The Battle Begins: Hanging Gardens!

But Shirou smiled.

He had already calculated his enemy.

This round, he had won.

"Gaebolg—Spear of the Distant Land!"

Like a comet striking Earth, the Red Spear aimed at Achilles.

Achilles was only one step away from Shirou's Master. Even if it hit Achilles, the Red Spear's impact would surely kill Shirou's own Master as well.

The Command Spell transformed into magical energy, unleashing Great Magic of at least A-rank. In an instant, the homunculus was in Shirou's arms.

"By the Command Spell, Master, come to my side!"

Time froze for Achilles, and he realized that the Master before him had vanished.

He had been seen through?

The Red Spear burned with magical energy as it targeted Achilles's heel.

It was over!

"AAAAAHHHH—!"

His heel was hit!

His immortality had been broken!

"How is this possible?"

He raised his head unwillingly. Upon the silver moon stood Assassin, with his Master at his side!

He had been outmaneuvered!

"Until we meet again."

Shirou used the last of his magical energy to project a shield, his vision darkening.

He had reached his limit.

Author's note:

They were written together, so I might as well post them together.

The Battle Begins, Hanging Gardens!

By the time Heracles returned, the other members of the Black Faction had basically all gathered.

Everyone wore grim expressions as Darnic arranged their forces.

"Gord, you and Fiore should hurry and deal with the homunculi. It must be finished before we board the Hanging Gardens," Darnic ordered. "We still need them to supply our magical energy."

Gord's expression darkened as he hesitantly set down the homunculus in his hands.

"O-okay."

After dealing with matters here, Darnic looked toward Heracles.