No matter how powerful a Noble Phantasm might be—even one ranked EX—the idea that it could possess life or independent will was something Lancelot had never seen before. In fact, it was utterly unheard of.
After the Nichirin Blade repelled Lancelot and sent him flying back, Ren Kuroda finally had the leisure to check the weapon's updated attributes.
Honestly speaking, compared to its previous state before the blade spirit awakened, the current Nichirin Blade could only be described as absurdly strong.
"Calling you just a Nichirin Blade feels a bit lacking now. And since a blade spirit has been born, going nameless would probably make her angry, wouldn't it?" Ren said softly."A blade spirit condensed from others' gratitude, awakened by a knight's heart, forged as a demon-slaying Nichirin Blade… since it's all power meant to protect—then let your name be 'Divine Grace.'"
As if understanding Ren's words, the blade trembled faintly the moment it received the name Divine Grace, expressing clear satisfaction.
"Well… it does feel a bit strange for a half-demon like me to wield a sword called Divine Grace," Ren chuckled."But I hope you'll keep fighting by my side like before—and protect everything we wish to protect."
Item Name: Nichirin Blade — Divine Grace (Half-Awakened)Item Rank: S
A blade meticulously forged by the Demon Slayer Corps' master swordsmith, Hotaru Haganezuka. Not only are its materials exceptional, it is also infused with priceless gratitude, allowing it to transcend its original limits during the forging process.
Effects:
Slashes replicate the effects of sunlight, halting demon regeneration and ensuring complete extermination.
When using the affiliated breathing style, Breath of the Yokai, both slash power and technique potency are greatly increased.
This blade carries powerful intent and thus holds infinite potential. The blade spirit has begun its initial awakening; the wielder can temporarily borrow the blade spirit's power, causing a massive surge in strength!
Aside from its rank increasing from A to S, the first and second effects of the Nichirin Blade remained unchanged.
The real transformation lay in the third effect.
What was once an occasional, uncontrollable burst of unbelievable power had now become an ability Ren could actively activate.
And judging from the system's description, this was clearly another technique similar to Half-Demonization—one that directly and dramatically amplified combat strength.
Ren casually swung the Nichirin Blade. Though its appearance hadn't changed on the surface, its internal transformation was nothing short of earth-shattering. His expression filled with satisfaction.
While the blade was still only in a half-awakened state—leaving him slightly disappointed—it also meant that Divine Grace still had room to grow.
As for how to fully awaken it, Ren was certain such a method existed. He just hadn't discovered it yet.
"I'm genuinely grateful to you," Ren said, looking at Lancelot."I never imagined that fighting you would bring me so much. Even though you've lost your reason, out of respect—and thanks—I'll respond with my strongest swordsmanship.Knight of the Round Table's greatest warrior… Lancelot."
"ROOOAAARR—!"
Having failed to steal Ren's weapon, Lancelot threw his head back and roared at the sky. He just wanted to offer his king his own life—why was it so damn difficult?!
"Berserker!"Mato Kariya shouted, his voice hoarse. "As your Master, I command you with my second Command Spell—use your full power and defeat the Assassin before you!"
Seeing Berserker falling behind, Kariya did not hesitate to expend his second Command Spell to boost Lancelot's strength.
His first Command Spell had been used to order Berserker to attack Tokiomi Tōsaka's Servant. This was his second.
And the reason for this decision was, in truth, Sakura's quiet manipulation behind the scenes.
Although Assassin was technically an ally, everyone present had just witnessed Ren's terrifying strength.
Berserker had once fought Saber and Archer simultaneously and suppressed them—yet Assassin had remained relaxed the entire time, calmly overpowering Berserker even in his frenzied state.
That level of power made both Sakura and Rider feel a distinct sense of threat.
As a Master on the same side—and still playing the role of a harmless little girl—Sakura couldn't openly intervene. She couldn't have Rider assist Berserker in front of Shirō Emiya and Rin Tōsaka.
So the only option left was to have Kariya strengthen Berserker with a Command Spell.
Watching Berserker's aura surge even higher under the spell's enhancement, Rin couldn't help clicking her tongue. She glanced at the Servant beside her.
"Archer, are you really just going to stand there and watch?""Assassin came to help us, didn't he? He even saved you earlier. Is it really okay to just stand around?"
Rin's reasoning was simple.
Assassin was strong, yes—but his Master wasn't even present. Compared to Berserker, who could be strengthened at any moment via Command Spells, the situation was extremely unfavorable for him.
"Rin, I'd like to help," Archer said helplessly, "but Berserker completely counters my inherent abilities. Jumping in recklessly wouldn't help Assassin—it'd probably just get in the way.And besides… I don't think Assassin needs our help at all."
Archer truly felt powerless.
Lancelot countered him far too hard. Even authentic golden Noble Phantasms could be caught barehanded by Berserker—his own projected imitations stood no chance.
Long-range projections would only end up strengthening the enemy. Close-range support…?
Don't make him laugh.
Archer knew exactly how much he was worth. The two monsters before him were warriors who had honed their martial arts to absolute perfection in their respective eras.
His close-combat skills might pass among ordinary Servants—but against these two, he didn't even qualify as third-rate.
In short, even if Archer wanted to help, he simply couldn't. All he could do was watch.
As for Saber, her situation was even more conflicted.
Assassin was their ally—yet Berserker was Sir Lancelot…
Whom was she supposed to aid?
At the center of the battlefield, Berserker—now fully empowered by the Command Spell—activated his class-exclusive skill: Mad Enhancement.
Once Mad Enhancement was invoked, a Berserker's intelligence and reason plummeted to rock bottom. In exchange, their raw power increased dramatically.
Entering this state, Lancelot reached into empty space and drew forth a knight's longsword wreathed in black mist.
This was no longer a second- or third-rate Noble Phantasm enhanced through Knight of Owner—
It was Lancelot's original sword.
"…Arondight," Saber whispered in shock."So Sir Lancelot can still summon it even as a Berserker…"
As one of those who knew Lancelot best, Saber instantly recognized the blade.
Arondight — The Unbroken Light of the Lake, an A++–rank Noble Phantasm, entrusted to humanity by the lake fairies alongside the Sword of Promised Victory. Sharing the same origin, its durability rivaled Excalibur itself.
Runes etched by the fair folk adorned its blade. It shone like moonlit water upon a lake, its edge eternally unbroken.
However, because Lancelot had once slain fellow Knights of the Round Table with it, the blade lost its status as a holy sword and was reclassified as a demonic blade.
Even so, its raw strength and amplification remained undiminished.
When Arondight was drawn, Lancelot could no longer use other Noble Phantasms—but in exchange, all of his parameters increased by one full rank.
Stats already hovering around A-tier rose even higher. The resulting power was self-evident.
Though he had completely lost his reason, in terms of sheer parameters alone, Lancelot now surpassed even the great hero Heracles.
Saber's shock stemmed from one fact—
Ten years ago, when she fought Lancelot, he had never used Arondight.
Which meant that back then, Lancelot had truly been seeking death—never once fighting at full strength.
If Lancelot had drawn Arondight back then, Saber would have stood no chance. Even during her "all-A-parameters" era under Kiritsugu Emiya, the result would have been the same.
Because Arondight had once slain a dragon, it also carried bonus damage against Dragon-attribute Heroic Spirits.
And though Saber looked like a human少女, dragon blood flowed within her.
Which meant Arondight was exceptionally lethal to her.
"A fine weapon. Impressive mana. And terrifying skill," Ren said calmly."A shame you've lost your reason—otherwise this would've been a truly satisfying duel.At this level… fifty percent mana output should be about right."
Even as Lancelot's aura surged to terrifying heights, Ren's expression remained relaxed. After murmuring to himself, a fearsome torrent of magical power erupted from his body.
On Ren's Servant status panel, his Mana was listed as A++—
But that was far from his true limit.
If not for the absence of EX-rank parameters, Ren's magical capacity would be far higher—especially after becoming a Demon Lord–class existence.
His mana reserves were nothing short of vast.
Even Medea, a Caster by class, frequently complained about how abnormal Ren's mana was—insisting he was far better suited to be a Caster than an Assassin.
And honestly, it made sense.
Setting aside truly broken Heroic Spirits from other timelines, the Servants of the Fourth and Fifth Holy Grail Wars weren't that destructive.
How big was Fuyuki City, really?
Even at full power, their battles barely affected a single street.
But in the world of demon lords, Demon Lord–class beings could erase an entire medieval kingdom in a short time.
Boundless, surging magical power poured out of Ren. Slowly, he wrapped his hand around Divine Grace's hilt.
Crackling arcs of unstable lightning began to dance between his palm and the sword's grip.