[center][h1][b]Interlude I[/b][/h1][h3][i][b]Wrought Iron Demon[/b][/i][/h3]
[h3][color=b48648][b]Ruler[/b][/color]([color=b48648][b]?[/b][/color])
? ? ?, Einzbern Forest[/h3]
[/center]

Despite his prodigious size, he moved through the forest quickly and silently. This is nothing particularly new to Ruler. Evading the familiars of mere magi- even those of "Caster", is something 'he can definitely do' with a little effort. He is that kind of "Hero".

Within moments, the clash between two great Heroic Spirits, "Rider" and "Lancer" began in earnest. In that moment, Ruler Understood. Ruler, who has survived countless battles and surmounted many challenges, realized it instantly. 

There is something in this forest 'that does not belong here'.

This does not include the Einzberns, who had made this portion of the forest their haunt. Naturally, Dietrich and his master would fall within this category. No, even Achilles and his master 'belong here'. This is, after all, the Holy Grail War. It is expected that fights would break out, even at this distance. Though Ruler had fired at this specific spot to make a statement to a certain 'someone', he had taken responsibility to ensure nothing unfortunate would result from it. Because of that, he had made his way to the spot razed by his 'call to arms'. 

It was to simply observe.

For masters and servants to investigate- that wasn't a surprise to him. In the first place, that was expected. Infact, that was the important part of the 'statement' to a certain person but-

Something else was here, slinking in the shadows. 'It' was trying to figure out the secret of this place. No. Judging from the 'feeling' he was receiving. . .

'It' already knew. 'It' was merely trying to reach 'that' place, and then turn the Grail War on its head. As Ruler, this was an opponent he could never ignore in the first place. No, this was a dangerous enemy to the entire Grail War system itself. Because of that, it had to be crushed in this instant. At least, that was what he was being told in that exact moment.

His instincts and refined battle sense agreed with that one hundred percent. In a span of time much lower than what humans perceive as a moment, a 'shadow' emerged from behind a tree near Ruler. Dashing forward with speed only a servant could demonstrate, the shadow launched a surprise attack against the giant man using a dagger-like sword. Despite this, he didn't make a single sound in his mad dash for Rulers back.. There was no killing intent, and not even a twig broke in response to the earnest and well planned ambush. Was it merely just skill, or some ability or perhaps even magecraft?

Whatever it was...

There's no doubt moments later. It was definitely not enough.

In the time it takes for the ambusher to reach him, Ruler had already retrieved a gleaming sword from his satchel. Without any fuss, the attack from behind was deflected with a single stroke of Rulers sword. The dagger is knocked out of his opponents hands, and the figure falls back. It seems they weren't even interested in retrieving their weapon, letting it fall to the forest floor.

No.

That's not it.

The dagger his opponent was using has disappeared. It's completely gone-it never even hit the ground. But, it isn't some auto retrieval ability. 

Rather. . .

Instead, his attacker had a new weapon in his hands. It is a cursed bow clearly foreign to Japan. Notched on it is a demonic arrow overflowing with magical energy. Its holder, the unknown assailant, is wearing a dark red cloak. It has some property or ability that Ruler did not quite comprehend- but it seems to be similar in nature to that of a saints shroud. Whatever it is, it was making it difficult for him to properly identify who or what he is fighting. No, the only discerning feature he could properly notice was his opponents long white hair.
 
Ruler dwarfed the man by many times in physical stature. While Ruler was called monstrous or divine by many in his life- the assailant in front of him is definitely just a mortal man.

Beyond that, even Ruler didn't know much just quite yet. No. He was 'told' at least one thing about this opponent. His opponents true nature is, definitely, a-

[color=b48648]"Fighting in close quarters like this, what kind of [b]Caster[/b] are you?"[/color] Caster, the ambusher, does not respond. He merely readied his bow in response to Rulers earnest words. It was, in many ways, a compliment.

Even in life, Ruler was not a man of many words. Or rather, perhaps it would be better to say that when he spoke, his words carried the weight of the world upon them. But in this war, it was not his place to speak without need. He was here to make up for past crimes, past grievances. Ruler was not here acting as a Hero, Demon, God, or anything in between. He was just a man paying for his terrible mistakes. That is why he has taken on 'this' role.

Ruler leapt forward to close the distance between them, brandishing a sword of almost celestial light. The unknown assailant released the full might of his Demonic Bow. Overwhelming magical energy is put into its projectiles, and it is fired without restraint at Ruler. Their battle commences in earnest.

As a result, the forest is rocked with explosions, destruction, and is being thoroughly razed. The battle rages on many miles away, the outcome and even participants unknown to all in this grail war. 

It's almost as if the tempo of Rulers fight matches the one between Achilles and Dietrich. It is certainly beyond their range of notice- but the tremors can perhaps be felt by the two masters hanging back from their Servants battle.