Chapter 760

"How is that possible...?"

"Completely unharmed...?"

Even after the flames died down, Berserker still stood there.

She wasn't engulfed and burned by the flames; in fact, she didn't even suffer a scratch.

Her graceful figure, standing proudly, was both like a noble Queen and a majestic Valkyrie.

"The same magical mist as Saber neutralized our attack... So, it was some kind of blessing after all?"

"... No matter what, isn't this just too unfair?"

Luvia's complaints represented the sentiments of everyone.

She possesses the strongest attack and defense capabilities on par with Saber, and also has Caster's range and teleportation abilities.

The attacks from Jewel Magic and the Kaleidoscope Wand were ineffective, making it difficult for Shirou to get close, while a single hit from the opponent would be fatal.

This enemy is simply too unfair.

Clearly, they can't win if they continue like this.

"No time to think! Miyu! Cover me!"

Shirou took another step.

The Magical Girl's shots rained down around the Black Queen, but she paid no heed, raising a finger to aim at Shirou.

"----!"

Shirou felt a sudden tightness in his chest, and he instinctively jumped to the side before returning to normal.

Was that... Black Magic that directly attacks the enemy's heart?

If Shirou hadn't had that divinely inspired "Instinct," his internal organs would have been crushed long ago.

"Such a Grand Magic, it wouldn't be surprising if it were considered Noble Phantasm, yet it was only used in Single Action..."

Rin Tohsaka's face turned deathly pale.

"... Although I hate to admit it, Berserker's skill as Magecraft is undoubtedly top-tier."

Who exactly said that?

Berserker is incapable of using Magecraft; he's a mindless beast. Shirou is too lazy to even comment on Rin anymore.

"Since restraint isn't working... let's try our most powerful attack first!"

As Shirou shouted this, a black bow was Projection.

While dodging Berserker's attacks, he Chant Spell, nocking his twin swords like arrows onto a bowstring.

This is the maximum attack Shirou can currently mount, capable of breaking through Berserker's magical mist.

" --Blades of Chaos!"

Taking advantage of Miyu's distraction, Shirou fired an arrow with a murderous intent.

The spiraling, burning twin blades were aimed at a distant enemy and launched.

Berserker resorted to his old trick, using "Space Transfer," but—

The arrows possessed an automatic homing capability, continuing to pursue the fleeing Black Queen even after missing their target.

The "Blades of Chaos" was originally a weapon connected to the user's arms by chains, and even when transformed into an arrow, it still retained the characteristic of being controllable by the user.

"!!"

Seeing the arrows relentlessly pursuing her, the Black Queen gracefully raised her arm.

Instantly, two azure stakes shot out from the void behind her, colliding with the pursuing arrows in mid-air and causing a massive explosion.

"Waaah!"

The gust of wind generated by the explosion forced Rin Tohsaka and the others to raise their arms to shield themselves from the wind pressure.

"..."

Shirou stood amidst the aftershocks of the explosion, his eyes wide open—

The one from just now...

Berserker's fighting style, which involved summoning stakes from behind and firing them at enemies, suddenly gave him a certain inspiration.

Okay, let's give it a try...

After the explosion subsided, Berserker prepared to attack again.

She raised the giant halberd high.

"Mr. Shirou... watch out!"

Although Miyu didn't understand what the Black Queen was planning, she had a bad feeling.

But--

Shirou stood there unmoved, facing the Berserker who was about to attack.

There was no intention to rush in for close combat, nor to create distance for easier dodging.

Shirou, facing the Black Queen, raised his arm and spread his five fingers.

"... Projection, begin (Trace On)!"

As the boy whispered, a dozen swords appeared around Berserker, surrounding her from every angle.

"!"

The Black Queen wanted to escape, but before she could, Shirou clenched his fist.

"----"

A dozen sword blades thrust towards a single point, piercing straight through Berserker's body.

"Uh, did you defeat them...?"

Rin Tohsaka gasped softly.

Before everyone's eyes, the Black Queen was riddled with swords and blades, not a single part of her body intact. Finally, unable to stand any longer, she collapsed to one knee.

No matter how overpowered Berserker's combat abilities are, he is ultimately a fragile Magecraft and cannot possess Saber's extraordinary durability and endurance.

Her health bar is very short, which is her only weakness.

Shirou Projection over a dozen swords at once because he felt:

Having been pierced through the body by more than a dozen Noble Phantasm, even if this guy had twelve lives, he should all be dead by now.

However, Shirou's expression remained serious, and he did not lower his guard—because the enemy had not yet turned into a card.

In other words...

"What!?"

I've lost count of how many times I've been taken aback tonight.

The next instant, the Black Queen's body shattered like a mirror.

The Projection sword blades of Shirou fell to the ground with a "crackling" sound.

"Disappeared? Why?"

Luvia shouted.

At that moment, Shirou seemed to sense something and Projection his twin swords again.

The moment the giant halberd descended from the sky, Shirou reacted in time and did his best to block it.

"Gurgle...!!"

Shirou was sent flying by the head-on blow, and Rin and Luvia rushed up to catch the boy.

Then, they all tilted their heads back.

A black figure, capable of freezing everything, now stands in the sky.

Berserker, who should have been defeated by Shirou, appeared there unharmed.

For a moment, no one could understand what had happened.

"Could it be... the ability to resurrect...?"

Luvia said in a hoarse voice.

"No... that's not right..."

Shirou shook his head; he did indeed have the feeling that he had just killed Berserker.

More importantly, Berserker's magic power has also been restored to its original full state.

If it's a resurrection, it's impossible for magic power to be fully restored, right?

Shirou considered even worse possibilities—

"Clone."

Rin: "Huh?"

Shirou: "The one I just defeated was just a clone of Berserker."

Rin: "Are you saying that the one in front of you now is the real one?"

"No--"

Shirou gritted his teeth, sweating profusely, and said, "What I have now... is just a clone."

"How can this be...?"

"Shirou's judgment is correct; we cannot detect the presence of Class Card in the individual before us."

Sapphire stated, "--She's not the real Berserker."

"..."

Everyone was speechless.

The top floor of the abandoned building was instantly dominated by despair.

That must be how it is, Shirou thought.

Berserker possesses the Magecraft to create "clones with the same capabilities as himself".

Although we were all on the verge of collapse, the real her still hadn't shown up.

Just how far does this cheating have to go? How can anyone possibly defeat someone like this...?

Everyone's mind went blank.

The possibility of victory was unimaginable, so...

"Retreat! We can't beat this guy unless we come up with a new strategy!"

Luvia nodded in agreement with Rin's shout, "Sapphire, prepare to retreat!"

"..."

Shirou also knew that retreat was the best option.

However, he made another decision in his heart.

Shirou understood the significance of retreating here.

There is no chance of winning under the current circumstances.

Then, next time it will be Illya's turn to be summoned.

This is the one thing Shirou absolutely cannot let happen.

Illya might get hurt, she might be left with psychological trauma, Miyu would feel guilty for not keeping her promise.

Shirou no longer wanted to see their tears.

"Bang--!!"

Rin and Luvia unleash their Jewel Magic once again, but this time it's used to restrain them.

They attacked while simultaneously increasing the distance between themselves and the Berserker.