"His edge was on full display, openly inviting battle."
"A knight should indeed display his strength, but not in this manner."
"Knight wielding twin spears, you are rather arrogant."
Anno stood in front of Irisviel, showing no emotional reaction to the knight's insolent words.
The knight with the twin spears did not refute Anno either. He merely smiled and spun the two long spears wrapped in strips of white cloth in his hands.
"Ah, what a shame. We are about to fight to the death, yet I cannot even give my name. What an unreasonable rule."
Though he appeared somewhat regretful, the knight's eyes still shone with eager fighting spirit as he met Anno's gaze.
"Since you have appeared here, then that means one thing, does it not?"
He had already assumed his stance. His meaning was obvious.
"...Judging by the weapons in your hands, you must be Lancer."
"Then... I shall answer your challenge."
—Buzzz!
With a heavy roar, silvery-white magical energy enveloped Anno. Moments later, his well-tailored suit vanished, replaced by a suit of silver-white armor.
At the same time, he planted a double-edged knight's sword before him. Simply standing there, he resembled a towering mountain, and the oppressive presence rolling toward Lancer made a bead of cold sweat appear on the twin-speared knight's face.
"I see. Saber, then—and another knight, at that."
Although the pressure brought by that magical energy was somewhat immense, Lancer showed not the slightest hint of retreat. Instead, his fighting spirit rose even higher.
"Master, protect yourself. Unless necessary, there is no need to use support magecraft on me. The enemy Master has not shown himself; he likely has some other plan."
Anno gripped the hilt of the Holy Sword with his right hand, his azure eyes fixed tightly on the poised Lancer.