Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover-Chapter 239: [] Gae Bolg!

The swirling black-red mist twisted and convulsed before finally spitting out a shrieking, pale, corpse-like Gorgon with writhing serpentine hair.

"What is that?!"

"Just as the report stated, this is the Class Card manifesting."

"Retrieving the cards... isn't just about finding them?"

"Unfortunately, to retrieve the card, you must defeat that thing." Still wearing Rin's guise, Sakatsuki turned and flashed Illya a devilish smirk.

"No one told me I had to fight!"

"Huh? Did I forget to mention that?" Though his tone feigned surprise, "Rin's" expression was pure schadenfreude. "Well, now you know."

"Isn't that a little too late?!"

Amid Illya's despairing scream, the Gorgon leapt into the air and delivered a deceptively slow but lightning-fast kick.

"Dodge!"

At Sakatsuki's warning, Illya floated backward, narrowly avoiding the strike. The sheer force sent a shockwave of dust billowing between the Class Card Servant and the magical girl. Meanwhile, behind Medusa, Sakatsuki casually pulled out a handful of gemstones and tossed them lightly.

"How does jewel magecraft work again? Oh right, Lord El-Melloi did it like this—Anfang (Begin)! Triple Fireburst!"

The Gorgon barely had time to turn before three crimson gems arranged in a triangle enveloped her, detonating in a swirling inferno.

"Gyaaaaaaaah!"

Her piercing shriek echoed through the Mirror World, yet when the flames dissipated, not a single scorch mark remained on her.

Even with Sakatsuki's vastly superior Magic Circuits and high-quality gems, a single verse of jewel magecraft was far too weak against Medusa's B-Rank Magic Resistance.

But then again, Sakatsuki had only wanted to indulge in some gem magecraft for fun. He promptly retreated out of Medusa's aggro range and cheerfully waved at a certain magical girl.

"The rest is up to you!"

"Huh?!" Illya's grip on her staff tightened in shock.

"I said it's your turn!"

"You're really dumping this on me?!"

"Don't worry, even if magecraft is ineffective, pure mana crystallization should still work. That's pretty much the only value of that wand in your hands. Good luck!"

"Wait, you're seriously leaving everything to me?!" Illya felt like tonight had been one absurdity after another.

She hadn't even completed the tutorial yet! All she could do was provide transformation CGs and defeat CGs!

"Illya, incoming!"

At Ruby's warning, the Gorgon hurled her dagger-tipped chain like a shuriken straight at Illya.

Only when the blade was inches away did Illya react, barely managing to sidestep—but she was still too late.

The dagger grazed her fluttering cape, only to slide off as if repelled by soapy water.

Missing its mark, Medusa yanked the chain back and sprinted toward Illya with terrifying speed.

"It hit me, it totally hit me—AAAAAH!"

Panicking, Illya frantically patted her back, half-expecting to find a chunk of flesh missing. But before she could confirm, Ruby's staff yanked her arm, dragging her out of the way just as Medusa's dagger slashed through the air.

"Close combat is dangerous. Let's create some distance first."

Illya stared at the Gorgon and nodded fervently. "Y-Yeah! Distance, distance!"

She turned her back to Rider—just as Medusa braced for a counterattack—only for Illya to suddenly break into a full sprint.

"DISTAAAAANCE—!"

What began as a melee battle had now devolved into a chase. Fueled by sheer survival instinct, Illya tapped into her school's top-ranked running speed, leaving even Medusa struggling to keep up.

"I think Rider's Agility is Rank A? Is this the power of a gag character?"

Hiding in the bushes, Sakatsuki watched the chase unfold like a parent at a sports festival, thoroughly entertained.

Fighting was out of the question. Watching Illya flail adorably was far more enjoyable.

"Speaking of which, Luvia should be arriving soon... which means—Miyu."

The thought snapped Sakatsuki out of his amusement. He quickly straightened up, reassuming Rin's dignified demeanor.

While his goal here was to obtain the Rider Class Card, he couldn't let Miyu see him acting like a fool before his cover was blown.

As Sakatsuki adjusted his act, Illya found herself under attack again. This time, following Ruby's guidance, she first struck Medusa with an arcing mana blade, catching her off guard, then followed up with unavoidable mana pellets, forcing the Gorgon to acknowledge just how troublesome this child was.

And then—the atmosphere of the Mirror World shifted.

Medusa's violet hair writhed like serpents as the crimson eye embedded in her forehead gleamed. A thin red line, like a sunset sinking below the horizon, materialized before Illya.

Blood swirled in the air, coalescing into scarlet runes that formed an intricate magic circle.

Whispers of countless souls, their resentment and anguish, surged upward like vengeful spirits.

"Self-Seal: Dark Temple."

This was the "Mystic Eyes Kill" seal placed upon herself. Once released, she would continuously activate Cybele—the legendary petrifying Mystic Eyes.

"Get back here, Illya." Sakatsuki stepped out from the bushes, his gaze locked onto Medusa as she prepared to unleash her eyes. "This is beyond what you can handle right now."

"Illya, retreat immediately!" Even Ruby sounded alarmed. "Just get away from the enemy! Deploy full magical and physical barriers! You have to endure this, Illya!"

Though she didn't understand what was happening, the urgency in Ruby's voice sent Illya scrambling behind Sakatsuki, peeking out nervously. "What's going on?!"

"In short, the Class Card Servant is unleashing their Noble Phantasm." Sakatsuki clenched his left hand briefly before relaxing, a hint of amusement in his tone.

"But it seems I won't need to intervene. Someone else will handle it."

"Someone else?"

Before Illya could process his words, a figure in indigo and violet strode calmly toward the charging Servant.

"It's dangerous over there! Don't go!"

Ignoring Illya's warning, the black-haired girl merely glanced at her before turning away. She pressed a card against a staff eerily similar to Illya's.

"Class Card: Lancer. Include."

The blue staff elongated into a slender spear crafted from the bone of a sea beast. Gripping the weapon—far taller than herself—the girl dashed forward under the blood-red sky of the Mirror World.

"Breaker—"

Medusa barely uttered the first word before the lethal spear claimed her focus.

The razor-sharp tip aimed unerringly for her heart. The girl's amber eyes burned like twin suns amidst the shifting shadows.

"Gae Bolg!"

No twists. No reversals. The spear of surekill pierced Medusa's heart without fail.

"Ah!" Illya gasped as the blood-soaked barrier crumbled before her eyes. The Gorgon collapsed to her knees, purple flames consuming her body until only a floating card remained.

"Lancer. Uninclude."

The girl, dressed in a magical girl outfit yet exuding an air of quiet detachment, stepped forward and plucked the card from the air.

"Class Card: Rider. Retrieval complete."

Illya stared at the girl—so similar in age yet so effortlessly formidable—and repeated her earlier question.

"Who... who are you?"

And then—raucous laughter erupted across the Mirror World.

***

Hey readers!

Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance Chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.

🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹