The Black Knight knew that he had unleashed his Noble Phantasm somewhat too early.
This battle was extremely unfavorable for him. Among his basic parameters, only his Agility was slightly higher than Saber's; in every other aspect, he lagged behind completely.
The only reason he had managed to remain evenly matched for so long was his peerless martial skill.
"But without releasing my Noble Phantasm, how could I call this giving it my all?!"
To the Black Knight, giving it his all meant unleashing his limits—and even power beyond those limits—without holding anything back.
At this moment, he had already used all his strength to clash with Saber, the King of Knights. Yet the power Saber displayed still left him deeply shaken.
"My king, this is your will, your resolve, your strength!"
Whether it was her state of mind, martial skill, or Noble Phantasm, the Black Knight had witnessed them all and had completely acknowledged Saber's strength.
There was no denying that the Command Spells had played a role. But they had merely drawn out a portion of the Heroic Spirit's original power, displaying the limit she could reach after descending as a Servant.
"Come, let us continue the battle!"
Saber's unprecedented strength had utterly ignited the Black Knight's fighting spirit. At this moment, he did not want to lose—not to Saber, and even less to his former self.
In the midst of the fierce battle, the Black Knight suddenly recalled his Master's earlier blessing.
"May your dreams shine into reality. May you gain enlightenment when you achieve your ideals, and may the road ahead no longer leave you lost."
There was nothing much to say for now about the Black Knight's dreams and wishes.
But that final blessing, at this very moment, shone into his heart like a ray