I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

Watching the mythical battle in the distance—a clash powerful enough to shake heaven and earth—Caules felt a storm of emotions within him as he stood in a safe zone.

This confrontation between Servants had granted him a much clearer understanding of their immense power.

No wonder it's said that magi can't possibly contend with Servants. This… This isn't even a fight!

Even though he himself was a Master, his current situation...

Casting a thoughtful glance at the young woman in a wedding dress beside him, Caules tried to be discreet in his observations.

However, as though sensing his thoughts, the girl puffed up like an irate cat, baring her sharp teeth and glaring at him with clear hostility. She looked ready to pounce and bite him any second.

Cute as she might be, Caules didn't dare test her bite. Those shark-like teeth of hers were intimidating enough, and considering the jaw strength of a Servant, a human's bones were probably no harder than tofu to her.

"All right, all right, I know you're strong too..."

A man knows when to back down, and this was one of those times.

Especially when it's in front of a girl. No shame in that.

Seeing his sincere attitude of apology, the wedding-dress-clad Berserker huffed and grudgingly forgave him for his moment of disrespect.

But when she turned her gaze back to the distant battlefield, her heart filled with a sense of frustration.

Even if she didn't like being underestimated by her Master, Berserker wasn't one to deny reality. The gap in power was as vast as a chasm; she didn't even have the qualifications to step onto that battlefield.

Realizing she was no longer upset with him, Caules scratched his head in relief and resumed observing the battle.

Since he couldn't participate, his next best option was to gather information—particularly the true names of both the Red Faction's Lancer and Ruler.

Even Ruler's true name was worth uncovering. While she had shown goodwill by agreeing to accompany him to the Black Faction's stronghold, no one could predict future developments. The possibility of her becoming an enemy had to be considered.

"No wonder Ruler said only our Saber and Lancer could face him. The Red Faction's Lancer is unbelievably strong..."

Caules stroked his chin thoughtfully, engrossed in the duel.

But then something struck him as odd.

Earlier, he had been too overwhelmed by the oppressive aura of Artoria and Karna to think clearly. Now, in the safety of distance, his composure returned, and with it, his reasoning.

"Why would Ruler say that only our Saber and Lancer could stand against him? It's almost as if… she has complete knowledge of all our combat capabilities. Wait, she even seems well-acquainted with the Red Lancer's strength too…"

"And… she knew someone was coming? Even that their target was her?"

The more he thought about it, the more unsettling the implications became.

---

On the battlefield, Artoria shone like the brightest star. Her silver-white armor and golden hair gleamed under the night sky.

She stared unflinchingly at the spot where Karna had fallen. Smoke billowed in the air, but mere dust was no obstacle to her vision.

Even though she had knocked him down, she knew it wasn't enough to truly harm him.

Karna's armor, gifted by his father, the Sun God Surya, possessed the absolute ability to reduce all incoming damage by 90%. Most attacks couldn't even scratch him after the reduction. Even if they managed to pierce through, the armor's self-healing capabilities rendered it almost an alternative form of immortality.

Sure enough, moments later, Karna emerged from the smoke. His aura hadn't diminished in the slightest—in fact, it had grown stronger.

Previously, Karna had approached this task as merely an order from his Master to eliminate the Ruler. Now, however, he regarded Artoria as a worthy opponent.

Gripping his golden spear tightly, veins bulged on his arm. His body turned into a flash of lightning as he lunged forward, aiming directly at Artoria's face.

This time, Artoria didn't rely on her protective light barrier.

"Clang!"

A resounding, bell-like chime echoed across the battlefield.

Artoria had summoned a blade of light to meet the thrust of the golden spear.

She raised her right hand, extending her forefinger and middle finger in a sword-like gesture. The blade of light emanated from her fingers, blocking Karna's attack.

Karna hesitated briefly, then smirked.

"You wish to test your skill against mine?"

He wasn't one to shy away from a duel of martial prowess. The flames surrounding him receded slightly as he shifted focus.

The two blurred into streaks of light, clashing hundreds of times in mere moments. Their movements were too fast for mortal eyes to follow, leaving only the deafening sounds of their impacts reverberating through the night sky.

Karna's spearwork was fierce and unrelenting, like molten lava erupting from a volcano. In contrast, Artoria's swordsmanship was as elusive as a gentle breeze, yet laced with lethal precision.

Both demonstrated techniques that could only exist in myth, each worthy of defining an era of heroes.

But in combat, there can only be one victor.

Their weapons collided once more, a final clash of overwhelming force that sent both combatants hurtling backward.

Artoria recovered first, planting her left foot firmly in midair as though stepping on solid ground. The resulting burst of momentum launched her toward Karna, who had just regained his footing.

Seeing her charge, Karna braced himself, every fiber of his being prepared for the encounter. His golden spear trembled in anticipation, reflecting his mounting excitement.

In the Mahabharata, Karna was the son of the Sun God Surya, a great hero known as the "Hero of Charity." As Arjuna's fated rival, he was a paragon of martial skill and noble spirit.

Though generous and forgiving to all, Karna harbored his own desires.

He longed for a pure, untainted duel with an equal—a battle free of deception, curses, or interference. Victory or defeat mattered little; the fight itself would bring him fulfillment.

Now, in his clash with Artoria, Karna felt as though his wish was within reach.

His blood boiled, his breath grew hotter, and his fighting spirit soared.

In Artoria, Karna saw the realization of his dream.

The warrior spirit within him roared to life, and he couldn't help but smile.

As Artoria closed the distance, Karna thrust his spear forward, following his instincts.

But when Artoria stepped forward a second time, Karna's expression shifted.

In a flash, she was no longer tens of meters away—she was right in front of him.

The blade of light became a dazzling streak, crossing the distance in an instant.

Three arcs of sword light struck Karna's chest simultaneously.

Even his divine armor couldn't completely nullify the destructive force of Mumyō Sandan-Zuki.

Blood trickled from his chest. Karna touched it with his hand, his fingers quickly stained red.

He couldn't help but marvel. I've been wounded?

"You possess the strength to challenge me," Artoria said quietly, her voice devoid of malice. "But in your current state, you can't fight at full capacity. If we continue, you'll only meet your end here."

Karna fell silent.

Though his wound had already healed, he knew she was right. He wasn't her match.

"…I concede."

With humility, he admitted his defeat and withdrew his weapon.

As she had said, continuing the battle would serve no purpose.

The Great Grail War had only just begun, and his Master still needed him. He had a reason to survive.

"Please allow me to retreat," he said.

His body began to dissolve into light, a sign of his spirit form activating.

Before vanishing completely, Karna looked earnestly at Artoria, as though etching her visage into his memory.

"Next time, I will make you fight me in earnest… Ruler."

With those words, he disappeared, leaving Artoria alone in the sky.

She gazed at the spot where he had vanished. From that direction, the red sun began to rise over the mountains, burning away the night.

"I hope… when that time comes, I can answer your fighting spirit."

---

T/N: Heh see she only grows with every servant, learning their skills and even NP!

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