["Um... guys? Have you all forgotten about me?"]
A voice came from Mash's shield.
"Oh, hi Doctor Roman, I completely forgot you were there," Gudako raised her hand in greeting.
"Who's that?" Cu turned to ask.
"Ah, he's an ally. He's currently trying to help us," Mash replied as Fou sat on her shoulder.
"Modern technology, huh? You must be from some organization sent to handle this mess, right?"
"Yes, we're from Chaldea. Our mission is to protect humanity."
"Chaldea? Never heard of it."
[Alright everyone, instead of chatting, HOW ABOUT WE BE MORE CAREFUL AND PREPARE FOR DEFENSE??]
"Huh? What do you mean—"
[IT MEANS A SERVANT IS ABOUT TO ATTACK!!!!] Roman shouted before Olga could finish.
An arm flew in at high speed, catching everyone off guard.
Mash rushed forward, using her shield to block it.
The arm returned to its owner, a servant shrouded in darkness.
"What?" Cu was surprised, staring at the figure.
"You know who that is?" Nura asked beside him.
"Of course. I'm just... a bit surprised."
"WHAT SERVANT IS THAT?! TELL US QUICKLY!!" Olga shouted in panic, making Cu cover his ears.
"Alright, missy. That's an Assassin."
"Huh?! I thought you said the Assassin was killed by Saber?!"
"Yeah, I saw it myself. But now he's in front of us again… Looks like the Holy Grail's mud has revived him?"
"Found a new prey, huh? The Holy Grail… belongs to me,"
Assassin said in a deep voice — clearly not someone friendly.
"I'll handle this!" Mash stepped forward and planted her shield into the ground.
"H-Hey, letting her fight a Servant alone isn't a good idea— WHY ARE YOU ALL SITTING DOWN DRINKING SAKE??"
Olga turned to see Cu, Nura, Gudako, and Fou putting down snacks, small cups, and pouring sake from a gourd.
"Wow, this is good. Where'd you get it?" Cu praised after a sip.
"A youkai gave it to me. I don't usually drink this, but today's an exception. Here, Master, have a cup."
"Wow, thanks Nura!... AGH!! SO HOT!!"
The two servants laughed heartily while Fou looked over at Mash with concern.
'I can't believe this... our lives are hanging by a thread and they're drinking sake... and now there's even a cherry blossom tree blooming behind Gudako's Servant — this makes no logical sense!!'
Mash started crying internally. Although she said she'd handle it, she hoped someone would at least watch her and assess her strength.
But it's okay — she seems to be winning! The Assassin is starting to retreat!
"YAHHH!!" Mash swung her shield hard, landing a direct hit on the Assassin's neck with a loud crack.
'Success!'
But right after, the Assassin twisted his neck back into place and stared at her.
"That hurt."
"S-Sorry?"
[Mash! A Servant is approaching! Get out of the way!]
Mash panicked and looked up to see a Japanese man with countless weapons on his back, a serious expression, and a brown cloth covering his face.
In an instant, she blocked with her shield. The Servant's weapon clashed against it, sending out a shockwave.
"FOU FOU!!" Seeing the danger, Fou nudged Cu and Nura.
"Hm? Oh, another Servant. Guess we better help the little girl," Cu stood up, still a bit tipsy.
Nura glanced over and immediately recognized who it was.
[That's a Lancer. Be careful!]
Olga was worried but sighed in relief when the two finally stopped drinking.
Meanwhile, Gudako was sleeping soundly — infuriatingly so.
"I'll take their heads, Lancer," Assassin said. Lancer said nothing but stared at the oddly long-haired Servant across from him.
"How does it feel pretending to be Benkei?"
The man's eyes widened as he looked at the Servant.
"How do you know?"
"I've heard your story. Your tale of Benkei wasn't much different from others, but the way you told it — filled with admiration and praise — Kaison."
Everyone looked confused, not understanding what Nurarihyon meant — except Benkei. No, it was Hitachibou Kaison.
"So it's you... didn't think I'd meet you here, Youkai."
"Likewise. I didn't think your desire to become Benkei was so strong that you truly became him. Good for you." Nura smiled, without mockery.
"Finished talking?" A flying hand shot toward Nura but was stopped by rune magic.
Assassin glared at Cu, who was preparing another rune spell.
"Not to interrupt your reunion, but we are on a battlefield," Cu reminded him.
"Sorry, sorry. Just got carried away seeing an old friend."
He drew a short katana and pointed it at Benkei.
"Kaison… no, Benkei, I hope you live up to that name," his golden eyes locked onto Benkei's.
"...I surely will. Because I am Benkei!"
All four Servants immediately clashed.
Cu took on Assassin, while Nura faced Lancer.
Lancer lunged forward, swinging his long weapon upward from the ground, creating a small shockwave.
But all he hit was a strange black mist, which made him stop.
Suddenly, Nura appeared behind him, aiming a slash at his neck — but golden energy flared up around Lancer, forcing Nura to retreat.
That golden energy shot into the sky as Lancer drew two swords from his back and attacked.
Nura blocked the twin slashes with his katana, dropped to the ground, and kicked at Lancer's legs —
But Lancer stood firm. That might've been a bad move.
Lancer swung at Nura, but once again, all he hit was smoke.
"This trick won't work again!" he shouted, stomping the ground to cause a tremor.
"Where are you even aiming?"
Lancer flinched and looked up at a utility pole.
Nura stood there calmly, his katana resting on his shoulder.
He pulled out a pipe, took a puff, and blew out a stream of smoke.
"You don't seem to be taking this fight seriously, Youkai."
"No, no, I'm the leader. I give orders; I don't usually fight head-on. Though I don't mind it much either."
Unluckily for Nura, if he had been summoned as a Saber, he could have easily matched Benkei. He was a straightforward warrior, never hiding, always fighting fiercely — going all out against strong foes was normal for him.
But as an Assassin, it would be foolish to fight directly. His stats were clearly lower —
However, in exchange, his already high stealth abilities were now ranked EX.
Still… whether Assassin or not, he would not lose.
A black mist surrounded him as his golden eyes glowed and his pupils turned into the black.
"Benkei, let's see how many blows you can take and still stand."
A whisper echoed in Lancer's ear — he slashed wildly, but hit nothing.
Slash!
A cut landed right on his chin. He retaliated with another flurry of swings.
Then he heard a noise and struck in that direction —
Fortunately for him, Nura had revealed his true form.
Unfortunately, his reach was just enough to land a strike.
One slash — from shoulder to head — and Lancer's blood spilled.
Even so, Lancer didn't fall.
He stood firm, gripping his weapon with his remaining hand, glaring at Nura, who remained calm.
The two then charged and struck at the same time.
Slash!
They passed by each other, then stopped.
Nura stood still, blood seeping from his shoulder.
He turned to look at Lancer —
Still standing, clutching his weapon, blood pouring from his chest wound.
Nura smiled, looked at the man for a moment, then walked away.
Lancer stayed where he was, smiling faintly.
Particles of light began to rise from his body.
Musashibou Benkei was famous for his legendary "standing death," symbolizing unwavering loyalty even in death.
And now, he had done exactly the same — dying as Benkei, in the exact same way.
Even if he was a fake… his name was now carved into the Throne of Heroes as Benkei.
That alone was enough.