[73] : Battle in the Sky! Holy Grail War Intensifies!

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Above Fuyuki City:

Two fighter jets soared through the pitch-black sky.

Responding to headquarters' orders, the US Air Force stationed in Japan had dispatched these jets to investigate reports of a suspected high-powered missile attack within Fuyuki City.

"Confirmed signs of missile impact on the ground in Fuyuki City."

"Unidentified flying objects detected in the airspace. Approaching rapidly for reconnaissance."

As the pilots exchanged information and relayed updates to headquarters, a sudden, jarring sound echoed from the top of both aircraft.

It was as if something had struck them from above.

Just as they began to check their instruments for damage and potential attacks, the electronic systems in both jets abruptly shut down.

The pilots lost all control.

"What's going on?!"

Trapped within their malfunctioning aircraft, the two pilots cried out in alarm.

...

"It's a tie!"

Standing atop one of the fighter jets, Mika observed Lancelot perched on the other, comparing their respective speeds in transforming the aircraft.

Perhaps due to the complete lack of resistance modern technology offered against Nen, the Nen transformation and the Knight's bare-handed transformation proved equally efficient in commandeering the fighter jets.

Feeling the aircraft gradually yield to his control under the influence of his Nen, Mika erupted in triumphant laughter.

"This is incredible!"

The fierce winds whipped at his hair and clothes, but he remained unfazed.

"Let's send a little greeting!"

With a mischievous grin, Mika locked onto the distant Vimana and launched the fighter jet's missiles, aiming directly for Gilgamesh's airborne fortress.

Whoosh!

Two missiles shot out from the jet's payload, hurtling towards their target.

Simultaneously, Lancelot's fighter jet unleashed its own volley of missiles.

Four projectiles sliced through the air, converging on the golden ark of Vimana in the sky.

"Hmph, so you've seized the opportunity, have you?"

Gilgamesh frowned slightly as he observed Mika and Lancelot piloting the fighter jets towards him.

However, his expression quickly softened, replaced by a hint of amusement.

"Things are becoming quite interesting."

"Very well, then. Let this king entertain you."

"Gate of Babylon!"

With a flick of his wrist, Gilgamesh unleashed a barrage of gleaming Noble Phantasms.

Missiles and treasures collided in mid-air, erupting in a series of violent explosions.

However, amidst the fiery chaos, dozens of golden Noble Phantasms pierced through the shockwaves, continuing their relentless pursuit of Mika and Lancelot's fighter jets.

"Merlin!"

"Coming right up!"

Dozens of pink magic blasts intercepted the golden projectiles, engaging in a fierce aerial duel.

Maneuvering their fighter jets, Mika and Lancelot relentlessly pursued Gilgamesh's Vimana, desperately trying to close the distance.

"Merlin! Don't just defend! Attack! Fire at will!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Waving his staff, Merlin gathered his magical energy, then declared, "Here comes the big one!"

In the next instant, an overwhelming surge of magic erupted from Merlin. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of magic blasts shot out in every direction, weaving a chaotic tapestry of destruction, all aimed at Gilgamesh's Vimana.

"Damn, pushing your luck, are you?"

Gilgamesh swiftly maneuvered the Vimana, diving towards the ground.

With his supersonic speed, he quickly reached a dangerously low altitude.

However, instead of crashing, he executed a daring maneuver, pulling the Vimana into a sharp climb, soaring back towards the sky.

Through a series of skillful maneuvers, Gilgamesh effectively neutralized the incoming magic blasts, redirecting them into a concentrated stream aimed directly at the Vimana.

Just then, a massive shield materialized before the Vimana, absorbing the full force of the magical onslaught.

"Impressive piloting skills! Or should I say, flying skills?"

Mika couldn't help but express his admiration for Gilgamesh's aerial prowess.

It seemed the king had quite a bit of experience behind the wheel… or rather, the controls.

"Well, we can't be left behind, can we?"

With that, Mika put his gaming skills to the test, expertly maneuvering the fighter jet in pursuit of the elusive Vimana.

...

"Damn it!"

A Hassan of the Hundred Faces roared in frustration, hurling his daggers with all his might.

To ensure Gilgamesh's success, Kirei Kotomine had deployed all the Hassans under his command.

For them, any sacrifice was worth it if it meant eliminating Caster's Master.

According to Tokiomi Tohsaka, while Mika, Berserker's Master, was undeniably strong, he relied heavily on Merlin's enhancements and protection.

Without Merlin, he was nothing more than a skilled close-combatant, posing little threat.

Therefore, excluding the dozen Hassans who had perished under Iskandar's Noble Phantasm the previous night, the remaining sixty-odd Hassans had been dispatched to this location.

Facing Airmid and Mellie, who were unprotected by a Servant, they had been confident of victory.

However, things hadn't gone as planned.

Of the original sixty-plus Hassans, only thirty remained.

Under normal circumstances, even with such heavy losses, their unwavering determination wouldn't waver.

Yet, despair had crept into their hearts.

The reason for their despair was the terrifying regenerative abilities of their opponents.

According to this particular Hassan's calculations, the injuries they had inflicted on the two women were enough to kill them over a hundred times over.

Poison, ambushes, overwhelming numbers.

The Hassans had employed every assassination technique honed to perfection throughout their lifetimes, repeatedly "killing" their targets.

But no matter the severity of the wounds, they always healed rapidly.

Even the woman with the gun had her arm severed, yet she simply reattached it, muttered something about "enhancement," and the limb was restored.

This seemingly invincible resilience had driven the Hassans to the brink of collapse.

While they still maintained a numerical advantage, they knew that continuing this futile struggle would only lead to their inevitable defeat.

"Hah!"

Airmid forced back the surrounding enemies, creating a momentary reprieve. She let out a sigh of exhaustion.

Her clothes, along with Mellie's, were torn and tattered, stained with blood and riddled with cuts.

While Mika's wounds had healed, the blood that had been spilled wouldn't return.

This gave them a grim, battle-worn appearance.

Despite their injuries, their spirits remained high.

For they had caught a glimpse of victory on the horizon.

---

Under the protection of the healing spell "Dia Fratel," Airmid and Mellie continuously healed their wounds, replenished their stamina, and purged any lingering toxins.

The Hundred-Faced Hassan, renowned in the underworld for his deadly assassination techniques, was now completely outmatched.

This was something neither of them had anticipated.

Airmid thrust her spear forward, piercing through an enemy's body, then swung the shaft, sending him and several surrounding Hassans flying.

She sensed the caution and growing panic among the assassins around her.

In this relentless battle, after enduring hundreds of cuts and wounds, Airmid had finally awakened the ultimate technique of the Demon Slayer world: Transparent World.

While it was merely the pinnacle of swordsmanship in the Demon Slayer world, it was an invaluable asset in this situation.

This heightened sense of perception, allowing her to see through everything, enabled Airmid to navigate the Hassans' relentless attacks with increasing ease.

She had finally gained the upper hand.

"Damn it! Why hasn't Master Kirei responded yet?!"

One of the Hassans cried out in frustration, observing Airmid's growing strength.

Tokiomi Tohsaka hadn't included Kirei Kotomine in this operation, instead tasking him with continuing his intelligence gathering from the rear.

In Tokiomi's eyes, Kirei was merely a disciple who had only practiced magecraft for three years.

He trusted his own abilities far more than Kirei's.

However, Kirei, who was supposed to be responsible for communication, had vanished without a trace. No messages had been received.

Therefore, lacking orders to retreat, the Hassans continued their futile struggle.

After all, for assassins, their Master's commands were absolute.

This particular assassin would never have guessed that their Master was currently outside the Einzbern castle, pursuing Kiritsugu Emiya.

"Ha!"

Mellie suddenly appeared before a Hassan caught in her illusion and swiftly ended his life.

Unlike Airmid, a pure martial artist, Mellie, as a magus, naturally relied on magic in combat.

However, the relentless close-quarters attacks of the Hassans had repeatedly interrupted her spellcasting, forcing her to abandon her attempts and endure significant injuries.

But as the battle progressed, Mellie's movements became increasingly refined.

After all, before delving into the world of magic, she had undergone countless trials within the dungeon.

During the fight, Mellie seamlessly integrated the magic she had learned in this world into her combat techniques, honing her skills.

In the ensuing clashes, Mellie's primary weapon became illusion magic.

Utilizing her inherent ability to manipulate dreams, she quickly mastered Merlin's illusionary techniques. As individuals from different worlds sharing similar abilities, Mellie's progress was remarkably swift.

As the battle raged on, the Hassans surrounding Mellie could no longer distinguish between reality and illusion.

Finally, Mellie shifted from a defensive stance to an offensive one.

"Damn it! Are we destined to fight to the bitter end?"

Unable to contact Kirei Kotomine, the Hassans attempted to reach Tokiomi Tohsaka, the mastermind behind this operation.

However, they couldn't establish contact with him either.

"What's going on?!"

The Hassans looked towards the heavens, their voices filled with confusion and despair.

...

Unlike Kirei Kotomine, who was currently searching for a "certain someone of great importance," Tokiomi Tohsaka, always maintaining an air of elegance, wouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics.

However, he was indeed currently incapable of communication.

Because he was being pummeled.

And his assailant was none other than Kariya Matou.

Upon sensing Tokiomi's presence, Kariya had swiftly given chase.

As the commander of this operation, after finalizing their strategy, Tokiomi had requested permission from Gilgamesh to descend to the ground, intending to personally eliminate Caster's Master.

He also hoped to find any trace of his daughter.

While formulating the battle plan, he had already foreseen this moment, foreseen his daughter's demise.

However, after achieving victory, the cold, calculating magus within him had faded, replaced by the overwhelming grief of a father. He desperately wanted to search for her, even if victory hadn't yet been secured.

"He evaded it? While I anticipated this possibility, the probability was extremely low."

As Tokiomi pondered his next move, Kariya Matou suddenly appeared before him.

"Kariya Matou? I never expected you, who abandoned the path of magecraft, to return to the Matou family and become an accomplice in Zouken's murder, helping them conceal the truth."

"What are you thinking?"

"I merely wish to save Sakura."

"Sakura? She's with you! Hand her over!"

Tokiomi's voice boomed with authority, realizing from Kariya's words that Sakura was in his possession.

"Hand her over? When your Servant launched an aerial assault on the Matou residence, you already considered her dead, didn't you?!"

"Stop pretending, you cold-hearted bastard!"

"For Sakura and Aoi, I will kill you!"

No longer interested in further dialogue, Kariya charged forward, his enhanced arm raised high.

Underestimating Kariya's strength, Tokiomi hadn't noticed his approach during their conversation.

Caught off guard, Tokiomi was struck with devastating force, sent sprawling across the ground.

Pressing his advantage, Kariya lunged forward once more. Just then, Tokiomi hurled a jewel towards him.

The jewel activated in mid-air, erupting in a fiery explosion that engulfed the surrounding area.

"You despicable cur!"

Tokiomi's voice dripped with venom, his hand trembling as blood trickled from his lips.

Empowered by Merlin's enhancements, Kariya's punch had been powerful enough to shatter steel.

Let alone a human body.

Tokiomi's chest was visibly caved in.

"Despicable? Against a cold-blooded monster like you, any tactic is justified."

Kariya emerged from the flames unscathed, his voice cold and resolute.

Under Merlin's enhancements and protection, Kariya's abilities had significantly increased.

However, maintaining this enhanced state required his own magical energy.

Unlike Mika, he didn't have Merlin constantly maintaining the magical effects.

But Kariya's experience with magecraft was limited, and his magical energy reserves were far from plentiful.

Defending against Tokiomi's jewel attack had depleted a significant portion of his magical energy. If he were to endure another attack of that magnitude, his enhancements would likely vanish.

"I can't give him another opportunity. This must end quickly!"

With newfound determination, Kariya's gaze sharpened.

The final showdown between Kariya Matou and Tokiomi Tohsaka, two sworn enemies, had finally begun.

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