Chapter 86: chapter 11
"We meet again," Achilles called out, a confident smirk on his lips as he faced Siegfried.
"This time, nothing will interfere with our battle!" Siegfried declared, his expression steely. After Achilles had revealed his identity and boasted last time, the Black Faction had convened a strategy meeting. It was concluded that only Chiron had the potential to match Achilles in combat.
Achilles had a well-known weakness: his heel. But as Greece's fastest hero, it was nearly impossible to land a strike there. Even Chiron had admitted he had no confidence in landing a hit on Achilles' heel. Their only strategy was to stall for time.
Siegfried took a deep breath, gripping his sword tightly, his eyes locked on Achilles.
"Aren't you going to attack?" Achilles taunted, his grin widening. "I guess I'll go first!"
With a fierce roar, Achilles charged forward with the speed of a hurricane. The ground trembled beneath him as he closed the distance in an instant.
"Whoosh—"
In the blink of an eye, an arrow whistled through the air, striking Achilles in the shoulder. The unexpected pain caused him to falter slightly, and the blood splattered across his armor. Seizing the moment, Siegfried lunged forward, swinging his sword at Achilles' neck.
"Tsk! An archer from the Black Faction, huh?" Achilles deflected Siegfried's sword with a swift motion of his spear. He ducked to evade another arrow that flew towards him from the trees.
More arrows rained down from the forest, each one aimed at Achilles with deadly precision.
"Damn it!" Achilles gritted his teeth, bracing himself against Siegfried's attacks. He threw a powerful punch at Siegfried's face while using his spear to deflect the arrows away.
"I didn't expect there would be a heroic spirit here who could harm me. How interesting," Achilles said, yanking the arrow from his shoulder and snapping it in half. "But the outcome won't change!"
Wiping the blood from his mouth, Siegfried's worst fears were confirmed. Without Chiron to keep him in check, Achilles could focus entirely on him. The weight of the situation settled on Siegfried's shoulders.
"Hmm?" Achilles turned his head towards a faint rustling sound. "Sister?"
"I'm fine," Atalanta said, her voice steady as she landed on a tree branch.
"Aren't you going to keep an eye on Berserker?" Achilles asked, scratching his head in confusion.
"Berserker is done for. We need to retreat," Atalanta said calmly, nocking another arrow and firing it in front of Achilles, creating a dust cloud.
"Wait for me, sister!" Achilles called after her as they escaped.
"They left?"
Siegfried sighed in relief, feeling the immense pressure lift slightly. Fighting someone nearly invincible was a harsh reality, and he felt sympathy for the heroes of old who had faced Achilles.
[Saber, support Lancer! There's still a Red Faction hero who hasn't left yet!] Gold's urgent voice echoed in Siegfried's mind.
"That way?" Siegfried glanced towards the direction of the explosions. It was the same direction Achilles had been watching before he left, and he thought he had heard the Red Archer mention a name.
"Hey! You guys, wait a second!" Cyd's voice rang out as he stomped on a wooden stake that had risen from the ground, grabbing the tip of Vlad III's spear.
"Ugh—" Frankenstein roared, shaking Astolfo violently.
"Ah, I see. I can't beat him so I won't get in Lancer's way," Astolfo said with a bright smile, realizing the futility of his actions. He tapped Frankenstein on the shoulder and added, "Well, I'll be going now."
With that, Astolfo turned into spirit form and disappeared.
"Waaah!" Frankenstein roared in frustration, flailing her arms wildly at Vlad III.
"I understand, Berserker. You don't have to worry," Vlad III said, swinging his spear to control the iron stakes as they continued to assault Cyd. His attacks were relentless, showing no signs of abating.
"Don't worry, Lancer is very strong," Caster said, patting Frankenstein's shoulder and guiding the puppet carrying the captured Spartacus back to the base.
No one understood her words!
Frankenstein growled in frustration. Kaorles had figured out that Lancer had mistaken Cyd for a Red Faction heroic spirit, but it seemed no one was listening. The only person who might have understood, Fiore, was nowhere to be found.
No one could stop Vlad III from attacking Cyd now!
Crunch—
Siegfried appeared in Frankenstein's field of vision.
"Waaah!" Frankenstein grabbed Siegfried's hand, gesturing urgently.
Siegfried glanced at the frantic Berserker, then looked towards Cyd.
"Got it!" he said, nodding in understanding. He drew his sword and moved to engage Cyd.
"Tsk, you misunderstand. I'm a Ruler!" Cyd said, trying to keep the attacks of Vlad III and Siegfried at bay. He was already struggling to avoid harming Vlad III, and Siegfried's intervention made it even more difficult.
"Hah, do you think such a ridiculous lie will fool me?" Vlad III sneered, his eyes narrowed. He had seen Spartacus refer to Cyd as an ally and observed him blocking attacks.
Even if he was mad, Vlad III would protect his allies. It was clear to him that Cyd was a close companion.
Siegfried swung his sword at Cyd with all his might.
"Clang—"
Siegfried's eyes widened in shock as his dragon-slaying sword, Balmung, collided with Cyd's neck. The impact was like striking an impenetrable wall!
Cyd smirked, glancing at the sword resting on his neck. "Useless."
The sensation was eerily similar to the one he had felt with Achilles. It wasn't that Cyd was actively blocking the attacks; it was as if the attacks had no effect whatsoever!
Vlad III's eyes widened as he realized that despite his brutal assault, none of his iron stakes were even scratching Cyd. It was clear now that Cyd wasn't trying to fight back at all.
"Waaah!" Desperate for a solution, Frankenstein charged at Cyd, using her massive frame to push Vlad III and Siegfried aside. She positioned herself in front of Cyd, spreading her arms in a protective gesture.
"What are you doing, Berserker?" Vlad III asked, puzzled by the sudden intervention.
"Waaah!" Frankenstein continued to gesture, her expression earnest.
Siegfried and Vlad III exchanged confused glances.
"She said the white-haired hero is Ruler, not our enemy," Cyd said, gently patting Frankenstein's head.
Frankenstein nodded vigorously, her eyes full of hope.
"By the way, my real name is Cyd," Cyd said with a grin, his tone light.
At that moment, Vlad III recalled that the bespectacled Master had been trying to communicate with other Masters since his return, but no one had paid him any attention. His sister had fallen asleep from the effects of medicine, and the heroic spirits had been preoccupied with discussing the true identity of the Red Rider brought back by Saber.
What a blunder!
Understanding dawned on Vlad III as he realized the gravity of their mistake.
"Well then," Cyd said, his smile widening. "I think it's time for us to call it a day."
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