"What kind of explanation do you want?" Though Kiritsugu Emiya's tone was calm, his heart was racing with tension. Damien stated his demand plainly: "Time Alter!" Kiritsugu's shock was beyond words. He hadn't expected this person to know his abilities so thoroughly. Has someone betrayed my information? Maiya? Irisviel? Or perhaps the Einzberns? In an instant, Kiritsugu's mind raced through countless possibilities. "Didn't you call me Caster?" Damien said. "As a magus from the Age of Gods, is it so hard to believe I can see through modern magecraft at a glance?" Of course, it was hard to believe! Kiritsugu hadn't even used the spell. To see through his trump card like that... was this the caliber of a Caster? Yet, no matter how turbulent Kiritsugu's thoughts were, he was a fish on the chopping block. He had no choice. "Fine, but the essence of this magecraft requires a Magic Crest…" Though Time Alter was the culmination of generations of Emiya family effort, Kiritsugu didn't hold it in high regard. As long as he could achieve his dream of world peace, a mere magecraft was insignificant. However, this magecraft was no simple feat. Its essence was a Reality Marble, a miracle known as a 'Great Magecraft.' It separated the interior of a specific space from the external 'flow of time,' allowing the user to manipulate time at will. This magecraft consumed immense magical energy and required complex preparations and rituals, designed as a technique for performing Great Magecraft. "No need for complications." Damien interrupted Kiritsugu's explanation. "As long as you don't resist, I can analyze a mere magecraft in no time." He wasn't worried about revealing his capabilities to Kiritsugu. Damien's true trump cards were the Snow Empress, Ogerpon, and the others. As long as these forces remained hidden, no one could counter him. Kiritsugu had no choice. With Maiya under Damien's control and himself in his grasp, Kiritsugu had no confidence in escaping a Heroic Spirit like Damien. Who is this guy, really? Following Damien's instructions, Kiritsugu relaxed his body, though his mind continued to race to that white haired gold and silver heterochromatic eyes man. His apperance was so Otherworldy. No matter how much Kiritsugu searched his memory, he couldn't find any Heroic Spirit matching that description. Suddenly, Kiritsugu realized something. If the Damien beside him was a Heroic Spirit summoned as a Caster, then who was holding Maiya hostage? Recalling the deep, weathered voice from the earpiece... distinctly different from Damien's... Kiritsugu wondered, Their Master? But that was too bizarre. What kind of Master followed a Heroic Spirit's orders to take hostages? A complete reversal of roles?! Especially with the Command Seals on Damien's hand... undoubtedly genuine. Kiritsugu felt his mind going numb: What kind of rule-breaking Heroic Spirit is this? [Rule fragment detected. Beginning analysis…] [Analysis in progress…] The Learner skill in the Nasuverse wasn't as effective as in the Konosubaverse. In Konosubaverse, Damien could use his appraisal skill to instantly copy an adventurer's class skills. Here, replicating another's abilities required not only sufficient analysis time but also the condition that the target either use the skill or be within a certain distance. Right now, Kiritsugu was close enough to Damien. Even without using the magecraft, Violet could rapidly analyze Time Alter without the Nasuverse's rules detecting it. Damien signaled Souei to release Maiya. "Until the magecraft analysis is complete, let's enjoy this knightly duel." Though he said this, the situation clearly showed Saber at a disadvantage. Diarmuid had unleashed his Noble Phantasms, first using Gáe Dearg to bypass the King's armor, then Gáe Buidhe to sever the tendons in one of her hands with its cursed strike. "Irisviel, use healing on me too!" Artoria called, seeing Diarmuid's wounds heal rapidly under Kayneth's magical energy. "I did!" Irisviel replied in a panic. "I used it… why isn't it…?" "The healing should have taken effect, Saber. You should be healed by now." Yet Artoria's wrist continued to bleed. Clearly, this wasn't Irisviel's fault but something Diarmuid had done. "You were clever to see that armor is useless against Gáe Dearg." Diarmuid said. "But abandoning your armor was too hasty. Otherwise, you could have blocked Gáe Buidhe!" "I see." Artoria realized, identifying her opponent. "The red spear that severs magic, the yellow spear that curses wounds to never heal, and the tear-shaped mole that enchants maidens... the Fianna Knights' greatest warrior, 'Shining Face' Diarmuid." Likewise, Diarmuid recognized Artoria's identity as the legendary King Arthur through her sword. "Saber's lost." a voice said behind Damien. Kiritsugu turned to see a cold, ice-blue maiden. "Hmph!" The Ice Empress scoffed at Kiritsugu's gaze. "This guy's an enemy Master, right? Should we take him out?" Her words carried a tangible killing intent that enveloped Kiritsugu. True to her nature as a 400,000-year-old beast under Damien's command, her first instinct was to kill. "He's already paid the price." Damien said. As a man of principle, since Kiritsugu had offered compensation, Damien honored his word and forgave the offense. "But there won't be a next time, Kiritsugu Emiya." Each word from Damien struck Kiritsugu's heart like a hammer, leaving him drenched in sweat. That was Kiritsugu's first impression of Damien. A terrifying, incomprehensible monster! I cannot afford to make an enemy of this man! Though reason dictated the wisest course, Damien knew well that, as a champion of justice, Kiritsugu would not abandon his resolve to challenge him. Hi guys, Elenea here! I just want to announce that starting now I'll be trying to focus on my own original fanfic, which I've been thinking about for the past few days (lol I really mulled this over briefly for a few days and decided I'm going to make it a full novel). [Worse Than the Devil (DxD)] Synopsis: Check latest chapters at novel⟡fire.net An evil and chaotic creature, born from hell, which are often a scapegoat for humans. Blamed for the atrocities they themselves commit. "The devil made me do it." A phrase always uttered by humans after committing crimes, casting blame and responsibility for their wrongdoings onto the devil. But not all humans are like that, for there is one man who would gleefully commit atrocities that would be condemned by all of human history and accept the blame and responsibility for those wrongs with open arms. His name is Michael, but in stark contrast to the meaning of his name 'Who is like God' he is not a devout man who draws near to God's embrace. Instead… he is the one who sends lost sheep to meet God's embrace much faster. Btw, a quick note before you decide to read, if you have a heart as pure as glass, I suggest you don't read this because it REALLY gets dark to early. The first chapter will give you a little idea of what I might explore later on in this fanservice harem-themed world like DxD.