Chapter 59

The true blade of the reverse-blade sword clashed with the red rose of the demon-slaying spear, generating shockwaves that cracked the ground and stirred up a storm of up to eight on the Beaufort scale at the port. The sheath, which had been transformed into a Noble Phantasm, followed closely behind, producing a sonic boom as it struck Diarmuid's head. Perhaps because Diarmuid had never encountered an opponent from the East in his lifetime, he was at a disadvantage against Kenshin's attacks. Faced with the consecutive strikes of the sword and sheath, the dual-dragon flash of the Flying Heaven Sword Style, Diarmuid barely managed to block the attack with the yellow rose in his left hand, using the sheath's attack to escape Kenshin's range. The length of the true blade of the reverse-blade sword was far shorter than that of the red rose of the demon-slaying spear, and Diarmuid took advantage of this to attack from outside Kenshin's range with his long spear, avoiding being pulled into close combat by Kenshin. The spear tip sliced through the air above the ground, tearing it apart with each strike, delivering powerful and heavy blows. Diarmuid's Strength was at B rank, slightly suppressing Kenshin's B- rank. Additionally, the long spear was a heavy cold weapon, making it difficult to block. However, the long spear also had its drawbacks; if Kenshin could rush into his attack range during the gaps in his swings, the red rose's advantage would be nullified. Kenshin was well aware of this and used his speed, which was a step higher than that of a Lancer, to launch a preemptive attack. Unfortunately, the yellow rose in Diarmuid's hand was not to be underestimated and could block several of Kenshin's attacks. He would then create distance again and attack with the red rose. The two fought for about five minutes, the intense battle generating magical conflicts that attracted Elysee and King Arthur to the battlefield.

"That one with the dual spears must be Lancer, and the other servant in red is likely a local hero. The book Caster gave me mentions his homeland. The warriors here hundreds of years ago wore similar clothing and wielded similar weapons. But his class... to be able to engage Lancer in close combat, he must be one of the three major classes or a Berserker. However, his weapon and fighting style seem very similar to a Saber's." Elysee looked at the two fighters with a puzzled expression, while Arthur had already equipped her conceptual armament, the invisible sword, in her hand.

"Don't worry, Elysee. Trust that your servant will not lose to anyone." The King of Knights was indeed very confident. O(∩_∩)O~

Due to the threat from another servant nearby, neither Kenshin nor Diarmuid could use their Noble Phantasms as trump cards. However, the battle of martial skills continued. Diarmuid forced Kenshin into a corner formed by shipping containers, attempting to split him in two with a horizontal sweep of the red rose. Kenshin leaped up, kicking a container to gain momentum and charge at Diarmuid from the air.

"Flying Heaven Sword Style, Dragon Hammer Flash." The descending Dragon Hammer Flash, a powerful strike, was blocked by Diarmuid with the red rose. Despite his feet sinking two inches into the ground from the impact, the following Dragon Soaring Flash was also blocked by the yellow rose, which deflected the true blade of the reverse-blade sword aimed at his throat. The dual spears, red and yellow, clashed with Kenshin's Dragon Nest Flash, their weapons colliding dozens of times in a single second. The sharp sword aura and the magical power released from their clashes blew away large chunks of asphalt and shredded metal from the containers, scattering like bullets in all directions. The magical barrier in front of Elysee was constantly hit by the fragments, causing ripples to spread across it. On the Saber team's side, Arthur stood in front of Elysee, her servant's physical strength being incredibly formidable. She could withstand large-caliber artillery shells with her body, and without a mystical bonus, ordinary weapons would need to be at least 500mm in caliber to take down a servant. Naturally, such fragments posed no threat to Arthur.

Checking the time, Kenshin estimated that Kiritsugu was about to arrive on the scene. The occasional feeling of being watched was likely due to Kiritsugu aiming his sniper rifle at him, probably from the vicinity of a crane. Although sniper bullets posed no threat to him, being targeted by a sniper was an unpleasant feeling. So Kenshin moved to a blind spot for Kiritsugu's attacks, near Elysee. Seeing Kenshin approach, Arthur immediately raised her invisible sword in a defensive stance.

"Both of you, don't be tense. I just want to know if you would ambush two servants in combat, of course, just your intention." Kenshin stopped about ten meters from the Saber team and asked the King of Knights.

Putting away her invisible sword, the King of Knights gave Kenshin a satisfactory answer. "As a knight, I will not join the duel between the two warriors until a winner is decided."

Getting the answer he wanted, Kenshin retreated to the shipping containers to avoid being sniped by Kiritsugu and his assistant, while giving Kenshin a thumbs-up. Seeing Kenshin's gesture, Kenshin dodged Diarmuid's thrust, spun his body, and delivered a Dragon Tornado Flash, striking Diarmuid's yellow rose and knocking it away.

"Be careful, Lancer. I'm about to use part of my Noble Phantasm's power." A pale blue aura enveloped Kenshin, sharp sword aura continuously gathering on the true blade of the reverse-blade sword, encasing the entire blade in blue sword aura.

"That's exactly what I wanted, Saber." Diarmuid swung his dual spears, trying to interrupt Kenshin's energy-gathering move. A three-meter-long blue sword aura cut through the ground and struck Diarmuid. Diarmuid quickly dodged, using the red rose to strike the side of the sword aura and deflect it. Just as he dodged, a red figure carrying blue sword aura rushed to Diarmuid's face.

'This guy, his speed and strength have increased significantly.' Diarmuid gritted his teeth, defending against Kenshin's astonishing consecutive attacks. With A++ Agility and the boost from his aura, Kenshin was so fast that even a Lancer known for speed found it difficult to keep up. The Flying Heaven Sword Style's speed was fully unleashed by Kenshin, and Diarmuid's dual spears were suppressed by Kenshin's single blade. If it were just speed, Diarmuid would have had a way to deal with it, but the sword aura surrounding Kenshin had both offensive and defensive effects. Attacks from the red and yellow roses that did not hit directly could not penetrate his defenses, and Diarmuid, being suppressed by Kenshin, gradually fell into a disadvantageous position without using his Noble Phantasm, taking several hits from the sword aura and one heavy blow from the true blade of the reverse-blade sword.

On the Saber team's side, Arthur's face turned angry upon hearing that Kenshin's class was Saber, but she restrained her anger due to her promise to Kenshin not to interfere until the battle was decided. Additionally, she sensed a great threat from Kenshin, which was why she did not step forward. It seemed that intuition was indeed a powerful ability.

"Lancer, that Saber is troublesome. I permit you to use your Noble Phantasm and kill the Saber." A voice filled with noble condescension echoed from all directions, likely using magic to conceal its location. The body was also hidden by magic to avoid attacks from other servants and masters. However, at this moment, Kenneth probably did not realize that two masters had already locked onto his position: Kenshin and Kiritsugu. Kenshin had a mental lock, while Kiritsugu had his sniper rifle aimed at Kenneth's head.

Hearing his master's command, Diarmuid discarded his short spear, and the runes on his long spear unraveled, revealing a blood-red spear body. An ominous red light emanated from the spear, and upon closer inspection, it had patterns resembling roses.

"Come, Saber, I will take your life now."

"… I advise you not to rely too much on that spear. It may not be as effective against me as you think."

Kenshin swung several sword auras, which were easily dispersed by the red rose of the demon-slaying spear after it was released. No, they were actually erased. The red rose of the demon-slaying spear could clear not only magical constructs but also the mixture of magical power and sword aura.

'Even sword aura, a form of energy, can be erased… My master and I underestimated this B+ ranked Noble Phantasm.' Kenshin clashed with Diarmuid, and each time their weapons met, part of the sword aura on the true blade of the reverse-blade sword was erased. The sword aura around Kenshin's body was also erased when the spear swept past it, which was a significant drain on Kenshin.

'However, Diarmuid's combat power has clearly decreased with only one spear. I can take advantage of this to decide the outcome.' Diarmuid continued to attack Kenshin, his long spear delivering dozens of thrusts per second, a level of skill that was quite impressive for a Lancer. However, it was still not enough against Kenshin.

'The next move will be a thrust to the head.' Kenshin's ability to read moves allowed him to easily dodge Diarmuid's attack. After continuously evading Diarmuid's attacks, Kenshin found a perfect opportunity.

'A horizontal sweep…' Just as Diarmuid's long spear was about to hit Kenshin's head, he ducked to avoid the attack. With his left hand supporting the true blade of the reverse-blade sword and his right hand adding force, he delivered a Dragon Soaring Flash. The powerful strike, infused with magical power, aimed for Diarmuid's throat. Unable to retract his spear in time, Diarmuid immediately released his left hand and used it to block the true blade of the reverse-blade sword. With a bone-cracking sound, Diarmuid was sent flying by the Dragon Soaring Flash, landing over ten meters away. Although the Dragon Soaring Flash broke Diarmuid's arm, Kenneth's healing magic was not to be underestimated. Within seconds of landing, Diarmuid's broken arm had almost fully recovered. After all, his body was composed of aether, and with sufficient magical power, injuries could be healed.

"Truly remarkable skills. I didn't expect to be unable to defeat you even with my Noble Phantasm, unknown Saber." Diarmuid carried his spear on his shoulder, retreating towards the short spear he had discarded earlier—the yellow rose of certain destruction. Seeing Diarmuid's actions, Kenshin immediately understood his opponent's plan. Activating his godspeed, he released his aura to the maximum and charged at Diarmuid, who had not yet reached his destination. The true blade of the reverse-blade sword was sheathed, and a surge of sword aura surrounded Kenshin. If this strike hit, even the red rose of the demon-slaying spear would not be able to eliminate the sword aura contained in the strike.

"Did you notice my plan and try to stop me? I must say, Saber, you are indeed skilled, but rushing in to stop me was a mistake." Diarmuid struck the ground behind him with the red rose of the demon-slaying spear, and a short spear glowing with golden light shot out at supersonic speed, aiming for Kenshin's forehead. Forced to act, Kenshin unsheathed his sword and deflected the yellow rose. At the moment Kenshin unsheathed his sword, Diarmuid also charged forward, the tip of the red rose pressing against the back of the yellow rose. Even if the first strike, the yellow rose, was deflected, the red rose could immediately follow with a seamless second strike. Just as the red rose was about to pierce Kenshin's head, a black flash struck the red rose of the demon-slaying spear. Flying Heaven Sword Style, Dual Dragon Flash, a seamless two-hit combo, deflected Diarmuid's long spear. Surprised that this strike was deflected, Diarmuid, still in full sprint, could not immediately change his direction. Kenshin, of course, would not miss this opportunity. Using the impact of striking the red rose to turn his body, he delivered a Dragon Tornado Flash, aiming for Diarmuid's neck. If this strike hit, even healing magic would not be able to heal Diarmuid's injury in a short time.

The two were pushed apart, Kenshin clutching his abdomen, and Diarmuid with a deep indentation in his chest.

"Truly worthy of a Saber, to force me to this extent." Diarmuid supported himself with his long spear, while Kenshin, healed by Kenshin's magic, approached Diarmuid unscathed.

"That should be my line, Lancer. Just before I struck you, you let go of your spear and punched me away. Truly remarkable reflexes." Kenshin sheathed his sword, assuming a stance for a draw cut.

"However, next time, you won't have such good luck. You will lose, Lancer." Having lost a short spear and with his injuries not fully healed, Diarmuid's chances of winning against Kenshin were slim. At that moment, thunder rumbled in the sky, and a chariot enveloped in blinding lightning descended, separating the two. Kenshin and Kenshin both facepalmed. (Having such an ally is indeed stressful.)

"Both of you, put away your weapons in the presence of this king." A tall figure with a regal aura appeared before everyone, the Conqueror King Iskandar.

"Hey, Rider. You should have waited for Saber to finish off Lancer first." Kenshin sighed in exasperation.

"Ha ha ha, my ally, do not worry." The Conqueror King stood up, assuming a posture as if embracing the world.

"My name is the Conqueror King Iskandar. I have participated in this Holy Grail War and obtained the Lancer class." His straightforward introduction of his true name and class left Arthur and Diarmuid stunned.

"You fight each other to obtain the Holy Grail. Before your battle, I have a question for you. I do not know what each of you expects from the Holy Grail, but think about it. Is your wish more significant than the grand ambition of encompassing the world? I have descended onto the battlefield. Do you have any intention of giving the Holy Grail to me? If you give the Holy Grail to me, I will consider you friends and share the joy of conquering the world with you."

Kenshin and the others: "..."

Finally, Diarmuid shook his head with a bitter smile. "I will be the one to raise the Holy Grail. This is the vow I made to the only new sovereign of my lifetime. The one who raises the Holy Grail will definitely not be you, Rider."

"Rider, I think it's almost impossible for other heroes to agree to your proposal. Except for me, who summoned a hero related to myself, the other participating heroes all have their own wishes." Kenshin sighed in exasperation.

"Regardless, I am the ruler of the Kingdom of Britain. No matter what kind of king, I cannot bow to anyone." Arthur's magical power and aura grew even stronger, and the Conqueror King could not help but turn to look at the Saber team.

"This must be the official Saber. I did not expect the renowned King of Knights to be a young girl. Truly surprising." The Conqueror King feigned surprise, which only made Arthur angrier.

"Then try tasting a sword from this young girl, Conqueror King."

"Then our negotiations have failed. What a pity, truly regrettable."

"I think it's better to protect your little master first. Lancer's master and this Saber's master are not present." Kenshin approached the Conqueror King, already holding the Moonlight, and Kenshin followed, indicating that they were on the same side.

'These two factions have allied.' The masters thought, raising the threat level of the Conqueror King and Kenshin to the highest. However, for Kenshin, just being a master posed no real threat, even the strongest fighter, Kirei Kotomine, could not harm him. Among the heroes, Kenshin only truly respected one: the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh. The other heroes had their own weaknesses, and targeting their vulnerabilities could easily defeat them. Only Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasm could handle most situations, and the various abilities of the treasures in the King's Treasury were not to be ignored by Kenshin. As the King of Heroes' ultimate trump card, the Enuma Elish's power in its fully released state could rival Kenshin's final ascension. The Chains of Heaven posed no threat to Kenshin, but the King of Heroes' other ultimate Noble Phantasm, the Gate of Babylon, which summoned a flood to destroy the world, could potentially damage the Greater Grail inside Mount Enzou, leading to the complete destruction of the Holy Grail War, which would leave Kenshin in a difficult position.

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