"Berserker."
On the way from Ryuudou Temple to the church, Medea spoke.
"What is it, Caster?"
The two of them were racing through the city at extremely high speed.
"Your emotions just now were a little unusual. Among the hostages… is there someone very important to you?"
Shirou was silent.
"That's right," After a moment, he still gave an answer, "Even if it costs me my life, I cannot let them be harmed."
"I see," Medea felt Shirou's determination.
However, she still couldn't see through Shirou's true identity from these clues.
———
[Night]
The streetlights near the church flickered sparsely, and a dense fog had unknowingly appeared in the surroundings.
Fortunately, this didn't interfere with the vision of Servants.
Shirou and Medea arrived outside the church.
Facing the figure standing at the door.
Shirou slowly stepped forward, projecting the holy sword "Durandal" and the cursed sword "Dainsleif."
"Go, Caster."
"Now?", Looking at that extremely dignified posture, Medea hesitated.
"Don't worry. If it's her, she definitely won't stop you," Shirou said with certainty.
Golden brown pupils met Artoria's gaze.
Under the bright moonlight, she stood quietly there.
Wearing knight's attire, dignified and beautiful. The pale silver armor covering her body also shimmered with a brilliance even brighter than moonlight.
Even her calm and peaceful eyes, under this unique atmosphere, became sacred and emerald green.
"Go."
Medea chose to believe in Shirou.
She slowly stepped forward, body tense… brushing past Artoria. The latter made no move.
She merely held her Invisible Sword, her gaze entirely focused on the red-haired boy.
After Medea disappeared, the King of Knights finally spoke, "Thank you, Berserker."
She expressed her joy, smiling faintly, "To receive your trust is my honor."
"Not really," Shirou readied for battle, "I just believe that a noble King of Knights hasn't yet reached the point of attacking ordinary people just to obtain the Holy Grail."
"Is that so," Artoria tightened her grip on the Invisible Sword, didn't directly respond to Shirou's sarcasm, but raised her ahoge, face serious, "Come, Berserker. Reveal your Noble Phantasm."
"...", Shirou did not respond, instead delegated control in a second.
'System-san, I'm counting on you!'
Shirou's eyes became even colder and calmer.
He said, "Saber, the moment you used ordinary people as hostages to threaten me, you already lost the right to have me use a Noble Phantasm against you."
Artoria widened her eyes, "What did you say?"
Rather than direct rebuke, such an attitude stung her heart even more.
Suddenly, a chill rose at her neck.
The emerald pupils also reflected the scene of her own beheading.
Instinct: A, activated.
"Again with this, Berserker!"
The lion was angry.
Once, twice, couldn't they just fight openly and honorably?
Magical energy erupted instantly, guard up.
Clang!
A force heavier than steel fell on her.
The deadly strike was deflected by the invisible sword.
As expected, it couldn't succeed.
System Shirou remained calm, right-hand sword deflected, left-hand sword followed up.
Between weapon and weapon, dazzling sparks exploded.
The scorching clash began before even nerves could respond.
Within a second, Artoria deflected several nearly fatal attacks in succession.
The icy gleam of blades flashed through the air.
The killing intent released during this time could freeze a person's blood better than winter's chill.
Every slash of sword light represented a lethal assault.
The meaning of battle is that no matter how large the gap in strength between the two, there is always only one thing they aim to do: Defeat the opponent without mercy.
So when swinging the first sword, what Artoria aimed for was not offense but defense, and to use cleaner and sharper techniques to deflect all of her opponent's attacks.
However…
"How can this be?"
Artoria's expression was shaken.
A Berserker without even releasing a Noble Phantasm, whether in power or speed, was slightly inferior to her. He even lacked the protection of armor, needing to be more cautious than herself.
Yet, in this battle, the one who was forced back first... was her.
That's right, she actively retreated.
Facing Berserker's storm-like, unrelenting assault, she had pulled back.
'Why?'
While staying alert, Artoria quickly analyzed in her mind.
'I have absolute advantage in strength, my speed isn't inferior, but I still can't break through his assault perimeter.'
It felt like relaxing for even an instant would result in being pierced by an ominous or beautiful sword;
Or cut deep enough to be forced out of the fight.
What a joke, wasn't this saying she couldn't even win against an unarmed Berserker?
Even in swordsmanship, she was inferior.
Completely proving what Sajou Ayaka said.
She could not defeat Berserker.
"What's wrong, King Arthur? This kind of retreat doesn't suit your undefeated record," System Shirou coldly mocked.
Artoria had, of course, lost before. She even broke her own sword in defeat. But her desire to win was terrifyingly strong.
Otherwise, she wouldn't resort to sneak attacks.
Besides, this kind of taunt, except for that red A guy, worked extremely well on other heroes.
And it worked on Artoria too, she was clearly agitated.
Still, she hadn't lost her reason.
She took a deep breath, relaxed, and her expression returned to coldness. The Invisible Sword pointed at him, "Berserker, I admit I underestimated your state without using your Noble Phantasm."
Wind King Barrier lifted, the Holy Sword radiated brilliance.
"From here on, I won't give you another opening!"
Even the Wind King Barrier was discarded, proving that the Ahoge King was serious.
Because in a way, Wind King Barrier was like the Holy Sword's alternative sheath.
Of course, System Shirou wasn't afraid.
Rather, he didn't even understand what fear was.
He had only one thing to do: according to hosting's mission, defeat the enemy in front of him.
The battle, resumed again.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.