Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover-Chapter 608

Chapter 608: Vlad III’s Doubts

"The targets are the rule-breaking Master, Blue Road, and her Servant Lancer." The priest’s voice echoed through the stadium. "The Master who defeats these two will receive a reward."

"Question." Rin raised her hand. "What’s the reward? This is a completely different format from the current war. Are the gains proportional to the risks?"

"Of course." Kirei Kotomine gave Rin an approving glance. "The so-called reward is precisely what you’re all desperately collecting right now—complete combat data displays of your opponents in this round."

"How does such a prize sound to you?"

The announcement sent waves through the crowd. The Masters’ breathing grew rapid as their gazes toward Blue Road and Vlad III gradually filled with greed—and a carefully concealed sense of danger.

With this, as long as they eliminated the rule-breakers, they could obtain complete intelligence on their third-round opponents. For battle, this was an immense advantage!

More quick-witted Masters had already discerned the deeper implications.

"In that case, if our next opponents defeat the rule-breakers first, our own information would be leaked..." Rin rubbed her temple, unable to hide her frustration. "Even those uninterested in this hunt would have to fight just to protect their data."

Whether to seize the grapes for themselves or prevent others from picking them, they couldn’t just call the grapes sour with empty words—they had to take action, either plucking the grapes or cutting down the vine entirely.

This was an arms race where no one could remain neutral.

Meanwhile, Vlad III remained utterly unfazed by the accusatory stares—or perhaps he was simply accustomed to them. He even treated it as leverage as he turned to Kirei Kotomine.

"Kotomine, what benefit would we gain if we eliminated all the Masters instead?"

"—All prior rule violations would be pardoned."

Half his face shrouded in shadow, the black-robed priest curled his lips. "By eliminating so many Masters, you’d also draw one step closer to the Holy Grail."

Vlad III still pondered, but his Master Blue Road had already grown bored enough to sprawl on the ground. Though dressed in a popular fast-food mascot costume, her emaciated frame hinted at some unspeakable illness.

And in the Holy Grail War, the more twisted the individual, the more formidable their power tended to be.

"Does it matter, Lancer? Blue Road’s stomach is growling. We might run into something tasty sooner or later, right?"

"...Hmph."

"Very well, have it your way." Vlad III concealed his amusement within a sigh before suddenly raising his head, his mottled white hair gleaming under the moonlight.

"Good! Good! Good! Deal!"

As he spoke, a ferocious aura erupted from the warrior. His scaled armor flexed, transforming him into something akin to a ghastly demon.

Under the hostile gazes of dozens of Servants, he arrogantly raised his hand and crooked a finger, his gauntlet emitting a mocking clink:

"Those eager to be impaled by my spear—step forward! I’ll slaughter you all!"

The more arrogant the Servants, the harder it was for them to resist such provocation. Several figures immediately leaped down from the high platform, launching attacks at Vlad III. In an instant, the clashing of spears and swords resounded through the sky.

"My, the priest certainly knows how to keep things interesting. He even prepared a little show to keep the guests entertained."

At some point, Nero had also squeezed her way to the front of the platform. She rested her hands on the railing, stretching her curvaceous figure. "But is this setup mimicking Rome’s Colosseum? Umu umu, I’m getting excited!"

As the fifth emperor of Rome, how could Nero resist such a thrilling spectacle? Not to mention, she had once emulated Heracles’ feats, nearly strangling a lion barehanded in the arena.

With that, she braced against the railing, ready to charge into battle. But a strong force yanked her back as someone grabbed the back of her dancing skirt, pulling the willful emperor away.

"Thou—" Nero turned her head and saw who had caught her. "Sakatsuki?"

"Even recklessness has its limits, Your Majesty." Sakatsuki had been closely observing Vlad III’s movements. The moment he recognized that familiar stance, he decisively pulled Nero back.

"Watch. Those Servants are in for serious trouble." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

The next moment, surging magical energy swept across the battlefield. The white-haired warrior grinned ferociously, driving his spear into the ground and clashing his fists together, summoning an unimaginable surge of malevolent energy.

"Only the manifestation of hell is worthy as retribution for immorality! Kazikli Bey!"

The moon in the sky turned blood-red in an instant. A heavy shadow descended, obscuring the wooden stakes piercing upward from below and the blood raining down from above. Even the gasps of the Masters were swallowed by the darkness. When the curtain of destruction lifted, the once-ferocious Servants lay with wide, unwilling eyes, their slit throats emitting faint hisses.

Sharp wooden stakes protruded from the ground, impaling them where they stood!

"Ugh..." Nero shuddered, covering her rear with lingering fear, then shot Sakatsuki a grateful look.

If the young man hadn’t stopped her in time, she might have ended up skewered in front of everyone!

"Gwahahaha!" The gymnasium fell silent, save for Vlad III’s maniacal laughter. The white-haired warrior spread his arms, using the gruesome spectacle to intimidate the Masters. "Well? Are there any more vermin bold enough to step forward and meet their doom?"

The feverish greed in the Masters’ eyes faded as they stared at the triumphant Vlad III, finally regaining their senses—and their fear.

This was a legendary hero of Romanian history, a noble warrior who fought for Wallachia’s independence and was even hailed as the Shield of Christendom—yet also the terrifying figure known as "The Impaler."

This was also the rogue who had slaughtered countless Masters during the preliminaries!

Even Kirei Kotomine had to rally all Servants to actively hunt Vlad III down. How could they afford to underestimate him?

The severely wounded Servants were sent to the infirmary, and after a brief commotion, two more figures stepped forward, their strides steadier than the previous challengers as they ascended the platform.

"Now things are finally getting interesting."

Sensing the serious atmosphere, Vlad III tightened his grip on his war spear and still smiled fearlessly. "Let me try... to kill you all!"

At his command, the Servants clashed once more. It was a perfect opportunity to gather intelligence, yet Sakatsuki withdrew his gaze and turned away bored, preparing to leave.

"Will you not join the fray?" Nero noticed Sakatsuki’s movement. "With your strength, defeating that Lancer would be effortless."

"Pointless." Sakatsuki didn’t even glance back. "Isn’t my opponent for the third round right here?"

Beside the young man, Alice happily munched on the lollipop he had just bought for her, under Hakuno’s envious gaze.

"Besides, stepping onto the stage means exposing combat intelligence. Even if I wanted to kill that guy, it’d be more suitable to do it from the shadows, no?"

"What if I demanded you join the fight?" Rin chimed in. "Look, since Blue Route-kun and her Servant killed my opponent, shouldn’t you help me settle the score with them to fulfill our contract?"

"Good reasoning." Sakatsuki chuckled. "But I refuse."

"Why?!"

"I only promised to help you win the third round. Haven’t you already advanced smoothly?"

"Guh, can’t argue with that." Rin retreated under Sakatsuki’s amused gaze.

How could Sakatsuki not see through Rin’s thoughts? Though he’d secured her advancement to the third round, to prevent her own Servant’s abilities from being exposed, Rin still needed Vlad III eliminated—yet she didn’t want to reveal her hand. So what to do?

Well, wasn’t there a powerful, trustworthy tool—ahem—ally standing right beside her?

Typical Rin, always scheming in layers.

"Let’s go, Hakuno, Alice." Sakatsuki took a step forward. "We still have time to make breakfast when we get back."

Just then, the familiar twang of a bowstring made Sakatsuki pause. He turned toward the gasps from the spectator stands.

The ones besieging Vlad III weren’t just two—a third Servant had hidden among the crowd, seizing the moment when Vlad III caught his breath to pierce his shoulder with an arrow!

"Nice shot, Archer!"

The beast-eared maiden with emerald-green hair drew her bow again, while her Master pumped a fist excitedly—first blood, advantage secured!

Thick blood dripped as Vlad III yanked out the arrow, tilting his head to lock eyes with the archer on the stands, lips curling into a grin.

"Interesting. Is this fate?"

The next instant, the floor beneath Vlad III cratered. Under Artemis’ watchful gaze, the white-haired warrior twisted his wrist like a spring coiled to its limit—and hurled his war spear!

His target: Atlanta, devout follower of the Moon Goddess!

Dozens of meters vanished in an instant. The premonition of death exploded in sync with Atlanta’s heartbeat. Her pupils contracted as her feet instinctively tensed.

Should she flee?

But her Master stood right beside her!

"If she dodges, her Master dies from the spear’s shockwave," Rin instantly assessed the dilemma. "But if she doesn’t, how can an Archer’s frail body block it? Well, unless it’s Sakatsuki, that freak of nature."

"I didn’t expect this Lancer to be so bold, throwing his weapon directly," Nero sighed with regret. "What a pity for Atlanta, such a beautiful woman about to meet her end..."

Just as the two were lamenting, Alice quietly raised her small hand.

"Um, big brother Mad Hatter is missing."

"Eh?!"

Boom!

A distant explosion answered Rin and Nero’s confusion. The crimson color rising wasn’t blood, but a fluttering cloak burning like flames!

Clad in his red mystic code, the young man calmly extended his hand. The spear that struck like a venomous dragon’s bite was blocked by the seven rings of the Seraph. As the momentum dissipated, Sakatsuki dismissed the barrier and actually grabbed Vlad III’s spear, swinging it to point directly at its original owner!

"Are you alright?" Under the moonlight, Sakatsuki glanced sideways as Atlanta stood stunned before nodding hesitantly.

Meanwhile, Nero and Rin exchanged bewildered looks.

"Sakatsuki... didn’t he say he wasn’t planning to participate in the battle?"

"That two-timing stallion..."

Leaving aside the two gritting their teeth, Sakatsuki chuckled upon receiving his answer. With a single step, he landed at the center of the stadium, casually twirling the spear in his hand.

"We meet again, Lancer. Is this another turn of fate?"

"You..." Vlad III muttered warily, eyeing the enigmatic young man from the preliminaries. After a moment, his expression changed dramatically as if seeing something unbelievable, exclaiming in shock:

"No, you’re not him!"

"Just who... are you?!"