Fate: Question And Answer System of Traversing Heroic Spirits

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Artoria: "Of course I have."

Though her words were resolute, Artoria was clearly displeased with her performance in the video. As Chihiro had pointed out, she acted far too recklessly, relying on her armor to block an unknown Noble Phantasm. Even with her instincts as a knight, it had been a miscalculation. Was it because she trusted too much in her intuition or because she had Irisviel nearby to heal her that she took such a risk?

Her skill of "Instinct" allowed her to perceive the best possible course of action in combat, almost like an ability to predict the future. But it was still based on known information, and in the video, she was unaware of Diarmuid's spear's unique properties, leading her astray.

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Diarmuid: "Indeed, that is my Noble Phantasm, 'Gáe Dearg, the Crimson Rose of Exorcism,' capable of nullifying magical defenses."

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Waver: "So, this is the spear granted to you by Angus, the Celtic god of love, right?"

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Kenneth: "Lancer! What are you doing, revealing the identity of your Noble Phantasm so freely?!"

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Diarmuid: "My lord, even if I did not name it, the video has already shown its effects quite clearly."

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Kenneth: "Hmph!"

Regret welled up inside Kenneth. He had considered changing the relic to summon a different Servant, and now he felt even more compelled to do so. How could they continue when their strategy was laid bare even before the war had truly begun?

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[The video resumed, showing Artoria recovering from her injuries. She addressed Diarmuid, "That spear of yours… it can ignore magical defenses, can't it?"]

["Yes," Diarmuid replied confidently, "Your armor, forged with magical energy, is meaningless against it. To my spear, you may as well be naked."]

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Chihiro: "Diarmuid, you really have a way with words."

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Diarmuid: "..."

The phrasing in the video had indeed come across as rather suggestive, even if that hadn't been his intention.

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[Realizing her armor was useless, Artoria dismissed it entirely. She surged forward, wielding her invisible sword with even greater speed, now unfettered by the weight of her armor.]

[Diarmuid gave ground, but his expression betrayed no concern. On the contrary, he looked like a man with a plan.]

["You've made a mistake, Saber," Diarmuid said with a sly smile.]

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Chihiro: "Artoria, are you really as experienced in battle as you claim?"

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Artoria: "What's wrong with my approach? If his Noble Phantasm can bypass defenses, then the only logical move is to attack without hesitation."

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Chihiro: "Yes, but the problem lies in how readily you accepted what he said as absolute truth."

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Artoria: "I believed that as a knight, he would not deceive me."

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Chihiro: "It doesn't take a lie to mislead someone. Sometimes, what is left unsaid can be just as deceptive."

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Artoria: "What are you suggesting?!"

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Diarmuid: "Chihiro is right. The version of you in the video fell for my trick, King of Knights."

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Diarmuid: "To be frank, I was a little disappointed. Your judgment wavered far too easily."

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[The video continued with Diarmuid reaching down and retrieving the spear he had previously cast aside. He unwrapped the bandages to reveal a golden spear.]

["I never said I only had one Noble Phantasm," Diarmuid declared.]

[Artoria's eyes widened in realization. She had fallen for Diarmuid's ploy, and now, with the gap closed, she had no choice but to commit to a reckless charge.]

[Lightning flashed as the two clashed. Both were injured in the exchange, with blood dripping from each of their wrists.]

[Artoria's expression remained composed, but her thoughts raced. "My tendons are damaged, I can't grip my sword properly."]

[As a knight who specialized in wielding a two-handed blade, this injury severely hampered her combat effectiveness.]

["You fool, you didn't finish the fight," Kenneth scolded harshly from his vantage point atop a nearby warehouse. Even so, he cast a spell to mend Diarmuid's arm.]

[Diarmuid, unfazed, offered a smile. "You have my gratitude, my lord."]

[Irisviel, on the other hand, tried to heal Artoria's injury but found the wound strangely resistant to magic.]

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Kenneth: "Hahaha, it looks like we've secured victory in this duel."

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Kenneth: "Even the great King of Knights is no match for Lancer with one arm injured. His twin spears will easily overwhelm her."

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It was a sentiment shared by many in the group. Given the situation, Lancer did indeed seem poised to claim victory.

Even Emiya Kiritsugu, watching the events unfold, couldn't help but doubt his choice of summoning Artoria. Her performance in this fight had been less than inspiring, with her every action seemingly dictated by her opponent.

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Artoria: "The wound… it won't heal. Is this because of that golden spear?"

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Waver: "Yes, if I recall correctly, that's Gáe Buidhe, the spear given to Diarmuid by the sea god Manannán mac Lir. Its curse ensures that any wound inflicted cannot be healed."

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Diarmuid: "Correct. I used the discarded spear to trick you into underestimating me. And it worked, as you can see."

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Artoria: "I was fooled indeed. I didn't expect your strategy to succeed so flawlessly."

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Kenneth: "Enough talking, Lancer. Stay focused."

Despite having answered the quiz question correctly, Kenneth was not in a celebratory mood. Diarmuid's Noble Phantasms had been revealed to all. If they faced Saber again, it would not be so easy to replicate this victory.

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Waver: "So, Lancer was the victor in this duel, then?"

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Chihiro: "Keep watching. The video isn't over yet."

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[The scene continued as Diarmuid elaborated on the effects of his Noble Phantasms, while Artoria donned her armor once more.]

[Just as the two prepared to continue their duel, a bolt of lightning split the sky.]

[Accompanied by the rumble of thunder, a chariot descended from above, landing between them.]

[The chariot was pulled by two oxen, and atop it stood Iskander and Waver.]

["Both of you, lay down your arms," Iskander commanded with a booming voice.]

["Show some respect in the presence of a king!"]

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Kenneth, who had briefly taken solace in the fact that his answer had been correct, felt his confidence shatter like glass.

Now, the true answer was unmistakably clear.