Undoubtedly, as the first Servant battle triggered by Ruler, the events of this night had already been fully observed by the surveillance familiars dispatched by both sides.
However, what caught both the Red and Black Factions completely off guard was that the one who left the deepest impression on them during this initial battle was neither the Red Faction's Caster, the Queen of Britain, Morgan, nor the Black Faction's Dragon-Slaying Hero, Siegfried, who descended in the strongest class, Saber, nor even the extra-class Ruler possessing cheat-like abilities.
To everyone's surprise, the most eye-catching person wasn't even a Servant, but the Red Caster's Master: Kotomine Souya.
When Amakusa and the Empress saw Souya fighting and defeating the Black Saber with a mortal body through their pigeon familiars, even Amakusa—who knew from his correspondence with the Kotomine family that Souya's personal strength was not inferior to an ordinary Servant—was greatly shocked after watching that scene unfold.
If Souya had defeated Caster or Assassin, whose raw combat strength was relatively weak, it would be understandable. But that was Saber!
Whether in a standard Holy Grail War or a Subcategory one, the notion that the Saber class is the strongest and most balanced class is practically common knowledge.
And with a little thought, one would know that no matter how impoverished or weak the Yggdmillennia clan was, in order to win this Holy Grail War they had planned for 60 years, the Saber they chose would absolutely not be weak.
So when Amakusa realized that the Souya in his impression was no longer that little brother who always approached him with a humble attitude to discuss questions, he began to seriously consider how to face the current him.
Although he firmly believed that Souya, who also possessed the aptitude of a Saint, would definitely understand his great ideal, believing was one thing; preparing was another.
After all, to schemers like them, a person with overwhelming strength is inherently a variable.
However, compared to Amakusa's side, the Black Faction felt far more anxiety after viewing these scenes through Roche's flying familiars.
After all, judging from the current faction alignment, Souya was undoubtedly their enemy.
Thus, when Gordes rode the black sedan back to the Millennia Fortress with Siegfried, he was immediately summoned by Vlad III, the "Lord."
Tch, Darnic is really doing a worse and worse job as the clan head! To actually let a familiar like a Servant sit on his head and issue orders... it's a humiliating disgrace to our Yggdmillennia clan!
Although he was dissatisfied and disdainful of Darnic's method of interacting, accommodating his Servant's temperament, Darnic was currently the nominal leader of the Yggdmillennia clan. His power over the family and control over the various branches were far beyond what the current Gordes could compare to.
So no matter how indignant he was, Gordes ultimately swallowed his temper. As soon as he got out of the car, without even changing his dirty clothes, he went to the grand hall of the family castle and met the pitch-black King sitting high upon the throne, Vlad III, as well as Darnic, who stood respectfully by his side, acting much like a vassal.
Looking down at Gordes, who was bowing to him with a reluctant face beneath the throne, and Siegfried, who appeared beside him—having mostly recovered everywhere except for the dimmed rune on his chest representing the "Armor of Fafnir"—Vlad III tilted his head slightly to look at Darnic beside him.
As the person who understood power best in the Clock Tower, Darnic naturally understood what the Lord meant. He proactively stepped forward and said to Gordes:
"Report the situation and results of your actions tonight, Gordes."
"Yes."
When it came to serious matters, Gordes restrained his emotions and began to describe what he had seen and heard in detail.
"According to Caster's prediction, I arrived at the intersection where Ruler was about to appear in advance and waited. But after waiting there for a long time, no one showed up. Just then, Saber sensed the aura of a Servant, so we followed the aura and hurried over."
"There, we saw the Red Caster and her Master attack Ruler and trap her with magecraft. Seeing the situation, I originally planned to wait until they tried to kill Ruler to seize the opportunity to attack them. That way, we could try to kill the opposing Servant—whose close-combat strength was relatively weak—and at the same time use the opportunity to build a good relationship with Ruler, seeing if we could pull her into our faction to fight against the Red Faction."
At this point, Gordes fell silent. Although his eyes were full of resistance, he ultimately spoke with a low voice:
"But I didn't expect that they not only had taken precautions long ago, but the Red Caster's Master—that guy named Kotomine Souya—actually possessed the strength to contend with a Servant, and even fight against my Saber, Siegfried..."
"Hold a moment, Saber's Master."
Before Gordes could finish, the Lord, who had been listening from his throne, suddenly interrupted him.
Ignoring Gordes's aggrieved and resentful look, the Lord propped his chin on his hand in thought while looking at Siegfried, who had been silent.
"Regarding this matter, I wish to hear the thoughts of the person who actually fought that young priest. So you shall explain the rest."
"Understood."
Hearing this, Siegfried glanced at his Master. Seeing that although Gordes's face looked as ugly as if he had eaten a fly, he didn't object, Siegfried hesitated slightly, then began to speak.
"The young man I fought is named Kotomine Souya. He claimed his goal is to become a Saint. He also initiated the battle with me. As for his purpose, although I am unclear, according to what he said, it should be to awaken some kind of original power."
"Kotomine Souya, Saint, power..."
Softly chewing over these words, Vlad III turned his gaze to Darnic.
"Darnic, do you know anything about this name?"
Hearing this, Darnic lowered his head in thought, then shook his head and said:
"I apologize, my King. I have no impression or memory related to him. But judging from his attire and speech, he should belong to the opposing faction of the Mage's Association—the other of the two major organizations governing the mystery of this world: the Holy Church, or rather, the derivative or mystical side of Christianity."
"Oh? Does that mean this young man is someone who believes in the glory of the Lord, just like me?"
Hearing this, a look of interest flowed into the Lord's originally somewhat gloomy eyes.
But he didn't focus on this question for long. After pondering slightly, he turned his gaze back to Siegfried and asked the question he already knew the answer to.
"Then, what was the outcome of the battle?"
"I apologize, Lord King. Due to my carelessness, I lost to him. Therefore, I request that you punish me."
Facing this question, Siegfried had anticipated it long ago. He didn't intend to excuse himself. Whether he went easy on him or was careless, a loss was ultimately a loss. There was nothing to defend.
But his Master, Gordes, clearly didn't think so.
"Hey, hey, this was just an accident! Who could have imagined that a guy looking so weak was actually hiding such strength! This is not Saber's fault!"
Seeming displeased that Gordes would interrupt his conversation with Siegfried and make such a racket, the Lord frowned slightly.
Seeing this, Darnic hurriedly stepped forward and stopped Gordes with a severe tone.
"Shut up! Gordes! As a Master of the Black Faction, you are also one of our King's vassals. What is the meaning of interrupting the King and Saber's conversation with no regard for your image! Furthermore, a defeat is a defeat. The King will decide Saber's punishment; you have no right to speak out of turn! Step back immediately!"
"Tch!"
Hearing this, Gordes instinctively clenched his fists, the flames of anger igniting in his eyes.
Seeing this, Siegfried's expression instantly changed. But just as he was about to kneel and plead for his Master, the Lord suddenly raised a hand to stop it all.
"Enough. No more arguing."
He stood up from the throne. He first glanced at Darnic. Seeing the other party hurriedly adopt a respectful attitude, he didn't say anything more. Instead, he turned his head to look at Siegfried and Gordes below.
"Although, as a general of my faction, Saber, you lost this opening battle due to momentary carelessness, according to military law, you should rightfully be punished. But I am not a pedantic person, and this war is no ordinary war. As a hero, you need not blame yourself. The honor a warrior loses can simply be won back with the sword later."
"I understand. Thank you, Lord King."
Hearing this, Siegfried finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the sullen fire in Gordes's eyes slowly cooled down.
"Then, the most urgent task we must consider and address is how to handle the combat power of this extra Servant on the opposing side, and what kind of changes this young man named Kotomine will bring to us."
As he spoke, the Lord paced down from the throne. While speaking, as if sensing something, his gaze passed over Siegfried and Gordes, landing on a cluster of flower petals drifting in through the window.
At the same time, the sound of knocking came from the main doors of the grand hall.
"Regarding this matter, I would much rather hear the opinions of the sages."
Seeing this, a smile graced the lips of Lord Vlad III.