I, Kenneth, am going to get to the root of the problem today.

Page 28

The divine spear tore through the darkness and plunged into the Matou residence below. After a fleeting moment of tranquility, a pillar of light shot into the sky, and the rapidly expanding divine fire engulfed the decaying mansion. With the ground trembling violently, a scene resembling a miniature nuclear explosion unfolded before Kenneth's eyes. The weathered bricks and stones were as fragile as tofu under this Noble Phantasm that aimed to annihilate a nation. Licked by the scorching divine fire, the flying rubble turned into lava and spewed out. The towering fireball, like the sun, crashed down on the old site of the Matou family.

Zouken Matou: Are you a sore loser?!

Under Karna's almost divine control, the soaring divine fire was firmly confined to the Matou residence. The tremor beneath his feet disappeared, and Kenneth struggled to open his eyes, enduring the scorching impact and shockwave.

"hiss--!!"

A lake of lava. What appeared before Kenneth was a lake formed from lava. The Matou residence from minutes ago had vanished. Beyond the wall that had been blown away, all that remained before Kenneth was the lava in the deep pit. It was perfectly aligned, without the slightest deviation. The Matou family's old house had become history today.

"Boiling, my blood."

“Fervor, mei sanguis.”

Compared to Karna, Kenneth's True Name Release seemed rather unpretentious. Liquid mercury, as smooth as Dove chocolate, surrounded Kenneth. His gaze was fixed on the Matou residence, which was being scorched by the high temperature. Kenneth was extremely focused. Given the old insect's caution, Kenneth did not believe that Karna would not be prepared during the time he was casting.

According to the investigation, Kenneth was certain that Zouken Matou was at home. There was no unusual activity in the barrier, and Morgan had not sent any news of Lancelot's departure. "If you hear the way in the morning, you can go there in the evening." Now that he knew the way to the Matou house in the morning, Kenneth was going to kill this bug at home tonight.

Time passed slowly, and the scorching heat in the air dissipated under Karna's control. In the solidified molten pool, a deathly loneliness engulfed Kenneth. He closed his eyes and spread his magical perception to every corner of this scorched earth.

"As expected of an insect, I am ashamed of my ability to hide! Matou-o, no, I should call you Makiri, have you forgotten your original ideals in order to survive? Pathetic, truly pathetic."

"Do you remember that saintess named Yustissa? For your ridiculous dream, she sacrificed herself, her body becoming the Holy Grail, her blood becoming the circuit. What did you do then? You stood by like a turtle, watching the sarcophagus crush her body?"

......

Stepping on the scorched and cracked ground, Kenneth wandered around the former site of the Matou family as if taking a stroll, looking at the carbonized vegetation around him, while his mouth never stopped for a moment.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot. That guy named Makiri is dead. The one who survived is Zouken Matou, who has turned into an insect and is hiding in a dark corner. A partner of justice? That's right. How could someone like you be worthy of such ideals? Saving the world? Trash, you're just a rotten maggot. Your dreams are as disgusting as maggots in a toilet!!"

"Gotcha! You bug!!"

Just as Kenneth sensed the extremely faint magical fluctuation, Karna's right eye suddenly shot out a beam of light that pierced into the carbonized dead wood. The next moment, a black knight appeared, and a magic sword interwoven with red and black steadily blocked the incoming beam of light in front of him.

"Cough cough, El-Melloi's leader really goes all out. My old bones can't withstand such an attack."

Countless Crest Insects poured out of the tree hole, and a sticky, slippery friction sound filled the air. As the swarm of insects wriggled, Matou Kariya appeared before Kenneth with an old voice that didn't suit his body.

Chapter Seventy: Berserker, commit suicide!!

Ignoring Zouken in the slightest, Kenneth shot out countless fine droplets of Moon Spirit Marrow in front of him, and the mercury-like liquid instantly turned Zouken Matou's body into a pile of minced meat.

"Heh heh heh, El-Melloi, the leader, has no martial ethics and actually ambushed this old man of sixty-nine years old."

Amidst the slick sound of rotting flesh rubbing together, the shriveled head looked at Kenneth. As Zouken Matou opened his mouth, insects kept squeezing out from under Zouken's skin. Enduring the nausea, the Moon Spirit Marrow Liquid, which had transformed into a long whip, directly smashed Zouken's head, which was constantly being swarmed by insects, into pieces of flesh.

"Alas, the younger generation is truly surpassing the older. I'm getting old, and these old bones of mine are no match for El-Melloi."

A sharp sound like glass rubbing against metal rang out from all directions. The Moon Spirit Marrow Liquid was released again, and with the 'splat' of flesh falling to the ground, Zouken Matou was once again turned into a pile of mud. Realizing that Kenneth would not let him off easily, Zouken Matou's ear-piercing noise followed.

"Young man, you're too arrogant! Since Lord El-Melloi wants to seize the Holy Grail, how about I voluntarily withdraw? Berserker, commit suicide!!"

Before Kenneth could react, Lancelot reappeared, the Undying Lake Light, now transformed into a demonic sword, piercing through his chest. The splattered blood engulfed the mud-like Zouken Matou. Without any warning, the black knight vanished as spirit particles. Everything happened so suddenly that even Kenneth's flickering gaze fell upon Zouken Matou, who was still writhing on the ground.

"Well, this is my sincerity. I wonder if the head of El-Melloi can spare my life."

As Zouken Matou opened his mouth, slippery worms crawled out of it. Frowning, Kenneth turned and headed towards the exit of the barrier. Seeing that Kenneth was about to leave, the twisted swarm of worms gathered and piled up into a writhing mountain of flesh. The body that belonged to Kariya Matou completely disappeared, and Zouken Matou revealed his original appearance.

"It seems I have lost this Holy Grail War."

With a sigh, Matou Zouken, feigning sorrow, turned to return to the Matou family home, now reduced to ruins.

*Smack!*

"What kind of young man isn't spirited? Matou-oki!"

The whip formed from the Moon Spirit Essence once again tore apart Matou Zouken's newly reconstructed body with a sharp whooshing sound. Looking at the indifferent Kenneth with his split head, Matou Zouken's dark eyes revealed deep confusion.

"What does El-Melloi mean by taking charge? I have already given up on the Holy Grail, so why are you still trying to harm me?"

Seeing Zouken Matou's pitiful look, Kenneth almost had a heart attack. Given what the old bug had done, Kenneth could not let him go. In addition, since Morgan had not sent any news of Berserker's departure, Kenneth was even less likely to let the old man in front of him go.

"Nothing, I just don't like you. Do I need a reason to kill you?"

Mercury rained down from the sky, and Zouken Matou's body was torn to shreds once again in the blink of an eye. The shattered pieces of flesh floated in the air, and after a wriggling motion, countless insects lifted Zouken's head. Realizing that he could not die peacefully today, Zouken Matou also completely tore off his disguise.

"Chong-"

With a tremor of steel, Karna's indestructible blade steadily blocked the sword aimed at Kenneth's neck. The black swordsman emerged from Kenneth's side, and the drooping black mist instantly dissipated under Karna's flames.

"Didn't Matou also keep a trick up his sleeve? Such methods are truly worthy of the three starter families."

The sounds of weapons clashing echoed behind him. Kenneth walked unhurriedly to the pile of rotten flesh floating in mid-air. The Moon Spirit Marrow that had splashed on the ground reassembled. Looking at the insects in front of him, Kenneth drew a ball of fire with his fingertip, which then devoured the filthy inkstone above.

"Oh dear, young people really can't keep their composure."

The sound of decay rose from the flames, and the stench of burning protein filled the air. Frowning, Kenneth stomped on the still-opening, charred head, and silence returned, as if Zouken Matou had already died at Kenneth's hands.

Unlike Kenneth's situation, Karna and Lancelot's battle was much more 'passionate'. The martial arts recognized by the times clashed with those not recognized by others. Even though Karna's personal attributes were inferior to Lancelot's, who wielded the holy sword, he was always able to block Lancelot's attacks while simultaneously burning the divine fire from the sun onto his black armor with his calm mind.

"Are you in pain? What are you in pain about? Is it the regret that's nagging at your heart, or the self-blame for not being able to stand by her side at the last moment? So that's it. You want her to punish you? You want her to execute you even in death, and you've gone mad because of it, just so that she'll feel less guilty when she does it?"

It has begun again. Karna has begun once more. With the help of his "poor man's insight," Karna has seen through Lancelot's true nature hidden beneath his armor. Even in his madness, Karna's words still pierced Lancelot's fragile heart like a steel knife. Lancelot's berserk level rose once more, and the holy sword that struck the divine spear emitted mournful cries under the force exceeding its limits.

“Arrrthurrrrr——!!”

"As expected? Did my words offend you? However, knight in regret, please listen patiently to my advice."

Sensing the Black Knight's anger, Karna, who was defending against Lancelot's attack, continued to be an honest man, adhering to Kenneth's teachings. Realizing that the warrior's martial arts skills, etched into his muscles, were becoming increasingly refined, Karna changed his previous defensive stance and chose to take the initiative to attack.

"Clang—Buzz..."

The holy sword trembled, and the obsidian beneath Lancelot's feet shattered with a deafening roar. The broken rocks engulfed the black knight's legs, and the divine spear in his hand burst into crimson flames, the spreading divine fire scorching the black arm armor until it glowed red.

"Arrrth!!"

Ignoring the burning sensation in his arm, the armor covering the warrior suddenly shattered, and the bulging muscles dragged the holy sword in his hand, lifting it up abruptly. His strength, which had reached A+ under excessive berserk mode, directly lifted Karna in front of him into the air.

"Exquisite martial arts, a once glorious holy sword turned into a demonic sword due to regret, the indestructible lake, your sword reflects your heart. Even though it is affected by evil, your heart is still as clear as the lake. What binds you is not that king, but the shackles you put on yourself. Knight, symbolizing nobility, is your heart trembling along with the sword in your hand?"

"Arrrth—!!"

The only response to Karna was the Black Knight's painful wail. The divine spear in his hand deflected the incoming holy sword, and the blazing spear slammed heavily into Lancelot's breastplate. The armor shattered, and the holy sword that was about to strike Karna's chest was firmly blocked by the golden armor.

Feeling the force entering his body, Karna's body sank slightly. The divine spear that pierced through the armor thrust forward. Even though he had lost his mind, under the influence of instinct, the black knight twisted his body in an extremely tricky posture. The divine spear that was piercing the spirit origin grazed Lancelot's heart by a hair's breadth and entered Lancelot's ribs. Grasping the divine spear that had entered his body, Lancelot released the holy sword in his hand and punched Karna in the heart.

With a dull thud, a punch that produced a sonic boom slammed heavily into Karna. The rapidly spreading impact sent all the surrounding rubble flying, and the surging shockwave spread rapidly. The dust covering the ground was thrown into the sky by Lancelot's attack. His white hair fluttered in the swirling wind of the punch, and blood-red lines gradually spread. In that instant, Karna felt that his control over the divine spear had been weakened.

"Do knights not die unarmed? What a blessing it would be to fight a sober you with martial arts that are not bound by dogma."

Karna closed his eyes, then opened them. Golden divine light filled Karna's red eyes, and the scorching impact slammed into the desperate knight without reservation. The divine fire of the sun completely melted through the tattered armor, and the body covered in black mist was violently sent flying backward by Karna's bombardment.

"Weapons are just the prelude; true heroes kill with their eyes!"

Chapter Seventy-One: The Knight Without Regret

Crimson divine fire ignited, the blood of the black knight evaporated under the high temperature, he stood with his gun in his hands in front of him, the rubble under his feet turned into a gust of wind, and Karna's body suddenly appeared in the sky above Lancelot as a streak of light.

"In the name of the Command Spell, Berserker blocked this attack!!"

With a decaying sound, crimson magic surged into Lancelot's body like a torrent. The flesh pierced by the spear healed rapidly, and the shattered armor became smooth at a visible speed. After a muffled roar, Lancelot's red eyes lit up beneath his armor, and a blue light emanated from the jet-black holy sword. Clear and flowing magic, supported by the holy sword, steadily blocked Karna's slash.

"Finally showing yourself, you bug!"

The Moon Spirit Marrow surrounding Kenneth erupted, the flowing mercury transforming into spikes that instantly pierced the ground. A moment later, his twisted and decaying body was lifted high, and the pierced Zouken Matou let out a piercing, maniacal laugh with his torn vocal cords.

"As expected of the designer of the Command Spell system, Matou Oki, your application of Command Spells is far superior to that of Tokiomi Tohsaka, who only knows how to use Command Spells to make Servants vent their anger!"

"Not at all, just some underhanded tricks. El-Melloi's leader is quite promising at such a young age. My methods are no match for you."

While offering compliments, the dense swarm of Crest Worms instantly engulfed Kenneth, who was standing still. The mercury that pierced his body dissipated, and Zouken Matou's decaying body landed gently from mid-air.

“Young people are just like that. They can easily fall if they’re not careful. I’ll take your body. El-Melloi’s bloodline is far superior to my good-for-nothing son.”

Approaching the writhing worm mass, Zouken Matou, grinning foolishly, thrust his withered right hand deep into the body he had longed for.

"Shhh!!"

A flash of silver light streaked across the sky, and Zouken Matou's body was instantly sliced ​​into pieces by the dissipating mercury. The swarm of insects enveloping Kenneth exploded, and Kenneth's body appeared unharmed before Zouken Matou's eyes.

"There's no place for old fogies like you on the ship of the new era. You'd better go to hell sooner, Matou-o."

Beneath the calm voice, the air grew scorching hot, and an expanding fireball spread out from Kenneth's body, turning the insects that enveloped Kenneth into charred remains that fell to the ground once more, and reducing Zouken Matou's carbonized body to dust once more. Zouken Matou's voice disappeared from sight once more.

"It's no use. If I remember correctly, Lord El-Melloi, your magical attributes are water and wind, which are so compatible with my body. Even if you can use fire-attribute magic, so what? Such flames can't harm this old man."

"Whether it can cause injury or not is not up to you. With such frequent molting, how many insects do you have left to use, Matou-o?"

The decaying sound disappeared. Clearly, Kenneth was right. Under the previous attack, even with some preparation, almost all of the insects raised by Matou Zouken were wiped out. With the barrier blocking them, the Crest Insects scattered throughout Fuyuki City could not be summoned. Now, Matou Zouken's stock is reduced with each use.

"Young people are really sharp-tongued. My magic tricks are beyond the comprehension of you juniors."

'Pfft—'

The piercing mercury once again pierced through Zouken Matou in the shadows. Looking at the decaying thing above, he snapped his fingers, and the flames that ignited once again turned the laughing shell into charcoal, shredded the lump of rotten flesh into pieces, and the laughter disappeared. Kenneth could hear nothing but the sounds of Karna and Lancelot fighting.

"Hidden again? Sure enough, a bug is a bug, only good for hiding in the mud."

This time, having learned his lesson, Zouken Matou didn't respond to Kenneth's question, and the battle between the two Masters once again entered a pointless phase.

"Arrrrrrh..."

Amidst the meaningless roar, a storm of sword light slashed towards Karna. Faced with the impeccable attack, Karna, knowing he needed a swift victory, abandoned most of his defense. Relying on the armor formed from the sun wheel, Karna transformed into a berserker, directly engaging Lancelot in a battle of attrition. With the golden armor's ability to shave off a tenth of his strength, the slightly disheveled Karna once again pierced through the man before him with his spear.

"Your anger is all an illusion; you use anger to mask your remorse. What a pathetic knight."

As Karna fought Lancelot, he came to understand the man's heart more and more. The handsome face beneath the shattered armor was twisted with anger, and the crimson on the holy sword became more and more distorted with its master's state of mind.

"Pitiful, tragic, lamentable, and admirable. Your life was both legendary and desolate. What a splendid life you had. I really envy you."

With his divine spear raised high, Karna, possessing ample magical power, unleashed his full power (flame), allowing his body to burst into flames and melt away the sword light unleashed by Lancelot. Karna, a top-tier Servant, unleashed his intense heat without reservation.

"Chong-"

The holy sword forged by the elves trembled under the impact of the Undying Blade. Divine flames scorched the black magic sword until it glowed red. Lancelot's roar echoed in his ears. With a calm gaze, Karna once again pressed the tip of his spear against the other's forehead.

The demonic sword tilted, and with a sharp 'sizzle,' sparks burst forth like fireworks between the two. The divine spear grazed past his ear, and taking advantage of the moment when Karna raised his spear, the demonic sword, still splattering with sparks, gripped the hilt with both hands and slashed heavily towards the back of Karna's neck.

"Weapons are merely external objects; a knight does not die unarmed. I have learned something."

"boom--"

The scorched earth beneath his feet collapsed with a deafening roar. Amidst the flying debris, Karna's left hand, encased in armor formed from the sun wheel, firmly grasped the demonic sword covered in blood-red veins. Divine fire ignited in his eyes, and rays piercing through the clouds shot forth from Karna's eyes once more.

As Lancelot dodged his attack by tilting his head, Karna pulled the demon sword above his head with the gauntlet in his hand. Even though he was no match for Lancelot in strength, in this brief struggle, Karna's right fist, covered in divine fire, landed on Lancelot's armor.

The jet-black armor was instantly pierced by the divine fire, and the still-fierce flames slammed into Lancelot's inner armor. The crimson flames expanded violently, and even though he was weaker than his opponent, with the help of the magic released, Lancelot's body was once again sent flying backward in the exploding fireball.

Karna, clad in golden armor, emerged from the still-burning flames after pulling his divine spear from the ground. He watched as Lancelot struggled to his feet. In the blink of an eye, Karna appeared above Lancelot. The black knight's hastily raised magic sword was sent flying backward as it tumbled. The knight, once again, was unarmed.

Following his body's instincts, Lancelot, now unarmed, crossed his arms and struggled to block the spear shaft. His knees slammed down, smashing the obsidian beneath him, creating dense cracks. Divine fire spread along the spear, licking the shattered gauntlets until they glowed red. Golden droplets fell to the ground, scattering sparks. The bright firelight cast shadows on Karna's resolute face.

"Fall down, stand up, what keeps you picking up your sword? I see, you have a reason to see her again, I see."

Gazing at the warrior before him, who was constantly emitting low growls, Karna could clearly see the black knight's charred body through the gaps in the broken armor. With ample support, Karna unleashed his fire magic, and his slender arms burst forth with power far exceeding their apparent strength. His gleaming spear slashed down with unstoppable force, causing the ground to collapse. With a wave of his hand, he dispersed the dust and smoke, and Karna, holding his spear, solemnly declared to the knight who had propped himself up.

"Knight whose heart is as clear as a lake! I'm sorry, even if you have reasons to keep fighting, I also have a promise I made. Here, for my Master, warrior dragged into the abyss by regret, I have heard your heart. I will convey this apology to her. Today, may you rest in peace, and may you be free from suffering in your next life."

Without giving Lancelot a chance to redraw his sword, Karna's spear trailed afterimages as it repeatedly swept past him. Having undergone rigorous martial arts training, ignoring the flames raging on Karna's body, Lancelot unleashed his full potential with fists, elbows, and more. Even in his frenzy, Lancelot repeatedly deflected Karna's relentless onslaught, relying on his superb physical skills.

"Arrrrrrh!!"

With a slight shift of his head, the spear grazed Lancelot's ear. Twisting his body, Lancelot tucked the flame-encircled spear under his arm, ignoring the scorching heat that seemed to melt metal. His bulging muscles shattered the tattered armor, and with a painful roar, he raised his slightly hunched body and, tearing through the air with a sharp sonic boom, slammed his right fist, charred black by the flames, into Karna's abdomen.

"Exquisite martial arts, decisive judgment, Berserker, I feel your sincerity!"

With his hands free from the gun, Karna dodged with agility surpassing that of ordinary Servants, while the back armor behind him flipped and floated in front of him.

‘Boom! ’

Lancelot's powerful strike slammed into Karna's gauntlets. Under this superhuman force, Karna's feet left the ground and he soared into the air. The shockwave lifted up the ashes of burned vegetation, and the gust of wind from his punch carried the dust skyward.

Karna's left hand, covered in golden armor, swiftly swept across the lance's shaft, leaving a long trail of sparks. Just as it was about to slip from his grasp, Karna, floating in mid-air, gripped the end of the divine spear tightly with both hands. His falling body, under the influence of his outward-radiating magic, abruptly lifted the black-clad knight.

'bass--!!'

The gilded blade tip grazed the knight's armor at his waist with a piercing metallic sound. A divine light shone in his eyes, and the blazing spear tip lifted the crazed knight high into the air. Golden light, trailing a long trail of flames, swept down, completely shattering the knight's armor. In the splattering blood, a gruesome wound, as if Lancelot had been cut in two, appeared on his charred chest.

'boom! ! ’

The flickering flames gathered at the tip of the spear and suddenly expanded, the scorching breath engulfing Lancelot in mid-air like a surging wave. Facing this valiant knight, Karna displayed all the martial arts he had learned in his life without reservation. In the distance, the man engulfed in flames struggled to stand up again. Sensing the other's obsession, a flame of respect flickered in Karna's eyes.

"Even if it means your life is consumed by fire, you still want to see her one last time. You are a worthy knight, and your lord will feel it."

Facing this warrior whose conviction was as firm as steel, and the elbow strike that came crashing down upon him, divine fire spread from Karna's cloak. A tidal wave of heat suddenly engulfed the unyielding man. The divine cleaver, bathed in divine light, cleaved through the curtain of fire and rose high. The humanoid flames fell into the distance like shooting stars. Taking a deep breath, the flowing flames gathered in his right hand. He held the gun in one hand in a throwing motion, and the crimson flames, trailing a long tail, suddenly pinned the rising warrior to the ground.

"Your glory needs no hiding. Even today, your heart, obscured by anger, remains as clear as a lake. There is no need for regret or atonement. Your king has never resented you. That noble king has never resented anyone. Sever your past and, as a warrior, break free of the shackles that bind you."

'Pfft...'