The True Face Forced into the Open

(Heartfelt thanks to 'Silent Lurker,' 'Dust of the Other Shore,' 'Lei Xiang,' and 'Yan Ai Ai' for their donations!)

"Boom—!"

When the enormous beam of magical power crashed into the church courtyard, kicking up storm-like shockwaves and towering flames that completely engulfed Kirei Kotomine, Noah's expression showed not the slightest hint of joy. Instead, it darkened slightly.

"Hiss... hiss hiss hiss..."

After enduring several bombardments from Noah's Magic Cannon, the courtyard before the church was practically unrecognizable. It was either blasted full of deep craters or stripped of its stone paving, leaving behind only pitch-black soil, like land scorched by a raging fire. Smoke lingered everywhere.

In that utterly devastated place, the shockwaves and dense flames that had just erupted began to slowly dissipate.

Before long, a figure quietly emerged from the center of the blazing fire.

However, it was not Kirei Kotomine.

At that moment, Kirei Kotomine was still lying on the ground, blood staining the corner of his mouth. Protected by the person who had suddenly appeared, he had escaped disaster.

Noah had more or less anticipated this outcome.

Whether it was the conclusion he had reached through deduction or the fact that, after the Magic Cannon fired, a figure had suddenly entered the range of his senses and protected Kirei Kotomine, the result was obvious.

Thus, Noah let out a cold laugh.

"So you finally decided to show yourself, Lancer's Servant?"

The newcomer was none other than Lancer.

Holding that familiar crimson Magic Spear, Lancer first glanced at Kirei Kotomine, who lay behind him on the ground, clutching his chest and coughing up blood, before turning his gaze back to Noah with a helpless expression.

"Well, well, I ended up stepping in after all..."

Those words made it clear that Lancer had been watching from nearby the