The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

Below, the battle between Saber and Lancer had reached its peak intensity. Just through the clash of cold weapons alone, the two had nearly destroyed an entire street.

"The game ends here, Lancer!"

A sudden voice caused Saber to look up, trying to locate its source.

"Lancer's Master?"

Irisviel glanced around, but saw no one. The voice had come so suddenly that it was impossible to tell whether it belonged to a man or woman, or even where it came from. Clearly, the speaker was being cautious, careful not to reveal their location.

"Don't waste time. That Saber is troublesome. I permit you to use your Noble Phantasm. End it quickly."

The words made Saber tense. Noble Phantasm—Lancer's Master was finally allowing him to use his strongest ability.

"Understood, my Master."

Lancer replied in a suddenly respectful tone, shifting his stance. He casually tossed the short spear in his left hand to the ground.

"Then… that long spear must be Lancer's true weapon…?"

In Saber's eyes, the sealing charms on Lancer's long spear began to unravel. The deep crimson spear radiated a powerful and ominous aura, totally different from before—like an illusory mirage of misfortune.

"That's right. Now go kill her."

Lancer gripped his spear with both hands, letting out a low growl.

"What a cheap tactic. I thought they'd at least follow some noble code of chivalry."

From atop a tall shipping container, Yoru chuckled at the sight.

"What is it?"

Irisviel asked curiously.

"Maybe that seemingly naive Saber already believed Lancer's words. But think about it: would a true warrior casually toss away his weapon on the battlefield? If that weapon didn't hold any meaning to him, why would he bring it at all?"

Yoru explained calmly.

"Besides… that weapon had a powerful magical aura. Clearly, it's also a Noble Phantasm."

Just as Yoru finished speaking—

"You miscalculated."

Lancer's triumphant voice echoed below.

Lancer kicked up the dirt at his feet—but instead of sand, it was the short spear he had just thrown aside that shot into the air. The blade flew directly toward Saber. Its charms now dispelled, the golden spear gleamed ominously.

The golden shaft of the spear sliced through the air like a whirlwind. In the next instant, two silhouettes crossed paths—and a brilliant spray of red burst forth like a flower in bloom, only to vanish in a heartbeat.

She had let her guard down…

Looking at her bloodied wrist, Saber frowned subtly and stepped back a few paces.

What now… Should she retreat?

Maiya was nowhere to be seen either… even though she had strongly objected to Saber engaging in the first place.

Saber sighed quietly, feeling exhausted.

She had entered this war full of confidence, but the thing that frustrated her most… was her own Master.

The one who summoned her hadn't spoken a single word to her since the beginning. He had handed her over directly to his assistant, Maiya Kyōsuke.

And the Matou household, serving as their base in this Holy Grail War, made Saber extremely uncomfortable. Especially Kiritsugu's father—Matou Zōken—whose mere presence made her want to cut him into pieces on the spot.

Saber had never imagined that, in order to survive, someone could become that twisted.

Calling that thing "human" might already be incorrect.

On the other side, watching Saber's wounded state, Lancer spoke triumphantly:

"Don't bother trying to resist. Wounded by my Noble Phantasm—the Cursed Yellow Rose—your injury will never heal."

"I understand now… this is a cursed weapon. Any wound inflicted by it cannot heal. I should have realized it sooner…"

The red spear that cuts magical energy. The yellow spear that curses its victims. Plus, the alluring beauty mark beneath Lancer's left eye—

Combining all those traits, it wasn't difficult to deduce his identity. From legend, this was the famed hero whose story intertwined with King Arthur's own.

And yet Saber had failed to realize it sooner. How uncharacteristic.

"The First Warrior of the Fianna… the proud Diarmuid. I didn't expect the Grail to grant you the honor of being chosen as a participant."

"That's the wonder of the Holy Grail War… But I am grateful to be recognized. After all, the one who summoned me across time and space surely wouldn't mistake your golden blade for anyone else's."

Servant of the Fourth Holy Grail War—Lancer, the Celtic Hero, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.

"As expected of King Arthur… to deduce her opponent's identity from just those details."

"Diarmuid Ua Duibhne?"

Yoru muttered. The name didn't strike him with any strong impression.

"But even if we know who he is, it doesn't really matter… And is this Lancer an idiot? He just gave away his Noble Phantasm's effect so easily."

It was such a troublesome Noble Phantasm… yet he just revealed its effect out loud like that. Was he trying to sabotage his own Master?

If Yoru were either of their Masters, he'd be furious.

Lancer's Master was still unknown, but Saber's Master, Kiritsugu Emiya, was certainly not in a good mood.

He, too, was hidden behind a nearby shipping container, observing the battle. Maiya was beside him.

His expression had already soured when Maiya reported that Saber had recklessly gone into battle against her orders. And now, with Saber effectively crippled in one arm—losing at least a quarter of her combat ability—Kiritsugu's face was as dark as a thundercloud.

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