Inside Einzbern Castle, Illya lay quietly within the prepared magic circle. Except for her pale complexion, she looked as if she were simply asleep.
Flandre guarded Illya, struggling to suppress the rampaging power within her.
Unfortunately, this wasn't Flandre's specialty; she could only maintain the status quo, preventing Illya's condition from worsening, but she couldn't do more.
As Flandre despaired, the door opened, and Arthas entered.
"Master, did you defeat Rider?"
Flandre looked at Arthas in surprise. Rider was a formidable opponent; even Flandre found his King's Army overwhelming.
"No. Saber suddenly appeared and helped me at the critical moment. I still don't understand why."
Arthas explained, looking somewhat helpless.
He still found it unbelievable that Artoria would harbor such intense feelings for him.
Initially, he'd suspected a trap set by Kiritsugu Emiya; such a man was capable of anything.
But Arthas quickly dismissed that possibility; Saber's eyes had told him everything.
He felt the intensity of her emotions—a burning passion similar to his own. Love at first sight only happened in fairy tales, yet he'd experienced it twice.
Touching his nose, Arthas chuckled, though he knew he couldn't reciprocate her feelings.
Kneeling gently beside his wife, Arthas took her hand.
He carried too much burden already; he couldn't bear any more. Saber, as a Heroic Spirit, was merely a fleeting encounter; after the Grail War, she would return to her own time.
"The magic circle is activated; you don't need to suppress the power in Illya's body anymore."
Arthas said, channeling magic into the circle beneath Illya, a blue light flowing through the runes.
Flandre nodded slightly, withdrawing her power. The prolonged, high-frequency magical energy transfer had depleted her own magic.
Magic was the only way Heroic Spirits maintained their existence in this world. Excessive depletion not only reduced combat ability but also threatened their physical forms.
"Let's go… I don't know why Saber helped me, but as comrades, I can't leave her to face the enemy alone."
Arthas said, leaving the castle hall with Flandre. In the courtyard, the battle was nearing its end.
Waver watched silently, though he hadn't seen Saber face Rider's army alone; he knew it must have been brutal.
Her bloodstained, damaged armor spoke volumes; how many people had she killed in less than ten minutes?
Waver felt a shiver run down his spine; he felt unsteady on his feet.
He was a coward. Though he'd stolen Kennet's relic and participated in the Grail War, Waver was inherently timid.
His fear had paralyzed him under Kennet's threats; his fear had caused him to cry and complain about Rider's actions.
His legs trembled; his eyelids twitched. Waver desperately wanted to escape Fuyuki City, to forget the Grail War, to forget this insane game.
But he didn't. His Servant was fighting for him, for the Grail, for victory.
"Rider, by the Command Seal, restore all your magical energy, then bring me Saber's head. Bring me victory."
And so… the young man raised his hand, loudly, decisively, and without hesitation, using his second Command Seal.
The power of a Command Seal was incredible, unimaginable.
Vague commands, like "win the Grail War" or "defeat a certain opponent," might not be fully effective. But specific commands were always obeyed.
With Waver's command, Rider felt a surge of power coursing through him, replenishing the vast magical energy expended on King's Army.
Though not fully restored, he couldn't use King's Army again, but Rider's strength was mostly recovered.
"A bit troublesome, but well done. Now that's a proper Master—fighting alongside their Servant!"
Rider said proudly, looking at Saber, sword in hand.
"It's a pity, Saber… or should I say Artoria? Without a Master, without that support, you're no match for my little Master and me."
"Witness the bond between Master and Servant! Prepare to be defeated! I'll gladly take the head of the renowned King Arthur!"
Rider raised his sword and swung it down towards Saber.
Saber remained motionless; the exhausted girl had no strength to resist, watching Rider's blade descend.
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