Jeanne, held in Kanjuro's embrace, did not struggle much, but fell into a brief contemplation.
"Sab's magical energy has become so chaotic and restless... The root cause is that the source of the magical energy itself is problematic, isn't it?" She tilted her head slightly, her clear, cold eyes looking directly at Kanjuro, "Did you tamper with that source of magical energy?"
"Of course." Kanjuro released his arms from around her, "This is a plan I've been laying out for eight years. The source of magical energy guided by Black Magic will silently erode, corrupt, and ultimately lead to degradation. It's just that she... hasn't noticed it yet."
Below, Sab was facing Diarmuid's fierce, killing blow.
In the shadows, Emiya Kiritsugu and Maiya Hisau, observing the battle through a sniper scope, clearly hadn't anticipated Sab's sudden anomaly either.
But Maiya's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the familiar figure in the distance, her heart stirring: Master Kanjuro... I see you again... Emiya Kiritsugu's finger was already on the trigger, ready to intervene.
And in the deeper shadows, Gilgamesh, clad in brilliant golden armor, also frowned at Sab's sudden predicament.
"What's wrong with that woman?" A hint of confusion and... regret flashed in his scarlet eyes.
From the first moment he saw Sab, he had glimpsed the rare and pure light of idealism deep within her soul, as well as her overly serious, almost cute face, which ignited a strong sense of possessiveness in him.
To let her fall now would be too boring.
However, the proud king did not easily make a move.
At this moment, Sab's Noble Phantasm was sealed, and even with Irisviel's magical energy replenishment, it was like a drop in the bucket, unable to reverse the decline.
Just as the tip of Diarmuid's ominous magic spear was about to touch Sab, at that critical juncture—
Another anomaly occurred!
Several pitch-black, slimy tentacles, seemingly condensed from the purest shadows and malice, burst forth from the ground beneath Sab's feet without warning. Like living things, they precisely intertwined to form a barrier, actually blocking Diarmuid's fatal blow!
The defiling aura emanating from the tentacles sent shivers down the spines of all those present who possessed magical energy perception.
This sudden turn of events left even Sab, who was in grave danger, in disbelief.
Everyone's gaze instantly followed the nauseatingly dense Black Magic aura.
Under the cool moonlight, a tall figure stood proudly atop the ruins. He wore a black trench coat, his face exquisitely handsome to the point of being demonic, a wicked and languid curve gracing his lips.
Beside him stood a blonde girl, holding a uniquely shaped holy sword, a flag unfurling behind her in the wind. Her silver armor could not conceal the hollowness and darkness in her eyes, born from betrayal.
Under Kanjuro's invisible control, the tentacles suddenly exerted force, and the powerful magical energy condensed on Diarmuid's long spear was instantly absorbed and annihilated into nothingness by the dark creation, as if swallowed by a black hole!
A huge sense of crisis, stemming from instinct, facing the unknown and absolute evil, instantly seized Diarmuid. He let out a startled grunt, rapidly retreating with exceptional agility, his eyes filled with suspicion and fear, staring intently at the unwelcome guest.
The unfathomable mystery emanating from the opponent was as if a demon god had stepped out from the deepest abyss of endless hell.
Even Gilgamesh couldn't help but frown.
Sab gripped her invisible sword, looking at the man in confusion—the same person she had met briefly outside Einzbern Castle, and the uniquely tempered female Servant beside him.
She subconsciously looked at Irisviel first. The moment Irisviel saw Kanjuro, her face turned deathly pale, and her delicate body trembled uncontrollably, as if she had seen the most terrifying nightmare in the world.
"Who exactly are you?!" Sab suppressed the turmoil in her magical energy and questioned loudly, her voice filled with wariness and anger.
"My name is Kanjuro." The man smiled, his smile extremely infectious, yet it formed an eerie contrast with the unsettling Black Magic aura emanating from him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, King Arthur. I hope we... can become 'friends'."
Artoria was startled, as the other party had directly revealed her true name.
She composed herself and subconsciously replied, "...Thank you."
Then she immediately supported Irisviel with concern, "Iri, are you alright?"
"I... I'm fine." Irisviel clutched her rapidly rising and falling chest, shaking her head with difficulty, but her gaze never dared to meet Kanjuro's again.
"Mongrel——!"
A cold roar, full of anger, rang out!
Golden ripples appeared around Gilgamesh, and several Noble Phantasms, imbued with destructive aura, shot towards Kanjuro like meteors!
This most ancient king of heroes could not tolerate anyone ignoring his presence in such a way, nor could he tolerate the pure malice emanating from Kanjuro, which even he found somewhat repulsive and threatening.
"What are you?" Kanjuro's voice was as cold as ice. Without any grand movements, he simply raised his hand, and the power of the Gospel of Matthew was already activated.
In an instant, an identical number of replica Noble Phantasms, wreathed in ominous black energy, materialized before him and precisely met Gilgamesh's attack!
The black Noble Phantasms and golden radiance violently collided and intertwined in the night sky, erupting in deafening roars and intense energy fluctuations.
What was shocking was that the king of heroes' angry strike was easily and completely parried by Kanjuro in exactly the same manner!
"What?!" Sab's pupils contracted slightly, her heart filled with horror, "He can instantly replicate and reflect the enemy's attack?"
"This is... materialization, and perfectly imitating the opponent's weapon's power?" Diarmuid gripped his twin spears, feeling Kanjuro's origin and abilities becoming even more unfathomable.
At this moment, a flash of insight struck Sab. She suddenly looked at Irisviel again, or rather, perceived the 'avalon scabbard' within her, which served as a magical energy core.
Although its appearance was identical, upon careful perception now, the Black Magic aura faintly emanating from deep within the scabbard, originating from the same source as Kanjuro, was so familiar and glaring!
She finally understood!
"It was you... you tampered with avlaon's scabbard!?" Sab's figure instantly transformed into a gust of wind, leaping before Kanjuro, her emerald eyes burning with the fury of being deceived and betrayed. Her invisible sword pointed directly at Kanjuro, "Who exactly are you?! Why would you harm me like this?!"
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