The two danced closely together as they spoke in low voices.
"I actually have a lot of things I want to ask you. Why did you appear in my dreams? Why do you have Avalon inside you? I hope you'll answer all of those questions properly," Artoria said.
"If you want to know, I'll tell you everything. But a lot of complicated things happened, and even now, I haven't figured out exactly what's going on. Being able to meet you like this... it honestly feels like a dream," Shirou said with a wry smile.
"Is that so...? You can tell me all that slowly later. At first, I wanted to ask you directly, but after fighting alongside you, I realized those things aren't actually the most important," Artoria said.
"Is that so?" Shirou asked doubtfully, though he truly had been happy to fight alongside Saber again after so long.
"You know the story of King Arthur sending knights out to seek the Holy Grail, right?" Artoria continued.
"Yeah. In the end, three people found the Grail: Bors, the most worldly; Percival, the most innocent; and Galahad, the purest. Galahad was the one who ultimately obtained it, right?" Shirou answered.
"Mm. So the Holy Grail is also one of the things I want. And Shirou, you've merged with the Grail now, which means... I won't let you get away! Shirou, be a good boy and become my prisoner!" Artoria declared possessively as she stared domineeringly at the Youth.
"The Holy Grail... Being lumped together with something like that is a pretty strange feeling," the Youth said with an embarrassed smile.
"Besides, there are more important things to do right now. So... Shirou, lead me properly in this dance."
"As you command, My King." Shirou smiled and nodded, taking the blonde girl's slender hand and leading her into the dance.
At the center of the dance floor, the perfectly coordinated Youth and girl stepped in rhythm. Under the Youth's guidance, the girl learned quickly and soon looked quite convincing.
Every movement was a delight to watch. Even those chatting nearby paused to admire this rare, radiant sight.
The girl moved as lightly as a butterfly. Pivoting on her right foot, she spun 360 degrees under the Youth's guidance, her skirt lifting in the breeze and forming a rotating circle with her steps.
The Youth raised their clasped right hands and let the girl spin with the breeze. Then she leaned backward, and the back of his hand pressed against her waist as he caught her securely. As she leaned back, she met his eyes, and the tenderness in that gaze seemed capable of melting everything in the world.
"The target has appeared!" Holmes's voice came through the earpiece.
A moment later, the disguised Shinjuku Assassin entered the venue, surrounded by his Queen Bee subordinates.
"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to come. Thank you for your continued cooperation. Spring nights are fleeting, so please enjoy yourselves to the fullest tonight. One night of splendor, one fleeting moment of pleasure," Assassin announced loudly, raising his wineglass.
The celebrities and nobles raised their glasses in response, smiling as they continued to enjoy the evening's feast.
Shinjuku was a place twisted beyond salvation, and the Servants summoned there were likewise twisted beyond salvation.
Even a chivalrous outlaw was no exception. He was naturally fond of socializing, so he took charge of winning over the locals. From time to time, he held cocktail parties and banquets, inviting influential and wealthy people to attend, accepting their tribute in exchange for armed protection.
The man warmly entertained his guests. They were his benefactors, but what he took from them was not money or assets—it was pride, love, and courage. He wanted to see whether they would grovel and kneel in loyalty just to stay alive. He made them betray their families for profit, made parents sell out their children, and children sell out their fathers. Then there would be no family or companions left whom anyone could trust, no familial affection or loyalty left between them. Then everyone could live happily ever after.
All they had to do was lose themselves in luxury and wealth, drunkenly dreaming their lives away. They could numb their souls with wine and meat, prove they were not empty with gold, silver, and jewels, and forget all fairness and justice in the world.
As for Shinjuku Assassin's true identity, it was obvious at a glance. As for why...
At that moment, the blonde girl was glaring furiously at Assassin and said coldly, "Hey... That face is familiar enough to make me want to chop him to pieces!"
That was right. Shinjuku Assassin had taken on Artoria's former appearance and attire: a low ponytail, a black trench coat, and shorts. He looked exactly the same.
"Stay calm! Youth, hurry and calm this lady down," Moriarty said.
"Stay calm?" Shirou took off his earpiece and muttered, "I might be even angrier than she is right now!"
With that, the Youth and the cold-faced girl strode quickly toward Shinjuku Assassin.
"Huh? Mm?" Shinjuku Assassin, transformed into Artoria's appearance, froze in confusion when he saw the blonde girl in a black formal outfit walk up to him.
At the same time, the Youth projected a black sword into his hand. Together with the blonde girl wielding a black sword, he swung their weapons at Shinjuku Assassin's face.
The Subjugation of Servant Yan Qing
"Wait! Wait!" Shinjuku Assassin had not even processed what was happening before the sudden attack startled him. He threw himself backward at the last instant before the blades reached him, barely dodging with an awkward roll. Even so, two bloody cuts were left across his face.
Assassin, who had transformed into Artoria through the power of Phantom Spirit Double, was, in some ways, like a genuine Doppelganger of her. He possessed her memories and preferences, and even his movements and thought patterns aligned with hers.
So the instant he saw Artoria, he had truly thought another version of himself had suddenly appeared before him—one wearing an evening gown.
"No need for questions! Mash, lock onto the target!" Shirou shouted.
"Understood! Target Shinjuku Assassin has been marked! Everyone, work together and eliminate him!" Mash locked onto the target, preventing him from escaping.
The battle officially began.
Shinjuku Assassin had never imagined that they would be so bold as to storm directly into his headquarters.
The black-haired man rose and readjusted his stance. Looking at the two of them, still wearing an incredulous expression, he said, "What the hell? How could something like this happen...? Even moths flying into flames ought to know their limits!"
"Boss, what do we do now?" one of the Queen Bees asked.
"Send the benefactors home. Then gather the Queen Bees and bring in the Phantom Spirit soldiers Shakespeare created too. They're Servants—annihilate them with the strongest magical bullets we have!"
The men and women dancing on the floor transformed into giant skeletal figures clasping their hands together. They were called Romeo and Juliet. Any humans they touched melted instantly like candles.
Jeanne d'Arc raised her flag high, unleashing flames as she shouted, "As expected, Shakespeare should be burned into a charred literary giant! We don't need this kind of regret-filled love that only causes trouble for everyone else! I'll burn all of it away! All good love stories are in France!!!"
"Jeanne d'Arc, I'll support you!" Gudako said.
"Mm, little sister from Chaldea, be careful not to leave my side!" Jeanne d'Arc erupted with roaring flames and swallowed the enemies whole.
Meanwhile, Shirou and Artoria went straight for Shinjuku Assassin and slashed at him. Now that Chaldea had locked onto him, he could no longer transform and blend in among the Queen Bees to escape.
"Ah... Looks like I can't get away." The black-haired man shook his head helplessly and smiled.
"Though I knew this day would come eventually, I didn't expect it to arrive so soon! Do enough evil, and eventually someone will come knocking to Act on Heaven's Behalf. I have nothing to say about that! Since you've come looking for me, then let's fight! I am one of the 108 Heroes of Liangshan Marsh, the Heavenly Skill Star, known as the Prodigal Yan Qing! Come and learn from me—!"
The moment he finished speaking, Yan Qing appeared before Shirou. Wearing blue-and-gold steel gauntlets on both hands, he threw several punches in an instant.
Shirou raised his black-and-white dual blades to block them. Every time a heavy punch struck the blades, he could hear the sound of fractures spreading through them.
Though the man was an Assassin, his fists were incredibly powerful. Even more frightening was the explosive speed he combined with the killing techniques of his martial arts. If one failed to block him, a single blow could prove fatal.
The Youth steadied himself and blocked every attack, not daring to relax in the slightest. His eyes were wide as he adapted to the man's punching speed and waited for an opportunity to counterattack.
But the black-haired man would not give his opponent much time to adapt. Chinese martial arts emphasized defeating enemies in an instant. In a true fight to the death, victory was often determined within only a few exchanges.
He was one of the 108 Demon Stars descended upon the world, the Heavenly Skill Star representing flexibility, ingenuity, and sharpness.
Fist Technique EX: Proof of a martial artist founding a school. Yan Qing Fist was one of China's many martial arts styles, also known as Mizong Quan. In later generations, Huo Yuanjia became highly skilled in this style.
Legend claimed it had been created by Yan Qing of the Song Dynasty, though historical records contained no mention of such a person. More likely, later generations had borrowed his name and forced the connection. But because of people's faith, that legend now empowered this Servant as well.
Yan Qing's master, Lu Junyi, studied under the Shaanxi hero Zhou Tong, a renowned martial arts grandmaster of the Song Dynasty. He had taught many heroes, including Yue Fei, Lin Chong, and Wu Song. Having followed Lu Junyi since childhood, Yan Qing benefited as well and learned profound martial arts.
The next instant, the man's left hand turned into an afterimage, slipping through the gap between the dual blades at a tricky angle. His fingers shot directly toward the Youth's eyes.
"So fast!" The sudden burst of speed forced the Youth to twist aside.
"I was waiting for this moment!" Yan Qing's right hand had already been waiting there. His palm formed a tiger claw and burst forth like lightning, grabbing for the Youth's throat. The instant those powerful fingers closed around his neck, they could snap it.
This time, the Youth could no longer evade.
"Don't even think about it!" At that moment, the black holy sword came down in a heavy slash toward the black-haired man's waist. The moment he seized the Youth's throat, he would be cut in half as well.
"Tch!" The black-haired man had no choice but to abandon his attack. Rather than dodge, he rushed inward with his speed, raising his steel gauntlets to block and disperse the force of the heavy blow. Then he turned and kicked toward the blonde girl's crotch.
Artoria instantly retreated and blocked with the flat of her sword, but the kick was like a whip. The instant it made contact, it erupted with tremendous force.
Even though she had prepared herself, Artoria was still kicked into the air by that sudden upward burst of power and sent flying several meters away.
Skilled in both fists and kicks, every part of his body was a weapon. Combined with his nimble, agile footwork and explosive speed surpassing that of the Youth and girl, he had blocked their combined assault. He was truly formidable.
The instant the blonde girl pulled away, the black-haired man made his decision. With the decisiveness of a battlefield fighter, he unleashed a killing move directly at the Youth.
"Ha—Ten Sides Ambush: Form Like Shadowless!!" His black hair flew high as the man opened his jade-gold eyes, exuding the aura of a beast descending the mountain. Golden light shone from his fists as he charged Shirou with nimble steps.
In an instant, he transformed into several afterimages, followed by a relentless barrage like wind and rain. Yan Qing's burst of speed at that moment was simply too fast. Even Artoria could not intervene in time.
"Rho Aias." Shirou raised his left hand and unleashed a shield of seven cherry-colored petals, blocking Yan Qing's fierce assault.
The black-haired man smiled. Moving with strange footwork, he became an afterimage and actually attempted to circle around the great shield to attack the Youth's back.
"Shirou, hold on! He can't keep that state up for long!" A black flash of swordlight swept past as Artoria stepped forward and forced Yan Qing back.
"Add, shield!" Shirou returned to his combat state and shouted at the box on his right hand.
"Got it!" The Mystic Code unfolded and transformed into a large shield rather than its scythe form. Shirou raised it before him with his right hand, pressing his left hand against the inner surface as he continued feeding magical energy into the Sakura Shield.
The two great shields formed an impenetrable wall of defense.
The End of Servant Yan Qing
"Tch! Then I'll break through head-on!" The black-haired man moved at extreme speed and charged straight toward the cherry-colored barrier.
Transforming into multiple afterimages, he attacked simultaneously. In one second, he threw three punches; in the next, he followed with three kicks.
When the three punches landed, one layer of the Sakura Shield shattered.
When the three kicks landed, one layer of the Sakura Shield shattered.
Hooks, straight punches, side kicks, sweeping kicks—the attacks came from every direction, and the Sakura Shield continued to break apart beneath the onslaught.
At this rate, the shields would be penetrated in less than ten seconds.
The enormous cherry-colored petals shattered like mirrors, but the magical energy did not disperse. Instead, it was absorbed into the great shield held in the Youth's right hand. The shield resembled Mash's cross-shaped shield somewhat, but its construction was far stranger. Like its scythe form, it had eyes. As it absorbed magical energy, little clusters of magical flame emerged across its surface.
Even while fighting, Yan Qing's peripheral vision continued scanning the surrounding area.
He was searching for a way out. Shakespeare's Phantom Spirit soldiers had been defeated, and against these Servants, the Queen Bees were simply worthless.
The Maiden Master was also being protected by that witch, so taking her hostage was no longer possible.
The only option now was to use his Noble Phantasm to kill the Youth and create a moment of chaos. Only then might he escape!
Because he had previously used a Doppelganger to become the "Jeanne d'Arc" and "Artoria" copies, he understood the Youth's importance to them. If the Youth died before their eyes, they would definitely go completely berserk.
"I can only gamble everything on this!" Killing intent flashed coldly in Yan Qing's eyes. Golden light flared ever brighter in his open right palm as he charged Shirou. Powerful energy pulsed from his palm. There was no doubt that this blow would pierce Rho Aias, break the great shield in the Youth's hand, and kill him.
At that moment, the shield rapidly absorbing magical energy changed. When the thirteenth cluster of flame appeared on its surface, the flames formed a circular ring, then fused together. Like the blazing breath of a dragon, they erupted forward as a straight cylindrical beam.
"What?!" Yan Qing hurriedly stopped his attack, kicked off the ground, and leaped high into the air.
The flames blasted beneath him.
The flames released by the great shield shot forward in a straight line, forming a rotating pillar of magical fire that smashed through and incinerated the tables and chairs ahead.
The instant Yan Qing landed, a huge black shadow flew toward him.
Yan Qing raised his leg to kick it away, but the moment he made contact, his leg jolted from the heavy impact. He had to exert considerable effort just to block the black shadow.
It turned out to be the great shield in the Youth's hand. He had thrown it directly at him.
Yan Qing wiped away cold sweat and complained, "Hey, hey, enough with this reckless, do-or-die fighting style! Don't tell me you'll end up getting caught yourself while breaking into an execution ground someday!"
By then, Shirou had already lowered his body and rushed before Yan Qing. He projected black-and-white dual blades behind his back and slashed forward.
Two streaks of light collided, ringing with the sound of metal and scattering sparks.
Yan Qing gritted his teeth and raised his blue-and-gold steel gauntlets to block the blades. Then he seized Shirou's wrist and kicked hard with his right foot.
Shirou felt his body topple to one side, losing its balance, and then he was flung away—straight toward Artoria, who had rushed in from the other side.
"Shirou!" Artoria hurriedly lowered her holy sword and caught him.
"I'm fine. This guy's close combat is insanely strong!!" Shirou said. Fortunately, he had practiced Sumo with Grandpa from the Fujimura family when he was little. He had dispersed the force at the last moment and was not injured. Otherwise, being thrown with a Servant's full strength would have been unbearable.
"Well, aside from Mizong Quan, wrestling really is what I'm best at. See you!" Yan Qing said with a smile, turning to flee.
"Bastard! Don't even think about running!" Jeanne d'Arc unleashed flames several meters high, blocking the man's path.
"Vassal's Iron Hammer—!" Artoria charged forward and swung down a massive hammer formed from black magical energy.
Yan Qing was unable to dodge in time. He raised his steel gauntlets to block, only to be blasted back into the center of the venue.
One black and one white streak of light followed.
With the three of them working together, even a Servant as fast as him could not keep up. In the end, he was struck by the black-and-white dual blades.
"Whoa... Looks like I'm going down here today." Yan Qing staggered back several steps as blood sprayed from his body, two deep wounds carved into him.
"Tch, can't be helped. I can only use this move! Everyone can be buried here!" Yan Qing said, pressing a button he carried on his body.
The high-rise building let out a deafening roar and shook violently.
"Senpai, a massive impact has been detected on the lower floors. Estimated time until collapse: twenty-three seconds. Please evacuate immediately."
"He actually detonated bombs!"
"Shirou-senpai! What do we do?!" Gudako cried out.
"Don't talk. We're jumping!" Shirou exchanged looks with Artoria and Jeanne d'Arc, then directly scooped Gudako up and jumped outside.
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