Super God: If I punch you, you will die

"What's the point of showing her that kind of thing?"

"That's true, no, I've always believed in my brother too."

The girl walked out of the room with a relieved expression. Mercury Maid was about to follow, but turned to look at El-Melloi II, and gave him a thumbs-up just like before, saying in a mechanical voice:

"I will be right back."

The door is closed.

What on earth is going on? Before I could even think about it, the door opened again without knocking.

"Professor! No, Mr. Absolute Territory Magician! I overheard a little bit of information, and it's said that they've decided to take a wait-and-see approach to the Holy Grail War. Is that true!? Something really interesting is happening right now! Also, I made a promise with the Mercury Maid I just met to go to the movies together. Please tell me when she's off work!"

Upon hearing the words of the young man who had barged in, El-Melloi II's mind went almost blank... but after recognizing the young man's face, he immediately understood and accepted the situation, and then... after taking a deep breath, calmly declared:

"Alright, Flat, as a reward, I'll increase your workload. Twenty times, is that enough? Of course, the deadline will be extended accordingly. Originally it was until 11:00 AM tomorrow, now it's extended to 1:00 PM tomorrow. How about that, are you happy?" [Note: Flat Escaldes is one of the Masters participating in Fate/Strange Fake, a student of the Second King.]

"Wait, Professor, are you... angry?"

"No, not at all, I'm not angry at all. So... you'd better get right to it, you idiot!"

"Waaaaah, I got it!"

Just as he had entered, the young man vanished like a storm. Lord El-Melloi II watched his retreating figure, sighing helplessly, "So tiring." "Black" Assassin… Jack the Ripper. Information about the serial killer once again vanished from everyone's memories as the battle ended. Perhaps it was a Noble Phantasm, or some skill effect possessed by the Assassin… the magicians of Yggdrasilia speculated.

"I decided to take a gamble and filmed it with my phone, you can see it now."

As he spoke, Koles showed everyone photos of the castle shrouded in thick fog. Although it was just a mobile phone, the photos looked remarkably clear thanks to its high-performance built-in camera. It seems that Assassin's Noble Phantasm, or skill, cannot fool the eyes of science.

"It's fog. Is it also what dissolves the skin of artificial humans and causes their lungs to rot?"

Upon hearing Fiore's question, Gold nodded and said:

"Because London experienced severe pollution problems due to the Industrial Revolution from the 19th to the 20th century. However, for magicians at the time, it was a problem that could be solved simply by manipulating the wind direction with magic..."

"Because this is entirely a conceptual thing, magic doesn't seem to have any effect. But as far as the Servant is concerned, it doesn't seem to cause any obvious harm."

After speaking, Kaules turned his gaze to "Black" Archer. "Black" Archer looked at the photograph of the fog and nodded in agreement:

"Yes, that's right. For us, the only harm caused by this fog is visual impairment and a decrease in agility class."

Archer "Black" also lost his memories of Assassin "Black," but the memory of rescuing Fiore remained. At that time, the impact he suffered was not too fatal.

"Mist, and ambushes that blend into the environment... Is this what Assassin's abilities are like?"

Fiore's voice betrayed an undeniable unease. Even without her memories, she still remembered one thing... "Black" Assassin was an incredibly formidable enemy.

If she were just an abnormal serial killer, she wouldn't have retreated in the first place. Fiore had always imagined Assassin as someone similar to Berserker when she revealed his true name.

The results were completely different. At least tactically, she had the ability to take appropriate actions based on a complete understanding of her own power, such as the Assassin-class unique skill "Presence Concealment" and the Mist that blocked vision for a complete sneak attack.

They never confront Servants directly, focusing solely on their Masters. While they lack the dignity of Heroic Spirits, they replace it with ruthless methods. More importantly, the strategic foundation of Assassins is a protracted war.

"Archer, there are still two days left. Do you have any good strategies for dealing with Assassin?"

"I'm afraid it will be difficult... Of course, if it comes at the cost of sacrifice, that's another story."

Archer "Black" looked quite bitter. Fiore, upon hearing this, would probably have the same expression. That meant Assassin "Black" had no choice but to remain here. The extent of the sacrifice that would result was unimaginable.

"Under these circumstances, sacrificing anyone is unacceptable."

"Yes, I understand. However, an Assassin is a Servant. The most troublesome thing is that the person has the skill 'Scent Concealment,' which means we are destined to be in a passive position. The only one who might be able to launch a preemptive strike is probably me, as an archer..."

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"Black" Archer possesses true clairvoyance. If Assassin "Black" can be detected in advance, launching a preemptive attack is possible. However, a problem arises.

"But, after all, Servants can sense the presence of other Servants. As soon as they sense my presence, Assassin will definitely retreat. That guy isn't stupid enough to fight me head-on."

This is a vicious cycle.

Archer is the only one who could launch a preemptive strike, but Archer is absolutely incapable of doing so.

There is only one way to break this deadlock.

"Therefore, we can find someone to act as bait to lure the attack, and then have the Servants surround them from a distance where they cannot detect their presence, annihilating them when they have no way out."

"This plan is great!"

Hearing Gold say this, Fiore smiled and asked:

"Then, Uncle Gold, would you please act as bait?"

Gorder immediately fell silent. Indeed, Rider, Archer, and Ruler, as Servants, couldn't act as bait. Therefore, the only one suitable for this role was the Master, the Magician…

"I probably can't do it, because she should already know that I am Archer's Master."

"I'm the one who's in that situation—I'm afraid my physical strength might be a bit lacking."

Gold's gaze shifted to Kaules. Kaules sighed and nodded, saying:

"Okay, I'll do it then..."

At this moment, the boy who had been silent raised his hand and spoke:

"Wait a minute. If we're talking about bait, then I'd be the most suitable person to be it."

Hearing Lin Yan's words, everyone around was immediately taken aback. Rider's change in "Black" was particularly noticeable; he immediately pressed the boy, asking:

"What...what are you saying, Master?!"

Rider "Black" grabbed Lin Yan's shoulders and shook him violently back and forth. "Calm down..." Lin Yan grasped Rider "Black's" hands and continued:

"No, I just felt it would be safer for me to be the bait than for Koles to act as bait... In this state, I am an extremely weak Servant and should not be detected."

"But...!"

"More importantly, I can't seem to forgive Assassin no matter what. I guess it's because that guy killed a homunculus."

Despite losing their memories, their emotions remained. Even after the fog dissipated, the corpses still lay there. One android had died after being caught in the fog.

"Is she someone you know...?"

"No, let alone never having spoken to each other, we probably haven't even met. But so what? Can't I feel angry just because we're from the same race?"

"Well, that's not what I meant."

Rider "Black" slumped his shoulders. It seemed he had come to a profound understanding that it was impossible to persuade Lin Yan.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Yan spoke up to allay Rider's unease about "Darkness":

"Furthermore, even if I die because of the failed operation, Yggdrasilia will still retain the rights as a Master. As long as the Master's authority is transferred immediately, Rider 'Black' will not disappear. So even logically speaking, it is still more appropriate for me to be the bait."

"..."

Rider's "dark" expression froze instantly. No, the others probably felt the same way. Everyone present stared at Lin Yan in stunned silence.

"what happened?"

The instant Lin Yan asked his question, Rider "Black" slapped him across the face. *Smack...* The sound, seemingly soft to a Servant, echoed in the room.

"what?"

Lin Yan, who had just been slapped, looked at Rider "Black" with a completely bewildered expression. Rider "Black" yelled "Idiot!" and ran out of the conference room crying.

"Was I... wrong just now...?"

"Well... I think so..."

"Indeed, that's a bit of an exaggeration."

After hearing Fiore and Archer's "criticism," Lin Yan began to deeply reflect on what he had done wrong. Perhaps because he couldn't stand it, Ruler tugged at Lin Yan's sleeve.

"Ruler, was I wrong after all?"

"Lin Yanjun, you should try to understand other people's feelings. Go and apologize to Rider properly later."

"understood."

"Ruler, do you, like Rider, oppose having him used as bait?"

“Under the current circumstances, I am against it. Although Lin Yan has a higher combat power than ordinary magicians, even so, there are still some unsettling factors in having a Servant as an opponent.”

However, it is indeed a fact that there is no suitable candidate other than Lin Yan. He has some skill in swordsmanship and also possesses talent in magic... such a talent is unique to him.

Most importantly, Lin Yan was the only one willing to go to his death. Although Kaules would also try his best to do so if he received the order, it would be a lie to say that he wasn't afraid to confront a Servant.

"Ruler, do you have any good solutions?"

"Hmm... I do have a plan. But it might not be a very good one."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan immediately leaned forward. Ruler revealed a rare expression... and chuckled like a girl who had successfully pulled off a prank.

Then, Ruler's proposal was indeed a solution that surprised everyone present.

Finding the location of the sulking Rider "Black" is quite simple, as long as Ruler's abilities are used. On the half-ruined observation deck of the castle, Rider "Black" is gazing up at the sky.

Perhaps sensing Lin Yan's presence, Rider "Black" puffed out his cheeks slightly and turned his face to the side.

"how?"

"Well, how should I put it..."

After hesitating for a while, Lin Yan stood next to Rider "Black" and said:

"I'm sorry, I won't say that again."

"say what?"

“You are my Servant, and I am your Master. I am absolutely not trying to ignore this relationship, but I just want to put your mind at ease.”

"Reassured? Reassured about what?"

"Even if I die, you don't need to follow in my footsteps. That's what I mean."

Rider "Black" immediately raised his eyebrows, clearly expressing his dissatisfaction with Lin Yan's words.

"What are you talking about, you idiot Master? To me, you are everything. Isn't it only natural that we should live and die together?"

That's the kind of relationship between Master and Servant... "Black," Rider said without any attempt to hide it. It was absolute loyalty, but also a slightly different kind of emotion.

Now, Lin Yan has come to realize once again just how "outstanding" a Servant Rider "Black" truly is. Not in terms of power, but in the very way he exists—it's truly admirable...and dazzling.

0271 Life and Death [Please Subscribe]

That's why he didn't want to implicate Rider "Black" because of his reckless actions... Lin Yan thought to himself.

"Perhaps I should say I'm happy... no, I really am. Rider, thank you. Your words touched my heart."

Upon hearing Lin Yan's answer, Rider "Black" immediately changed his expression. If Rider "Black" had a dog's tail, it would definitely be wagging it vigorously right now.

"However, I'm actually quite happy that you're considering my life so much. But I still object to you being used as bait for Assassin. According to Archer's tactics, we must maintain a distance from Assassin that is not detectable, right? After all, we can't use your Command Seals, so we can't use them to teleport."

"...About this..."

Lin Yan seemed to find it difficult to speak and looked away. Perhaps because this action gave him a bad feeling, Rider immediately moved closer to Lin Yan and asked:

"What's wrong?"

"Ruler just proposed a solution."

"Oh, what's the plan?"

Rider's expression turned exceptionally serious; this couldn't be his imagination, could it? As he thought this, Lin Yan continued:

She said that as long as she acted as bait herself, there would be no problem.

"Yes, that's exactly it, Rider."

After bringing Lin Yan here, she's probably been waiting on the sidelines the whole time. Ruler immediately leaned out of the observation deck and naturally joined the conversation.

"Ruler... what exactly happened? You're a Servant too, right?"

"Yes, I am indeed a Servant. However, I was summoned through a slightly special method. Therefore, I am not a pure spirit, but also possess a normal human body."

That was the body of a girl named Ladycia. Ruler used a body almost identical to hers to achieve his purpose in the real world. In return, his human form would exist in an incomplete form.

This is especially evident in terms of appetite and sleep. While one can tolerate going without sleep or food for dozens of hours, once the limit is crossed, it manifests as a form of psychological harm.

However, in this particular instance, it was precisely this point that came into play.

"So, the goal is to sever the Servant's aura by suppressing Jeanne's spirit body to the maximum extent?"

"Yes. That way, the danger can be halved. Plus, as long as we can defend against the initial attack, we can launch a pincer attack with the Servants."