Chapter 264 - Saber and Iri meet Caster

On a night as silent as this, a silver beast flew by.

Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe. The waving, sleek and aerodynamic body with a scent of antiquity looked like a noble lady, while the roar of the Straight-6 SOHC engine was like that of a wild beast. And behind the handlebars of the classic sedan boldly cruising at over 100 kilometers per hour - unexpectedly - were the slender wrists of a young lady.

"Hey, hey, this is going fast, isn't it?"

Irisviel said, who held the steering wheel and whose face was full of contented smiles. Sitting in the passenger seat, Saber's face was full of nervousness, and she barely managed a stiff smile and nod.

"C-certainly, you unexpectedly drive... rather... very skillfully..."

"Right? I had special training, though it may not seem like it."

That said, and based on the unfamiliar way of handling the gears, she was far from being a versed driver.

"Among all the toys Kiritsugu brought to the Einzbern castle, this is my favorite. I always did nothing but drive around the castle grounds, and today is the first time I'm driving in such a wide place. It's wonderful!"

"A toy, huh..."

There would be no objection to calling something like a skateboard or a bicycle a toy. But for a machine with a speed of over 100 kilometers per hour on a winding road, it's a confusion of sorts. People would never call things that can endanger their lives after the slightest mistakes in ordinary situations a toy.

Apparently, Emiya Kiritsugu had specially prepared this car at the Einzbern castle long before. Irisviel and Saber could have transportation other than walking once they arrived at Fuyuki.

For more than half a month, this car was parked in the hotel's underground car park. Now they were driving this precious car to the Einzbern castle residence.

"Hmm. Wait a minute, Irisviel. Weren't you driving on the right side just a while ago?"

"Ah, that's right."

Irisviel casually nodded as if it was just a small mistake. The car gave a jolt and moved onto the traffic lane.

Irisviel had never been outside the Einzbern castle since she was born; for her, it's obviously her first time driving on a highway. Saber had been paying attention to her space of vision ever since they left. Irisviel obviously doesn't know anything about traffic signs. Although it's written in the law that you must drive on the left, it seems Irisviel doesn't know that either.

At least she understood a little about what traffic lights meant, but that only went so far as to consider slowing down at the sight of red light... Even though it's just now midnight and there's little traffic, it would be a miracle for them to reach their destination safely.

"... Is there still a long way to go before we reach the Einzbern castle in these lands?"

"I heard it would only take an hour to get there by car. When we're close, we should be able to see it..." Saber kept wishing that this dangerous journey would end, even if it was just a second sooner. It's already very fortunate that no cars are coming towards them on the midnight highway. Still, the fact that the undulating road posed great danger filled Saber's blood with adrenaline, as if she was just before a battle. As a Servant, she possessed extraordinary reflexes and strength and could immediately carry Irisviel out of the car to escape should danger arise. However, the legendary sports car would then be reduced to an unrecognizable pile of scrap metal. That didn't match Saber's simple economy.

"...Wouldn't it have been better to hire a chauffeur?"

"Of course not. That would be bori- no, that would be too dangerous. After all, once we enter Fuyuki City, we can be attacked by other Masters at any time. Weren't you the one who didn't want to see innocent people involved in this, Saber?"

"That's true..."

Just what's more dangerous in the middle of the mountain road: being attacked by other Masters or Irisviel's driving skills? - Saber was half-seriously considering this question when a cold surge reached her senses like the edge of a sword.

"Stop the car!"

"What?"

Not understanding Saber's sudden warning, Irisviel asked absent-mindedly.

Saber didn't have time to explain. She forcibly extended her torso to the driver's seat, took control of the steering wheel with one hand, and put her left foot on the brake toe first.

Fortunately, the car maintained a straight line during the abrupt braking instead of spinning furiously.

The Mercedes' tires skidded on the asphalt, emitting clouds of white smoke. As the car's uncontrollable sliding continued, Saber once again confirmed the sensation that set her nerves on edge.

This was undoubtedly the scent of a Servant. Speaking of the king.

"Saber, that's-"

Irisviel fell silent. A strange-looking figure emerged on the remote stretch of the road illuminated by the Mercedes' headlights.

The tall figure before them, as if not considering the danger of the walking car, stood unperturbed in the middle of the road.

A luxurious cloak of antique design; blood-red patterns adorned the black cloth. Those abnormally large eyes were reminiscent of nocturnal animals. Even ignoring these bizarre features, no ordinary traveler would appear in a place like this at this hour.

The car's momentum was overcome by the wheels' friction, and the Mercedes finally came to a halt. There were only ten meters between the car and the figure in front of it.

"... Saber?"

Saber quickly analyzed the situation and then said to Irisviel:

"Get out of the car as soon as I do. But don't go far."

If the opponent is a Servant, a car with its iron structure would be as fragile as a single cardboard box. If they were to stay in the car, they would be defenseless. After all, it's better to move to a better defensive position.

Saber opened the gull-wing door and set her feet into the frigid night. Mixed with the smell of trees rustling in the night wind was the pungent stench of burning tires.

The figure in front of his eyes was different from those he had seen before. If it is a Servant she has not yet encountered, it must be Caster, or perhaps Assassin... was what Saber thought.

Although Saber and Irisviel, who did not know about the ruse carried out at the Tohsaka residence the other night, could not eliminate the possibility of Assassin, this Servant who neither escaped nor fled, but stood proudly in front of them, did not seem to be Assassin. By elimination, there was only one conclusion - the figure in front of them is Caster. However...

Is the expression on his face really the expression of a warrior about to start a battle?

The confused King of Knights examined the opponent's countenance again.

He was smiling, which in itself was understandable. For a warrior to be wrapped in joy as he faced his determined place of death was not uncommon. But that was not Caster's expression. It was as if they were long-separated brothers finally reunited, a face glowing so purely with delight that it was almost annoying...

Before the bewildered Saber could challenge him, Caster betrayed her expectations and acted.

Caster arched his head respectfully, knelt on the asphalt road like a courtier presenting himself before the king.

"I have been waiting, your majesty the holy maiden."

"Huh...?"

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