Despite the situation, Lin Yan spoke to Ruler with calm eyes.
"Please, you don't need to worry. I won't let you die, and I can't be destroyed here either."
Ruler planted the Holy Standard she held in her right hand into the ground. Looking back, she saw Black Rider, his face weary and exhausted, tightly embracing Lin Yan as though protecting him.
In this situation, it was impossible for his Master not to order him to escape in spirit form. Rider had probably refused the order himself. With the Independent Action skill, Rider could still maintain his existence for a certain amount of time even after his mana supply had been cut off.
Yet refusing to run in this situation was simply too reckless.
"Aren't you going to run, Black Rider?"
"No."
"But..."
Rider shook his head fiercely as he clung to Lin Yan.
"I said no means no! I don't want to see him get hurt again! I absolutely won't back down from here!"
Despite being seriously wounded himself, Rider had no intention of fleeing. He had no countermeasure either. Even if he protected Lin Yan like this, the only result would be both of them perishing together.
Meaningless... this was utterly meaningless.
Without considering Noble Phantasms, Black Rider Astolfo was merely a second-rate, perhaps even third-rate Servant. Among Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins, Astolfo alone was renowned in legend for being weak.
But Astolfo was still a hero.
"I won't..."
Though his entire body trembled, Rider did not abandon the thought of protecting Lin Yan, nor did he feel the slightest fear. It was only natural for those born strong to display courage, because they were strong to begin with. They had confidence in their own power and possessed the fighting spirit to never yield to any enemy.
But Astolfo