Chapter 829: The Fated Battle, Lancelot's Withdrawal
Chapter 829: The Fated Battle, Lancelot's Withdrawal
Having successfully escaped the Einzbern household using his specialized Time Alter magic, Shirou Emiya intended to summon Saber with his Command Spell. However, to his surprise, despite the Command Spell's activation, Saber did not materialize by his side.
Before long, an even more astonishing event occurred; not only was he unable to summon his Heroic Spirit Servant, Saber, but his Command Spell and connection with his Servant gradually faded away!
"Mr. Yecheng, I am willing to offer my life in exchange for Arthur's chance to remain," he declared.
At the Faruzan residence, after witnessing Saber being effortlessly restrained by Yecheng and then having her connection with her Master severed by Medea's Noble Phantasm, Lancelot hurriedly stepped forward in concern.
Lancelot believed he had a chance against Medea and her two phantom beasts, but with Yecheng's involvement, he knew their odds were slim.
"Hmph, do you think a traitor like you has the right to negotiate with us now? Forget about helping Saber; you can't even save yourself at this point!" Lancelot retorted.
Before Yecheng could respond, Medea glared at Lancelot, who was kneeling before Yecheng, with intense fury.
Medea, known as the "Betrayal Witch," found herself betrayed this time.
Previously, due to her limited strength, she had no choice but to tolerate Lancelot's actions. Now that her Master had arrived, Medea's confidence soared.
Lancelot offered no defense against Medea's accusations; instead, he lowered his head once more, hoping Yecheng would hear his plea.
"Lord Lancelot, my participation in the Holy Grail War was my own choice, and even if I lose because of it, I will have no regrets.
Please lift your head, for I need no one's pity. Your current behavior only tramples on my Knight's Honor!"
Saber, witnessing Lancelot's actions, was equally infuriated. She did not wish to be left behind in such a manner, nor did she want to see the once-brilliant 'Knight of the Lake' pleading so humbly.
"Mr. Yecheng, Berserker has helped us so much..." Sakura began, but Yecheng interrupted with a heavy sigh, "Berserker, how about a final duel with Saber?
A battle solely between Heroic Spirits, with the winner remaining—what do you think?"
Lancelot's eyes lit up at Yecheng's suggestion, "That's exactly what I want! Thank you, Mr. Yecheng."
The idea of a final battle with Artoria, with the winner remaining, was precisely what Lancelot had hoped for. Thus, he had no reason to refuse Yecheng's proposal.
In contrast to Lancelot's eagerness, Saber struggled with the decision until Lancelot's rebuke.
"Arthur, take up your sword and stop making excuses about why we shouldn't fight!
Whether it's our differing stances in the Holy Grail War or the grudges between us, the reasons for our battle are countless.
I saved you from Medea's grasp earlier because I didn't want you to die at someone else's hands.
Our fated battle must be concluded by our own hands. If you're content to remain a failure and return to your past, then stay put and await your demise!"
As Lancelot finished speaking, he brandished the "Unbreakable Lake Light" and charged towards Saber.
Lancelot knew that without his verbal provocation, Saber would not engage in a serious battle with him.
The Battle of the Fall of a Nation had always been Saber's greatest pain, and the reason she sought the Holy Grail to change the past. At this moment, Lancelot was well aware of how to motivate Saber to rise again.
As Lancelot resolutely swung her sword towards Saber without hesitation, Saber's heart was torn, but in the end, she tightened her grip on the Sword of Promised Victory.
The two holy swords, gifts from the Lake Spirit, clashed in mid-air, and the resulting mana fluctuations ravaged the entire area.
In terms of raw ability parameters, Lancelot was slightly inferior to Saber at this point.
Saber's current Master, Medea, had used her Noble Phantasm, 'Thousand Spell Breaking Dagger', to eliminate Shirou Emiya, turning him into a bullheaded person.
Medea's mana originated from Yecheng, so when converted, it meant that the mana supporting Saber also came from Yecheng.
With ample mana support, Saber's ability parameters had nearly reached their limits.
Both sides had equivalent Noble Phantasm levels, and while Saber's parameters were slightly superior, Lancelot's martial skills far surpassed Saber's.
Under normal circumstances, Lancelot had a greater chance of winning this battle, but that didn't account for someone who was determined to die!
Dying under Saber's sword was Lancelot's wish, so after fully igniting Saber's fighting spirit, Yecheng, who was observing the fight, keenly realized that Lancelot had started to intentionally or unintentionally go easy on her.
However, while Lancelot was holding back, Saber also couldn't bring herself to make a decisive move. She couldn't bring herself to strike down a former comrade, a struggling young girl.
"Artoria, is this the extent of your determination?!" Lancelot roared, and her Unbreakable Lake Light left a deep sword scar on Saber's chest.
Although this sword strike landed on Saber, the pain and struggle on Lancelot's face were even more intense than Saber's.
Medea, standing by, also felt an unusual surge of anger towards Lancelot's strike.
This wasn't because Medea had special feelings for Saber, but because Medea was concerned about the scars that might remain on Saber's body, which would affect their cosplay plans and photo shoots.
Witnessing Lancelot's pain, struggle, and growing madness through their sword exchange, Saber finally understood Lancelot's inner thoughts.
This was Lancelot's way of seeking self-liberation. As a king, her forgiveness and pardon might not be a salvation for Lancelot but rather a shackle.
Lancelot was a true knight who couldn't bear the idea of a sinner like himself receiving such redemption.
Kings have their mercy, but knights have their pride. Facing his own mistakes, Lancelot could only think of death as a way to atone, unable to conceive of any other form of redemption.
This fated battle naturally concluded with Saber's victory. The Sword of Promised Victory pierced through Lancelot's chest, and he fell into the king's embrace.
"My King, I'm sorry, but I'm not a qualified knight..."
(End of Chapter)
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