Emiya Shirou doesn't want to work overtime

Magic surged from the tip of the spiral sword that Shirou Emiya had created, transforming into a whirlwind.

"Biu——!"

The second spiral sword, once again accompanied by a whistling wind, tore through space and sped away.

"Buzz!"

At that very moment, Archer felt a tremor emanating from the space itself.

I don't know when it started, but the thick fog and flames in the distance suddenly changed.

The terrifying explosion seemed to be squeezed open by something, spreading out to both sides.

Ahead, a vibrant green light shone like the sun.

"Zheng——!"

Amidst the blinding emerald light, the incredibly powerful explosion was forcefully pushed aside.

A figure clad in silver armor sped out of the thick fog, clutching a Greek circular shield tightly in his hand.

The shield was gleaming with a light as bright as the sun.

A world, a wilderness filled with countless swords, appeared before him like an illusion.

It isolated and even pushed away the entire terrifying explosion around it.

It should be noted that the pseudo-spiral sword (Caladbolg II) was used as an arrow of "Broken Phantasm" [and its power was equivalent to an A-rank Noble Phantasm].

Now, beneath that shield shimmering with emerald light, such a terrifying explosion couldn't even budge it.

The silver figure in the air raised one hand to hold a round shield in front of it, while the other hand gripped the scarlet knight's sword that was unleashing a crimson beam of light behind it.

His figure instantly transformed into a shooting star, hurtling towards Archer's location.

The same resolute eyes within the armor gazed at Archer.

"Okay!"

The next instant, the second spiral sword exploded in front of Shirou Emiya in that world filled with countless sword arrows.

But the terrifying explosion had no effect whatsoever on Shirou Emiya, behind that shield in that world.

He sped forward at an undiminished speed.

Under the pressure of that illusory world, the airflow exploded instantly, as if the sky had been torn apart. Wherever Shirou Emiya passed, the atmosphere fractured and space distorted.

"What is that?!!!!!"

Archer's expression turned serious once again.

Chapter 652 The Troubles of a Counterfeit Dealer

In that instant, countless countermeasures flashed through Archer's mind.

This attack method, which involves unleashing one's Noble Phantasm and continuously charging forward in an attempt to crush the enemy with an extremely small world, was unprecedented for him, and he had few means to counter it.

At least for now, he doesn't have any means to confront them head-on.

Even the pseudo-Cladbolg II, which possesses the power of an exceptionally powerful Noble Phantasm, could not have any effect on it. After considering the Noble Phantasms he could project, Archer immediately gave up on direct confrontation.

Even if he did, there wouldn't be enough time for him to unleash his Noble Phantasm at such close range.

Of course, Archer had considered projecting the shield in Shirou Emiya's hand to block it.

The problem is, he can't project it.

It can't be projected right now, at least not yet.

Although the world inside that shield is Unlimited Blade Works, which is closely related to Shirou Emiya, it is indeed a weapon created by God.

At least for now, Archer has no way to parse and project in a short period of time.

Given enough time, he could indeed project that divine weapon that was closely related to Unlimited Blade Works.

After all, it has a very deep connection with him, and he can also project a replica that is closest to the Sword of Contract Victory. There is no reason why he cannot project a weapon that is closely related to Unlimited Blade Works.

However, in such a short time, Archer simply couldn't project the shield like a projected demon.

However, this does not mean that Archer has no way to deal with it.

Achilles can transform this shield into "attack". After activating his Noble Phantasm, he continuously charges forward, crushing enemies with his miniature world, utilizing his unparalleled and terrifying speed.

However, Shirou Emiya did not possess such speed. Even under the impact of the radiant King's Sword, Shirou Emiya still could not reach the speed of Achilles.

If Shirou Emiya uses this move at extremely close range, Archer indeed has no way to deal with it.

Because by the time we realized it, it was already too late.

Therefore, the best solution Archer can think of at this stage is—

"Projection started (Trace on)"

Archer was once again covered in silver armor. He stomped his right foot on the ground and his figure transformed into a silver phantom, shooting backward.

A Noble Phantasm with such defensive power naturally consumes a lot of magical energy to unleash its power; it is not like the Seven Rings of Rho Aias that cover the heavens.

The Seven-Ringed Sky-Covering Shield is a shield that can be projected and used directly.

However, in the small world surrounding the heavens, to truly utilize its power, one needs to unlock the true name of the Noble Phantasm.

Every second the world exists requires a large amount of magic power to maintain, and Shirou Emiya also uses the magic power poured out by the radiant King's Sword to increase his speed.

Archer didn't think he could maintain that Noble Phantasm for long. Although his retreat speed wasn't as fast as Shirou Emiya's dash, he would still be hit by the world constructed by that shield as time passed.

But will Shirou Emiya be able to hold out until he can unleash his Noble Phantasm?

Moreover, it's not a sword, but a shield created by the gods. Shirou Emiya must have used up a lot of his magic power just to project it.

Even if Shirou Emiya is able to hold out until then, it won't be too late for him to project the Sevenfold Ring of Rho Aias to defend himself.

In its prototype form, the [Seven Rings of Blazing Heaven] is comparable to the [Small World Surrounding the Azure Sky].

Shirou Emiya also realized Archer's intention in an instant. The moment he saw Archer retreating rapidly, he immediately stopped supplying magic power to the Noble Phantasm and stored it in his veil.

Shirou Emiya is now on the offensive, and under the imposing presence of that shield, Archer can only passively accept its actions.

A golden longbow appeared in Shirou Emiya's hand in the air in an instant.

As Archer retreated rapidly, countless black sword arrows rained down on the equally silver figure.

That's why I'm unwilling to use my Noble Phantasm!

Archer sighed inwardly as he watched the Redfield Hounds lock onto him and charge toward him relentlessly.

Only you truly know yourself.

Archer understood perfectly well that as long as he projected his Noble Phantasm in front of Shirou Emiya, Shirou could project it back to use against him in a single exchange.

In fact, the projected Noble Phantasm is of a higher grade than the Noble Phantasm that he projects himself.

Archer expressed his strong reluctance to use too many Noble Phantasms in front of Shirou Emiya.

Therefore, he always consciously restrained himself from using his Noble Phantasm during the battle.

If it were to be used, most of the weapons would be those that Shirou Emiya could project himself.

Otherwise, Archer would only use it on Shirou Emiya at the most opportune moment, when he could kill him instantly.

Kill Emiya Shirou before he can finish analyzing and projecting his attack.

Shirou Emiya hadn't taken any precautions in this regard from the start, and Archer deciphered that he was possessed by a demon.

This makes it difficult for either of them to harm the other without using Noble Phantasms with large-scale destructive power.

A major reason for this is that Shirou Emiya doesn't understand Archer at all, while Archer understands Shirou Emiya very well.

This is a gap in intelligence.

However, if Shirou Emiya doesn't defeat Archer here, Archer will be able to project the "small world surrounding the heavens" in the next battle, making the fight even more difficult.

Although Archer's [Small World Surrounding the Sky] was probably not as powerful as the defense used by Shirou Emiya, it was still enough to make Shirou Emiya feel troubled.

The Redfield Hounds, true to their name, sped toward Archer, tracking his scent and darting around him, shooting at him again and again.

Even if it misses, it will still bite its opponent tightly.

This is a Noble Phantasm that Archer modified himself to be extremely useful for shooting, and it is also the Noble Phantasm that he is currently finding extremely troublesome.

However, tracking the scent—

"Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom!!!!!"

The next instant, the pursuing Red Plains Hounds seemed to lose their target and momentum, crashing heavily into the wall in front of them with a loud bang.

At this point, Shirou Emiya could no longer see or feel Archer's voice.

"Has the aura been eliminated?"

Emiya Shirou's figure slowly disappeared from the spot.

Possessed by an evil spirit, it can prevent Esdeath, who is extremely sensitive to her surroundings, from finding its trace. Naturally, it can do more than just become invisible; it can also eliminate its own aura.

Of course, it certainly didn't reach the level of A+ in aura concealment that Assassin possessed.

Basically, as long as one shows murderous intent or hostility, it is easy to be detected.

Unlike many Assassins, he doesn't only reveal his form when he attacks.

The Red Plains Hound that Archer had previously fired was also dodged by Shirou Emiya in the same way.

As for why Shirou Emiya also chose to conceal his form.

That's because Shirou Emiya felt that if he were to reveal himself, Archer wouldn't retreat so easily. He might use his ability to conceal his presence to prepare to launch a sneak attack from the shadows at any time.

However, if Archer were to also become invisible, he would have no choice but to retreat.

Because Archer's Master, Hakuno Kishinami, is located in this area.

While it could remain hidden and wait for an opportunity, Kishinami Hakuno doesn't have that ability; he would be directly exposed to Emiya Shirou's eyes.

Chapter 653 A Soul That Could Not Persist