Maybe Takumi set too many fires recently, so it had been cloudy all day.
Plus this wanton burning across the mountains and plains, under the convection of hot and cold air, the dark clouds in the sky became thicker and thicker, as if night fell early, forming a sharp contrast with the orange-red "world" below.
A flash of lightning tore through the sky, followed by low thunder.
It rained.
At first, raindrops fell sparsely. Each drop was like a small arrow falling from the sky, piercing through the thick smoke filling the air, but never breaking through the blockade of flames. But in the blink of an eye, the rain suddenly intensified, turning into a downpour.
Rainwater fell densely and rapidly like a silver curtain, smashing heavily on the flames, instantly turning into a large amount of steam. White mist rose, obscuring vision, making the firelight blurred and distant.
Under the torrential rain, the flames weakened. A large amount of water vapor accumulated above the heads of the two people staring at each other. Looking at a glance, it seemed as if their heads were supporting a dark sea of clouds.
"Seems my luck is good, ha, a heavy rain."
Reaching out to feel the humid yet scorching air, Beowulf smiled, his eyes looking at Takumi flickering with fierce light.
Like staying in a high-temperature sauna, perhaps more comfortable than being burned directly by fire, but definitely couldn't be called pleasant.
Only Servants' constitution could maintain normal activities in this environment.
"This is not luck. This rain was meant to fall, just a matter of sooner or later."
Takumi adjusted his breathing, saying nonchalantly.
Every time he released [Crimson Hell], he evaporated the moisture on the ground into the sky. This time pulling the fire field so long, rain was also expected.
"But don't get it wrong. I never thought of using this wide-area covering flame to deal with true enemies."
Takumi said, his right prosthetic arm suddenly exerting force, shaking the Brahmastra in his hand.
A muffled mechanical sound rang in the air.
For him, [Crimson Hell] was just to clear miscellaneous soldiers and make opponents uncomfortable.
"So sharp? But true, I heard of you. Solving Fionn and Diarmuid in less than a minute. Tsk, if I could be this powerful at your age, I would be much more arrogant than you."
Beowulf spoke lightly, but his body was tense at all times, seeking to intercept at the fastest speed when attacks came.
He had done his homework before coming here, knowing Takumi's speed was extremely terrifying.
"I have to clarify, I only get this arrogant when facing enemies."
"So you treat me as an enemy directly?"
Beowulf raised his eyebrows.
"Aren't you?"
Takumi asked back.
"That's true. Although I don't like listening to others' orders, who let this allow finding an opponent worth fighting?"
Beowulf shrugged.
"...You talk too much nonsense."
Takumi expressed he didn't want to chat much with people, especially nonsense.
And he burned for a while but didn't see these Celtic soldiers covering the mountains and plains, endless at a glance, being burned out. He was in a hurry.
Taking a step forward, Takumi disappeared instantly from the spot. Brahmastra followed the running movement, slashing mercilessly towards Beowulf.
Clang!
Sparks flew. Beowulf, with a lucky smile on his lips, blocked Brahmastra in the nick of time.
This speed can barely be kept up with!
The next instant, countless sounds of striking iron rose and fell on the charred plain, like playing a noisy movement.
Surprised?
Takumi wasn't. After all, those who could fight him were existences leaving names in history or mythology. Which one was ordinary?
Facing existences like Archers and Casters not good at close combat, Takumi could basically win with one hit relying on speed. But facing warrior-type characters with rich combat experience, seasoned combat skills, and possibly possessing skills like [Eye of the Mind] or [Intuition], he often couldn't win so easily.
This type of character might not hurt Takumi, but their outstanding combat sense and instinct were enough for them to block Takumi's ultra-high-speed attacks to a certain extent.
—But this was nothing for Takumi who now possessed Rama's power!
'[Hrunting]?'
While maintaining attacks on Beowulf, Takumi glanced at the crimson greatsword in his hand.
Many people might not have an impression of Beowulf, but speaking of [Hrunting], many people might know.
Because a certain red man (Archer EMIYA) modified the original Hrunting into an arrow form, maintaining the characteristic of [Hrunting] like a hound: once spotting prey, it would bite and chase relentlessly.
And [Hrunting] was also very similar to the golden sword [Crocea Mors] held by Caesar Takumi encountered before. Both were autonomous attack Noble Phantasms. Even if its owner was trash, it could launch slashes at the most appropriate angle and position.
Takumi also had a way to deal with this.
Put simply, since the Noble Phantasm locked onto him, making it unable to lock onto him would solve it, right?
With a thought from Takumi, his own aura suddenly became ethereal.
At the same time, the crimson greatsword paused abruptly. Beowulf was also stunned for a moment due to his weapon's failure.
This moment of daze was extremely short, but Takumi still captured it. Following the gap in defense, he stabbed a spear at Beowulf's neck without hesitation.
Sensing danger, Beowulf widened his eyes, veins popping on his forehead. In the nick of time, he actually used the weapon in his other hand to parry the flag-spear about to stab.
Blood dripped. The tip of the flag-spear drew a blood trace from Beowulf's chin to his head.
"Impressive."
Takumi stopped moving and retreated a certain distance.
Looking at this Berserker with fierce light in his eyes, black-red magical energy bursting all over his body, like an injured beast, he couldn't help sighing from the heart.
Compared to the automatic pursuit of the Noble Phantasm, what was more impressive should be Beowulf's own intuition and combat instinct!
Takumi didn't doubt at all that even if he held a weapon sturdy enough but with no other effects, he could still exert full strength.
"I should be the one saying this, right? Your speed is simply too foul. Clearly such a fierce battle, yet I don't feel good at all, only feel stifled!"
Beowulf licked the blood splashed on his lips, his face not looking good.
Under the oppression of this god-speed, the only solution Beowulf could think of was trading life for life, otherwise no chance to catch this kid.
"Haha, if not for my pressure being relatively high, fighting Heroic Spirits like you without speed more, I would actually be quite happy. But unfortunately..."
Takumi couldn't help laughing, then sighed.
Only because his progress was much faster than Edison and the others now. Otherwise, he would have hacked over already; where would he say so much?
"Interesting. But since you have this ability, using it in battle is understandable."
Beowulf wouldn't impose his combat standards on others. Opponents using all skills to fight was only natural. Where were there so many people like him who liked enjoying battle?
"Thanks for understanding. Just right, I still have a move. Although current me cannot fully display its power, I still hope Mr. Beowulf can give some pointers."
Takumi smiled, assuming a stance different from before.
"Come! I've been holding back anger for a long time. Careful not to be hurt by me!"
Beowulf was fearless, legs rooting on the ground like a big tree, swinging weapons in both hands to smash against each other fiercely, eyes widening in excitement.
The two looked at each other. Everything around seemed to quiet down in an instant.
One second later.
Takumi suddenly flashed in front of Beowulf again, then swung the long sword and flag-spear following the momentum.
[Nine Lives (Roman Style)]!
Continuous light slashes appeared in front of Beowulf, making his pupils shrink to pinhole size instantly.
—This move was naturally taught to Takumi by Romulus in the "dream," then automatically adapted by Takumi into the current version.