That's right. In the shadows at a distance of about a hundred meters, the enemy provocatively and deliberately exposed his own aura.
Knowing that his aura had been sensed by Saber, the other party did not approach but gradually moved away.
"It seems that he is trying to lead us there."
"Well, that is quite gallant. Does he want us to choose the battlefield?"
Irisviel's voice was as calm as ever. This calm was proof that she fully trusted Saber.
Saber was once again silently glad that she had met a good Master.
"It seems that the other party has the same idea as us and wants us to take the initiative. Saber, it seems the other party is also like you—a Servant who likes to fight head-on."
"Well, it looks like it is either Lancer or Rider. I am not below any opponent."
Saber nodded and muttered to herself, and Irisviel gave her a bold smile.
"Then treat him well."
"As you wish."
...
"Hey, are you the two who were provoking us without permission?"
Saber, dressed in a black suit, led Irisviel into the warehouse street.
Irisviel, who was following Saber, couldn't help but let out an exclamation after seeing Shirou.
"How can there be a child here!?"
Even Saber, when she observed the Command Spells on the back of Shirou's hand, could no longer maintain her usual demeanor.
"He is actually the bearer of Command Spells... What is the difference between letting a child of this age participate in the Holy Grail War and sending him to his death...?"
"Hey, it's not okay to look down on people like that."
Shirou, who heard their words, shrugged his shoulders and said.
Although he looked like a seven-year-old child, Shirou's actual combat power was already comparable to that of a Heroic Spirit. Although he was still far from the Heroic Spirits known for their melee combat, such as Lancer and Saber, a Heroic Spirit of a Class like Assassin could still be defeated head-on.
Suddenly, Diarmuid stood in front of Shirou. With a flip of his wrist, the scarlet spear, which was about two meters long, slammed into the ground with a crisp clang.
Immediately, Saber and Irisviel's attention was grabbed.
"Such contempt for my Master... as a knight, I cannot tolerate such a provocation!"
Diarmuid frowned slightly. The scarlet spear in his hand spun at a dizzying speed, and after performing a flourish, the cold, sharp tip of the spear pointed straight at Saber.
Seeing the bright red spear in Diarmuid's hand, Saber immediately guessed his Class.
"Looks like you are Lancer, right?"
"That's right."
Diarmuid nodded.
There was no need to hide it, so he admitted it very simply.
"In that case, then I don't need to hide it either. I am Saber."
Then, Saber bowed her head slightly and looked at Shirou.
"I am sorry. We were just a little surprised, and we did not mean to take you lightly."
"It's okay, I don't care."
Shirou didn't care about being underestimated at all and even thought it was a good thing.
If all the enemies maintained this contemptuous attitude toward him, then Shirou could relax a little.
While Shirou was thinking about this, Saber and Lancer were already facing off intensely.
Seeing this tense atmosphere, Irisviel also lost the desire to continue observing Shirou and hurriedly stared intently at the battlefield centered on the two Servants.
"Now it seems that you are the only one who dares to respond to my challenge, Saber. The rest of the guys are too timid."
Diarmuid said in a deep but clear voice. His relaxed demeanor did not look like that of a man about to fight for his life, but rather gave people a sense of leisurely grace.
Saber glanced at Diarmuid and frowned, a little displeased.
"You're not expecting that charm to work on me, are you?"
"No, my beauty is innate. It is a curse, not something I can control." Diarmuid spread his hands helplessly.
That kind of charm would easily entrap an ordinary woman, but it was useless against both Saber and Irisviel.
Of course, Diarmuid himself did not want to use this method to win. What he longed for was a dignified and hearty battle, whether it was to the life or death.
Just as Diarmuid was about to say something more, Shirou, who was standing in the back, pouted helplessly.
"Do you knights have to talk for so long before you fight...?"
It stands to reason that they need to hide their names as Servants, so these steps could be omitted, and they should just start fighting.
Hearing Shirou's complaint, Diarmuid turned around, scratched his cheek a little embarrassedly at Shirou, and replied apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Master. I am a little excited because it is my first fight, so I couldn't help but say a few more words."
After saying that, when Diarmuid turned his head again, the expression on his face was very different from just now.
In just a moment, his temperament changed drastically, and he switched to a fierce warrior!
"So... Let's get started!"
Lancer lifted the long spear he was carrying on his shoulders and took a fighting stance with a backhand grip.
His left hand also slowly raised the short spear. The two spears were spread and waved like wings, which was a completely unprecedented fighting posture.
Saber unleashed the surging power of the Heroic Spirit.
The burst of magic stirred up a whirlwind in the air. The airflow enveloped the girl's petite body, and in an instant, her whole body was wrapped in silver armor; the magic turned into armor and gauntlets.
And this was the true face of this King of Knights Heroic Spirit!
"Saber..."
Irisviel swallowed nervously and called out her name.
Drawn by the strong magic emitted by the two of them, she was already keenly aware of the situation.
In this battle, there was no room for her to intervene.
But she didn't want to be just a bystander.
At least she was the surrogate for Saber's Master.
"... Be careful. Although I will also use some healing magic, the rest will..."
Saber nodded without waiting for her to finish.
"Leave Lancer to me, Irisviel. You just need to pay attention to that child. To be able to drive a Heroic Spirit shows that he is not as simple as he seems..."
Glass-colored eyes met Irisviel's.
"I'll leave my back to you, Irisviel."
Hearing this, Irisviel nodded solemnly.
"I see, Saber. Please bring me victory."
"It shall be done!"