"This is—"
Lancer looked stunned.
Why hadn't "Kazikli Bey" activated?
Why hadn't my stakes pierced his heart?
More importantly, what was this strange sensation I was feeling...?
"—Inherent Barrier."
Shirou explained without expression.
"An ultimate spell that materializes the Imaginary Number Space and erodes reality... It's one of the Noble Phantasms I possess.
Its name is 'Unlimited Blade Works'—
This Inherent Barrier is a domain under my control. It doesn't fall within the bounds of your territory.
In other words—as long as you're inside this barrier, you're no longer the 'Ghost General of the Nation.'"
This was the truth behind Vlad III's drastically reduced physical abilities.
The land where he now stood was no longer the territory of Romania, where Vlad III was revered as a hero. As a result, his fame was practically zero.
Once he left Romania, Vlad III was nothing more than a bloodthirsty vampire.
In contrast, the fame of the "Black" Saber, the Nameless King who had been praised for a thousand years, stood at the very peak of the world.
Of course, even setting fame aside, the difference between their abilities in life was enormous.
The "Black" Lancer could still produce stakes smoothly, but the force and cunning of the stakes themselves were no longer as fierce as before.
Shirou didn't even need to project swords anymore. He simply swung the "Demon Sword Clarent" in his hand and cut down every stake.
"Tch...!"
The "Black" Lancer launched an attack while leaping violently backward.
But after losing his territorial bonus, his parameters were far inferior to Shirou's, and Shirou closed in with ease.
"Why aren't you firing swords anymore!?"
Vlad III had long since lost his initial elegance. He roared in question.
Could this Inherent Barrier have some restriction that prevented him from projecting swords again?