A brilliant light of Mana Burst erupted, and a sapphire blue gown, like a vast ocean, covered with dazzling silver armor, instantly enveloped Saber's entire body, completely covering her original navy blue suit. Her invisible holy sword, wrapped by the Wind King Barrier, was tightly gripped in her hand. The two Servants stood confronting each other, their unusual attire and the strong magical energy they emitted indicating that the other was an extraordinary existence.
They stopped when they were about ten meters apart, standing still.
Just as Saber's Wind King Barrier makes her sword invisible, Diarmuid's twin spears, from hilt to blade, were entirely wrapped in a cloth similar to a talisman, preventing anyone from seeing their true form. The intention was to conceal the noble phantasm's true name.
However, from Rin's perspective, this was completely redundant. Throughout human epic legends, only Diarmuid would simultaneously use two spears of different lengths. If he truly wanted to conceal them, it would have been better to only bring out one spear initially. Using only the red spear might even lead people to mistake him for Cú Chulainn.
"You're finally here. I've waited for so, so long, but no one dared to come here. Only you could answer my call."
Diarmuid praised in a low but clear voice. He didn't assume a fighting stance; instead, he spoke to Saber with a composed expression.
"Such clear and sharp magical energy, I believe you are Saber. Am I correct?"
"Yes. You are Lancer, aren't you?"
Nonsense! Someone wearing armor and walking over to engage you in frontal combat isn't an Archer, is she?! Do you think this is the Fifth Holy Grail War?! And someone holding a spear isn't Lancer; is he Caster?
"Indeed. Ha, I didn't expect that before a deadly battle, we could introduce ourselves to each other so casually. But it's beyond my control."
Saber deeply agreed with this statement, her originally cold and serious expression softening slightly.
"It can't be helped. This isn't a battle for our own honor. You, too, must have offered your spear for your master, right?"
"Ha... that's right."
He looked nothing like someone about to fight for his life; instead, he wore a relaxed, wry smile.
Rin, hidden high above, watched the scene of this medieval knight's duel unfolding in modern society with great interest. Whether it was Saber's heroic and awe-inspiring posture or Lancer's handsome and dashing appearance, no matter how many times she had seen it on screen or paper, even through shared perception with Jalter, it still couldn't compare to the breathtaking and stunning beauty of seeing it with her own eyes.
Hmm, I never noticed in the anime before that the 'Brush' (Diarmuid) was so handsome. High nose bridge, sharp eyebrows, a lean facial contour, and delicate lips that convey strictness and seriousness, yet his gentle and melancholic eyes strongly convey his masculine charm. And the tear mole below his left eye makes his gaze appear... Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop...!
Rin quickly shook her head to clear it, let out a long breath, and rubbed her face. Goodness, she almost became a pervert.
Lancer's personal skill: Love Spot.
It uses a magical mole to charm the opposite sex. Any woman who sees him will develop strong affection and romantic feelings for him. Those with Magic Resistance can evade or resist it.
I absolutely only like girls, and I didn't expect it to work on me too! Fortunately, the Dragon Factor gave me enough Magic Resistance. Although it didn't sublimate into a personal skill like Saber's, it's at least B+ if not A.
By the way, if Rin were to be'straightened out' by Lancer's skill like this, would it count as a meritorious deed?
Irisviel was also affected, but quickly recovered, furrowing her brow slightly and softly scolding:
"A charm spell? That's really rude to a married woman, Lancer!"
As a Homunculus with a reinforced body, Irisviel's Magic Resistance was twice that of an ordinary person, and with Saber blocking her, she wouldn't be instantly captivated by Lancer.
In response to Irisviel's protest, Lancer could only give a wry smile and shrug, saying:
"I'm truly sorry; it's like a curse I've carried since birth. If you must hate, hate my birth, or hate yourselves for being women."
Saber snorted dismissively, looking at Lancer with disdain:
"You're not expecting me to go easy on you because of your face, are you, Lancer?"
"If that were the case, it would be too boring. I see, the Saber class's Magic Resistance is indeed extraordinary. That's good; if I had to kill a woman who couldn't swing her sword because of my face, I would lose face too. It seems I made the right choice in deciding to wait here for someone brave enough to come."
"Oh? It seems you want a good fight. It's truly an honor to meet a Heroic Spirit like you."
Saber replied with a smiling and exaggerated tone. It was a transparent and brutal smile, one that only warriors born to die could understand.
"Then... let's begin."
Lancer lifted the long spear he carried on his shoulder, spun it with a backhand, and assumed a combat stance. His left hand slowly raised the short spear as well. The two spears spread and brandished like wings, a completely unprecedented fighting posture.
Saber also unleashed the suppressed Mana Burst within her body. The A-rank Mana Burst stirred up whirlwind-like currents in the air, which enveloped the girl's small body.
"Hoo-ah!"
Saber let out a low cry, her feet in shining silver boots taking off, charging towards Lancer with unwavering resolve! Lancer, not to be outdone, simultaneously charged towards Saber!
The invisible holy sword and the strange twin spears, accompanied by howling magical energy and resolute fighting spirit, clashed in the air—
"Clang!"
The clang of gun and sword! The armored warriors fought fiercely amidst the flashing blades and shadows of swords! Their refined sword techniques and spear martial arts were unleashed freely.
A torrent of bursting magic power and heat, a clash of cold weapons, yet accompanied by a powerful force that seemed to destroy everything!
Feet stepping on the ground crushed the earth.
The air pressure from swinging weapons severed streetlights.
Super-high-speed movements invisible to the naked eye.
Even at close range, Irisviel, who was observing nearby, could only feel the aftershocks of the Heroic Spirit's battle.
Peeling iron sheets from the warehouse's outer wall, like twisted tin foil, were swept away by the wind past Irisviel, while roaring sword qi and spear marks carved deep wounds into the solid concrete ground and steel containers.
The wind whimpered.
Facing a space completely at odds with the world's physical laws, the surrounding air let out a neurotic wail, and a frantic storm raged through the deserted shopping street, destroying and trampling everything. A mere two-person melee battle completely disfigured the entire battlefield!
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