No one spoke. Kiritsugu Emiya was pondering the meaning of "Her Ladyship the Goddess."
Do gods really exist in this world?
Kiritsugu didn't believe it and didn't dare to. If gods existed, why wouldn't they intervene in the world's suffering?
The gun in his hand slowly lowered. The 'Her Ladyship the Goddess' before him could render Command Spells ineffective and had granted Lancer a new form!
He had never heard of such a thing! Judging by Kenneth's reaction beside him, the guy wasn't faring much better.
"Lancer, choose the Heroic Spirit you want to fight," Kurumi said expressionlessly. "Including me."
Diarmuid tightened his grip on his dual spears, glanced around, and locked his gaze on Saber.
"Saber! In the presence of Her Ladyship the Goddess, do you dare accept my challenge?"
The girl in the blue armour stepped forward. "With pleasure."
Kurumi nodded, completely unconcerned about the reactions of the Masters on either side.
"This battle will be fair and just. Both sides will return to their peak states."
Saber's heart tightened. Her peak state? That means...
"Irisviel!"
Irisviel floated in mid-air, her expression pained. Golden light intertwined around her abdomen, and soon, the sheath of the holy sword 'Avalon' emerged.
Guided by the faint golden divine light, the scabbard smoothly returned to Saber's body. In an instant, Saber's aura grew significantly stronger!
Her emerald eyes fixed on Kurumi, seemingly waiting for an explanation.
"Ha ha ha!"
Kurumi, in her divine form, didn't care, not even wanting to respond. But Red Queen finally couldn't hold back, clutching her stomach and laughing out loud.
Pointing at Saber, she mocked mercilessly, "I wonder how you became the King of Britain! Was it because of some melodramatic love story that lasted through the ages?"
A dangerous glint brewed in Saber's eyes, her teeth clenched. If it weren't for Kurumi's presence, she might have unleashed her Noble Phantasm's true name in anger!
"Didn't you notice that time has paused for the Einzbern? Since Her Ladyship the Goddess upholds fairness and justice, she will ensure it to the utmost!"
Red Queen squinted her wine-red eyes like a devil's gaze. "Using mortal thoughts to speculate on the divine is truly laughable."
Though Red Queen's words couldn't be fully trusted, they did somewhat reassure Saber and Kiritsugu.
Diarmuid spun his spear twice, mocking himself. "I thought I could defeat the legendary King of Knights, but I didn't expect..."
"That's not what I meant!"
Saber frowned slightly, seemingly afraid that the fellow knight Lancer might misunderstand her.
"I understand." Diarmuid's spear lifted slightly, its edge sharp in the moonlight.
"Honorable King of Knights, may I now challenge you?"
Saber gripped her sword with both hands, and her left hand also radiated power. "I've been looking forward to it."
After exchanging names, the arena formed with Kurumi at the centre conjured into an imaginary battleground.
The combatants lightened their breaths, their eyes constantly searching for openings in their opponent's stance.
But for two skilled knights, flaws likely existed only as lures.
"Clink—"
Sparks flew as their tentative first strikes quickly parted them.
A smile appeared on Diarmuid's face as his spear danced, its shadow turning into a serpent, continuously thrusting at Saber!
Having fought Lancer several times, Saber was clearly familiar with Diarmuid's attack style. With her tendons healed, the Sword of Promised Victory, enveloped in the Wind King Barrier, met the spear's shadow with unrelenting sharpness!
The fight opened up, and the arena even showed afterimages of their clashes!
In their Heroic Spirit states, they enjoyed many conveniences, but their true peak states were when they were human.
Kurumi stood on a high platform, her golden eyes reflecting nothing. Red Queen recorded the scene in all its detail.
Such a combat scenario between two masters of their craft was a rare sight.
Even in the Throne of Heroes, foundational skills were often overlooked. Those like Saber and Lancer were rare gems.
Most reincarnators delved into the 'supernatural' too early, and they were forced to enhance their abilities lest they face death!
Even Kurumi, in equal conditions, was slightly less skilled than top-tier Heroic Spirits like Saber.
Kiritsugu lit a cigarette, sitting beside Kenneth. Unlike Kenneth's excitement, he was calm.
His gaze didn't linger on Saber, nor did it fall on the 'time-paused' Irisviel.
He simply stared quietly at Kurumi. Every so often, he bowed his head in contemplation, his heart strained to its limit!
Facing a god wasn't easy.
"Is she really... a god?"
As the cigarette burned out, Kiritsugu gazed at the top of the arena, where divine light gathered, making him feel indescribably comfortable. This was practically an ideal land. Staying here forever seemed desirable...
Startled, he shivered, lighting another cigarette with trembling hands.
"How terrifying!"
...
A golden light overshadowed the divine brilliance of the arena, and magical energy surged, compressing the air, making it impossible for any human present to keep their eyes open.
The faint golden light didn't compete, yet it quickly erased all residual magical energy from the air!
"This battle's winner is Saber!"
Diarmuid, who had initially vanished in the golden torrent, reappeared in the arena with a slight distortion.
With a bitter smile, he said, "Saber, you have won!"
"Lancer..."
"I concede defeat."
Diarmuid glanced around, pausing slightly on Kenneth before bowing slightly, showing his respect.
'Gáe Buidhe' and 'Gáe Dearg,' his two spears, disappeared as Lancer walked to the platform where Kurumi stood and knelt on one knee.
"Her Ladyship the Goddess, Diarmuid has fulfilled his final wish."
In Kurumi's golden eyes, she saw two Diarmuids. She remained silent as divine brilliance slowly descended from the sky, enveloping Diarmuid.
The chief warrior of the Fianna of Ireland closed his eyes, disappearing along with the descending divine light.
With this, the third Heroic Spirit, Lancer, departed from the Holy Grail War, ending his earthly battles without regret.
Fate/Zero World
Side Quest: Curse from Hell
Status: Completed
Counterforce against 'All the Evils of the World' increased, and the overall rating improved.
Reward: 'Gift of Radiant Appearance'
Description: This is an unknown curse famed for its charm. After fulfilling his wish, Diarmuid turned it into a small gift for the one who helped him, 'Her Ladyship the Goddess.'
Form: Black Tear Mole
Condition: When 'Charm' is activated, it follows, enhancing its ability to a higher level.
Note: This item is highly dangerous to girls. Reincarnators, please use with caution.