Limits, Duel, and Departure

What was the Spirit Core Limit?

Heroic Spirits had limits, and so did the Servants summoned by the Holy Grail.

This limit was determined by a combination of factors, including the scale of the world, the scale of the legend, public recognition, how widely it was told, and its fame. It was the framework that bore the soul of a Heroic Spirit—the Spirit Core.

Limited by a Magus's aptitude, abilities, and methods, Servants rarely reached the Spirit Core Limit. This was why different Masters could affect a Servant's strength.

At this moment, burdened with the full magical energy of four Command Spells, Lancer's strength had temporarily risen to its limit, though it would last only an hour.

"But that is more than enough!"

The Crimson Spear and Demon Sword collided violently, and a massive blast wave radiated outward before exploding with a thunderous boom.

This time, Lancer did not retreat.

Although his physical abilities still lagged behind Berserker's, the gap was no longer so pronounced. With his skill, he could deflect power capable of destroying a building.

After one exchange, the two Heroic Spirits each stepped back and assumed their stances once more.

Lancer's face brimmed with fighting spirit as he shouted, "Lancelot, for our respective Masters, ideals, and Knight's Honor, let us have a true battle!"

His heroic vigor soared into the sky and ignited his opponent's will to fight as well.

"Diarmuid! Then come!"

The Black Knight showed no fear. So what if his opponent had reached the Spirit Core Limit? He had as well, and because of his Noble Phantasm and weapon, he was even stronger than Lancer.

In legend, Diarmuid's greatest specialty was not the spear, but dual swords.

"Ha!!!"

The clash of spear and sword echoed through the abandoned industrial park.

The two Heroic Spirits fought at full strength, their immense power turning every swing of their weapons into devastating destruction.

The ground shattered, shockwaves erupted, and every obstacle in their path was cut cleanly in half. Their fists and kicks could even send massive machines weighing dozens of tons flying, leaving the battlefield as though it had endured a modern bombardment.

Their extreme agility made their speed and responsiveness beyond ordinary imagination. Every movement carried them a hundred meters like lightning, and every dodge seemed like teleportation.

They possessed vast reserves of magical energy and expended it without restraint.

However, Lancer held no advantage in Noble Phantasms, and his destructive power was slightly inferior to the Black Knight's.

Yet freely unleashing such immense magical energy was itself a tremendous strength.

The sprawling abandoned industrial park had become their battlefield in its entirety.

In just a few minutes, the entire complex had been reduced to ruins, more devastated than a Middle Eastern battlefield. Only the warehouse where the Masters stood remained intact, deliberately avoided by the two knights.

But that was only temporary. It would definitely have to be destroyed after the battle.

Shiki understood clearly that if every other part of an abandoned complex was destroyed while this place alone remained untouched, it would be far too suspicious. Even without earthquakes or explosions, the damage to the complex was enough to draw attention.

But those were matters for Fuyuki City's upper ranks. He did not need to worry about them.

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

"This is the true power of Heroic Spirits."

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

In such a short time, the two knights had smashed a sizable industrial complex to pieces. If the battle lasted any longer, even an entire city would not be enough for them to tear apart, not to mention that Heroic Spirits possessed Noble Phantasms.

If they performed a True Name Release, the destruction caused by their Noble Phantasms would rival modern bombardment, perhaps even surpass it.

"It is called a war for more than just this kind of power."

Shiki coveted Lancer's Noble Phantasm. To verify his guess, he had Kaineth and Sola use all four Command Spells to strengthen Lancer.

Sure enough, supported by immense magical energy, Lancer's Noble Phantasm surpassed its original rank.

Magical energy was just that mysterious. It was a power capable of creating miracles; the greater the magical energy, the greater the miracle it could produce. It was like the Greater Grail, though there were differences in certain crucial aspects.

I have seen what I wanted to see. It is time to end this battle.

In Shiki's view, there was no longer much suspense in the battle. Lancer was destined to lose, and the deciding factor was still the Noble Phantasms. The Black Knight's Noble Phantasm surpassed his opponent's in both rank and power. It was that simple.

A few more minutes passed. The Black Knight, who possessed the skill Infinite Martial Prowess, relied on endurance far surpassing his opponent's to seize an absolute advantage, already inflicting wounds on Lancer that affected his combat ability.

Under the resulting chain reaction, Lancer's movements began to lose their form, and his combat strength plummeted.

His wounds became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

When the Black Knight sent Lancer flying with a single sword strike from afar and into the front of the intact factory building, he could no longer make any large movements. His entire body was covered in wounds, blood flowing nonstop and quickly pooling on the ground.

He could only lean on his spear and kneel on one knee, waiting for the final moment.

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

Kaineth's feelings were complicated. He felt hatred toward Lancer, sympathy for him, and something else he could not put into words.

After all, he was the one who had summoned Lancer, and he was also the one who had failed to understand him.

"Lancer, you have worked hard. You have done enough. You can rest now."

"My lord!"

His Master's words made Lancer feel warmth he had not felt in a long time. Though they had not spent much time together and could not be called friendly, his dream and wish had been nothing more than to devote his full loyalty once.

In this Holy Grail War, he had achieved it.

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

Boom!!!

Everyone turned their eyes toward the Black Knight, who rose from the cratered ground.

That armor, that violent aura, that intense fighting spirit assaulted Kaineth and Sola's minds.

The two felt somewhat suffocated. With such a powerful Heroic Spirit, who in this Holy Grail War could be his opponent?

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

"Lancelot, I lost this battle."

A loss was a loss. If he could not win, he had to admit it. Lancer was not someone who could not accept defeat.

He smiled and glanced behind him. His instincts told him that Berserker's Master did not seem like someone who would finish them off, so there was no need to worry about his Master's safety.

"Lancelot, fight your opponent with everything you have and devote yourself to your Master once. My wish has been fulfilled. I can leave without regrets."

The Black Knight sheathed his Demon Sword, walked before Lancer, and placed a hand over his chest in salute.

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

Lancer had fulfilled his wish, while he would continue fighting in this Holy Grail War for that goal.

"Diarmuid, farewell!"

The Servant's body gradually vanished, the etheric elements that formed his existence turning into specks of light and scattering away. The sight of a Heroic Spirit disappearing was always so beautiful and tragic.

Lancer had departed, but the Crimson Spear remained behind. The Black Knight grabbed it and walked to Shiki's side.

Kaineth and Sola pretended not to see this astonishing sight. At this moment, they were at another's mercy; there was no point dwelling on it.

"Now, Sir Lancelot, please escort Mr. Kaineth and the others out of here."

Since he had promised to protect them as they left, he had to keep that promise.

"As you command, Master."