akikan 40. Tanuki. 250-255

Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan Chapter 250 The curtain is about to open | akikan40 on Patreon

As Saber and Irisviel accepted the duel invitation, Tamazuki put his attention on the bridge nearby.

The broad bridge straddling the widening Mion River spanned majestically over 665 meters, arching with a diameter of over three roads.

The top of the arch was over 50 meters high. Anyone standing so high and receiving the full force of the sea wind would miss a step and fall to his end into the river below, unable to go back up without great skills and a lifeline.

Nevertheless, Tamazuki saw two figures there.

One was a short young man who appeared so fearful and cried due to the danger he encountered, and on his side was a gigantic man with a body filled with muscles. If someone saw him, they would think of him as a humanoid bear.

Scheherazade, who saw this, couldn't help but frown and leaned closer to Tamazuki. "Master, that's is..."

"Yes, a Servant."

"Which Class?"

"It should be a Rider."

"Rider..." Scheherazade shook her head. "He is a bad Servant."

"Why?"

"Because he endangers his Master."

Even if she didn't know much about Rider and just watched him for a moment, she could tell that she definitely couldn't like this burly Servant. For her, who loved safety and peace of mind the most, Rider was definitely incompatible, as it was clearly written on his face that he was a reckless man that had never thought about the consequences of his actions.

"It isn't surprising as he is a hero from history."

"Well, that's true."

If it was a modern world, Rider would bring ruin to his country, but he was from a history where everyone was still living in a primitive civilization, so if they wanted to win, they had to be reckless.

"But Master, you must know his identity, right?"

"I know him, but you should be familiar with him too."

"Who?"

"Iskandar."

"...Iskandar? The King of Conquerors?" Scheherazade's expression was ugly.

Alexander the Great.

Scheherazade, who was living in the Middle East, was familiar with this name as it was the name of the King who conquered the East. Fortunately, that person died young; if not, then the world might be in ruin.

Tamazuki also didn't have a good impression of Iskandar. This person might appear brave and courageous, making all the people who saw him feel their blood was boiling. However, he felt that this person was irresponsible as Iskandar only cared about conquering other nations and going to the East.

As for the rest?

Iskandar didn't care at all.

Only conquest.

This was also the reason why his kingdom was destroyed when Iskandar died.

Everything crumbled like a quicksand.

Yet, Tamazuki also didn't feel surprised since the King in modern times was different from the past.

In that era, the King was like a God. It could be anything, and everyone could only obey no matter how unreasonable the wish of the King.

It was also the case with Scheherazade's husband, who kept killing all the women that slept with him every night until Scheherazade came and narrated the story of One Thousand and One Nights, ending the slaughter.

However, due to that, Scheherazade had a fear of death, and all the people that gave smell of danger, recklessness, idiots, and everything that might endanger her life were completely hated by her.

Tamazuki didn't force him to fight and went for the battle by himself, so he quickly gained her favor.

Moreover, her body was conquered by him, so everything was smooth.

The only thing that he needed to do next was to show his power, giving her more confidence in him as the existence that could give her safety and peace of mind.

"What's the ability of this King, master?"

While Scheherazade didn't like Iskandar, she knew that Iskandar was a powerful opponent, especially when his legend was loud.

"Iskandar is powerful, but he isn't good enough to threaten me. However, if I have to explain his power, then it should be the power of thunder."

"Oh, the power of thunder? Is it due to the legend that said that he is the descendant of Zeus?"

"That's right."

"Then... isn't he powerful?"

Zeus.

It was the King of Gods in the Greek religion.

"It's okay. It is just a god from a small region. You don't need to worry too much. Moreover, he is just his child. He isn't the real Zeus."

Even if Zeus really appeared in front of him, Tamazuki didn't fear this God as the God of Greek wouldn't scare him at all. Moreover, compared to God in the Bible, Hindu Myth, and Outer Gods, Zeus was nothing as it could only control lightning.

The force of lightning was powerful, but was it possible for him to destroy a planet?

Tamazuki didn't think so, and that was why he didn't think of Iskandar as a threat.

"Besides that, he has a similar Noble Phantasm to your power."

"Eh? Similar to me?"

Tamazuki then explained Iskandar's Ionioi Hetairoi, the power that turned the world on the mind into reality. It was similar to Scheherazade's ability that could turn fiction into reality, but Scheherazade's power was more malleable.

"Master... I have always wanted to ask this question, but how did you know all of that?"

This is what Scheherazade had been curious about, but she only dared to ask now. She had been observing him, and she knew even if he was a king, he was quite laid-back, and his weakness was a married woman. She happened to be one, so she knew he was his weakness.

"..." Tamazuki.

Nevertheless, he wasn't sure what she was thinking, but he asked, "Do you want to know?"

"Un."

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes."

"Well... it's a secret."

"...." Scheherazade.

"Let's focus on the screen. Saber is going to face Lancer soon."

His expression was full of tension and solemn, as if he was about to face a dangerous battle that might endanger his life.

Yet, she knew this guy was just joking around. He didn't feel fear. Even if his opponents were legendary heroes whose names echoed through space and time, his expression was the same as ever.

Even if she didn't know how powerful Tamazuki was, she knew that his meaning of survival was top-notch, but due to his calmness, she had confidence that as long as she was with him, everything was alright.

The only problem that they needed to face was only the two Servants he mentioned.

Gilgamesh and King Arthur.

Only the two.

Because of this, Scheherazade hoped that Lancer could take down Saber. Even if Lancer was unable to do so, she hoped that this Servant wasn't so useless and gave a big injury to Saber.

---

The west bank of the seaside park was prolonged by a row of boring storehouses. The block, which contained harbor facilities, also played the role of a wall that separated the eastern industrial area from Shinto. At night, the pedestrian traffic ceased, and the street lights shone uselessly on the asphalt, but it made the scenery even more empty. Unmanned derrick crances were turned toward the dark sea like an eerie flock of huge fossilized dinosaurs.

Indeed, this was a suitable place for Servants who must confront hidden from public view.

Saber and Irisviel walked up, magnificent as duellists going to the place of agreement on the four-lane road for the large vehicles that were meant to drive on it. The enemy, as well as already showing himself without running or hiding. The tall shadow standing in the middle of the empty street emitted an extraordinary amount of prana, even more outrageous than his odd outfit showing that he was much more than human.

The two Servants stopped, facing each other from about ten meters apart.

And finally, the first battle of the Holy Grail War was about to start.

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Saber carefully observed the enemy she would be battling to death with.

A handsome man.

The pole, over two meters taller than himself, was obviously his weapon. Among the seven classes, he was in one of the three "knight" classes—Saber, Archer, and with them, the Heroic spirit of the Lance. Undoubtedly, he was the Servant Lancer.

The strange thing was that he didn't have just that one long spear.

Along with the spear, Lancer was holding loose in his right hand, the head resting on his shoulder; he was also carrying in his left hand a short spear that was over a third of the length of the right one.

To handle a spear with ease, the obvious stand was, of course, to hold one with both hands. Whatever you can do with swords, one can't imagine that holding two spears is common.

The two spears were tightly wrapped from the handle to the tip with a cloth that looked like an amulet, hiding the shaft. This was probably a countermeasure to avoid revealing the true nature of the Noble Phantasm.

"How nice of you to come. All of those who were parading around today in the town have only cowered away... you are the only one of valor who answers my invitation."

With a humble, cheerful, praising voice, the man—the Heroic Spirit Lancer, asked Saber carelessly, without standing on guard.

"That pure fighting spirit... am I correct in thinking you are Saber?"

"I am. Surely you must be a Lancer."

As the two started their introduction, Tamazuki and Scheherazade also observed them along with all the people that were present in that place.

"Master, I can see Saber's real Master on the top of that building."

"That's true." Tamazuki saw Kiritsugu, Maiya, Lancer's Master, and also Assassin, who were present, watching Lancer and Saber, who were about to start their duel.

"By the way, are you not affected by Lancer's power?"

"I am not." Scheherazade shook her head. "I am a Servant, and there is no way that I will be affected by Lancer's power. My body, soul, loyalty, and love are only for you, Master."

Her voice, eyes, and everything were clearly telling him that she was his.

"Moreover, you are more handsome than him, Master."

She didn't lie since while she could tell that there was something that made Lancer become attractive in the eyes of women, Lancer was still far behind Tamazuki. Moreover, appearance wasn't a factor that made her choose her man.

Only a man could give her safety and peace of mind.

That's what she sought.

Moreover, she didn't really like men. If possible, she didn't want to approach them except for Tamazuki.

Lastly, with her experience, she was also extremely careful toward the matter of relationships.

Why was her husband, King Shahryar, killing all the women that he had taken to bed?

Wasn't it because of his previous wife who committed adultery?

Because of this, she avoided anything that would cause a misunderstanding with her husband and only let the female stay by her side.

"Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. That's the identity of Lancer."

Nevertheless, he didn't think that Diarmuid could threaten him, but he had to say Diarmuid's ability was hateful, especially toward married men and those who had girlfriends.

Moreover, Diarmuid, even if he tried to act like a gentleman and loyal knight, he still had a black history. No matter how much he tried to apologize and regret his actions, it was impossible for him to change that.

Nevertheless, hearing the true identity of Lancer, Scheherazade understood why this person appeared attractive.

Diarmuid of the Love Spot.

This was his nickname and also the reason why he appeared attractive.

The mole under his eye was a power given by a woman who was the personification of youth, giving him the ability to make any women who looked at it fall in love.

This power aside, the reason why Diarmuid was famous was that he was running away with the wife of the King he served, killing all of the people who chased after him before being pardoned since he was too strong. Nevertheless, his ending wasn't good as he died, gored by a boar.

While it might not be related, Diarmuid was the prototype of Lancelot, the first knight of King Arthur, who committed adultery with King Arthur's wife, Guinevere.

Still, when Tamazuki thought about Diarmuid in the original story, whose only wish was to serve a King, he couldn't help but disdain him. If this guy didn't let his lust take over him and ran away with the wife of the King that he served, would all of the tragedy befall him?

Moreover, by this point, Tamazuki couldn't help but sigh that all of the sources of troubles in history and legends, many of them started by a woman.

Even in the story of Adam and Eve, if Eve didn't ask Adam to eat the forbidden fruit, the two of them wouldn't fall from Heaven.

Still, Scheherazade couldn't help but ask, "Is he strong?"

"No, he is weak."

"..." Scheherazade.

"Don't doubt me. He is just a knight, after all. Not a King. Aside from the Beauty Spot, there is nothing particularly famous about his deeds. Moreover, he was killed by a boar."

When Scheherazade thought about it, she couldn't say a refutation and nodded as she thought that among all the Servants that appeared in this Holy Grail, Lancer was the weakest.

Compared to Gilgamesh, Hassan-i-Sabbah, King Arthur, or even King Iskandar, what was  Diarmuid?

Tamazuki didn't lie, as he thought that Lancer was the weakest. Still, he was eager for Lancer's power, and he was going to devour him later.

"I think that you are stronger than him."

"...that seems to be the case."

Suddenly Scheherazade realized that she might be stronger than Lancer, which surprised her.

Lancer's Noble Phantasm was the two lances on him, and her Noble Phantasm was to turn the fiction into reality.

It was easy to tell which one was stronger, right?

Nevertheless, when he looked at Lancer, it seemed Scheherazade wasn't wrong since he was more handsome. Though, if Lancer's power was like a curse, his appearance worked in a subtle manner, gently guiding anyone who saw him fall for him instead of forcefully making them fall.

"So, the only one that we haven't found is Berserker, right?"

"Yes, only Berserker."

An Assassin, an Archer, a Saber, a Rider, and a Lancer were known.

Scheherazade was also a Caster.

So, the only one that hadn't been found was Berserker.

"Master, you should know the Berserker already, right?"

"I know, but you don't need to get impatient since you will see him soon."

"Is it powerful?"

This was the most important point.

"Powerful?" He thought for a moment. "His power should be similar to Lancer, but he has enough power, though his mind is corroded and becomes crazy."

This answer made her curious, but she knew Tamazuki wouldn't tell her, but then she saw him stood up.

"Master, where are you going?"

"I am going to prepare."

"Let me go with you."

Scheherazade decided to follow him, but she saw his expression become so strange. "Wh-What's wrong?"

"No." He shook his head. "If you want to follow me, then you can follow me."

"Okay."

She nodded, but she didn't expect that he would go to the toilet and do something unthinkable in this place.

Yet, when they were in the toilet, the duel between Saber and Lancer started!

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Picking up the long spear on his right shoulder by spinning it at once, Lancer raised the tip of the short spear in his left hand. His stance, spreading both spears like wings, really was an unreadable style.

Saber's fighting spirit boiled as well and exploded. The prana surge enveloped the girl's slender dark suit in a swirl like a tornado—and the next instant, her body was wrapped in silver and azure armor. The armor and gauntlets created by magic were the true form of the beautiful King of the Knight, as a Heroic Spirit.

Then, everyone who observed this duel was welcomed by a soundless stretch of silence.

There was only the howling of the sea wind by their ears and an atmosphere as quiet and stagnant as death.

The night was so serene before the merciless duel started.

Warriors clad in armor, in single combat, battling with all the strength in their bodies amid the light reflecting off a sword and a spear and the shadow of swinging blades.

But the amount of Prana escaping prana and the intense heat was different.

If it was merely a clash between cold steel, what would be the mighty torrent of air that accompanied it and threatened to destroy it all within sight?

The foot that landed crushed the ground.

The wind that followed the swinging of weapons crudely severed the lamppost in half.

Everyone who watched could merely shut their mouths side and their eyes glued to the battle between the two.

Yet, unlike the Servants, whose might was beyond imagination, those Masters, such as Irisviel, Kiritsugu, Lancer's Master, and other Masters who observed this battle, could only see sparks of the collision between Lancer and Saber.

Nevertheless, Scheherazade, even though she could understand and observe this match clearly, she was full of fear. She didn't think that she could even get involved in this battle. The moment she entered, she would be shredded apart by Saber or Lancer. When she thought about Tamazuki's words, she couldn't help but sigh.

Was Lancer weak?

No way.

She could tell that the Lancer was strong!

As for Saber, was there even a need to question the strongest class among the seven classes?

Yet, when she peeked at her Master, she sighed in relief once again since she could tell that he was calm and this battle couldn't even frighten him even the slightest. Even his heartbeat was quiet, as if the battle of Saber and Lancer didn't even move his heart.

If Tamazuki came to this world first instead of the world of Gakusen, then he might be nervous as he realized he might underestimate the might of the Servants.

Even if he had said that Lancer was weak, it didn't mean that he was really weak. Among all the Servants, Lancer was the weakest, especially when Lancer's Luck had always been the worst. Even if they didn't want to, they would be involved in a problem outside of their expectations.

Among all the Servants, he didn't want to summon Lancer the most since this bad luck would even spread to the Master himself.

Nevertheless, he didn't need to worry about this as he had summoned Caster instead of Lancer.

However, even if Lancer would bring bad luck, it couldn't be denied that he was strong, especially when each of the clashes between him and Saber had broken the sound barrier.

If Amagiri Ayato or Nura Rikuo were forced to come to this world, then without a doubt, they would die.

"Master, can I ask you a question?"

"What's wrong?"

"Saber's weapon is a sword, right?

Scheherazade had been confused since Saber's weapon was invisible, so she couldn't see the real form of Saber's weapon.

"That's right. She has a skill known as "Invisible Air." It is a barrier to the wind that is capable of covering her sword and concealing it, so no one will recognize it."

"Hmm... that's a good ability." Scheherazade liked Saber's skill since it increased survivability. "But if she is capable of concealing her sword with that skill, then it should be possible for her to conceal her figure with that skill, right?"

Tamazuki thought for a moment before he nodded. "That seems to be the case." He didn't think that was impossible since Saber was a genius, and he knew that she could use "Invisible Air" to conceal herself.

Moreover, Tamazuki himself also had a wind ability, so he knew that it was possible to conceal one's figure with a wind.

"Then, why didn't she do that?"

"....."

He was speechless by this question, but he also understood that for Scheherazade, as long as something could increase survivability, she would use it without hesitation, so Saber, who faced Lancer without using such a means, was like an alien in her eyes. It was something that she was impossible to understand.

However, the answer is simple.

"Because she is a Knight."

"...."

Scheherazade wasn't stupid. Instead, she was smart. If not, then how could she stay alive under the cruelty of King Shahryar and become his Queen?

Yet, because of this answer, she sighed at the young girl known as Arturia Pendragon.

"I don't like this girl and that Lancer too."

Tamazuki only stared at Scheherazade speechlessly, but she hated anything that could threaten her safety and peace of mind, so whether it was Saber or Lancer, they were the two things that she didn't like.

Or rather, she probably hated all the Servants since this Holy Grail War; all of them fought and killed each other to get the Grail for their own ambitions.

So, because of this, she knew she needed to support her Master with her utmost capacity.

Still, Tamazuki could see the duel between Lancer and Saber hadn't reached the climax, and they were still playing, testing each other's capabilities, but even so, Lancer was at a disadvantage.

Then, as expected...

---

"Enough of this playtime, Lancer!"

Both Saber and Irisviel were surprised by the cold voice resounding out of nowhere.

"...Lancer's Master?"

Stiffening, Irisviel took a look around her, but there was no human form to be seen. With the unnatural echo of the voice, she couldn't make out whether it was a man's or a woman's or where it came from. Perhaps, there was a camouflage-like illusion. The enemy didn't seem to be close to showing up in front of her anytime soon.

However, what Irisviel didn't know was that her husband, Emiya Kiritsugu, and his assistant, Maiya, had located Lancer's Master and anytime, he could take down Lancer's Master with his sniper, but if he did that, he would expose his location to the Assassin, who appeared nearby.

This was something that couldn't be done, especially when Kiritsugu didn't even know who had reported him to the law enforcers. By now, he had become wanted by all the police within the prefecture, and the longer this battle continued, the more disadvantageous their position was.

So this was something that he didn't want to do; he put his hope on Saber to defeat all the other Servants as soon as possible.

However, Lancer or his Master wouldn't let Saber and her Master win so easily.

"Don't drag the fight anymore. This saber is a formidable enemy. Make it quick. You may unveil your Noble Phantasm."

Saber's face stiffened at the words of the unseen Magus.

Noble Phantasm—He was urging his Servant to bare his fangs seriously.

"Understood, my Master!"

Contrary to what he had shown of his character up to now, Lancer dropped his voice quietly and charged the grip of his weapon.

Without hesitation, he dropped the short spear in his left hand at his feet.

"Then... is it that long spear?!"

In front of Saber, Lancer peeled off the amulet tightly bound around the long spear in his right hand.

It was a deep crimson spear. Totally different from before, Prana started to rise from the top of the spear-like ominous mirage.

"That's about it. From here on, I am out to do you in."

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Lancer changed his stance to hold with both hands his finally exposed lethal weapon.

Saber also lowered her sword, measuring the distance between her and Lancer with greater caution.

Exposing one's Noble Phantasm can have two different kinds of effects.

One type of demonstration of the large power of one's deadliest moves as they announce its true name. Take Saber's ultimate secret move. She has "Excalibur—the Sword of Promised Victory: currently protected behind a bounded field of invisibility, but if she throws away the camouflage and shouts its true name, her sacred sword would shoot a stream of light that can mow down a thousand soldiers. As if it truly is an anti-force Noble Phantasm that can turn the ground into scorched earth, it cannot be used just like that but as a last step.

Along with that, there can also be how the weapon already carries the nature of a Noble Phantasm. In Saber's case, her "Invisible Air—Barrier of the Wind King" is an example. That alone doesn't have the capability to annihilate the enemy; it is more a Noble Phantasm suitable in battle as a "sharp tool." It isn't particularly used for strength, but to put it differently, it is easier to use and a trump card that can bring victory if used well.

And so, Lancer's red spear—

Probably the latter. So said Saber's intubation. Lancer would keep exchanging continuous blows with Saber. She didn't suspect the next strike to be decisive for the fight.

"....."

The two closed the distance by sliding their feet silently but with the tension doubling.

Lancer made the first move.

Compared to the acrobatic freedom of this spear up to now, this was a much simpler stand in a straight line. A stabbing thrust that was guessing the length of Saber's blade hidden under Invisible Air, or rather, renouncing to watch out for it.

In a natural reaction, Saber repelled Lancer's spear with the arm that held the sword, ignoring the pain. Really, that was neither too serious nor sharp, just a common strike, but...

The disaster came like a squall.

Between the entangled spear and sword, an abrupt, unexpected gale rolled in and blew around.

"Wha?!"

Letting out a shocked voice, Saber took three steps away from Lancer's spear. Lancer calmly resumed his stance without chasing her.

Yet, those Masters were unable to understand the situation.

The gust of wind just now lasted only an instant, but it wasn't particularly gushing out Prana. The origin of that win was an enigma, but that definitely wasn't a threat from Lancer.

Nevertheless, Saber was the only one who was shocked; Lancer was smiling boldly at her astonishment.

"I exposed your precious sword."

"....."

Silently, Saber didn't comprehend Lancer's victorious mutter. They both understood the reason behind this mysterious phenomenon.

The wind that came from Saber's sword... More specifically, that was Invisible Air's doing.

The bounded field of condensed pressure that could refract light had leaked out in just an instant. The instant it had clashed with Lancer's spear, the Prana controlling the wind around the sword had become loose.

At that moment, Lancer had caught a glimpse of the shape of the "true sword" inside the torn, bounded field. Lancer's murmur from before was proof that it was definitely his spear that had exposed the Invisible Air.

"I got the length of your blade. You won't get me with that invisible interval again."

Whether it was an exaggeration or not, Lancer started flinging thrust.

Just as he had said, the spear strikes suddenly gained in vigor; the attacks were more severe and not vain anymore. Having certified the distance Saber's blade could go, he made no mistake in his aiming. Letting just one thrust pass meant a fatal wound; understanding that much, Saber kept moving her body and parried every single spear strike with her blade.

Flickering, there showed the afterimage of the shape of her golden sword.

"Kh..."

There was still pressure coming out of Invisible Air, but it was a continuous, random gale violently blowing Saber's blond hair in waves. There was no doubt left. Lancer's red spear was draining Invisible Air. Each time it came with the tip of the spear, the golden blade was showing like a stroboscope.

'But... with that spear...'

There was still a way; Saber encouraged herself. Using a spear with both hands was a style that Saber could deal with.

Amid an interrupted series of strikes, Saber tried to find just one attack with weak aiming. With just that, she could twist her body instead of praying and relying on the hardness of her armor. A well-placed counter in a near-death situation could be a perfect opportunity.

In a swift move, Saber struck at Lancer's shoulder. She ignored the tip of the red spear grazing her flank. It should be superficial on her armor, and meanwhile, she would be splitting her enemy from the shoulder—

Saber foresaw the pain, her intubation saving her from a lost cause.

With her sword dropping in mid-air, Saber turned over and threw herself to the side. It was hard to say if it had been a close call. Lancer's howling spear definitely seemed to have spilled blood.

There's no need to say whose blood it is.

Rolling on the ground, Saber escaped from Lancer pursuing her and stood up immediately to keep track of her opponent. Her eyes betrayed her pain.

"Saber!"

Seeing that something had happened, Irisviel started sending out Prana to heal Saber's flank.

"Thank you, Irisviel. I'm fine. The healing is working."

Despite saying so, Saber was still holding her side as if there were still traces of pain left.

"it does seem like victory will not be gained that easily..."

Muttering, Lancer didn't seem to be discouraged and instead spoke with an amused voice.

Visibly, this man greatly enjoyed competing against a formidable enemy.

Grinding her teeth, Saber calmly assembled the puzzle in her mind, and a series of hardly believable circumstances pierced themselves together.

---

"Master, didn't you say that Lancer was weak?"

"He is when compared to all the Servants."

Watching Lancer wounded Saber, Scheherazade became scared and couldn't help but ask Tamazuki.

However, Tamazuki was still as calm as ever.

"Lancer, or Diarmuid's Noble Phantasm, is just his two lances. That's it. Meanwhile, you could see how Saber, who should be dead now, could suddenly twist her body and escape from death. Compared to Lancer's Noble Phantasm, Saber's battle intuition is far more difficult to face. Moreover, Saber hasn't shown her Noble Phantasm at all."

"When you say that..."

"Though, it couldn't be denied that Lancer is far stronger than you."

"..." Scheherazade.

"However, if you use your Noble Phantasm, then Lancer can do nothing."

Scheherazade nodded since even if she feared facing the Servants and a coward who was afraid of death, she still had confidence in her Noble Phantasm. Moreover, in the Holy Grail, instead of facing the Servant, it was better to face the Masters as they were easier to kill.

She might seem a cute, beautiful, submissive mature married woman, but nevertheless, to bring victory to her Master, she would do anything.

"But two Noble Phantasms?"

"That's right. Lancer's two spears are his Noble Phantasm, and as you can see his red spear has the ability to cut off prana."

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Saber's armor should have blocked Lancer's spear. Nevertheless, the tip of the spear had Saber's blood on it.

However, right now, Saber's armor is the same as ever, without a scratch.

To make a practical guess, just with the spear coming in contact, the blade passed through the armor as if it had vanished.

Saber couldn't dematerialize, but she could materialize her battle outfit and then cancel it. In other words, Saber's armor was a knit out of Prana, and it wasn't just material in the present reality like the clothes Irisviel bought.

Furthermore, it was incomprehensible that Invisible Air could be racked... the contact with Lancer's spear had created a fissure in the bounded field that generated the wind.

With all of those clues, it was clear that Lancer's red spear could cut off a Prana.

"Nevertheless, it isn't so powerful that it could break or cancel the source of the Magecraft. Saber's armor is still fine, and Invisible Air is still functioning correctly. The spear is effective only the instant it hits the battle."

Tamazuki didn't even glance at Scheherazade as he continued to explain. "His red spear ability is just that." However, he wanted that ability, and he couldn't wait to devour Lancer.

"So what about the short spear that he has dropped? Also, what's the point of dropping it to the ground?"

If Lancer had two Noble Phantasms, to begin with, wouldn't it be more efficient to use them together when he fought Saber?

"Calm down. The battle is still far from over, but still, if this continues, Saber might lose."

"That's great!"

Hearing that, Scheherazade was happy since she knew that Saber possessed a power that could threaten Tamazuki, so if Saber could end this battle so early, then everything was good.

As for Lancer?

In the worst case, Scheherazade was going to use her Noble Phantasm and used the fiction in this word to take down her opponent, bringing safety and peace of mind to her and her Master.

Still, according to her Master, if Saber didn't show her Noble Phantasm, then the victory would be on the hand of Lancer.

With that thought in mind, she became curious about how this battle would end since whatever the result was; everything would lead to her plan to take down all the Servants and Masters.

---

Naturally, while Tamazuki understood the ability behind Lancer's red spear, Saber, who faced Lancer, also understood it, and she also prepared a countermeasure against it.

"It's a bother to see you trump over just peeling off my armor."

Nevertheless, she recognized the threat of Lancer's spear, but she had no fear in her heart.

The situation hadn't been decided.

At that moment, the silver armor covering Saber's entire body scattered in every direction in a splash.

Irisiviel gulped in surprise.

Lancer continued to observe without moving a single muscle.

The chest plate, the gauntlets, the long assets shaped like a skirt that protected the legs, nothing was left. Saber had removed her armor by herself. The fragments of armor scattered in metallic dust immediately disappeared like mist as Saber cut off her Prana.

"If I cannot defend against your spear, I only have to strike instead. Prepare yourself, Lancer."

Wearing a light blue dress, Saber resumed her stance. Lower, with her sword behind, she confronted Lancer, one leg forward and the other behind. Without consideration for defense, this stance was made for a lethal strike that would slice from one shoulder to the other.

It was clearly visible to anyone that Saber intended to end the battle with the next strike at the risk of her life.

"That's brave. Is it all or nothing?"

Lancer somehow seemed satisfied by finding again what he missed, but the tension was clearly noticeable in the tone of his voice.

Having taken off her armor, Saber didn't gain just agility. Prana needed to form and maintain that her armor was now available for use in her offensive. This meant a lot to the skill of "Prana Burst" that Saber possessed.

"Prana Burst" is the accumulation of Prana in her weapon and her entire body, momentarily injecting an arbitrary exceptional boost to her abilities. So to speak, it is a jet blast of Prana for her movements. She only had the thin body of a small girl, but this was the secret that allowed her to brandish her big sword with the combat style of a power fighter.

Prana's surplus could be converted into mobility power for close-range combat, but when Saber used up the Prana needed for the armor in a "Prana Burst," it could grant her six times that bonus in power and speed—this was perfect for the destructive power of a one-hit-kill attack.

The handicap of losing the armor was overturned by the advantage of throwing away her armor. This was Saber's conclusion to deal with the "spear of exorcism" of Lancer.

"That heroism. This is a brave decision. I definitely don't hate that..."

Like a matador facing a mad bull, he kept provoking her by lightly shifting from side to side in a low position.

The asphalt torn up into gravel created many obstacles for a good foothold; Lancer's movement stagnated a little when he put strength into his legs.

Saber didn't miss it.

A loud bang roared in the atmosphere. The golden sword that was invisible until then turned over the darkness of the night with its brilliance.

The Invisible Air that compressed the air and refracted the light in an illusion could be used in another way. The instant the bounded field was released it could blow the opponent with a single long-distance strike with a gale made out of the super high pressure of the condensed air.

This was the application of Saber's plan. The point of holding the sword backward in a wide stance was for that—to accelerate the air strike even more.

Released from the golden sword, a jet of air came out from behind Saber. By releasing her armor to increase her Prana burst further, her body changed into a supersonic bullet.

At this point, Saber's speed was three times higher than normal. It was already too late for an ambush or evasion the instant she stepped forward. Even if Lancer's spear could deal a serious wound to Saber, he would receive a lethal strike in the same instant. This was certainly a strike made to risk one's life for a certain victory, ready to even have her flesh cut or her bones severed. Breaking through the wall of air at several times the speed of sound, the shockwave of the rush blew the surrounding rubble like dust.

Lancer didn't move. Having already given up on an ambush attack, the tip of the red spear didn't flinch.

What moved instead was—his legs.

With an extremely focused mind, the flow of time, even shorter than an instant, stretched and grew slower.

At that moment, Saber knew. The opening Lancer was a bluff. It wasn't a coincidence that Lancer missed a step. He had placed himself in the right position to stop.

In other words, the position  Lancer was chosen for his victory—was the spot where he had switched from two spears to one, dropping the short spear in his left hand.

Lancer's words were resurrected in her mind "That was my plan."

Saber saw it at the time, Lacner's threatening smile when he was sure of his victory. The glint in his eyes had spoken more than his words. "I will strike through your imprudence."

Instead of picking the spear with his arm, Lancer kicked the gravel at his feet. It wasn't just gravel that was flying in the air. A short spear that Lancer dropped earlier, its tip, was accurately springing up through the air in Saber's direction. The amulet wrapped around the whole spear, just like the long one, was already unfastened, revealing the yellow metal under it.

Saber's sixth sense could theoretically be surpassed thought for a natural talent for battle decisions, but it didn't predict her blunder.

One normally wielded one spear with both hands—that was the trap of the misconception. She could only be regarded as bluffing the capacity to have a spear in each arm.

If that was Lancer's way with the spear.

If that Servant was the Heroic Spirit known as the bearer of "the two demonic spears."

Yes, a Noble Phantasm—is definitely not limited to one.

The short spear that Lancer had kicked up, its tip, was swirling with a Prana just as sinister as the long red one, glaring at Saber. It was already predicting the instant it would pierce Saber's throat, as she could only charge forward, too late to break...

---

While Scheherazade was surprised by Tamazuki's prediction, Tamazuki knew that everything wouldn't end so easily.

'After all, Saber has the protagonist's halo.'

With that thought, the conclusion of the collision between Lancer and Saber was revealed.

Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan Chapter 255 No matter what Saber will be okay | akikan40 on Patreon

"Dammit. This is bad."

Rider, who was standing on the arch of the Fuyuki Bride overlooking the battle taking place in the warehouse district, muttered softly as he stood up.

"Wh, what is?"

Seeing the giant Servant display impatience for the first time, Waver became agitated, and he questioned Rider while clinging to the steel frame.

"Lancer brought out a decisive technique. Looks like he wants the match decided quickly."

"Wouldn't that be favorable for us?"

"Fool, what are you talking about?"

Rider stamped his hell on the steel frame he was standing on with a bang. For Waver, whose entire body was clinging to the frame, the tremor shook him to his very bones, and another shriek rose.

"I wanted to wait out on the battle's development before everyone arrives, but by the look of the current situation, Saber's going to have a disadvantage, and it would be too late to attack by then."

"Is it too late? Didn't you want to strike when they have all become exhausted from fighting each other?"

"...I think you have misunderstood me, boy."

Rider furrowed his brows and tilted his head downwards to look at the Master lying beside his feet as if disappointed at the performance of a humorless clown.

"I did hope that other Servants would take up Lancer's bait. Isn't it obvious? Rather than picking them out one by one, it's far better to get them all together and have a great battle royale!"

"..."

Waver forgot to answer; he was shocked out of his wits in realizing the differences between his understanding and that of the brave Heroic Spirit.

"Get them all together... a battle royale?"

"Yes. It's such a rare opportunity to cross blades with the greatest heroes of all ages. If all six of them are here in completion, I won't let any of them get away."

A fierce and dangerous growl like that of a lion seeped out of Rider's throat, but there was a tint of laughter as he titled the needs of his lips upwards. Waver realized that only this man could wear a grin like that. Yet, his thought might change that thought when he meets the real beast in the future.

"Now then, Saber and Lancer. They both have the flaming spirit of true warriors. I admire them; it would be a pity to let them die like this."

"What else is there apart from killing them?! Isn't that the point of the Holy Grail Waaa-!"

Waver's slightly hysterical voice was mercilessly interrupted by a smack to his forehead.

"Victory without ruin, domination without disgrace. That is a true conquest!"

Rider proclaimed, holding his chest upright; then he unsheathed the sword by his waist and sliced through the hollow sky with a swing, cleaving apart the empty space.

An enormous shining Noble Phantasm immediately appeared, accompanied by a spiralling torrent of galloping Prana. Waver felt like he was about to be blown over by the sudden storm, swallowing his screams and hugging the steel frame even tighter.

"Observation is over. We will join the battle, boy."

Before his words were finished, Rider had mounted the Noble Phantasm with a leap, his mantle flowing.

"Idiot! !Idiot! Idiot! You're acting nonsense!"

"Oh? If you don't want to go, you can stay here and look."

"I am going! Bring me along, idiot!"

---

Gales surged. A confusion of life and death.

The moment the swordsman and the spearman slid past each other, flowers of bright crimson blood fluttered and bloomed briefly before fading away in the blink of an eye.

Saber, who changed the past, stopped. The two of them turned at the same time.

They both stood erect without losing the thought of warring against each other. The two Heroic Spirits were still intact. In that last moment, Saber made a decisive decision and made a quick turn that prolonged their duel.

As a result, the short yellow spear that was poised to pierce Saber didn't land on her chest but on her left arm. At the same time the golden sword that Saber uplifted devoted just a little from Lancer's vitals, the edge aimed at Lancer's left arms.

The damages they received from their last exchange were similar to each other.

However, was it the truth?

"You still won't let me win easily... It's very good, that adamant manner of yours."

Lancer stared at Saber with a desolate smile as if desperately trying not to pay attention to the wound on his elbow. As expected, like a film rewind, Lancer's injury was healed without anyone touching it and left no trace behind. A Servant's self-healing would not manage to recover him that quickly; it must be his hidden and observing Master who used the healing Magecraft.

Contrary to Lancer, even Saber's demure beauty could not hide her pain and anxiety.

Lancer's airborne spear and the sword clutched tightly by Saber's two hands had a definite imbalance in power. From the outside, at least, the wound dealt with by the short spear on Saber's forearm seemed rather light compared to Lancer's injury.

"...Irisvel, heal my wound as well."

"I healed it! I did, but..."

Irisviel was undoubtedly a first-rate Magus. The strength and intensity of her craft goes without saying. She is, in truth, an exception in the world of the Magi, possessing a body that was "designed" and "manufactured."

It would be impossible for her to make mistakes when using basic Magecraft, such as healing. Even if an error did occur on the off chance, Irisviel would know how to deal with it herself.

And yet—

"No, the healing did work. Saber, your current state is one of full health."

"....."

Saber did not dare to keep her guard down as she kept appearing on Lancer with caution and, at the same time, stared at the injury on her left arm. The wound did not bleed much and was quite shallow, but the problem was that her sinews were severed. The most important digit on her hand, the thumb, couldn't be moved; therefore, Saber couldn't exert enough strength to grip the sword hilt.

Saber knew that there was nothing wrong with Irisviel's healing methods, but the arm was not cured. Her left thumb felt as if it was born crippled, turning completely immobile.

"In front of my Noble Phantasm Gae Dearg, Crimson Rose of Exorcism, it's good that you realized armor is useless."

Perhaps he thought that after showing the effects of his Noble Phantasm, there was no point in keeping up the masquerade. Lancer spoke the true name of his Noble Phantasm with no hesitation.

"But you were rash to discard our armor. If you have not, you would have a defense against Gae Buidhe, the Golden Rose of Morality."

"I understand now... It is a cursed spear; wounds dealt with by it would never heal. I should have noticed this earlier.."

A crimson spear that severs Prana, a cursed golden spear, and a love spot below his left eye that attracts women—it was easy to determine once all those are put together. Based on legends, the glorious name praised by the Celtic legends of heroes was remotely related to King Arthur. It was quite incredulous that this did not occur to Saber.

"The first warrior of the Knight of Fionna... Diarmuid of the Love Spot. I did not know that the Grail granted the honor of participating in the war with you."

Servant participating in the fourth Holy Grail War, Lancer... the Heroic Spirit of the Celts, Diarmuid ua Duibhne.

Now, each of them is at a disadvantage.

Either Saber, whose sinews were severed, or Lancer, whose identity was known, but nevertheless, the two had never stopped their duel. Instead, it brought their spirit to the highest point as they were ready to end this battle.

"Prepare yourself, Saber. I will win this time."

"Only if I do not win first, Lancer."

The two exchanged bold provocations as both planned their next fatal attack, slowly and cautiously approaching the other.

The holy sword and demonic spear were at the edge of an explosive situation.

The air was cold and clear and full of tension—at that moment, it was suddenly cloven apart by a thunderous ruckus.

"—?!"

Saber and Lancer were both still in awe, simultaneously turning to look at the southeastern sky. The source of the sound was clear for all eyes to see.

A flying object flew a sight line across the sky and was heading directly to their location, shedding violet sparks of lightning on its way. The sound was undoubtedly created by it.

"....a chariot?"

No one could stay calm as they watched this chariot being yoked by two bulls with muscles rippling like waves. Their hooves stomped the empty space, pulling the luxurious and splendid chariot forward.

Lancer and Saber both tensed and stared at the suddenly arriving chariot that interrupted their battle.

All the Masters were also tense and shivered in fear.

The dazzling light that ceased as the chariot landed revealed the figure of a muscular man standing commandingly on the shelf of the chariot.

"Both of you, put down your arms. A king comes!"

Naturally, Tamazuki and Scheherazade watched all of this, but while she didn't know, he knew what this musclehead Servant was going to do.

"My name is Alexander, King of Conquerors. I am participating in this Holy Grail War and received the class of Rider."

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