"Sakura, do you truly understand what this means?"
"Of course I do. That's exactly why I have to."
Confronted by Kariya's insistence, Sakura shook her head, unfazed.
"Berserker isn't an ordinary Servant. He seems incredibly strong, but once real combat begins, you simply don't have the magical energy reserves to sustain him."
Kariya's concern lay elsewhere. He knelt down, worry etching his features.
"It's fine."
"Berserker is the strongest. Even without my magical energy, he can still win."
Radiating absolute confidence, Matou Sakura showed no trace of worry.
In Kariya's eyes, this was blind faith given form.
But for Sakura, it was anything but childish ignorance.
She understood clearly.
Berserker possessed a unique innate skill.
Out-of-Combat Recovery.
Outside of active battle, he passively regenerated both wounds and magical energy. Even after sustaining grievous injuries, disengaging from combat allowed full recovery to peak condition in under ten seconds.
This was precisely why a child like Sakura could serve as Master without being drained dry. In daily upkeep, Berserker's reserves were always replenishing themselves; she paid virtually nothing.
And in actual combat, his sheer reserves of "stamina" sustained his own actions. The drawback was reduced endurance during prolonged engagements and an inability to unleash large-scale Noble Phantasms in rapid succession. But it didn't matter. A few seconds of disengagement was all he needed to restore himself completely.
As Master, Sakura's only obligation was to remain safe.
That was the foundation of her confidence.
Boom!!
"Tch, didn't work?"
Jonouchi dodged an incoming attack and eyed Lancer, who had returned with a vengeance.
He'd hoped that Spell Card would buy him some luck, but the result spoke for itself.
"Heh, I won't let you get me again that easily!"
Sakura Kyoko glared at Jonouchi from behind his cover, then activated her own "magic."
Rosso Phantasma!
Her form splintered mid-air. Through Jonouchi's vision, she multiplied into many.
"Clones?!"
Faced with the swarm of duplicates, Jonouchi panicked. He shot a glance at the three remaining face-down cards on his Duel Disk and bolted.
"Don't even think about running!"
Sending seven clones in pursuit, Kyoko shouted after him.
After Caster's mind control had worn off, she'd immediately circled back. The hexagram binding her arms was still active, but it didn't prevent her from employing alternative methods to take this guy down.
"Dammit, the mind-control effect vanished almost immediately, but this seal is still going?!"
The frustration was agonizing. With the hexagram in place, she couldn't even swing her spear. It was like having both hands tied, the restrictions were crippling.
That was precisely why she had to keep chasing Caster. She couldn't just flee with this seal intact, with no idea when or if it would ever lift. Running into another Servant in this state would spell disaster.
No matter what, she had to "catch" Caster first.
Clang!
Slam!
The broken blade was parried aside. Arm grazed, Kenshin retaliated by smashing his scabbard into Saber's shoulder.
"Tch!"
Wincing, Saber was forced to create distance. She studied her opponent with grudging respect.
"Even with a broken sword, you can execute a counter that precise."
"That razor-sharp technique..."
"In life, you must have been one of this country's most renowned swordsmen."
Saber spoke with candid admiration. Through prior discussions with Kiritsugu, she'd roughly narrowed down Assassin's identity.
'The cross-shaped scar on his left cheek...'
'An Assassin with masterful swordsmanship...'
His garb and stance marked him as a native Servant, though the precise era eluded her.
"I am merely an executioner who dwelled in the shadows."
Kenshin offered no further elaboration, only settling into his stance.
Whether or not his name would endure in history meant nothing to him. From the historical records Kirei had provided, not a single mention of "Himura Battousai" existed. A blessing and a curse in equal measure.
"This time, I will defeat you."
Still unaware of events unfolding elsewhere, Saber readied her blade toward the enemy before her.
"..."
Without reply, Kenshin glanced at the freshly healed wound on his arm.
'So this is the legendary scabbard held by the King of Knights.'
'That King Arthur...'
Recalling the intelligence Kirei had shared, Kenshin now knew her identity.
Artoria Pendragon!
For a "King" who ruled a nation to possess such overwhelming skill genuinely broadened his worldview.
'I am still not strong enough.'
That was the realization this war had forced upon him. The abilities and swordsmanship honed during the Bakumatsu era could not win him a head-on victory here.
'If necessary, you are permitted to unleash your Noble Phantasm to destroy Assassin!'
Saber recalled her exchange with Kiritsugu. This time, he was determined to rescue Irisviel and, if possible, eliminate Kirei and his Servant altogether.
And so, Saber prepared to release her Noble Phantasm. The holy sword in her hand would decide this.
The moment she found an opening, it would be over.
"A blade-to-blade fight may not be enough to beat you. But what comes next..."
Golden motes of light began to shimmer around her, a holy radiance declaring her intent.
"!"
A chill of foreboding shot through Kenshin. His brow creased as he refused to let his guard falter.
This foreign "King" harbored power he had yet to witness.
She raised the holy sword before her. Its true form was finally revealed, golden particles swirling with overwhelming pressure.
"This is...!"
Realizing what was about to happen, Kenshin planted both feet and charged headlong.
He couldn't let her fire it!
Even not knowing what would follow, he absolutely could not stand by.
His overwhelming speed brought him within striking distance of Saber almost instantly.
'As I expected...'
'Among every opponent I've faced, your speed and swordsmanship are truly rare in this world.'
'But...'
Watching the swordsman close in, Saber had already raised the holy sword overhead.
The Sword of Promised Victory!
The most powerful "Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm" wielded by the King of Knights.
"EX..."
Aurora blazed along the blade. The invocation was on her lips.
CRASH!!
But a violent tremor shattered their standoff. The ground buckled, and neither Kenshin nor Saber could maintain their stance, both forced to abort their actions.
"What?"
"!"
Smoke and debris billowed skyward. As it cleared, what materialized before them was a towering figure.
Heavy black armor encased every inch of his body. The greatsword in his hand radiated palpable malice, and his presence was nothing short of a Demon King's.
Recognizing the figure instantly, Kenshin's pupils contracted.
"Berserker!"
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]