According to the intel from Ciel, the Assassin's Master had mistakenly attacked Rider's Master in Shinto, thinking he was just an ordinary civilian.
So after nightfall, Shiomi headed to Shinto with Morgan.
But even after over an hour of thorough patrol in the quiet, late-night city, the two found nothing.
Neither Shiomi nor Morgan could sense any sign of a Servant's presence.
"Looks like after the mishap during last night's ambush, Assassin's Master has started being more careful," Morgan said, perched on the rooftop railing, gazing sideways at the nightscape of Shinto.
"That's the only reasonable conclusion," Shiomi replied, standing beside her and looking out over the city gradually settling into silence. "The battles at the church and the seaside park were basically a public announcement—the Holy Grail War is officially underway. A day has passed. Anyone who needs to know should know by now."
He extended his hand as he spoke.
"In that case, let's wrap it up for tonight." Morgan accepted his hand and rose gracefully to her feet.
"It's still a bit of a walk back to Miyama Town. Want to head straight home or... take a stroll?" Shiomi asked.
After all, it was his personal reasons that had brought Morgan back to Fuyuki.
And it was also because he accepted the Overseer's request that he had her out patrolling on a freezing winter night like this.
Even though she was technically a Servant, Shiomi couldn't help feeling a little guilty and wanted to make it up to her somehow.
"Let's walk. If we suppress our magical energy, who knows—we might stumble onto something interesting," Morgan said with a nod and a teasing smile, suggesting they use themselves as bait.
"I suppose that could work," Shiomi chuckled.
The two left the building and followed the road toward Fuyuki Bridge, planning to cross it on foot and walk all the way home.
As they gazed at the Mion River in the dead of night, memories of the brutal battle that took place here ten years ago resurfaced, making them pause by the railing, lost in thought.
Looking downstream toward Miyama Town, they could see the ruined remnants of the seaside park and the construction vehicles halted for the night, the area still cordoned off with warning tape.
"We should've lured Lancer out onto the river to fight," Shiomi said.
"You think that would've worked? Cú Chulainn isn't Artoria—you can't assume he can walk on water," Morgan replied. "As someone summoned under the Lancer class, he probably can't fully wield his Rune magic."
"Yeah," Shiomi agreed with a nod.
Even if they managed to defeat Lancer at full strength in this Holy Grail War, it wouldn't mean much.
As a Servant, Cú Chulainn would be limited by his class, unable to fully access the power he had in life.
Just thinking about it made Shiomi feel a sudden hollowness toward the battle he had anticipated with Lancer.
But that emptiness didn't last long.
In the dead silence of the night, a distant scream suddenly echoed from the direction of Shinto. It was faint—easy to miss as it blended into the wind.
Shiomi and Morgan exchanged a look, then immediately turned and sprinted toward the source of the sound.
They ran down from the bridge, following the road.
The traces of magical energy were faint, like ink diluted in the ocean—spread thin and disappearing if one wasn't careful.
But the next moment, an even stronger surge of magical energy erupted.
It was the presence of a Servant.
Yet it was so overwhelming that Shiomi couldn't believe it was the Assassin responsible for the recent attacks on civilians, devouring their souls.
If anything... that raw, unrestrained aura felt familiar. Like something he'd sensed before.
After winding through several narrow alleys, they finally found the source of the sound—hidden in the shadows between two buildings.
A woman lay slumped in a dim corner, barely conscious, her life hanging by a thread.
But what caught their attention even more was the figure standing beside her.
Golden light shimmered off the person's form—even in the unlit alley, it couldn't be concealed.
Shiomi's pupils narrowed. The crimson magic spear appeared in his hand in an instant as he and Morgan stood side by side, ready to confront the golden figure.
"Gil...gamesh?" Shiomi spoke the name cautiously, wary of the formidable enemy it represented.
Gilgamesh, having also noticed Shiomi and Morgan's arrival, looked over with a dangerous gleam in his eye and a touch of amusement.
"Oh? So you recognize this king. Seems you're not just some worthless mongrel after all."
That arrogant tone, the way he looked down on others—it was exactly how Shiomi remembered him.
"A Servant? How? In the last Holy Grail War, I was sure I—"
Shiomi raised his magic spear, mana swirling intensely around the shaft.
"So, what's your move?" Gilgamesh laughed dismissively, provoking him with ease. "You've beaten me once—don't tell me you've lost your nerve now that I've returned?"
"Is that so... well, I guess there's no avoiding it."
Shiomi tightened his grip on the spear, signaling to Morgan behind him. As always, he would go on the offensive while Morgan held the rear.
Sensing the surge of battle intent from the two, Gilgamesh let out a derisive chuckle. One after another, golden portals opened behind him.
"It's a bit cramped here, but that won't matter for long. This place will open up soon enough."
Just like in the Fourth Holy Grail War ten years ago, there was no time to question why Gilgamesh was here again. Shiomi's focus was on eliminating the enemy before him.
"Wait!"
A clear female voice rang out, cutting through the tense atmosphere.
Morgan turned around. A girl with long brown hair stood there, hands on her knees, clearly out of breath from running. On the back of her exposed left hand, three Command Spells were clearly visible.
"You're late, Hakuno. This king has no interest in fighting while babysitting a fainted woman."
As if the intent to fight had never existed, Gilgamesh casually closed the gates of his Noble Phantasms.
There was no doubt—the girl named Hakuno was Gilgamesh's Master.
"Pretty sure you were the one who provoked them first," Hakuno stood up straight and muttered dryly.
"Hah! Not wrong. But it's this guy we're talking about—can you blame me for being a little curious?" Gilgamesh remained as smug as ever, but his tone was unexpectedly cooperative.
That contrast made Shiomi pause.
Re-examining the King of Heroes, even his fashion sense seemed different. Gone was the gaudy, twisted luxury—his look now carried a refined, understated elegance, surprisingly in sync with Hakuno's style.
"You're the Master of the King of Heroes?" Morgan asked, clearly surprised.
The girl placed her left hand over her chest, steadying her breath as she showed the Command Spells.
"Yes. My name is Hakuno Kishinami. Due to some unexpected events, I ended up in this city."
Then, looking at both of them seriously, Hakuno Kishinami added,
"The police are on their way. Please, put away your weapons for now."