Shinji Matou At Your Service

The magecraft used by Emiya Kiritsugu, known as "Time Manipulation," is certainly not as simple as Kenneth described it, having only "some understanding of magecraft." It is an advanced form of magecraft with a complex ritual structure and a high level of difficulty in its usage.

The Emiya family, from which Kiritsugu hails, has dedicated generations to the study of time manipulation magecraft, with Kiritsugu being the fifth-generation heir.

The Emiya family's time magecraft is a ritual designed to cast powerful spells, creating a separation between the inner space of a specific area and the external "flow of time," allowing for the manipulation of time at will. It belongs to a unique category of magecraft called "Reality Marble," which is a magical structure that blends the real world with the caster's "mental landscape." This particular form of magecraft is considered the closest to actual "magic" and has been included in the Mage's Association's list of forbidden spells.

Once the inherent boundary is activated, the surrounding space undergoes a complete transformation into a different landscape, effectively creating a closed parallel world within the existing world.

Other artificially created parallel worlds, apart from naturally occurring extensions such as spirits, are eliminated by the "natural order." Therefore, maintaining the "Reality Marble" requires immense energy and resources. For Kiritsugu, who seeks tactical preparedness for survival on the battlefield, this type of magecraft is not particularly useful. To make the most efficient use of it, he independently developed an application method that allows him to perform time manipulation spells on a very small scale with higher efficiency.

To make it easier to deploy the inherent boundary, Kiritsugu limits its range to within his own body. Conceptually, separating the innate physical body from the external world presents the lowest difficulty and minimizes interference from the outside world. Within this minimal-scale Reality Marble, Kiritsugu "adjusts" a few seconds, showcasing his unique magecraft, "Time Manipulation."

While evading Kenneth's attacks, Kiritsugu doubled the speed of his blood flow, the combustion of hemoglobin, and the movement of his muscle tissue, effectively unleashing physical abilities far surpassing those of an ordinary person.

However, as Kenneth mentioned, this magecraft has one drawback—it places a tremendous burden on the caster's body.

Manipulating time inevitably introduces discrepancies in the flow of time both inside and outside the Reality Marble. After the Reality Marble is lifted, a natural force compensates for this temporal discontinuity, known as the "world's correction." This force of correction applies to the "altered party," in this case, Kiritsugu's Reality Marble, which means his physical body is compressed and distorted to match the original flow of time.

The burden on the body accelerates the heartbeat, increases blood flow, and intensifies respiration, making it even more difficult to escape the pursuit of the Mystic Code "Volumen Hydrargyrum." Therefore, from Kenneth's perspective, the enemy's actions are nothing more than a desperate struggle, unable to change the inevitable fact of his impending defeat.

Thus, Kenneth doesn't rush to pursue Kiritsugu; he maintains a calm and composed pace befitting a noble, walking along the corridors of the castle, guided by the path indicated by the Volumen Hydrargyrum.

Kenneth firmly believes that the enemy cannot escape his grasp and that it won't be long before he crushes this rat.

The encounter with the "rat" happens much earlier than Kenneth had anticipated.

At the corner of the corridor, just as Kenneth turns, Kiritsugu leaps out from behind a pillar, swiftly firing his M950 Micro Uzi.

At this moment, the distance between Kiritsugu and Kenneth is no more than 1.5 meters!

Kiritsugu successfully evaded the Volumen Hydrargyrum's automatic target acquisition, stealthily lurking right under Kenneth's nose, launching a sudden attack against him.

Only Justeaze, who possesses a god's-eye view, could see the entire process.

After Kiritsugu escaped from the conference room, the Volumen Hydrargyrum once again spread its target acquisition network. However, having observed the network once before, Kiritsugu had already analyzed its detection patterns and found a way to counter it.

Since the Volumen Hydrargyrum captures the vibrations in the air and the changes in heat, Kiritsugu decides to lower his body temperature and slow down his heartbeat.

Kiritsugu's "Innate Time Control" not only accelerates the flow of time within his body but can also slow it down.

"Time Alter: Triplestagnate!"

The flow of time within his body reduces to one-third of normal, and correspondingly, his bodily functions slow down to one-third as well.

The accelerated heartbeat and rapid breathing caused by the side effects of "Double Accel" quickly dull, and due to the stagnation of metabolism, his body temperature rapidly decreases, cooling to a level similar to the outside temperature.

As the Volumen Hydrargyrum's target acquisition network flows around Kiritsugu, it fails to detect anything, leading to a cognitive error in Kenneth's perception.

Kenneth naturally assumes that the corridor is safe, believing that the enemy has temporarily taken refuge in the castle's depths, beyond the reach of the target acquisition network.

As a result, Kenneth, who is unprepared, falls victim to an attack.

Although caught off guard by the sudden assault, the Volumen Hydrargyrum still displays its accuracy and defense. The instantaneously deployed defense barrier nullifies the power of the bullets completely, appearing no different from when Kiritsugu first fired.

"Fool, that won't work on me!"

Kenneth, hiding within the defense barrier, sneers mockingly. However, he is unaware that his opponent, whom he mocks, not only sees through the automatic target acquisition but has also identified the weakness of the automatic defense.

Before the magazine of the M950 ran empty, Kiritsugu's empty right hand drew the single-shot pistol from his waist.

Looking at the thicker barrel of the pistol compared to the M950, Justeaze inexplicably recalled a certain story she had come across while passing the time. She couldn't remember the details of the story, but one line at the end left a deep impression on her—

"Dawn has arrived!"

The gunshot resounded like muffled thunder.

At the same moment, Irisviel, who was retreating deeper into the forest, felt as though she had been struck by lightning, her entire body stiffening.

Of course, she wasn't struck by lightning, nor was she affected by the sound of the gunshot. The reason she found herself in this state was that a new enemy had intruded upon the boundary.

"Madam?"

The guardian, Maiya, halted her steps and looked at Irisviel with surprise.

"There's another new intruder right ahead of us. If we continue like this, we'll run into them."

"Understood." Maia calmly nodded. "Then let's go around from the north."

Irisviel didn't immediately respond. She was using her magical vision to observe the physical characteristics of the intruder.

Jet-black attire, a tall and imposing figure, short hair, and a serious expression—identical to the photo she had seen during the day.

"It's Kotomine Kirei who has come!"

Maiya's expression changed.

Normally an emotionless woman with a face as cold as ice, revealing no hint of her inner feelings, she suddenly displayed obvious restlessness and anger. Behind that restlessness and anger lay her wariness and sense of crisis towards Kotomine Kirei.

Irisviel, while realizing this, also saw through Maiya's inner thoughts.

"Miss Maiya, Kiritsugu's order to you is to protect my safety, right?"

"Yes, but—"

"But what? That man, under no circumstances should he be allowed near Kiritsugu, right?"

After Irisviel mischievously smiled and pointed out her thoughts, Maiya fell silent for a moment.

"Madam, you—"

"How coincidental. Our opinions align. Kotomine Kirei can be said to be the greatest threat to Kiritsugu. The two of us will stop him here! Is that alright, Miss Maiya?"

After a brief moment of hesitation, Maiya nodded with a strange expression.

"I apologize, but please be prepared, Madam."

"It's fine, don't worry about me. Your only task is to fulfill your mission, not because it's an order from Kiritsugu, but because it's a mission you feel the need to complete."

"Understood!"

At this moment, Irisviel completely grasped the situation and understood Maiya's thoughts. The two women who cherished Emiya Kiritsugu from the depths of their hearts reached an agreement.

As the deadly battle approached, Irisviel couldn't help but laugh.

Maiya, who was adjusting her firearms, glanced at her with a surprised expression. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing." Irisviel shook her head. "I just find the human heart truly remarkable."

(The main wife is the main wife, successfully subduing the concubine.)

"Yes, the human heart is indeed remarkable. You too, your actions have surpassed the capabilities of my prototype..."

Justeaze, who remained in the conference room, let out a soft sigh.

"Have you become human, Irisviel von Einzbern?"