"Seriously, aren't you just worried that your own Master might be ambushed while you're fighting?"
Seeing the expressions on Artoria's and Diarmuid's faces, Ailin shook his head. He raised his index and middle fingers before his chest, lowered his head, and began to chant.
"Four-Sided Dankū!"
As Ailin chanted, four pale yellow transparent curtains of light rose around Irisviel. Even the ground and the sky above were sealed off by the pale yellow light.
"This is... a defensive barrier?"
Seeing the light curtains rise around her, Irisviel reached out. The moment she touched one, she felt a resistance.
Clearly, this defensive barrier possessed considerable defensive power.
"Correct."
Since Irisviel understood defensive barriers, Ailin spared himself the trouble of explaining.
"Lancer, Saber, the defensive barrier I've set up can completely withstand even a B-rank Noble Phantasm release."
"I imagine no magus of this era has the ability to break through this barrier."
"So, can you two fight with peace of mind and give it your all now?"
"Thank you, sir."
Artoria solemnly thanked Ailin. "In return, I will fight you with all my strength."
"Nothing would please me more!"
"Then, I'm starting!"
The moment Ailin finished speaking, his figure flashed, and he instantly appeared behind Artoria.
Clang!
Clang!
Only then did the sounds of two weapons colliding ring out.
Before Artoria, sparks still lingered in the air. Sparks also flew between the invisible longsword she held behind her back and Ailin's Zanpakuto.
"Flash Blossom!"
This was one of the four secret footwork techniques of the Shihōin clan.
It involved using spinning Shunpo to strike from before and behind an enemy in succession, destroying the enemy's Chikaku and Sōtsubame.
With Ailin's mastery of Shunpo, Artoria had only caught sight of the instant he drew his blade.
It was only because Artoria possessed