"How did you discover me?" Cyd asked, picking up Hades's Helmet and looking curiously at the red Lancer, Karna.
"Footprints," Karna replied, pointing his lance at a row of footprints behind him.
"Ah, careless of me to forget. The soil here by the sea is quite moist," Cyd said, patting his head.
"Even if I couldn't detect your aura, your presence is as strong as if you were pointing a blade at me," Karna said, holding his long spear and not taking his eyes off Cyd.
"Right? So, red Lancer, what brings you to me the ruler? Just so you know, all Command Spells are with another ruler, and I am not here to restrain you," Cyd said, tilting his head. "And you two hiding over there, come out."
A delicate young man wearing glasses emerged, leading a young girl dressed in what looked like a wedding gown. If it weren't for the obvious tension, Cyd might have thought they were a couple.
"You're a black Servant and master," Cyd observed.
The young girl lowered her head, letting out a low growl while glaring at Karna from behind the young man.
"Do you want to fight me? No, you're here to protect your master," Karna nodded. "Relax, I have no intention of harming him."
The young girl continued to stare at Karna, not backing down.
"What's your name, young man?" Cyd asked quietly, approaching from behind.
"It's... Caules," the young man replied, startled like a student caught off guard by a teacher.
The young girl let out a growl and positioned herself protectively in front of Caules.
"I am a ruler. You don't need to be so vigilant around me," Cyd said, easily evading the girl's attack and maintaining a peaceful distance.
"Relax, Berserker, I'm fine," Caules reassured the girl, holding her hand. Their goal was to convince the ruler without causing conflict, but it seemed difficult now.
Why did they send me, knowing my Heroic Spirit, Berserker, is the hardest to control? Caules thought, glancing at Berserker, who stared back at him with a hint of annoyance.
"Relax, now his target is me. We'll likely continue this until dawn. You're free to observe," Cyd said, taking [Reforged Pandora] from his back.
"Need any help?" Caules asked cautiously, thinking they might as well seize the opportunity to eliminate the red Lancer.
Karna frowned. His instinct as a hero wanted a fair fight with Cyd. From the moment he saw Cyd, he felt a connection as if it was fate another hero blessed by the gods as an opponent.
"I appreciate the offer, but he's here for me. I can't let you get involved," Cyd said, smiling and waving his hand. "Besides, the difference in our ranks means you wouldn't stand a chance."
"Can we stay here then?" Caules asked, determined to at least observe the red Lancer's real name and assess his strength.
Cyd looked at Karna, who nodded slightly. "Fine by me."
"Let's move to a safer distance," Cyd said, grabbing [Reforged Pandora] with his left hand. The black box began to distort, spewing out a blood-red light.
[Reforged Pandora] — Ares Mode
"This might get a bit violent," Cyd said, his eyes gleaming with a blood-red light as he smirked.
Sensing the danger, Frankenstein lifted Caules and ran more than ten meters away.
"That's over the top!" Caules shouted, almost losing his glasses.
Frankenstein let out a low growl.
"You were right to worry," Caules muttered, watching the ground erupt as Cyd and Karna clashed.
The great sword and long spear collided, sparks flying and strong winds stirring their white hair.
"Astonishing strength," Karna remarked, shaking off the soil. He was being overpowered by Cyd's sheer strength, who was using only one hand.
"Right?!" Cyd grinned, his right hand forming a fist with sharp black scales.
Karna narrowly dodged Cyd's straight punch, but a bloodline appeared on his face. Before he could react, Cyd's right hand grabbed his head like a dragon's claw.
Mana Burst — Flame
Scalding hot flames burst from Karna, forcing Cyd to withdraw his hand. Karna seized the opportunity to strike Cyd with his spear, sending him flying.
"You're quite experienced," Karna said, touching the wound on his face.
"It's been a long journey," Cyd replied, waving [Reforged Pandora]. "But red Lancer, if you're here to take my life, why not use your full power?"
"I meant no disrespect," Karna apologized. He didn't want to bring trouble to his master, whom he hadn't even met yet. Moreover, the current order from the Priest was unclear, and his trump card could only be used once.
"Alright then, let's enjoy this fight without holding back!" Cyd said, transforming [Reforged Pandora] from a great sword into a long spear.
[Reforged Pandora] — Athena Form
"Thank you!" Karna charged at Cyd, his exaggerated long spear sweeping towards Cyd's head.
Cyd grinned, parrying Karna's attack with his left hand. The crystallization of Zeus on his wrist gleamed, wild thunder spewing from his body to counter Karna's flames. His right hand, crackling with electricity, struck towards Karna's chest.
Karna spun his spear, blocking Cyd's strike. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed.
"Gotcha!" Cyd seized Karna's spear, swinging him into the air like a ragdoll. He launched a barrage of attacks with [Reforged Pandora].
Despite being airborne, Karna didn't panic. He skillfully wielded his spear, accurately blocking Cyd's strikes and maintaining his balance.
"I could use some help," Caules muttered, watching the fierce battle.
Frankenstein scratched her head, contemplating whether to intervene.
"I haven't figured out Red Lancer's real name yet, but I think I've guessed ruler's identity," Caules said, his expression thoughtful.
"Good skills, but try this!" Cyd said, thrusting his spear forward.
Karna hesitated but saw an opening as Cyd left his body exposed. He instinctively pierced Cyd's chest.
The spear transformed into a great hammer, pounding Karna's body and sending him flying like a meteor.
"That's some destructive power," Caules muttered, swallowing hard.
Frankenstein didn't urge him to leave quickly.
"Hmm, still several hours until dawn," Cyd noted, looking at the sky where the bright moonlight had faded.
"Impressive strike," Karna said, flying back, somewhat distressed.
"You can fly?" Cyd raised an eyebrow.
"its a simple application of Mana Burst," Karna replied, dusting himself off.
"You should go back," Cyd said, stretching. The great hammer in his hand reverted to the black box.
"The night is still young," Karna said earnestly, clearly intending to continue until dawn.
"There will be other opportunities. Besides..." Cyd looked at the sky, "it's almost time for the sun and moon to exchange. I might be able to…"
Silver and orange traces intertwined on Cyd's left wrist, thunder crackling around him.
"…make you use your full power."
After a moment of silence, Karna nodded. "I look forward to our next fight."
Karna then vanished in spirit form.
"You didn't flinch or run away. You'll do well, young man," Cyd said, putting [Reforged Pandora] back on his back.
"My legs are just soft," Caules replied, adjusting his glasses. He had closely observed the enemy Heroic Spirit, even if he hadn't identified him.
"That Lancer is strong," Cyd said, patting the cut on his chest. "I didn't expect anyone but a complete god to injure me."
"Will you join our black faction, ruler?" Caules asked.
"Do you drive?" Cyd asked, tilting his head, surprising Caules.
"No," Caules admitted, scratching his head.
"Then it's settled. You probably can't keep up with me," Cyd said, patting Caules's shoulder. "Good luck in the Holy Grail War."
With that, Cyd vanished like Karna.
"Berserker, is he gone too?" Caules asked, feeling slightly bewildered.
Frankenstein shook her head.
"At least let me finish speaking!" Caules groaned, clutching his hair in frustration.