Avicebron continued to watch the distant battlefield. "So that's how it is... You're losing on the front lines, and now you want to weaken the Black Faction through other means. Perhaps by... taking me out?"
Shirou Kotomine smiled as he sheathed his bloodstained sword. "I think we can talk this through."
"This isn't what I'd call a 'talking' attitude," Avicebron remarked, glancing at the fallen homunculi around him. Each one had been killed silently and efficiently. If he hadn't sensed the undeniable presence of life from the man behind him, he might have thought the Red Assassin had snuck in.
"I didn't want any interruptions," Shirou Kotomine said, spreading his hands. "So, Black Caster, Avicebron, how would you like to join the Red Faction?"
"Do you think that's possible?" Avicebron pointed to the distant battle. "Your ace, Achilles, is being held off by Archer. Your Lancer will likely be killed by the King soon. There's no way your side can win this war."
"Things would be different if you joined us," Shirou replied, shaking his head. "With your Noble Phantasm activated, the tide of this Holy Grail War would turn completely in our favor."
"You've already lost," Avicebron said flatly.
"But is that really the best outcome?" Shirou tilted his head. "If the Red Faction falls, do you think you can win? Will your wish be fulfilled? Can you defeat the King?"
"It doesn't matter. My only wish is to complete my Noble Phantasm. The Holy Grail itself is irrelevant to me," Avicebron said, his gaze steady on the battlefield.
"The more you talk, the more I want you on our side," Shirou chuckled.
"I have no reason to join the losing side," Avicebron shook his head.
"But if the Black Faction wins, your Noble Phantasm becomes unnecessary," Shirou said softly.
Avicebron clenched his fist.
"Your Phantasm was something they only wanted to increase their chances of victory. But now that they can win without it, you'll be seen as a liability. Do you really think they'll let you unleash it? No one will believe you don't care about the Holy Grail, but I do. So why not join us?"
"It's too late. My Phantasm still needs an excellent mage as its core. Even if I switched sides, I couldn't complete it," Avicebron turned away. "And I doubt you can survive this battle."
"What if I told you the Red Faction won't lose?" Shirou's smile widened, sensing Avicebron's resolve weakening.
"On what grounds? Achilles?" Avicebron scoffed. "The King will soon defeat your Lancer. No one on this battlefield can stand against him. Once he joins forces with Archer, not even Achilles can win."
"You're wrong. Your King can't defeat our Lancer. Some gaps can't be bridged by reputation alone. In this Holy Grail War, only two are worthy of facing Lancer: Achilles and..." Shirou laughed softly, "Ruler Cyd. Only they can make him fight at full strength. Right now, your King has the upper hand only because Lancer isn't giving his all. After all, he's a loyal Heroic Spirit, bearing the name—Karna."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Vlad III raised his spear, blood dripping from the iron stakes embedded in Karna's body. "To fight me to this extent on my land, you are indeed a remarkable Heroic Spirit. I don't know your true name, but I shall remember you. Now, I'll grant you a swift end as a mark of respect."
Karna's white hair fell over his face, bloodied from the iron stakes piercing his lungs and right arm. Another spike had driven through his abdomen, pinning him to the ground. Even with his golden armor, he was skewered as if by some divine force from within.
Perhaps this was the gravest injury he had suffered since donning that armor.
Everything around him—earth, sky—had become his enemy, all controlled by his foe. It was as if the world itself was urging him to die. How ironic...
Karna lifted his head, his eyes calm despite the excruciating pain. This was a familiar feeling.
With a resounding clang, Vlad's attack was effortlessly deflected by Karna.
"Flames, rise—"
In an instant, searing flames engulfed Karna, incinerating the stakes around him.
"What?!" Vlad III's eyes widened in shock.
The flames devoured the stakes and then surged back into Karna's body, continuing to burn until every last stake was turned to ash. No! Even then, the flames couldn't stop. As long as the stakes' wounds remained, the flames would continue to consume him from within!
"Black Lancer, I'll take your head now," Karna's eyes narrowed, gathering mana at his feet as he launched himself like an arrow toward Vlad III.
"It's useless!" Vlad roared, summoning more stakes to rain down upon Karna. But this time, Karna was serious, unleashing the full power of the son of the Sun God.
No force, not even the stakes, could impede his advance. They were all incinerated before they could even touch him.
"This ends now!" Karna thrust his spear toward Vlad III's head.
"Curse you!" Vlad III retreated, the intense heat from the flames stinging his face.
Just as the divine spear was about to strike, a silver sword swung in from the side, clashing with the spear.
Karna's eyes narrowed. To intercept his attack at this range meant facing his flames head-on. To block it with such strength—was this someone with an equally resolute will? Or perhaps... someone with a defense that could withstand his flames?
"I'm sorry I'm late," Siegfried said, delivering a spinning kick that sent Karna flying. His body still smoldered from Karna's flames, a faint scent of burnt flesh lingering, but he remained unfazed, calmly raising his sword to face Karna as if the pain didn't bother him.
Or maybe someone who had both?
Karna rose silently, his gaze fixed on Siegfried, who stood protectively before Vlad III.
Vlad III opened his mouth, recognizing the man before him. The Dragon Slayer, Siegfried—an unyielding hero who had granted wishes until the day he was stabbed in his only weak spot by a friend. And now, Siegfried was again exposing his back, the same weak spot, to Vlad III.
Was this trust?
"Well done," Vlad III said, taking a deep breath as he moved to stand beside Siegfried. "My ally!"