Unduh Aplikasi

Bab 534: C534

Right now, Kotomine only had three Servants at his disposal: Karna, Atalanta, and Semiramis.

To minimize risks, he'd kept Atalanta hidden in the church. He had also declined the proposal of launching Semiramis's Hanging Garden, choosing instead to send Karna to what seemed like the most likely location.

This had clearly upset Atalanta.

She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being underestimated.

However, she had to admit that it was a realistic assessment. Even against a weakened Eternal King, she wouldn't stand a chance.

Karna, however, could engage the not-yet-fully-recovered Eternal King and still have the option of a tactical retreat if things went south.

This was Kotomine's strategy.

"Black Faction has also made their move. If Arjuna joins forces with Karna, even an incomplete Eternal King probably won't stand a chance," Kotomine said, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

In Indian mythology, Karna and Arjuna were bitter rivals. But together, they'd be a force to be reckoned with, likely unparalleled among Heroic Spirits. In his weakened state, even Eternal King would find it difficult to face them down.

Making his way quickly over the mountain, Karna entered Zam city. Maybe it was fate, but he ran into Arjuna.

The moment Arjuna laid eyes on Karna, any trace of calm vanished and manic grin stretched across his face. "Karna, time for our decisive battle!"

"Regrettably, I can't fight with you now. My Master has given me explicit orders to cooperate with you in eliminating Eternal King. If you attack, I won't fight back."

"You...!!!"

Arjuna glared at him, his eyes blazing with fury.

What he wanted was a fair battle with Karna, a fight to settle the score once and for all. If Karna wouldn't retaliate, the duel they were meant to have would be utterly meaningless.

"Hmph," Arjuna snorted. "Fine, we'll put our fight on hold until Eternal King is dealt with. But make no mistake, I'll be the one to finish him off!"

"Say what you will, I don't care. It makes no difference to me," Karna replied, maintaining his calm demeanor. However, he did quicken his pace slightly.

Arjuna let out a wild laugh. "And you say you don't care!"

"Don't read into my actions based on your own emotions. You're just projecting, and it doesn't mean anything," Karna said flatly, yet his pace quickened even more.

Both warriors, locked in a wordless rivalry, sped across the mountain and dashed toward Zam City at breakneck speed.

Whether it's Karna or Arjuna, both are in a league of their own, far surpassing typical Heroic Spirits.

In a one-on-one fight, an incomplete Eternal King would likely have the advantage. But in a two-against-one situation, even an incomplete Eternal King would probably meet his downfall, wouldn't he?

On this point, everyone agreed.

Vlad thought so, and so did Kotomine.

Facing the combined might of India's two legendary warriors, even Eternal King wouldn't stand a chance.

No one doubted this.

...

Shirou stood at the base of the mountain, gazing up at the stars that dotted the night sky.

Behind him, a group of homunculi huddled around a bonfire near Spartacus, firing off questions like there was no tomorrow. Their eyes, innocent and untarnished as blank canvases, glimmered with hope for the future.

"Here you go, Mr. Assassin."

A-11072 approached Shirou and handed him a grilled fish, freshly caught from a river they'd crossed earlier.

"Oh, thanks."

Shirou smiled, accepting the fish and taking a bite.

Nervously, A-11072 watched him and asked, "How is it, Mr. Assassin?"

"Did you cook this?"

"Mm-hmm," A-11072 nodded.

"It's pretty good." He said with a smile.

At that, A-11072's face lit up. "If you like it, I'll keep making it for you."

"Really? Now that's an offer I might not be able to refuse," he chuckled.

A-11072 hesitated briefly before asking, "So, Mr. Assassin, are the masters—I mean, no, Spartacus says there are no masters and slaves, we're all equals. Right. Are they actually headed for Zam and Brad City instead of this place?"

"Those cities are just over the mountain, aren't they?"

"Mr. Assassin... you really are something else."

"The one who's really something is Spartacus. I'm just good at thinking on my feet."

After shaking off Saber, Shirou didn't head for Zam City over the mountain. Instead, he pulled a fast one and ended up near a city adjacent to Trifas. Surrounded by hills and mountain ranges, with Romania's southern mountains as a backdrop, it was an ideal spot for a temporary hideout.

It's doubtful that the Black Faction ever suspected that he would be so audacious as to hide in their own backyard.

If they're chasing them toward Zam and Brad Cities, they'd be going in the completely wrong direction!

In fact, Shirou had already calculated this.

The Red Faction had attacked him on night one, no doubt because his identity had been exposed. They tried to take him out before his 'Mortal Awakening' was complete, to nip him in the bud.

But their plan fell through. Naturally, they would have to make up for it, because once he awakens, they won't be able to stop him.

However, if he hides in the Black Faction's territory, the Achilles-less Red Faction won't be able to kill him. In that case, they would surely expose his identity to the Black Faction.

With Vlad's personality, he could've easily put up with Shirou. But now that Shirou has betrayed the Black Faction, there's no way Vlad would tolerate him anymore.

Plus, Vlad is a wise and competent leader. He wouldn't just stand by and let an enemy gain the upper hand. He'd no doubt team up with the Red Faction to take Assassin down first.

Shirou wasn't afraid of the others, but a team-up between Arjuna, Karna, and Vlad would be bad news. So he changed course, taking a mountain trail to get behind enemy lines.

His plan was to quietly build up his 'awakening karma' deep within enemy territory.

And who would see that coming?

Who would think that someone on the run would hide out behind enemy lines to build up his power?

This would send anyone chasing him on a wild goose chase in entirely the wrong direction.

...

After finishing the grilled fish that A-11072 had cooked, Shirou smiled and said, "That was some delicious grilled fish, thank you."

"No, no, no... it's not a big deal. Please, don't thank me, Mr. Assassin. You've done so much for me and the others, I don't even know how to begin to thank you or repay you," A-11072 stammered.

"You don't have to see it like that. As long as you go on to help someone who needs help, just as I did for you, that will be enough."

He smiled, and A-11072 looked into his eyes.

Those bright eyes, as if there were flames burning within them.

They're so beautiful.

The thought flashed through A-11072's mind.

...

Romania is a developing nation. Having gone through a revolution in 1989 that toppled its government, as well as weathering various international financial crises, it remains somewhat underdeveloped.

Vâlcea, a small city in Romania, had a development level similar to that of Trifas City. What set it apart were its surrounding agricultural estates, giving the city more of a rustic, medieval vibe than a modern-day feel.

This environment made it a prime location for homunculi to settle in.

The less developed a city was, the more disorganized and chaotic it tended to be. This chaos, in turn, created loopholes for illegal residents to find a way to legitimize their status.

Shirou, Spartacus, and the homunculi set up camp on the outskirts of the city, in a sprawling area of hills and plains, framed by a mountain range in the distance.

He led the homunculi in constructing houses in the area.

These beings were engineered by the Yggdmillennia clan as tools against the Mage's Association. Whether it was raw labor or efficiency, they outclassed regular humans. And they were programmed with a basic understanding of teamwork from the moment they were created, making their collaborative skills exceptionally strong.

Under the watchful eyes of both Shirou and Spartacus, the homunculi began to work, felling trees in the nearby forest to construct their new homes.


Bab 535: C535

Watching the homunculi work, Spartacus wore a gentle smile and looked eager to help, but Shirou stopped him.

"What's happening? Can't just stand here, doing nothing," Spartacus said, looking confused.

Shirou met his gaze and smiled, "Don't worry, just wait a moment. There's something I need to give back to you."

"You no oppressor, didn't take from me. What's there to give back?"

"Ah, but there is something," Shirou replied. "Your sanity."

With that, he outstretched his palm toward Spartacus. The [Heroic Mortal] targeted him, activating instantaneously and bestowing upon him a new skill.

—[Indomitable Will]!

As the skill took hold, Spartacus's face contorted in pain. The wild look in his eyes, previously driven by raw instinct, now glinted with a faint hint of clarity.

[Indomitable Will] is a unique skill that Shirou replicated from the records of Eternal King. It massively boosts endurance, helps avoid fatal blows, and, most importantly, increases resistance to mental manipulation.

This was the perfect counter to the [Mad Enhancement] that accompanies the Berserker class—a form of mental manipulation that [Indomitable Will] was designed to negate.

This is what Shirou wanted to give back to Spartacus.

—Sanity!

"Ah—"

Spartacus gripped his head and let out a gut-wrenching scream, clearly in agony.

"What's wrong with Spartacus?"

"Is something wrong with him?"

The homunculi, alarmed by Spartacus's scream, immediately dropped their tools and rushed over, eyes filled with concern.

"I'm okay... I'm okay, everyone," Spartacus assured them, still clutching his head.

Shirou addressed the gathered homunculi, "Get back to work, everyone."

The homunculi nodded in agreement and resumed their duties.

Spartacus covered his face with his hands, peeking at Shirou through his fingers.

His eyes had lost their frenzied look, now sharp and clear, tinged with a hint of scrutiny.

"It seems you've regained your sanity, Spartacus."

"Yes," Spartacus sighed, "As a Berserker, I never thought I'd find myself doing so many foolish things."

Shirou raised an eyebrow. "So, you regret what you've done?"

"No," Spartacus shook his head. "When I lacked reason, I was just a slave to my instincts, acting without thinking. My goal was to liberate them, to free their souls, but I had no strategy. Without your intervention, my actions could have doomed us all. Even if I had succeeded, it would have been a hollow victory, leading us all down a destructive path in the name of some ideal."

Shirou nodded in understanding.

Now in possession of his sanity once again, Spartacus didn't regret his actions per se. His concern was more about the impulsive and haphazard nature of his previous conduct.

Fortunately, the Berserker version of Spartacus had benefited from Shirou's intervention, preventing any significant catastrophes.

However...

"I've got to ask," Spartacus said, his eyes narrowing as he looked at him. "It's clear you're a king, but why help me, especially when I was running on pure instinct without any rational thought?"

Shirou gestured toward the homunculi, saying, "Aren't they human, just like us?"

Spartacus paused, then nodded. "You truly are a benevolent king."

"You're giving me too much credit; it's not a big deal," Shirou dismissed with a wave of his hand.

"The hardest part is the mindset," Spartacus mused, shaking his head. "In my experience, monarchs rarely see their people as people. More often, they're seen as slaves or tools to be exploited. Your outlook is rare among kings. What's your true name? I'd like to know who I should be singing praises for."

"No need for that. In this life, I'm just an assassin. And, we have shared goals; that's enough for us to work together," Shirou dismissed, waving his hand.

"You truly are a magnanimous king," Spartacus admired.

Shirou felt a twinge of frustration.

Isn't this just basic decency?

What's the big deal?

After all, he restored Spartacus's sanity not for the praises but because it was the right thing to do.

"Okay, enough talk. Let's give them a hand," he said, getting to his feet.

Spartacus nodded in agreement.

With their help, the already swift pace of the construction ramped up considerably.

Shirou was in charge of directing and planning, while Spartacus took care of the heavy lifting.

It had to be said that Spartacus was incredibly strong; he could effortlessly lift a massive tree that would normally require three people just to move.

The homunculi watched in awe.

As time passed, their combined efforts led to the swift completion of the housing cluster.

Under Shirou's expert planning, the houses took shape in a meticulously arranged pattern that evoked the feel of an old village. However, it should be noted that these homunculi, bred for the brutal efficiency of war, were impressively fast in their construction.

This was without a doubt a fresh start for the homunculi who had escaped to freedom.

As the first rays of a fiery red sun broke over the distant mountain range, the earth was bathed in its vibrant glow.

Celebrating in front of their newly-built village, the homunculi danced and sang, while Spartacus watched, grinning from ear to ear. It felt as if Moses had led his people out to a promised land.

A total of thirty-six homunculi had made their escape alongside Spartacus.

While the housing dilemma for these thirty-six had been resolved, there was a shortage of food.

So, Shirou took A-11072 with him, planning a supply run to the city to stock up on food and other daily necessities.

In fact, Spartacus wanted to go with him, but he was turned down.

That's because his towering presence was hard to ignore.

He had sustained significant injuries from his battle with Heracles on the first night. Even though he had channeled some of that damage into magical energy, his size still remained around ten feet, making him far too conspicuous for a casual trip into the city.

Shirou and A-11072 set out for Vâlcea City to do some shopping.

Along the way, A-11072 spoke up, a hint of sheepishness in the voice. "I'm really sorry, Mr. Assassin. You've already saved us, and now you're going to the trouble of taking care of us too."

"Don't worry about it. Honestly, this feels like a bit of a vacation for me. No need to be so formal," Shirou replied with a smile.

A-11072 was taken aback by his nonchalant attitude.

Upon entering Vâlcea City, Shirou's brow immediately furrowed.

As they made their way through the city, they found themselves the subjects of the townspeople's stares.

At first, it didn't seem to be a big deal.

However, after about ten minutes, several townspeople were still sizing them up with predatory gazes, making him feel that something was off.

"Mr. Assassin, why are they staring at us?" A-11072 asked, visibly confused.

"Just ignore it. Let's get our shopping done and get out of here."

"I understand," A-11072 nodded, instinctively moving closer to Shirou as he spoke.

Truth be told, he was getting worried.

There was something off about the townspeople, who looked at them as though sizing them up for their next meal. This had A-11072 feeling more than a little uneasy.

In fact, Shirou felt the same way.

He also thought there was something odd about this city.

After activating his [Intuition] skill, an immediate sense of unease washed over him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

It was a nebulous feeling of dread, too intangible to identify yet too real to ignore.

Shirou furrowed his brows.

He came to a supermarket with A-11072, picking up quite a few daily necessities and even renting a small truck.

As they approached the checkout counter, the store owner looked them over and said, "You folks aren't from around here, are you?"

Shirou arched an eyebrow, "What gave us away?"

"When you're in business, you develop an eye for these things. Some stuff you can tell just by looking," said the supermarket owner with a smile. He then continued, "Let me give you a piece of friendly advice: you'd better leave this city as soon as possible."

A-11072 asked curiously, "Why?"

The owner's tone hardened. "Don't ask questions. Just go."

Just then, a bell ringing echoed from outside the store with a 'ding-ding-ding' sound.

The owner's face changed dramatically; he clasped his hands together in front of his chest, adopting a devout expression as if in prayer.

Shirou's eyebrow arched even higher.

At that moment, a middle-aged man in a business suit walked through the entrance.


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