Shirou's Return From the Fae Kingdom

"Even though there's no honor to be had in this duel where neither side knows the other's true name--"

Lancer said to Saber.

The twin spears in the handsome man's hands gathered killing intent, yet his eyes remained relaxed and at ease.

"Regardless, accept my praise. To fight this long without breaking a sweat, even as a woman, you are truly remarkable."

"You don't need to be so modest, Lancer."

The sword-wielding girl replied.

"I don't know your true name, but your martial skill is also impressive. Praise from a master like you is my honor, and I accept it with gratitude."

The two knights, unaware of each other's true identities, expressed mutual respect. Then--

"This game ends here, Lancer."

A cold male voice shattered the situation. It was Diarmuid's Master, hidden in the shadows.

"Don't let this battle drag on any longer. That Saber is a formidable enemy, finish her off quickly--I permit you to use your Noble Phantasm."

Upon hearing this, Saber's expression remained unchanged, while Lancer's relaxed demeanor vanished, his aura and stance shifting.

He discarded his short spears and released the seal on his long spear.

The crimson spear, brimming with magic, revealed its form in the moonlight.

"--You heard him too. I'm going all out now."

Lancer declared that he hadn't been serious until this point, gripping the crimson spear with both hands and gradually closing the distance with Saber.

The next instant, Diarmuid launched his assault.

Compared to his previous, god-like, ever-changing spear dance, this direct thrust appeared overly simple and straightforward.

He no longer seemed wary of the hidden weapon beneath the "Wind King Barrier," completely abandoning his defense.

Saber adopted a defensive stance, parrying with her invisible sword.

Then, with the clash of sword and spear as the pivot point.

The sword maiden's "Wind King Barrier" was forcibly dispelled, revealing the sword hidden within--

Or so it should have been.

"What!?"

Diarmuid, knocked back by Saber's brute force, barely managed to regain his footing, staring with disbelief.

His Noble Phantasm, "Gae Dearg," could sever magical energy upon contact with an enemy's armament.

While this Noble Phantasm lacked immense destructive power, it was remarkably effective in close combat.

No matter how potent the magic imbued in an enemy's armament, it would completely lose its magical effect the moment the spear tip touched it.

Normally, Saber's "Wind King Barrier" should have been dispelled... but this situation did not occur.

There was only one possibility.

That Saber's sword possessed a mystery far surpassing that of the crimson spear.

Diarmuid was not discouraged by this failed attack; instead, his fighting spirit soared.

Undoubtedly, his opponent was a formidable enemy, superior to himself.

In that case...

The crimson spear in Diarmuid's hands pulsed with even greater power.

"Pierce through!" Gae Dearg!"

Diarmuid himself became a blur of motion, unleashing the Noble Phantasm's true name amidst a roar.

"Gae Dearg," a spear known as the "Noble Phantasm killer's Noble Phantasm."

At the cost of revealing his Servant identity, the demonic spear gained an attack power far exceeding its previous thrust, its mystery skyrocketing, surging, intensifying!

This time, Diarmuid intended not only to pierce the "Wind King Barrier" but to directly penetrate Saber's magical armor!

However, the future Diarmuid envisioned still did not come to pass.

Saber once again used her invisible sword as a shield, completely nullifying the magic-erasing effect of the crimson spear's attack.

"I finally understand the true power of this sword!"

Lancer roared.

"Not only skilled at concealing itself, but also specializing in defense--In that case!"

The demonic spear, its true name unleashed, transformed into a raging crimson storm, thrusting towards Saber in an overwhelming barrage.

In terms of speed alone, Lancer surpassed Saber. Now, he leveraged his advantage to launch a fierce barrage of attacks.

Any Servant would crumble under this spear's thrust.

Any Noble Phantasm would disintegrate under this Gae Dearg's onslaught.

Finally, the wind barrier enveloping the golden-haired girl was broken, revealing its true form--

"Lancer, I can feel your fighting spirit..."

A flash accompanied the words.

"In response, I'll show you my full power...!"

A beam of golden starlight erupted from the raging wind, piercing through the chaotic red roses.

A torrent of immense magical power released from the maiden's palm blew away everything around them.

Power and magic that defied common sense.

The Holy Sword of Stars, which had not yet unleashed its true name, easily crushed the "Noble Phantasm Killer" that Lancer prided himself on with a single swing.

The outcome was decided.

Lancer silently fell to the ground dozens of meters away.

Despite the chief knight of the Knights of the Round Table having gambled everything, he couldn't even scratch Saber.

All he managed to do with his full strength was to bring the Holy Sword wielder's intangible sword back into the moonlight.

"..."

All the Magus who witnessed this duel widened their eyes.

While they were shocked by Saber's overwhelming strength, they also realized with surprise--

What the maiden held in her hand was not a blade overflowing with starlight.

After the wind-based sheath dispersed, what was revealed was another incredibly beautiful golden sheath.

Its name was "Avalon."

The strongest defense in this world, unreachable even by the Five Magics, inviolable.

--Tonight, Saber had been hitting people with her sheath the entire time.

And among those who witnessed this duel.

Only one person was not captivated by the Saber's Noble Phantasm, but instead stared intently at her face.

Shirou gazed into the crystal ball, dazedly calling out the maiden's true name (?).

"Is it you... Morgan?"

Ps: Using the sheath as a weapon is perfectly fine, as seen in Saber of Red's classic skin (FGO second ascension).

After all, the Wind King Barrier is essentially a sheath, and Yamato Takeru from another series also had a water sheath. Hitting people with a sheath is a Type-Moon tradition.

When the Holy Sword and Avalon are combined, it is still considered "Excalibur," with the Noble Phantasm type changing to "???" and the rank becoming "EX."

According to the lore, Artoria used the sheath given to her by the Master when summoning Arthur, so Shirou, you see.

Volume 1, Chapter 045: Morgan? Morgan!

Unlike the chilly warehouse district, the living room of the Amamiya residence was filled with warm air.

"So strong~ So strong, so strong, so strong~! Miss Saber is just too powerful, isn't she??"

Lady Avalon sat cross-legged before the crystal ball, her dreamlike eyes shining with joyful surprise.

She grabbed Shirou's arm and shook him violently, "Master, did you see that?

That petite Saber easily defeated Lancer, who is also one of the Three Knights!

Amazing! Wow, truly amazing! Super amazing! I wonder what her true name is, it's so hard to guess~"

"..."

Shirou didn't respond, instead staring intently at the crystal ball.

In the small night scene reflected by the orb, a petite figure stood.

As if he had forgotten the rest of the world, Shirou stared directly at that figure.

He had been like this since he started monitoring the battle in the warehouse district.

No matter how much Lady Avalon fussed beside him, Shirou paid no attention, only fixating on one person and following their movements.

Flowing golden hair and a refined profile.

A petite body clad in chalk-white armor, exuding an imposing and heroic knightly aura in the night.

Her gaze was sharp, her demeanor dignified, and her movements elegant and practiced.

Facing a warrior much larger than herself, her flawless beauty maintained an unchanging composure.

More importantly, the familiar fighting style deeply etched into Shirou's mind.

Charging forward like a wild boar.

Fierce and powerful like a lion.

It would be difficult to find another like this maiden, even if one searched through parallel worlds across the multiverse.

And that shining golden Holy Sword--

Shirou muttered to himself, "Wait a second, could it be...!"

"M... Master?"

Lady Avalon stared at her Master as if dumbfounded.

What, what's going on? What's with my Master?

Shirou collapsed onto the tatami, gazing at the ceiling and muttering in confusion.

"My wish... the reason I was chosen by the Holy Grail... could it be this...?"

"Wh-What is it! Hurry up and tell Lady Avalon, big sis!"

The Flower Magus was extremely anxious. "Because it feels like it's going to be something fun, so don't keep me in suspense, just tell me already! Master!"

She had a premonition that some great amusement awaited her.

Shirou suddenly sat up and abruptly grabbed Lady Avalon's soft shoulders.

"Oof... That hurts..."

"You're Merlin's sister, right?"

"Ah, yes... that's right, I'm Brother's sister..."

Lady Avalon looked utterly bewildered, not knowing what had happened.

Could it be that Master has realized the truth!?

Shirou said excitedly, "Since you're Merlin's sister, you must know Morgan!"

"Of course... Hmm? Huh?"

Lady Avalon's eyes widened: Why would that woman's name pop up at a time like this!?