Super God: If I punch you, you will die

"I don't deny it, but don't keep talking about him. A mere rogue swordsman has no right to criticize him!"

"Oh, they're shouting quite loudly, in that case..."

"Red" Saber switched forms. She released the immense magical power hidden within her and donned armor and a helmet. In her hand she held a broad-bladed knight's sword. It was indeed a magnificent attire worthy of the title of swordsman.

"Enough of this small talk. Let me turn you into rust, a cavalryman without a horse!"

"Oh dear, this is so scary..."

The situation is extremely unfavorable. Whether in terms of power or in terms of their status as Heroic Spirits, they are at a crushing disadvantage. However, despite this, a battle seems unavoidable.

Oh no, this could be fatal.

Perhaps it was his intuition as a heroic spirit, or as a knight, but he had a premonition that he would be easily killed if he fought her.

Despite this fatal fact, "Black" Rider remained unfazed. He gripped the lance he had once stolen from the knight Algaria and launched a desperate challenge against Saber.

A thick fog suddenly rolled in over the battlefield. The androids present all stopped moving, filled with confusion... feeling a sharp pain deep in their nasal cavity, like sparks shooting out.

One by one, the androids fell to the ground, and from above them came a laugh as innocent and whimsical as a fairy's:

"Wow! So many! They all look delicious!"

The androids recognized the other party as an enemy and prepared to raise their weapons. However, they couldn't muster any strength. Even when they held their breath, their lungs, already filled with air, felt as if they were being pulled by hooks, causing excruciating pain.

No, they had to escape. They threw down their weapons and staggered two or three steps... then collapsed. No, their legs were completely useless. Their heads throbbed with a gnawing pain, and their thoughts became a jumbled mess.

0166 Dense Fog [Please Subscribe]

"Help……"

The gasping for breath was accompanied by cries for help...

"Hehehe, so many choices are really confusing me. Which one should I choose?!"

But he was rejected by the girl's innocent words.

My eyes hurt so much they felt like they were melting. The air I inhaled was burning my lungs intensely. The feeling of my internal organs being corroded was absolutely terrifying.

Ouch... It hurts so much, it hurts so much, it hurts so much, it hurts so much, help me...!

"Then, I'll get started!"

Cruel words as sweet as sugar. Internal organs, essential for survival, were ripped out in an instant. The android, which should have been devoid of emotion, screamed in terror.

However, their cries were muffled by the thick fog and could not reach anyone's ears.

That thick fog is the monster's stomach, an absolute killing space. Just standing there will kill you; even trying to escape or resist will not save you. Its ruler is the serial killer... "Jack the Ripper."

"Thank you for hospitality."

Night fell, and a thick fog lingered. She always seized the initiative, secretly increasing the number of victims without anyone knowing.

This situation can only be described as the battlefield being deeply loved by the gods of chaos.

In the first strike, arrows of light rained down like a storm; three-horse chariots raced through the sky; countless iron stakes, symbols of death, surged endlessly from the ground; and flaming spearmen rose to meet the attack. Archers, seemingly one with the forest, provoked close combat with the cavalry dismounting from their chariots; beast-like archers charged across the battlefield, turning berserkers, even as terrifying blobs of flesh, into pincushions. Berserkers, like perpetual machines, launched a relentless, frenzied offensive; and the monstrous agents, facing them, remained calm. Stone giants and unyielding androids continued their destructive rampage. Dragontooth soldiers charged forward despite being shattered one after another; swordsmen, like solidified steel; and adorable cavalrymen wielding spears in their defense. An ancient empress launched a surprise attack from a floating fortress to counter the magicians entrenched in their fortified strongholds; and a serial killer lurked in the thick fog…

The blood of the artificial humans stained the grassland red, and the corpses of the puppets and dragon-tooth soldiers piled up higher and higher like snowflakes.

Then, appearing in this hellish, chaotic land were the Great Judgment Ruler of this Holy Grail War... Joan of Arc, and another person.

That was the android who named himself Lin Yan.

Volume 2: Black Rondo / Crimson Festival, Chapter 3

Looking back now, I realize that I had a feeling that "something was wrong" from the very beginning.

A large number of people, a battle of seven against seven. This is indeed an extraordinary situation that necessitates summoning the Ruler.

However, Ruler was convinced that "this was not the purpose he was given."

Something deep inside me seemed to be urging me on. It was less of a sense of mission and more of a sense of crisis.

Something irreversible was happening. Ruler's anxiety reached its peak the moment he saw that massive floating fortress.

It seems the decisive battle between the "black" and "red" sides is about to begin. Regardless of which side wins, as long as the victor's hopes for the Holy Grail are good, that's enough for Ruler. In this respect, Ruler was quite confident from the start.

Because both sides' Masters are magicians. Although magicians exist outside of human ethics, they do not pray for the fulfillment of evil desires. What they desire is simply to reach the Root. Or perhaps other desires related to the magic path... In short, their desires should all be relatively appropriate.

However, Ruler questioned the possibility of the "Red" faction launching an attack on him. The "Black" faction's attempt to win him over was understandable, as it was merely a means to achieve victory in the Holy Grail War.

However, the "Red" side is a major problem. They simply cannot fathom why the "Red" side would want to kill them. After all, the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages. And now, the "Red" side is launching an attack on the "Black" side's stronghold, Milenia Fortress, from their aerial fortress.

Ruler and Lin Yan traversed mountains and valleys, taking a detour to reach the outskirts of the stronghold. After passing through the forest where "Red" Rider and "Red" Archer had fought fiercely during their invasion of the stronghold the previous night, that area had become the center of the battlefield.

The androids and puppets clashed with the Dragon Fang Soldiers, resulting in a brutal and devastating battle. Magic exploded everywhere like cannonballs, and the fighting between Servants turned the surrounding area into a wasteland.

After gazing at the desolate battlefield for a while, Ruler looked up at the aerial fortress that should belong to the "Red" side. Although there were countless Holy Grail Wars, such a thing was truly too unusual. If it were just about flying, there would be no need to use a Servant, because that was a simple spell that even a magician could easily perform.

However, that thing... is from a completely different dimension from pure flying magic. Even among the magic of the Age of Gods, very few could achieve such a feat.

“Do you know, Lin Yanjun? We’re about to cross this battlefield to meet ‘someone’ on the other side.”

"Why?"

"There is someone on this battlefield whom I must see, but I don't know who that person is. I don't know if it's a Servant or a Master, or it could be someone else. But I must go see him."

The android was somewhat puzzled, but her words carried an incredible weight of persuasion. She wasn't speaking with unwavering confidence; rather, her voice carried a hint of unease. Yet, despite this, one could sense an unyielding and resolute will that would never cease.

I see… The android understands now. She didn't win the soldiers' admiration by speaking powerful words with a strong will. Her words didn't contain any element of coercion.

That was just something said to convey the intention of "I want to go".

"Although I think that's dangerous, there's nothing I can do if it's your will."

Having said that, he gripped the sword hilt without hesitation. This was, in effect, a declaration of his will to "go too." Despite their short time together, Ruler could easily grasp his thoughts. This android, who named himself Lin Yan, was the type to see things through to the end once he made a decision.

Even if I tell him "don't follow" and go alone... he'll probably still follow. That would be too dangerous. To the "Red" faction, he'll undoubtedly be considered an enemy. And it's really hard to predict how the magician from the "Black" faction will react when he sees him.

However, Lin Yan had a different purpose on this battlefield than I did.

0167 Rider [Please Subscribe]

"What are you going to do?"

"Leaving aside my comrades fighting on the front lines, those waiting in the rear might offer a brief opportunity for a conversation. Depending on the situation, I plan to speak with them and ask them to release the people inside the fortress. Then..."

"Then?"

Lin Yan lowered his head, seemingly a little guilty, and said softly:

"No, I want to see Rider. But I don't know if I'll be able to. After all, meeting him under these circumstances would only cause him trouble."

"I don't think he would think that way..."

Regardless, going together is still the most appropriate solution at present... Ruler made this judgment.

"In short, come with me. But... remember this: whatever you do, don't fight Servants! If you get into trouble with the 'Black' faction' magicians, please say my name. That might help you avoid being killed immediately."

"Thank you."

In that instant, she unconsciously felt the righteousness of her choice, a righteousness she could swear to God. And because of this, a question arose in her mind: In the midst of the fierce battles fought by Servants, what could he, a mere android, possibly accomplish? ...Even wielding a sword, he was certainly no swordsman. But, she didn't have the energy to worry about his future.

Next, Ruler must plunge into the chaos to find a deadly entity lurking within it.

"it is good!"

She patted her cheeks with both hands, then gripped the summoned banner tightly. It was the battle flag that had always been with her in life, and also the sacred flag. "Stay close," she whispered to Lin Yan behind her.

"Then, I'm going!"

Ruler charged towards the battlefield, and the androids following closely behind her also began to run.

Instantly, countless Dragon Tooth Soldiers swarmed around the two. The Dragon Tooth Soldiers even ignored the androids and puppets they were fighting, focusing their attention directly on Ruler.

“As expected…!”

Ruler brandished his battle flag, shattering the Dragon Fang soldiers one by one. Although Ruler generally adhered to the principle of "avoiding actions directly related to the outcome of the Holy Grail War," he had no choice but to accept the hostile actions taken against him.

Accompanied by a sharp roar that seemed to cleave the battlefield, Ruler sped toward its destination.

Shirou suddenly stopped moving. He clicked his tongue, and with a serious expression, leaped backward.

“Caster, it’s time to retreat. It seems her ‘realization’ came faster than expected. Perhaps she received some kind of revelation.”

"Black" Berserker was puzzled by Shirou's sudden increase in distance and decided to observe the situation for the time being.

"In order to make fair and impartial judgments, I heard that most of those chosen as Rulers are saints. Is she one of them?"

"Red" Caster shrugged with a sarcastic tone.

“It seems so… This is a critical moment, Caster. If she impeaches me, things will get very messy. No, in your words, it will become very boring.”

"Forcibly lengthening parts that originally had no climax is a characteristic of my work. In that case, let's leave Master's story on the battlefield here for now."

"Well, let's retreat... It's nothing. On the other hand, as long as we get through this, it'll be fine. Soon it will develop to a point where even Ruler can't do anything about it. And it seems my decision was right. Because I still narrowly avoided 'death'."

After saying that, Shirou erected a wall by plunging the black key into the ground in front of Berserker, who was about to charge forward, and then began to disengage from the battlefield with all his might.

"Master, Ruler is charging straight towards you. Hurry! The Dragon Fang Soldiers alone can't stop him!"

"I see!"

A sense of unease rose within him. Ignoring this feeling, Shirou increased his speed further. In the pitch-black forest, devoid of any light, and barely illuminated even by moonlight, Shirou sprinted forward at full speed, seemingly oblivious to the danger. His speed could be described in one word: extraordinary. Shirou was now racing at well over sixty kilometers per hour.

However, one person was relentlessly pursuing him. Shirou, turning around and seeing that person, couldn't help but widen his eyes slightly.

“'Black' Berserker… I never expected her to come after me.”

Upon seeing the wall with its black keys, Berserker decided to track down this Master named Shirou. It was a feeling, almost an intuition, that shouldn't exist for androids.

Although Colles instructed her to "go elsewhere and confront another Servant if the Master and Servant escape," she refused the order with a groan.

In short, in fact... even she herself didn't know what was going on.

She just felt that letting that man escape would be a "very bad" thing. That Master was definitely an abnormal being. No, come to think of it, was that person really a Master?

Based on my own feeling, it was simply...

"...Woo!"

As if to interrupt her train of thought, four sharp blades shot out in front of her. It seemed that her opponent was throwing black keys at her while fleeing, without revealing their identity.

"Black" Berserker instantly made the best choice... which was to ignore it.

There was no pain, only numerical damage. And it wasn't a significant number. After all, the blade was woven with magic, its physical destructive power was very limited, and it wasn't something that could defeat a Servant.

Even so, a direct hit could still buy some time... if the opponent wasn't her.

"Ah!"

With a chilling scream, she accelerated further, completely ignoring the black key striking her. Soon after, the magic-free hilt slid off her body, and the wound healed instantly.

"It surprised me that."

Shirou, turning around to see this, didn't know whether to sigh or feel helpless. If she had simply knocked down the black key, it would have been understandable; it would have been better if she had stopped moving. But she hadn't changed speed at all after the direct attack…!

"It's her name, Dr. Frankenstein, right? Her creator. How exactly do you design something to create a monster like that?"

Upon hearing Caster's words, Shirou couldn't help but smile bitterly... Just then, he suddenly came up with a wicked idea.

“Caster, please materialize. I need your 'theater' now.”

In an instant, Caster materialized with a book.

0168 Meeting [Please Subscribe]

"I see, I see! Then let him, whom you both love and hate, meet you! A person's life is just a wandering shadow, nothing more than a pitiful actor. When it's their turn to appear, they just shout a few words on stage with great seriousness."

He recited these words aloud, and an incredible miracle occurred in the dark forest. Having confirmed this, "Red" Caster returned to her spirit form and followed Shirou.

Then, continuing to track Shirou's "black" Berserker, they encountered that person there.

"Ugh...!"

Chaos reigned, my mind was a complete mess. A man who couldn't possibly be here was speaking to me with an unusually gentle expression. He had never smiled at me like that in his life.

"Stop it."

"Ah..."

Berserker, who hadn't stopped but instead continued to accelerate after being hit directly by the black keys, suddenly halted. She, who was usually reluctant to show her emotions, opened her mouth in astonishment.