled him back.

"Don't get off. At least the chariot's protective field will protect you. Outside the chariot, there might be some threats, and... I don't recommend you see these things."

"What are you talking about! Since Caster isn't here, we should at least look for some clues."

"That... kid, I don't recommend you see these things either. Honestly, it's too early for you."

"Really, shut up." Ignoring Shin and Rider's advice, Waver threw a magical flare (this spell is called Dark Vision, but I think it's just a flare that wastes magical energy). The dim workshop became bright, and the scene inside reflected in Waver's eyes.

"Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh." Seeing the human crops displayed as art, Waver was stunned by the mental shock and then vomited over the edge of the chariot.

"So, it's still too early for you..." *2

"You, you two... why can you still look so calmly?"

"Well, both Rider and I have experienced a lot, and... the current situation doesn't allow us to relax."

"Eh?" Before Waver could understand, two purple-glowing blades flew out from a pillar supporting the drainage pipe, aiming at Shin and Waver. Prepared, Rider and Shin drew their Spatha and Starlight Trace to block the flying scimitars. Although the attack itself couldn't hurt Shin, the blade of the Starlight Trace, condensed from a large amount of magical energy at over 6000°C, cut the scimitar in half and melted part of the blade tip, which splashed onto Shin's face... but was deflected by the spatial defense magic on his body and fell to the ground.

Picking up the scimitar that had landed on the chariot, Rider threw it forcefully in a direction. With the sound of the blade piercing flesh, a corpse with a skull mask and a blade in its head fell to the ground. Seeing the familiar mask, Waver crouched on the chariot, only exposing his head to observe the battlefield. Several Assassins emerged from the shadows, surrounding the chariot in attack positions. Shin and Rider, holding their weapons, guarded Waver from the front and back. An Assassin, thinking Shin was a Master with low combat power, rashly approached and was stabbed through the chest by Shin. The blood didn't flow out but vaporized due to the high temperature of the blade. With one hand, Shin grabbed the Assassin's neck, and with a crack, the Assassin's neck was broken and he died in Shin's hands. Throwing the Assassin's body onto the chariot, Shin scanned the remaining Assassins. Seeing no chance to attack, the Assassins retreated into the shadows.

"Rider, destroy this place with the chariot. It's too dangerous for your Master here."

"Right, that's the only option. Kid, get ready to retreat." Rider looked around and decided to retreat.

"Just like this?" Waver looked at the two with a disappointed expression.

"There's no choice. This is the environment where Assassins excel. Destroying this place will slow down Caster, and that's all we can do now." Holding the reins of the Divine Wheel, Rider said to the divine bulls, "Sorry, it's narrow here, but please, burn everything to ashes!" With Rider's shout, the divine bulls galloped, destroying the workshop with their lightning hooves. The nightmare-like artworks cherished by Caster and Ryuunosuke were destroyed in an instant...

While Shin was retreating, in another part of Fuyuki City.

Tohsaka Rin, known as Rin-chan, the future sixth-generation head of the Tohsaka family, sneaked out at night to find her classmate Kotone, who had gone missing in Fuyuki City. Even at the age of six, as a descendant of a famous magical family, Rin had some good items. Tohsaka Tokiemi had given Rin a magical meter on her birthday that could detect the direction of nearby magic, and some gem fragments that could produce explosions when activated. With these items, Rin sneaked out of her mother Kiri Zenjou's room. Although the magical meter could detect the direction of magic, it had a limited range of about 100 meters, and magic beyond that range was hard to detect unless the magical energy was strong. Rin's luck was quite good, and she didn't have to wander long in Fuyuki City before encountering Ryuunosuke, who was using a hypnotic bracelet given by Caster to abduct children. It's questionable whether a Servant should let their Master go out to abduct children so late at night, as they could easily be caught by an Assassin or any other Master.

Following Ryuunosuke secretly, Rin hoped to find his hideout and save Kotone. However, the Tohsaka family's hereditary problem still affected Rin. She hadn't considered that if she followed Ryuunosuke to Caster's workshop, she would be like a lamb to a tiger, with no chance of winning against a Servant. Fortunately, if Rin's luck were rated, it would be at least A-level. Even a Lancer with E-level luck could improve to D-level with good fortune, and this time, Rin's good luck played a role. Caster happened to be absent. Following Ryuunosuke, Rin entered a small house on the street. Inside, over a dozen children abducted by Ryuunosuke were lying on the floor. These children were not only used to create the terrifying artworks of Ryuunosuke and Caster but also had their souls devoured by Caster after death, becoming Caster's magical energy. Ryuunosuke brought the children into the house and used the bracelet to make them unconscious. This exposed Rin, who hadn't been hypnotized, to Ryuunosuke.

"Hey, little girl, are you here for my party? Come on, there are many more people here." With a joyful expression, Ryuunosuke slowly approached Rin, and the bracelet glowed with a sinister purple light. In a few seconds, Rin lost consciousness, but her excellent magical talent allowed her to break the simple hypnotic spell. Focusing all her magical energy in her young hands, Rin grabbed the bracelet on Ryuunosuke's left hand. Even at six, Rin's magical energy was not to be underestimated. The magical meter's needle quickly turned from Ryuunosuke's bracelet to Rin's position, and the bracelet was destroyed by Rin's abundant magical energy, pushing Ryuunosuke back. With the bracelet destroyed, the hypnotic spell on the children was lifted, and they cried and ran out of the house under Rin's guidance, leaving Ryuunosuke alone, staring at the broken bracelet.

"This is troublesome. I should call the master for help..."

Watching the abducted children being taken away by the police, Rin sighed deeply, patting her undeveloped chest.

"Phew, it's finally over. I should go home now." Rin turned to leave, but the magical meter hanging from her chest suddenly spun wildly, sparks of magical energy bursting from the needle, which finally pointed upward.

"What, what?! Ahhhhh!!!" A water demon over two meters tall descended from the sky, landing in front of Rin. A water demon was not a significant threat to a Servant but was a deadly existence to a regular magician. With its rapid movement, fast regeneration, incredible strength, and sharp tentacles and hooks, the water demon was a weapon that could easily kill a low-level magician. Rin slowly backed away, holding the gem fragments she had brought from home in her hands. Activating them, the gems emitted a hot red glow and exploded upon hitting the water demon, severing two of its tentacles, but that was all.

"Ah, cute child, let me dress you up. You will be a rare and beautiful addition to the garden of the gods." A figure with goldfish eyes emerged behind the water demon, none other than Caster, who had just returned. Seeing Rin, Caster smiled terrifyingly and reached out to touch her face with skeletal fingers, which filled Rin with extreme fear.

"Help, help me, someone, please help me!!" Rin cried out loudly. Perhaps her voice was indeed loud, for as soon as she shouted, three blue beams shot down from the sky, two of which pinned the water demon to the ground, while the third grazed Caster's arm, leaving a wound from wrist to elbow.

"Rin, are you okay?" With a panicked voice, Kotetsu arrived on the scene, pulling Rin away with his left hand at a speed that even Caster couldn't react to. At the same time, Kotetsu's right hand reached behind him, grabbed something, and swung it at Caster, the pale blue magical blade burning the air with a "sizzling" sound. Realizing the weapon could harm him, Caster quickly retreated behind the water demon. A diagonal cut from left to right split the water demon in two, and Kotetsu picked up Rin, activating four magical arrays with his right hand, and a dozen magical bullets equivalent to a full incantation exploded on the sea demon Caster had just summoned, creating a blood mist. Seizing the opportunity, Kotetsu quickly fled with Rin, leaving Caster cursing and shouting in the distance...

PS: Please recommend, collect, and review.

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