D' Ultimate Lich King

"You… you… you… you…!"

The Caster's face contorted in despair; he foamed at the mouth, enraged.

"Do you think that's enough? Pay for your actions,"

Arthas said coldly; this was his first true display of anger. A reserved person, years at Einzbern had made him placid.

For the first time, this Servant's actions had ignited his fury.

Gripping the human-skin grimoire, immense magical energy surged through it; Arthas intended to destroy this evil artifact.

The Caster quickly understood; he screamed and channeled magic into his grimoire.

"You're courting death!"

Arthas's power surprised the Caster, but he was still human; how could he compare to a Servant?

Servants were miracles summoned by the Grail; humans couldn't defeat Servants; this was an immutable truth.

Their clash of magical energy created ripples; Arthas felt a sharp pain in his throat and was flung back.

"Are you alright?"

Saber, startled, caught Arthas, worriedly looking at him.

"I'm fine," Arthas shook his head, pushing Saber away.

"I'm not so weak as to need a woman's help," This embarrassed Saber; she wanted to retort but couldn't.

Yesterday, she would have drawn her sword.

Now, she felt only confusion.

Why… was it because she was a woman? Was she inherently inferior?

Her Master, Gilgamesh, and now this man viewed her this way.

Saber closed her eyes; the children's screams and tears echoed in her mind.

Was it because she was a woman that she was weak, that they died?

She was the strongest sword Servant, yet she could only watch a human fight, a human who didn't need her help.

Why? Why had it come to this?!

Arthas lost the magical clash; the Caster's grimoire was restored; he chanted again.

"A death throe!"

Arthas had to stop him before the incantation; he charged, despite his injuries. A torrent of magical energy erupted, blood-red mist obscuring his vision.

Arthas frowned; frost emanated from his palm; the blood mist, effective against others, was easily frozen.

The mist instantly froze into crimson frost, falling like snow.

When the mist cleared, the Caster had vanished.

"He escaped?"

Arthas clenched his fist; the seemingly mad Caster wasn't foolish; he knew continuing the fight was disadvantageous.

With the Caster gone, Arthas turned to leave; Saber stopped him.

"Wait! Why were you here? Why did you help me?"

"To eliminate the Caster. And I didn't help you."

Ignoring Saber's expression, Arthas left.

He stumbled to a corner; Illya and Flandre were waiting.

"Arthas… are you alright?"

Illya hugged him, tears in her eyes.

"Why push yourself? Let Flandre fight."

"Some things I must do myself; for those children, I had to kill him."

Arthas smiled gently, stroking Illya's head.

"Don't forget… I'm a father of two."

"Because you're a father, you must protect yourself! What would happen to Illya and Sakura if something happened to you?"

Illya's words made Arthas pause; confusion flickered across his face.

He wondered why she said that; it sounded like she wouldn't be there in the future; Illya and Sakura would rely on him; if he were gone…

"Illya… are you hiding something?"

Arthas asked seriously, holding her shoulders.

"No… I wouldn't hide anything from you."

Illya avoided his gaze, her nervousness revealing something; Arthas remained silent, not pressing further.

If she didn't want to tell him, he wouldn't force her; he trusted her.

She was his wife, his most trusted person.

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