Fate: How About a New Savior?

"Saber-class Servant, Fergus mac Róich. I stand before you as a Celtic general, here to challenge you." The burly man with narrow eyes decla

"Saber-class Servant, Fergus mac Róich. I stand before you as a Celtic general, here to challenge you."

The burly man with narrow eyes declared himself, gripping a massive spiral-patterned sword.

"Fergus... the true wieler of Caladbolg..."

The moment Shiomi heard the name, he recalled seeing this very Noble Phantasm among the projected weapons used by the Nameless Guardian.

"And he's also Cú Chulainn's uncle," Scáthach added, turning toward Shiomi.

"Only two of them? I thought Fionn was just off babysitting old folks, but turns out even the Queen of the Land of Shadows has joined the fray..."

Fergus grinned menacingly, the Mana around him suddenly flaring with intensity.

With him declaring himself a Celtic general, there was no avoiding this fight.

"Fergus, I'd advise you not to underestimate him," Scáthach raised her voice, placing a hand on Shiomi's shoulder. "He's not just the Master of Chaldea—he's also my beloved student..."

She paused, then added, "That's right. Even Cú Chulainn can't compare to him!"

"Did you really need to say that right now?" Shiomi looked genuinely surprised.

"It's nothing. I just felt it needed to be said. Besides, doesn't it fire you up a bit?" Scáthach chuckled softly.

Fergus stepped forward. "Oh? Not only have you taken on a new apprentice, but he's stronger than Cú Chulainn? Then I have no choice but to see for myself!"

"Before that—"

Even in the face of a formidable foe, Shiomi remained calm. He raised his hand, and a projection of Rama appeared beside him.

"Though we didn't come here to fight, I'll ask anyway. Fergus, have you seen this Servant's wife, Sita?"

He had promised to help find her, and Shiomi wasn't about to miss a chance to gather intel.

"Still holding to your word, huh?" Scáthach shook her head, her tone tinged with approval.

"He's got a wife already?" Fergus looked surprised.

Given Rama's youthful appearance, that reaction wasn't unexpected.

"I've never heard the name Sita, but I did see a red-haired girl who looked like her," Fergus said, his grin turning savage. "If you want more info, you'll have to earn it!"

Hearing that, Shiomi sighed and lowered his shoulders in mild exasperation.

But Scáthach knew it wasn't a sign of resignation. She stayed relaxed, not even shifting into a combat stance. "You brought this on yourself, Fergus."

Fergus frowned at her words, but the confusion quickly vanished.

Shiomi's figure suddenly disappeared from view. Years of battlefield instinct kicked in, and Fergus reflexively spun around, using Caladbolg to block. It clashed with the red spear in Shiomi's hand, sparking a powerful shockwave.

So fast! Fergus's brow furrowed.

He had thought Scáthach was just showing off a disciple she'd taken in on a whim after forming a contract with Chaldea's Master. But clearly, he'd been wrong.

He hadn't even registered Shiomi's movement before the young man was behind him.

This was no ordinary human Master.

Maybe Fionn hadn't "gone easy on the old man"—he had simply handed Fergus the toughest opponent.

"Perfect!" Fergus laughed, powering up and forcing Shiomi back, driving him and his spear out of close range.

But in midair, Shiomi twisted around. As he was about to land near Scáthach again, four long swords suddenly formed from the frozen surface and shot toward Fergus.

He swung Caladbolg and shattered all four ice blades, then glanced at Scáthach.

He had assumed she was assisting, but she hadn't moved a step—still calmly holding her spear and observing the fight.

So that magic too had been Shiomi's doing.

Not someone to take lightly. Fergus's expression grew serious.

The opening clash was over. Shiomi landed and reestablished contact with Caren.

"Caren? What's the situation on your side?"

"Two Servants have appeared—Lancer Fionn mac Cumhaill and Saber Diarmuid Ua Duibhne," Caren replied.

"Diarmuid?"

Shiomi was caught off guard. Another familiar face, though this time under the Saber class. That meant his weapons were the legendary Moralltach and Beagalltach.

And he'd appeared alongside Fionn—the famed master and retainer, fighting together as Celtic generals.

The immense magical energy radiating from Fergus was far beyond what a lone Servant should have. Which meant all three of them had formed contracts with someone.

Could it be the Mad King? Shiomi pondered, but no answer came to mind.

"Master, can I ask you to assist Caren? I'll handle Fergus—"

"No need, Dad. I've got the five Servants who came with me, and Nightingale is bringing Rama to regroup with us," Caren replied.

"What?!"

Shiomi was stunned. He had specifically told Nightingale to retreat with Rama in case of combat—but she went and charged onto the battlefield with the wounded on her back.

"They've got plenty of firepower over there. If you're worried, better to end things quickly," Scáthach said as she twirled her spear and stepped forward, clearly done spectating.

Shiomi took a deep breath, then grinned confidently.

"I'm happy to fight alongside you, Master. But just this once, let me show off how much I've grown, alright?"

"Growth? You've done plenty of that the last two nights," Scáthach teased in a low voice.

"Not that kind of growth!" Shiomi nearly choked. He hadn't expected his master to still be joking around mid-battle.

Scáthach chuckled and put away her red spear. "Well, since you insist, I'll be a spectator for now. But if you take too long, I'm jumping in."

"Uh, just to be clear—by 'jumping in' you don't mean coming after me, right?" Shiomi's mouth twitched.

"We'll see," Scáthach said with a gentle smile.

At that moment, Fergus leapt down from the hillside.

"Still have time to chat on the battlefield?"

He gripped Caladbolg in a reverse hold with both hands and slammed it downward. Shiomi had just turned to speak to Scáthach—at this angle, he would undoubtedly be struck down.

It might turn him into Scáthach's mortal enemy, but Fergus didn't care.

Just as the sword came within a meter of striking, Shiomi turned his head, a sly grin playing on his lips.

A chill shot down Fergus's spine.