The Saint Quartz I've collected total three. I could summon one more Servant anytime I want. However, I won't do it right now.
I haven't built enough trust with the group yet. Gaining affection is hard, but destroying it is all too easy. Human relationships are just like that.
The Director is naturally hysterical, so let's ignore her. For now, I must keep the details of this system hidden. Only for now. Later, it would be right to tell them the truth. The best time would probably be when we get separated in the next Singularity and I summon someone then. Probably.
[According to the records of the Holy Grail War, the Greater Grail is located inside a cave behind Ryudou Temple. I'll mark the coordinates for you, so let's make that our destination. The Grail might be the cause of this situation.]
The Doctor really is top-class at feigning ignorance while knowing everything. He knows about the Incineration of Humanity thanks to his Clairvoyance. He probably already has a guess about the nature of this situation. Although, he doesn't know who caused it.
The one I need to be most careful of is the Doctor. He is a coward who suspects practically everyone except Da Vinci. He is officially certified as a coward. The moment I do something suspicious, I'll be on his radar.
Given his personality, he wouldn't try to drive a wedge between us, but it's not good to be marked by a main character. Besides, I want to get along with him. He seems nice, and if we get close, we could be like friends. Even though he's older than me.
"So, how long does the Director have to stay a pig?"
"Probably until this ends?"
"Bu-hii...!"
"I will protect the Director so she doesn't get cooked...!"
The pitiful Director. Well, she provoked Castoria, so it can't be helped. Knowing how to behave is an adult skill. This is the price she pays for failing at it.
"Doctor. Does Chaldea detect Servant reactions?"
[That's right. In the case of Heroic Spirits, unless they use Presence Concealment like an Assassin, we can detect them.]
Hmm... When will Caster Cú Chulainn show up? It's about time. The remaining Servants are Saber, Archer, Caster, and Berserker. Three enemies. Berserker won't be a problem if we don't provoke him. But...
For the sake of Saint Quartz, you must die, Heracles...!
I gave Castoria a signal with my eyes...
Oh...?
Aha... I'm an idiot. Wait, I didn't know how to use telepathy in the first place, so I couldn't help it!
"Ahem... I sense a strong magical reaction from over there. It is definitely a Servant. Something is in that forest. How about we head there?"
[Let's see... You're right. It's a bit far, so I can't pinpoint it exactly, but it's a Servant-class magical reaction. As she said, it seems to be a Servant. But there's no movement. Isn't it reckless to go and pick a fight?]
"Doctor, if we leave it, we might be ambushed later. Preparation is key in these situations."
"Master is correct. Would my words not be more credible than the Doctor's, who has never experienced war?"
[Ugh... That's true, but will you be alright? You've already fought Lancer and defeated Assassin and Rider. It's a continuous battle; can you handle it?]
"Haha, this is not even a fraction of what farming entails..."
Ahem, my conscience pricks me. During lottery events and every other day, I really owed you one, Castoria.
Anyway, with Castoria's persuasion, our destination was decided: the forest where the Einzbern Castle stands. But just then...
"Wait. Do not enter that forest."
Suddenly appearing was the official Fate civil servant, Cú Chulainn.
"You are...?"
"I cannot reveal my True Name, but I am a Caster. The Caster of this Holy Grail War."
"Senpai, unlike the other Servants, this person seems sane."
"Naturally. Those guys are like that because they were defeated by Saber. Anyway, stop right there. I think our interests align, so I want to talk."
Blocking the road like this... I can't let that happen when there's Saint Quartz right in front of me.
"He's the type often seen in Isekai stories—like the village chief, or the self-proclaimed veteran adventurer you meet when joining a guild."
"In short, an exposition fairy."
"Right... The correct answer is to ignore him!"
I ignored Cas-Cú and ran straight into the forest with Castoria.
"Oi!? Your life is in danger!"
"Hahaha! Full Speed Ahead! My Servant is the World's Number One! Defeat does not exist for us!"
"Being praised like that makes me happy!"
"I like honest kids. Personally, I'm more of a Mega-dere fan than a Tsundere fan!"
"Why are they so fast!?"
Castoria's magecraft is amazing!
Thus, after sprinting at full speed, we arrived at the ruined Einzbern Castle. It looked like Ke-sensei (Minamoto-no-Raikou/Ushi Gozen) had just swept through...! Or maybe like Gilgamesh had invaded?
"■■■■■!!!"
"Kuh...!?"
Soon, rushing out from the castle to eliminate the intruders—us—Berserker let out a roar...
What is this? When did I fall to the ground? The overwhelming pressure and the roar made the air tremble, and I just collapsed. What is this...
Ah, right... It's that. It's because this is my first time facing the real thing... It's a common trope not just in Isekai but in many genres. The novice facing a real monster that threatens their life. Damn, how unsightly. Showing such a pathetic state to everyone and Castoria is the worst...
"....You scared my Master, Berserker."
"■■■■■!"
For a moment, the world seemed to stop.
As her magecraft unfolded, Berserker's body abruptly froze! It felt similar to Rin's magecraft shown in Fate/stay night. The magic that suppressed Berserker and forced him to his knees—it felt like a high-dimensional power far surpassing that.
Soon, white light filled the space around her.
"Great Calamity, Great Ritual, Gate Open... Load Rhongomyniad (Leyline Blockade Armament), Round Lance (Knights of the Round Table) - 12 Units Unmoored. Modulation from Rhongomyniad (Leyline Blockade Armament) to Excalibur (Leyline Incineration Armament). Holy Sword, Draw..."
Twelve golden Holy Lances appeared around her. Then, the lances transformed into Holy Swords. This is... what she showed in Avalon. And the Noble Phantasm variation of it as a Berserker (Summer form). She's a Caster, but because it's herself, she can use it...?
The twelve Holy Swords revealed their brilliant forms.
"I will absolutely not forgive that act of targeting my Master. [Hope Will Camelot] (Sword of Hope that Connects Wishes)!!!"
The power that targeted Cernunnos in Britain. A Purging Noble Phantasm recreating that formula. A combination technique of Excalibur and Rhongomyniad. The twelve brilliant lights fired, forming a massive, radiant magical formula that triggered a colossal explosion. A pillar of light, just like Excalibur, soared into the sky.
Shuuuuuuuu....
Just like that, the Einzbern Castle and Berserker vanished without a trace.
"Whoa..."
"Are you alright? You didn't wet yourself, did you?"
"I didn't, okay? It wasn't that bad... though I almost did."
"Is that so? That's a pity."
"Why is that a pity!?"
"Ahem, as long as you are safe."
Seriously...
"...Oi, that wasn't even a Saber... What was that?"
"We don't know either."
"Well... just that she is strong."
"Bu-hi..."
[That is... impossible. Holy Sword Creation? And twelve Holy Lances on top of that? That shouldn't be possible...?]
Am I gathering suspicion... No, the suspicion is on Castoria, so it's fine. I can just wave it away with the convenience of "Servant things." Where Berserker stood, there was a Saint Quartz. I retrieved it. Next are Archer and Saber...
Emiya, your karma awaits...!