The numerical difference between the Red and Black factions had already surpassed any acceptable limit.
Shirou, calm like a strategist but with a gaze heavy with gravity, stared at the Servants gathered before him.
"Considering the enemy's combat power, our disadvantage is even greater… practically two against one."
"No matter how powerful we are individually, at this moment, we are at a serious disadvantage."
His firm tone left no room for doubt.
"We need to reduce their numbers quickly. Attacking weaker Servants won't change anything…" He paused, letting the words resonate.
"To turn this battle around, we must eliminate their strongest Servants: the Black Saber, the Avenger, the Lancer, and now, our former Saber."
Shirou walked toward Karna. When he stopped in front of the golden-armored Lancer, his expression grew even more serious.
"The fastest way to take down the Black Saber is by using your Noble Phantasm. No one else can do it with absolute certainty."
Karna, impassive, simply raised his face and nodded calmly.
"Understood." His voice was firm, yet serene, as if it were the most natural response in the world. "If this is my destiny, I will accept it without hesitation. Using my Noble Phantasm to defeat him… will be the best way to honor his strength."
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if seeing the battlefield already consumed by fire.
"I will find the right moment. And when the time comes, there will be no turning back."
Shirou tilted his head slightly, satisfied with Karna's determination.
"Then I trust you, Lancer. And know that you will have your Master's full support."
Karna gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"Then leave it to me."
---
Knowing that everyone was distracted by Atalanta's Noble Phantasm, Karna wasted no time. Calm, as someone who had long accepted his own fate, he contacted his Master.
"{With this Command Seal, I order you: unleash your Noble Phantasm with all your strength!}"
The seal glowed intensely, and in response, golden flames erupted around the hero. The air burned, distorting the space around him, and even the atmosphere seemed to tremble before the presence of the Son of the Sun. His spear shone like a fragment of a star torn from the heavens, radiating divine power.
The flames surrounding him turned night into day—a sun born on earth.
"BRAMASTRA KUNDALA!"
With a firm movement, Karna hurled his spear toward the enemy.
At the same time, Siegfried sensed the threat. His instincts, honed through countless battles, cried out in unison with his Master's desperate voice.
"Master!"
"{I know, I was watching!}"
Even without one of his arms, Gordes roared in fury, forcing his final resource.
"{With this Command Seal, I order you: use all your strength to crush your opponent!}"
Siegfried's gaze did not waver. He raised Balmung, and the sky seemed to bow before the legendary blade.
"Leave it to me, Master."
His voice was firm, resolute.
"BALMUNG!"
The sword's true name echoed like thunder, and a flash of twilight light tore across the battlefield, advancing toward Karna's flames.
When the two attacks collided, the world seemed to stop.
The clash of two Noble Phantasms reverberated like the sound of creation. The air was shattered, the ground split open, and the sky lit up with an artificial aurora. For a moment, it seemed as if reality itself could not withstand the clash.
---
Mordred, still exchanging blows with Achilles, was the first to notice the catastrophe in the distance.
"What the hell…?" she murmured, her pupils dilated.
The horizon had transformed into a sea of fire and light.
"They've already used their Noble Phantasms?" Mordred remarked.
"Hah! Of course…" Achilles replied. "Thanks to you, the Red faction is severely weakened."
Achilles arched an eyebrow. "Tell me, are you still fighting for the Grail?"
"Bah!" Mordred replied, raising Clarent with a wild smile. "I have no interest in that damned chalice anymore. I'm only fighting for my new Master. That's all that matters!"
Achilles merely laughed at the declaration. "Your new Master, huh? Interesting…"
But Mordred gave him no more time.
"Enough talk! Let's finish this!"
With a roar that sounded like a thunderclap, she charged again.
---
Meanwhile, atop the walls, Arthur watched calmly.
"King, it seems the Red Lancer is aiming at Siegfried." Chiron reported, his precise vision tracking every detail of the confrontation.
Arthur remained silent for a few seconds, until a slight smile curved his lips.
"I've seen it." He said firmly. "Stay alert. Perhaps it's time I exercise a little."
As he spoke, his body was enveloped in a golden aura. His Caster attire dissolved into particles of light, revealing golden armor made to shine in battle.
He turned to Vlad.
"You must stay here. Command your troops as you see fit."
Vlad nodded seriously. "Understood."
Arthur leapt from the wall, the wind roaring against his armor.
---
On the other side of the field, Atalanta saw Karna's artificial sun expanding. Her pupils immediately contracted.
"That is… the Lancer's Noble Phantasm!"
She looked around in desperation. She was too close. If she didn't move away, she would be engulfed by the flames. Unlike Karna and Achilles, she had no defensive Noble Phantasm.
Without hesitation, she leapt out of the danger zone, her body guided by instinct for survival.
---
In the forest, Shirou Kotomine was dueling Frankenstein. The golden glow in the distance caught his attention.
He smiled, as if he could finally see destiny unfolding before him.
"So… the plan begins."
His barely-contained laughter was interrupted by Frankenstein's roar.
"AGH!"
The Berserker raised her mace and struck a devastating blow toward Shirou.
He merely dodged with the grace of a dancer, his gaze still fixed on the distant sun.
"Impulsive, Berserker…" he murmured calmly, almost amused.
---
At the center of the explosion, Karna and Siegfried faced each other amidst the devastation.
"Black Saber." Karna spoke, his voice serene even amid the apocalyptic battle. "Your bravery is admirable. Therefore, I will offer you my most powerful attack. Consider it an honor."
Siegfried raised Balmung, his expression firm.
"For my Master. For the oath we made to duel until the end. This will be your final blow!" Karna said.
"Then come!" Siegfried replied.
Karna smiled faintly, though not at Siegfried. His eyes were fixed in the distance, where Arthur watched.
Then his spear vanished. Fragments of his golden armor began falling, one by one, as blood ran from his body. The pain was unbearable, but Karna embraced it as part of his choice.
In his hands, a new weapon appeared: a spear of divine beauty, ornate and terrifying, making any other weapon look like a toy.
Flames rose around Karna, twisting like serpents, destroying everything in their path.
This was the pinnacle of self-sacrifice. A final strike, with no regard for his own life.
Siegfried's instinct screamed: there was no way to win.
And yet, he remained firm. He would not flee. He would not hesitate.
His pride, his oath, and his life sustained him.
"Feel the mercy of the King of Gods,
You will be destroyed by this single strike…"
"VASAVI SHAKTI!!" Karna roared.
Siegfried smiled—not with arrogance, but with joy.
"Then come, Karna. Let's end this as warriors."
He raised Balmung one final time.
His death was certain.
Annihilation, inevitable.
And yet, he would choose to fight until the very last moment.
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."