Chapter 635
Even the last remaining piece couldn't escape being pierced through.
Alcides' arrow, without slowing down, pierced the last Ajax.
Nine arrows were consumed by seven flower petals, leaving only two. These two arrows bit at Hippolyta like venomous fangs.
Ahh...
Even the Shield of Ajax couldn't withstand this guy's divine skill...?
Rider smiled slightly: I already knew that!!!!
Faced with the last two poisoned arrows aimed at her, the Queen did not back down; instead, she ignited her Spirit Origin.
"Nine Lives" is a nine-hit combo, while "Rho Aias" only has seven rings, and can only block a maximum of seven arrows.
As for the remaining two poisoned arrows—
We'll use my life and Cyllene's life to stop it!!!
The cavalryman draped Ares's military belt over his body and pulled on the reins of his horse.
"Alcides!"
The black demon stared blankly at the cavalry descending from the sky.
The Amazons Queen and her beloved horse ignored the poisoned arrows piercing their bodies and charged relentlessly toward their enemy's foothold.
My name is Hippolyta!
The bow in her hand vanished as spiritual particles, replaced by a giant axe that surpassed her height.
"Daughter of Ares, and Otrera, the Miko of Artemis!"
She gently raised the giant axe, heavier than her horse, and shouted loudly.
"Also the leader among Amazons..."
The "War God's Belt," Noble Phantasm wrapped around her arm, emitted a radiant light, its Divine Aura enveloping her entire body, her beloved horse, and the entire giant axe.
"Your warrior's name is about to be defeated!"
After loudly announcing her name, Hippolyta revealed the true name of her Noble Phantasm.
"----"Hybrin Anatrephon Erinyes"!!!"
Facing the demon who casually adopted a defensive stance, the Queen swung her axe with all her might from her horse.
That's all she did.
Having poured all her skills into it, Hippolyta took the simple action of "riding a horse and wielding an axe" to its "ultimate" state, achieving the so-called unity of horse and rider.
Whenever time is paused, the graceful movements are considered first-rate works of art.
Unlike the beauty of the goddess Ishtar, whose means and ends are perfectly aligned, this is a beauty born from the pursuit of power as a pure result.
The result of Hippolyta's years of dedicated study and practice, combined with the equestrian essence woven by the Amazons through their bloodline.
All of this combined creates a single, devastating blow that is poised to shatter the world.
"------!!"
Alcides's arm, which he used to block, was wrapped in Black Mud, yet it broke as easily as a tree ravaged by a typhoon.
"I see. Your power truly surpasses my imagination."
Alcides stared at the approaching axe blade and spoke calmly.
The giant axe drew a perfect arc, leaving a gruesome cut on the front of the demon's body and sending him flying.
"..."
After calming Ereshkigal down, Shirou successfully returned to Earth from the Underworld.
On the ground, the boy was greeted by the dying Rider and the already poisoned Cyllene.
The Queen's collarbone was pierced by an arrow; the bleeding had stopped, but the surrounding skin was purple.
She leaned against the horse's corpse, the only way she could barely maintain her sitting posture.
"Where is Alcides?"
Shirou looked around but didn't see the black demon.
"They escaped..."
Hippolyta, whose Spirit Origin was being constantly eroded by the Hydra Poison, should have been in great pain, but her tone was very calm.
The headband that Rin Tohsaka had woven for Hippolyta came undone, and her bright red hair cascaded over her shoulders, giving her a natural and beautiful look.
"What a pity... I really wanted to show you how pathetic that guy looked when he ran away in front of me."
Rider said, a smug, girlish smile spreading across her face.
Shirou: "..."
"What's wrong?" Hippolyta asked, frowning.
Shirou: "No, it's nothing... I didn't know you could smile like that."
"What kind of talk is that?"
Hippolyta was originally known for her beauty and martial prowess.
After letting go of her obsession, the girl's smile was indeed beautiful, Shirou couldn't help but think.
"Sorry, that guy's arrow was too weak, I didn't die... I'll have to trouble you to do it next time."
Hippolyta looked at Shirou, hoping that he would end her life.
She didn't think she could overcome the pain that even Great Hero and heroic armies couldn't.
"Understood."
Shirou nodded and readily agreed.
"Speaking of which, Rider... what was your wish again? Was it really to defeat the corrupt Alcides?"
If that's the case, your wish has already been fulfilled, so you should have no regrets.
Hippolyta delivered the fatal blow to Alcides.
Although he didn't manage to kill his opponent on the spot, he was probably too exhausted to continue fighting.
Shirou's victory conditions already included "not killing Alcides, thus preventing the Lesser Holy Grail from becoming corrupted."
Rider fulfilled the task entrusted to Master perfectly, and even the harsh Tohsaka Sho would have nothing to say about it.
"Is it a pity...? Maybe it is."
"They've already defeated Alcides?"
Shirou asked curiously, only to see Hippolyta reveal a meaningful smile.
She raised her arm with difficulty, as if she had something to say to Shirou.
The boy followed her lead and went to Hippolyta's side.
The Queen's fingers touched Shirou's cheek, and then she stroked it with very gentle force.
"Incredible! There's no one as strong as you on Olympus."
Seeing Hippolyta's nostalgic expression, Shirou asked curiously.
"Were all the heroes of Greece really musclemen like Leonidas I?"
"Sorry, I don't know the person you gave as an example..."
Although I don't know them, I think that's probably it—a group of men who consider rudeness and barbarity as virtues.
No, Professor Leonidas is not that kind of person!
Shirou thought to himself, "He's just wild on the outside."
"Men with such a sensitive heart as you were rare in our time."
If it were you, you certainly wouldn't be so easily fooled by the goddesses' schemes.
Hippolyta stroked Shirou's face while muttering to herself.
"Ah... thinking about it this way, it's still a bit of a shame..."
Should we continue participating in the Holy Grail War in the future?
Shirou asked, puzzled, "... Why?"
Because I want to know you more.
The Queen stared at Shirou's face and stated bluntly.
It's such a shame that we've only just met and now we have to say goodbye.
So—if I continue to participate in the Holy Grail War, I'm sure I'll meet you somewhere again someday, right?
"Um... what does this mean? Could it be..."
Even if Shirou was slow to notice, he could still feel the heat in the Queen's eyes as she looked at him.
Those beautiful eyes seemed to hold a hint of desire—
"Hehe, what exactly is it... you can imagine it however you want."
Hippolyta smiled alluringly, admiring the boy's bewildered expression.
Although it left behind regrets, this way of dying doesn't seem so bad now.
"It wouldn't be bad if next time we fought as opponents instead of allies."
Or perhaps, you summon it as Servant to fight for you...
If it were you, you could definitely help me perform beyond my usual abilities. Just thinking about it makes me excited.
Shirou:"..."
It seems I'm being entangled with another troublesome woman.
He found that the Greece women he knew seemed increasingly dangerous.
Atalanta, Hippolyta... shouldn't we say they are indeed lineage members of the Moon Goddess Artemis?
"Well, in order for our future encounters, we first need to forge a bond with you..."
As she said this, the Queen stretched out her hand and poured the last of her magic into her palm, forming a short sword.
When her magic power is abundant, Hippolyta can freely weave arrows and javelins with it, but this is all she can do now.
Here, take this.
The Queen forcefully shoved the dagger into Shirou's hand, speaking with an expectant expression.
"Please, aim for my heart, and kill me with your own hands."
"... I see."
Since it was something they had just agreed upon, Shirou couldn't refuse.
He carefully picked up Rider, whose body was so light that he could barely feel his weight.
"..."
Hippolyta lowered her head, watching as the dagger plunged towards the location of her Spirit Core in her chest.
Compared to the poison of Hydra, the pain of a shattered Spirit Core is nothing.
Even so, the Queen still felt a deep sense of connection—she was absolutely certain that they had formed a bond.
"... Thank you, you're so kind."
Rider-- Hippolyta smiled happily, then transformed into spirit particles and floated into the sky.
"Even though I was killed by a man again, I feel particularly happy this time..."
Volume 8: Chapter 396 is taught by Meli.