893 -882- Kill that Master first

The outcome is decided.

This was the first thought that flashed through everyone's minds upon witnessing Scáthach releasing her Noble Phantasm.

Facing Scáthach's Noble Phantasm, Cú Chulainn, who had already used his own, had no means of resistance, not even his spear in hand.

Therefore, this strike would be the decisive blow.

At least, that's what everyone else thought.

However, Cú Chulainn remained unusually calm.

"I knew it. Whether my surprise attack succeeded or failed, the first person to come after me would be you."

An evil smile appeared on Cú Chulainn's face.

"You really didn't disappoint me, Scáthach."

Saying so, Cú Chulainn directly extended his hand towards the oncoming spear.

*Splurt!*

Scáthach's magical spear instantly pierced through Cú Chulainn's palm, causing blood to splatter.

"Fool!"

Watching Cú Chulainn in this state, Scáthach cursed loudly.

Even if he sacrificed one hand to take on this spear, what difference would it make?

This first spear wasn't meant for causing harm; instead, its purpose was to pin the opponent in space, rendering them unable to escape.

So, even if Cú Chulainn used his hand to intercept the spear, the effects of the spear would still activate, firmly pinning Cú Chulainn's hand in space, leaving him unable to move.

Following this...

"Reflect on it in your 'seat'! Setanta!"

Scáthach forcefully hurled the second magical spear in her hand.

As a result, the crimson magical spear turned into a beam of light, streaking towards the direction where Cú Chulainn was.

In its wake, not only did the ground stir up a violent storm of dust and debris, but even stones and rubble were all blasted to smithereens, turning into a haze.

The magical spear traced a lightning-like trajectory, directly shooting towards Cú Chulainn.

This was a magical attack that was sure to hit the heart.

However...

"Woosh!"

The magical spear thrown by Scáthach, instead of following the intended trajectory and hitting Cú Chulainn's heart, seemed to be in disarray. It shot off towards the distance, leaving only a gust of wind before disappearing completely.

"What...!?"

Scáthach was greatly astonished.

"Impossible!"

Mash also exclaimed.

Even Rozen, suspended in mid-air, was taken aback but soon noticed something.

That is...

"Cú Chulainn has no heartbeat...!?"

Yes.

There was no heartbeat in Cú Chulainn's body.

Rozen's Mind's Eye couldn't perceive the fluctuation of a heartbeat.

In other words...

"He has no heart...!"

Rozen stated this unbelievable fact.

It was because there was no heart that the magical spear deviated, never hitting Cú Chulainn.

If there's no heart, how could it hit the heart?

Combining Cú Chulainn's earlier words, everyone immediately understood the reason.

Having anticipated that the first person to attack him after his surprise assault, successful or not, would be Scáthach, Cú Chulainn had predicted this situation.

"His heart, pierced by the magical spear last time, he neither repaired nor healed it...!"

Indeed.

Even though he initially planned to use the power of the Holy Grail to mend the damage to his heart and remove the curse of the spear, Cú Chulainn abandoned that decision when preparing for this assault.

To face Scáthach's sudden attack, this Mad King endured the pain of having his heart pierced for several days, stubbornly taking to the battlefield.

This inhuman act, inhuman pain, and inhuman calculations – Cú Chulainn endured it all for this moment.

"Squish!"

A tearing sound echoed.

Cú Chulainn voluntarily tore apart his arm, which had been pinned in space by the magical spear. Ignoring the gushing blood, he made a move towards Scáthach.

"...!"

Scáthach's expression changed, and without hesitation, she swiftly retreated.

At this moment, Cú Chulainn raised one hand.

"Swoosh!"

The magical spear cut through the vast sky, tracing a lightning-like path. Finally, it descended onto Cú Chulainn's body, firmly gripped in his palm.

"You're finished, Scáthach."

Cú Chulainn declared this to Scáthach.

Without hesitation, he rushed towards Scáthach despite his heavily wounded body, thrusting the magical spear with force.

Scáthach, who had just unleashed her Noble Phantasm and thrown both magical spears, hadn't even had the chance to retrieve them. Whether due to lack of time or for some other reason, she faced Cú Chulainn empty-handed.

In this critical moment...

"Hum!"

An invisible shield, adorned with magic circles and runes, rotated out in front of Scáthach, blocking Cú Chulainn's advance.

"Clang!"

Cú Chulainn's full-force thrust landed on this invisible shield, only producing sparks and then getting deflected.

It was Rozen's Magic Defence.

"Mash!"

Rozen, suspended in mid-air, commanded while using Magic Defence to repel Cú Chulainn's attack.

"Ha!"

Mash, holding the shield, charged forward with a roaring gust of wind. She collided forcefully with Cú Chulainn.

"Boom!"

In an explosive sound, Cú Chulainn was sent flying by Mash's powerful blow. Rolling for hundreds of meters under the impact, he finally stabilized himself, skidding along the ground. Eventually, he came to a stop, kneeling on one knee.

"Tsk..."

Cú Chulainn, covered in blood, despite his injuries, paid no attention and only raised his gaze, glaring at Rozen with murderous intent.

"Unable to take care of you during the surprise attack just now, it's indeed a massive failure."

Cú Chulainn had regarded Rozen as the most troublesome and crucial enemy from the beginning. His emphasis on Rozen was evident.

Just like Cú Chulainn, Medb also harbored extreme resentment towards Rozen.

"Not only did you entangle my chariot, but you also hurt Cú. You deserve to die a thousand deaths."

Medb expressed her intense hatred towards Rozen.

But both Cú Chulainn and Medb knew that in this war, Rozen's position was truly crucial. Not just as the leader of the enemy camp but also as the Master providing maximum reinforcement and precisely timed support for the Servants. Even in this clash, Rozen had only intervened twice.

Once, using wood talismans to entangle Medb's chariot, leaving Cú Chulainn isolated, facing Scáthach's Noble Phantasm.

The second time, using Magic Defence to block Cú Chulainn's unexpected counterattack, saving Scáthach and turning the whole situation around.

Cú Chulainn, who had exerted himself to assassinate Rozen, was defeated both times.

Acknowledging this fact...

"Leave Scáthach and that Demi-Servant aside, Medb."

Cú Chulainn coldly ordered.

"Even if you're heavily injured, it doesn't matter. Just kill that Master first."

Hearing this, Medb laughed.

She laughed joyfully.

"Alright! Cú~~?"

Medb enthusiastically accepted this task.

The expressions of Mash and Scáthach instantly changed.

Rozen squinted his eyes, and magical energy surged through him.