"Saber, I won't go easy on you just because you're injured."
Lancer's teasing made Saber sneer.
"After I win, I'll use your blood to wash this curse away!"
"Then I'd be... more than happy to oblige!"
Lancer gripped the Two-Colored Roses and assumed a stance, his expression brimming with boundless fighting spirit.
Saber stamped forward!
The battle between them was about to begin!
A little late--
Sorry for goofing off until now...
Chapter 40: The Rematch!
The cool evening breeze blew around them, but the fighting spirit radiating from the two seemed hot enough to turn it into scorching air. As the tension thickened, it felt as though they were both waiting for a spark to set off the suffocating atmosphere.
"Saber, whether you believe it or not, I'm glad that you're my opponent."
Though they were in the middle of a battle, Lancer's smile remained bright.
His conduct in the warehouse district earlier, as well as his decision to let the women leave first just now, had both been entirely in keeping with the chivalry Lancer believed in. What was more--
Saber was also the most reasonable opponent he had met in this Holy Grail War. His satisfaction with his opponent made him look forward to the battle.
"As your opponent, I'm honored."
As Saber spoke, Invisible Air quietly dissipated from around the golden Holy Sword. Their previous battle had already proven that against the Red Rose in Lancer's hand, Invisible Air was no more than a futile trick.
As if a signal had sounded, both of them stepped forward at almost the same time!
The fierce battle was about to begin. It was a reenactment of their duel in the warehouse district two days ago, but this time the clash was even more intense and direct!
Neither of them bothered with any more probing feints. Their battle two days ago had given them a thorough understanding of their opponent!
Close combat--
That was the strategy Saber had decided on before the fight. As a knight who wielded a spear, Lancer would always be at a disadvantage in close-quarters combat, given the nature of his weapon...
So Saber struck first, swiftly closing in and slashing at the wide-open space in front of Lancer's chest with a deadly blow, intent on ending the fight quickly.
But Saber seemed to have forgotten one thing--
Lancer—Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, the foremost warrior of the Fianna Knights—had manifested as a Heroic Spirit who wielded spears. But this hero, who, like King Arthur, hailed from Celtic Mythology, was better known for something other than his skill with a spear--
His swordsmanship.
Lancer instantly saw through Saber's intentions and raised his Red Rose...
In an instant, their weapons clashed at close range, sparks flying everywhere!
The spear in Lancer's hand easily deflected the pressure of the Holy Sword. Seeing this, Saber could only grit her teeth and press the attack, for she knew that if she stopped, she would be the one at a disadvantage.
Lancer was no less fierce. In his master's hands, the weapon's spear-like qualities were displayed to the fullest.
The Holy Sword and Magic Spear intertwined in fierce opposition, sparks flashing so chaotically that they dazzled the eye. Driven by strength and speed far beyond human limits, the legendary treasures clashed at speeds surpassing sound. Observation became meaningless as their godlike techniques reached their peak in the heat of battle, engaging in a contest beyond all comprehension.
Lancer seemed delighted. Even with her left hand sealed, Saber's strength was still surprisingly formidable. It made the blood of the Celtic warrior begin to boil.
They had fought through an unknown number of exchanges—perhaps dozens, perhaps hundreds. It was impossible to tell with the naked eye. After their weapons clashed, the two seemed to receive some kind of signal and pulled back from each other in unison.
"Lancer... you..."
There was a hint of understanding in Saber's voice.
Because Lancer's Yellow Rose had sealed her left wrist earlier, Saber had spent the entire battle that night watching out for the yellow spear in Lancer's left hand. If she were struck by that short spear again, the consequences would be unthinkable!
But--
The more she watched, the more Saber felt that Lancer's technique was off tonight.
He had been using the Red Rose in his right hand to attack, while the Yellow Rose in his left had remained almost entirely still. Even when he used it, it was only to block.
"You noticed."
After Saber pointed it out, Lancer gave a bitter smile.
Though he faced an opponent who was already at a disadvantage, the knight Lancer had claimed he wouldn't hold back, yet he had made no attempt to exploit the injury to Saber's left wrist. He had not even continued using the Yellow Rose in his hand.
But this noble concession, worthy of reverence, was nothing short of a great insult to Saber.
Her anger did not cloud her reason. At least, she could still distinguish what mattered in the present situation: weaken the enemy as much as possible to improve her chances of winning the duel.
That was all Saber could think about now.
"If you think victory is already in your grasp, then you're far too naive, Lancer!"
With that, Saber charged at Lancer.
The clang of spear and sword rang out once more, filling the empty highway.
On the highway leading from Fuyuki to the suburbs, two figures clashed without pause.
They wielded nothing but cold weapons, yet their power surpassed even that of modern firearms. The shockwaves that escaped their battle by accident were enough to devastate the surroundings--
The area around them was already strewn with broken stones and the wreckage of public facilities. It was impossible to tell what it had looked like before.
"Saber, you're nearly at your limit, aren't you?"
Even in the midst of their heated battle, Lancer had the leisure to keep an eye on Saber's condition.
"Likewise."
Though she knew Lancer was deliberately trying to distract her, Saber refused to show weakness.
"Heh--"
Lancer gave a soft laugh, his attacks growing more and more ferocious. Saber gritted her teeth and endured the mounting pressure.
"Pretty words aren't enough, Saber!"
Seeing Saber's grim expression, Lancer spoke that way, but inwardly he was also on guard. Having fought on countless battlefields, he knew that an enemy was most dangerous when making a desperate final stand.
But if Saber had no other trump cards--
Then taking her life was only a matter of time.
However, fate always enjoyed playing tricks.
Their battle came to an abrupt halt, as if someone had drawn a line through it.
The two Heroic Spirits stopped fighting at the same time and turned their gazes toward Einzbern Castle.
"You sensed it too, Lancer." Saber frowned.
"Yeah--"
Lancer replied. "Looks like we're not done here yet."
Judging by the aura, something seemed to have happened to his Master. And from the looks of it, Saber's side was in trouble too.
"Shall we continue?"
Saber frowned. Through the connection of their Command Spells, she had suddenly sensed that Emiya Kiritsugu's life force had grown extremely faint.
Lancer hesitated. His orders were to kill Saber, but what about his own Master...
The loyal knight was torn.
"Sorry, my Master needs me."
Before Lancer could decide, Saber had already turned and leaped into the night, racing toward Einzbern Castle as fast as she could.
There was no time to hesitate.
Judging from how the supply of magical energy had nearly stopped just now, Emiya Kiritsugu's condition had to be very bad.
Before Saber had gone far, she suddenly heard tires screeching against the road, the sound growing closer and closer.
"Iris--"
She ran toward the sound and soon saw a silver-white "beast" darting around the winding road.
The Mercedes's headlights shone on Saber.
Screech--
The tires' friction overcame the car's momentum, bringing it to an emergency stop.
"Saber!"
Irisviel got out of the driver's seat. As if she had found someone to rely on, the panic on her face eased a little.
"Where's Kiritsugu?"
Saber asked where her Master was.
"Kiritsugu's here."
Irisviel opened the rear passenger door. Saber saw her Master—Emiya Kiritsugu—lying in the seat with his eyes closed. If not for the faint rise and fall of his chest, one might have thought he was already dead!
Emiya Kiritsugu--
Gravely wounded!
Book recommendation, book recommendation~ Not a trade
A new book, in the gender-bender genre. The author seems to be a newcomer, and since I'm a newcomer too, of course I have to show some support~
Snow White Has a Strange Stepmother
Synopsis: Who the hell keeps calling me the Snow Academic Princess? I'll kill them!] Snow White: My stepmother's been looking at me strangely lately. What should I do? Help, please!
[Snow White's Dear Stepmother] Audelia: (wiping away a nosebleed) Lie down in bed and wait for her.
Snow White, who might very well remain a legally underage girl for the rest of her life--
A queen who harbors all kinds of ill intentions toward her husband's adorable daughter from his previous marriage.
This is a story about what happens between the two of them, with ten thousand words omitted.
That's it~ Good night~
Chapter 41: Kayneth and Lancer
"Saber, what's wrong?"
After getting back into the driver's seat, Irisviel noticed Saber suddenly looking out the window and asked with concern.
"Nothing. Lancer just passed by."
Saber shook her head to indicate that everything was fine, then asked Irisviel what had happened earlier:
"By the way, Iris, what did you see when you went back just now?"
"I had just driven up to Einzbern Castle when I saw Kiritsugu stagger out. He fainted as soon as he saw me."
Irisviel started the car as she recalled what had happened:
"Then I used healing Magecraft to stabilize his injuries for the moment, helped him into the car, and drove back."
"I see..."
After hearing Irisviel's answer, Saber fell into thought--
It seemed that Lancer's Master hadn't been targeting her in the first place. Having Lancer intercept her here was probably just meant to hold her up.
Vroom--
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL's engine let out a low growl, interrupting Saber's thoughts.
"Um... Iris..."
"What is it?"
Irisviel looked at Saber, who sat in the passenger seat, wanting to say something but hesitating.
"Could you drive a little slower?"
Before you continue