In Type-Moon, Starting with Adopting Sakura

Even though she's a young girl on the outside, you're still King Arthur, aren't you? The renowned Knight of Victory who drove out foreign invaders, her hands are already stained with countless amounts of blood, and the number of people she's killed is beyond counting…

Given that, where is this innocent, girlish sadness coming from?

She's even too ashamed to attack, choosing to chat with herself instead. Doesn't she understand the simplest principle of warfare: speed is of the essence?

Never mind the Assassins who have been urging her on for half a day; even Scáthach is getting anxious for Artoria.

At the same time, she can't help but wonder, what kind of Knight King is this? Could it be that Britain during that era was that peaceful?

If these were her own disciples, they would have already seized the opportunity while the enemy was wounded, taken their lives, and started a fierce battle.

However, thankfully, this meaningless chatter didn't last too long. The Master behind Saber, unable to tolerate her half-hearted betrayal, directly used a Command Seal to forcibly control Artoria's body. They ordered her to cooperate with the surrounding Assassins to kill Kenneth, thus eliminating Lancer, a major threat.

Scáthach smiled slightly at this situation, thinking that this move was exactly what she wanted.

"Good," she sighed.

She had wanted to spar with this Knight King since their first meeting, but she just never had the chance.

Now, it was perfect timing.

"Go!"

"Attack together!!"

Seeing Artoria finally move under the control of the Command Seal, the surrounding Assassins also began to act.

Their dark figures spread out, and taking advantage of the opening between Scáthach and Artoria's clash, they mercilessly drew their blades and slashed at Kenneth beside them.

"Going straight for the Master? That's a simple and effective strategy. It seems they want to finish this quickly and don't want to waste even a minute…"

Seeing the dozens of figures sweeping towards her like shadows, Scáthach sighed slightly.

What a bother…

Even she couldn't help but frown at the powerful cloning ability of Hundred-Faced Hassan.

They were numerous and fearless of death. Although each clone wasn't particularly strong, and for her they were merely insects that could be easily killed with a single spear thrust, they could still pose a fatal threat to Kenneth.

Because of the Master's orders, she had to protect the lemon-haired man beside her. Therefore, while fighting Artoria, she also had to divide her attention to deal with these troublesome individuals.

Although it wasn't particularly difficult for her to do so with her martial prowess, being distracted in battle made Scáthach somewhat unhappy.

So, she could only push back Artoria while simultaneously killing a few attacking Assassins with her spear, passively defending and fighting while retreating.

—Bang bang bang!!

The fierce clash of spear and sword continued to resonate. Scáthach twisted her body like a nimble dancer, unleashing a storm of attacks amidst the encirclement of Assassins.

Each thrust of her spear took a life in an instant. Beneath her elegant movements lay countless terrifying killing intents.

So strong…

As the battle continued, Artoria's surprise grew.

Because even though their current fight appeared evenly matched, she knew very well…

She was at an absolute disadvantage.

She had to remember that she was currently under the compulsion of a Command Seal, which had enhanced her. All her stats were stronger than usual, and this was even with the interference of the Assassins on her side.

Yet, despite holding such an advantage, they were only managing a draw, a stalemate…

At this moment, Queen Scáthach's strength was undoubtedly immense.

She could simultaneously fend off her attacks and slowly dispatch the surrounding Assassins with just two crimson long spears. Her terrifying spear techniques, worthy of a divine ballad, made it difficult for Artoria to cope…

"What's wrong, Saber? Can't keep up anymore?"

"I can feel it, you're not in the zone right now. With the strength you're showing, you're truly making the Saber class weep?"

Despite being in a one-on-two, or even a one-on-hundred situation, Scáthach wasn't tense at all. Instead, she seized the opportunity to taunt Saber amidst the fierce battle.

"Truly incomparably powerful, Queen Scáthach. Your martial arts are far beyond mine."

As a king, and with Merlin as her sword instructor, Artoria was confident in her own swordsmanship. However, facing this undeniable reality, she had to admit it.

"Don't mind it. Most Heroic Spirits in this world cannot compare to me in martial arts."

Scáthach smiled calmly. Although it sounded like boasting, Artoria, who was fighting her, knew very well that this wasn't an exaggeration.

As the rhythm of their battle intensified, Artoria, who had been out of sorts, slowly regained some of her focus. She looked at the Queen of the Land of Shadows, who was smiling, and nodded.

"I'm sorry, Lancer. I'm going all out now!"

No matter how dissatisfied she was, Saber now understood that she had no other choice. Whether for her own wish or for Illyasviel's safety, she couldn't remain lost any longer. She had to win, she absolutely had to win! She absolutely couldn't let her Master waste any more Command Seals due to her own willfulness.

"Oh? You've regained your composure?"

Seeing Artoria's fighting spirit restored and her movements gradually quickening, Scáthach's eyes couldn't help but reveal a hint of pleasant surprise.

"Good, that's more like it. Or rather, you should have been like this earlier. Otherwise, the fight would be meaningless!"

After a sigh of emotion, the Queen of the Land of Shadows changed her tactics in the midst of battle, immediately shifting from passive defense to active offense. She swung her two crimson demonic spears, piercing out from more tricky angles, aiming directly for Artoria's heart.

However, Artoria clearly wouldn't let her succeed so easily. Facing Scáthach's fatal attack, she suddenly twisted her wrist and then, without hesitation, swung her wind-bladed sword towards her.

Instantly, an even more violent collision erupted between the two of them.

……

Tohsaka Residence.

"Her divine spear techniques, even when facing both Saber and Assassin simultaneously, she managed to hold her ground for a time. The Queen of the Land of Shadows' martial prowess is truly difficult to comprehend."

Tokiomi Tohsaka, observing the battle through his familiar, slapped his thigh, his face etched with anxiety.

Just seeing Scáthach's fierce demonic spear and unmatched martial skill made him increasingly uneasy. It also further solidified his conviction that his earlier assessment was correct.

Scáthach, the God Slayer, was indeed a major threat in this Holy Grail War. She posed too great a danger to Gilgamesh, and therefore, she had to be eliminated!

After a brief observation, Tokiomi Tohsaka's already urgent heart grew even more impatient. He watched the battlefield, frustrated that so many Assassins had been unable to assassinate Scáthach and were instead impaled by her spear. He was so agitated that he abandoned his usual elegant demeanor and cursed, "Useless!"

He hadn't expected this useless Assassin to make assassinating a modern Magus so difficult. While Scáthach's presence was a factor, anyone could see that Saber was currently tying up most of Scáthach's attention.

Yet, even under these circumstances, the assassination hadn't succeeded. How could Tokiomi Tohsaka not feel anxious?

They had already caused quite a commotion, resulting in countless casualties. Although they had secured the area, they couldn't maintain it for too long.

His old friend, Risei Kotomine, had already called to inquire about the situation. Moreover, the other Masters had surely detected what was happening here. If they didn't resolve this battle quickly, it would likely devolve into the same free-for-all of the seven Servants as on the first night, and then everything would have been for naught.

However, he failed to realize that Assassins were never meant to be expendable pawns in frontal assaults. Instead, this increasingly chaotic situation caused the usually confident Tokiomi Tohsaka to panic once more.

"Damn it, I can't drag this out any longer!"

He clenched his fists, then abruptly turned his head and issued a new command to Kirei Kotomine, who stood behind him.

"Kirei, use a Command Seal to order all Assassins to unleash their Noble Phantasms. You must kill El-Melloi!"

"...Understood, Teacher."

Kirei Kotomine calmly raised his palm and used a Command Seal as instructed.

Compared to the anxious Tokiomi Tohsaka, his demeanor was significantly calmer at this moment.

……

——Bang bang bang!!

Meanwhile, on the other side, the battle of clashing blades continued.

Scáthach repelled Artoria's attacks one after another. Getting carried away, she felt that enough time had passed and decided to abandon Kenneth, who was beside her.

Fighting two-on-one was indeed restrictive. It was better to deal with the opponent in front of her first.

As for those Assassins... there was someone more suitable to handle them.

Considering the time, she had already stalled long enough. Since that King of Heroes hadn't appeared yet, it was highly likely he wouldn't.

Therefore, the simple game was over, and it was time for her side to counterattack.

"Go on, Lemon Head. Time's about up, you can make your move now."

Before letting go, Scáthach specifically reminded Kenneth, signaling the start of the next phase of the battle.

"Lemon Head..."

Hearing this moniker, Kenneth couldn't help but frown. He was about to retort loudly and reprimand her, but considering his current predicament, Kenneth could only relent and focus his attention on the upcoming battle.

"I understand. Then, you will deal with Saber, and I will handle the remaining Assassins."

"Are you sure? Then it's up to you."

After a brief exchange, Scáthach no longer fought with restraint. Her graceful figure stretched lightly in mid-air, and then two dazzling crimson beams of light violently tore through the night sky.

——Bang!!

The moment the spear and sword collided, an even more terrifying power erupted than before.

"What?!"

This sudden, fierce attack caused Artoria's eyes to widen.

"Surprised? It's nothing to be surprised about. I just finished warming up, and now I'm getting serious," Scáthach said with a slight smile, then casually added, "Are you ready now, Saber?"

——Whoosh!!

Without giving Artoria any time to react or reply, the demonic spear tightly gripped in Scáthach's hand suddenly spun in her palm.

The slightly shorter demonic spear then erupted with a blinding light, illuminating the faces of both her and Saber. Then...

A dark red meteor shot up from the ground into the night sky, sending Saber flying backward dozens of meters along with it. She then unhesitatingly took a step forward to pursue.

"She's really fast..."

Kenneth couldn't help but sigh as he saw Scáthach's elusive figure.

He had just said he would act, but before he could say anything else, she had already eagerly moved the battlefield.

This made him feel a bit emotional.

However, emotions aside, it was now time for him to counterattack.

Kenneth slowly retreated, surveying the increasing number of dark figures surrounding him. His gaze grew colder, and his lowered hand quietly clenched into a fist.

To push him into such a desperate situation, these damned guys...

He wouldn't let them off easily.

However, he wasn't the only one with such thoughts at this moment. The Assassin, who had been unable to approach due to fear of Scáthach's magical spear, finally saw an opportunity after Scáthach moved the battlefield with Artoria.

Seeing Kenneth and the others unprotected by Scáthach, the Assassin swarmed them like hounds spotting prey. Dozens of black shadows lunged at him simultaneously, intending to tear him to shreds right there.

To ensure no mistakes were made, Kirei Kotomine even used a Command Seal under Tokiomi Tohsaka's orders.

"By the name of the Command Seal, I order Hundred-Faced Hassan to use their Noble Phantasm and kill El-Melloi."

As the command was issued, the binding force and reinforcement of a Command Seal immediately took effect on Hundred-Faced Hassan.

They then decided to give Kenneth no more chances and unleashed their Heroic Spirit Noble Phantasm—

[—Delusional Illusion: Zabaniya.]

With the activation of Hundred-Faced Hassan's Noble Phantasm, the black shadows throughout the ruins began to tremble violently in the next moment.

Within the distorted shadows, hundreds of figures of various heights, builds, and genders appeared. Without exception, they all wore pale, skull-like masks and stared intently at Kenneth before acting in unison.

Possessing one hundred personalities, one hundred avatars, and mastering all assassination knowledge—that is Hundred-Faced Hassan.

Although nearly half had already been lost, under the effect of the Command Seal, they had summoned back the fallen avatars using their Noble Phantasm.

At this moment, all of Hundred-Faced Hassan's avatars appeared on the battlefield. They would become their Master's blades, fiercely stabbing towards the enemy.

Looking at the Assassin who had summoned all their avatars by unleashing their Noble Phantasm, Kenneth felt no fear. Instead, he found it somewhat amusing. He hadn't expected their Master to be so cooperative, actually sending out all the Assassins with their Noble Phantasm just to kill him.

Since that's the case...

"Then I won't hold back either. Let me show you what El-Melloi's wrath truly is!"

Kenneth's expression turned grim. His gaze swept over the hundreds of Assassins present within this territory.

"Lancer, return to me!"

Just before they could charge at him and reach him, the Command Seal on his hand erupted with a dazzling red light.

"...Your subordinate's protection arrives late. I apologize for startling you, my Lord."

Under the effect of the Command Seal, Lancer had already returned. However, following Kenneth's orders, they had not revealed themselves directly.