「…… Judging by your skills, you must not be a nameless knight. I ask you!"

Saber made up his mind and shouted at the enemy facing him through the mist.

"Since you recognize me as Artoria Pendragon, King of Britain, and challenge me, you should report your origin in the glory of a knight!

The sound of pouring water is mixed with the crisp metal sound of "click". It was slight, but the sound that crept into my ears was chilling, and it was undoubtedly Berserker's - the armor of his body trembled under the black mist.

It was the sound of the armor that completely covered the limbs vibrating slightly like water waves, hitting each other.

"You ......"

Saber finally sensed the source of the eerie moaning sound that seemed to crawl across the ground.

The crushed, sobbing sound came from the depths of the black helmet. Berserker twitched, showing irrepressible emotion.

Laughter—when Saber understood so, an indescribable chill ran through his body.

She had no speculation or basis, but with the guidance of her sixth sense, she understood that her previous interrogation had made a fatal mistake.

It's a pity she noticed it too late. The worst curse words that would have been uttered by her own have long since been uttered by herself.

The black mist that smeared the black knight's body swirled up and began to shrink. In the pouring mist, the pitch-black armor finally revealed the true face of Lushan.

It is neither glamorous nor vulgar, but it is the perfect combination of functional beauty and magnificence.

The craftsman has done his best to cast it with great attention to detail to make it appear both powerful and sophisticated. Even the countless scars on it have become carvings to show his great military exploits, adding to its brave demeanor. It was the ideal battle outfit that all knights couldn't help but envy.

Saber knew the brave man who had worn that armor and galloped into battle. At the round table of Carmellot he was a peerless swordsman who was more brilliant than anyone else, a knight and a loyal warrior who was more outstanding than anyone else.

"You're- how could you—"

I wish I was wrong. He is the ideal embodiment of the true face of the "knight". That mighty posture could never have become a pitch-black figure eroded by the curse of madness.

The Black Knight grinned as if mocking Saber's thoughts, and reached for the hilt of the sword in its scabbard. The sword was neither a pick nor a snatch. This heroic spirit, who has always concealed his name, finally revealed his own treasure.

Saber could only stare helplessly as he slowly drew the sword from its scabbard.

You can't be mistaken, the design of the blade is exactly the same as her own sword - as an elven inscription forged by inhuman hands. The reflection of the sharp blade under the moon is like a lake that shines brightly. It was an Infinity Sword that would never be destroyed by any blow.

The sword was only entitled to be owned by the man who had been hailed as the "Perfect Knight", and was also known as the "Indestructible Lake" - a better proof of the bearer's real name than self-proclaimed.

「…… Ar…… thur……」

Whining shouts echoed through the black helmet. With this shock, the mask that had cracked due to Saber's previous blow shattered.

A blackened face emerged from the shattered mask.

The beauty that used to be the envy of countless women is gone. He was emaciated and emaciated by his former hatred, like a ghost, and only his eyes full of hatred shone brightly. That's because the curse eventually lost everything about itself, the appearance of the living dead.

「…… Ah......h

Saber felt her knees go limp. The indomitable Knight King fell to his knees on the wet floor as if he could not bear the weight of the drops of water that had struck him on his shoulders and back.

- Even if you are a hero, you will end up losing the minimum glory -

In the past, someone had told her that.

So, did the curse start from that time?

「…… You're so ......."

Saber looked at the figure in front of him, which had long since lost the dignity and dignity of the past, and had fallen into the seat of madness, and completely changed, and tears welled up in his eyes, and he just asked.

「…… Do you hate me so much, my friend...... Even if it becomes like that...... Do you hate me so much, Knights of the Lake!"

That's the girl who kept her glory until the end and fought to the end for her honor-

The moment of defeat.

—————— Dividing Line——————

In the silence, a scorching stench came to my nose, and there seemed to be a fire somewhere in the sprawling building.

Without hurry, Emiya Kiritsugu slowly walked into the center of the uninhabited porch with decisive and light steps.

He moderately relaxes the muscles of the whole body and does not exert excess force on any part. On the other hand, the nerves are like a mirror that is quieter and clearer than the surface of an icy lake, reflecting the panorama of the surrounding area. Sharper than hearing, clearer than visual, without any dead ends. Transform yourself into a probe that will immediately detect the slightest movement, and wander in the dark.

Yan Feng Qili should be somewhere in this Fuyuki Civic Hall, waiting for the arrival of Emiya Kiritsugu.

As a result, Kiritsugu's ambush plan did fall through. But he felt no remorse. Because he was finally able to grasp the true face of Yan Feng Qili, an enemy full of mysteries, it was quite rewarding. It was precisely because all of Kiritsugu's predictions fell short that he relied on the elimination method to come up with the answer.

In a word, the man had no interest in the Holy Grail.

Normally, all Masters will fight for the Holy Grail. This preconceived notion has blinded Kiritsugu to this day. Because of this, Yan Feng Qili's actions that had nothing to do with the Holy Grail made Kiritsu puzzled.

However, Kiritsugu saw Kirei's strategy for the Chalice Advent ceremony tonight and realized that he had made a fundamental mistake.

Qili's preparations for the use of this Fuyuki Civic Hall as an altar were too thorough. This fragile fortress is inherently deficient as a fortress of magic. But he didn't take any defensive measures. Even if you're pressed for time, at least simple traps and barriers should be set up. Besides, if it was really too late to prepare, how could they make the move of summoning the other Servants to come to the decisive battle. Taking a hundred steps back, even if he really didn't know anything about magic as a means of defense, then why would he choose the most unsuitable location for defensive warfare among the four spirit veins.

Thinking of this, Kiritsu could only think that for Yan Feng Qili, the arrival of the Holy Grail was secondary. The man chose the Fuyuki Civic Hall simply because it was the least likely place to be ambushed. Rather than smoothly bring the Holy Grail to the end, he wants to gain a favorable lead in the final battle with the Master.

The purpose of the Rite of Grace is not the Holy Grail, but the bloodshed in the process of achieving it. That reason is neither inquisitable nor needs to be explored. It is enough to understand who the agent is targeting.

Kiritsu slowly held Thompson· Contender's gun handle, the solid walnut touch of his fingers, and he pondered the face of a man he had only seen in photographs.

Even if I think about where I am and how I have formed a relationship with Yan Feng Qili now, it is only an empty attempt. Kiritsugu's life was not easy enough to assert that he had never made a feud with anyone. It's just an outsider who broke into the Holy Grail War purely because of a personal grudge against Kiritsugu - that possibility can only be ruled out on probabilistic grounds. Although it is extremely unlikely that an outsider survived the Holy Grail War to the end and directed a farce that disrupted the direction of the Holy Grail's belonging, the reality is in front of him, and Kiritsugu has no choice but to accept it as a fact.

Emiya Kiritsugu never sought the truth and the answer to things. For him, the only thing to be concerned about is the "situation".

He just vowed in his heart to save more people. There is no distinction between high and low lives saved. The scales in which sacrifice and relief are measured have nothing to do with the justification or the circumstances. That's how he survives. He would never be foolish enough to inquire into the meaning of his actions.

So, there is no longer the slightest fear and sense of crisis in Kiritsugu's heart that he once had for Yan Feng Qili.

From the moment he knew what his purpose was, the man was reduced to a mere obstacle to Kiritsugu's progress. No matter what kind of strong enemy the other party is, as long as you are sure that it is the person you must challenge, then you will no longer be the object of affection. There is no fear, no hatred, neither contempt nor mercy, only exclusion is considered. That's the only function that Kiritsugu has given to himself as a killing machine.

The main part of the Fuyuki Civic Hall is a large concert hall that covers the first floor to the third floor. Qili placed the remains of the dead android on a stage that had been completely renovated and was only waiting for the first performance.

In its soft abdominal cavity, there is a pronounced foreign body sensation. I guess the Holy Grail that has been mixed into the organs is returning to its original appearance. Although Qili can now cut open his abdomen and remove it, he is not in a hurry. If one more Servant soul is recovered, the exterior should automatically collapse and reveal the Holy Grail. You just have to wait.

Archer confronts Rider at the bridge, and Berserker stops Saber in the underground parking lot. Everything went smoothly. Now no one bothered Qili.

He left the recital hall and went down the hallway. Suddenly, black smoke filled the air. The point of fire should be the battlefield underground. Judging by the depth of the smell, it seems that the fire has spread to various parts of the building. However, all external communication lines, including fire alarms, have been cut off, so that as long as the flames do not spill outside the building, they will not be detected by nearby residents.

With each step, the mood became more and more intense, and the blessed verse could not help but blurt out.

The Lord awakens my soul, please guide me on the right path beyond Allah. Even if I walk in the valley of death, I am not afraid of the devil, for Allah is with me—

Here he is. Now I will inevitably meet him.

Emiya Kiritsugu is nearby. Just as Qili longed for his arrival, he was also chasing Qili.

The flames had dispelled the darkness and swayed and danced throughout the hallway. The heat caressed Qili's cheek, but he didn't care. The tide of blood tumbling in his heart was hotter than the flames.

For the first time, she felt blessed. The God, who had never favored him in his life, finally gave him a revelation.

What he is looking for is the outpouring of hatred, the joy of battle.

- Your rod and whip have soothed me. Thou hast made a feast for me before my enemies, and thou hast put oil on my head, and the overflowing cup of blessing shall bring grace to me forever—

Tongues of fire scurried down the walls to the ceiling, turning into signposts to purgatory, inviting the two men.

They marched silently, in high spirits, and without hesitation walked to the dueling arena.

So, they came across a large prop warehouse directly below the stage on the basement floor.

On the other side of the billowing black smoke, Emiya Kiritsugu saw a slender figure in a vestment.

On the other side of the steaming heat, Yan Fengqili saw the black coat of his old enemy.

The light of the black key in his hand reflected the light of the body of the magic spear.

Both of them were aware of the killing intent, and each of them had already realized the blazing spirit.

Then, there is no longer a need for words of communication.

The two finally looked directly at each other, and they understood a conclusion at the same time.

Seven Masters. Seven Servants. Those are just so-called "conditions".

For Emiya Kiritsugu, this war is-

For Yan Feng Qili, the entire battlefield of Fuyuki City is-

Everything exists to defeat the enemy in front of you.

In the flames, the blade of the sword jumped.

Three on the left, three on the right, the agent pulled out a total of six black keys and drove up.

The Assassin's Spear's crosshair was aimed at the shadow of the approaching wind.

Here and now, the final showdown began silently.

……