Chapter 57

Cub!

The fist made such a sound as it cut through the space.

It's a sound effect you often see in manga, but I never thought I'd hear it in real life. And what's more, the sound was being made by my fist, of all people.

I folded my arms in front of my chest, copied boxing style, and thrust my fist forward with minimal movement, which is what they call a jab.

The fist exceeded the speed of sound and was scorched by friction with the air, the skin was torn apart by the shock waves, scattering blood and a foul smell.

The attack should have been impossible to even see, but the girl easily dodged it.

A beautiful blonde girl wearing silver armour.

Her blonde hair was clearly different from the dyed hair of Hayama and Tobe, and it still shone brightly even in the darkness of the night. Her expression was lovely yet dignified, and she held an invisible sword; she was not human.

Servant.

Heroes who left their names in legend. This concept was given shape and will by the Holy Grail.

He didn't know the identity of the girl in front of him, but she was in the Saber class.

The Heroic Spirit of the Sword. A hero among heroes.

Right now, I have gained more power than a Servant thanks to cheat-level doping. But I shouldn't think that I can win because of that. The heroes I imagine are those who excel at defeating foes stronger than themselves.

Remembering Chairman Kamogawa's words, I continued to land small punches.

Small, small. Don't leave any gaps, and don't lose your core.

There's no need for big swings. In fact, they won't hit.

Saber managed to block the first attack, which was almost a surprise attack. It should be assumed that single attacks would not work at all.

In addition, with the current me, I can defeat the enemy with just a small hit. So I'll just fire as many shots as I can.

Saber also seems to understand the difference in offensive power, and instead of retaliating, she focuses on defense. This is despite the fact that she has clearly shown several openings along the way.

(Tch…!)

I clicked my tongue in my mind.

They can read my intentions.

I knew that even if I played fair, it wouldn't be a contest.

There's no way that an amateur like me could land an attack on Saber, a legendary warrior, using normal methods. So I have no choice but to resort to unconventional methods.

The surprise attack was averted. The options available to us now were limited.

In other words, the aim is a draw.

Right now, my offensive and defensive abilities have increased significantly. As long as I protect my vital points, I won't be able to be defeated in one hit, although I won't be unscathed. And if I land a hit, I can instantly put my opponent out of action.

If the opponent has no intention of counterattacking, then increase the rotation of your attacks. Of course, keep in mind that you can launch a counter attack at any time.

Anyway, as long as you can hit it, anything is possible. So the quickest way to overwhelm your opponent is with sheer numbers.

And yet...

(It didn't hit me...!)

No, it's not right. It's completely wrong.

His physical abilities were raised to superhuman levels, and he could launch an incomprehensible number of attacks at a rate of over a dozen shots per second, tearing through space like machine gun fire.

Saber dodged, deflected, and deflected them all. And she did so at close range, within my distance.

Saber intercepted me as I slipped within the range of her sword.

The enemy attacks endlessly, but at a distance where I can't do anything.

Without taking a single step back. Without running away. Without even changing his expression. He just kept on parrying my punches.

(Don't go toe-to-toe with 1.6 million people, you monster!)

I gritted my teeth inwardly, but continued my attack.

Because that's all I can do right now.

He looked down at the woman in a suit who was on one knee and said.

"You were not as good as you said you were, Seal Enforcer."

"Damn it...!"

Seeing the frustrated gaze he gave me as he glared back at me, I inwardly sighed in relief.

That being said, he was a formidable opponent. He was simply strong.

His attacks were fast and heavy, and his read and guesswork were uncanny. If his opponent had been in top condition, he would have been the one to drop to his knees.

While marvelling at how a human could become this strong, he closed the distance to deliver the finishing blow.

This woman was too dangerous to let pass. Deciding that, I stepped forward, and then...

"!"

A fireball suddenly came flying from the left and I jumped back to dodge it.

Although the attack came from a blind spot, his presence was obvious. So it was easy to avoid. However,

"Tch…!"

This created distance between them, and the woman used that opportunity to regain her balance.

The fireball was Caster's. It couldn't have been a stray bullet. It was an assist for this woman.

"Let's start afresh. I must thank Caster."

The woman said as she put the glove back on with her mouth.

"I've learned your speed. It won't be the same next time."

It's probably not a bluff. The same fighting style won't work again.

"You think that's all the cards I have in my hand? I'm no joke when I say I'm well versed in the martial arts."

If the current methods don't work, then I can just use a different one. My style is to always change my tactics while fighting.

This could even be said to be our playing field. In order to compete with such an opponent, we have studied broadly but not shallowly.

While imagining my next move, and the move after that, I projected the twin swords anew.

"Dammit!"

He pins the thrashing blonde down and ties his hands behind his back with his own jacket. He pours magical power into the jacket to strengthen it. This should make it difficult for him to move.

Although his strength was incredible due to the effects of his physical strengthening, his movements were completely amateurish. He didn't seem to be used to fighting, and thanks to that he was somehow able to turn the tables.

After making sure that his opponent couldn't get up, he turned his attention towards Saber.

"Saber!"

"We're fine! Please support Rin instead of me!"

Saber replied as she continued to attack and defend at an absurdly fast pace.

His voice was not careless, but there was also a sense of composure. He seemed to be able to grasp Tohsaka's situation, so it seemed like she was really okay.

Having made that decision, he searches for Tohsaka. There's no way for her to provide support in a battle on that level, though.

Tohsaka was struggling.

It's only natural, since the opponent is a Servant. In fact, the fact that it was merely a hard fight could be seen as the one who was being nonsensical.

Tohsaka seems to be doing her best to avoid the magic Caster is casting one after another. She occasionally throws gems at him as if she remembered something, but they have no effect on Caster.

(yeah……?)

Caster neutralizes Tohsaka's attacks without even moving. Explosions, lightning strikes, and blizzards have no effect on her.

However, I saw it. The three jewels Tohsaka threw. When they exploded, only one of them fell to the ground without doing anything.

It's hard to see in the dark, but if you squint you can see several gems rolling around at Caster's feet.

It's not a dud. Tohsaka is aiming for something. The reason why she uses so many flashy attacks is probably to hide this!

For a moment, his eyes met Tohsaka's.

Help me. That's what I felt he said. Of course, I didn't object.

I don't know what Tohsaka's preparations are, but if I get too close I might get caught up in them.

"Strengthening beginsTrace On…!"

I poured magical power into the wooden sword I had brought with me and the branch I picked up from under my feet, and changed its shape. I still can't use magic well, but when it comes to creating tools, my success rate is fairly high.

He readied the bow and arrows and aimed them at Caster's back.

Caster waved his right hand in annoyance, and the arrow I shot was slapped away by an invisible force. Naturally, Caster was not harmed.

But that was enough.

Caster's attention turns to me for just a moment, and her gaze wanders from Tohsaka for just a moment. In that instant, Tohsaka takes off running towards Caster.

Just as Caster turned her gaze back and was about to attack Tohsaka, a flash of light exploded beneath her feet. Taking the opportunity that made Caster flinch, Tohsaka sneaked up close and personal.

"Shit...!"

"slow!"

Tohsaka's double palm strike sunk into Caster's stomach. She used her left shoulder to lift Caster's chin, which had risen from the breathlessness, and swung her whole body around, using the centrifugal force of her right elbow to dig into his temple. Using that momentum, she then used her entire body weight to land a roundhouse kick.

"Whoa..."

The flowing, elegant, yet brutal combo of moves made me gasp in surprise.

If it had been a human, it would have been dead. And I'm not just saying that metaphorically. That's how impressive the attack was.

In fact, Caster's damage was also great, and although she tried to get up somehow, her feet were unsteady. Still, she tried to force herself to stand up, but in the end she failed and collapsed to her knees.

"A magician... fighting hand-to-hand...!"

"I told you. Modern magicians rely only on the use of their bodies."

"Damn you...!"

Caster, still on her knees, stretched out her hand, which was shot down by Tohsaka's Gand.

"Guh...!"

"It's useless. I won't give you a chance to use magic anymore."

Tohsaka slowly closed the distance, keeping her finger pointed at Caster so she could fire her Gand at any time.

The enemy is a Servant. No matter how advantageous your position may be, you cannot let your guard down against them.

Just one more step. If I could take that step, I could deliver the finishing blow.

Tohsaka takes that final step...

"Hikigaya, hurry!"

A sudden loud voice rang out from behind her, causing Tohsaka to freeze for a moment.

"Hk!"

In that instant, Caster swung her left arm, and Tohsaka dodged it and jumped back.

In Caster's left hand, he holds a strangely curved dagger.

"Tohsaka! That's a Noble Phantasm!"

"I suppose so. But there's no need to worry too much. The fact that you haven't brought it out until now means that it's the type of weapon that won't be effective unless you hit the enemy. In that case, you just have to make sure it doesn't hit you."

Tohsaka appears calm, but remains on guard.

Caster was breathing heavily as she readied her dagger, but to be honest, she was full of openings. To be honest, I couldn't imagine her being a match for Tohsaka in hand-to-hand combat.

Has she run out of magical power and can no longer use magic? Or has she unleashed her Noble Phantasm and become fixated on it?

I don't know if it's because of either of those things, or something else, but Caster shows no signs of using magic. This is my chance.

As I kept the two of them in my field of vision, I saw magic letters emitting pale blue flames all over the park.

About two-thirds of the base was already scorched, and the rest looked like it would burn out in no time.

The voice from earlier belonged to the blond man I had immobilized. He must have seen this starting point and was panicking. Even if I couldn't defeat the enemy, if I could just hang on a little longer, the situation would collapse.

That's when I thought that.

Tohsaka closed the distance between her and Caster, and at the same time a roar rang out.

"You're out of breath, Master Caster."

"Shut up...cry!"

The man, named Hikigaya, continued his attack without heeding my words, but his speed was clearly slowing down.

However, even though his speed has slowed down, he still surpasses me, and more than anything-

(The eyes aren't dead yet.)

Perhaps because he was beginning to get tired and was no longer able to maintain his core strength, his body would often move slightly, but even so, he showed no signs of weakness.

No, to be more precise, he is showing his weakness.

This was definitely a real opening. However, it was bait laced with deadly poison. If it bitten, it would be fatal.

A draw. That's what this guy is aiming for.

No matter how much he loses his balance, he always maintains a certain balance. If he makes a careless move, he will receive a strong counterattack due to the difference in their abilities. What's more, he feels like he's hiding something even more.

However, if we continue to play defensively like this, we will eventually destroy ourselves.

This is an absurd boost. I don't think the barrier will last that long, and even if it didn't, there's no way the human body could withstand it.

(I'd like to land a kick before that though...)

The sooner the decision is made the better.

That way, he could support his comrades, and the longer it went on, the higher the chance of a mistake, even if it was low. Above all, as a warrior, he wanted to live up to this man's resolve.

That being said, there's nothing we can do if there's no opportunity to counterattack. The other side will also want to break the stalemate, but...

"Hikigaya, hurry!"

The voice suddenly rang out and it was that of a blonde man who was Hikigaya's companion. Hikigaya clicked his tongue when he heard it. It seemed the barrier was nearing its limit.

Hikigaya regains the momentum of his attack.

"Shit...!"

A mutter of regret escaped from Toad's mouth.

During one of Toad's rushes, he blocks a blow that is just a little too close with his sword, and uses the impact to escape from his range.

There was no follow-up. Hikigaya's shoulders were moving up and down on the spot.

I never attacked it, and yet it was in tatters.

Not only was his stamina exhausted, but his clothes had been torn to shreds by the shockwaves generated by his own attacks. Both of his sleeves had fallen off, and his arms, no longer strong enough to hold themselves up, were now hanging limply, stained red and black with internal bleeding.

"Haaah...! Haaah...!"

"That's it. If you are willing to surrender, I promise I won't take your life."

He has fought a Servant as a human to this extent. That is worthy of praise. Although I know it's probably useless, I call for him to surrender as a courtesy.

"..."

Hikigaya trembled as he raised his arms and got into a fighting stance, his eyes showing not a trace of lost fighting spirit.

I thought so. If he was going to drop out here, there was no way he could have fought me to this extent.

"I see. Then let's have a fight!"

I give him the highest compliment in my heart and charge forward as fast as I can.

In this situation, the only thing I can do is defeat this powerful enemy with my best technique. A proud end as a warrior!

Toadstool matched my charge and raised his right leg, slamming it into the ground.

「Don't underestimate me!」

"!?"

The ground cracked.

Toad's right foot was literally stomping on the ground.

Cracks appeared in a radius of about 2 meters around the toad, and the asphalt and tiles rose up. The recoil was so strong that the broken bones in his knees broke through his skin.

I was forced to stop moving after this powerful move that was simultaneously destroying myself. I was pushed up into the air along with the shattered earth, and unable to move, as Hikigaya's gaze pierced me.

"Daruma-san!"

Ignoring his broken leg, his left hand was tensed. On the palm of his hand, which was in the shape of a palm, there was a dull marking that resembled letters.

(Linked Short SpellPatch Spellmosquito!)

Linked Short SpellPatch SpellIt is a technique that uses sealing techniques to compress and freeze a spell that has been chanted in advance, then defrosts it with a simple keyword to activate magic at will.

If the seal is completed beforehand, it becomes possible to use magic by simply muttering a single word. This allows even those without magical skills to use magic in a pseudo-manner.

The blow that shattered the earth earlier. Naturally, a normal kick to the ground would not have done anything like that, no matter how powerful it was. This meant that some kind of magic was at work. That was likely made using this technique as well.

This may sound incredibly convenient, but in reality it has many drawbacks and few people prefer to use it.

One of its drawbacks is that once a magic spell is released, it cannot be used again until it is sealed away again, meaning that it runs out of ammo.

(So this is this man's trump card!)

Linked Short SpellPatch SpellThe structure of the game means that a follow-up shot is impossible. Even without that, any attempt to contain the enemy at this crucial moment is meaningless.

This probably contains a technique that can render me powerless in one hit.

Judging from the stance, it appears to be a contact type technique.

If I touch my opponent directly and inject my magic directly into him, the protection of the field type is meaningless. This man has prepared so meticulously for this fight, after all. He probably hasn't prepared any attacks that won't work on me. I shouldn't rely on resist.

I focus all my attention on the toad.

We have the advantage in reach due to the size of the prey, but our balance is off and we can't attack right away.

Now I was suspended in the air, flying towards my enemy, who was ready to intercept me.

The battle is decided in an instant.

My body comes into range of the hikigaya.

"I fell!"

The Hikigaya's shrunken body suddenly stretches and transforms into an arrow.

The ground and his left foot, which was planted on it, shattered, and the recoil caused a palm strike that turned into an arrowhead to be launched.

This was definitely the fastest attack yet. Just a little before it caught me.

"Ohhhhhhhhh!"

With a definite response, my sword pierced Hikigaya's chest.

Terminology

: Patch Spell,

a variation of Delay Spell.

A delay spell refers to the general technique of delaying the time between the completion of chanting and the activation of magic. There are types that wait for a preset time before activating, and types that can be released at any time. The latter is more technically advanced. It

can be used as a feint by time difference, but it is more commonly used to synchronize the activation timing of multiple spells and fire them all at once. It

requires a high level of skill to use, but if you can master it, it can have a tremendous effect.

Note that delay spells are only magic formulas that are actively activated by the caster, so passive activation types such as mine spells, which are activated when the target steps into the area, and trap spells, which are activated when multiple conditions are met, are treated as a different type of magic. A patch spell is a

technique that allows you to activate magic at any time by applying a simple seal to a spell that has been chanted in advance and releasing it with a keyword.

Although it depends on the strength of the seal, the keyword to unseal it usually only takes one word, so magic can be cast much faster than casting a normal spell. However, it has many drawbacks.

First of all, in addition to the spell used, the spells for sealing and unsealing also require magical power, so it incurs extra costs.

Also, because it seals a spell that has already been completed, it is not possible to adjust the power or change the content, and it can only be used once.

Furthermore, only low-ranked magic can be sealed. (High-ranked spells can be sealed if the seal is strengthened. However, this would make unsealing it too much work, and there would be no point in using it in the first place .)

Due to these drawbacks, it is rarely used by so-called first-class or higher magicians who have mastered high-speed chanting.

The keyword "Daruma-san ga koronda" used in the play was purely set up by Hikigaya Hachiman's sense.

There may have been reasons such as catching the enemy off guard, but it was basically just a random idea. The

fact that he regretted it a little when it came time to actually use it is a secret to himself.