"Raaargh—!!"
Berserker was the first to strike.
The ground beneath his feet instantly shattered as he shot forward like a black arrow, charging straight at Gilgamesh in the distance.
Golden light flared brilliantly behind Gilgamesh as the Gate of Babylon instantly opened.
Dozens of Noble Phantasms poured down like a torrential rainstorm, each carrying enough destructive power to obliterate a Heroic Spirit, completely sealing off all of Berserker's paths forward.
However, Berserker did not dodge or evade.
He spun the trident in his hands into a black whirlwind, meeting the opponent's torrential rain of Noble Phantasms with pure violence and skill!
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—!
The dense sound of collisions echoed through the night sky as sparks continuously exploded in the air!
Those Noble Phantasms, capable of splitting mountains and shattering stones, were actually knocked away one by one by Berserker's brute strength. He even caught a few barehanded and hurled them right back at Gilgamesh!
"What?!" Gilgamesh's pupils shrank slightly.
'To think this mad dog's martial prowess can remain so highly effective even in such a frenzied mental state.'
He sneered and took to the sky, landing on the golden, radiant boat that materialized in midair, known as Vimana.
This ship of light, fueled by mercury and powered by solar crystals, symbolized the nobility and divinity of the King of All Creation.
Gilgamesh intended to crush Berserker using the advantage of high ground.
Meanwhile, on the ground battlefield.
"Haa!"
Diarmuid moved like lightning, his Gae Buidhe transforming into a deadly streak of light that thrust straight toward Asuka's heart.
This spear strike was as fast as roaring thunder and carried an incurable curse.
Asuka activated Shunpo, his body shifting to the side by a hair's breadth.
Rip!
The yellow spear tip tore through the cuff of his Shihakusho, taking a shred of fabric with it.
'So fast!' Asuka praised in his heart. 'This Spearman's speed and technique are even more fierce than that night in the ruins. Clearly, he held back that night out of concern for his lord's safety and his own inner hesitation. This right now is his true strength.'
Missing his first strike, Diarmuid flicked his wrist, and the red spear in his other hand followed closely behind in a sweeping arc.
This spear could sever all magical energy flow, making it the bane of all magi and Servants who relied on magical energy to strengthen themselves.
Knowing full well the danger of this spear, Asuka leaped backward several meters.
"Are you only capable of running away? Avenger!"
Diarmuid pressed his advantage relentlessly, his twin spears thrusting continuously as he shadowed Asuka, biting down on his every move.
"Running away? No, this is a tactic," Asuka replied.
Asuka dodged and parried through the dense flurry of spear thrusts. Though he appeared hard-pressed, his footwork never faltered.
He was adapting to the combat rhythm of a Heroic Spirit, specifically wanting to experience how to balance his own magical energy consumption now that Sumire Kamado's magical energy had increased.
"But since you're in such a hurry..." Asuka abruptly halted his steps, no longer retreating.
Facing Diarmuid's incoming twin spears, he gripped his sword with both hands. "It's about time I went on the offensive!"
"Tearing Sky!"
'Before the situation on Berserker's side becomes clear, it's best not to consume too much magical energy. This combination of pure sword technique and physical strength can unleash astonishing power just the same.'
The Zanpakuto in Asuka's hands carved out a furious and swift slash, a technique he had honed through countless demon slayings.
Clang—!
The blade caught precisely at the intersection of the twin spears. A massive burst of force erupted, forcefully driving Diarmuid back several steps.
"What incredible strength..." Diarmuid muttered, a grave look flashing in his eyes.
'This isn't a skill driven by magical energy, but the pinnacle of pure martial prowess. It seems his Master's strength has improved, completely unshackling this Avenger. Exactly what I wanted!'
The two instantly engaged in close combat, the flashes of the blade and the shadows of the spears intertwining and clashing. The sound of ringing metal echoed endlessly.
Just as the battle on the riverbank reached a fever pitch.
"Teacher, Assassin has locked onto their positions."
Kirei Kotomine's flat, emotionless voice rang out through the communication magecraft. "Avenger's Master, the girl named Sumire Kamado, is hiding near an abandoned drainage pipe five hundred meters away from the battlefield. As for Berserker's Master, he is hiding in the shadows of a bridge pier not far from there."
"Excellent."
Tokiomi Tohsaka stood atop a distant high-rise building, gripping his ruby-headed cane, a confident smile playing on his lips as if he had the entire situation under control.
"The King of Heroes and Spearman have successfully pinned down the two Servants. Now, it is the magi's turn."
He turned his head, looking at the man beside him who was pushing a wheelchair, his eyes as dark and predatory as a vulture's.
"Lord Kayneth, I leave that girl to you." Tokiomi elegantly made a gesture of invitation. "Although she is merely an ordinary person with no background, considering Avenger's bizarre nature, please be sure to exercise caution."
"Hmph, I don't need you to tell me that."
Kayneth snorted coldly, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his wheelchair.
Behind him, a massive mass of silver fluid—Volumen Hydrargyrum—prowled by his side like a loyal hound.
"While bullying a little girl is hardly an honorable deed, this is all that Avenger's fault. I will make that bastard learn the price of trampling on the dignity of the El-Melloi Family and harming Sola-Ui..."
Kayneth's voice was filled with twisted hatred; it seemed Asuka's Class passive was acting up again.
"In that case, I shall clean up the fallen one of the Matou Family," Tokiomi said, adjusting his collar as a trace of disgust flashed through his eyes.
Had it not been for Sakura, he actually would have preferred the tactic of raiding the Matou Manor.
The two split up, swiftly slipping into the darkness.
Behind them, Kirei Kotomine quietly watched it all unfold. After entrusting Sola-Ui to one of Assassin's clones, his figure also vanished.
Near the abandoned drainage pipe.
This was a blind spot on the riverbank, overgrown with weeds, where massive concrete pipes lay across the grass.
Sumire Kamado was curled up in the shadow of a pipe, nervously watching the bizarre and dazzling battle on the distant riverbank.
"So amazing..."
Even from this far away, the sensation of the earth trembling and the terrifying oppressive pressure radiating through the air still made her heart pound with fear.
'Is Mr. Asuka really fighting monsters like that?'
Sumire tightened her grip on the baseball bat in her hands. It was her only weapon at the moment, even if it seemed somewhat laughable in a battle of this caliber.
"Sumire, don't be afraid."
Beside her, her mother Haruri shielded her closely. That special right eye of hers emitted a faint glow in the darkness, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
"If there's any danger, Mom will protect you."
Though Haruri's voice trembled, it also carried a sense of unwavering resolve.
Right at that moment.
Rustle, rustle...
A strange sound came from the tall grass ahead.
It was the sound of something being dragged across the grass.
"Who's there?!"
Haruri abruptly stood up, shielding Sumire behind her.
Her right eye flared with brilliant silver light, staring fixedly in the direction of the sound.
"Hmph, quite a fast reaction."
A cold, arrogant voice rang out.
The tall grass was parted by an invisible force, and Kayneth's figure slowly appeared in the mother and daughter's line of sight.
Behind him, that massive silver sphere of mercury hovered in midair, constantly shifting its shape and reflecting the cold moonlight.
"You... you're that..."
Sumire recognized the man at a glance.
It was the magus who had been severely wounded by Mr. Asuka in the residential district that night!