Chapter 199 - 199: A Fair Fight

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Saber took a deep breath, her expression serious.

"Haru, now that Illyasviel is safe, I wish toconcludemy business with Diarmuid."

"Conclude? What do you mean?" Haru asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"I must die by his hand," Saber replied, her voice firm.

"Why, Saber? Why would you want to do that?" Illyasviel asked, her voice laced with concern. Saber'ssuicidalrequest was baffling.

"If not for Haru's intervention, I would have died by Diarmuid's hand," Saber explained.

"That's true, but—so what?Isn't it better to be alive?" Haru was even more confused now.

Illyasviel and Kiyohime nodded in agreement. Being saved from certain death—wasn't that a good thing?

"It was a fair fight, a duel between knights. I lost. Death was theexpected outcome. I only survived to ensure Illyasviel's safety," Saber said, her voice resolute.

"Ah, I see—I understand now..." Haru sighed, running a hand through his hair.

To Saber, who adhered to a strict code of knightly honor, her pride wouldn't allow her towalk awayafter being defeated.

In a fair duel, defeat meant death. That was Saber's current mindset.

And if he didn't address this—he might have to use a Command Spell to stop her.

Haru thought for a moment, then asked, "Saber, do you truly believe that was a fair fight?"

"Of course!" Saber replied, her tone surprised.

"You knew his True Name, you knew most of his Noble Phantasms, whileyouridentity remained hidden. Andthat'sfair?" Haru's eyes narrowed.

Saber fell silent, her face darkening. To have been defeated, even with such anadvantage—it was a blow to her pride.

Illyasviel tugged at Haru's sleeve, her voice a worried whisper. "Haru, you're only making it worse! She'll feel evenmoreguilty now."

Haru gently squeezed Illyasviel's hand, then turned back to Saber, his expression serious. "Saber, you were the one who fought at a disadvantage."

Saber stared at him, dumbfounded. She'd known Diarmuid's True Name and his Noble Phantasms. She'd had such a significant advantage. How could Haru claim thatshewas the one who'd been treated unfairly?

"Are you kidding me, Haru-sama? Clearly, Saber had the upper hand," Kiyohime said, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Illyasviel nodded in agreement.

"You're missing the point. It's about the Noble Phantasms. Diarmuid hadfive, and he used his broadsword, a powerful Noble Phantasm, to defeat Saber. She only used herInvisible Airbarrier. He was essentially using his full arsenal, while she held back."

Haru sighed. Just like a God's power lay in their Authorities, a Servant's strength came from their Noble Phantasms.

And Diarmuid, wielding multiple Noble Phantasms, just like in the originalFatestory, had used them to exploit Saber's unfamiliarity with his abilities.

The others, recalling the battle, nodded in understanding. Diarmuidhadrelied on switching between his four Noble Phantasms, using their unique properties to overwhelm Saber.

It hadn't been a fair fight.

Haru's hand flickered, and a golden scabbard, adorned with intricate blue patterns and Fae runes, appeared—Avalon.

"That'sAvalon! Why do you have it?!" Saber's eyes widened in shock.

Though she'd manifested in her true form, she'd been separated fromAvalonthe moment she'd formed a contract with Gaia. That was how Ahard had acquired it, how it had ended up in Haru's hands.

"What do you think I used to summon you? Here." Haru tossed the scabbard to Saber.

Saber caught it, her fingers tracing its familiar form, her expression a mixture of relief andsorrow.Avalon—its loss had been a key factor in the fall of her kingdom.

Had she kept it, the Battle of Camlann might never have happened. After all, withAvalongranting her immortality and invulnerability, her enemies wouldn't have betrayed her.

"Take this. Next time you meet Diarmuid, reveal your True Name, and have arealknightly duel. Afairfight," Haru said with a smile.

Saber nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude, and closed her eyes, reabsorbingAvalon.

She didn't see the mischievous glint in Haru's eyes.

Afairfight? Saber, wielding an EX-ranked defensive Noble Phantasm, against Diarmuid, whose strongest weapon was an A+ rank Anti-Army Noble Phantasm? There was nothingfairabout that.

But in a way, itwasfair. It would be a battle between thecompleteKing Arthur and thecompleteDiarmuid Ua Duibhne.

'Poor Diarmuid. He'd be facing an almost invincible opponent. He should have chosen better upgrades...'

"Now then, let's head back to the Einzbern Castle in Fuyuki. Ibrought a car," Illyasviel said, holding up a set of car keys, a cheerful smile on her face.

Haru's face paled.

Over the past nine years, he'd inadvertently allowed Illyasviel to meet Arianna Hayama Arialdi, Erica Blandelli's maid, on a few occasions.

And Illyasviel hadtaken to driving. She loved taking hairpin turns at over 150 mph—a speed even professional race car drivers would balk at.

He'd endured a few of herjoyrides, and he wasn't eager to repeat the experience.

"Haru?" Illyasviel pouted, seeing his hesitation.

"Come on."

"While spatial transfer is convenient, I thought we could—enjoy the scenery. Is this—a moderncarriage?"

Seeing Saber and Kiyohime already in the Hummer—Haru smiled.At least he wouldn't be the only one suffering.

.....

"Hurry! Diarmuid! Get to the hotel! My workshop's defenses have been breached! Twenty layers! Sola-Ui is in danger!" Kayneth's voice was filled with panic.

"Yes, Master!" Diarmuid increased his speed, his long legspumping.

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