บท 512: C512
Deep within the forest...
Kotomine Shirou and Assassin of Black set up their new base. Using a crystal ball, they kept an eye on the ongoing battle.
"Berserker's already clashing with their Berserker. Meanwhile, Lancer and the others managed to get past Black Archer," Assassin commented.
She glanced over at the priest, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "The battle is going well, but with Berserker doing his own thing, your plan has fallen apart, hasn't it, Master?"
Kotomine let out a sigh. "It was bound to happen. But Arjuna probably knows our plan by now. They'll be back before we know it. I just hope that Saber can keep up with our pace."
She remarked. "Saber might not be the brightest, but her Master was pretty sharp. He should be able to adapt to the situation."
Remembering his times with Sisigou, he gave a nod of agreement. "Indeed, he's a shrewd man."
There was a brief silence before he added, "Actually, our plan is not entirely foolproof. After all, our Caster hasn't appeared yet."
He sighed again.
"Caster's absence won't impact our plan. Don't forget who I really am," she said with a hint of displeasure.
"Ah... Of course, I know," he nodded, showing a faint smile, "It's because I have you by my side that I have confidence in achieving my deepest wish."
He looked at her fondly.
The Assassin he summoned is the legendary Queen of the Assyrian Empire, Semiramis. She poisoned her husband, King Ninus, and then ruled the Assyrian Empire as a regent for decades. This is considered the oldest known legend of assassination and the earliest documented case of assassination in human history.
Thanks to a [Double Summon] skill she has, Semiramis can be summoned as an Assassin, but she also has skills from another class.
In her current form, she's manifested as an Assassin, but she could also use the powers of both the Assassin and Caster classes.
Semiramis showed a satisfied smile and nodded. Compared to the blunt Karna, the awkward Atalanta, as well as that annoying fellow who always talked back to her, she found her Master much more to her liking.
Taking a moment, she finally spoke up. "Still, Berserker's actions have disrupted our plans. If we had just one more day, my [Hanging Gardens of Babylon] would be complete, and then we could confront the enemy with everything we've got."
"Given the circumstances, instead of complaining, it might be better to support them. We don't need to aim for victory; just making eternal king temporarily leave the battlefield would be enough."
Semiramis gave a nod; their main target was the Black Assassin known as Eternal King.
It might have looked like they were going all out and launching a full-scale attack on the entire enemy force, but it was pretty funny when you realized it was all for just one servant. Yet, if you think about it, if that servant was of the highest rank, it would make sense.
Semiramis summoned a horde of pale, skeletal figures, resembling skeleton soldiers, to swarm the enemy's camp in overwhelming numbers.
These were none other than Semiramis's own creations—the Dragon Tooth Warriors.
Crafted from dragon teeth, they have their roots in Greek Magecraft. However, a sorceress of her caliber can use them regardless of region or magecraft category.
In fact, she can even summon higher-ranked magical beasts and mythical creatures. However, due to the limitations of her class, she cannot summon them in this world. She must wait until her [Hanging Gardens of Babylon] are ready before she can summon them through her Noble Phantasm.
Hordes of Dragon Tooth Warriors surged through the forest, bypassing Spartacus and Heracles, heading straight for the Black Faction's base.
The Black Faction responded accordingly.
Avicebron summoned numerous golems, while Darnic released a substantial number of homunculi to form an army that would directly confront the Dragon Tooth Warriors.
Vlad III assumed the lead, riding atop his steed.
Given his stature as the Lord of Romania and the renowned general of his nation, it was only fitting that he would be at the vanguard when enemies invaded.
Saber, wielding the invisible holy sword, followed closely beside him.
With an overwhelming momentum, they pressed on.
Meanwhile...
Astolfo, on his griffin, quickly left the forest behind.
Close on his heels, Achilles drove his chariot, launching relentless attacks on Astolfo.
Despite his best efforts, Astolfo couldn't outpace Achilles' chase.
Seeing this, Vlad raised his hand and activated his Noble Phantasm, [Kazikli Bey: The Fortress of Impalement].
"Crack, crack, crack—"
The ground shook, and countless stakes emerged, as if the land itself were trying to impale Achilles and drench him in his own blood.
Achilles was taken aback. He yanked the reins hard, veering his chariot to the side, narrowly avoiding the piercing stakes.
Astolfo flew back to Vlad's side and blurted out, "Lancer, they're after Assassin!"
"What—?!"
Both Vlad and Saber raised their eyebrows in surprise. This large-scale invasion was just for Assassin?
Astolfo did a quick aerial sweep on his griffin, looking for Shirou but came up empty-handed. "Where's Assassin?"
Vlad replied, "He's on standby at the rear. I wouldn't send an Assassin to the front lines."
"Is that so?"
Astolfo breathed a sigh of relief. Typical Vlad III, always thinking strategically, placing each servant where they fit best based on their class. Since Shirou was positioned at the rear, he should be safe from the Red Faction's assault, right?
For Shirou's sake, Astolfo sure hoped so.
Achilles, atop his chariot, tried to rush from the sky towards the back lines of the Black Faction. But Vlad wasn't having it. With a simple hand gesture, he commanded stakes to shoot up from thin air, trying to skewer Achilles.
Achilles glanced at the stakes, taken aback. "They can even grow from the sky?"
With a swift motion, he wielded his spear, slicing through the incoming stakes as if they were serpents.
Vlad III's expression tightened as he gazed upwards.
The sun was setting, merging with the horizon.
Having shaken off Arjuna, Karna and Atalanta burst out of the forest accompanied by a horde of Dragon Tooth Warriors.
From behind them, Arjuna's silhouette danced among the trees, launching a volley of arrows at Karna. Yet, regardless of the arrows' power, Karna ignored him and focused intently on the path ahead, leaping out.
This greatly infuriated Arjuna.
His main motivation for answering the call of the Holy Grail was to engage in an honorable duel. He wanted to defeat Karna in single combat, without any external assistance, and claim victory.
Yet, right now, Karna acted as if he wasn't even there.
That blatant disregard made Arjuna seethe with rage.
Karna led a massive army of Dragon Tooth Warriors as they stormed out of the forest.
Awaiting him on the vast plains of Trifas City were the armies commanded by Vlad III and Saber.
"How dare you intrude upon my territory? Come and meet your doom!"
Vlad roared, and countless stakes surged from the sky and the ground, almost like a vast ocean, flooding toward Karna, Atalanta, and Achilles in the sky.
"It seems you're a quite powerful Heroic Spirit. I'd love to fight with you right now, but I have an even more delicious feast waiting for me. Hahahaha..."
Achilles hearty laughter echoed as he summoned a gleaming shield into his hand.
Without a doubt, this was one of his Noble Phantasms.
Instead of using it as a weapon, he simply placed it in front of his chariot and drove straight through, piercing through the countless stakes erupting from the sky as if he were a shooting star.
Vlad's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
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