I am Belzebuub(Nasuverse)

Irisviel pulled out the secret weapon hidden in her wide sleeves.

At first glance, it wasn't magical, but rather an unreliable item.

A soft, thin metallic bouquet of wires hung lightly between her fingers.

"I'm not here to fight."

When Irisviel pulled out the metallic bouquet, the Servant, Berserker, said. Normally, she would lower her guard and listen to what the Servant Berserker had to say.

But the memories of the previous night, and how that Berserker fought without releasing Magical Energy into the air within the barrier, made Irisviel keep her guard up in front of the Servant of Madness.

"What do you want here, Berserker? Why aren't you after Caster?"

"I have no interest in Caster. I'm here for something else."

"What thing?"

Berserker looked at her with his abyssal black eyes. Irisviel felt her body trembling as her Magic Circuits activated. But the intruder warning came precisely from the Servant in front of her.

"You, Iri."

"What!?"

Irisviel was surprised. Apparently, Berserker was there for… her? Irisviel didn't know what Berserker wanted with her, nor did she understand his motives. Berserker's words seemed wrong, and the nickname Kiritsugu used for her made her have misguided ideas about Berserker.

"Hm? … Maybe I phrased that wrong. I'm here to ask you some questions important to me."

Irisviel sighed in relief. Berserker seemed to just want to talk to her. But she still didn't lower her guard.

"What do you want to ask?"

"Hm. While I was at home, I sensed something that caught my attention. It must have been at the same moment Caster invaded the forest."

Berserker spoke calmly, as if summarizing a story. But what Berserker said surprised Irisviel and Maiya, who was suppressing groans of pain on the ground.

Berserker seemed to have sensed the Bounded Field surrounding the forest? That's what crossed both women's minds. How could the Servant Berserker have sensed the Einzbern Forest's Bounded Field from over thirty kilometers outside Fuyuki City?

Even a Servant like Saber could only sense another Servant at about two hundred meters away. Also, sensing a Bounded Field outside another Bounded Field wouldn't be so easy for Saber, not with all the defenses of a Bounded Field like the Einzbern Forest's.

But Berserker somehow managed what even Saber couldn't in her best state: sensing other Servants dozens of kilometers away. That's what the three of them—Irisviel, Maiya, and Father Kotomine Kirei—thought.

But…

Berserker's next words shattered the image they had built in their minds.

"Arriving here, I felt again what had caught my attention, and right after entering the forest, I felt it once more…"

Now they didn't understand anything Berserker was saying. If Berserker could sense the Bounded Field or the Servants from so far away, what was the meaning of him feeling it again when he reached the edge of the Einzbern Forest? What was Berserker really saying?

"…Until you, Irisviel, looked at me, and I could perfectly detect what I was feeling."

"What are you talking about, Berserker? I don't understand what you're implying."

Berserker took a step forward, his eyes fixed solely on Irisviel, not glancing at Maiya on the ground or Kirei nearby, observing the strange conversation unfold.

But Kirei had other urgent plans.

"So… Berserker, may I leave?"

Kirei asked suddenly, calmly, and without showing emotion on his face. Kirei seemed calm? But in truth, Kirei was in a hurry to reach Kiritsugu before Lord El-Melloi killed him in the castle.

Although Kirei was curious about what Berserker wanted with Irisviel, he knew his time was limited.

Berserker looked at Kirei. A strange red glow shone in the deep, abyssal black eyes of Berserker. Seeing a glow in the Servant's eyes for the first time sent chills down Irisviel's spine. Was something wrong with Berserker? Irisviel shuddered at her thoughts.

"Yes. You may go. My business is only with her."

"Thank you."

Kirei thanked him and, as he took a step forward to head to the Einzbern Castle after Kiritsugu, Irisviel shouted.

"No!"

Irisviel poured Magical Energy into the metallic wires of the bouquet. The thin wires unraveled and moved between Irisviel's hands like a living organism.

The Einzbern Family possessed Magecraft designed to forge, create, and, most importantly, use matter. Thus, Kiritsugu couldn't have taught Irisviel any offensive magic.

Originally, if someone used only magical skill, Irisviel was far superior to her husband. Thus, Kiritsugu couldn't have taught her magic in any way.

What he taught her wasn't how the homunculus lived. Instead, it was to use tears, laughter, joy, and anger to sing about life… the meaning of the term living.

Moreover, Kiritsugu also taught her the determination to keep living.

Thus, Irisviel already had a method to transform her magic into offensive purposes, like a state of battle.

It was something she learned from her husband, who always lived for battle… if she wanted to live with him, one day she would have to face the test of survival. Thus, she would also need to face battle.

"Shape ist Leben!"

Through two small chants, weaving the magic at once. Controlling metallic forms was Irisviel's true skill. This secret was unparalleled. The silver wire crisscrossed while drawing complex shapes.

It crisscrossed, combined, like a woven work of art, as it took on a solid and complex form. Possessing wings, fierce beaks, and sharp claws. Using a giant eagle as a base, it looked like an intricate silver work of art.

No, it wasn't a mere structure…

With the sound of a metallic blade scraping, the eagle made of silver wires screeched and flew from Irisviel's hands. It was created by a homunculus using alchemy on the spot. It was a weapon Irisviel brought to life, whose fate was at stake. The target was obvious: Kotomine Kirei, who was caught off guard by the bullet-like flight of the eagle made of metallic wires.

But…

Before the eagle reached Kirei, it dismantled as a hand casually grabbed it. The silver metallic wires unraveled at the touch of the hand, turning into mere twisted and broken scraps.

Normally, the eagle would turn into a shapeless silver wire and wrap around the hand that grabbed it like vines. But instead, the eagle broke apart and shattered into hundreds of pieces in the hand.

"We're not done here, Iri."

The hand that had grabbed the metallic eagle was Berserker's. The eagle of metal wires couldn't withstand the red energy in Berserker's hand and broke like a landslide on a fragile mountain.

"That man can't reach Kiritsugu, Berserker!"

"I don't care. My only goal is to ask you some questions. Nothing more, nothing less."

Berserker ignored Irisviel's pleading cries and coldly stated his goal.

"Then, with no more obstacles, I'm going. Once again, thank you, Berserker."

Kirei thanked him and left. After exiting the small battlefield, he ran at full speed without looking back. He would reach Kiritsugu Emiya, no matter the cost.

"Why, why…?"

Irisviel fell to her knees, powerless. She didn't chase Kirei; she didn't even try with the Servant Berserker in front of her, preventing her from running after Kirei.

"Alright, now that we're alone, tell me. What are the Vibrations I felt from you? What caused these abnormal Vibrations?"

"Vibrations?"

"Yes, exactly. When Caster invaded the forest. When Lancer also invaded the forest. And… when I and Kirei also invaded the forest. What were the Vibrations I felt, Iri?"

Berserker stood before Irisviel. Looking down at her, kneeling before him, as if he were a cruel God staring at an ant.

At that moment, Irisviel saw…

The Demon!

×××××

Anger, like acid, was corroding Kayneth drop by drop.

He is a first-rate mage. He would never lose his composure due to emotions, especially in a situation where he's fighting for his life.

In fact, if this were a secret duel between fellow first-rate mages, Kayneth wouldn't be harboring things like anger.

He would probably admire and acknowledge the opponent's skill, calmly analyzing their true worth, and focus on performing his magic that would serve as a proper response to the enemy's art. These noble, extravagant, and chivalrous games are what Kayneth knew as battles. With the right to use the Holy Grail at stake, he intended to compete with Tohsaka Tokiomi, Matou Zouken, and four other unknown but notable opponents, and came to this desolate place in the far east.

However… the pain of the wound in his right shoulder throbbed and invaded his senses as if mocking Kayneth, continuing the pain as if humiliating him.

This is not a wound suffered in battle. These things… must never be called battles.

It was as if he had stepped on a piece of rotten wood. As if he had spilled a steaming pot. As if his best suit had been stained with mud.

The opponent is as insignificant as an ant, not worthy of being called an enemy. A piece of trash that just looking at makes him feel dirty and unpleasant.

Feeling anger over something like this and risking his pride as Lord El-Melloi would be unthinkable for Kayneth. These things are just daily annoyances. Something akin to being bitten by a stray dog.

It was just bad luck. Dismiss it as simple misfortune.

Even while trying to convince himself of this, he screamed with the pain of the wound in his shoulder. The intense pain, as if he were being slowly burned, tormented him and eroded his pride.

Kayneth's icy face was as expressionless as a mask, without cursing aloud or clenching his teeth. To an observer, this definitely isn't the expression of someone angry.

Indeed. He didn't hate anyone. All his anger was directed inward. It was only provoked by a situation that surprised him… something impossible, irrational.

'Impossible…'

The anger with nowhere to go became destructive impulses that spread through Volumen Hydrargyrum. Kayneth broke the corridor walls around him with his mercury blade whips.

'That scum made me bleed… impossible! This shouldn't have happened!'

With his sleepwalker-like stride, Kayneth pursued Emiya Kiritsugu, who had fled.

The shapeless lump of mercury, taking the place of its master's heart, followed him, filled with murderous intent.

The door blocking his path wasn't opened but destroyed by the weight of the mercury.

Be it flower vases, paintings, or elegant furniture. All decorations that fell into his sight were broken and destroyed.

There were many traps along the way. Tripwires for Kayneth's unsuspecting feet, or a fuse in the carpet that, when stepped on, would detonate a pre-set grenade or mine, launching shrapnel. In those moments, the protective mercury membrane would immediately expand and advance to block it.

These traps were like toys made to fool children, so ridiculous that Kayneth felt like laughing. But the sound of his laughter simultaneously mocked Kayneth, who felt hurt by those pranks that seemed like toys made to fool children.

The self-mockery cut his pride like a razor. This humiliation further inflamed the anger in his heart.

The admirable Mystic Code of Lord El-Melloi is not something made for this kind of foolish tricks. His mercury should be a weapon that fires Gandr shots, deflects magic swords, and breaks through supernatural fire, ice, and lightning. It should be an art that makes any mage who hates him marvel, revere, and meet their death.

So, what was his current unpleasant situation?

The opponent he unleashed his proud Mystic Code to pursue is nothing more than an anonymous rat… Every second that passed made him feel humiliated. The wound in his shoulder hurt more and more.

An endless hysterical downward spiral, yet one that was already in sight of its conclusion.

No matter how large the castle, escape possibilities become limited if someone runs upward.

The rat was finally chased to the end of the third-floor corridors. The flow of mercury that Kayneth had sent earlier to find the enemy located him precisely this time. It seems the target decided to stand firm where he was. He must have decided to make the final confrontation with Kayneth in that location.

'Confrontation…' When that word floated in Kayneth's mind, he couldn't help but laugh.

It seems the enemy still hadn't given up. So be it. He had injured Kayneth once, so there should still be a chance of victory if the same luck decided to favor him again. He must have made that final decision with all the spirit of a desperate rat trying to bite the cat.

"Fool…"

Kayneth's tight mouth twisted with his mocking smile as he muttered.

It wasn't because of his exceptional skills or strategies that the rat managed to touch Kayneth. It was just an irrational coincidence. It's necessary to make sure he knows the difference.

'It's not a confrontation. This is execution. This is a massacre.'

Kayneth, with his body full of cruel murderous intent, turned the last corner with his Mystic Code and reached the end of the corridor.

It basically fit the scenario expected by Emiya Kiritsugu.

The third confrontation with Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald.

The distance was only thirty meters. The corridor's width was just over six meters.

No places to hide. No place to retreat.

Kayneth's Volumen Hydrargyrum has potentially lethal speed and power within a radius of seven and a half meters. The initiative remains with Kiritsugu until Kayneth manages to get within range.

In his left hand, fifty 9mm bullets in a new helical magazine, the Calico waited for the moment to open fire.

And his Mystic Code, the Contender Costume, in his right hand. The Magecraft bullet was already loaded in the single-shot chamber.

Kiritsugu showed no fear nor begged for mercy. He just stood silently holding two weapons. This made Kayneth even more displeased and distorted his expression as he uttered taunts.

"You wouldn't think the previous method would still work, right? Despicable thing."

It won't work. It would be a problem for Kiritsugu if it did, however, he doesn't need to tell that to the other person.

He needed Kayneth to think Kiritsugu was foolish enough to repeat the exact same attack.

"I won't just kill you. I'll only heal your lungs and heart to make them revive, then I'll deal with you slowly, starting with your toes."

Kayneth said sinisterly as he slowly walked toward Kiritsugu, step by step.

The Volumen Hydrargyrum swirled beside him, flexing its countless whips in a menacing manner while swinging its sharp tips.

"Die of regret, of pain, of despair. And curse as you die. Curse the cowardice of your employer… the Einzbern Master who humiliated the Holy Grail War!"

'Right…' Kiritsugu laughed in his heart while considering Kayneth's execution proclamation as nothing more than a breeze beside his ear. It seems the masterful substitution plan he proposed worked in the end.

Fifteen meters. If he was going to do something, it would be now.

Toward Kayneth, who was approaching, Kiritsugu first used the Calico in his left hand, firing a rain of 9mm bullets in fully automatic mode.

It was a completely identical repetition of that sneak attack in the first-floor corridor, an immobilizing attack made to trigger the automatic defense of Volumen Hydrargyrum. To prevent it from receiving the next attack from the Contender, this is a feint to weaken the mercury's defensive membrane.

Of course, Lord El-Melloi wouldn't fall for the same trick twice.

"Fevor, mei sanguis!"

The mercury's defensive form was activated immediately, but this time it wasn't a membrane. Volumen Hydrargyrum leaped in front of its master and formed countless spikes from floor to ceiling. It was as if a dense bamboo forest covered Kayneth's entire body and, at the same time, completely blocked all the bullets flying nearby.

There's no need to use a membrane as a defense if he's not facing an attack like flames or mist. Things like bullets become harmless as long as they can't move in a straight line. Thus, using only columns for defense would be sufficient.

Of course, the Magical Energy needed to expand the mercury into a mountain of swords is not even comparable to that used to form a membrane. Each spike, coiled as thin as a steel wire, needed to be equipped with all the strength and malleability to deflect the bullets. This time's automatic defense was completed using all the Magical Energy Kayneth had in his possession. The Inherited Magic Crests of the Archibald Family on his shoulders circulated to their maximum limit, creating extraordinary pain for the practitioner.

It can be said that this time's defense was the true impregnable fortress.

The bullets, blocked by the silver mountain of swords, ricocheted back and forth in the spaces between the numerous spikes, making shrill metallic noises. Finally, they lost all power and fell to the ground. None of them reached Kayneth's body.

Then, the Contender in Kiritsugu's right hand roared.

This is the single-shot bullet that made Kayneth bear his despicable scar the first time it penetrated Volumen Hydrargyrum's defenses, something with far more destructive power than the 9mm bullets.

However, the degree of defense the mercury's mountain of swords presented was not even comparable to that of the membrane.

All the spikes closed like a Venus flytrap an instant before the deadly shot touched the mercury spikes and surrounded the bullet. The thick, thin spikes became a single giant column in the blink of an eye, completely isolating the Springfield .30-06 bullet.

Volumen Hydrargyrum, made to freely interchange forms, showed the wonders it could do.

The immaculate skill that controlled the fluidic magic so perfectly should indeed be the epitome of this unparalleled art, fully worthy of the prestigious name of the Archibald house.

At the moment he beautifully completed this magic, dedicating all his skills, Lord El-Melloi's fate also came to an end.

"Bang!!!!!"

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