Chapter 107: Clashing Convictions

“Although I don’t like gaining this sudden power—” he gripped his spear tightly once more, placing his left hand beneath the shaft and his right hand at the base.

“Let’s fight with all our might!” With a roar that embodied his fighting spirit, the opponent launched another assault.

“Bring it on!” The joints of Lanser’s hand clutching the sword hilt turned white, but he chose not to retreat. His best option now was to conserve his strength and wait for Vlad to finish off the enemy and come to his aid. Yet, perhaps it was the elusive warrior’s pride that compelled him to face the battle head-on.

“If you wait for your comrades to help, it would be easier,” the opponent said, his expression unchanged but Lanser sensed the turmoil within.

“Ha~ I’m a fool, so I decided to fight you first.” Dragging his blade along the ground once more, Lanser smiled at his adversary. “Besides, don’t you think one-on-one duels are kind of charming? If a girl saw this, her favorability would instantly skyrocket.”

Hearing Lanser’s words, the opponent’s previously expressionless face twitched slightly. “Then let’s begin.” The two were originally less than ten meters apart; either could reach the other in under a second. At that moment, the opponent struck first.

“Come on! Let me fight fiercely!” The once cold man burned like a blaze in battle, his spear stabbing repeatedly at Lanser’s vital points: heart, brain, throat. Each strike was precise, followed swiftly by a retraction. Trying to look cool, Lanser had lost the initiative and now could only dodge and parry relentlessly.

“Can’t you counterattack? Attack me already! Come on!” The roars grew louder as the opponent’s assault intensified.

“You’ve provoked me, you bastard!” Lanser tilted his neck slightly instead of fully dodging the spear aimed at his throat. A spray of blood appeared as his sword stabbed the opponent’s chest.

“That’s more like it! Come, fight!” The opponent didn’t fully evade either; to completely avoid it would mean losing control like Lanser had moments before. Both exchanged wounds. The chest armor was pierced, blood sprayed, Lanser’s sword was swept aside by the spear’s butt, and the weapon struck at him again...

Though only minutes had passed, their bodies were covered in countless wounds. Lanser’s once white samurai attire was soaked in blood-red stains; the opponent’s armor was battered and broken, the shoulder plate shattered.

“What do you fight for?” Both were panting after the clash. Even these inhuman beings had to pause, weakened and bleeding heavily. At that moment, the opponent suddenly asked Lanser.

“Me? I fight to protect my friends in this world,” Lanser answered plainly.

“Oh? I thought as a heroic spirit you’d say something about protecting the innocent,” the opponent said, surprised.

“A heroic spirit? They were human once, with their own beliefs. They might sacrifice everything for those beliefs, but they aren’t the selfless ideals you imagine. They have their own purposes. Mine is to protect everyone around me. If it doesn’t threaten them, I don’t mind playing the savior—but if I must, I’m willing to forsake the world for them.” Though called a heroic spirit in the Type-Moon World Cup, Lanser fought for his singular faith—the King. It was this loyalty that defined him, not Britain itself. Because the King cherished Britain, Lanser did as well.

“I see. You have your faith; I have mine. To return there, I will destroy this world if I must!” As he spoke, the atmosphere around them grew chaotic—

“What’s happening?” Lanser looked at the man leaning on his spear.

“He’s burning—his soul is burning.” When Lanser was perplexed, Renka suddenly spoke and then, unbelievably, appeared beside him.

“You’re not—” Though never said outright, Lanser’s intuition told him Renka had some reason for being unable to leave that world, which is why he helped. But now...

“This is just an empty shell with no power. Don’t mind it.” Lanser was caught off guard. Renka, who would never speak seriously, was now explaining with utmost seriousness.

“What exactly is ‘burning soul’? Can you give me a normal explanation? I’m past my chuunibyou years.” Though feeling immense pressure, Lanser was not yet despairing. Seeing serious Renka, he couldn’t help but tease.

“Who do you think is the chuunibyou here?” Lanser felt a heavy blow to his head, but when he turned, saw nothing. Seeing Renka’s smug face, he thought, “What a child.”

“What rude thoughts are you having?”

“Absolutely none! I swear on my honor!”

After a suspicious glance, Renka explained, “This situation arises when someone clings to an obsession but lacks confidence to fulfill it. They entrust their obsession to their body. At this point, they can no longer be called human—more like a humanoid weapon.” Hearing this, Lanser looked at the man before them.

“Bastard!” Lanser slammed his weapon into the ground and charged forward. The opponent immediately counterattacked.

“Zz—” Lanser’s samurai attire was slashed open again at the chest.

Using the momentary gap, Lanser landed a fierce punch to his stomach—

“Are you running away?”

“No...”

“Is that all your obsession is?”

“No.”

“Don’t you want to fulfill your wish with your own hands?”

“No!”

With Lanser’s relentless questioning, the opponent’s scattered pupils refocused. He then dropped his weapon and punched Lanser.

“I will return! I must save her!” The opponent grabbed Lanser’s collar, shouting.

“That’s the spirit! But—” Lanser kicked down someone pinned beneath him, then pressed onto the opponent and struck another punch. “You’re hitting me hard, bastard!”

Renka stood there speechless, watching the two brawl on the ground. “Are all guys just idiots?”

Once again, a declaration—I'm not a good person! Stop sending cards; I already have enough cards to fuel a power plant. Let’s save that for another way out~