Limit, Confrontation, and Exit

What is the Spirit Core Limit?

Heroic Spirits have limits, and so do Servants summoned by the Holy Grail.

This limit is composed of comprehensive factors such as world scale, legend scale, public recognition, and fame. It is the framework that carries the soul of a Heroic Spirit, which is its Spirit Core.

Limited by the Magus's qualifications, abilities, and methods, Servants rarely reach their Spirit Core Limit. This is why different Masters affect a Servant's strength.

At this moment, Lancer, bearing the full magical power of all four Command Spells, has had his strength temporarily boosted to its limit, albeit for only one hour.

"But this amount of time is already enough!"

The Crimson Spear and the Demon Sword clashed fiercely, sending a massive explosion of energy radiating outwards as it detonated.

This time, Lancer did not retreat.

Although his current physical abilities still lagged behind Berserker, the gap was no longer significant. With his swordsmanship, he was able to neutralize a power capable of destroying buildings.

After the exchange, both Heroic Spirits retreated, resuming their stances.

Lancer, filled with fighting spirit, shouted, "Lancelot, for our respective Masters, our ideals, and Knight's Honor, let us truly fight!"

His heroic spirit soared, igniting his opponent's fighting spirit as well.

"Diarmuid! Then come!"

The Black Knight showed no fear. What if his opponent had reached their Spirit Core Limit? He had too, and due to his Noble Phantasm and weapon, he was stronger than Lancer.

In legend, Diarmuid's greatest skill was not with a spear, but with dual swords.

"Haaaa!!!"

The sound of the spear and swords colliding echoed through the abandoned industrial park.

The two Heroic Spirits fighting at full strength possessed immense strength; every swing of their weapons caused immense destruction.

The ground shattered, air currents erupted, and any obstacle in their path was cut in half. Their fists and kicks could even send multi-ton giant machines flying. The battlefield was like a scene of modern bombardment.

With their limit-breaking agility, the two Heroic Spirits moved with speed and nimbleness beyond human imagination. Each movement was like lightning, covering a hundred meters in an instant, and each dodge was like teleportation.

Their magical power was vast, and they wielded it without restraint.

However, Lancer was at a disadvantage in terms of Noble Phantasms; his destructive power was slightly inferior to the Black Knight's.

Yet, the very act of wielding vast magical power without restraint was a form of power in itself.

The sprawling abandoned industrial park became their battlefield everywhere.

In just a few minutes, the park was reduced to ruins, its devastation far exceeding that of a Middle Eastern battlefield. Only the warehouse where the Master was located remained intact, deliberately avoided by the two knights.

"But this is only temporary. After the battle, it will definitely have to be destroyed."

Shiki knew clearly that it was too strange for an abandoned park to be destroyed everywhere except for this one spot. Although there were no earthquakes or explosions, the destruction of the park was enough to arouse suspicion.

But that was a matter for the higher-ups in Fuyuki City, and he didn't need to worry about it.

Kaineth and Sola, whose minds had returned to normal, stared dumbfounded at the Heroic Spirits on the battlefield.

"This is the true power of Heroic Spirits."

"No wonder the ritual of the seven Heroic Spirits is called a war."

The two knights had pulverized the rather large park in a short period. If the battle had lasted longer, a city wouldn't have been enough for them to tear down, let alone the fact that Heroic Spirits also possessed Noble Phantasms.

If their True Names were unleashed, the Noble Phantasms would cause destruction comparable to modern bombing, or even greater.

"It's not just because of that power that it's called a war."

Shiki, coveting Lancer's Noble Phantasm, had Kaineth and Sola use all four Command Spells to strengthen Lancer, in order to verify his hypothesis.

As expected, with the support of vast magical power, Lancer's Noble Phantasm surpassed its original level.

Magic is truly mysterious; it is a power that can bring about miracles. The greater the magic, the greater the miracle it can bring about, just like the Greater Grail, although there are some key differences.

"I've seen what I wanted to see. It's time to end this battle."

In Shiki's opinion, the battle was no longer suspenseful. Lancer was destined to lose, and the key was his Noble Phantasm. The Black Knight's Noble Phantasm was superior to his opponent's in both rank and power, it was that simple.

After a few more minutes, the Black Knight, possessing the Infinite Martial Prowess skill, gained the absolute advantage due to his far superior durability, inflicting wounds on Lancer that affected his combat capability.

As a chain reaction, Lancer's movements began to falter, and his combat power dropped sharply.

The wound became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

When Lancer was cleaved by a sword from the Black Knight from afar to the front of an intact factory building, he could no longer make significant movements. His body was covered in wounds, and blood flowed freely, soon forming a pool on the ground.

He could only prop himself up with his spear, kneeling on one knee, awaiting the final moment.

Seeing the miserable state of Lancer, Sola, though freed from the curse, still held affection for him. She opened her mouth, but in the end, could only bow to him silently. She thanked the Heroic Spirit for his efforts and bid him a final farewell.

Kaineth's feelings were complex; he harbored hatred, pity, and an indescribable feeling towards Lancer.

After all, he was the one who summoned Lancer, and he was also the one who didn't understand him.

"Lancer, you've worked hard. You've done well enough, you can rest now."

"Master!"

The Master's words made Lancer feel warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. Although they hadn't spent much time together and their relationship couldn't be called friendly, his dream and wish was simply to be loyal with all his might.

In this Holy Grail War, he had accomplished it.

"Master, my wish as Diarmuid has been fulfilled. Finally, thank you for your support."

THUMP!!!

With a loud crash, everyone turned their attention to the Black Knight rising from the sunken earth.

That armor, that ferocious aura, the intense battle intent radiating from him struck fear into the hearts of Kaineth and Sola.

The two felt suffocated. Such a powerful Heroic Spirit, in this Holy Grail War, who else could possibly be his opponent?

Lancer struggled to his feet. Even if he could no longer fight, he would not kneel before his opponent; this was a knight's honor.

"Lancelot, I lost this battle."

Losing was losing. If you couldn't win, you had to admit it. Lancer was not someone who couldn't handle defeat.

He smiled and glanced behind him. His intuition told him that Berserker's Master was not the type to show no mercy, so his Master's safety was not a concern.

"Lancelot, fight your opponent with all your might and serve your Master faithfully one last time. My wish has been granted, and I can depart without regret."

The Black Knight sheathed his Demon Sword and walked up to Lancelot, placing a hand over his chest in a salute.

This was both respect for an enemy and a farewell to an opponent.

Diarmuid had fulfilled his wish, while he would continue to fight in this Holy Grail War for his own goal.

"Diarmuid, farewell!"

The Servant's body gradually faded, the ether elements that constituted their existence scattering into points of light. The scene of a Servant's disappearance was always so poignant.

Lancer made his exit, but the Crimson Spear remained where it was. The Black Knight grabbed it and walked behind Shiki.

Kaineth and Sola pretended not to see this astonishing scene. At this moment, they were the fish and he was the knife; there was no point in dwelling on it.

"Now, Mr. Lancelot, please escort Mr. Kaineth and the others away."

Since he had promised to protect them and see them off, he had to fulfill it.

"As you command, Master."