[Not only were Emiya Kiritsugu and Kayneth fighting, but their respective Servants were also engaged in a fierce contest.
Outside the Einzbern castle, the battle between Saber and Lancer continued, having entered a white-hot stage. The land within a three-to-four-hundred-meter radius around them had been devastated. Large swathes of the forest were overturned, and the ground was scarred with numerous trenches carved by their slashes. In many places, forest fires had broken out, ignited by the magical energy released from their clashes.
This battle scene was far more exaggerated than their duel on the first night. Here's a joke: the Holy Grail War is conducted in absolute secrecy...
At this moment, Saber and Lancer were exchanging blows, their weapons colliding violently, constantly ringing out. Sword and spear intertwined as the two held nothing back, forgoing any probing attacks. Their speeds were so fast they had become invisible to the naked eye.
Lancer had already revealed all his cards on the first night, and Saber's True Name had also been exposed, so there was no need for any restraint in their second encounter.
Lancer wished for an honorable battle between knights, and Saber, as the King of Knights, was happy to grant him a fair duel. Although Saber was not opposed to using unsavory methods in war, Lancer's desire for an honorable duel was commendable. He was far better than those who hid in the shadows to plot.
Among the known Servants, only Lancer had shown all his trump cards, having used both of his Noble Phantasms. The others had yet to release theirs, including the fake Caster who had been obliterated by Elysia a short while ago; he didn't even have time to chant an incantation before dying under her arrows.
But it was precisely because Saber had not released her Noble Phantasm that Lancer was able to fight her to a standstill in terms of martial skill. Otherwise, at Lancer's current level, it would be absolutely impossible for him to withstand that golden holy sword.
However, even without using her Noble Phantasm, Saber was gradually gaining the upper hand with her excellent overall abilities and combat prowess.
Lancer, unable to break through, was already considering using his Noble Phantasms again. However, their effects had long been exposed, so using them again would be far less effective.
It wasn't just Lancer; Saber was also waiting for an opportunity to use her Noble Phantasm. Lancer's Master had already entered the castle, and she needed to ensure the safety of Irisviel and Emiya Kiritsugu.
Therefore, in this stalemate, both sides were actually looking for a suitable opportunity to unleash the True Name of their Noble Phantasm.
This high-intensity, high-mana-output battle of attrition continued. The familiars sent by the various factions witnessed this, transmitting what they saw back to their masters.
In an instant, all factions understood that the Lancer and Saber teams were fighting again.
No one was particularly surprised by this. Kayneth had not hidden his tracks when he moved into the Fuyuki Hyatt Hotel; many knew he was staying there.
Not long after, the hotel was bombed. At the time, apart from a few individuals, no one else knew that Emiya Kiritsugu was the culprit.
Now, seeing this scene, those who were previously unaware instantly guessed that the Saber team must have been behind last night's bombing.
Many were quite surprised. To think the Einzberns were so insidious, using non-magical means to participate in the Holy Grail War. Since Saber's public-facing Master was still Irisviel, Emiya Kiritsugu's actions could only be blamed on her.
This time, however, no one came over to spectate the battle. After all, with the Caster team and Elysia currently wanted, many of the teams had their eyes on them.
The moment any trace of them was found, it was likely that the various factions would swarm them.]
---o---
Eriri Spencer Sawamura: "As we all know, the Holy Grail War... never mind. As long as you guys are happy."
Conan Edogawa: "It seems the news that Gilles de Rais and Ryuunosuke Uryuu were annihilated by Elysia hasn't fully spread yet."
Ai Haibara: "Is King Arthur going to use her Noble Phantasm? I'm very curious what it will be. It should be stronger than Lancer's, right?"
Otto Apocalypse: "That should be the case. After all, given her achievements, the Noble Phantasm sublimated from them would be incomparable to that of an ordinary hero."
Kiana Kaslana: "Achievements? What achievements? I only know King Arthur is famous, but I have no idea what she actually did."
Himeko Murata: "Kiana~ It seems you were daydreaming in history class again~~~ Come to my office after class. I will be sure to tutor you properly~~~"
Kiana Kaslana: "Waaah—Auntie Himeko, I was wrong!!!"
---o---
[While everyone was chatting and laughing in the comment section, the light screen projection quietly switched scenes. This time, the image once again presented a dark style, and an unexpected person appeared before their eyes.
In a dark, damp sewer, Caster Bluebeard, who should have been eliminated, appeared on the screen.
However, this time, his Master Ryuunosuke Uryuu was not by his side. Instead, there was another figure. Because they were hidden in the shadows, the audience could not see their face.
But from their build and hairstyle, it appeared to be a female.
At this moment, Bluebeard was extremely emotional. He cried out with deep feeling, "Ryuunosuke, oh, my Master! To think you would leave this world before me."
Then, as if changing faces in an instant, his tone became calm. "But do not worry, Ryuunosuke. I, Gilles de Rais, will honor my promise to you. I will spread your 'art' throughout this world and launch the most merciless rebellion against the God on high—"
"Gilles, was that Master really that interesting? The way you describe him sounds super cool—It's a shame he's dead, not even dust remains. If your Spiritual Core's reaction hadn't been on the verge of disappearing completely, even I wouldn't have been able to save you."
A crisp female voice rang out. From the sound alone, one could tell she was a young and beautiful girl, but the content of her words was chilling.
Gilles de Rais wanted to reply to the girl, but he no longer had the time. Before him was a round crystal ball, displaying what a familiar was seeing: Saber and Lancer, locked in combat.
This was originally meant to scout for the woman who had annihilated him and Ryuunosuke, but now it was being used to gaze upon Saber's face.
Tears instantly streamed from his frog-like, bulging eyes.
The thought of seeking revenge on Elysia was instantly thrown to the back of his mind. He ignored his friend beside him and spoke only to himself.
"Oh, oh, oh! That gallant face! That divine posture! That is without a doubt the holy maiden of my destiny!"
"Ahhh~~~ Once abandoned by God! Perished in flames! Destroyed in humiliation, she has finally been resurrected! Such a miracle~ such a destiny! Is this not the fulfillment of my wish!"
"My maiden! My—Saint! I am coming to receive you at once."