Bab 54: -54- The highest level of combat
"——"
A stifling silence began to spread through the air. The storm of pitch-black magic engulfed the entire cavern, making the atmosphere feel heavy. Watching Saber squander her formidable magic power without holding back, everyone in Rozen's group almost held their breath, frozen in place, afraid to make any sudden moves, and could only face Saber's cold gaze, rigidly rooted to the spot.
Fortunately, there was someone who could withstand this pressure and break the deadlock.
"——Ansuz——"
As these letters appeared in the air and turned into scorching fireballs, the large cavern was finally tinged with red.
At this moment, the first one to withstand the pressure brought by Saber was indeed Caster.
"Though I don't know what you're talking about..."
Caster stared at Saber, a somewhat ferocious smile on his face.
"Since it seems like we're going to have a showdown no matter what, I'll take you down first!"
After his wild declaration, the heat dispersed the heavy air, turning it scorching hot. It transformed into flaming projectiles, shooting through the air, one after another, towards Saber.
"Magic, huh?"
Saber coldly observed the incoming fireballs but didn't dodge or evade them. Instead, she faced the fireballs head-on.
"Boom----!"
Amidst a series of explosions, flames surged, covering Saber's entire body. Yet, before the others could react, Saber swung her pitch-black holy sword heavily in the midst of the flames, as if she effortlessly cleaved through the scorching fireballs, sending them flying.
Saber emerged from the flames, seemingly unscathed, and once again appeared before everyone.
"Tsk..." Caster clicked his tongue. "So, it was ineffective?"
Before Caster could do anything else, he was interrupted.
"Hiss!"
With a sharp sound cutting through the air, a magical arrow descended from above, heading straight for Caster.
Archer, who had been observing coldly all this time, stood atop the rocky platform with his bow drawn and arrow nocked. Seizing the opportunity when everyone's attention was focused on Saber, he decisively took a shot.
"Danger!"
Mash immediately stepped forward, shielding Caster.
"Clang!"
With a crisp sound, the powerful arrow struck the heavy shield, creating sparks before being deflected cleanly.
It was at this moment that Saber moved.
"Boom---!"
The sound of her foot stomping forcefully on the ground echoed through the air. Saber raised her head and, with the forceful impact of her booted foot hitting the ground, she sent a shockwave with a burst of explosions and air pressure. Amidst the surging currents and raised dust, she swiftly moved towards Mash.
"...!?"
Mash showed a shocked expression.
Meanwhile, Saber maintained a cold expression as she raised her pitch-black holy sword high and swung it fiercely at Mash.
The force of her swing split the air in two.
"Clang——!"
The resounding clash of metal echoed through the air, creating a whirlwind around Saber and Mash as they clashed.
"So heavy...!"
Having taken Saber's strike head-on, Mash's hand holding the shield trembled, and her face changed.
In response, Saber uttered a few words.
"Of course, it's heavy, for this is the strike of a holy sword that carries the hope of humanity and the fate of the planet. Even though my body now bears the taint of corruption, causing the holy sword to reverse and take on this pitch-black appearance, its essence remains unchanged."
Saber gazed fixedly at Mash, who struggled with the weight of the shield, as if sensing something nostalgic from her, and offered rare advice.
"If you can't bear even this weight, then your shield can't bear the burden of saving humanity's principles. You might as well give up here!"
As she finished speaking, Saber stepped back, and the holy sword she had just swung suddenly changed direction, seemingly aiming to strike Mash's head hidden behind the shield.
"Hmm?"
However, Saber abruptly stopped and quickly dodged to the side without hesitation.
Almost simultaneously, the ground where she had been standing exploded, and several magical ants emerged from beneath it.
Seeing this scene, Saber quickly turned her gaze to another direction.
There, Rozen was surging with mana, behind him was Olga-Marie retreating back while holding Fou in order to avoid being affected by the battle.
Rozen expression became serious.
"So, you managed to avoid it?" Rozen's eyes shimmered.
He had used his Master's ability to perceive the Servant's attributes. He discovered Saber's astonishing capabilities.
Saber possessed A-rank in Strength and Endurance, along with an A++ in Magic. She was virtually unstoppable in close combat. Her B-rank skill, "Magic Resistance," nullified spells with up to three verses, making Caster's attack ineffective.
Additionally, Saber had a B-rank "Instinct" skill, allowing her to react instantly to the most suitable actions in battle. This made it challenging to catch her off guard.
Lastly, her A-rank "Mana Burst" skill enhanced her weapons and physical abilities with mana, making her a formidable opponent, capable of matching even a monstrous Berserker in combat.
With these abilities, Saber had nearly overwhelmed Rozen's party.
Caster's attacks were futile due to "Magic Resistance," and Rozen's sneak attack was thwarted by Saber's "Instinct." Mash, because of the "Mana Burst," was barely holding her ground against Saber's powerful strikes.
Rozen realized that without a solid plan, they might be defeated. They had to find a way to turn the tide of battle. Meanwhile, he was unaware that...
"You think I'll let you be?" Archer declared from the high platform.
In an instant, a powerful arrow shot through the air, heading straight for Rozen's head, who watched it with shrinking pupils.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone