Emiya Kiritsugu Enters "Scheming Mode"

In the Light Screen, Lancer chuckled after hearing Saber's words: "No, the honor is mine. Anyone who has transcended time and ascended to the Throne of Heroes would never mistake that Golden Sword."

"To be able to cross blades with the world-renowned Knight King, and even manage to make you suffer a bit, it seems I still have some skill."

Saber, however, revealed a smile: "Suffer a bit?"

Lancer froze, suddenly sensing something amiss.

Then, he saw Saber suddenly leap to Irisviel's side. To the astonishment of both parties, she placed her injured left hand on the woman's shoulder.

In an instant, some form of power took effect; the curse on Saber's wrist was wiped away, and her wound healed immediately.

This scene stunned everyone, including Irisviel, who had been touched.

At the same time, Saber's voice echoed in Irisviel's mind via telepathic communication.

'My lady, do not be nervous. I have merely borrowed the power of my Scabbard, which resides within you.'

Irisviel was dazed: "Saber, you..."

'My lady, that is my Scabbard, after all. The very reason you were able to summon me was because you used that Scabbard as a catalyst. Although I do not know why my Master placed the Scabbard inside you, since it was done, there must be a reason for it.'

'To me, my lady is now my Scabbard, and with its help, all my wounds and illnesses can be healed.'

Having said this, Saber returned to the bewildered Lancer. She flexed her healed left hand and said in a calm tone: "It is a pity, Lancer. If you had descended in your strongest Saber form, you would have been worthy of a battle with me. Now, your trump cards have been laid bare, and the outcome of this fight should be decided."

Lancer's pupils constricted, a bead of cold sweat sliding down his face as he offered a troubled smile: "So that is how it is. No wonder you were suddenly so reckless. It was all part of your calculations, then?"

"Truly worthy of King Arthur. You possess the nobility of a knight, yet also the cunning and composure required of a monarch. To seize the opportunity for victory, you did not hesitate to put yourself in danger. You are exactly as the legends describe."

Saber raised her Invisible Blade, which had become visible once more, signaling her intent to end the battle.

At this moment, Lancer's Master spoke up: "Lancer, you really are useless, being seen through so easily."

Lancer bowed his head, his tone sincere: "My apologies, Master. I have disappointed you. King Arthur is indeed a formidable and wise enemy."

Lancer's Master: "Hmph, what spineless words. However, given that the opponent is this King of Eternity, it is understandable. To think that I would encounter this King during the Holy Grail War—this is quite an excellent experience for me."

"Very well, Lancer. I shall now cast the highest level of reinforcement magic upon you. Now, use this power to defeat the Knight King and secure victory for me!"

Lancer's eyes lit up. Simultaneously, a powerful reinforcement magic enveloped him, radiating a blue aura, and he felt himself surging with strength.

The Jojo-style narration chimed in at the perfect moment.

[Lancer's Master is clearly a top-tier mage, possessing all the necessary elements of a magus. He has a meticulous battle plan and prepared the highest level of reinforcement magic for his Servant in advance.]

[Even for a Servant, under the enhancement of this magic, speed, defense, and strength can be increased exponentially.]

As the narration concluded, Lancer's muscle mass increased, stretching his green bodysuit even tighter and instantly making the atmosphere rather intense.

Seeing this, Saber's smile faded: "It seems that ending this quickly will be a bit difficult."

In the real world, people finally witnessed the true capabilities of a mage and how much a Master can assist their Servant in the Holy Grail War.

Inside the Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Office, Illya couldn't help but exclaim: "So amazing! King Arthur was acting recklessly on purpose! Everything was to make that perverted uncle in the green bodysuit reveal more! Mmph-mmph!"

The rest turned into muffled sounds because Irisviel had covered Illya's little mouth. The beautiful lady admonished her: "Illya-chan, you mustn't say things like that! Calling people perverts so casually is very impolite—even if they really are one!"

Everyone: "..."

My lady, we suspect your daughter's behavior has a lot to do with you.

However, most people's gazes toward Artoria had changed. The girl's analysis had been spot on; the King Arthur in the Light Screen was truly acting with full confidence and a complete plan. Everything was to probe the enemy's strength, and she had a means of fully healing herself afterward.

Murata Himeko looked down at her phone, reading the data she had just received from the professional logistics team, and realized: "So that's it. Is it the legend that King Arthur's Scabbard can heal all wounds and illnesses, and as long as the Scabbard is in hand, King Arthur cannot be injured?"

"I thought it was just an epic exaggeration of the mythical King Arthur, but seeing this, it must be true. Still, the fact that the Scabbard can be placed inside a human body is truly miraculous. Is this also the effect of magic?"

She looked up at Artoria, pondering: "She seems very clear about King Arthur's situation. Could it be a side effect of being possessed last night? Or... has she begun to awaken memories of her past life as King Arthur?"

It was no wonder she suspected this; after all, King Arthur had spoken of this very thing last night. It wouldn't be strange for Artoria to start awakening those memories and be able to discern the King's tactics.

After all, all evidence now pointed to the fact that Artoria and the one in the Light Screen were likely the same person.

However, these speculations remained in her mind, and Murata Himeko did not speak them aloud, focusing her gaze back on the Light Screen.

She felt that a new shift in the battle was coming. Since the enemy Master had already made his move, Emiya Kiritsugu, as Saber's true Master, could not possibly remain indifferent.

Sure enough, the scene in the Light Screen shifted to Emiya Kiritsugu.

Emiya Kiritsugu was currently standing on one of the many high-rise structures at the harbor, occupying the high ground and scanning for targets through the night-vision lens of his sniper rifle.

He wore a military headset, displaying the professionalism of a seasoned killer.

Emiya Kiritsugu spoke through the headset: "Maiya, it seems Saber cannot defeat Lancer in a short time. It is time for us to act."

Hisau Maiya hummed in acknowledgment, then hesitated: "However, Kiritsugu, won't this cause dissatisfaction from the Knight King? We are only at the beginning of the Holy Grail War. If we provoke that King, it will be very disadvantageous for our future operations."

Emiya Kiritsugu: "Rest assured. Although that King is a noble knight, she is also a monarch who pursues victory. She will not mind using certain methods to win—she will certainly not object to a strategy where she handles the Servant while we handle the Master."

Hisau Maiya: "Understood."

As they spoke, Emiya Kiritsugu had already found his target. A silhouette stood on the roof of a warehouse, visible through his night-vision lens: "Lancer's Master is standing on the roof of the warehouse. Can you see him?"

The camera cut to Hisau Maiya, located on another high-rise. The woman with shoulder-length hair raised her sniper rifle to search for a moment, then lowered it helplessly: "No, it's a blind spot from my position."

Emiya Kiritsugu: "Understood. Then I shall be the one to take him out."

As he spoke, he prepared to deliver a lethal sniper shot directly at Lancer's Master.

Just then, he suddenly sensed something and immediately shifted the aim of his sniper rifle, pointing it toward a higher position on the other side.

There, at the top of an elevated structure, an old man wearing a grey Zhongshan suit with short silver hair and no beard stood with his hands behind his back.

Although he was standing at a great height with the wind blowing, his body remained perfectly still, displaying the demeanor of a grandmaster with a stance as immovable as a mountain and a foundation as solid as a rock.

When Emiya Kiritsugu caught sight of this old man, the elder noticed him as well; he turned his head to look directly at him, smiling and nodding in greeting.