The overwhelming assault by way of lightning—based on the intelligence Karna had provided earlier, there could be no doubt. None but the Black Faction's Saber possessed such power.
This was troublesome… Shirou had intended to seize the opportunity to eliminate the Black Faction's Berserker, but instead he had encountered one of their greatest strengths!
High above, the Shogun watched him in his disheveled state, a faint smile of beauty mixed with disdain curling on her lips. It seemed this man had deliberately chosen to attack Frankenstein, knowing her combat ability was lacking. If so, then let him amuse himself with her instead. After all, he had brought this upon himself.
Boom!
With a muffled airburst, she vanished in a flash of lightning.
"!"
In the very next moment, she reappeared before Shirou, who had not even had time to react. He froze, caught off guard.
"Nothing but openings."
Whoosh!
Lightning surged outward from her body as she brought her naginata sweeping toward his neck!
Crackle!Crackle!
The storm's fury drew cold sweat from Shirou. At the last instant, he crossed his Black Keys before him, blocking desperately.
CRAAAASH!!!
The deafening impact thundered through the forest, shaking the air itself and scattering dirt in all directions.
BOOM! ×N
The Black Keys shattered instantly under the blow. Shirou's body was hurled backward uncontrollably, smashing through several trees before he finally crashed to the ground.
The Shogun spun her naginata lightly, then turned her gaze toward Frankenstein, who stood stunned nearby.
"Go lend aid elsewhere. Leave this one to me."
"Urragh!"
Frankenstein nodded and lumbered away with her hammer, heading toward the chaos on the plains.
Moments later, Shirou rose once more from the dust.
"My, my… as expected of Saber. Your strength is truly extraordinary."
His voice remained gentle, his smile calm, as though the one battered just now had not been him.
The Shogun only gave a faint scoff, raising her naginata into stance, her style poised.
"You look far too at ease. Do you perhaps still have some hidden trump card?"
She knew full well he could not match her in combat.
"No… I have no such trump card. Yet to behold a woman of unparalleled beauty possessing such mastery of martial arts—it leaves me in awe. Saber, unlike that pitiful beast earlier, you I truly admire."
So now he resorted to flattery? Pointless.
"True warriors are not divided by age or gender. As for 'mastery of martial arts'—hmph. That is nothing. The true ultimate art, I have yet to use. You… have no right to witness it."
At her words, lightning gathered once more around her body, as if to prove them.
"Heh… you're not wrong. However… perhaps you misunderstand. I did not come here to battle you."
Shirou smiled.
"Oh? Then what—do you wish to sit and chat idly with me?" she mocked.
"You could put it that way. In truth, though you may not believe it, I can see into your heart. I know the essence of your soul. I know what it is you truly seek."
The Shogun narrowed her eyes, violet light flickering with danger.
"..."
Yet Shirou did not stop, continuing smoothly.
"Even you, a god, have not fully reflected upon it, have you? The duality within your soul and heart, and the true meaning of your existence."
Strange… how did this man know of her divine identity? Had Karna, who had fought her before, revealed it? If not, could he really discern her True Name at a glance?
But Fiore had said before… only a Servant's own Master could perceive such things. Which meant—
There was something suspicious here. She must not be careless.
"You seek the highest ideal. In some sense, you and I are alike. I understand you. I know you. To encounter a kindred spirit is a rare fortune in any life."
Shirou extended his hand, smiling warmly.
"…"
The Shogun stared at him blankly, utterly unmoved.
"Well then? Will you take the place of the fallen Spartacus, and become the second Saber of our camp? Because I understand you… I know why you pursue your ideals. I can guarantee that we will defeat the Black Faction, seize the Grail, and realize your wish. For that, we need your strength—my divine one~!"
At last, Shirou knelt on one knee before her, pressing a hand to his chest as if pledging fealty, bowing deeply. It was as though he imagined himself her vassal—though he was not fit to be one.
"Hah…"
Seeing he had finally finished his rambling, the Shogun let out a sigh.
"This vessel is already bound by contract to another. What betrayal could there be? Moreover…"
Crackle…
Her violet eyes flared with oppressive lightning.
"You… have no right to know me. Just as…"
Flash!
In an instant, she became lightning itself, flickering behind Shirou. Her cold voice whispered into his ear.
"The world shall never know the moment thunder strikes!"
"Wha—!!"
Cold sweat drenched Shirou's back. He had not even perceived her movement—it was as if her words and actions had fused into one!
Slash!
The Shogun, wielding Engulfing Lightning, swept past in a streak of thunder, her naginata cleaving through.
She stopped gracefully, her blade crackling with lightning as it leveled behind her.
Crack!!
A searing wound appeared across Shirou's waist.
"Tch! Command Spell—grant my body the strength of steel!"
Scarlet prana flooded his body, clashing with the purple lightning wound. Dust and leaves scattered violently around them.
Boom!
With the reinforcement born of expending a Command Spell, he barely negated the fatal strike—but even so, the force sent him crashing into a tree with bone-jarring impact.
[Hm? That attack should have landed. Something negated it.]
Ei's voice murmured in suspicion.
"His prana… the same as Fiore's Command Spells. He is a Master?"
[Then stranger still—Masters are limited to three Command Spells. Yet since earlier he has already used more than several. How is it possible?]
The Shogun shook her head. Too many irregularities.
But one thing was certain: he was Red Faction. Which meant—she need only kill him.
"Kh… so that is your answer? As expected, Black Saber…"
Spitting blood, Shirou stood unsteadily, sneering in tone though panic churned in his heart.
This was bad. Against Saber, his chances were slim to none. Now was not the time to risk all in battle. He had to retreat.
The Shogun's arrival had been the worst disruption, unraveling his plans. Yet escaping was near impossible—and her killing intent pressed on him, weighing his body down.
Flash!
The Shogun advanced, blade ready to finish him—
But then, from deep within the forest, came a pounding, rhythmic sound.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Heavy footsteps shook the ground, approaching steadily.
"Hahahahahaha!!!!"
Bursting forth, a massive man charged in with the laughter of clanging iron bells, barreling forward with wild, open strides!
What… is this?
The Shogun's movement paused, her mind momentarily blank.
The giant's eyes immediately fixed upon her far smaller frame. Steam burst from his mouth, and with a bright, savage grin he turned toward her, swinging his massive blade downward!
Clang!!
The Shogun narrowed her eyes, blocking effortlessly with her naginata. She ducked low and swept her leg, toppling the giant's unbalanced frame.
"Urragh!"
The enormous body lifted into the air. In the same motion, the Shogun spun and delivered a sharp roundhouse kick.
BOOM!
Her leg slammed into his bulk with a resounding thud. The shockwave tore up earth and dust all around!
Like a cannonball, the hulking form was sent hurtling straight toward Shirou!
"That damned meddler—!!"
Shirou flipped aside just in time, narrowly avoiding being crushed.
CRASH!
The giant smashed into the ground, shaking the forest violently. A cloud of dust billowed high, blotting out sight.
From amidst the haze, Shirou's eyes darted. This chaotic interloper—perhaps he could be of use after all. Perfect cover for retreat.
Taking the chance, Shirou reinforced his body and leapt into the trees, vanishing from the battlefield.