Chapter 612

Admittedly, Shirou unleashed a massive number of sword strikes, making the scene appear suffocating.

However, Richard I never for a moment abandoned his advance.

If we were to compare their battle to a war...

So Shirou was the one who launched a defensive campaign to repel the enemy's raging advance.

The number of holy swords produced had already exceeded four figures, but even so, it could not stop Richard I's advance.

The king, once known as "the heart of a lion," still relentlessly attacked the Holy Sword's base, which was entwined with the lake's light, accelerating his advance and piercing through the cracks of death.

The only word to describe it is "lightning fast".

Even to the assassin girl who prided herself on her instantaneous speed, the Saber's speed was extremely unusual.

That speed was created by Richard I's inherent abilities as Heroic Spirit, combined with a certain "blessing" bestowed upon him by the Throne of Heroes, related to his anecdotes.

The Lionheart King's once-powerful campaign was indeed equivalent to a storm that swept across the land and sea.

"Only a general with protection from the wind can finally stop him."

Their unparalleled marching speed is so legendary that it has been widely praised.

Lionheart King, known for his anecdote of always marching to battle at three times the normal pace, after a long, long march—

They finally arrived in front of Shirou.

"She really doesn't know how to accept other people's kindness; she should just obediently get killed."

"Our ancestral king has brought out all his treasured possessions to entertain me; how can I not respond properly?"

Let me show you my holy sword! It's the answer I've found in my life, following in the footsteps of the King of Knights!

A glorious era began to unfold in the hands of Richard I.

"Eternal and distant (Ex)..."

"As you wish, let's have a speed contest."

Shirou grasped a holy sword that emerged from the lake.

Richard I's Noble Phantasm was unleashed very quickly, but before he could fully utter Noble Phantasm true name—

"Wind King... Strike Air."

Accompanied by whispers,

A roar of wind, even faster than the rushing stars, descended upon this street first.

The gale scattered the light of Richard I's nascent Noble Phantasm, engulfing his body and blowing him away.

"... Ugh!"

The Saber's body crashed through the building shrouded in darkness, scattering glass shards and concrete debris all around.

"Saber!!!"

Seeing the Saber completely knocked away, Sajyou Ayaka shouted and ran in that direction.

"... Why you of all people?"

Shirou looked at the black holy sword in his hand.

Among the many holy swords he possessed, this was the only jet-black, reverse-magic sword.

Unlike other mass-produced holy swords, this sword was a treasure entrusted to him by the savior Ash.

I've hardly used it since "showing it off to Artoria in the Fourth Holy Grail War," but I never expected to grab it so easily just now.

It's angry because it hasn't been used for too long...

Or was Shirou subconsciously taking that Saber seriously?

Just now, the moment Richard I saw this black, demonic sword, the expression on his face, which had been filled with excitement from battling his idol, visibly wavered.

That's why he was knocked away without any warning.

Otherwise, given his skills and the magic provided by "that (Sajyou Ayaka)," even if he couldn't gain the upper hand, he wouldn't have taken all the damage.

Just as Shirou was pondering his next move--

Suddenly, a noise rang in the ears of everyone, including Shirou.

"The living" and "those who were once living"

"Tell"

"Your bodies" are "not fully formed."

"...?"

Shirou looked up in confusion and discovered that all the "shadows" in the city were beginning to spread and proliferate.

"What happened?"

The police officers, surrounded by Cerberus and the black alien, were unable to move and shouted.

It's no longer a situation that can be described as just a "condition"; it's as if the world itself is gradually changing.

On the cement streets that show no signs of age, rats keep pouring out of countless cracks, and the wind blowing from the high-rise buildings with a black, dusty hue can even be seen with the naked eye.

Flocks of crows circled and flew around, these symbols of death not only surrounding the intersection, but also engulfing the city streets within sight.

The countless words that had sounded like chants now sounded like roars, vibrating in Shirou and the others' eardrums.

It was as if the world itself was howling in pain, or like the first cry of a newborn baby.

This is the way of death.

"The Land of the Dead" or "the road to the Yellow Springs"

"He is the referee," "He is the gospel."

"Eternal peace" "Pain"

"I am the sword," "I am the beast," "I am thirst," "I am hunger."

"I am the being that brings death." "I am the being that plays the melody of death." "I am death." "I am death." "Death." "Death." "Death."

The emotionless screams drowned out the entire city.

The roar, as if the world itself were a living entity, gradually turned everything black.

"Shirou!!"

Assassin felt there was no need to hide anymore and stepped out from the shadows.

This city is related to Xiaochun's safety, and she can't just sit idly by.

"Those word choices and sentence structures... could it be...?"

Shirou recalled listening to Karen tell religious stories with the children at the children's welfare home not long ago.

He had to keep a close watch on the young child to prevent the money-grubbing Nun from over-preaching.

However, thanks to Karen's explanation, Shirou deduced the true identity of the "shadow".

"The embodiment of death... Is that the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse —the Pale Rider who transports death...?"

"You mean... the Pale Rider!?"

The assassin girl also reacted to the name.

Even the True Assassin who are lifelong homebodies should have heard of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Although they refute each other as heretics, the True Assassin's beliefs and Catholicism are from the same source.

They could have been compatriots who believed in the same "god," but due to their misunderstandings of the "god," they regarded each other as enemies and fought each other for thousands of years.

Alas, how foolish humans are...

Even though Shirou was thinking about eliminating Saber until just now, he has no right to criticize her.

"Watch out... those guys are coming."

Shirou, watching the multiple Cerberus dogs poised to attack, suddenly shouted to the police officers behind him.

"Why..."

The police were quite surprised because the red-haired boy had ignored them since his arrival.

No, I didn't mean to ignore you all.

He just wanted to act a little annoying in front of that Saber, but he seems completely unmoved.

"..."

The police officers looked at each other in bewilderment.

I initially thought the red-haired boy was an arrogant Heroic Spirit like the Golden Archer, but it seems he's not like that at all... Surprisingly, he's a kind young man?

"Back in the real world, you were all fighting against that black demon's archers, right?"

Truly remarkable... I have the utmost respect for all of you who strive to protect the city's safety. How should I address you?

Shirou asked.

At this moment, a young man equipped with a prosthetic leg mustered up his courage and spoke up.

"Please call us 'the Twenty-Eight Monster'."

The Twenty-Eight Monster —this is the name of the warrior who met Cú Chulainn in Celtic mythology.

In this Holy Grail War, this was their code name for operations.

"I see. Those fakes you have... they're actually quite good."

Shirou's gaze swept over the police officers' equipment, including swords, bows, shields, guns, chains, sickles, clubs, and other weapons.

These cold weapons seemed completely out of place in the police uniforms, but only Shirou could understand that what they wielded were magical Noble Phantasm.

Although it's a fake, it possesses the power of Noble Phantasm.

Shirou thought of the combination of Shirou Amakusa Tokisada and Shakespeare.

Are these police officers being supported by Servant like Casters?

Mass-produced counterfeit Noble Phantasm, and a group of battle-hardened soldiers.

The boy looked nostalgic and murmured, "It was really nice. It reminded me of the time I fought alongside Sister 'Hundred Faces'."

"...?"

Upon hearing his muttered words, the True Assassin looked puzzled.

Shirou... did you just mention the leader's name?

The assassin girl, whose mind was filled with ever-growing questions, had no chance to ask them Cerberus launched their attack.

"Come, fight alongside me, everyone."

As Shirou spoke, he sheathed his black demon sword and replaced it with a burning blade held in both hands.

"..."

Incredibly, the "Twenty-Eight Monster" felt a surge of power flowing into their bodies.

That was not magic.

It was not so much the courage and peace of mind that came from seeing the boy's back, but the courage and reassurance he felt.

That's probably what's called "charismatic leadership."

They now finally understood why Saber was so convinced that the boy was the King of Knights.

Filled with an overwhelming sense of exhilaration, the police charged toward the monster, which was dozens of times larger than themselves.

Volume 8: Chapter 383 The Crimson Moon Descends

It's gotten bigger again...

Assassin stared at the three-headed beast before him.

Just minutes ago it was only slightly taller than a residential building, but now it's like a monster from a movie, weaving between buildings.

"Are these guys... even stronger than their original counterparts?"