Aozaki Aoko Case File [154]

If we purely evaluate combat skill, Karna's level surpasses Artoria's significantly. During their battle, Artoria's speed and strength overwhelmed Karna, but many of her attacks were neutralized by his extraordinarily refined techniques.

However, the battlefield is not a place where victory can be secured by technique alone. Just as Lancelot's title of the strongest knight does not necessarily mean he is the strongest among all the knights of Britain, Karna's unmatched, Uncrowned Martial Arts face severe limitations against the Red Dragon of Britain. If Karna still had his golden armor, he could have chosen a more reckless, all-out fighting style to clash head-on with Artoria. But as things stand, even with his celestial blessings, Karna cannot endure the crushing power of the King of Knights.

This discrepancy in their trump cards is decisive. Karna had long realized that victory was beyond his grasp. Yet, as the Hero of Charity, he bore no resentment toward this fact. Nor did he harbor any dissatisfaction with his Master, Kayneth.

On the contrary, Kayneth's performance in this Holy Grail War was nothing short of exemplary for a wise and capable lord. Karna had no hesitation in offering his loyalty to such a master.

To give up the fight because the opponent is too strong? Such a thought would never cross Karna's mind.

The battle between the two Servants intensified, escalating to a fever pitch. Their clashes grew more ferocious, and their attacks were no longer confined to mere physical blows.

Fierce storms and scorching beams of magical fire filled the battlefield, reducing the surrounding trees to ash and embers in the aftermath of their attacks. Flames roared high, consuming the forest in their wake.

Seizing an opening, Artoria gripped her sword with both hands, raising it high above her head. Leaping from the back of her mount, Dun Stallion, she aimed to deliver a devastating follow-up strike on Karna, whom she had just forced back.

Aoko, observing the opportunity, swiftly activated two scrolls, casting Bull's Strength and Cat's Grace on Artoria, further augmenting her assault.

Karna had already anticipated Artoria's heavy strike. He had accumulated the necessary strength to redirect her attack and planned to counterattack in the aftermath. However, Aoko's arcane magic temporarily amplified Artoria's abilities, and she had already used wind-based magic to communicate her plan to Artoria beforehand.

As a result, Karna failed to fully deflect Artoria's attack. Although he managed to mitigate part of the force with his exceptional reflexes and skill, a narrow yet deep wound was carved into his chest. Blood and flesh spilled forth, painting a gruesome picture.

Yet, Karna merely glanced at his wound. Without so much as a frown, he immediately began resetting his stance to face his adversary. Nevertheless, the injury was real. Regardless of Karna's tolerance for pain, the impact on his overall performance was inevitable.

Kayneth and Waver, seeing Karna's condition, quickly cast healing magic to treat his wounds. However, injuries inflicted by the Excalibur were not so easily healed.

Residual scorching magical energy lingered in Karna's wound, slowing the healing process. For now, Karna could only adopt a defensive stance and prolong the fight, buying time for Kayneth and Waver to heal him.

Aoko, noticing this, immediately began chanting new spells. Lion's Charge and Haste were cast on Artoria, significantly boosting her speed.

With these enhancements, the King of Knights accelerated into a dazzling golden streak, closing the gap to Karna in an instant and unleashing a relentless barrage of attacks.

This time, Karna found himself struggling to keep up. Artoria's strikes were not only powerful but, with the aid of Haste, also incredibly fast and relentless. Her assault was nearly impossible to fend off.

In just over ten seconds of combat, Karna suffered numerous additional wounds. Sweat began to form on his brow. At this rate, it wouldn't take long for him to be defeated.

"Lancer, by the command seal: Heal your wounds!"

"Lancer, by the command seal: You must secure victory!"

"Lancer, by the command seal: Return in triumph!"

Kayneth acted decisively. He understood that Aoko Aozaki was his ultimate opponent in this Holy Grail War, and his chances of victory were slim—especially with Marisbury Animusphere waiting within the Grand Temple.

Given the circumstances, there was no room for hesitation. The Lord of Mineralogy used all of his remaining command seals. Karna's aura surged explosively, forcing Artoria to retreat several paces.

Kayneth's command seals had been completely expended. In essence, he was no longer Karna's Master. But the Hero of Charity understood this as a sign of Kayneth's trust. In return, Karna resolved to give everything he had in this final battle to secure victory for his Master.

Seeing Kayneth's bold move, Aoko raised an eyebrow. Without hesitation, she used the Misdirection Step to position herself beside Artoria. Her slender, pale fingers brushed against the blade of the Excalibur as she chanted two incantations in rapid succession.

The spells Blade of Foes and Greater Magic Weapon, derived from the Fourth and Third Circles of Transmutation magic, respectively, were imbued into Artoria's sword. Artoria immediately understood Aoko's intent.

Once again, she assumed an offensive stance, gripping her sword with both hands. With a burst of magical energy, she launched herself toward the reinvigorated Karna.

As Artoria charged, Aoko transformed into a wisp of smoke, using Misdirection Step to ascend into the air, observing the battle from above.

The spell Greater Magic Weapon aside, Aoko was particularly curious about the effects of Blade of Foes, a Fourth Circle Transmutation spell she was using for the first time. She wanted to see how effective it would be.

The unique property of Blade of Foes was its ability to grant a weapon a foe-breaking attribute against a specific type of enemy, determined by the caster. In the terminology of the Fate universe, this equated to a significant damage bonus against a designated enemy type.

Aoko had calibrated the spell to target Servants as spiritual entities. Its efficacy, however, would depend on the outcome of the battle.

Artoria's fighting style was ferocious, like a lioness hunting on the savanna. Her swift and relentless assaults overwhelmed her opponent. Even with the triple reinforcement of Kayneth's command seals, Karna began to falter under her onslaught.

Forced to retreat momentarily, Karna leaped back and raised his spear high. His entire body radiated with solar flames as he unleashed his full reserves of magical energy. This was his last desperate gamble.

"Vasavi Shakti!"