With the sound of battle music roaring in the background, the entire area was engulfed in flying sand and shattered stone. Cu Chulainn burst out of the dense dust cloud, crashing through one tree after another before slamming one hand into the ground to force himself to a halt.
Crack.
Golden lightning chased him without pause.
Cu Chulainn barely had time to raise his spear above his head in defense. In the next instant, a massive foot descended from above. The terrifying force was like a mountain crashing down from the heavens. Unable to withstand it, Cu Chulainn was driven to one knee.
The ground within a thirty meter radius caved in violently, forming a massive crater with a deafening boom.
Whoosh, whoosh.
Five black thorns shot out from Lucien's lower back. Hardmer spread rapidly over them as they hardened into crystal like venomous snakes that lunged straight for Cu Chulainn.
Cu Chulainn's expression changed drastically. He kicked Lucien's foot away with all his strength and tried to dodge.
But at that exact moment, Artoria appeared beside him like a flash of silver light.
Her Holy Sword pierced straight through his chest.
Everything fell silent.
Blood spilled from Cu Chulainn's lips as he lowered his head, staring blankly at the blade that had pierced his heart. As Artoria pulled her sword free, he knelt to the ground, gripping his spear with one trembling hand.
The five crystal thorns surged forward like living creatures, wrapping tightly around his body and biting deeply into his flesh.
His blood, magical energy, and remaining life force poured out rapidly.
Cu Chulainn leaned backward with a muffled groan. In his final moment, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"It is a pity… we did not get to have a proper fight."
His body dissolved into countless points of light at a visible speed. Only his regretful voice lingered briefly in the air before fading completely.
Artoria stood where she was and watched him disappear. Her expression remained cool, yet a trace of sorrow flashed quietly through her emerald green eyes.
All Heroic Spirits were tragic beings. Even after death, they were summoned again by humans to fulfill wishes, reduced once more to tools.
Lucien did not share Artoria's sentimentality.
After absorbing Cu Chulainn, his cells were no longer hungry. Instead, they became lively and active.
He could clearly feel his body strengthening little by little from within.
A light screen appeared before his eyes, but there was still no record of Cu Chulainn's death.
"Let's go."
Lucien dismissed the light screen with a wave of his hand. His mood was not particularly good.
"Do we still need to deal with the other Servants?" Artoria asked.
Wearing her silver battle armor, she looked heroic and dignified, showing no less valor than any man on the battlefield.
"No," Lucien said calmly. "Let's go get lunch first."
He glanced up at the sun overhead. Less than half an hour had passed since the battle ended.
"Didn't we just eat…" Artoria said in mild disbelief.
She watched as Lucien stretched lazily and floated three feet above the ground, drifting casually out of the ruined battlefield.
They had just finished breakfast not long ago.
Artoria dismissed her combat form, and her armor and Holy Sword dissolved into light. Dressed once more in her simple blue dress, she followed quietly behind Lucien.
Half an hour later, Lucien led Artoria out of a hamburger shop, leaving behind a group of completely dumbfounded employees.
The reason was simple.
Lucien had eaten every single ingredient in the shop.
After wandering around for a while, Lucien brought Artoria to a high end hotel district.
A large illuminated billboard overhead read: Foot Massage City.
"Is this also a place to eat?" Artoria asked with curiosity as she stared at the brightly dressed receptionists standing at the entrance.
She subconsciously blushed a little.
The women here were dressed far too revealingly for her sensibilities.
Lucien only gave the entrance a casual glance and offered no explanation.
"Hello, sir, what service would you like?" the receptionist asked with a sweet smile.
She wore a white shirt, a hip hugging skirt, black stockings, high heels, and even a pair of glasses. Lucien silently rated her seventy points.
"What services do you offer?" he asked calmly.
With his current abnormal body, he technically did not need any of this. What he enjoyed was not the service itself, but the atmosphere and the sense of indulgence.
He had no intention of abandoning his instincts as a man.
The receptionist immediately realized that Lucien was no newcomer and began enthusiastically listing their services.
After listening for a moment, Lucien snapped his fingers.
"I will take one of everything."
"Are you sure, sir?" the receptionist asked with a polite smile as her gaze briefly shifted toward Artoria, who was looking around with open curiosity.
"Arrange them all in one room. As for the special programs, she does not need to participate."
Lucien lit a cigarette and casually glanced at Artoria.
He was probably the first man in history to bring the King of Knights to a foot massage parlor.
"Please follow me, sir."
Lucien and the curious Artoria followed the receptionist into the elevator and headed for the twentieth floor.
Time passed quickly.
Before they realized it, night had fallen.
Artoria walked out of the foot massage parlor behind Lucien, her fair face flushed as she shifted uncomfortably.
Everything inside had been both stimulating and unbearably shameful for her.
She was the King of Knights, yet under this man's influence, her composure had been completely swept away.
Now, her long golden hair flowed freely over her shoulders. Light makeup adorned her delicate features. A diamond necklace rested against her collarbone, and pale purple cherry blossom earrings swayed lightly at her ears.
She wore a tight black skirt that hugged her curves perfectly. Her legs were flawless beneath the constraint of black stockings, and crystal high heels added even more charm to her figure.
Her temperament had undergone a striking transformation.
If before she was filled with heroic spirit, now she appeared sexy, mature, alluring, and fashionable.
In this state, Artoria looked like a modern urban woman with a one hundred percent head turning rate.
Yet she herself felt extremely awkward. From time to time, she tugged at the hem of her skirt, and her steps were unsteady from the unfamiliar high heels.
"Please come again next time, sir," a soft and courteous voice called from behind.
Lucien even turned around and waved in response.
It had to be said that compared to the Demon Slayer world, the service in this city was far more thoughtful.
After all, this was a truly modern metropolis.
Once everything here was settled, he might very well return.
He might even stay in this world for several years, assuming his lifespan allowed it.
"Um… can I change my clothes?" Artoria asked quietly as she followed behind Lucien.
Her cheeks were faintly red, and her voice lacked its usual decisiveness. It sounded tentative instead.
"I think this outfit suits you perfectly," Lucien said casually. "You finally look like a woman. Women should be good to themselves."
He took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly.
"And being a King for too long is boring. You should experience what it truly means to live as a woman."
The city lights stretched endlessly before them. Towering buildings glittered, traffic flowed without rest, and prosperity filled every corner of the night. This kind of world was the easiest place for people to indulge and lose themselves.
Artoria lowered her head and twisted the hem of her skirt with both hands, unsure of what she was thinking.
Lucien glanced at her once and continued walking toward their next destination.
Behind him, Artoria slowly lifted her head. Her emerald green eyes were filled with complicated emotions as she stared at his back.
Her entire life had been lived for others.
Before becoming King, she trained desperately to become worthy of the crown. After becoming King, she protected her people, her sword stained with blood. Her life was filled with sacrifice, betrayal, curses, self reproach, and endless pain.
She had never lived for herself.
Somewhere along the way, she had forgotten that besides being King, she was also just a girl.
She had joys and sorrows.
She could also feel tired.
This man was despicable, powerful, rude, and cruel. Although they had only been together for less than two days, Artoria knew very well that he was not a good person.
Yet no one had ever told her that women should be good to themselves.
No one had ever told her that being King for too long was boring.
For the first time, Artoria's heart felt confused.
She did not know why.
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and follow."
Lucien turned back with a slight frown when he noticed she had stopped moving.
"Enjoy these few days and relax properly. Soon enough, you will have to fight with your life on the line again."
Before the war background music fully recovered, Lucien was not confident in killing Li Chong.
There were still a few days left before that power returned, and he did not intend to waste them.
He planned to let the others fight first and make his move only when the timing was right.
Artoria snapped back to attention. She pressed her lips together and followed Lucien with slightly unsteady steps.
"Where are we going now?" she asked softly, unable to hide her curiosity.
"You will know when we get there."
Lucien exhaled another stream of smoke, his face filled with a rare trace of melancholy and quiet longing.
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