"Phew!"
Amid the raging sea of flames, a gust of wind suddenly swept in, causing a figure to appear before Jeanne〔Alter〕.
The heavy shield, nearly as tall as a person, was raised and held in front of Jeanne〔Alter〕, gathering both of them behind it.
The newcomer was none other than Mashu.
"That shield—could it be...!?"
Lancelot's expression finally changed as he brought his strike down with tremendous force, astonishment and shock showing in his eyes.
However, it was already too late to rein in his strength.
The full-force blow of the Knight of the Lake Lancelot's Noble Phantasm crashed heavily into the shield before him.
"Clang——!"
Like steel striking a giant bell, when the magic sword shimmering with the radiance of the lake struck the shield, a wave of sound rippled outward, scattering the flames around them.
"Skree——!"
At the same time, the blade of the magic sword, overflowing with magical energy, scraped across the shield's surface with unstoppable force. Sparks burst violently, while the ear-piercing noise shook their eardrums and echoed through the area.
"It was blocked...!?"
Lancelot's expression changed again and again, and he could no longer remain calm.
"Haa!"
Only then did Mashu let out a sharp cry. With a fierce swing, she wielded the shield in her hands like a hammer and smashed it toward Lancelot.
"Boom——!"
Amid the dull impact, the side of the shield slammed hard into Lancelot's chest.
"Guh...!"
Lancelot immediately let out a muffled groan of pain and was sent flying.
However, Lancelot quickly recovered. He adjusted his posture in midair, spun around, landed on the ground, and skidded backward before finally coming to a stop some distance away.
"Cough, cough...!"
Lancelot clutched his chest and coughed.
But Lancelot had no time to worry about that.
"That shield, and that heavy blow