Lancer of Red


 * This article is about the Fate/Apocrypha Servant. For the Fate/Extra CCC Servant, see Launcher.

Lancer of "Red" ("赤"のランサー) is the Lancer-class Servant of Shirou Kotomine of the Red Faction in the Great Holy Grail War of Fate/Apocrypha. Originally summoned by one of the five puppet Masters of the Red Faction, he later becomes one of the Servants of Shirou.

Identity
Lancer's identity is Karna, Son of the Sun God (太陽神の子 カルナ), the invulnerable hero of the Indian epic Mahabharata. Karna was born between a human mother Kunti and the Sun God Surya. As proof of being the son of Surya, he was given a golden armor that granted invulnerability. However, Kunti abandoned Karna and became the queen of King Kuru. Not knowing who his mother was, Karna grew up with a low social status. However, he soon made his existence known to the world by becoming the honored guest of the Royal House Kauravas, who were hostile to King Kuru. Karna participated in the wars around the borders and fought on an equal footing with Arjuna, son of Kunti and Thunder God Indra. Karna eventually fell in battle after being robbed of his golden armor by Indra, suffering many curses, and losing all of his allies. He died in the hands of his half-brother Arjuna. However, he did not hate anyone and accepted his death.

Personality
His personality is cold and unforgiving. Although conversing with him may give the impression that he is indecisive and somewhat boring, in reality he is always deep in thought and has a loyal heart. He gives an impression of being cold and cruel because he believes that most things and events are “normal”, and therefore he does not interfere. Due to this characteristic, he does not really have negative emotions such as hatred and jealousy. Because his behaviors target people’s “true nature that should not be put to words”, he is disliked by many.

He has no wish, but he desires to battle Saber of Black once more and to repay his Master.

Development
He was designed by Kinoko Nasu and illustrated by pako for the original canceled online game project.

Fate/Apocrypha
Shirou Kotomine orders Lancer to eliminate Ruler as he views her to be his biggest obstacle to his plans. While Assassin of Red provided the location where Ruler is heading towards. Lancer stood on top of a motorway sign in his physical form waiting for Ruler to appear. As Ruler appears, she easily identify his real identity. Lancer without hesitation draws out his spear but Saber of Black helped Ruler as Gordes Musik Yggdmillennia orders him to. While Gordes attempts to have both Ruler and Saber to fight Lancer failed, Lancer declared that he had no issue with facing both Servants simultaneously.

"Hmph... so you were attempting to tilt the situation by having me face two opponents? Is victory the only thing you care for? How despicable - though I suppose that is also one form of warfare. It makes little difference to me."

- Lancer of Red

Gordes believing this to be an insult, he orders Saber to destroy Lancer. Lancer saw Saber's facial expression and he was suddenly filled with reminiscences. He compares Saber's gaze to someone he fought and acknowledged their battle was simply inevitable. Though Lancer talked mostly, he sensed that both he and Saber were enjoying this battle. Lancer's spear has the advantage in range and he has attacked his vitals seventy-eight times, however thanks to Saber's Noble Phantasm, his wounds were shallow and were regenerated thanks to Gordes. Lancer came to realization that he and Saber are very similar and they both held admiration for each other as worthy opponents in the Great Grail War. In silence, they nod at one another and indulge themselves in the duel once again. They battled until dawn and were hoping to have a rematch before departing.

Abilities
He can be also summoned under the Archer and Rider classes. Shirou highly regards Lancer abilities that can even rival against Lancer of Black. Lancer's spear possesses power proportionate to an A-rank attack.

Lancer has four Noble Phantasms, Kavacha and Kundala, Brahmastra, Brahmastra Kundala, and Vasavi Shakti.

Skills
Magic Resistance (対魔力): C

Negates Magecraft with an aria of two verses or lower. Cannot defend against large-scale Magecraft such as High-Thaumaturgy or Greater Rituals. However, when receiving the effect of the golden armor Noble Phantasm, it will not be limited to this.

Riding (騎乗): A

All vehicles and all beasts excepting those of Phantasmal Beast and Divine Beast-rank can be freely operated. His figure driving a war chariot and running across the battlefield is depicted in the Mahabharata. Its rank is high enough to have aptitude for the Rider Class.

Uncrowned Arms Mastership (無冠の武芸): N/A

Arms competency that was not recognized by others due various reasons. To the opponents, the rank of his sword, spear, bow, Riding and Divinity appears to be one degree lower than what it actually is. If his true name is revealed, this effect will be terminated.

Discernment of the Poor (貧者の見識): A

Insight to see through the opponent's character and attribute. He will not be deceived by excuses and deceptions from words. It expresses the power to grasp the true nature of the opponent possessed by Karna, who was blessed with the opportunity to inquire about the life and value of the weak due to being someone without a single relative.

Prana Burst (Flames) (魔力放出（炎）) : A

The power to put prana into weapons. In Karna's case, blazing flames become prana to dwell in the weapon used. This Skill is usually active and all the weapons that Karna grasps receive this effect.

Divinity (神性) : A

As the son of the Sun Deity Surya and having united with Surya after death, Karna possesses the highest Divine Spirit aptitude. This Divine Spirit aptitude exhibits high defensive power in regards to sun deity-lineage's Heroic Spirits of Divinity B or lower.