Moonlight serene, stars twinkling.
A piercing clash of metal echoed through Fuyuki's deserted port.
Fierce battle aura and unleashed mana scattered with each spear-sword clash, devastating the remote battlefield.
Water and starlight danced under the night sky.
Following her Master's orders, Artoria roared, swinging her invisible sword at the golden-haired man.
Unmoved, the violet-like man wielded his odd double-headed spear, summoning streams to counter the invisible blade's edge.
Though mere trickles, under his control, their power and resilience matched Artoria's azure wind.
After several clashes, Artoria realized how formidable he was.
"Such fierce spirit. You're a battle-hardened warrior. Hiding your weapon, but my wisdom tells me you're this war's Saber."
"Hmph, don't be so sure. Jumping to conclusions in battle's unwise. You can't see my weapon—maybe I'm Lancer or Archer."
Unfazed by being seen through, Artoria's mana surged, her invisible wind slashing fiercely.
"You jest."
Smiling at her denial, the man blocked her assault with water, stepping back. Watching her agile form under moonlight, he bit his fingertip, eyes gleaming, and continued.
"I'm no sage, but I trust my insight."
Not just fierce wind, but the aura of star power…
Saber class, star power, a hidden iconic weapon.
"I see, I see… I understand."
A flash of insight hit the finger-biting man, finding his answer.
It's her? Unexpected.
Artoria's secret was laid bare.
He squinted, smirking at her, the seen-through feeling gripping her again.
Before she could act, his gaze shifted to Irisviel behind her, thoughtful, as if calculating.
Artoria's expression hardened, stepping forward, glaring, and demanding, "What do you want with my Master?!"
In the Grail War, targeting fragile Masters was smarter than fighting mythic heroes.
"Rest assured, Saber, I mean no harm to her."
He shook his head, replying courteously, "My lord is focused on two Masters in this war, so I'm to confirm our main threats."
Wielding his spear, mana subtly surged, silver-blue armor flashing as he spun a spear flourish, stating, "You and your Master aren't them."
"You… underestimate me?"
His casual demeanor fueled Artoria's icy glare, her sword erupting like a volcano.
"Never. I wouldn't dare belittle any hero, especially the famed King of Knights."
He waved, surprised, "I just didn't expect King Arthur to be a woman."
"!"
"!!"
Artoria and Irisviel recoiled stunned.
He'd not only seen through her class but her true name, declaring it outright.
How? Did he have a True Name Discernment skill?
Was his purpose here to lure Servants and expose their names?
Realizing this, Artoria's composure faltered, glaring at the golden-haired Servant.
Knowing her secret was out, she dropped her concealment, gripping her sword, dispelling the wind to reveal its true form, and said coldly, "So what if I'm a woman? Can't King Arthur be female?"
"Don't underestimate me for it. Before woman, I'm a knight, a king!"
"Saber…"
Seeing her name exposed, Irisviel's eyes filled with worry.
"It's fine, Irisviel. Step back, stay safe. I'm going all out!"
The Sword of Promised Victory…
"Indeed, King Arthur. Apologies, I was just surprised, not belittling. Your blade allows no arrogance."
"Best that way. As for you, I've got a guess."
"Oh?"
He raised a brow, intrigued.
"You saw through me so quickly, you must be a wise hero. That cursed beauty, masterful spearwork, a magic spear rivaling Excalibur… From legend, you're… Cú Chulainn or Diarmuid Ua Duibhne!"
Artoria gripped her weapon, analyzing logically.
"What?!"
Hearing a familiar name, the man's face twisted, his composure cracking. He gripped his spear, inhaling deeply, as if suppressing something.
Exhaling, he forced a polite smile, raising his double-headed spear for a flourish, then struck with lightning speed, water-fueled mana slamming into Artoria's weapon, knocking her back.
This strike revealed his immense strength, and Artoria sensed, beyond battle intent, a pure… anger!!
"Though I admire the famed King of Knights, revealing true names in battle isn't warrior-like."
"Want to know? Feel it yourself!!"
His words fell, a glint of steel flashing, his spear striking like a dragon.
***
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