The Red Faction

Church.

"Is everyone here?"

With dark skin and silver-white hair, a priest known as Kotomine Shirou asked as he rose slowly from in front of a statue. He wore a gentle smile, scanning the empty church.

"Saber and Archer are the only ones left."

A beautiful woman in black luxurious attire and long black hair appeared behind him and replied while carrying a goblet in her hand. Her delicate face carried a playful smile.

"Would Master like to taste the poison I carefully prepared?"

"Well, that would be an honor. I'll make sure to enjoy it after the Holy Grail War ends." Shirou declined the offer from his Servant with a smile.

A slender hand suddenly reached over, unceremoniously taking the goblet from the woman in black.

The newcomer took a sip and sighed.

"Oh my, it's actually real poison. You're quite a ruthless woman, ehh~"

This was a woman in an indigo and purple hooded cloak and a purple robe. Her lips, painted with purple lipstick, gave off a mysterious and creepy feeling, resembling a legendary witch. Though her face was hidden under the hood, her mysterious aura seemed to convey a sense of breathtaking beauty.

Observing the purple lipstick mark on the goblet, the woman in black, Semiramis, had her forehead formed numerous crosses.

"I don't think you have the qualifications to judge me, Princess of Colchis—or should I say, the Witch of Betrayal?" Semiramis said with a sneer.

"Dare to say it again?"

The woman in purple, Medea, responded with her voice turned as cold as frost. Though her face was unseen, it surely carried a frosty expression under the hood.

Without any incantation, a complex magic circle appeared instantly behind Medea, emitting a powerful aura that made the entire church tremble slightly.

Semiramis soon snapped her fingers, stabilizing the church instantly. At the same time, dozens of magic circles appeared on the walls, all aimed at Medea.

Two Servants, both skilled in magecraft, confronted each other without backing down. The gaze between their eyes seemed to clash like lightning, exuding a strong scent of gunpowder.

Shirou, rubbing his temples in distress, stood with a helpless smile in front of Semiramis.

"I apologize, Caster. I, on behalf of Assassin, apologize for the disrespectful remarks. Please don't be angry."

He said while bowing slightly to Medea, then turned to Semiramis, and spoke with a gentle tone.

"You shouldn't be upset either. We are companions now. If you want to win this war, you have to cooperate with Caster."

Semiramis and Medea exchanged a cold glance, then immediately looked away, each snorting coldly before vanishing into spiritual form.

"Can't handle just two women, Father Kotomine? Quite embarrassing."

A man's voice suddenly echoed.

Golden particles flowed, and a man dressed in a white robe with an ancient staff and adorned with golden accessories, like a radiant sun, appeared.

"If it were I, within a day, I would have them obediently kneel before me."

"No way... after all, you are the supreme pharaoh, while I am just a humble mortal." Shirou responded with a humble smile.

"Hahahaha!" The man called as the supreme pharaoh laughed loudly. "Yes, that's how it should be. Since I am the King of Kings, a radiant glory illuminating all! Very well, I shall discipline those two women for you. It's inappropriate to bicker before the pharaoh day in and day out."

Hearing that, Shirou's face immediately stiffened. Discipline those two women? Could this church survive until tomorrow morning's sunrise?

"I advise you, Rider, it's better not to go down that path. Those two women aren't your obedient palace ladies. If you provoke them, they'll definitely choose to go down with you."

Another man's voice echoed as a slender young man emerged calmly from the shadows.

With long, flowing hair as clear as snow and sharp eyes resembling a finely honed blade, a red gem on his exposed chest echoed a captivating aura. Yet, more striking was the golden armor seemingly 'melded' with his body, emitting a divine radiance.

Though each part was remarkably beautiful, the amalgamation of everything about the young man left an impression beyond mere beauty—an indescribable wonder.

"Oh? It's you, another pharaoh."

The supreme pharaoh—or rather, Ozymandias, looked at the white-haired young man in golden armor with interest.

"Well, since it's your suggestion, I'll hear it out a bit."

"I've said it many times, I'm not pharaoh." The slender young man, Karna, retorted expressionlessly.

"Haha, don't joke around. Only a pharaoh can become the sun. Hence, you're a pharaoh!" Ozymandias affirmed confidently.

Seeing this, Shirou sighed, helpless, and started rubbing his forehead. Ozymandias continued his monologue, oblivious to the opinions of others, as always.

*Thud!* *Thud!* *Thud!*

A heavy impact suddenly echoed from below as if some giant beast struggled.

"Tch, here we go again, that Berserker..." Ozymandias frowned displeased. "Why not just toss her out to fend for herself? Always making a racket, even more annoying than those two women."

"Not yet." Shirou shook his head. "Berserker's reaction indicates that the Black Faction has summoned a Greek hero. Berserker will be a crucial card in our hands when the time comes."

"Whatever. As long as I'm here, no matter what hero they summon, it's just a bunch of ragtags." Ozymandias sneered.

"If everything is personally attended by the supreme pharaoh, it's too disrespectful." Shirou smiled. "Only true heroes deserve your intervention, no?"

"Hmm, you've got a point. Those insignificant ants don't even qualify for my attention." Ozymandias stroked his chin and waved his hand magnanimously. "Fine, I'll allow Berserker to stay for a while, for now."

"Thank you for your generosity."

Shirou smiled and bowed his head, but soon afterward, his expression turned serious.

"Speaking of which, there's one more thing... Ruler, who is responsible for ensuring the smooth progress of this war, has arrived."

"Why should I care?"

Ozymandias responded nonchalantly.