Chapter 553: Support

A crimson Light Sword swept by, Saber sidestepped just in time, the scorching gust brushed Saber's chest armor and passed, leaving a twisted ripple in the air.

The stone slab beneath her cracked from the aftershock, fragments splashed up and struck her leg, hurting a bit.

Saber stepped back half a pace, the Curry Stick held horizontally before her, her emerald eyes fixed on the monster ahead.

The dark‑purple Mecha stood there, its V‑shaped scarlet light locked onto Saber, showing no emotion, only pure oppression.

The Light Sword in its hand now hung quietly at its side, but Saber knew it would slash again the next second.

Saber can no longer tell how many engagements this is.

Each collision, the force transmitted through the Light Sword made Saber's palm tingle.

That is no ordinary weapon—the blade feels weightless yet carries a strange burning force; every Blocking lets her feel that heat spreading along the blade, as if it wanted to ignite her magic as well.

Saber's breathing grew a bit rapid, fine beads of sweat seeped from her temples, sliding down her cheek, glinting faintly in the light.

Her chest rose and fell more violently than usual; she could feel her stamina draining bit by bit.

What… exactly is this thing?

She has seen countless Servants, fought countless times.

Celtic warriors, Greek heroes, Norse kings—each leaves a trace, each fighting style can be traced to its source.

But this fellow is different.

"Miss Saber!"

Yuanban Shichen's voice came from her rear side, followed by several Flames that swept past Saber's side, charging straight at the Berserker's face!

The Flames burst, briefly obscuring the scarlet light.

Saber seized the chance, thrusting her legs, her whole body becoming a golden streak rushing forward!

The Curry Stick slashed down!

"Clang—!!!"

The blade struck the Berserker's shoulder, sparks scattering.

A shallow mark remained on the armor, but Saber could feel that most of the sword's force was absorbed by the plating.

The Berserker turned its head, the Light Sword sweeping across!

Saber pulled back her sword to block!

"Clang—!"

The massive impact knocked her back three steps; her heel smashed a stone slab before she could barely steady herself.

The tingling in her palm spread to her wrist, the fingers gripping the sword trembling.

Yuanban Shichen struck again, this time hurling several gems straight at the Berserker's joints!

The explosion roared, smoke billowed.

But Saber knew the wounds wouldn't affect it.

She gasped, her gaze sweeping the surroundings.

The Tohsaka Residence's courtyard was now unrecognizable.

The stone‑slab floor fractured into pieces, pits gouged everywhere.

The ancient tree, age unknown, snapped at the waist, fell among the ruins, its branches still bearing unextinguished flames.

The barrier sigils on the wall flickered, some already shattered, revealing mottled bricks behind.

Yuanban Shichen stood five meters behind her, the gems in his hand already half spent, his suit dusted, tie askew, a few strands of hair falling across his forehead.

His breathing was also more rapid than before, chest rising, yet those ice‑blue eyes still held that elegant composure—at least on the surface.

"How much longer can we hold on?" Saber asked.

Yuanban Shichen gave a wry smile.

"Honestly? Not very optimistic."

Saber clenched her teeth.

She knew the situation was grim.

The Berserker's defense was too strong for her sword to cut through; the Light Sword's power was too great for her to endure many hard blocks; Yuanban Shichen's support could disrupt the foe but drained too fast to last long.

They had to think of a way.

Saber's gaze swept the area, rapidly analyzing the terrain.

The courtyard was small, yet there were spots that could be used.

The fallen tree could block sight, the fountain's stone platform could be leveraged, and a pile of scattered stone slabs lay in the corner—

The Berserker moved again!

Saber's pupils contracted, instinctively flashing to the side!

The Light Sword brushed her shoulder as it slashed down, crashing onto the ground!

"Boom—!!!"

Shards splashed, a deep trench stretching from her foot to three meters away!

Saber gritted her teeth, not retreating but pressing forward!

She surged toward the Berserker's left side, the blind spot of its Light Sword swing!

The Curry Stick swung horizontally, targeting not the armor but the joint connections!

"Clang!"

The blade struck!

The Berserker's body paused slightly.

Saber felt a stir in her heart—it's working!

"Mr. Tohsaka! Its joints!"

Yuanban Shichen instantly understood, waved his hand, and several gems shot out at once, striking the joints on Berserker's other side!

An explosion sound rang out, and smoke billowed!

Saber seized the chance, swinging her sword repeatedly, each slash cutting toward the armor's gaps and joints!

Clang clang clang clang—!

Sparks flew everywhere, and Berserker's movements finally lagged!

Saber's eyes lit up.

"There's hope—"

Before the words finished, a dazzling red light suddenly erupted from Berserker's body!

The Light Sword's blade suddenly lengthened, becoming a huge crimson longsword!

It gripped the sword with both hands and swept horizontally!

Saber's pupils contracted; with no time to think, she could only raise her sword to meet it!

Clang—!!!

The force was absurdly huge!

Saber was blasted backward, her back slamming into a broken tree; her throat felt sweet, and she almost spat out blood.

She leaned on her sword to stand, her legs a bit weak, her vision blurred for a moment.

Yuanban Shichen rushed forward to block in front of her, and threw several more gems!

But Berserker this time completely ignored those attacks, walking straight toward them.

Saber gritted her teeth and tightened her grip on the sword.

(Can't yet... can't fall...)

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stand.

At that moment—

A whooshing sound rang through the sky!

Everyone looked up at once.

A pink figure dived from the clouds, descending at blinding speed, reaching the courtyard sky in the blink of an eye!

Saber was stunned.

Yuanban Shichen was also stunned.

It was a girl—her silvery hair fluttered in the wind, her pink dress glittered in the sunlight, and a light pink sheer cape draped behind her.

She held a rainbow‑glimmering Magic Staff, hovering mid‑air like a Magical Girl from a fairy tale.

"I—Ilya?!" Yuanban Shichen's voice cracked.

Ilya hovered, glanced at the battlefield below, then at the huge purple Mecha, her mouth twitching.

(What a piece... this thing is truly scary...)

The ruby's voice rang in her mind:

"Ilya, are you sure you want to intervene? Its aura is terrifying!"

"I know."

"Then why—"

"Saber is my ally."

Ilya cut it off, "And..."

She looked at the blond knight below, battered yet standing upright, clenched her teeth, "She's fighting for her life; I can't just watch, can I?"

The ruby was silent for a second, then responded.

"That's the Ilya I know!"

Ilya inhaled deeply, raised her staff, aiming at the purple monster.

"Hey—!!!"

Her voice exploded across the courtyard sky.

Berserker looked up, the V-shaped Red Light Lock locked onto her.

Saber also looked up, her emerald eyes filled with shock.

"Miss Ilya?! How could you—"

"No more talk!"

Ilya cut her off, the tip of the staff flared with dazzling light, "I'm here to help!"

A magic projectile roared out!

The pink light, like a meteor, slammed into Berserker!

Berserker raised the Light Sword to block; the projectile detonated on the blade, its shockwave rippling outward!