Lancer of Red vs Rider of Black (I)

Karna, the invulnerable hero that was recorded in the ancient Indian epic 'Mahabharata'.

He was born to the Sun God Surya and Kunti, a human woman.

His father gifted him a golden armor as proof of their connection. A natural-born hero, even among other Heroic Spirits, he ranked among the best.

Hearing his true identity was revealed like nothing, Karna's eyes narrowed slightly.

"I see, you could easily see through my true name... You truly are Ruler."

"Yes, I'm Ruler, but why are you blocking my way, Lancer of Red?" Jeanne asked while frowning.

"Speaking out what's already understood isn't very smart. You might as well consider my presence here as a clear declaration of war." Karna said coldly.

Though she had already anticipated the purpose of the encounter, hearing it directly from his mouth left Jeanne somewhat disheartened.

"Foolish are you and your Master. I am merely an observer; I won't interfere with any of your actions. The command spells in me are just for a precaution..." Jeanne sighed.

"I don't know nor do I care." Karna responded with a concise yet dismissive reply. "My Master ordered me to take care of you right here, right now. I just need to follow orders and execute it."

As his words settled, a pale light instantly appeared in his hands.

It was an exaggeratedly long and large spear, almost taller than the one wielding it. It didn't look like a weapon meant for humans, but rather a meticulously crafted piece of art.

"My apologies, Ruler, but I have to go all out. Considering your special privileges, I can't hold back. Let me send you off with this move."

The surging magical energy from Karna left Jeanne dumbfounded. Clearly, he had no intention of engaging in a normal fight; he planned to unleash his Noble Phantasm directly to finish her off once and for all!

With no retreat, Jeanne summoned her own weapon, a flag, preparing to resist. However, at that moment, she sensed another Servant's presence.

*BANG!*

A snow-white horse descended from the sky, its sturdy hooves ruthlessly kicking into Karna's chest, sending him flying several dozen meters, creating a cloud of dust on the desolate ground.

*BOOOM!*

"It looks like I arrived just in time."

A calm voice echoed in Jeanne's ears. She instinctively turned her head, watching a black-haired young man seated on an eight-legged horse.

"You are... Rider of Black?"

"Stay back a bit, or you might get caught up in it. I won't be responsible if that happened." Arkhan said indifferently as he glanced at her.

"Oh... Um, okay..."

It wasn't until she had retreated more than a hundred meters that Jeanne suddenly snapped out of her daze.

'Wait, why did I listen to him?'

===

"It seems you are Rider from the Black Faction."

As the dust settled, Karna's figure reappeared, seamlessly integrated with his golden armor, showing no signs of injury or even a speck of dust.

"You didn't take the opportunity to have Ruler help you to attack me together. It seems you're quite confident in your own strength."

Looking at the eight-legged horse beneath Arkhan, Karna raised an eyebrow slightly.

"That horse... Are you Odin?"

"Who knows? Maybe it's just a disguise..."

A large white lance with a black handle appeared in Arkhan's hand; the breaths of life and death intertwined, achieving a remarkable balance.

"Yes or no... Why don't you try and find out for yourself, son of the sun god, Karna?"

Hearing Rider of Black's words, Karna's eyes squinted slightly. He was sure that when Ruler had called out his true name earlier, Rider wasn't nearby.

Does it mean Rider had the ability to see through true names or something like 'Wisdom' or 'Clairvoyance'?

A vigorous fighting spirit instantly burned like a blazing flame within Karna.

The gazes of Arkhan and Karna clashed like invisible lightning in their confrontation, leaving a faint scent of burning in the air.

In the next moment, as if agreed upon in advance, both launched their attacks in tandem.

*BOOM!*

The earth beneath Karna's feet instantly cracked, and the tremendous magical energy propelled his body like a rocket.

The god-slaying spear in his hand carried a fierce killing intent, mercilessly thrusting towards Arkhan.

As the son of the sun god, the divinity Karna bore was enough to make ordinary phantasmal species tremble on the ground.

However, Sleipnir, as the mount of the All-Father Odin, with its eight powerful horse legs, paid no attention to that kind of thing. It galloped recklessly, reaching speeds comparable to a sports car, charging head-on towards Karna without fear.

In the blink of an eye, the distance of hundreds of meters closed, and both swung their weapons in unison.

The sharp tips of their weapons collided precisely, and after a brief pause—

*BOOOOM—!!!*

A terrifying surge of magical energy erupted like a raging wave, and a strong gust instantly swept away the sand and rocks within a hundred meters.

Jeanne lowered the flag in her hand and deflected all incoming debris. Her expression revealed obvious seriousness.

It was clear that both Rider of Black and Lancer of Red were undoubtedly powerful Heroic Spirits. If left unchecked, they could easily destroy a city.

"I must keep a close eye on them..."

The devoted saint held her breath, focusing all her attention as her eyes fixed without blinking on this incredible battle.

In a simple power clash, Karna, with Strength in B, was undoubtedly no match for Arkhan, who had Strength in A.

Add to the immense impact from Sleipnir, Karna was involuntarily pushed backward, leaving deep furrows in the earth with his legs.

However, the son of the sun god wouldn't be easily overwhelmed. Sparkling determination flashed in Karna's eyes, and his body erupted in intense flames.

'Mana Burst—Flame!'

The oncoming searing flames from Karna made Sleipnir instinctively halt its steps.

However, an enormous spear, as exaggerated as lightning, pierced through the curtain of flames, directly aiming at Arkhan on the horse's back.

*DING!*

Dazzling sparks blossomed as the two drastically different-shaped weapons collided once again.

This was Karna's well-planned strike, yet this unknown Rider defended against it so casually.

Nevertheless, Karna showed no sign of discouragement; on the contrary, his eyes burned with a more vigorous fighting spirit, while the blood in his veins boiled like magma.

'We are Heroic Spirits, both relentless seekers of truth in the throes of battle and wild spirits of great recklessness. Even in this second chance at life, our belief remains unchanged! Only through battle do we fulfill our eternal destiny!'

Without a roar but with an aura as majestic as the golden-cracked silk, Karna declared in his heart, his willpower as high as the spear in his hand.

*WHOOSH—!*

He advanced once again, wielding the heavy and massive god-slaying spear with unparalleled ease, sweeping like a storm.

Facing this impenetrable attack, Arkhan, however, showed no signs of panic.

Abyss Flower in his hand pierced out with an equally dazzling speed, clashing relentlessly with Karna's spear.