Chapter 28: Spear and Sword (3)

Chapter 28: Spear and Sword (3)

The duel between Saber and Lancer continued.

If they had initially held back and tested each other's strength, it could now be said that the battle between the two had reached an intense state.

Of course, such reservations were only within the context of Servants. The aftermath of their probing attacks left a trail of destruction on the road with terrifying imprints everywhere. Two warehouses collapsed on the roadside, and the asphalt on the road was upturned like farmland. Surveying the battlefield in this state, one could not help but feel as if it had just experienced a major earthquake.

Yet amidst the ruins of the battlefield, Saber and Lancer stood facing each other, unscathed, their minds calculating their next moves. Neither group showed a hint of fatigue.

As Shinji was fully engrossed in the duel and completely captivated by it, Scathach, who was providing visual support, suddenly looked away.

"Sensei?"

"There are other guests."

As soon as the words were spoken, the scattered gazes quickly converged and were fixed upon a figure lurking in the shadows.

Due to the lighting conditions, the features were unclear, but Shinji could still discern the person's identity based on their overall characteristics.

Thin, tall, wearing a black coat, equipped with a sniper rifle and an infrared scope.

It was Emiya Kiritsugu, the magekiller. In this Holy Grail War, he was the true Master of Saber. Irisviel was merely a front, a decoy designed to divert attention from various parties.

Kiritsugu's strategy was incredibly effective, to the point where even Tohsaka Tokiomi had to overturn his previous assumption that Emiya Kiritsugu was Einzbern's Master. If Shinji didn't know the plot, he would naturally assume that Irisviel was Saber's Master. The compatibility between Saber and Irisviel was simply too good. Irisviel trusted Saber, and Saber's guardianship over Irisviel was genuine without any falsehood. Anyone would believe that they were more than just a Master and Servant duo. It was precisely because of this that the "Saber x Irisviel Ship" was born in Shinji's previous life.

With everyone's attention focused on Irisviel, Kiritsugu could freely unleash his abilities as a mage killer and employ various means to assassinate the other six Masters.

Since he was present, then...

As soon as this thought arose, Scathach had already shifted her gaze, focusing on a woman on the other side of the warehouse street, standing in opposition to Kiritsugu Emiya from a distance.

With refined facial features and an attractive figure, she could be called a beauty. However, the coldness emanating from her slender eyes gave off a sense of distance, making one feel rejected from the miles away. Her aura and presence are somewhat similar to those of Justeaze.

The woman held an assault rifle in her hand, and her crouched posture contained explosive power that ordinary people could not reach.

If Kiritsugu Emiya is a venomous snake, she is a cheetah.

Maya Hisau, Kiritsugu Emiya's female assistant and partner. Maya was not her real name; it was the name she used when Kiritsugu obtained a fake passport.

She was a woman whom Kiritsugu had rescued on the battlefield when she was young and had an extremely heavy past. Regarding herself as a part of Kiritsugu, she was a woman who put Kiritsugu at ease. From a worldly perspective, one could consider her as Kiritsugu's mistress, but in reality, Maya, Kiritsugu, and even Kiritsugu's wife, Irisviel, didn't mind. It was not up to others to gossip or criticize their relationship.

This was precisely the charm of the Holy Grail War.

However, not everyone understands how to appreciate this charm.

"The game ends here, Lancer—"

An unfamiliar voice echoed through the empty warehouse street and from the tone of command directed at Lancer, it was not difficult to determine that the speaker was Kenneth, Lancer's Master.

Saber and Irisviel lifted their heads, trying to locate the owner of the voice, but because it came suddenly, they couldn't determine its source.

"Do not waste any more time, that Saber is a formidable enemy. I permit you to use your Noble Phantasm and end this swiftly."

Kenneth's words struck a chord with every onlooker. The Noble Phantasm is a Servant's trump card, their ultimate technique, and this battle finally reached its decisive moment.

"Understood, my Master," Lancer replied with a respectful tone, simultaneously changing his stance.

Casually, he threw the shot spear in his left hand to the ground, and naturally, everyone assumed it was the Lancer's Noble Phantasm.

The enchantment on the long spear in Lancer's right hand slowly unraveled, revealing a deep crimson spear. The blade was wrapped in a completely different magical power from before as if it were an ominous mirage.

"Indeed, the blood will be spilled by this spear next."

Lancer held the spear with both hands, assuming the conventional stance of a spearman charging forward.

"Saber, did you use magic to gather wind and make your sword invisible?"

Saber did not answer, only lowering her body and carefully anticipating Lancer's movements.

"I see." Lancer didn't expect an answer from Saber either and continued, "Do you have no choice but to make your sword invisible? In other words, that sword would reveal your identity."

"Unfortunately, Lancer," Saber remained unfazed, focusing on capturing every movement of Lancer, "you cannot know the true form of my sword because the outcome will be decided before that."

"Is that so?"

Lancer approached with an immensely heavy pressure step by step.

"Saber, allow me to force that invisible sword of yours to materialize!"

--*--

+60 Advanced Chapter /AbsoluteCode