Shinji Matou At Your Service

It seems that many rulers, regardless of civilization, race, or country, enjoy the feeling of looking down from on high, overseeing the masses. Over time, castles and palaces have been built with the residences of their owners located at the highest points.

Millennia Castle, a medieval fortress, is no exception. Naturally, this is where Vlad III resides.

Usually, he and his Master and subordinate, Darnic, stay here. Their daily routine consists of gazing at the scenery, tasting red wine, drinking tea, playing chess, and chatting. Vlad III has spent most of his two months in the modern world in this manner.

Today, with no enemies invading their territory and no tasks to handle, the two of them sat by the window, playing chess as usual.

The chessboard on the table was a traditional one for international chess, but the pieces were replaced with ones representing the seven main Servant classes, divided into red and black colors. Additionally, a golden cup representing the Holy Grail was placed in the middle of the board.

The rules of the game were also modified: the first to touch the Holy Grail would be the winner.

The intention was clear—this was for the current Holy Grail War.

Vlad III picked up the red Berserker piece and placed it next to the black Berserker piece. The carved figure of the rampaging beast faced the red side of the board.

"With this, we now have seven pieces. Although this piece is somewhat unruly, we still have an advantage over the red side's six pieces."

"However, if the red side is as formidable as we estimate in the worst-case scenario, our advantage wouldn't be so obvious."

Darnic ran his hand over the six pieces in front of him, focusing on the Saber and Caster pieces.

Based on their previous discussions, the red side's top-tier Servant limit was four, with Karna and Achilles already confirmed. Although Archer's archery skills were excellent, Siegfried and Chiron judged that her overall strength was still significantly below the other two. Due to its inherent weaknesses, Assassin was unlikely to be one of their top-tier Servants. This left only Saber, the best class, and Caster, about whom there was no information.

"Additionally, we must consider the possibility that Black Lancer could be one of their pieces."

"Therefore, to ensure victory, Caster's Noble Phantasm is essential." Mentioning this made Vlad III furious. "Damn that Rider, bringing along that homunculus, otherwise—there's no substitute, is there?"

"No," Darnic shook his head, his tone regretful. "Among our clan, only the seven Masters and that homunculus meet the criteria for a 'core.' If it were second-rate or third-rate magi, I could gather as many as needed. But first-rate magi aren't something you can just prepare on a whim."

While they could confirm that the enemy had six first-rate magi, it would be quicker to kill them directly and cut off their Servants' mana supply rather than capturing them to use as "cores."

"If necessary, we can select one of our Masters who has lost their Servant. Although first-rate magi are precious resources in any family, these sacrifices are necessary for the prosperity of the Yggdmillennia clan."

"What if it's me who retreats first?"

"The same applies!"

Darnic's ruthlessness and determination moved Vlad III.

"I understand why you summoned me. Your essence is the same as mine—achieving your goals by any means necessary."

"This is the highest praise for me," Darnic slightly bowed, "and I ask the Count to be prepared, if necessary—"

"I will use my second Noble Phantasm!" Vlad III was equally resolute. "However, it is truly ironic to use the power derived from the very stigma I wish to erase."

Vlad III's heroic reputation was mostly confined to Romania. Outside Romania, his image was distorted into that of a monster, earning him the world-renowned title of the infamous vampire—Count Dracula.

The name "Dracula" originally meant "Son of the Dragon" and had nothing to do with vampires. However, due to his excessively bloody actions, his enemies attached various evil labels to him. Later, he was continually vilified in numerous literary works, ultimately shaping the "Count Dracula" image, which was completely different from who he was.

Heroic Spirits originate from faith and human perception. When a certain image becomes the mainstream perception, the Heroic Spirit will also be influenced by it.

This is the case for Vlad III. He detests the stigma forced upon him, and his wish for the Holy Grail is to erase this shame.

Upon hearing the Count's lament, Darnic remained unmoved and simply said, "History is written by the victors."

"Yes, history is written by the victors."

If Vlad III had laughed until the end of his time, perhaps future generations would not have attached so many evil names to him, and he would not have become Count Dracula.

And now, as long as he achieves the final victory, the stigma will be washed away, and his past will have no bearing on him.

Vlad III saw this very clearly. However, his pride and the ground he stood on destined him not to tarnish himself unless necessary.

"I will be the final victor. For this, I will use all available power. Has the Master for Red Berserker been decided?"

"Not yet."

"Then it shall be Caster. Because of this incident, he lost his 'core'; consider this compensation for him."

"But the Command Seals for forming the contract..." Darnic hesitated slightly.

"Have Rider's Master transfer one seal. She bears responsibility for Rider's rebellion due to her oversight." A superior should be clear in rewards and punishments, and Vlad III excelled in this regard.

"Understood."

Neither Vlad III nor Darnic had any particular expectations for Berserker's Master. As long as they could induce Berserker to go berserk at the specified time and place, anyone would suffice. Caster, being a magus, naturally met this requirement.

As for Celenike, as Vlad III mentioned, she bore joint responsibility. Moreover, because Rider was to be used as a pawn, she might very likely become the "core" of the Caster's Noble Phantasm. In Darnic's mind, she had already been marginalized.

"Still no news from Black Lancer?"

"No," Darnic sighed.

Since Black Lancer's brief appearance that night, the entire Yggdmillennia clan had been searching for her, trying to determine which side she was on. Her last words were intriguing, suggesting she might not be a pawn of the Red faction, giving Darnic hope for recruitment.

To this day, he had confirmed that Black Lancer's Master was not Sagara Hyouma. However, the Holy Grail War was the priority. As long as Black Lancer could be used for their side, Darnic didn't mind collaborating, even if Sagara Hyouma had indeed died at her hands. Of course, if cooperation was refused, there would be nothing more to discuss; she would be eliminated.

Yet, Black Lancer had not appeared again, leaving them at an impasse.

As Darnic was troubled over Black Lancer, there was a knock on the door.

P.S.: Once again, emphasizing that the personalities of Lancer and Berserker are different. Lancer embodies the extreme facets of a hero, while Berserker is different, being a calm madman.