It is not merely a profession, but a spiritual symbol; one who enters the battlefield adhering to the code of chivalry, restrains themselves guided by that same spirit, and whose heart, steeped in knightly ideals, values the soul above mere life—this is a Hero. “Those who tarnish the soul of a Hero shall be executed.”

An intangible aura erupted outward from the Pure White Knight, compressing the already heavy air into something even more suffocating. The very atmosphere trembled, steel vibrated, and the King’s wrath became an unstoppable force.

Under the King’s overwhelming presence, Saber could not help but take a step back, positioning herself in front of Irisviel. She was utterly stunned by the Pure White Knight before her. Unlike any previous encounter, the anger radiating from this Pure White Knight seemed to have manifested physically, causing even her Command Spells to pale in comparison.

Originally, after enduring the Command Spells, even if Lancer was unwilling, he would have found every means possible to kill himself. But now, utterly subdued by the King’s (majesty/pressure), he couldn't move an inch. Though his hands still gripped the spear shaft, he could not advance further.

“Emiya Kiritsugu, you crawl out here!” A voice brimming with fury, Lin Luo appeared in everyone’s sight. He strode into the center of the clearing and shouted toward the interior of the abandoned factory.

Silence met him from within. Lin Luo sneered; he knew Emiya Kiritsugu’s treacherous nature meant he certainly wouldn’t show himself under these circumstances, but that was fine—Lin Luo had his own methods.

“Emiya Kiritsugu, if you don't want all your secrets exposed, if you don't wish to be eliminated here, if you fear this power…” His cold voice was now laced with killing intent. Lin Luo raised his hand toward the heavens, and a thundercloud crackling with savage electricity gathered directly above the abandoned factory. Thunder roared, poised to break through the clouds at any moment.

“Then crawl out here within three seconds!”

Irisviel gasped, her face draining of color. That was the power they had witnessed between them—the most violent lightning in the world. They never imagined this man possessed it too.

For a moment, the two women were paralyzed. Lancer’s suicide was absolutely not his master’s wish, and the location was chosen by Emiya Kiritsugu. The answer became obvious: Kiritsugu must have threatened Lancer’s Master to force the suicide. And if Kiritsugu was inside the factory now, the moment this heavenly lightning struck, his human body would surely perish.

Gripping the Golden Sword, Saber hesitated for the first time. Emiya Kiritsugu’s actions were entirely contrary to her code of chivalry—it was the greatest insult to her. Yet, the target was her Master, whom she could not abandon. However, Lin Luo had saved her life and dignity several times. Repaying kindness with betrayal directly violated her chivalry. If a battle were necessary, it had to be fought honorably. But to intervene now, what profound humiliation would that be?

These conflicts plunged the King of Knights into the most agonizing choice.

However, this choice did not last long. Before three seconds elapsed, the factory doors burst open. First to appear was a man sitting in a wheelchair, his expression vacant—it was Kayneth, Lancer’s Master. Following him was a man dressed in black, his gaze as cold as a viper’s—it was Emiya Kiritsugu. In his arms, he held a collapsed, red-haired woman: the hostage he had recently captured, Sola-Ui.

“Finally decided to come out, Emiya Kiritsugu,” Lin Luo said with a cold smile as he withdrew his hand. The thunderclouds overhead began to recede. With his current strength, while he could summon the heavenly lightning, it couldn't be sustained for long; it was enough for intimidation, but using it to kill an enemy would be too wasteful of his vitality.

Seeing the thunderclouds vanish, Saber relaxed slightly, but the unease in her eyes remained. The situation had become so complex that even she couldn't commit to a course of action.

“Why obstruct me?” Emiya Kiritsugu stared back at Lin Luo with the same icy gaze. He had used Sola-Ui as leverage to force Kayneth into making Lancer commit suicide. It had been a foolproof plan to utterly eliminate Kayneth’s faction and remove future troubles. But with Lin Luo interfering, even though Kayneth’s Command Spells were expended and Lancer wouldn't remain in the physical world for long, this outcome was an undeniable failure for Kiritsugu.

What made it worse was his incomprehension: Lin Luo was also a participant in the Holy Grail War. Shouldn't fewer enemies be better? Why save an enemy instead? It made no sense.

“Hmph, because I am not like you.” Lin Luo snorted, his gaze sweeping over the three figures before settling on Lancer. He sighed internally. Although he had successfully prevented the suicide, Kayneth’s Command Spells were used up; in a sense, he was a step too late.

In that space, every heart was filled with rage, but the one most filled with sorrow and anger was undoubtedly Lancer himself. Seeing Emiya Kiritsugu emerge with his Master, he understood everything completely.

...For him, this was the second time his Master had orchestrated his demise. Diarmuid Ua Duibhne had strongly desired to return from the Throne of Heroes precisely because he was obsessed with overturning that unfortunate outcome. He had no other wish; he only desired to serve his Master faithfully just once, to bring victory to his Lord. Yet, the result was the tragic repetition of his despair and sorrow.

“Why do you strive so hard,” Lancer spoke in a voice hoarse and low, “—to achieve victory? Do you desire the Grail so much that you trample upon my one, true prayer? Do you feel no shame?”

“To achieve victory, one must resort to any means necessary,” Emiya Kiritsugu stated matter-of-factly.

Gritting his teeth so hard that blood trickled from his mouth in his fury, before Lancer could finish speaking, another voice cut in beside his ear: “Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.”

He spun around sharply to find the speaker was the Pure White Knight who had just saved him.

“You…”

“Diarmuid Ua Duibhne…” Lily looked at him, her expression solemn and grave. “I have heard of your deeds. Your aspiration to serve your Master, and your willingness to destroy your own Noble Phantasm to slay the wicked—your noble spirit of chivalry fills me with profound admiration. Therefore, I now ask you, in my capacity as the White King of Knights: Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, will you join my Knights of the Round Table?”

“The Knights of the Round Table?” Lily’s words stunned Lancer into silence. Not only him, but even Lin Luo looked on with interest.

“My Noble Phantasm, the Knights of the Round Table, can recall heroic spirits from the other side back to the living world. Will you pledge your loyalty to me and fight alongside me on the field?”

“Join the Knights of the Round Table…” Lancer murmured repeatedly. Though unfamiliar with the Pure White Knight before him, this display alone revealed her supreme regal authority—truly a King worthy of a subject’s lifelong devotion. Her sincere recruitment was tempting, but if he accepted, wouldn't it betray his lifelong wish? He could only serve one master in his lifetime, no matter what…

“You were dead just moments ago. As one reborn, do you still hesitate?”

“Ah!” Lancer’s eyes widened suddenly. Indeed, without the intervention of the White Knight, he would already be dead, killed by his own Master. Therefore, he was now free. If there was a worthy ruler… Ah, yes, this was his third life. There was no need to hesitate. If it were this person before him, his path as a loyal retainer could be walked without regret until the very end.

Bang.

Lancer suddenly dropped to both knees, holding his cursed spear with both hands and offering it to Lily. He spoke solemnly: “The Knight of the Lance, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, hereby swears his fealty. Please allow me to join my King’s Knights of the Round Table and serve my King faithfully.”

“Good.” Lily accepted the cursed spear and then immediately handed it back to him. “Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, the 151st Knight of the Round Table. Now, I command you, as the King of Knights, go and swing the cursed spear in your hands to your heart’s content! Engage Saber in a glorious, regret-free battle! Show me the height of your martial valor!”

“Yes, Knight of the Lance Diarmuid Ua Duibhne obeys my King’s command! I beg my King to witness my skill; I shall surely bring victory to my King!” Lancer solemnly took back the crimson spear, then stood up, facing Saber. At this moment, his face held no anger or sorrow, but a smile of complete satisfaction.

“Let us bring a definitive end to the battle we left unfinished.”

Slightly dazed, she witnessed the Kingly Way of the White King once more. To have even someone like Lancer submit to her proved that her supreme royalty was fundamentally different from her own.

But this was not the time for admiration. Turning her gaze toward Lancer, the maiden cast aside distracting thoughts. “Come at me, Lancer!”

“That is precisely what I intend!” The Gae Dearg, the spear that repels magic, stirred, radiating a blinding crimson light as the Knight of the Lance charged toward the maiden… Although he could only maintain this form for perhaps five minutes, this path of loyalty could certainly be fulfilled.

Driven by their respective resolves and beliefs, the two noble Knights clashed once more. A dazzling storm of spear shadows and sword light erupted, too fast for the eye to follow.

…Five minutes later, only Saber remained in the center of the battlefield. Yet, her Golden Sword was not stained with the blood of the Knight of the Lance. These brief five minutes were not enough for them to determine a victor. Diarmuid, the Knight of the Lance, vanished from the physical world as his magical energy was entirely depleted.

“This was truly a battle without regret,” the maiden said, holding the Golden Sword.

“Hoo.” Seeing this, Lin Luo finally let out a sigh of relief. Lancer had become a Knight of the Round Table and departed this world content, without hatred or curse. Even if he were absorbed by the Grail, he would not become sustenance for the threat known as the World’s Evil. It had been a perfect ending. And now…

“Emiya Kiritsugu, it is time to resolve the issues between us.”

Lin Luo curled his lips, speaking in a tone laced with faint amusement.