Chapter 64: Hand Over Your Fiancée~

"What do you want from me?"

Kayneth narrowed his eyes, his tone filled with caution.

"Are you here to negotiate…?"

Lucien smiled.

"You could say that."

"But my definition of 'negotiation' might be… different from yours."

He tilted his head slightly and spoke, his voice as calm as ever:

"Kayneth, my terms are simple—"

"You will relinquish your command over your Servant."

"You will also annul your engagement to Sola."

"In exchange, I will heal your wounds… and ensure your safe return to the Clock Tower."

Lucien paused for a moment, his smirk widening.

"Rather than a negotiation… let's call it a transaction."

Kayneth gritted his teeth.

Humiliation.

This was pure, absolute humiliation.

But…

He couldn't deny it.

He had no choice.

"..."

He hesitated.

His mind flashed back to the other timeline—

The one where he had signed a contract with Kiritsugu Emiya.

That memory still burned.

Kayneth knew all too well what happened when you trusted the wrong man.

Lucien chuckled.

He reached into his coat and slowly pulled out a dagger—

A twisted, jagged blade with an eerie glow.

"Do you know what this is, Kayneth?"

Diarmuid tightened his grip on his spears.

"Master, that appears to be some kind of Noble Phantasm."

Kayneth nodded sharply.

"Of course, it's a Noble Phantasm!"

"The question is—what kind?"

Lucien twirled the dagger playfully in his fingers.

Then, in a casual tone, he spoke:

"This is Rule Breaker." "The Noble Phantasm of the infamous witch of Greek mythology."

Kayneth stiffened.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

"Its effect is simple—"

"It severs all contracts."

Lucien's smirk deepened.

"That means… even if you refuse to comply—"

"Your engagement and your control over Diarmuid will be erased regardless."

"And once that happens… you'll be left completely defenseless."

"Are you willing to take that risk?"

Kayneth felt his throat go dry.

This…

This wasn't even a choice.

If Lucien used that dagger, he would lose everything—

His fiancée, his Servant, his life.

"I…"

Kayneth hesitated.

Lucien let out a light chuckle.

He already knew what was going through Kayneth's mind.

"How about this?"

Lucien suddenly raised his sword and pointed it at Diarmuid.

"We settle this with a duel."

Diarmuid stared at the blade.

"A duel?"

Diarmuid furrowed his brows.

Lucien nodded.

"Fight me."

"If you win, you and your Master can go free."

"If you lose…"

Lucien smiled mischievously.

"You know the deal."

Diarmuid exhaled slowly.

Then, with a firm nod, he spoke:

"Very well."

He gently lowered Kayneth to the ground before stepping forward.

His golden eyes locked onto Lucien.

Kayneth clenched his fists.

"IDIOT! What are you thinking?!"

"That man destroyed the Sea Demon! His firepower alone is ridiculous!"

"If the battle spills over to me, I'll be finished!"

Diarmuid stood firm.

"Master, then what should I do?"

Lucien chuckled.

"The answer is simple."

"Just lose."

Before Diarmuid could react—

Lucien disappeared.

[Godspeed—Divine Step!]

"What—?!"

Diarmuid's eyes widened in shock.

Lucien's speed was monstrous.

[Fourth Secret Sword—Phantom Mirage Wolf!]

A blur—

Diarmuid instinctively raised his spears, but—

A flash of silver and darkness streaked across the battlefield.

A thin, crimson line appeared across Diarmuid's cheek.

"Tch!"

Diarmuid gritted his teeth.

Lucien appeared behind him, twirling his sword.

"Close, but not close enough."

Diarmuid turned sharply.

His muscles tensed.

Lucien smirked.

"So? Shall we continue?"

The Strength of a Servant

If one were to compare…

Servants could undoubtedly fight against high-class devils.

And in some cases— even surpass them.

Thus, without using a Sacred Gear, Lucien couldn't completely overpower Diarmuid.

But then again…

Lucien wasn't the type to fight fair.

[Boost!]

A red gauntlet materialized over Lucien's arm.

The Boosted Gear roared to life.

By activating Balance Breaker, Lucien could instantly reach his maximum output.

His strength and speed skyrocketed to pseudo-Maou-class.

[First Secret Sword—Rhinoceros Strike!]

Lucien lunged forward.

Before Diarmuid could react—

Lucien grabbed Yellow Rose with one hand while his other hand struck directly at Red Rose!

"What—?!"

Diarmuid's eyes widened.

The sheer force behind the attack sent a shockwave up his arms.

His grip weakened.

For the first time—

Diarmuid felt like his bones were about to snap.

"Tch—!"

With a sharp clang, Red Rose slipped from his grasp and embedded itself in the distant ground.

"Bye-bye~"

Lucien grinned and ignited holy flames along Yellow Rose's blade.

The fire surged up the spear—

Racing toward Diarmuid's hands.

"Hhngh—!!"

Diarmuid gritted his teeth as the pain burned through him.

Instinctively, he tried to pull back.

But in that very moment—

Lucien switched weapons.

Dragon Slayer vanished.

A serpentine dagger took its place.

Rule Breaker. The Contract Severing Dagger. "Slash—!"

Lucien plunged it into Diarmuid's chest.

"What—?!"

Diarmuid's connection to Kayneth shattered.

"You…"

Diarmuid staggered back.

His expression was a mix of disbelief and frustration.

"I lost…?"

Kayneth, meanwhile—

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

His reaction was… slightly more dramatic.

"You useless Servant!" "If you were going to LOSE, why didn't you just RUN?!"

Diarmuid remained silent.

He wanted to explain.

But—

Even if he had tried to escape…

He knew Lucien wouldn't have let him.

Lucien casually kicked him aside and turned toward Kayneth.

"Now then, Lord El-Melloi—" "Your contract with your Servant is gone." "That leaves just one last thing to discuss."

Kayneth gulped.

He already knew what was coming.

Lucien smirked.

"Hand over your fiancée." "..."

Silence.

Kayneth's face contorted with rage.

His hands trembled.

His breathing quickened.

Then, in a single instant—

"Fine!"

He yelled through gritted teeth.

"I'LL SIGN!"

Lucien chuckled.

"Smart choice."

A contract materialized from thin air.

It hovered between them.

Kayneth grabbed it with trembling hands.

It was as if he were clutching onto his last hope.

"Tch—"

His face twisted as he signed the contract.

His final act of submission.

With his final ounce of pride, he reached into his coat—

Pulled out his engagement contract with Sola.

He held it in his hands.

He hesitated.

His fingers trembled.

His mind screamed at him.

But in the end—

"RIP—!"

The contract was torn to shreds.

Kayneth collapsed to the ground.

His body felt… empty.

His eyes stared up at the sky.

"Again…" "Again, I've lost everything…"

Lucien ignored him.

He stepped past Kayneth and walked over to Diarmuid.

"Lancer—" "How about making a contract with me?" "What?"

Diarmuid looked up in shock.

Lucien grinned.

"I'll store you in a special space." "And I'll only summon you for one purpose." "To fight Saber."

Diarmuid froze.

"You mean…" "You'll let me finish my battle with Saber?"

His expression shifted.

Shock.

Disbelief.

And finally…

Gratitude.

"You…" "You understand my wish…?"

Lucien nodded.

"I do." "Your former Master never did." "But I do."

Diarmuid exhaled deeply.

Then—

He dropped to one knee.

"Diarmuid Ua Duibhne—" "Swears loyalty to you."

Lucien patted his shoulder.

And just like that—

Diarmuid was gone.

Sealed within a dimensional pocket until the day of his battle.

"One piece set."

Lucien smirked.

Then, he turned to Kayneth one last time.

"Time to wrap this up."

A glowing green circle expanded beneath Kayneth's feet.

Healing magic washed over him.

"Haaah…"

Kayneth let out a shuddering breath.

He felt…

Stronger.

Better.

Even his clothes were repaired.

"Even my clothes…?"

Kayneth blinked in shock.

"This world's magic is insane…"

For the first time…

"Maybe Lucien really is trustworthy?"

He turned toward Lucien—

And froze.

"W—WHAT THE HELL?!"

Lucien was holding Sola.

One hand on her neck.

The other tilting her chin up.

Their lips were barely centimeters apart. "YOU SON OF A—!"

Kayneth's fist clenched.

His teeth gnashed together.

His face turned red with fury.
 The Power of the Leviathan Bloodline

Lucien's unique bloodline had a profound effect on those who came into close contact with him.

Sola—who had just regained consciousness—was no exception.

At first, she was simply dazed.

Her bleary eyes adjusted to the world around her—

And then, she saw him.

A youth of unparalleled beauty.

A face sculpted like a masterpiece.

A presence that radiated irresistible charm.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Her body heated up.

Her thoughts spiraled.

(How can someone… be so perfect?)

Even before, when she had seen Lucien fighting at the river, she had found him attractive.

But now—

Now, she was completely captivated.

A warm sensation wrapped around her body.

A comforting flow of magic seeped into her wounds.

(…He's healing me?)

She realized the truth.

(So, everything he's doing… is just to heal me?)

A sharp pang struck her chest.

A strange feeling of disappointment.

Why?

Why did it bother her that much?

(Is that… all I am to him?)

She bit her lip.

A hollow emptiness spread within her.

It was like she had just lost something important…

(No… I don't want that…)

Sola didn't even think.

She acted on instinct.

She lifted her hands.

And wrapped her arms around his neck.

Kayneth watched in stunned silence.

His fiancée…

The woman who had always been so composed, so untouchable…

Was now embracing another man.

"No…" "No, no, NO—!" Minutes Later

Lucien finally pulled away.

Sola collapsed onto the ground.

Her body trembling.

Her legs pressing together tightly.

Her breathing ragged.

Her red dress was slightly disheveled.

Her short, wine-red hair a bit messy.

Her lace stockings slightly torn at the toes from curling too hard inside her heels.

The effects of Lucien's high-dimensional incubus bloodline were undeniable.

Even a brief moment of proximity had pushed Sola's physiology into a heightened reproductive state.

Her flushed cheeks turned upward as she gazed at him.

"Y-You…" "Thank you… for saving me." "May I… know your name?"

She hadn't even learned his name.

And yet—

She was already completely infatuated.

Lucien smirked.

"Lucien." "Lucien Leviathan."

As he spoke, he extended his hand toward her.

Sola's first instinct was to recoil.

But—

Her body refused.

She remained still.

She let him touch her.

Lucien's warm fingers brushed against her delicate face.

A soft, lingering caress.

Her breathing hitched.

Her eyes fluttered shut.

Her lips parted slightly.

She didn't resist.

She didn't want to resist.

As Lucien's hand moved from her cheek to her neck—

She let out a soft, kitten-like sound.

"Mmn~" Meanwhile…

Kayneth was having a mental breakdown.

His entire worldview was collapsing.

His entire body was shaking.

(No… this… this isn't real… right?)

His fiancée…

His pride…

His future wife…

Was now acting like some lovestruck girl in front of another man.

The same Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri who had always been cold.

Who had never once looked at him with true affection.

Who had always carried an air of superiority.

And yet, now—

She was gazing at Lucien like he was her entire world.

Kayneth's fists clenched.

His jaw tightened.

His teeth ground together.

"This… THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!"

But it was.

And nothing—

Not even the pride of an El-Melloi—

Could change that now.