A black wind swirled in the courtyard, heralding the arrival of a knight clad in dark armor, shrouded in black mist, his blood-red eyes radiating a terrifying killing intent.
"Go, Berserker! Bring Sakura back to me! Help me fulfill my wish, and I'll help you!"
From a shadowy corner, Matou Kariya's eyes reflected the Matou residence.
Its appearance was unchanged, yet it lacked some of its former gloom.
"Ugh, seriously…"
The door opened, revealing a man in a white coat, hair disheveled, scratching his head with a look of annoyance.
"Who's he?"
Kariya froze, never having seen this man before.
"Who cares? Anyone tied to that old worm Zouken can't be good. He showed up the moment Berserker did—definitely a magus, maybe even a Servant. Zouken's tricks are far beyond ours. No hesitation—attack!"
Another Kariya appeared beside him.
"You're right!"
Kariya nodded.
Berserker charged, legs surging with power, shattering courtyard bricks and propelling himself forward.
"What the fuck?!"
As Roman yelped, a black demonic sword slashed toward him.
Roman caught the blade barehanded, palms clapping together.
"Hey, hey, hey! Can't we talk this out? No need for violence!"
Roman hated fighting, especially using the power tied to his time as "King Solomon."
Though he'd let go of past concerns about his identity, old habits died hard.
"ARRRRHHH!"
Berserker's beastly bellow echoed as he swung wildly, flinging Roman off the sword. With a step, he slashed again.
Moonlight glinted on the black blade, its sharp edge tearing through the air, aimed horizontally at Roman.
"Whoa!"
Roman bent backward, the blade grazing his eyelashes, its wind ruffling his orange hair.
The horizontal slash missed. Berserker raised his sword for a vertical strike.
"Aaaah!"
Roman's exaggerated scream accompanied a donkey roll, dodging the blow.
Boom!
The immense force shattered the tiles, fragments flying like bullets. They clattered against Berserker's armor, merely making noise.
Roman, rolling, avoided the shards.
"Sigh!"
Roman stood, brushing off dust, his lazy demeanor giving way to resignation.
Whoosh!
Berserker broke the sound barrier, air bursting as his sword traced a black lightning arc toward Roman's neck.
Clang!
Roman's fist intercepted the blade, the clash ringing like metal.
"Reinforcement Magecraft!"
Roman's spell turned his fist into a near-Noble Phantasm, unyielding even to Berserker's demonic sword.
Clang, clang, clang!
Roman fought with wide, flowing strikes, his fists like dragons, wielding ancient combat techniques.
"Saint's Dragon Subjugation!"
Powerful mana gathered in his fists, mystery forming a concept, ancient legend becoming power.
This was a biblical technique, Jacob's Limbs, passed down from Solomon's nominal ancestor, who grappled with an archangel.
Refined by Solomon and elevated by Roman's enlightenment, it became a biblical combat art.
Its strikes carried the myths and miracles of scripture, rivaling a Noble Phantasm!
Saint's Dragon Subjugation!
Drawn from Saint Martha's legend of taming a dragon.
Saint Martha, one of Christianity's twelve holy maidens, was a renowned saint with a brother, Lazarus, and sister, Mary Magdalene—both legendary figures.
Her records were sparse, but her greatest feat was subduing the dragon Tarasque in Tarascon at the residents' plea, settling there and converting them to Christianity.
Roman's technique imbued the concept of Martha's dragon-taming, its power capable of suppressing such beasts.
His seemingly simple punch held the might to shatter mountains and subdue dragons.
Berserker, devoid of reason, relied on heightened combat instincts. The moment Roman struck, he sensed mortal danger, instinctively raising his sword to block.
Bang!
The fist met the sword, unleashing monstrous force. Berserker was flung back like he'd been hit by a speeding train, crashing through a wall and landing on the street.
"Ugh, shame I didn't bring my… ring. Feels off."
Roman shook his hand, looking resigned.
"ARRRRHHH!"
Berserker, sprawled on the street like a wounded beast, glared at Roman, growling as he rose.
"Man, what a mad dog. If Master wasn't in seclusion, I wouldn't bother."
Roman assumed a stance, eyes sharpening. If Berserker charged again, Roman wouldn't hold back—he'd end him with one punch.
"Enough! Call Berserker back! We failed this time!"
"No! Sakura's still…"
Kariya protested, unwilling to accept defeat. One more step, and he could save Sakura.
"Fool! Berserker's our key. If he dies, Sakura's done for. Preserve our strength, retreat, and train. There's still a chance…"
The other Kariya snapped.
"…"
Kariya knew it was true, but how could he accept it? He was so close!
"Don't be stupid! Think of me! Don't end up like me!"
"…Retreat, Berserker!"
***
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