Chapter 188: Switch to Guan Yu's Form

Of course it wasn't her!

Kirei Kotomine's face showed understanding, then he regarded her coolly: "Girl, I don't know what you've heard, but giving Sakura to the Tohsaka household was your father Tokiomi Tohsaka's decision."

"Do you intend to defy your father's decision?"

Without waiting for Rin Tohsaka's response, Kirei Kotomine continued: "Moreover, Sakura has already inherited the Tohsaka family's magecraft. If you wish to return her to the Tohsaka household, do you know what price you must pay?"

"..."

Rin Tohsaka's expression shifted, as if struggling.

Seeing this, Kirei Kotomine smiled.

"That's right!"

"As for this Holy Grail War, the Tohsaka household never had any hopes to begin with. I have no intention of becoming your enemy. If you do not wish to wage war against the Tohsaka household, then leave now!"

This was truly spoken from the heart.

The power of a Servant is incomparable to that of a mage. Even with Sakura's Rider hidden nearby, Kirei Kotomine had no confidence to face two Servants at once.

If possible, persuading these two children to retreat would undoubtedly be the best outcome...

"But what if I say no?"

Rin Tohsaka glared fiercely at Kirei Kotomine.

Kirei Kotomine's smile slowly faded, replaced by a cool tone: "This is the Tohsaka household—my magecraft workshop. You should know what that means, shouldn't you?"

"Sorry, I don't."

Rin Tohsaka struck back without hesitation.

Kirei Kotomine snorted, slamming his twisted cane against the ground.

In an instant, a blue barrier emerged across the vast Tohsaka mansion.

Thick, pitch-black shadows clung to the barrier, like a swarm of insects coalescing into twisted, shifting dark blotches.

Seeing this, Rin Tohsaka suddenly curled her lips, a faint smile appearing on her exquisite face.

Kirei Kotomine blinked in surprise.

The next second, a thick blue beam of light descended from the sky, crashing into the barrier.

"Crack!"

With a sharp sound, the magical barrier was effortlessly pierced and shattered into countless fragments of magical energy.

Kirei Kotomine snapped his head upward, staring at the sky in shock.

Even Rin Tohsaka, who had anticipated this, could not hide her astonishment—she had not expected Bai Zeming’s hidden trump card to truly pierce through the workshop of a veteran mage so easily!

In the sky, Bai Zeming, clad in silver-and-red battle armor, hovered in midair, gazing with delight at his chest where the reactor’s glow was gradually fading.

When he had injured Lancer with his palm cannon earlier, he had suspected his armor carried some mystical enhancement in this world.

Now, it was confirmed!

The reason for the enhancement must be the new reactor developed by Tony Stark on his chest.

The novel element used in this device was unique to the Marvel universe—nonexistent in any other world. In this world, it was more alien than aliens themselves!

Such a thing could not be understood by magecraft, and thus could not be defended against.

Thinking this, Bai Zeming’s confidence surged. He shouted aloud:

"Go do what you came to do!"

"Leave this old worm to me!"

With those words, Rin Tohsaka hesitated no longer. She leapt forward, charging toward the Tohsaka mansion.

Kirei Kotomine snapped back to awareness, his face dark as he glared at Rin Tohsaka: "Dream on!"

"Shhh—"

Instantly, invisible blades sliced through the air toward Rin Tohsaka’s body.

Archer, clad in red, materialized from the air beside Rin Tohsaka, effortlessly forming a black shortblade and striking precisely toward the direction of the whistling sound.

"Clang!"

The sound of metal clashing rang out, as if something had been deflected by the black shortblade.

The next instant, two more Servants appeared.

Zhao Yun leapt forward, landing behind Rin Tohsaka and Archer, his silver spear held horizontally, ready to cover their rear.

Saber appeared beside the forest, gripping an invisible weapon and slashing diagonally forward.

"Boom!"

With a deafening roar, trees as thick as a washbasin were instantly severed in two by Saber’s strike.

A shadow hidden among the treetops leapt lightly like a ghost, tracing a graceful arc before landing before Kirei Tohsaka, who stood frozen in terror.

It was a tall, elegant figure, her slender, curvaceous body tightly wrapped in black bodysuit and pants. A purple eyepatch obscured most of her features, leaving only a rosy cherry lip and a small, rounded chin visible.

Above, her knee-length purple hair flowed as if alive, stirring without wind.

On her pale, delicate forehead burned a crimson serpent emblem...

Without doubt, this stunning, inhuman figure was Rider—Medusa—of this Holy Grail War!

Without hesitation, Saber stepped directly in front of Medusa.

Emiya Shirou glanced at Rin Tohsaka’s back, then at Saber blocking Medusa, clenched his teeth, and decided to follow Rin Tohsaka into the Tohsaka mansion.

At that moment, Bai Zeming, clad in silver-and-red armor, descended from the sky and grabbed him by the arm.

"Where are you going?"

Bai Zeming asked irritably.

Emiya Shirou replied without hesitation: "To save Sakura!"

Bai Zeming shook his head: "No. This must be handled by Rin alone."

Emiya Shirou frowned in confusion: "Why?"

Because she likes you, idiot!

Bai Zeming glared at Emiya Shirou.

Since they lacked the ability to sense conditions inside the magecraft workshop, Bai Zeming could not determine whether Sakura was currently undergoing her daily "magecraft training."

If by chance she was, she would now be completely naked, surrounded by countless revolting worms.

Such a scene must not be seen by Emiya Shirou—otherwise, Sakura would instantly turn dark, or choose suicide from shame, self-loathing, despair, or other emotions.

Only if Emiya Shirou immediately confessed his love might he still save Sakura.

But unfortunately, Bai Zeming had already confirmed: this world was the UBW route.

Emiya Shirou lacked the numerous interactions with her, and had not attained the realization of "becoming Sakura’s sole partner of justice," and thus could not trigger the HF route’s storyline.

Bai Zeming had experienced three full reincarnations.

Each time, Emiya Shirou chose Rin Tohsaka.

Under these circumstances, he absolutely could not let Emiya Shirou rush into the mansion...

Of course, Rin Tohsaka wasn’t much better off—but it would likely be less severe than for Emiya Shirou.

Worse still would be if both he and Rin Tohsaka appeared together...

Sakura’s feelings toward these two were already extremely complex.

Especially Rin Tohsaka, her blood sister—besides admiration, there was also a tinge of jealousy.

If, at her most vulnerable moment, her perfect sister whom she admired and envied appeared alongside the man she secretly loved, Bai Zeming dared not imagine the psychological impact it would have on her fragile, sensitive heart.

In short, Rin Tohsaka and Emiya Shirou could not appear together.

Seeing the firm expression on Bai Zeming’s face, Emiya Shirou, though confused, ultimately chose to trust his friend’s judgment after hesitation.

"So... what should we do now?"

"Isn’t it obvious?"

Bai Zeming raised his right arm; the armor shifted upward, revealing a missile engraved with Stark Industries, aimed at the scowling Kirei Kotomine. He grinned:

"Of course—crush this old worm!"

On the other side, seeing Rider’s true form, Zhao Yun froze, then hesitated.

After a moment’s thought, he whispered inwardly: "Brother Two? Brother Three?"

"Hmm?"

"Our opponent is Rider. Brothers... shall we stretch our limbs?"

"Oh?"

Zhang Fei grinned eagerly: "Rarely does Zilong show such humility. Brother Two, shall it be you or me?"

"Brother Three, you’re mistaken—Zilong is always humble..."

Guan Yu smiled first, then paused thoughtfully: "Since it’s Rider, let me handle it?"

Zhang Fei considered, then cheerfully agreed: "Fine! Let Brother Two catch up with an old friend!"

Guan Yu declared proudly: "Zilong, step aside. Watch how I deal with this foe!"

Zhao Yun exhaled in relief, immediately relinquishing control of his body to Guan Yu.

Instantly, the silver-armored, silver-spear figure transformed.

His already tall frame swelled further, becoming a towering general nine feet tall, with a long, beautiful beard and a ruddy face.

Unlike his previous spectral form, Guan Yu was now fully armed: clad in dragon-scale half-armor, draped in a dark green brocade battle robe, dragon-head shoulder guards on his left arm, and in his right hand, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

This majestic appearance was the classic image of Guan Yu!

Upon manifesting, Guan Yu stood tall, left hand stroking his beard, right hand gripping the blade, held backward at his side, his phoenix eyes half-lidded, gazing coolly and haughtily at his opponent...

Hm?

Why are there two women?

Watching the fierce battle between Saber and Rider ahead, Guan Yu first froze, then his ruddy face darkened.

You sneaky Zilong!

No wonder you suddenly wanted to switch opponents—you didn’t want to fight women!

Too bad, he’d already boasted—he couldn’t back out now.

Guan Yu thought for a moment, realizing he couldn’t lose face, so he gritted his teeth and stepped forward.

“Boom!”

In an instant, a thousand-fold refined killing intent spread out, locking onto Saber and Rider ahead.

Sensing that nearly solidified pure killing intent, Saber was startled, swiftly sweeping away the chain and short sword before her, and turned sharply toward the source of the intent.

“Zhi… hmm?”

“You’re Guan Yu?!”

“Where’s Zhao Yun?”

Saber widened her eyes, staring at Guan Yu in bewilderment.

There was no time—Wei Gong Vice Minister hadn’t yet told her about the three souls united.

Guan Yu glanced at her, spun his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and leveled the blade forward, speaking calmly:

“Since Lü Bu’s death, I have never fought alongside another.”

“Saber, go assist your Master…”

“The Rider’s head—I shall take it myself!”

(End of Chapter)