C498

Nobody could stop the epic battle between Karna and Arjuna. Not only did the petite knight see it, but the other Servants and Masters could feel it too.

Gordes, as Arjuna's Master, was a bundle of nerves, drenched in sweat. Arjuna's eyes remained cold and unwavering. If Gordes even considered using a Command Spell to stop this destined battle, he was certain Arjuna would turn on him.

He hadn't known Arjuna for long, but he had gained some understanding of his nature. Arjuna was a mature and calm Servant, always attentive to his Master. But if he were to meddle with this destined battle? Arjuna wouldn't hesitate to eliminate him.

It was clear as day. So all Gordes could do was cross his fingers and hope Arjuna came out on top.

However, anyone watching could clearly see that Karna currently held the upper hand.

Being an Archer put Arjuna at a bit of a disadvantage against Karna, the Lancer. Even though Arjuna could handle himself in a melee, it seemed like Karna was slowly gaining the upper hand.

In a spur of the moment, Gordes lifted his hand, prepared to use a Command Spell.

But Arjuna saw it. "Don't use it!" he roared.

Gordes was stunned.

Arjuna yelled, "I will win! I will achieve victory!"

Gordes was at a loss for words. What was he supposed to do now?

"Oh?" Karna's eyebrows shot up. "Are you not relying on outside help this time?"

With a chilly tone, Arjuna responded, "I will win because against you, I will never lose!"

"Big talk won't help you out." Karna's gaze turned colder, "Against you, I won't ever lose either."

...

"What's Gordes thinking? He's not pulling Archer out. Does he really want him to fight to the death with Karna there?" Darnic Prestone Yggdmillennia was utterly befuddled.

"What's wrong with that?" replied Vlad III, a glint of interest in his eyes.

Daniel gave a worried glance at Vlad III and mumbled, "My Lord, it's just…"

"You haven't caught on?" Vlad III looked his way.

"I'm lost," confessed Darnic.

Vlad III explained, "It's the clash of heroes, a clash of ideals. No one can step in and stop it now. Gordes knows it, everyone knows it, and so do I. Trying to avert this battle is the same as spitting on the heroes. Let Arjuna do his thing, and believe in his victory. That's all there is to it."

"Yes, My Lord," Darnic bowed in submission.

...

Inside the Holy Church...

The priest ordered, "Prepare to use a Command Spell to bring Karna back."

"So, we're not going after Ruler anymore?" Assassin's eyes gleamed with curiosity as she observed the priest. "From the looks of things, Karna seems to be winning."

The priest let out a sigh. "The tide of the battle has shifted multiple times. If they use a Command Spell, Karna will be at a disadvantage. We should call him back; he's too valuable for us to gamble with."

Assassin just smiled and gave a nod.

Just as the priest stood up to cast a Command Spell, a gleaming silver spear landed sharply in front of him, its point thrusting into the ground, forcing him to stop.

Achilles, the Rider of Red, spoke with an icy tone, "Are you trying to insult the pride of warriors, priest?"

With a strained expression, the priest met Achilles' gaze, "I know what you're trying to say, Achilles. I understand Karna's feelings too. I respect the codes and values of warriors, but I can't afford to lose."

Achilles responded just as coldly, "I'm a simple man. I couldn't care less about the rest. But show disrespect to warriors, and my spear won't show respect to you."

The priest was troubled and turned to look at the Assassin. To his dismay, it seemed she was thoroughly entertained by his current dilemma.

Achilles persisted, "This fight, it's unstoppable, even by them."

With a resigned sigh, the priest decided to give in.

True to their words, no one could stop the inevitable clash between Arjuna and Karna. Not their Masters, and certainly not they themselves.

A winner had to emerge. One must fall to the other's might.

And they were both formidable. Arjuna, even as an Archer, was standing his ground against Lancer Karna, managing quite well in hand-to-hand combat. Despite being somewhat outmatched, he displayed no signs of faltering.

Clearly, these weren't random warriors; they were the legendary heroes from the grand epic, Mahabharata.

As the clash intensified, dawn was on the horizon. The dark cloak of night began to fade, welcoming the first light of day.

Fighting in broad daylight was considered taboo in the Holy Grail War since it risked exposing the mystery to the outside world. 

While the epic confrontation between Karna and Arjuna was anything but subtle, crossing this line was something no one wished to do.

However, neither Karna nor Arjuna showed any signs of stopping.

In this moment, there was no one who could bring them to a stop. Neither their Masters, nor the Ruler, nor they themselves.

Shirou gently closed the book, looking out towards the rising sun, and let out a sigh. "They're still at it? The time for war should be over by now."

"Sir… Sir… What is happening?" The driver's face was stained with tears, quivering as he huddled next to Shirou.

The frequent distant explosions made him shudder and press closer to Shirou. With the looming threat outside, being beside this gentleman felt unusually reassuring.

Shirou gave a warm smile and calmly said, "It's just a gas pipe explosion."

"A gas pipe explosion? But there aren't any gas pipes around here," the driver murmured, his voice shaky.

Shirou adjusted his Saint Graph, maintaining his smile, and gave the driver a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "It's okay. You can head back."

At first, the driver was gripped by fear, but those eyes, those deeply warm and soothing eyes, filled him with a sense of ease.

"I... I understand," the driver nodded.

Shirou stepped out of the minibus and walked into the distance without glancing back.

The driver shouted after him, "Sir, where will you go?"

"I'm going this way," he called back, raising his hand in a casual wave.

To the driver, that retreating figure seemed so calm and carefree. He mused, "He's definitely not an ordinary person."

With that thought, the driver turned the minibus around and drove away.

"Arjuna—!"

"—Karna!"

In front of nearly all the Masters and Servants, Arjuna and Karna stood ready, each radiating a fearsome aura of power. The air crackled with energy, as thunder mixed with fire and sunlight clashed with lightning.

But just as they were on the verge of another fierce battle, a thin, black thread shot up from the sky.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom—!!!"

The earth splintered, abruptly stopping the battle between the two.

Karna and Arjuna were instantly stopped by the unseen force.

"Who—?"

Both heroes shifted their attention to the interloper, whose unexpected presence brought their conflict to a standstill. When they saw his face, their expressions froze in astonishment.

Gordes and Jeanne followed their gaze.

There, at the end of the road, stood Shirou. His Saint Graph was back to its normal state, and he was clad in a shimmering dragon armor. Casually walking towards them, book in hand, he seemed to glow in the morning light.

A subtle smile graced his face, and his eyes, like glowing coals of wisdom, exuded a calming presence.

He looked every bit the legendary king, stepping right out of age-old tales.

Karna and Arjuna were utterly taken aback at the sight.

"It's... it's you!"

Arjuna blurted out in disbelief.

Could they have confused him with someone else?

That was impossible.

There was no way they could be wrong.

Even if his appearance and aura were to change, they would still recognize that burning flame in his eyes.

It was indeed him.

The same person who once led them in war.

"You were actually summoned by the Holy Grail..." Karna's mouth twitched in astonishment as well.

With the dawn light framing him, Shirou walked over, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. Meeting Karna and Arjuna's gazes, he remarked, "It's been a while, hasn't it? Good to see you both remember me. How about we call it a day?"

He gestured towards the rising sun, adding with a smile, "Morning's here."