Artoria was caught off guard by Ryu Ishigori's sudden change in Move and was hit by his fist.
Fortunately, Artoria adjusted her posture in time, and under the protection of her armor and the enhanced defense of Mana Burst, she was not significantly harmed.
However, the immense force still sent Artoria flying.
Ryu Ishigori immediately followed up, continuously throwing punches.
Artoria's ahoge (cowlick) constantly twitched in the wind.
Her Holy Sword was held horizontally in front of her, moving up and down, blocking all of Ryu Ishigori's punches.
'This guy is constantly changing his Moves, focusing more and more on Technique.'
Artoria also noticed Ryu Ishigori's changes.
From initially engaging her with broad, sweeping Moves...
To now, each Move is more refined and subtle.
'He blocked everything, what terrifying combat awareness.'
Ryu Ishigori continued to keep Artoria airborne with his punches.
'This can't go on.' Both thought simultaneously.
Artoria stomped her foot forcefully on the ground.
Her retreating figure suddenly shot upwards due to that stomp.
Wind wrapped around the Holy Sword.
"Wind Barrier."
Artoria, propelled by the wind, soared into the sky.
Then, Artoria placed her sword behind her, and the fierce wind howled, pushing Artoria to descend rapidly from the sky.
'Should I use a Cursed Energy cannon or dodge?'
Ryu Ishigori, who hadn't expected Artoria to suddenly fly into the sky, found his prepared Move useless.
'Why dodge? If I dodge, I still can't hit her!'
Ryu Ishigori's heart hardened; instead of dodging, he launched an attack at Artoria.
His Cursed Energy cannon began to charge.
Ryu Ishigori rotated on his toes, pushing off the ground, twisting his body to drive the power of his arm upwards in a punch.
At the same time, the Cursed Energy cannon also fired towards the Holy Sword.
This was a desperate, 'exchange injury for injury' fighting style.
Because Ryu Ishigori knew that even if he created distance and dodged this attack without taking damage, it would be useless.
If both sides reset and restarted the battle, he would definitely be the one suppressed.
Since that was the case, it was better to take a gamble and see if he could carve out a sliver of victory.
The Cursed Energy cannon was sliced apart by the Holy Sword, flying past Artoria's sides.
As Artoria descended, Ryu Ishigori's fist continuously approached Artoria's breastplate.
'Choose, Saber!'
Ryu Ishigori roared in his heart!
If Artoria continued her attack, Ryu Ishigori would lose an arm.
But his full-power strike would also hit Artoria's breastplate.
Given his instantaneous Cursed Energy output, Artoria would definitely be seriously injured.
If Artoria changed her Move, then the Cursed Energy cannon would surely blast Artoria away.
At that point, Ryu Ishigori could replicate the previous round's battle, taking the initiative again with cannon fire before Artoria even landed.
'Saber, you don't have Reverse Cursed Technique, do you?'
This was also why Ryu Ishigori was certain Artoria wouldn't continue her attack.
This time, he would entertain Artoria with an even more powerful cannon strike.
"Wind King Hammer!"
The Wind Barrier that had just condensed on the sword was released by Artoria in one breath.
The sudden burst of storm disrupted Ryu Ishigori's plan.
The Cursed Energy cannon was twisted by the fierce wind and finally exploded.
The almost suicidal attack enveloped both of them.
Artoria was also blown away by this strike.
Upon landing, Artoria immediately attacked Ryu Ishigori, who was covered in blood.
"Cough, cough, cough."
Ryu Ishigori reached out and wiped the blood from around his glasses.
His blurry vision gradually returned.
"In that case, I only have one last resort left."
Ryu Ishigori turned his hands outwards, then crossed his fingers to form a hand seal.
"Domain Expansion: Incineration Nation Collapse!"
Artoria's vision instantly plunged into darkness.
"Domain!"
Artoria used a large amount of Cursed Energy to enhance her defense.
Modern Jujutsu Sorcerers all add a sure-hit property to their Technique within a Domain.
So Artoria intended to withstand Ryu Ishigori's attack and then strike him down.
"Don't rush."
A glimmer of light appeared in the pitch-black Domain.
That was Ryu Ishigori's Cursed Energy cannon.
Its power was far greater than before.
Artoria was also pushed back by the impact of the Cursed Energy cannon.
"I'm not satisfied yet, Saber."
Ryu Ishigori raised his hand and pointed at Artoria, as if extending an invitation.
"Use all your strength."
Vast Cursed Energy gathered in front of Ryu Ishigori, and the light of the Cursed Energy illuminated the pitch-black Domain.
This was a circular Domain, shaped like a cannon barrel.
This Domain had no sure-hit effect; all it did was maximize the effect of Ryu Ishigori's Cursed Energy output.
In fact, whether it had a sure-hit effect or not was irrelevant, because there was only one path in this Domain.
Entering this Domain meant having to confront Ryu Ishigori's maximum output Cursed Energy cannon head-on.
Facing the burning gaze of Ryu Ishigori, which was born from 400 years of longing...
Artoria held her Holy Sword in front of her.
'Should I use my Noble Phantasm? No, the charge time is too long. In that case...'
"Bring it on, Ryu Ishigori!"
Golden light bloomed on the Holy Sword.
"Is that so? That's how it should be!"
Ryu Ishigori spread his hands, unleashing his first full-power maximum Cursed Energy cannon in his life.
"Ice! Sand! Shock! Wave!"
"Mana Burst, maximum power!"
A golden beam of light shot from the Holy Sword.
Under maximum power Mana Burst, the golden beam had already reached the Rank of a Noble Phantasm.
The golden and blue cannon fire collided.
Terrifying impacts raged continuously within the cannon barrel-like Domain.
"This is... too sweet, too sweet, Saber!"
Ryu Ishigori recklessly poured in all his Cursed Energy; the several-meter-thick Cursed Energy cannon seemed to want to destroy everything and turn it to ash.
Ryu Ishigori's body began to fail under the Cursed Energy output, continuously bursting with blood.
"Not enough!"
Artoria shouted loudly.
"This level isn't enough, Ryu Ishigori!"
The golden beam, much smaller than the blue Cursed Energy cannon, continuously pushed forward, finally hitting Ryu Ishigori.
Crack.
The Domain shattered.
Ryu Ishigori stood in place, having lost his right arm and most of his upper body.
His airplane-cannon-like hair, which had been rolled forward, had now come undone, leaving him disheveled and in a sorry state.
Pfft.
Ryu Ishigori spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Thank you, Saber."
Looking at his disheveled appearance, Ryu Ishigori struggled to look up at Artoria.
"I'm full..."
He had eaten his fill without regret... Ryu Ishigori's eyes began to dim; it was clear he wouldn't live much longer.
"You are an excellent warrior, Ryu Ishigori."
After speaking, Artoria turned and headed to the front line.
As if he heard Artoria's words, a slight smile appeared on Ryu Ishigori's lips.
After the battle, she also received a message from Eichi.
Eichi had temporarily returned to the main camp due to Cursed Technique Burnout.
She needed to stabilize the front line for now.
After Artoria left, several Dragon Tooth Soldiers arrived and took Ryu Ishigori's body to the East Gate front line.
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