Bang!!
On the rooftops of Sighișoara, violet lightning and crimson sparks clashed like entwining dragons, blinding sparks bursting forth as deafening crashes of steel rang through the night. The rapid exchange was like the rattling fire of a machine gun, shaking the very air with its frequency!
If not for the sturdiness of the rooftop beneath them, it would have long since collapsed from the force of their battle.
The Shogun's Engulfing Lightning and Mordred's Clarent collided again and again, each clash unleashing shockwaves that whipped up sand and dust. Violet arcs and crimson slashes crisscrossed the surface, carving deep gouges into the rooftop.
The Shogun spun and slashed her naginata at Mordred's neck.
"—!"
Szzzt!
Mordred dropped low, ignoring the weight of her armor, bending back at extreme speed to let the blade graze just above her. Even so, the searing heat of the lightning-imbued edge stung her face.
She did not stop there—while ducking, Mordred slashed horizontally with her sword, aiming at the Shogun's ankle!
The Shogun's gaze flicked downward, her movement seamless as she withdrew her foot just in time. With fluid grace, she twirled her naginata around her slender waist, her strikes flowing endlessly in a deadly, storm-like dance. Though graceful and elegant like a woman's dance, each motion carried lethal force.
Every spin of her blade was wreathed in lightning, forcing Mordred onto the defensive. Step after step, the red Saber stumbled back, desperately raising Clarent to ward off the Shogun's relentless onslaught.
This woman's a Saber?! She fights like a damn Lancer!!
Mordred snarled inwardly, sweat prickling at her brow.
Swish, swish!
The spinning naginata didn't simply target her torso. With liquid transitions, its blade swept for her neck, then her waist, then back again, constantly shifting angles in a pattern Mordred couldn't predict.
"Tch… A Saber using a polearm like that? That's cheating!!"
And indeed—her complaint held weight. With her shorter sword, Mordred was at a clear disadvantage. Against this range and tempo, she had no chance to counter, only to block clumsily.
"There is no dishonor in martial skill. Only strength and weakness—"
The Shogun's calm voice cut through the clash, utterly steady, as though this ferocious dance cost her no effort at all.
Clang!
At last, Mordred forced an opening, catching the spinning naginata against her crossguard. Their weapons locked. The Shogun halted with effortless poise, her legs crossed elegantly as she stood unmoving, expression tranquil as still water.
"—Only what proves effective is a true technique."
Her words finished the thought, violet eyes locking with Mordred's burning green.
"…Ha! I didn't expect such arrogant crap to come out of your mouth."
Mordred grinned manically, her eyes wild.
"I just don't get it. Why the hell is Black's Saber someone like you? Some stuck-up, stone-faced woman!"
She spat the words in a growl.
"Ignorant nonsense. To an enemy, this vessel shall never show a smile. And besides—you, too, are a woman, so why—"
"You… say that again!! You damn woman!!"
Mordred snapped at the word "woman," her entire body erupting in scarlet mana. With a furious roar, the surge blasted the Shogun back.
Bang!
Her crimson aura flared like fire, enveloping her entirely. With a stomp, she lunged, her sword striking in a whirlwind of blows!
Whoosh! ×N
Crimson arcs rained down like tangled threads. The Shogun narrowed her eyes, her body dissolving into lightning, slipping past each strike with perfect precision. When necessary, she turned aside the slashes with her naginata.
"Quit dodging!!!"
Mordred howled. Her blade now glowed with surging red lightning, her overflowing mana making the debris around them levitate.
Vrrrm—!
Slash!
With a fierce sweep, she unleashed a massive arc of crimson energy, tearing through concrete and air alike!
The Shogun responded in kind, her weapon humming with her own sword energy. Leaping lightly back, she spun her naginata, then swept it upward in a powerful rising slash.
Whoosh!
The Shogun's lightning-clad blade released a slash equal in size to Mordred's sword beam.
Boom!
Crash!
The two waves of energy collided, erupting in a massive resonance of mana. Flames spread outward from the impact, rising into a fiery cloud. The intense heat melted the surrounding concrete, and the rooftop collapsed under the destruction.
Through the firelight, a streak of violet lightning flashed, revealing the Shogun as she reappeared on the street below. Her expression carried a faint trace of apology as she glanced at the destroyed building. The Holy Grail War often brought devastation of this scale—but what would the civilians think afterward? What excuses would the organizers provide? She did not know.
Bang!
Mordred burst out from the rubble, standing before her once more.
"Heh… not bad at dodging. Now let's really fight! Don't you dare run from me!"
She sneered, her tone half-taunt, half-admiration. Despite her mockery, Mordred herself was forced to admit the Shogun's strength—few could meet her sword beams head-on. She had already heard that this Saber had fought Lancer to a standstill. No wonder Shirou Kotomine had called the bluish purple-haired Saber a grave threat to Red, one that must be eliminated.
"Foolish question. If I don't dodge, do you expect me to simply let you wound me?"
The Shogun's reply was flat. What was the point of taking unnecessary injuries? She was no masochist.
"Heh… You always wear that stiff face, but now and then you let slip a sarcastic line. Hah! Don't tell me you actually have a sense of humor, woman?"
For once, Mordred flashed a genuine grin.
"No person shows only one side. What they reveal to others is but a thousandth of their true heart."
The Shogun answered calmly.
"Oh~? Is that so? Then what about you? Beneath that emotionless mask, is there a soft, 'gentle' heart?"
Mordred smirked, drawing out the word "gentle," her tone dripping with mockery.
"I hear only ridicule in your words…"
The Shogun narrowed her violet eyes slightly, her tone still calm and without anger—merely stating the truth.
"Damn right I'm ridiculing you! You sniping coward—acting like some boring, stone-faced woman, lecturing me about human hearts!"
Mordred laughed wildly at her, unrestrained.
"Is that so… Yet aren't you the same? A woman who refuses to acknowledge her own womanhood. Are you mocking yourself as well?"
The Shogun raised Engulfing Lightning once more, her tone uncharacteristically tinged with mockery. The faint curve at the corner of her lips formed a small, mischievous smile—almost cute, contradicting Mordred's accusation of her being emotionless.
"You damn woman… Dare you say that again?!!"
Mordred's body trembled with rage, her face twisting as she glared at her.
"Did you not hear me clearly?"
The Shogun tilted her head slightly, feigning confusion. Then, obliging her foe's fury, she repeated the words in the exact same tone.
"A woman who refuses to admit she is a woman—"
"I'll cut your head off!!!"
Boom!!
Unable to endure further, Mordred erupted with mana, charging at her in a frenzy!
So she did hear it clearly… Then why insist I repeat it? What a waste of breath.
The Shogun pouted inwardly with the faintest trace of a complaint, readying her stance as the rabid Saber lunged once more.
Within the Plane of Euthymia, Ei slowly opened her eyes…
Since when did this child learn how to quarrel?
However—
Just as Mordred closed the distance, a sharp voice rang in her ears—her Master, Kairi Sisigou.
[Saber, fall back!]
"—! Tch…"
Hearing his call, Mordred froze mid-charge. Her body skidded forward a few paces before she stopped, understanding instantly—her Master must be in danger. This was no time to drag out a fight. With one last hateful glare at the Shogun, she dissolved into red light and vanished.
"…"
The Shogun lowered her naginata slightly, her mind racing. An ominous intuition spread within her. For Mordred to retreat so suddenly, it could only mean her Master had ordered it. Which meant… she had likely returned to his side.
And at this very moment, he was locked in combat with Fiore—
Her brows furrowed.
That girl is in danger!
Without hesitation, she became a streak of violet lightning, vanishing with a crack of thunder from where she stood.