I, Kurumi Tokisaki, Am a Wanderer

Lancer stood tall, holding the Gáe Dearg: Crimson Rose of Exorcism in his right hand across his chest, while his left arm hung slightly behind him, gripping the Gáe Buidhe: Yellow Rose of Mortality like a sword.

He faced Kurumi Tokisaki, ever vigilant.

Diarmuid had once been the foremost warrior of the Fianna knights of Ireland, his combat prowess unmatched. Even in the face of overwhelming opponents, his heart remained calm and composed.

Avenger, however, was unlike any other Servant. Lancer had realized that long ago.

She wasn't one who relied on "martial prowess" in the traditional sense. Her style was more akin to a series of rules—a strange, mystical logic that governed her every move.

If she was struck, she could counterattack with uncanny precision. The moment an enemy got too close, she could immediately retaliate with a brutal knee strike. The way her "skills" chained together didn't feel like combat technique but more like the activation of specific noble phantasms.

The girl who stood before him, smiling gently, was without a doubt the most terrifying enemy in this war.

Lancer's fighting spirit surged, his entire being transforming into a gust of wind as he lunged toward Kurumi. The red spear thrust forward, its crimson edge cutting through the air like a dragon. His yellow spear remained gripped in his left hand, prepared to parry any counterattacks from Kurumi.

Kurumi only chuckled lightly. "Oh? You want to try again?"

Get ready.

A chilling dark-red flame ignited around her, heralding death itself.

The oppressive aura from those flames was even more suffocating than the immense magical power emanating from Saber.

Yet Lancer felt no fear. Instead, he charged forward even faster.

Though Lancer's class was most suited for mid-range combat, Diarmuid, the man whose martial skills were unrivaled, preferred a direct, close-quarters confrontation.

He was betting on the fact that Kurumi wouldn't use the same trick again—the one that allowed her to appear at his side in a blink.

This time...

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing rang out.

Kurumi raised her left arm in front of her, using the back of her hand to block the red spear.

A golden-red light flashed, forming an insurmountable barrier. Not even the Red Rose of Exorcism, capable of piercing through any magical barrier, could break through it.

'Vengeance—Counterattack.'

Kurumi's left arm deflected the red spear, and in an instant, she raised her pistol and fired at Lancer.

"Just as I thought..." Lancer's eyes glinted.

As he had predicted, Avenger wouldn't rely on a move that had already lost its effectiveness.

Lancer had anticipated this and immediately dissolved into his spiritual form, vanishing without a trace.

Becoming spiritual didn't make him immune to attacks, but he was fast enough.

He was the fastest Servant.

Lancer's form rematerialized behind Kurumi in midair, gripping the Red Rose like a sword and slashing downward.

Her exposed, delicate back, so smooth and pale, was now within the range of his spear.

No matter what, there was not a hint of hesitation in his heart. The red spear, wreathed in lethal intent, came down upon her, ready to spill her blood.

Avenger's counterattacks had a cooldown period! Her invincibility lasted only for a brief moment after she launched her retaliatory strike.

This time... it would work!

The chilling pressure emanating from both combatants was so overwhelming that it left Maiya breathless as she watched from the shadows. Her heart felt like it was being crushed under the weight of their clash.

The battle between lancers had already escalated beyond what could be comprehended with the naked eye. All she could do was record everything with her CCD camera, leaving the analysis to Kiritsugu later.

The clash of spears—the clash of wills.

Click.

The sound of a clock mechanism turning broke the stillness of the night.

It was the signal that Avenger was about to activate one of her abilities. But what would it be this time—an acceleration, or something else?

Lancer did not hesitate. Instead, he struck even harder, more fiercely.

Avenger's abilities required her to hit her target to be effective.

"Zayin—Seventh Bullet."

Kurumi didn't even look back. She didn't aim. She simply raised her left arm, pointed her gun behind her, and pulled the trigger.

Multiple Shot.

A deadly sense of danger gripped Lancer. He remembered this "skill."

The attack would automatically lock onto every enemy within the line of fire, ensuring a lethal headshot.

Like fate, it was impossible to avoid.

But it was already too late.

Bang!

Lancer's skull burst open in a violent spray of blood. At the same time, his entire body turned into a photo negative, with all the colors reversed.

Time froze him in place.

Even a Servant was powerless in the face of pause.

Bang!

Bang!

Kurumi fired shot after shot, for a total of five rounds.

Blood sprayed like crimson flowers from the back of Diarmuid's skull, frozen in time.

When the time suspension finally lifted, Lancer's body collapsed to the ground, blood pooling beneath his head.

Only then did Kurumi leisurely turn around, gazing down at him.

"Oh my, is that all?"

"Damn it!" Kayneth clenched his fists tightly. After only a few moments of battle, Lancer had already been pushed to the brink of death.

Wait... the Command Seals! He still had his Command Seals!

—By my Command Seal, I order Lancer—

—Heal your wounds and block Avenger!—

—Fight with all your might! Stop Avenger!—

There was no more time to hesitate. Victory and glory meant nothing anymore in the face of Sola's life.

The silver mass of Mercury, still in liquid form, dragged Kayneth and Sola along at high speed. But suddenly... it came to a stop.

Collapsed on the ground, Lancer's consciousness cleared once again.

"So... this is my lord's final order..."

"My lord... even without a Command Seal, I would never betray you."

"By the name of Diarmuid!"

The red spear was raised from the ground and thrust toward Kurumi.

The spear's edge gleamed as it cleaved the air, empowered by the magical energy of the Command Seal—unstoppable.

Clang—chains?

Lancer was puzzled. His attack, which should have torn through everything in its path, was now ensnared by a black, blood-tinged chain that wrapped around the Gáe Dearg.

With a sharp tug from Kurumi's right arm, the spear was yanked off course.

"No matter how hard you struggle, it's useless, you know~" Kurumi teased.

As Lancer watched her profile, illuminated by the moonlight, he finally understood.

So that's how it is... she had been playing with him all along.

To lose like this... well, that was just how things were, wasn't it?

"Avenger... next time, I'll return with Moralltach and Beagalltach to challenge you."

"I'm sorry, my lord."

Going to shot!

Kurumi's dual pistols were aimed directly at Diarmuid. The moment she pulled the trigger, the bullets exploded out, shredding everything in their path.

Countless bullets tore through Lancer's body, each hit a spray of blood.

"Goodbye~~"

In just a few moments, dozens of rounds had been fired, leaving the once-radiant knight in tatters. A brilliant crimson stained the earth.

In his final moments, Diarmuid threw the Gáe Buidhe, the spear cutting through the air and grazing Kurumi's right arm, slicing through her soft skin.

Of course... Lancer wouldn't die without throwing his spear.

He smiled as his body crumbled to the ground, kneeling.

Was this... your mercy?

Well, no matter.

For my lord, I offer my final blood.

Forgive me, my lord.

But... thank you.

Grainne, I have no more regrets.

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