In the sky, Astolfo rode the Hippogriff closer to the Matou Family residence. Luvia and Bazett were both seated on the Hippogriff's back, with Luvia holding a telescope made of a gem, observing the Matou home.
This was a Mystic Code imbued with Clairvoyance magic, one of Luvia's minor treasures.
As the trio and the Hippogriff drew nearer, Luvia suddenly spotted a familiar figure atop the castle!
"Over there! Is that Archer!?"
It was Red Archer! Luvia saw Red Archer standing on the castle roof, seemingly unharmed.
"Let's get closer and take a look."
"Alright!"
As the Hippogriff approached the castle, Luvia continued to scan the surroundings, wary of an ambush. When they were about two kilometers from the Matou Family residence, Luvia suddenly saw it! Red Archer! He had drawn his longbow!
"Watch out!"
*"Boom!!"*
Luvia cried out in alarm! The next second, a streak of light shot towards them at an incredible speed, even creating a sonic boom!
"Screech!"
Fortunately, Astolfo and the Hippogriff had been fully alert and focused! They dodged sideways immediately! But then, a rapid succession of shots followed!
"Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!"
"Ah! That guy!"
Astolfo hunched down, controlling the Hippogriff through a series of difficult evasive maneuvers. Luckily, they were still far enough away, giving him ample time to dodge. If they had been any closer, he might have been forced to use the Hippogriff's special ability.
"Astolfo, retreat! Create some distance!"
"Understood!"
Astolfo pulled on the Hippogriff, making it quickly ascend and retreat, putting distance between them.
Seeing this, Red Archer breathed a sigh of relief, but then a chilling laugh suddenly echoed from behind him.
"Hehehe~ How merciful of you, what a disgusting sentiment! Have you forgotten the orders I gave you?!"
As the voice appeared, a circle of runes materialized around Red Archer's neck!
"Ugh!"
Red Archer's expression instantly became incredibly pained, and blood even began to seep from his neck!
"Hmph, stop slacking off. Quickly use your Noble Phantasm to attack!"
"..."
Red Archer knew that if he didn't obey, the malicious woman behind him might truly kill him on the spot.
He didn't want to die, or rather, he didn't want to die so ignominiously. He wanted to preserve this body, at least... to help Tohsaka Rin and her allies obtain the Holy Grail! Even if the contract was no more!
"My apologies, Astolfo! I hope you can forgive me!"
As he spoke, a spiraling longsword appeared in Red Archer's hand! He drew the longsword onto his bowstring, and a red array pattern appeared at his feet, charging the spiraling longsword!
"Crack, crack, crack!"
The spiraling longsword immediately began to show cracks! Aiming at the Hippogriff in the sky! Red Archer released his fingers!
"Broken Phantasm!"
*"Bang!"*
The sword flew! Instantly appearing near Astolfo and the others! Then!
*"Boom!!"*
The longsword shattered! A terrifying explosion bloomed in the sky! Everything within hundreds of meters was obliterated! One sword, cleared the area!
"Hahaha! Good, very merciless. This arrow is acceptable. Do it like this; whoever dares to approach, make them disappear with this move. Guard this place well, my handsome traitor."
The voice controlling Red Archer faded away. Red Archer gripped the longbow in his hand, but eventually, he let it dissipate.
"Astolfo... Rin... I'm sorry..."
In the forest below the explosion.
"Wow, Red Archer is really ruthless. Good thing we ran fast, otherwise, it would have been terrible..."
Astolfo patted the Hippogriff's head, looking like he'd just escaped a disaster.
The recent explosion couldn't affect them. The Hippogriff was a B+ ranked Phantasmal Beast Noble Phantasm, possessing the ability to hide in the "backside of the world" to avoid any attacks, known as [Dimensional Leap].
Although it consumed a lot of magical energy, there was no other choice. At that moment, their lives were more important.
"Archer... he's being controlled."
Luvia had seen clearly just now. There was a restriction on Red Archer's neck; that was what was controlling Red Archer.
"What should we do now? Should we go save him?"
Astolfo turned to ask.
"No, let's go back first. Now that we know Archer is here and is not in immediate danger, it'll be easier. We'll go back and plan carefully."
"Alright! Let's head back then."
"Mm, don't fly for now! Let them think we've been eliminated."
"No problem! My Hippogriff can run pretty fast too!"
"Screech~"
Inside the Matou Family's ancient castle, Matou Sakura sat on a throne. At her feet, a vast red magic circle spread out, pulsating like a heartbeat.
The black-robed woman appeared from the side and, after inspecting the magic circle on the ground, spoke.
"Everything is going smoothly, Master. Red Archer is also very useful, excellent material for a watchdog. Now, in just one more day, my Noble Phantasm will rise, and I will reign over this land."
Matou Sakura opened her eyes, a smile playing on her lips.
"His reliability has never disappointed me. However, Assassin, we have many enemies, not just one Archer."
"Don't worry, Master. With the materials you've given me, once my Noble Phantasm is complete, they will be nothing to fear. And even without my Noble Phantasm, I am confident I can confront all of them. Victory will surely be ours."
The black-robed woman was very confident. Matou Sakura had given her many materials, all treasures accumulated by the Matou Family over countless years. Among them were the materials she needed to construct her Noble Phantasm, as well as several other good items.
What she liked most were the insects with magical circuit properties, which she could use to create many adorable little creatures.
"That's good. I look forward to your performance, Assassin."
Matou Sakura smiled and closed her eyes. She didn't notice that, at that moment, many red lines were appearing on her body, and her originally light purple eyes were beginning to shift towards a deep red.
Astolfo and the others returned to the Emiya Residence and recounted everything they had seen and experienced to everyone.
Tohsaka Rin was stunned when she heard that Red Archer had attacked Astolfo and the others with his Noble Phantasm.
"Good thing you're not dead," Mo Shuying said after listening, his only comment.
"It's pretty much confirmed that the Matou Family has another Heroic Spirit Servant, likely Assassin. And her Master..." Mo Shuying glanced at Tohsaka Rin and continued, "is most likely Matou Sakura."
"!?"
Hearing Mo Shuying mention Matou Sakura, Tohsaka Rin's spirit seemed to stir.
"How is that possible? Sakura, she—!"
Tohsaka Rin didn't believe it. In her eyes, Matou Sakura had no semblance or ability of a Mage.
"Perhaps you haven't noticed, but it's the truth. Sakura's aptitude is no less than yours. In fact, this way you can also rest assured. At least, Sakura won't be in danger, right?"
"..."
Tohsaka Rin fell silent, saying nothing more.
"The issue we need to discuss now is how to resolve this. The opponent has the ability to sever contracts and control Servants. It can be said that despite being an Assassin, she is very proficient in magecraft. I'm thinking of someone, a very ancient empress. She was also an exceptionally skilled Mage, and the world's first poisoner."
When Mo Shuying said this, Luvia and Tohsaka Rin, who were both well-versed in history, seemed to guess something.
"Could it be her? The Queen who once reigned over the Assyrian Empire? Semiramis?"
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