Chapter 402: Duel

Chang Ye Yue holds the Black Umbrella, a flash of understanding passes through her crimson eyes, but she does not reveal it.

She probably guessed whose handwriting it was.

Who else, besides that lady, could solve the problem on that level?

For her, purifying a curse on the fly is probably as simple as clearing system cache.

Yet she has no need to say it.

"How could…"

Ailisi Feier strokes her cheek, feeling the warmth of true life within her body, and tears silently slide down.

She is no longer a vessel destined to be sacrificed; she is merely a… ordinary mother who can walk alongside Ilya?

This sudden gift catches her off guard, yet it is filled with happiness and dread that she can barely bear.

Weigong Qiesi tightly grasps his wife's hand, and the face that has been frozen for years shows intense fluctuations.

The Corrosion that has troubled him for a long time disappears, meaning he no longer has to constantly fear losing control, and Ailisi Feier's transformation shows him the possibility of a truly ordinary future with his family.

This makes his heart flutter more than any wish the Holy Grail could grant.

"It seems,"

Tengwan Lixiang lets out a long sigh, not knowing the exact reason but the outcome is undoubtedly good, "The Holy Grail War can return to normal. A clean Holy Grail." She looks at Artoria and San Yue Qi, "Then, the final contest…"

Artoria's gaze becomes even more complicated.

The Holy Grail being purified means the wish she pursues may be realized.

Yet seeing Ailisi Feier reborn touches a corner of her heart.

Even so, her wish remains urgent.

She looks at San Yue Qi, raises her sword again: "Berserker, please."

San Yue Qi looks at Chang Ye Yue, then at Tengwan Lixiang, finally grimaces and looks at Artoria: "…Really can't skip the fight? Or shall we decide by rock‑paper‑scissors?"

Everyone: "…"

Artoria's expression is serious: "Please take this seriously; it's a duel between knights."

The pressure returns to San Yue Qi's side.

The pink‑haired girl looks at the solemn Artoria, crying out: "I… I really don't want to fight! Even if I win I have no wish! Is the wish to make Aunt Jizi's coffee taste better?"

She mutters quietly, then takes a deep breath as if resolved, looks at Artoria, her gaze becomes serious, "But… Miss Saber, since you insist, as the Berserker I can't flee the battlefield! If we fight, we fight! But let me say upfront, I'm weak, so don't hit too hard!"

Seeing her clearly frightened yet forcing courage, the serious atmosphere inevitably eases a bit.

Artoria solemnly nods: "I understand. I will regard you as a worthy opponent and give my all."

"Then,"

Chang Ye Yue speaks, making a decision, "Here, let us have the final duel. Everyone else, please retreat to a safe distance."

Tengwan Lixiang and others withdraw as instructed, Weigong Qiesi supports Ailisi Feier, Weber and YinZhi also step back, leaving a relatively flat area at the edge of the crater for the two Servants.

Chang Ye Yue looks at the single remaining stroke of Command Spell on the back of her hand, then glances at the one on Weigong Qiesi's hand.

She thinks briefly and says to Weigong Qiesi: "Command Spell."

Weigong Qiesi understands her meaning.

The Command Spell on his hand was originally to control or strengthen Saber; now that Ailisi Feier has lost the Small Holy Grail function, the meaning of these spells has changed.

Chang Ye Yue raises her hand, the final Command Spell on her back glows faintly, "In the Master's name, Command Spell enhancement—San Yue Qi, fight with all your might, without worrying about the consequences."

Weigong Qiesi looks at the resolute Artoria, then silently raises the hand inscribed with the Command Spell.

The three‑stroke Command Spell on his hand, originally complete, had two strokes consumed in battle, leaving only the final stroke.

"By Command Spell, Saber, achieve victory."

The simple command grants the final magical support to Artoria.

Her aura suddenly soars!

The Wind King Barrier autonomously unfolds, framing her like a war god from myth.

"I am endlessly grateful, Master."

Artoria solemnly nods to Weigong Qiesi, then points her sword at San Yue Qi, "Then, Berserker, please teach me!"

"Whoa! It's for real!"

San Yue Qi feels the opponent's mountain‑like pressure, her scalp tingles, yet it sparks a refusal to lose.

She takes a deep breath, the bow in her hand gathers again, icy blue light flows.

"Sister already said that… then I won't hold back! Miss Saber, watch out!"

Chang Ye Yue nods, looks to the arena: "Begin."

Artoria acts first.

She does not rush to attack, but slowly retracts the Wind King Barrier, concentrating all magic and spirit onto her sword.

Having endured successive battles, she knows a war of attrition is unfavorable; although the opponent is a Berserker class, their fighting style is flexible, and with the Master's strong support, a swift victory is necessary.

"Berserker, be careful."

She whispers a warning, then her emerald eyes blaze with fierce resolve, "This strike will be the dawn!"

"Ex—"

Golden light begins to gather in her hand, compressing, emitting a heart‑pounding pressure. She is about to use her Noble Phantasm directly!

"Wait! Jump straight to the big one?!"

San Yue Qi's scalp tingles, she fumbles to gather magic, icy blue power leaps on the bow, "Never mind! I'll do it too! Look at the arrow!"

She pours all the magic into it!

A Giant Arrow, far larger than any before, crystal‑clear as if carved from ten‑thousand‑year‑old ice, forms on the bowstring!

Where the arrow tip points, the air condenses into flakes of snow.

San Yue Qi let out a sweet shout and loosened the bowstring!

The crystal ice giant arrow, the moment it left the string, traced an elegant and swift arc in the air, dragging a long icy‑blue tail; it did not strike Artoria directly, but instead flew toward the ground in front of her!

Boom!

The giant arrow pierced the scorched earth and exploded instantly!

Centered on the arrow's impact point, a layer of deep‑blue solid ice several meters thick, covering half the battlefield, suddenly spread out like a blooming ice lotus!

The icy surface was as smooth as a mirror and bone‑chilling; it not only severely restricted Artoria's movement, but also formed countless floating icicles above the ice layer, like fangs waiting for prey!

However, Artoria did not cease gathering power.

Facing the spreading ice layer and cold, they did not even move a foot.

The power of the Wind King Barrier was compressed beneath their feet, generating a massive recoil. At the Shana when the ice layer was about to spread to their feet—

「——Calibur!!! 」

They moved!

Their whole being merged with the sword blazing with fierce golden light, transforming into a straight golden thunder that tore through the air!

The Wind King Barrier burst beneath their feet, briefly freeing them from the direct influence of the ground ice layer!

The golden thunder, with a force that shatters everything, shot straight through the icicle zone, and those sharp icicles melted like butter before the edge of the Sword of Covenant Victory!

The target locked onto San Yue Qi!

Waa!

San Yue Qi did not expect the opponent to break through this way; in haste they could only hold the bow horizontally before them for Blocking, while trying to jump backward as far as possible.

Clang—!!!

The sword sliced the bow, erupting a tremendous roar!

San Yue Qi felt their arm violently shaking, the web of their hand numb, the Ice Bow emitting an overburdened hum; their whole body was struck by a massive force that hurled them backward, rolling clumsily on the ground for several circles before stopping, the Ice Bow's light dimming, nearly shattering.

The gap was too large.

Even with Chang Ye Yue's magical support, in pure martial skill, Noble Phantasm strength, and combat experience, Berserker‑class San Yue Qi and the battle‑hardened Knight King Artoria still had a vast chasm between them.

Artoria landed a successful strike, did not pursue, but stood holding her sword, her breathing slightly hurried from the earlier burst.

She looked at the struggling, dust‑covered San Yue Qi who had gotten up still clutching the Ice Bow, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes: "Good strategy and control, Berserker. But not enough."

San Yue Qi clenched their teeth, brushed their mouth corner, and the stubborn drive inside them was sparked.

They are a member of the Star‑Rail Train, how could they easily concede here!