Oppression, High-Intensity Close Combat

(Sincere thanks to 'lord', 'Dust of the Other Shore', 'You Bi Ji Yue', and 'Fantasy ts' for their rewards!)

"Clang—!"

Just as Noah went after Kirei Kotomine, Rider and Lancer's battle began before the church, in the courtyard that had seemingly turned into a scorched wasteland, heralded by a fierce clash.

Lancer, renowned for his martial prowess, naturally struck first.

Layers of faintly blood-red magical energy swirled around Lancer's body, turning him into a blurry shadow as he shot toward Rider like lightning.

Among the seven classes of the Holy Grail War, the Lancer class's requirements for parameters were second only to the highest-ranked Saber class.

Thus, when it came to parameters, if Saber ranked first in terms of requirements, then Lancer came second.

Furthermore, only knights with Agility at the highest rank could become Lancers. It was easy to imagine just how swift the charge of the spearman whose true name was Cu Chulainn could be.

That speed alone was enough to make Rider, whose Agility was likewise at the highest rank, tense up and face him with utmost seriousness.

At such speed, a distance of several dozen meters was practically crossed in the blink of an eye for Lancer.

Rider only sensed a few breaths passing before that blurry black shadow flashed in front of her. Closing in, Lancer tightened his grip on the Magic Spear and thrust it straight at Rider's heart like a crimson ray of light.

Had it been anyone else, even another Servant would likely have broken into a cold sweat at Lancer's speed.

Yet Rider, who also possessed Agility at the highest rank, had long been prepared.

The moment Lancer came within three meters of Rider, she moved.

"Whoosh—!"

As though teleporting, Rider's figure abruptly slid sideways and shot backward. At the same