Why Are You Helping Me?

Kurumi silently retreated to the edge of the battlefield. Saber seemed highly suspicious of her, firmly protecting Einzbern behind her.

Kurumi glanced at Saber's cursed-injured wrist and then shifted her gaze back to Berserker, revealing a smile with ambiguous meaning.

Saber tightened her grip on the sword hidden within the Invisible Air barrier. In her current state, if this witch wanted to take Einzbern's life, Saber feared she couldn't stop her.

Golden light scattered on half of Kurumi's pretty face. Saber slowly calmed her mind and focused on the ongoing battle.

The heroic spirit who quickly killed the Assassin was extraordinarily proud and, according to his words, was also a king. Saber tried to recall who he might be but couldn't think of anyone.

However, that Berserker… why did he look so familiar?!

"Boom!——"

A large number of Noble Phantasms were shot out, but with his exceptional skill, Berserker managed to use them even in his berserk state skillfully. Berserker was originally one of the Knights of the Round Table, known as the 'Knight of the Lake,' Lancelot.

As for his relationship with Saber… Guinevere was probably the best explanation. Perhaps this was the obsession that led to his summoning as a heroic spirit.

Kurumi didn't care about these complexities. Her focus was on how to kill him within her capabilities.

On the battlefield, Gilgamesh shot out numerous Noble Phantasms, all easily intercepted by Berserker. Holding a longsword gifted by Gilgamesh, Berserker split a streetlamp into pieces with a single blow.

Furious, the metal fragments fell to the ground, and Gilgamesh descended from the sky. Standing on the same ground as this mad dog of a heroic spirit was an insult to him.

Just as Gilgamesh was about to launch a barrage of attacks, he was summoned back by Tohsaka Tokiomi using a Command Spell. The 'Gate of Babylon' behind him vanished.

"How dare you use a Command Spell to summon me, Tokiomi? Your courage is not just ordinary!"

Gilgamesh turned to look at Berserker; even from a parallel distance, his expression was disdain, showcasing his arrogance.

"Mad dog! You should be grateful for having your life spared! Next time, I don't want to see so many clowns."

Gilgamesh slowly dematerialized. "Witch, I hope you can bring surprises next time we meet. Otherwise, I'm not interested in keeping a beautiful pet."

Saber shifted her gaze to Kurumi. In her view, being insulted like this would make even a witch grit her teeth in anger. Yet, the witch remained remarkably calm, even smiling at her.

Kurumi didn't even fear Gilgamesh's EX-level Noble Phantasm.

World Key? Disturbing space turbulence? Divine Noble Phantasms? Sorry, these are no big deal for a spirit favored by time and space.

A sound brought Kurumi back to reality. Berserker relentlessly attacked Saber with a considerable column transformed into a Noble Phantasm. In terms of strength, Artoria was no match for Lancelot. Now, as Berserker, his power reached a terrifying level.

With her left hand injured and muscles severed, Saber couldn't use her left hand effectively despite magical suppression of the bleeding. The pain interfered with her judgment.

In Einzbern's anxious gaze, Saber retreated quickly, unable to effectively block or counterattack with one hand. She was in grave danger unless Emiya Kiritsugu used a Command Spell to make her escape.

Kurumi noticed Saber's tense expression and trembling left hand.

'Why hasn't Emiya Kiritsugu summoned Saber back yet?' Kurumi thought. With the King of Conquerors not intervening, Saber was in serious trouble.

"For me to kill you all, is it easy?" Kurumi muttered softly as she saw Saber struggle to block a heavy blow from Berserker, which sent Excalibur flying, leaving Saber defenseless.

Even in armor, Saber felt no sense of security. With Berserker's strength, armor or not, she couldn't avoid severe injury.

In a split second, Saber briefly forgot she was a heroic spirit. With a Command Spell, her Master could easily remove her from the scene.

"Boom!——"

The blackened column, now glowing with red lava-like lines, was crashing down on her. She couldn't dodge. Should she sacrifice an arm to avoid returning to the Throne of Heroes?

Resolutely, Saber decided to lean right, hoping for the best.

"Ss!——"

Sparks erupted in front of Saber as the beautiful witch blocked the attack. Kurumi's shoulders sank under Berserker's immense strength.

If this continued, Kurumi herself would be in danger. Shifting the blade left amidst sparks, the blackened column crashed into the ground, creating a massive spiderweb crack.

The force of Berserker's blow was terrifying. If it had hit Saber directly, the consequences would have been dire.

Kurumi's hands went numb from the impact. She grabbed the unsteady Saber and pulled her close, retreating several meters.

Their similar heights caused Saber's blonde hair to mingle with Kurumi's dark ponytail.

"Phew!~"

Saber pushed Kurumi away, causing her to stumble.

Seeing Saber's strange expression, Kurumi asked, "What's wrong?"

"Too hard, it poked me."

Saber froze, her face flushing.

Immediately, Kurumi advanced, using her technique to deflect Berserker's next attack, pulling Saber along. Saber let out a soft moan as her delicate hand was stained with blood, looking tragically beautiful.

Kurumi looked up, meeting Saber's eyes.

"If I said it wasn't on purpose, would you believe me?"

"Witch, why are you helping me?"

Kurumi didn't answer, instead pulling Saber further back. "Are you really 'Arthur'?"