Spear and Shield

A crimson warhorse.

A crimson robe.

Like sparks slowly spreading, crimson quietly rose across the pale blue glacier. Amid the azure hues, the crimson trail stood out starkly, as though the air itself carried the scorching scent of fire.

The warhorse was enormous, its mane black and thick, flying in the wind. Its hide was crimson, every muscle and vein clearly visible with each step. It bore an ornate saddle, with exotic woven ornaments hanging at its side. Even from far away, its vivid presence could still be felt.

The warrior was tall, his crimson Sichuan-style robe tucked beneath beast-headed armor. The sturdy bronze framework gleamed with a gold even more dazzling than actual gold. The red-and-gold color scheme looked both imposing and noble. Layer upon layer of armor plates formed a structure like fish scales, ensuring mobility while maximizing defense.

The rider's appearance was somewhat ordinary. A purple-gold crown bound his black hair, and in terms of looks alone, he was no different from an ordinary man of the Han dynasty. Yet the sharpness in his brows was absolutely not something an ordinary person could possess. Only a fierce general who had galloped across battlefields and won brilliant achievements could have such wild, arrogant eyes.

(Note: Bronze is yellow; it only turns green after rusting. Also, Lu Bu was not especially handsome. Records of the Three Kingdoms never mentioned his appearance, while it noted anyone whose looks were unusual. Since it said nothing about Lu Bu, it was clear that he looked no different from an ordinary person.)

The towering Heroic Spirit atop a truly massive horse created a colossal figure nearly four meters tall. Accompanied by two heavy breaths, white vapor stood out clearly in the air.

Of course, Heroic Spirits did not need to breathe. Servants did not need to breathe either.

That breath was magical energy.

With the rise and fall of his chest, the violent magical energy surging within that massive body overflowed. Unlike Leonidas's completely unrestrained diffusion of magical energy, this Servant's magical energy was simply too powerful to be fully contained even when restrained.

Legend said that dragonkind generated magical energy simply by breathing. China had always called brave men dragons among men, and it seemed the title was well deserved. The magical energy nearly overflowing from this Servant's body spoke of his own combat strength, which was practically at disaster level.

A purple-gold crown on his head, beast-headed armor on his body, a red brocade robe over his shoulders, Red Hare beneath him, and a painted halberd in his hand—someone with all these characteristics could no longer hide his true name.

Just as a golden Great Shield, spear, and red cloak were symbols of Sparta, there was only one Heroic Spirit in the entire world with all those traits.

Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian.

The Heroic Spirit famed in China's Han dynasty history as the Flying General of Dynasty Warriors.

A Heroic Spirit's abilities received a boost from fame. The more widely known a Heroic Spirit was in the place where they were summoned, the closer that Servant's abilities would be to their original self and their legend.

This Holy Grail War was taking place in China.

There was no need to say more. In this country, perhaps someone had never read the original Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but there was absolutely no one who did not know the Three Kingdoms.

And whenever the Three Kingdoms were mentioned, whether people liked or hated him, they would definitely know Lu Bu.

In terms of fame alone, more than two billion people throughout China knew this Heroic Spirit. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms television series had been remade so many times that naturally, in the minds of all Chinese people, Lu Bu's image from the classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms most closely matched the traditional perception.

No matter what kind of person Lu Bu had been, under such a boost in fame, he would certainly become the character so familiar to Chinese people from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

"Oh—looks like a man with some fire in him."

Standing in the hole smashed through the wall where Assassin had previously fled, the bold spear-wielding Heroic Spirit, also clad in gold and red, rested his spear on his shoulder and let out an interested remark.

Seeing that effortless bearing, the naturally emanating pressure, and... the overwhelming magical energy that could be felt simply by looking at him...

Wonderful.

That was what his blood vessels told him.

Wonderful!

The general before him was strong! Incredibly strong! Strong beyond reason!

Leonidas's heart filled with pride and excitement at the prospect of challenging a powerful opponent. His already burning blood absorbed even more of the scorching heat spreading from his rapidly beating heart. His excitement became tangible energy, rushing through every corner of his body and making him tremble all over.

If he had to describe it, it was like a schoolchild's excitement on the night before a field trip.

"Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian, peerless general of Dynasty Warriors, is here! If you have the courage, come and fight me!"

The crimson cavalryman tugged the reins with his left hand, and the warhorse beneath him steadily halted before turning half a circle. Lu Bu twisted his body, his painted halberd slanting toward the castle under the moonlight... or rather, toward Leonidas standing above him in the moonlit night.

He gave a cold laugh and boldly announced himself. The proud curl of his lips, despite his ordinary appearance, carried such a tone of looking down upon the world that his presence burst forth like an irresistible mountain flood and tsunami.

Perhaps he felt that his provocation was not enough. Lu Bu paused, then shouted loudly again.

"Judging from your appearance, you must be a Servant who loves battle. Then come and become another achievement for me, Lu Fengxian."

His voice boomed like thunder. Along with his bold words, Lu Bu's fighting spirit visibly emerged. Nearly transparent crimson magical energy, like fiercely blazing flames, constantly expanded outward like an out-of-control magical furnace. To an outsider, it looked as though burning fire was erupting from the gaps in his armor, turning his entire body into a man of flame.

Hearing that, Leonidas was briefly stunned before bursting into laughter.

Leonidas exerted himself, his calf muscles bulging, and the two-meter-tall giant directly leaped down from the castle!

Boom!

His feet landed firmly on the ice, the immense force rumbling like an earthquake. The poor ice gave a pained groan as waves of chilling air spread in every direction, as though building momentum for Leonidas.

"King of Sparta—Leonidas, entering the field!! No matter what kind of Heroic Spirit you are, you will never break through my shield."

"Haha, interesting! There is no one in this world that I, Lu Fengxian, cannot break through!"

Confident words.

Both sides possessed absolute confidence in their own martial prowess.

At their level, there was no need for any more pointless talk.

Leonidas, King of Sparta, the strongest shield who led the Three Hundred Warriors in a bloody fight at Thermopylae, battling an army dozens of times larger than his own for three days.

Lu Fengxian, the foremost general of the Three Kingdoms, the strongest vanguard cavalryman who had never suffered defeat in single combat or concentrated breakthroughs—the strongest spear.

China had a

word called contradiction. When the strongest spear collided with the strongest shield... what kind of ending... would there be?

There was no need for words. Lu Bu pressed down with his legs, and Red Hare, the companion that had followed him through life and death, had long understood Lu Bu's intentions. With a long neigh, it sprayed surging magical energy from its nostrils, its crimson form becoming a crimson bolt of lightning!

It was an attack even faster than Assassin's! Not only that, as Lu Bu's arm muscles flexed, the power contained within the painted halberd was something Assassin could never hope to match.

Slash!

In the blink of an eye, the crimson warhorse abruptly appeared in Leonidas's field of vision. Leonidas had no time to react and could only barely twist aside to avoid Red Hare's charge, raising the Great Shield in his left hand to cover most of his body.

But even so, B-rank Agility truly could not contend with Lu Bu's speed. Lu Bu's painted halberd struck the Great Shield with a shrill, teeth-grating screech. Leonidas felt a crushing force descend upon his left hand. Even as he resisted with all his strength, his A-rank Strength could not stop the halberd's attack! Gritting his teeth, he drove his left shoulder forward and spread his stance, as though rooted in the ice field, desperately resisting the force of Lu Bu's strike!

Sparks of magical energy burst from where halberd met shield. Rider Lu Fengxian used the force of his galloping mount and the spherical curve of the Great Shield to forcibly carve three scars across it. Accompanied by the unpleasant sound of metal tearing, the halberd cut downward, its attack ending at Leonidas's tensed thigh. His iron-hard muscles were barely resisting the force on the shield and could not withdraw in time!

Slash!

With the dull, sticky sound of flesh being torn, Lu Bu's strike pierced the outside of Leonidas's thigh! Blood streamed down!

"Heh... looks like I won."

Without even turning back, Lu Bu declared his victory.

This was not arrogance.

It was no exaggeration to say that as long as he was in China and riding Red Hare, he, Lu Fengxian, was an invincible Heroic Spirit.

Strength, Endurance, Agility—the three attributes that measured close-combat ability—were all A+++, the absolute limit humanity could attain.

Even Assassin Hattori Hanzo, famed for his agility, had only A+ Agility, twenty percent weaker than Lu Bu. Combined with the mutual understanding he shared with his beloved horse, Lu Bu was a Heroic Spirit who embodied the word Rider to the fullest.

And even if Leonidas had not died, Lu Bu was certain that he had just cut his thigh artery. For a Servant, it was not a fatal wound, but it would definitely hinder the battle.

He already could not keep up with Lu Bu's speed. With his thigh injured, his speed would be further diminished. That would only make him slower and less able to keep up...

"S-so amazing..."

Hidden in the woods, Tohsaka Mina stared blankly at the battle between the two, unable to suppress her excitement.

(So strong!)

(Lu Bu! So strong!)

(Just as expected of Dynasty Warriors!)

(Whether in anime, games, manga, or the original work, he is a character known as the strongest of the Three Kingdoms!)

Tohsaka Mina had been worried that an EX-rank Noble Phantasm might cause some trouble, but now it seemed there was nothing to worry about!

He had gained the advantage with the very first strike...

Wait?!

Tohsaka Mina vigorously rubbed her eyes and stared at the battlefield again in disbelief.

After becoming a Master, she had received the Master privileges granted by the Holy Grail. One of them allowed her to see an opposing Servant's attributes.

Strength A, Endurance EX, Agility B+, Mana E-, Luck D, Noble Phantasm EX.

Those were the values Tohsaka Mina had seen earlier. There could be no mistake.

But... when she had inadvertently caught sight of Leonidas's values just now...

"Rider! Watch out! Don't let your guard down!"

Anxious beyond measure, Tohsaka Mina hurriedly sent a warning to her Heroic Spirit through her mind.

"Huh?"

Hearing his Master's startled voice in his mind, Lu Bu could not help but sneer. That inexperienced little girl had simply never seen the world. Women were troublesome. Diao Chan understood him better.

Still, he was her Servant for the time being. If he went too far and ruined their relationship, getting along later would be troublesome. So, though displeased, Lu Bu turned Red Hare around and rode back, intending to see what Tohsaka Mina was making a fuss about. Then...

A gleaming silver blade charged toward him alongside a crimson cloak!

Lu Bu was shocked. Instinctively gripping the painted halberd with both hands, he raised its shaft before him and used the polearm to intercept the slash aimed at his face!

"Hngh?!"

The massive force drove Lu Bu's hands downward, and the long shaft of the painted halberd bent dramatically toward his body! Even A+++ Strength could not stop the opponent's assault when caught off guard!

Lu Bu could only do his best to deflect it. With a tiger-like roar, he flicked the shaft upward, transforming the blocking force into guiding force. Only then did the gleaming silver blade slide up along his weapon. Sharp steel tore open his vambrace, leaving a shallow wound on his upper left arm!

Who else could it have been but Leonidas!

Boom!

The massive Heroic Spirit landed heavily, crouching halfway to absorb the impact.

His bold yet displeased voice rang through the air.

"During a battle... who gave you the confidence to turn your back on me, Leonidas?"

"Oh?"

Lu Bu's facial muscles twitched.

He was injured...

This was truly...

A feeling he had not experienced in a long time.

"Hehehe... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

The warrior's delighted, wild laughter echoed over the frozen river. Having finally found a worthy opponent, the blood of battle within him boiled!

Every cell urged him to fight! To kill this man!

The last time Lu Bu had felt such pleasure was at Hulao Pass. Amid his hearty laughter at finding a good opponent, lightning-like fighting spirit burst from his eyes. He glared sharply at Leonidas, and Leonidas glared back with the same look.

In the first clash between spear and shield, Leonidas had suffered a wound to his thigh.

Thus, in Tohsaka Mina's eyes, Leonidas's attributes had already changed.

Strength A++, Endurance EX, Agility A+, Mana E-, Luck D, Noble Phantasm EX.

His Agility and Strength had already risen to the point where he could contend with Lu Bu!