"Understanding/Unlocked" is one of the most basic and practical forms of magecraft for beginners.
In simple terms, it involves using magecraft to analyze the structure of an object and then using magical energy to destroy it.
In terms of effect, this is an alternative form of Gandr. Both have the effect of destroying the target's bodily functions. The difference is that the latter is primarily a curse aimed at destroying life and health, while the former is purely analysis followed by destruction.
Therefore, when Gordes realized Sieg was using this magecraft, he instantly understood that this homunculus he created truly wanted to kill him.
But at this moment, due to Sieg's mentally polluting gaze earlier, he was completely unable to formulate a strategy in time. Just as the fist covered in Magic Circuits was about to land on him, at this critical moment, Siegfried's explosive shout suddenly rang in Gordes's ear.
Abruptly snapping out of the chaos, Gordes raised his arm to block without the slightest hesitation.
"Alteration! Iron Arm!"
By using magecraft to alter the structure of his arm in an instant, changing it from flesh to steel, and with Siegfried's help, Gordes finally managed to block this strike.
"Argh!"
Perhaps due to an analysis error, Sieg's fragile hand was jolted upward after colliding with the iron block. Looking at it, it was mostly likely dislocated.
"Sieg!"
Hearing Sieg's cry of pain, Astolfo, who was still struggling vigorously against Siegfried, immediately looked over anxiously.
Taking this opportunity, Siegfried struck directly, knocking away his lance, then flipped him over and pinned him to the ground.
At the same time, doubts arose in his heart. Sieg? Is he calling me, or that homunculus?
"Dammit, you guy..."
At this moment, Gordes finally recovered from the risk of death, followed by the anger of almost being killed by a homunculus he created.
Looking at Sieg collapsed on the ground, yet still defiantly meeting his gaze, Gordes finally could endure no longer. Roaring, he smashed a fist into his chest.
Almost the moment he acted, a woman's shout rang out not far away.
"Wait a moment!"
Accompanying the voice was an armor-clad figure holding a flag, rushing over swiftly.
It was none other than the Ruler of this Holy Grail Great War, Saintess Jeanne.
She had sensed earlier that a fierce battle had erupted in the forest of Trifas tonight.
Because it was in the forest, she was afraid a Servant with fire abilities might accidentally ignite the forest, causing unnecessary casualties and attracting the attention of the local government. Therefore, Jeanne decided to come here to act as a safeguard.
Relying on Ruler's perception abilities, she sensed the aura of battling Servants shortly after entering the forest. The two battling were even Servants from the same faction.
Thus, empowered by her Agility A, Jeanne rushed over almost as if flying.
As she drew near, she suddenly felt a nauseating aura that was both familiar and strange. This greatly confused her and caused her to quicken her pace.
But even so, when she reached the destination, what she saw was the scene of Gordes shattering Sieg's heart with a punch, while an anxious Astolfo was pinned to the ground by Siegfried.
What is going on?
Jeanne felt somewhat bewildered.
But having been a general in the Hundred Years' War, Jeanne quickly reacted and arrived in front of Sieg.
"Please step aside."
She first pushed the somewhat bewildered Gordes aside. Then she lowered her head and used magical energy to check Sieg's injuries.
Upon sensing that Sieg's heart was shattered and he would die in a few minutes, she froze.
Right at this moment, as if sensing something, Sieg slowly opened his eyes. The moment he saw Jeanne, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. His gaze, which should have been clean and clear, carried a trace of chaos.
"Save... me..."
Then, he reached out his hand toward Jeanne, slowly calling for help.
"Hold on, I will see if I can heal you!"
Although this child's eyes made Jeanne feel a bit uncomfortable, as if another person was peering at her through those eyes, as a Saintess, her inner kindness caused her to instinctively grasp Sieg's hand. She then began attempting to heal him using the power of a Saint.
But unfortunately, a shattered heart was far beyond what she, a non-healing type Heroic Spirit, could fix.
In the end, even though Jeanne used her full strength, she only delayed Sieg's time of death slightly. Facing the outcome, she was still powerless.
"His heart is too fragile. Once shattered, even immediate treatment is useless."
Sensing that another life was about to slip away from her hands, Jeanne's tone grew heavy. She instinctively looked at Gordes.
"Ugh, this was not my intention! I only taught him a lesson because he tried to kill me first. I had no idea this would happen!"
Feeling Jeanne's slightly angry gaze, Gordes immediately waved his hands nervously in denial.
At the same time, Astolfo, having broken free from Siegfried's restraints, slammed into Gordes and charged forward, throwing himself in front of Sieg while crying his name.
"Why would you do this to him! He clearly just wanted to survive, just wanted to see what this world looks like. Why wouldn't you let him go! He only had such a simple wish!"
Facing Astolfo's sorrowful cries, the words of defense Gordes had prepared suddenly could not leave his mouth.
Only now did he realize that the defiance in Sieg's eyes earlier indeed carried a desire for life.
Do the homunculi I created truly possess the desire to live, just like humans?
Involuntarily, this question surfaced in Gordes's mind.
At this moment, whether it was the word "wish" from Astolfo's mouth touching upon something, or sensing the longing gaze Sieg suddenly cast toward him, Siegfried, who had been standing in the back watching this scene, seemed to feel some wondrous calling and walked forward as if possessed.
"...Step aside. I can save him."
Accompanying the Dragon-Slaying Hero's words, almost everyone instinctively looked at this gray-haired man.
"Black Saber, you..."
Looking at the determined look in Siegfried's eyes, Jeanne suddenly realized something.
From the perspective of a referee, she instinctively opened her mouth to warn Siegfried. But sensing Sieg's increasingly faint life aura on the ground, she fell silent.
"Hey, wait, Saber!"
As Siegfried's Master, Gordes also seemed to sense something and was about to speak. But the instant he opened his mouth, he was suddenly knocked unconscious by Siegfried.
Seeing this scene, even Astolfo realized what was happening. He looked at Siegfried with teary eyes that also contained a hidden expectation.
Under everyone's gaze, Siegfried silently walked up to Sieg. After looking at him for a few seconds, he slowly spoke.
"Come, take my heart..."
Just as Siegfried reached toward his heart, another voice abruptly rang out in the forest.
"My, my. As expected, if I am not watching, you guys will still do foolish things because of the so-called 'plot'."
Hearing this voice, everyone was stunned. But then Jeanne and Siegfried realized who had arrived.
"Souya?!"
At the same time, Siegfried's heart began to pound wildly. He abruptly looked up in a certain direction. There, a pitch-black figure carrying a greatsword, possessing an aura that both haunted his dreams and complicated his emotions, was walking toward him step by step.
Accompanied by Souya's soft chuckle, the bewitching face of the black figure was slowly revealed in the moonlight.
In those gray eyes lay ferocity and love, befitting her identity.
"Even after so long, you are still so selfless, so noble, Lord Siegfried... my poor husband..."
The next moment, accompanied by the roar of another Demonic Sword Balmung, a crimson sword aura slashed fiercely toward the color-changing Siegfried.
This grand drama was only beginning now!