Containers piled up everywhere!
Amidst flashing blades and swords, armored warriors were wantonly slaughtering each other.
This modern location seemed to have transformed into a true ancient battlefield.
From time to time, the ground collapsed, and containers were torn apart.
Artoria and Diarmuid.
The mere residual energy of their battle was enough to destroy everything around them.
But!
In the midst of such a battlefield, a young boy wearing a student uniform, radiating an air of nobility, had appeared here with a stunningly beautiful woman.
Compared to the distant battle, the two seemed to be on a leisurely stroll towards the battlefield.
'Interesting. Artoria is alone. Is this another change?'
Ayato watched the battlefield, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
"Hmm?"
Artoria and Diarmuid's expressions sharpened, and they simultaneously separated.
"Though I don't know which of you two is the Servant?"
Looking at the two who had appeared, Diarmuid smiled heartily. "But since you've appeared here, I trust you won't begrudge a good fight."
He raised his spear high, his fighting spirit soaring to the heavens.
Medusa was about to step forward, but Ayato signaled her with a 'let me handle it' look.
Hesitating for a moment, Medusa said softly, "Be careful."
"Don't underestimate me."
Ayato laughed. "After all, I am a Devil."
"Devil?" x2
Artoria and Diarmuid's eyes flickered.
Countless thoughts raced through their minds as they tried to determine which Devil Ayato was meant to be, transformed into a Heroic Spirit.
"Artoria, I've long heard of your reputation."
Ayato looked at that strand of ahoge and smiled. "I'm finally meeting you today."
"How do you know who I am?"
Artoria's pupils contracted as she asked instinctively, "Have we met before?"
'Was my identity being exposed too quickly?'
'I hadn't even used a Noble Phantasm that would reveal my identity, had I?'
"No!"
Ayato shook his head with a smile. "It's just that I've seen you many times and have a great interest in you."
He wasn't lying, in every sense of the word.
Artoria: "..."
Though it was a normal conversation,
For some reason, she suddenly felt very irritated.
'What did he mean by 'seen me many times'? I had no memory of that at all.'
"This man…!" Medusa gritted her teeth slightly. "He really is a jerk."
Though she had no proof,
She knew that Ayato had already set his sights on Artoria.
As if sensing Medusa's resentment, Ayato turned and smiled. "Don't accuse me unfairly. I treat all my wings equally."
"That's no excuse for being such a jerk right after confessing to me."
Artoria fell silent, her ahoge twitching.
Though she didn't understand,
She wondered why did she suddenly want to cut down this Devil?
"You guys, that's enough."
Diarmuid looked displeased. "This is a battlefield. If you want to flirt, please don't do it now."
"Oh, right, you're still here."
As if just noticing Diarmuid, a look of realization appeared on Ayato's face. "Sorry, men just have very low presence in my eyes."
"You bastard, are you looking down on me?"
A flash of anger appeared in Diarmuid's eyes as fighting spirit surged through his entire body.
Crack! Crack!
The surrounding ground began to show countless cracks, spreading in all directions.
Boom!
The next moment, his figure shot forward. A large crater exploded beneath his feet as his entire body charged toward Ayato.
Swoosh!
The spear shot through the air like a meteor, radiating a crimson glow. Terrifying fighting spirit tore through the ground.
"Master!"
Medusa frowned.
'Should I intervene?'
'But Master had ordered me to just watch?'
As she hesitated, the pupils behind her blindfold contracted sharply.
She saw Ayato standing still, facing the thrusting spear, simply raising his hand casually.
Hum!
Tangible magical energy radiated outward.
The surrounding air visibly distorted.
Bang!
With a deafening thud,
Diarmuid's figure halted, as if hitting an invisible wall. His spear could not advance even a fraction.
"Such magical energy?"
Watching this, Artoria's face showed astonishment.
The next instant, a vast blue magic circle appeared in the sky.
Crackle!
A gigantic pillar of lightning descended from the sky, like divine punishment, striking Diarmuid.
Boom!
An earth-shattering explosion shot into the sky as Diarmuid's body visibly dissipated.
Amidst the rolling smoke,
Only a massive, deep crater remained before Ayato.
Diarmuid had vanished without a trace.