บท 536: c536
The owner's tone hardened. "Don't ask questions. Just go."
Just then, a bell ringing echoed from outside the store with a 'ding-ding-ding' sound.
The owner's face changed dramatically; he clasped his hands together in front of his chest, adopting a devout expression as if in prayer.
Shirou's eyebrow arched even higher.
At that moment, a middle-aged man in a business suit walked through the door.
"Praise be to this beautiful world," the owner devoutly prayed, then shifted his gaze to the man in the suit. "If it isn't Yosen. What brings you to my establishment?"
"Praise be to this beautiful world," Yosen also prayed, before addressing the owner. "Getes, I came to tell you there's a congregation at the town square this afternoon. Don't be late."
"Wasn't the congregation postponed because some despicable outsider causing trouble? I heard our church leader had to go to Trifas for missionary work," the owner asked.
"That outsider's been dealt with by our deputy leader, so we're back on schedule," the middle-aged man assured him.
"Ah, I see. That is truly delightful news," the owner said with a devout expression.
At that point, the middle-aged man turned his attention to Shirou and A-11072. "You two are also outsiders, aren't you?"
"Yes, we're here from Trifas to make some purchases," Shirou responded.
"Oh, Trifas?" The middle-aged man's eyes brightened. "Did you happen to cross paths with our church leader while you were there?"
"Can't say that I did. I don't know who your church leader is."
"She's an absolutely stunning, holy woman. Meeting her is like a spiritual awakening; it'll touch your soul. Ah, our revered church leader. Praise be to this beautiful world."
Shirou shook his head. "I didn't cross paths with anyone like that, unfortunately."
"That's too bad; you missed a life-altering experience," the middle-aged man sighed, then smiled. "But you can still come to our congregation. Don't worry, we're not a cult or anything."
Shirou nodded.
The middle-aged man then turned to the store owner. "Alright, I'm off to notify the next place, Getes."
"Praise be to this beautiful world." the store owner prayed devoutly.
As soon as the middle-aged man left, the store owner's devout expression disappeared. He muttered, "To hell with your beautiful world!"
A-11072 spoke up, "Mr. Assassin, we should get moving."
Shirou nodded in agreement.
At that moment, the store owner looked at him and A-11072. "You're not going anywhere, outsiders."
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked with interest.
The store owner clarified, "Isn't it obvious? You've been recruited now. If you think you can just waltz out of this town, trust me, the deputy church leader will make your life a living nightmare!"
...
In a secluded mountain corner, a fierce battle raged.
A chill white light shimmered as a crimson-black blade lunged, aimed squarely at Saber's left shoulder. With a deft flick of her wrist, the petite knight redirected her sword mid-strike, its sharp edge now slashing toward Saber's right neck.
Saber parried, her sword meeting the incoming blade with a resounding clash of steel that seemed to vibrate through the air.
Before the sound could even dissipate, the two had already exchanged a flurry of blows, leaving behind ghostly afterimages of their swords.
With a powerful slash, Saber sent the knight stumbling back.
"Enough! I don't have time for this!" Saber sternly glared at the petite knight in front of her.
The petite knight's face could have been a mirror image of her own. If there were any distinctions, besides their contrasting personality, it was in the shape of their eyebrows. The petite knight's eyebrows tapered off like streaks of lightning, giving off a chilling impression.
The petite knight grinned. "That's not gonna happen."
She licked her lips, radiating a feral, predatory vibe.
Saber knitted her brows tightly. To be honest, she had no interest in fighting with this servant right now; it felt pointless.
She was focused on finding Assassin.
"Why...?"
"You're Saber from the Black Faction, and I'm Saber from the Red Faction. It's fate that we fight to the death for the Holy Grail," the petite knight declared.
"Aren't the Red and Black Factions in a temporary alliance until Eternal King leaves the stage?" Saber replied.
"Oh? Teamed up against that king already? You guys don't waste any time," the petite knight said, a hint of surprise in her voice. Glancing at Saber's face, she burst into laughter. "It's hilarious that you'd actually pick a fight with that king. But since the Black and Red Factions are allied for now, let me put it another way."
Pausing for a moment, she went on, "You're Arthur, and I'm Mordred. In both legend and epic, you and I are fated to be enemies, Artoria Pendragon."
"You're not Mordred!" Saber shot back.
The petite knight chuckled. "I may not be your Mordred, but for me, any Artoria will do!"
A glint flickered in her eyes. With a swift lunge, her crimson-black blade aimed straight for Saber's face.
Saber countered with a cross block. A resounding 'clang' filled the air as their swords clashed, creating noises.
Saber frowned and asked, "Are you determined to hound me no matter what, Red Saber?"
"Isn't it obvious? You fool! Haha!"
The petite knight's grin persisted as her blade suddenly swung downward, targeting the crown of Saber's head.
Saber sidestepped to the right, her left hand angling her sword defensively. With a motion as swift as a gust of wind, her holy sword lunged toward the petite knight's thigh.
Both combatants wielded their weapons with extraordinary skill, matching each other blow for blow.
The sparkle of clashing swords and the ring of colliding steel were unending.
As time ticked on, after some seventy to eighty bouts based purely on swordsmanship, their movements grew more calculated, their attacks more ruthless. The petite knight started to find it difficult to keep up with Saber's escalating intensity.
Suddenly, the petite knight unleashed a strike. But instead of parrying, Saber let the attack go wide, causing the petite knight to overextend and nearly lose her footing. Capitalizing on the moment, Saber's blade swung down with fury.
With a quick wrist flick, the petite knight's sword radiated an unsettling blend of black and red, as ominous magical energy began to gather.
"Not good!"
Realizing the imminent danger, Saber channeled magical energy into her invisible sword, causing the winds surrounding it to erupt violently.
—Wind King's Hammer!
The storm from Saber's invisible blade clashed with the sinister light from the petite knight's sword, resulting in an explosion.
A deafening "boom" resounded as the storm and the light collided and detonated.
Using the recoil from the blast, the petite knight managed to regain her balance and escape the reach of Saber's blade, though not without appearing a bit disheveled.
Collecting herself, the petite knight studied Saber's stern expression and sighed, "When it comes to pure swordsmanship, I'm clearly outclassed."
"If you know that, then back off!"
The petite knight smiled and said, "That's not gonna happen."
"I don't understand," Saber frowned, "What's the point in fighting me now?"
The petite knight sighed, clearly annoyed, "How many times do I have to spell it out for you? Haven't I said it already? I'm Mordred, the one who toppled your kingdom and ended your life. Fighting you is a matter of fate."
"That's absurd!" Saber shot back, "Even if you're some version of Mordred, that doesn't mean we have to be enemies!"
"So you're finally admitting who I am?"
Mordred burst into laughter, "It doesn't matter. Because in my world, I was the one who destroyed both your kingdom and you. It was me, Mordred!"
Saber's grip on her holy sword tightened, and her eyes went cold.
Mordred extended her palm and grinned at Saber, "I like that icy stare. No warmth, just pure hatred. It's perfect. So, what do you say? Interested in being a part of my collection?"
"What did you say?" Saber blinked, wondering if she was hearing things.
"It seems you have quite the hearing problem," Mordred sighed. "No worries, I've got all the time in the world for you. So, let me repeat: How'd you like to join my collection? In exchange, I can help you obtain the Holy Grail."
Saber's answer was an even colder stare and a slashing blade.
...
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