One After Another, They Make Their Entrance

Kiritsugu threw away his cigarette butt and crushed it with his foot. "I'm going to destroy it!"

Upon receiving this answer, Kirei Kotomine's lips tightened slightly.

"Madness!"

Kirei Kotomine looked at the man opposite her with a look of hatred:

"Do you know that even now, you are still qualified to have 'it'? 'It' hasn't given up on you. It could have chosen me directly, but 'it' still believes you are more qualified than me. And yet, all you think about is destruction."

Kiritsugu, whom Kirei Kotomine to, had a vague idea of what that "it" was, but he didn't want to say much to Kirei Kotomine. All he could think about was how to win this final battle as soon as possible.

If this drags on any longer, who knows what unexpected things might happen to Saber.

He glanced subconsciously at the Command Spell on the back of his hand. Since the beginning, strong magical fluctuations had been constantly emanating from the other end of the contract.

They must have been stopped by some troublesome fellow.

Looking at Kiritsugu's expressionless face, Kirei Kotomine suddenly felt a sense of unease.

Although he now understood that he and Emiya Kiritsugu not only had nothing in common, but were also almost opposites, this man named Emiya Kiritsugu was not empty, but had an almost naive ideal.

And for this reason, he began to give up the happiness he possessed. But he was unaware that the joy and happiness he was giving up, even if it was just a fragment, were worth protecting with his life, even at the cost of his own life, in Kirei's eyes.

For a man who can't even find a small piece of joy and happiness and remains perpetually lost, Kiritsugu's life exists only in his envy and longing.

How can one tolerate such insatiable hunger and unfillable void being so belittled and mocked? How can one not feel hatred?

So, fueled by this disgust and hatred, killing such an opponent will surely allow me to experience genuine pleasure once again.

Thinking this, the young priest revealed the Black Keys, three in each hand, their sharp edges shining brightly against the cross on his chest, their cold light chilling.

Upon witnessing this scene, Emiya Kiritsugu unhesitatingly drew his beloved gun—the Thompson Contender—from his robes.

Since we can't communicate, there's no need to communicate.

The bullets were already loaded, and the Magus Killer's undefeated costume was eager to be tested today. Just as he expected, the first round of battle would inevitably be Black Keys against bullets.

Believing in the principle of striking first, Emiya Kiritsugu pulled the trigger before his opponent could make a move. The muzzle of his.30.06 Spring Field sniper rifle blatantly unleashed its killing intent. For Kirei Kotomine, predicting such a shot was a piece of cake.

Kirei Kotomine activated a large-scale Magecraft. The Black Keys was infused with magical power and expanded to several times the size of the blade, deflecting bullets. The priest continued his advance. His flesh and blood were impervious to bullets; this fighting ability had long surpassed the realm of humanity.

However, this was exactly Kiritsugu wanted.

The Origin Bullet lay silently in the chamber of Magic Spear Contender, his trump card, its maximum effect only realized when the opponent unleashed their full Magecraft. As a member of the Church, Kirei Kotomine's ability to use Magecraft of this caliber Kiritsugu, but this surprise also translated into victory. The greater the amount of energy the opponent used, the easier it was for Kiritsugu's Mystic Code to be effective. The Origin Bullet, with its lethal power against Magecraft, existed precisely for this reason.

Kirei Kotomine, completely unprepared for this, will die in the next second from the rampage of his magical circuits, Emiya Kiritsugu firmly believed.

However, the figure in black robes quickly approached, and before the opponent could react, Black Keys flashed with a cold light as they attacked.

"Time alter--doubleaccel! (Time Alter --double speed)"

Even faster than the brain is the body's movement. Kiritsugu instantly activated his Time Alter at double speed, and the priest's right foot almost grazed his nose. If he had been hit by that, his head might have been shattered. This wasn't a calm delusion, but a stark reality.

Kiritsugu had no idea why his trump card had failed, nor did he have time to ponder the question; he wasn't even allowed to be taken aback. The opponent's attack didn't allow him a moment's distraction. The direct consequence of the Origin Bullet's failure was the loss of the gunman's distance advantage. From now on, whether reloading or firing, he needed to once again create the distance he needed from the enemy.

At this stage, the battle becomes a contest of distance.

Completely ignoring the damage that the Time Alter him, Emiya Kiritsugu fought without stopping for a moment. As long as he could win in terms of speed, he would still have the advantage.

Almost instantly, Kiritsugu experienced his second defeat.

The double-speed movement wasn't fast enough for the priest's naked eye to miss, so as the enemy threw a punch in his path, Kiritsugu kissed the breath of death at close range.

Emiya Kiritsugu is not someone who believes in luck.

Even the two surprises he experienced today wouldn't shake his belief that what determines the outcome of a battle is strength, not those vague numerical values.

However, when the two sides in a battle are evenly matched, even the slightest mistake can lead to the death of one of them. In the critical moment, the thoughts in the mind of Emiya Kiritsugu, this fighting machine, are still on how to turn the tide of battle, how to achieve victory, and how to destroy the Holy Grail before he dies.

But it seems too late to use Command Spell now; the fierce wind of the punch has already swept towards his stomach.

"Time alter--triple accel! (Time Alter, triple speed.)"

He subconsciously uttered a spell that was tantamount to suicide, barely dodging the punch while feeling his internal organs shatter, as if he were facing death itself—passing by death only to be greeted by another.

Kiritsugu only knew that if death was coming one after another, he had to endure as long as possible to choose the last one to knock on the door.

As long as you're not the first one to die between the two of you, then death can become your savior!

Without considering any strategy to dodge, Kiritsugu raised his spear again without hesitation.

A face-to-face duel, bullets against fists!

It's like two opponents playing Russian roulette; who will ultimately receive the gift from death from the gun barrel?

It's no use!

Kirei Kotomine in front of him, the contender still needing to be reloaded. If the submachine gun bullets were lucky enough to be fired through the tension of death, they could cut off the priest's escape route—but the priest didn't need an escape route.

Facing the dark muzzle of a gun, Kirei Kotomine inexplicably became excited.

Now, he only needs half a second to kill Emiya Kiritsugu.

"Varied--"

Kirei Kotomine stared in astonishment at the purple protective barrier beneath his fist; his fist struck it without causing a ripple, as if sinking into the ocean.

But Kiritsugu's submachine gun had already begun to spew fire, like a storm, blowing away death with an unyielding and unquestionable attitude.

There was no time to stop, no time to dodge. But he once again did something that ordinary people could not do: with a reaction time of 0.01 seconds, he avoided the fatal vital points in his body and retreated, then used the expanding Black Keys to deflect the 9mm bullets that had been prepared for him.

As he activated his Magecraft, Emiya Kiritsugu also safely escaped the clutches of death.

Success or failure, life or death, spins like a roulette wheel in a matter of seconds.

Death began the game with great enthusiasm, choosing his sacrifices, only to capriciously change his mind at the last second.

Kiritsugu Emiya Kiritsugu the blood from the corner of his mouth. The triple-speed casting had caused varying degrees of damage to his internal organs. If he had held on for even a few more seconds, he would probably have died.

However, before that happens, Kirei Kotomine's fist will probably kill him.

If not...

As the barrier light clinging to him began to dissipate, Emiya Kiritsugu remembered the unknown little gadget that Wang Xiaoming had thrown at him before they took action.

It seems that, no matter what, I'll have to accept this favor.

"The talisman isn't completely broken yet, but two-thirds of its magic power has already been used up."

After assessing the current condition of the Mystic Code she had made, Medea judged that Emiya Kiritsugu was probably out of danger.

I hope he can get better soon.

Wang Xiaoming breathed a sigh of relief and thought to himself.

At this moment, another unexpected situation occurred on the field.

"A boring battle like this doesn't even deserve to please me!"

Seeing the stalemate on the battlefield, Irisviel, showing impatience, made the above declaration:

"So, go to hell!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the Black Mud behind her began to boil again, and at the same time, a domineering aura swept across the entire battlefield!

Chapter 127. Appearing in Succession

"I'm tired of this boring charade, so please just die already."

The moment Irisviel finished speaking, the ominous Black Mud churned up once more!

"!"

At the same time, a domineering aura swept across the entire battlefield, plunging the fierce battle into an instant of silence.

At this moment, everyone on the battlefield, regardless of who they were, instinctively turned their gaze to the enormous outline that was gradually taking shape in the boiling Black Mud.

--Gnarled muscles, crimson hair and beard like burning flames, and an overbearing aura that seemed determined to crush everything!

Upon seeing the familiar figure emerge from the Black Mud, a hint of astonishment flashed across Saber's face:

"R... Rider..."

That's right, the "giant" that Irisviel summoned from the Black Mud once again was none other than "King of Conquerors the Iskandar," who was defeated by Archer the night before!

"A--LAAAAAA--!"

However, in response to Saber, a brutal, earth-shattering roar erupted from Rider's mouth, sweeping across the entire battlefield. But the madness hidden within that roar could not be concealed no matter what.

"Even you couldn't defeat the power of the Greater Grail...?"

Saber's tone was filled with bitterness, a mixture of anger at the Greater Grail that was constantly tainting the noble souls of the Heroic Spirit, and helplessness in the face of the battle.

She can barely hold her own against Lancelot and Diarmuid now. Although the opponents have a numerical advantage, the two Black Knights' frenzied emotions are still a major factor influencing the outcome of the battle.

But now, watching Rider stride towards the battlefield, Saber's heart sank...

However, Rider paid no heed to Saber's thoughts. He stopped as he walked out of the main hall, then suddenly drew his sword from its sheath and raised it above his head.

Although he appeared aggressive, Saber was somewhat confused by his inexplicable actions, as he did not actually emanate any magical power from his Noble Phantasm.

Then she saw Rider forcefully swing his sword down into the empty space. Immediately afterwards, a thunderous roar and tremor shook the Ryuudou Temple in the dead of night.

What happened?

With this question in mind, Saber saw that in front of Rider, the space where the sword had been swung suddenly split open, and a muffled thunderous sound came from the distance. Then, two muscular, muscular bulls pulled a magnificent chariot out.

--Gordius Wheel

The chariot that appears in the most famous scene in the legend of Alexander the Great, the Gordian Knot, was itself, along with the bull, a sacrifice to the god Zeus.

But now, the bull, which was originally used as a sacrifice to worship the gods, has become like a monster that has walked out of hell, with eerie blue flames emanating from its pupils.

Rider, the chariot's master, leaped onto the driver's seat and, as usual, grabbed the reins to control the two bulls. This time, however, the little guy who always complained was not by his side.

With a sudden jerk of the reins, Rider, gripping the bull's reins, unleashed a bolt of purple lightning beneath his feet, accompanied by the bull's furious roar.

The bull's hoof, crackling with lightning, stomped hard on the bluestone pavement of Ryuudou Temple, and the Noble Phantasm hurtled toward Saber in the center of the battlefield!

"Hmm!"

Saber, who was engaged in a fierce battle with two black knights, caught a glimpse of the King of Conquerors charging forward out of the corner of her eye, and a chill ran down her spine.

There's simply not enough time--

Because of the two Black Knights' interference, Saber had no time to unleash her Noble Phantasm. And Rider—

"A--LAAAAAA--!"

Under the bull's swift charge, the hundred-meter distance was instantly reduced to zero. Accompanied by the King of Conquerors's roar, the Gordius Wheel had already reached Saber's head, and even Diarmuid and Lancelot, who were also "comrades-in-arms" at this moment, were also enveloped under the bull's iron hooves!

At this moment, he saw no distinction between friend and foe; anyone who dared to obstruct his journey was, in Rider's eyes, a foe.

--They are all enemies!

Just as the lightning-infused hoof was about to trample Saber's petite body!

"--!"

A torrent of purple magic swept over Saber's head, engulfing both the bull and the Rider in the carriage!

"Caster?"

"No need to worry--"

Medea's cold voice, upon reaching Saber's ears, surprisingly calmed her slightly agitated emotions. Immediately afterward, Saber felt a familiar magical energy begin to rise within her body.

--The Reinforcement Magecraft from the Age of Gods was once again brought to its fullest potential on Saber!

"Saber, those two black guys are yours."

After casting her Magecraft, Medea surveyed the battlefield. When her gaze swept over Rider, who emerged somewhat disheveled from the smoke, her expression suddenly turned cold.

"As for this big oaf, let me handle him."

Saber, having gradually adapted to her newfound power, nodded slightly.

"Be extra careful, Caster."

Floating in mid-air, Medea's lips curled into a cold smile upon hearing Saber's concern. She felt the magical energy surging within her body; even her long blue hair shimmered with magical light under the moonlight.

"Let's save unnecessary concern for after the war."

As Medea's voice rang out, another magical force, comparable to the Greater Grail, continuously rose, condensed, and compressed within the array behind her—