"Oh, so the Saber Class's magic resistance really does live up to its reputation. Excellent!
Killing a woman defeated by this face would tarnish my honor, but now I'm glad I've found someone with backbone!"
The crimson tip of the spear in Lancer's right hand pointed straight at Artoria. His eyes gleamed fiercely as he addressed Irisviel:
"Lady behind Saber, I sincerely apologize for this face's discourtesy, but there is nothing I can do about it myself. If you must hate something, please hate the fact that I was born into this world."
"Saber..."
Irisviel called softly from behind Artoria. She could certainly sense the fighting spirit constantly clashing between the two Servants, as well as the fact that she could never intervene. But as Artoria's acting Master, she could not simply stand by.
Artoria heard the tension in Irisviel's voice:
"Be careful. Leave Lancer to me. But the enemy Master has yet to show himself, and I'm worried he might resort to some underhanded trick-Irisviel, I entrust my back to you."
The knight's emerald eyes spoke calmly, soothing the princess's heart.
Trust me.
Trust the Throne of Swords.
And trust the Master contracted to the Throne of Swords. Trust yourself, Irisviel.
"I understand, Saber. I'll support you with Healing Magecraft, so..."
At that point, Irisviel set all her other concerns aside:
"Bring me victory, Saber!"
"Yes. It shall be as you wish!"
Has it already begun?
Kiritsugu Emiya and his assistant, Maiya Hisau, quickly reached the Warehouse District. Though they could hear nothing, the surging fluctuations of magic power in the air were enough to tell Kiritsugu Emiya that Saber and Lancer's fierce battle had already begun.
Irisviel was supporting Artoria and had no time to erect a bounded field, so this barrier separating the inside from the