"Fixed, controlled. Dark Magic: Magia Elevea."
The crushed mana filled my body, circulating and accelerating.
"Spell-Engraved Armaments: 'Time Corridor'."
---------
Dark Magic: Magia Elevea
A technique from Mahou Sensei Negima!, created by Evangeline A.K. McDowell. It is based on a state called the "Type of the Dark Night," which is shrouded in a black aura. In this base form, the user's power is doubled. An advanced application allows the user to "fix" and "control" a spell just before it's cast, gaining its properties. However, its use requires a certain aptitude, and the user cannot learn it without darkness in their heart. Even if learned, excessive use can lead to the user being consumed and becoming an inhuman monster.
---------
I unsheathed my Super Cosmic Holy Sword Space Caliber and lunged. Lancer's eyes widened at my speed. I pulled every sword technique from my perfect memory. Even if I could match his speed, there was still a gap in our skill, which I desperately tried to close.
We clashed, running through the forest. Where we passed, deep footprints and wounds that no ordinary person could have made were left behind. The holy sword didn't lose its light in the dark forest. Even though it was like a piece of junk compared to the real thing nearby, its light was that of a star. A magnitude 6 star, to be precise.
"You're good! But!"
"!"
Lancer accelerated, showing he still had power to spare. My single holy sword wasn't enough to completely block his two demonic spears. The Cursed Yellow Rose of Mortality I had failed to stop came piercing towards the top of my head...
—Triple Acceleration, Triple Stagnation.
I managed to dodge it by the skin of my teeth. But this exchange had given him a big hint—more than enough for a heroic spirit. Just as I had suspected, Lancer's brow furrowed in displeasure as if he'd figured out the trick. He checked his wrist and then spun his spear.
"So that's your trump card, irregular."
"You got it, Lancer."
"It wasn't a simple increase in basic abilities. That sudden burst of speed, and the phenomenon where my spear became unnaturally slow... I thought it was just a strange spell, but that holy sword resembles the King of Knights'. You truly are an irregular. What a mysterious being."
The spell-engraved armament of my Time Alter's added effect was the manipulation of the flow of time. It could accelerate and stagnate, and with enough concentration, I could even stop time in a very limited space. I had increased the acceleration rate on my body and stagnated the time around the tip of his spear.
However, unlike a Quirk like Dark Shadow, Magia Elevea was a direct target of his Gae Dearg. That's why I prioritized deflecting his Gae Dearg with my sword.
And then...
"I appreciate the chatter."
"!"
Time stop.
I could only stop time for less than a single blink, but at this distance, it was enough. I didn't have the luxury of thinking about ending this without killing him. I knew which to prioritize: building a good relationship with Lancer or saving Saber, who was currently fighting Caster. The choice was obvious.
Faster than an instant, I was in front of Lancer. When time resumed, my sword was a hair's breadth from his skin. It was an attack he should have been unable to avoid, but he reacted.
"You really dodged that well."
"Damn it... You've got me...!!"
Despite the suddenness of the attack, he had twisted his body and used his spear to narrowly avoid a fatal wound. Still, he was severely damaged. Blood oozed from a wound that ran across his toned chest. But he was a heroic spirit. He didn't stop moving, gauging the distance between us. Now it would be difficult to hit him with a time stop.
You could say the tables had turned. A few drops of blood that his clothes couldn't absorb fell to the ground.
Should I finish him off? Or should I let him go and put him in my debt? Just as I was considering these two options, I sensed the presence of a new intruder.
"Iskandar..."
He was getting closer. Since he wasn't trying to hide, I could feel the massive ball of magical energy moving. He'd arrive in a few minutes. And it seemed Sakura was with him. When Iskandar goes out, Waver is always with him. The entire alliance would gather in this forest. In this forest, with the bomb known as Kirei Kotomine.
"Lancer, I'll let you go this time."
"What? Are you going to throw away this chance?"
"You want to settle things with Saber, don't you? I think you should just say yes."
(He doesn't mean it...) "I don't know what you're thinking, but I'll gratefully accept your mercy."
I immediately ran towards Saber. Lancer seemed to be taking a short break in the shade. From the looks of it, a proper fight would be difficult for him now.
I had to end everything before the worst-case scenario. With my speed multiplied, I felt the Magia Elevea within me, and I knew what I had to do.
---------
"So he's in this forest."
"Yeah, I think so."
"Ah, looks like they're fighting all over the place... huh?"
Iskandar's eyes caught something. Not a person, but a building.
"What is it?"
"Is that a castle! What a dull place to build one."
What Iskandar found was the Einzbern castle. A place surrounded by a forest with nothing else around would be an unbearable environment for Iskandar, if he were to live there. But that wasn't his goal this time.
"Alright, let's head there!"
"Eh?! But that place is..."
"Well, there won't be any fighting... do you think a King of Conquerors would look at a castle and think of anything other than conquering it?"
"...I don't. But then again, it means it's not that dangerous... I guess it's okay. You good with it?"
"...Yeah."
Waver listened to Sakura's opinion, after all. He was a good kid at heart.
"Alright, chariot!!"
With a crack of the reins, his Gordius Wheel began its descent. A single footstep thundered, and the defensive barrier woven by Iri shattered. It was a spectacular advance, far from stealthy. Of course, the chariot's path left a barren wasteland. It was a sight that would infuriate any nature conservation group.
Iskandar, riding his tactical Noble Phantasm, looked like he was having the time of his life. Sakura even gave a small smile, while only Waver desperately held on, tears in his eyes.
He kicked down the castle gate and ran into a man. The man's polished appearance carried an aristocratic air, but it was different from that of the castle. Beside him sat a silver object. It had a metallic color, but a soft texture.
Waver didn't know. This Mystic Code, Volumen Hydrargyrum, was the strongest one his professor owned.
"Hm? You're Rider? Waver Velvet..."
"A-a-ah."
Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald. Lancer's master was standing right there.
"I had expected this. If the irregular is here, it's not strange for Rider to be here as well. However..."
Kayneth's eyes were full of contempt for Waver.
"For an inexperienced person like you to dare to set foot on a battlefield again. I thought you had learned your lesson that night."
"I-I didn't want to come here..."
Waver stammered, overwhelmed by the intense killing intent.
"As expected of a thief who steals another's holy relic. A hopeless fool. I had planned to strike down Saber's master, but I've changed my mind. I'll take care of you first."
"Master of Lancer. I told you that night. That my master should be a brave hero who charges into battle with me. But I must reconsider my evaluation of you. I never expected you to have the spirit to attack an enemy castle without your servant. However, you are an easy target now, aren't you?"
Even for Kayneth, victory against a servant like Iskandar would be difficult. Kayneth understood this and raised his hand, which was engraved with a red symbol.
"By my Command Spell, I command thee. Lancer, come to me at once!!"
A Command Spell glowed and vanished. At the same time, a man with an overwhelming presence appeared by Kayneth's side. It was Lancer's servant, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.
This made it a fair fight. No, considering his skill as a magus, he was at an advantage. Kayneth, who had been confident, furrowed his brows when he saw that Lancer's movements were noticeably poor.
"Lancer, what happened?"
"...I apologize. I was injured in a battle with the irregular."
He frowned slightly at Lancer's wounds but quickly regained his composure.
"That's fine. It's a small price to pay if you destroyed that mysterious servant."
"..."
"...Lancer, you..."
"...I apologize."
His patience snapped.
"You! You let him escape! Not only did you sustain such a wound! Was your promise to bring me victory a lie, then!!"
"No! That is not the case!"
They began to argue in front of the enemy.
"He... he drew with Lancer..."
"No, from Lancer's tone, he took a painful surprise attack. Hehe, my heart is pounding."
"Why?"
Of course, it was because Sho's power was much higher than even Iskandar had estimated. Even if they were allies now, there was no reason not to fight with him in the future.
That said, they should be focusing on the Lancer team in front of them. They could have used the argument as a chance to escape, but Iskandar would never turn his back on an enemy unless there was a very good reason.
"Listen, Lancer. Consider this your last chance. Slay the Rider in front of you and prove yourself."
"Yes!"
Lancer, his wounds partially healed by magic, quietly ignited his fighting spirit.
"Now, boy, you'd better get ready."
"Ah, ah!"
At Rider's battle cry, Sakura crouched low in the chariot, looking at the Command Spells on her hand.
---------
Is this some kind of tentacles play?
That's the only thing I could think of looking at the scene unfolding before me. A blonde female knight was being bound hand and foot by a disgusting, slimy monster... I should stop there.
But that's what was happening right in front of me. At least her armor hadn't been torn off and her clothes weren't tattered.
The monsters were summoned from another world by Caster's Noble Phantasm, Prelati's Spellbook. I've never seen a creature that deserved the word "squirming" more than this one. Each one wasn't that strong, but they were summoned endlessly using their own flesh and blood as a catalyst. Saber, with one arm unusable, couldn't fight properly and was overwhelmed by their numbers. No matter how many she killed with one strike, she was powerless when twice as many held her arm down.
And then...
"See ya."
A beam of light dyed the dark forest. Without question. Kill on sight. Surprise attack. An attack with not a shred of chivalry fell upon Gilles de Rais. Gilles de Rais had not been careful. His focus was so fixated on Saber that he hadn't noticed any other enemies. With the repulsive stench and leaking mana from the corpses of the sea monsters Saber had piled up, it was easy to pinpoint the target. I just had to deliver the fastest, strongest attack from outside Gilles de Rais's detection range so he couldn't dodge.
The attack was a huge success. While he did try to dodge when the attack started, I managed to destroy his main source of mana, Prelati's Spellbook. Unlike with Lancer, I had no hesitation in attacking this guy. Even putting aside my plans, I couldn't forgive him.
"Saber, are you okay?"
"Yes, you saved me. Was that from your sword?"
"Yeah, I guess. For someone with the real thing, it must have been too weak to even look at, right?"
"No, that's not... at all."
Caster had already vanished. The madman probably knew when to retreat. The sea monsters disappeared, leaving a large pool of blood on the ground.
"By the way, you were quite late, weren't you?"
"What? Is the King of Knights worried about that?"
"No, I know you encountered Lancer on the way. I was just wondering if you were injured."
"I'm fine. Not as serious as Saber."
I teased Saber about her unhealable curse.
"Really, and here I was worried..."
Alright, I think the big stuff is over. Now for Lancer's master and the Riders who just showed up... wait a minute.
Judging by the mana signatures, the Riders are near the castle. Didn't they just run into Kayneth?
"I'd better hurry back to the castle..."
"Rider? It seems he's here."
"I told him not to come... well, he's a king, and Lancer's master is there, too. I'll go back. What about you, Saber?"
"I'll meet up with Kiritsugu and the others. Just in case."
We split up. It seems I won't be in a bed anytime soon.
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