Xia Feng took a deep breath.
Thunderclap and Flash!
Even without a Nichirin Blade, he moved at lightning speed, snatching a carving knife from the desk as he dashed forward—
Straight at the red-clad lancer.
The lancer's reaction speed was excellent. The moment Xia Feng moved, he thrust his spear forward.
The spear spun as it pierced out—enhancing its penetration.
But—
Clang!
Xia Feng's carving knife struck from the side, effortlessly deflecting the spear's trajectory.
The spear slammed into the nearby desk, drilling straight through it. The rotational force shattered the entire desk into splinters.
In the next instant, Xia Feng grabbed the lancer's wrist, gathered strength in his leg, and delivered a powerful kick to his abdomen.
Boom!!
The lancer was sent crashing into the wall, cracks spreading across it.
Only then did he stop, clutching his stomach.
That kick had clearly done serious damage.
"I told you to wait, didn't I? Not even letting me finish talking—no manners at all."
Xia Feng shot him an annoyed glare before turning to Sakura, who was still hiding in the corner.
"Why did you become a Master?"
Sakura froze.
She didn't know.
She just felt… like she had to.
"…Alright, I think I get it," Xia Feng said after a moment. "How about this—if I defeat this Servant for you, you tell me what you're afraid of. Deal?"
He looked at her seriously.
Sakura hesitated, unsure why he wanted to know such things.
Xia Feng smiled. "If you agree, I'll start now."
The lancer climbed back to his feet, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. He pointed his spear at Xia Feng.
"You bastard… a trash Servant without even a proper weapon dares to claim he can defeat me? But since you're a Servant, you must be a hero of some legend. State your true name!"
Xia Feng scoffed. "Nice try. If I tell you my true name, wouldn't that just give away my abilities?"
The lancer grinned arrogantly. "Then don't bother. Just die!"
His spear shot out like a dragon.
This time, the rotation was stronger, the thrust faster—arriving before Xia Feng in the blink of an eye.
Yet Xia Feng didn't move.
He simply held the carving knife… still waiting for Sakura's answer.
The lancer was shocked.
He expected some kind of counter—but Xia Feng hadn't even drawn a real weapon.
Without revealing his abilities, there was no way to properly fight him.
So the lancer changed his target.
Instead of Xia Feng—
He aimed at Sakura behind him.
As long as the Master died, the Servant would disappear. Then he could simply find a new Master to form a contract with.
The spear's trajectory shifted mid-attack.
Despite its ferocity, he had held back just enough to redirect it.
But—
A figure suddenly appeared behind him.
The carving knife rested against his throat.
"I think that's enough."
The lancer's eyes widened.
Xia Feng—who had been in front of him—was now behind him… without a sound.
"When did you—?!"
He was stunned.
Meanwhile, the spear was now only half a meter away from Sakura.
For the lancer, that distance was nothing—he could close it instantly.
But now… it meant nothing.
Xia Feng ignored him and looked at Sakura.
She bit her lip. "Why do you want to know what I'm afraid of?"
"Because I want to protect you better," Xia Feng replied seriously. "You're my Master. Someone as cute and beautiful as you—I don't want you to be afraid of anything. And I definitely don't want you to get hurt."
The lancer froze.
…Weren't they in the middle of a fight?
Saying something this cheesy during battle—wasn't that a bit too much?
He was still here, you know.
Sakura, however, went blank for a moment. Then her cheeks flushed red.
"…Okay. I agree."
[Matou Sakura's affection increased. Reward: One Gold-tier Draw!]
Xia Feng didn't draw immediately. Instead, he considered how to deal with the lancer.
The man was completely under his control now.
"Since he's already lost, Sakura—you decide what to do with him."
The knife still rested at the lancer's throat.
Sakura hesitated. She clearly didn't want to kill him.
"…Maybe just let him go? As long as he promises not to come after us again…"
Xia Feng hadn't expected her to be this kind.
But since his Master had spoken—
He complied.
He lowered the knife and returned to Sakura's side, glancing calmly at the lancer.
"You can leave. But if I see you again… I'll kill you."
The lancer was furious.
But he knew—
He was no match for Xia Feng.
At least not without using his Noble Phantasm.
And even then… he wasn't confident.
After all—
Xia Feng hadn't even used a real weapon.
Let alone revealed his Noble Phantasm.
The lancer sneered. "I only lost one round. Don't think you can kill me next time. You'll regret not killing me now!"
Xia Feng waved dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. Get lost."
The lancer clenched his teeth.
He wanted to attack again—but doing so would force him to reveal his Noble Phantasm this early in the war.
That wasn't wise.
In the end, he leapt out the window and disappeared.
—
Xia Feng turned back to Sakura.
Then suddenly stepped closer.
Very close.
Sakura pressed against the wall, startled.
Xia Feng placed one hand beside her head, bracing against the wall—
A perfect kabedon.
Their faces were inches apart.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed.
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