Chapter 217
The newcomer was tall and slender, with features so handsome they seemed almost divine.
Far more striking, however, was his armor.
It appeared less like something he wore and more like part of his own body, fused seamlessly with his flesh as though he had been born with it.
An overwhelming sense of invincibility radiated from the golden armor.
In his right hand was a golden spear.
Against the black night sky, it shone like a brilliant star, yet merely looking at it sent a sharp chill across the skin.
"That spear is seriously dangerous."
Kiriya narrowed his eyes at the weapon, then glanced over the magnificent golden armor.
"The ultimate spear and the ultimate armor, huh? What a troublesome combination."
Despite his words, fierce excitement was already burning across his face.
’I wonder how much excelia I’ll get for defeating someone like him.’
Kiriya’s bold, openly challenging gaze briefly surprised Lancer of Red.
But only for a moment.
There was no magical energy coming from the young man, so Karna dismissed him as an ordinary human and shifted his attention toward his actual target.
"You are Ruler?"
His voice was cool and sharp.
Jeanne frowned slightly.
She had already sensed his hostility, but she still nodded.
"I am. You—"
Before she could finish, her vision blurred.
Karna had crossed the distance in an instant.
His golden spear, wreathed in flame, thrust directly toward her chest.
"What—"
Jeanne instantly manifested her combat attire and pushed off the ground to evade.
At that exact moment, a dark figure shot in from the side and intercepted Karna.
CLANG!
The violent collision of metal pierced the night.
A powerful shock wave exploded outward, whipping Jeanne’s hair wildly around her face.
"This..."
Her eyes widened.
For a moment, she could hardly believe what she was seeing.
Kiriya had stopped Lancer of Red.
His muscles were visibly straining, and it was obvious he was already exerting considerable strength, while Karna remained perfectly composed and unmoving.
The difference in their raw physical abilities was immediately apparent.
But that was hardly the point.
Kiriya had no detectable magical energy.
He was supposed to be an ordinary human!
And the opponent standing before him was Karna, the Hero of Charity—son of the sun god Surya, a hero possessing extraordinarily high Divinity and enough power to stand among the greatest Heroic Spirits in the Throne.
Karna’s attack had come without warning.
Yet Kiriya had reacted instantly, entered the exchange at exactly the right moment, and blocked the strike.
If Jeanne had heard such a story from someone else, she would have dismissed it as nonsense.
But it was happening directly before her eyes.
"Hah!"
Kiriya pulled back his sword and immediately thrust again, the blade moving like a bolt of lightning.
Karna blocked once more.
The two began exchanging attacks in the middle of the broad highway.
Clang!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sword energy and violent winds tore across the road, ripping apart the asphalt and leaving scorched marks everywhere.
Within only a few breaths, they had already exchanged dozens of blows.
"Who... are you?"
Their weapons locked once again.
This time, Karna spoke with noticeably greater seriousness.
"Oh, right. I forgot to introduce myself."
Kiriya gritted his teeth against the numb, aching pain spreading through his arms, yet his expression remained cheerful.
"Senju Kiriya."
His smile widened.
"A man aiming to become the strongest!"
"The strongest..."
Karna’s eyes shifted faintly.
"Those are ambitious words."
His arms suddenly exerted more force.
Kiriya was thrown backward.
He twisted in midair, landed lightly on his feet, and immediately pointed his sword back toward Karna.
"Whether I’m boasting or not, you can find out for yourself."
Feeling the fighting spirit rising from Kiriya, Karna’s eyes showed a trace of approval.
"That resolve is admirable."
He lowered his spear slightly.
"Unfortunately, you are not my target tonight."
His attention returned to Jeanne.
By now, the saint had summoned her weapon.
A battle standard.
Its pole was forged from bright silver metal, combining strength with flexibility.
The banner carried sacred fleurs-de-lis and the Cross of Lorraine, symbols beneath which countless soldiers had fought and died.
Aware of Karna’s hostility, Jeanne gripped the standard firmly with both hands and assumed a battle stance.
"I am the Ruler appointed for this Holy Grail War."
"Jeanne d’Arc."
"Karna, why are you attacking me?"
Her blue eyes sharpened.
"There should be no conflict between us."
Ruler’s responsibility was to ensure the Holy Grail War proceeded within acceptable limits and prevent abnormalities from spilling over into ordinary society.
She maintained absolute neutrality between the participating factions.
Under normal circumstances, neither side had any reason to regard her as an enemy.
If anything, their Masters should have been trying to secure her cooperation.
Karna showed no surprise that Jeanne had immediately identified his True Name.
As the Ruler selected by the Grail itself, she possessed several special privileges.
One of them was True Name Discernment, a Skill that allowed her to identify the True Name, Class, and basic capabilities of any Servant she directly encountered.
When Jeanne demanded an explanation, Karna merely raised his spear.
"I have nothing to tell you."
"This is my Master’s order. Nothing more."
"Well, that makes things pretty obvious, doesn’t it, Miss Ruler?"
Kiriya’s lazy voice drifted over.
"The Master behind him is probably planning something big."
"And whatever they’re planning is likely to have a serious effect on ordinary people and the outside world."
He shrugged.
"Something like using the Greater Grail to rewrite the world, for example."
"If that’s the case, then the Ruler overseeing the War would naturally have to be removed first."
Jeanne’s pupils contracted.
She immediately turned toward Karna.
"Is that true, Lancer of Red?"
"I have already answered you."
Flames erupted around Karna’s golden spear.
"These are my Master’s orders."
"As a Servant bound by contract, I need only carry them out."
Then he charged Jeanne again.
Whoosh!
Kiriya appeared directly in his path.
His sword swept sideways and intercepted the spear.
"I’m starting to feel ignored here."
Kiriya sighed.
"It’s hurting my pride."
Karna remained in the blocking position, looking perfectly relaxed.
"You are not my target."
"Leave now, and I will not kill you."
Their earlier exchange had been nothing more than a brief test for Karna.
He had not come close to using his true strength.
If Kiriya insisted on interfering, however, Karna would have no choice but to remove him properly.
"Kiriya-san, please step away!"
Jeanne hurriedly spoke as well.
She had no intention of allowing a stranger she had only just met to die because of her.
Kiriya grinned.
"But you’re my target."
Karna’s gaze sharpened.
Defeating a legendary hero of this caliber would qualify as an extraordinary feat.
And the excelia that came with accomplishing something like that...
There was no chance Kiriya would willingly let the opportunity pass.
"Besides—"
His eyes changed.
Scarlet irises appeared as the Sharingan quietly activated.
"Don’t underestimate me, Hero of Charity!"
Kiriya lowered his stance.
Then—
"Sixth Gate, the Gate of View—open!"
---------
Read 30+ Chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator