Black Archer vs. Red Rider / Wrapping Up This Phase

Currently, the Noble Phantasm shot down by Achilles has exceeded single digits, and nearly fifty Noble Phantasm have exploded around him. A Heroic Spirit who squanders Noble Phantasm, which are the symbol of Heroic Spirit, so casually. Rider has never seen this type of Heroic Spirit before.

He can use countless Noble Phantasm, and after using them, he can detonate them without any regret. Moreover, he uses weapons that he has never seen before.

"Ha, isn't this quite interesting?"

A flicker of excitement flashed in Achilles's eyes. Since Archer was confident in the number of his Noble Phantasm, then let him use Noble Phantasm. When that time came, he could proudly go and ask Archer for his real name, completely unharmed. This should be the most suitable ending for the mysterious Archer.

Unbeknownst to them, Achilles had already stepped out of the battlefield with Siegfried and began to concentrate on fighting against the constantly flying Noble Phantasm. Saber, as her opponent, wisely refrained from interfering with this unequal battle.

[Perhaps there's a weapon inside that can break through my "immortality."]

Although reason had long since ruled out this possibility, the Achilles, wielding his spear, still held onto that expectation.

Just as he had expected, amidst the overwhelming flood of Noble Phantasm that made one lose the desire to count, a dazzling light caught the attention of Achilles, and at the same time, an indescribable chill ran down his spine and into his mind.

[You absolutely must get out of there!]

The instincts of a seasoned warrior, honed through countless battles, told him this, but Rider's body had already taken countermeasures before his nerves could react.

As the golden light that had grazed Rider's cheek and flown backward completely disappeared, everyone instinctively held their breath.

Not only Saber, who was observing the battle, was the most surprised, but Rider herself was probably the one most astonished.

A gentle brush of fingers across his cheek sent a slight stinging sensation through Rider, jolting him back to reality. His immortal body, which seemed impervious to all strikes and attacks—was actually injured?

"!"

Before he could even express his feelings about his injury, Rider suddenly leaped backward.

At the same time, countless weapons instantly appeared where Rider had been standing, all of them being Noble Phantasm identical to the weapon that had just injured Rider.

"Not bad, [Black] Archer, but he's still a long way from defeating me."

Rider, having regained his composure, finally revealed a hint of excitement. As he had said, although Archer had found a [concept] that could break through Rider's immortality, it was still far from enough to "kill" the Achilles, the great Greece hero.

What Rider didn't expect was --

No, that's enough.

Looking at Rider, who still had a relaxed expression, Archer, who had reappeared at the edge of the battlefield, made this announcement.

"Stop spouting nonsense, you unknown Archer!"

Feeling underestimated, Rider roared and launched an attack.

With a speed that is usually unattainable by Servant, Rider rushed in front of Archer in the blink of an eye, and his spear was already within striking distance of Archer.

Archer, the target of the attack, still raised his head and stared at Rider without changing his expression.

[Search complete--]

In my mind, I pictured the greatest hero from Greece mythology, the unshakeable giant with his axe and sword.

"Projection started (TraceOn)!"

Chapter 191. Chiron VS Achilles

"How is that possible?!"

Staring in astonishment at the scene before him, Achilles felt that today must have been the day he was most surprised in his entire life.

Is it because the other party found the key to breaking his [immortality]?

No -- The fundamental reason why Achilles participated in this Holy Grail War was to seek an opponent to fight. If he could encounter an opponent who could put him in a tough battle, he would probably be overjoyed.

Is it because of Archer from the [Black] faction and his strange Noble Phantasm?

This statement is inaccurate. There are countless beings in this world who can become Heroic Spirit after death. Myths, legends, and reality all contribute to the ascension of these revered heroes to Heroic Spirit status after their deaths.

This means that there are still Heroic Spirit unknown to the Achilles on the [seat]. Therefore, the Chiron, who can use Noble Phantasm he has never seen before and fight in such an unconventional way, must also be such a Heroic Spirit.

That was what Achilles originally thought, but what happened before his eyes made him widen his eyes in surprise once again.

Clang--

The attack, fueled by his unwavering belief in victory, was blocked by Chiron.

If that were all, it wouldn't be so bad, but what was blocking the Achilles's advance was a huge axe-sword. No, it was more like a huge rock than a weapon, without a sharp blade or any fancy decorations. The Rider's spear was blocked by this "rock" and failed to reach Archer.

"This thing--!"

As if something in his memory was awakening, Achilles's eyes glazed over for a moment, and it was in this moment of distraction that Archer acted.

[If it's that guy, then maybe it'll work!]

"Projection, loading (Triggeroff)"

With a sudden burst of strength in his right hand gripping the sword hilt, Archer raised his "weapon" high, and with the momentum of a swirling torrent, he took a step forward!

Upper arm, clavicle, trachea, skull, chest, ribs, groin, thigh.

These eight locations have been identified as targets.

"The entire project has been Projection (Set)"

With factors exceeding the limits of what the eye can perceive, it was swung down----

"--Yes, Nine Lives Blade Works LivesBladeWorks!"

Legend has it that the heads of the Hydra in ancient Greece mythology would grow back even if they were cut off. After the great hero Heracles killed the Hydra with a bow and arrow, he was able to mimic the bow's ability with his greatsword, perfecting this attack method and elevating it into a distinct style.

This Noble Phantasm, which should have been used by no one but Heracles, was actually copied by an "unknown" archer.

Even if it's just a simple imitation, even if Archer can't fully unleash the power of this Noble Phantasm, it is still a divine skill unique to the great Greece hero, Heracles.

The net woven from high-speed slashes rushed towards the Achilles.

Undoubtedly, Archer's plan was a success; the blows from the greatsword struck the unsuspecting Rider squarely. However, in terms of overall effect, it was a complete failure, a fact Archer was acutely aware of.

Although his attack successfully repelled the Achilles, the Rider who was knocked away did a somersault in mid-air and landed steadily on the ground without even a scratch on his body.

--So it really doesn't work.

He threw the axe-sword in his hand towards Rider, and then casually threw it at Archer, who was about to explode, thinking with regret.

"Nine Lives NineLives?"

Achilles emerged unscathed from the smoke and dust kicked up by the explosion and reappeared before everyone. However, this time the relaxed expression between his brows had long since faded, leaving only a solemn look on his handsome face.

"If it had been 'him' (Heracles) himself who used that Noble Phantasm just now, then I'm afraid I would have to leave right here."

Achilles recognized the Noble Phantasm that Archer had used before.

That was a realm only the great Greece heroes who stood shoulder to shoulder with him could reach. It was the technique used by the man who had received instruction from the same master as him, a man who had left behind many legends in mythology.

So, Archer, who is capable of using this Noble Phantasm...

"Who exactly are you?"

"I?"

As the one being questioned, Archer remained unfazed. His hands, which had been hanging naturally at his sides, suddenly clenched, and a pair of black and white swords appeared in his grasp. He raised his head and stared directly at Rider, who was confronting him.

"He was just an archer who happened to be passing by."

"To say something like that even at a point like this, Archer, I'm really getting more and more interested in you!"

Raising his spear, Achilles grinned excitedly, feeling the warrior's blood stirring within him. However—

A cold light suddenly appeared from the depths of the forest behind Achilles, making no attempt to hide, and shot straight toward Archer's face.

"It's time to go!"

While Archer was dodging, a figure in emerald green landed lightly beside Rider; it was Archer from the Red Faction.

"Hey, sis, stop! I'm really having a blast playing!"

After hearing what Atalanta said, Rider complained to her somewhat discontentedly.

"The other Servant from the [Black] faction are on their way here."

The Atalanta's casual remark extinguished Rider's rising fighting spirit. Although the Achilles didn't care much about the Servant in the Black faction, if she were surrounded, she might not have the strength to protect the Atalanta beside her, which was not the outcome Rider wanted.

Wrong--

Rider seemed to suddenly realize something, turning his gaze to the Chiron opposite him, and said in surprise and anger:

Are you deliberately stalling for time?

"Ah, you actually found out."

Chiron wore a distressed expression, as if his secret had been exposed, which fueled Rider's anger.

"You--"

"Rider!"

His angry shout, intended to demand answers, was interrupted by the more forceful call of name from the Atalanta beside him.

"Yes, yes, yes..."

With a bitter expression Achilles whistled, and three magnificent horses immediately appeared above him, leading a chariot, and knelt down beside him.

"Archer, you just wait and see, I'll be back!"

After leaving behind such a harsh statement, the Achilles, riding his chariot, and the Atalanta vanished into the sky in a grand and blatant manner.

"Long spears, immortality, a three-headed chariot, and speed surpassing even the Lancer..."

As the two Red Faction Servant gradually disappeared from view, Archer sighed softly.

"Your true name has been revealed to me. Achilles."

By the way, this part of the plot will end in the next chapter.

Chapter 192. Phase Conclusion

[RT, Ending. Readers who don't want to follow the plot can skip this chapter.]

Millennia Fortress, Between Kings --

"Is Red Faction Rider's true identity Achilles?"

Seated on his throne Vlad III instinctively asked a question after Archer voiced his conjecture. Archer, the one being questioned, calmly nodded.

"Yes, that three-horse chariot and that near-invincible [immortality] are enough to prove his identity."

"Achilles...?"

After listening to Archer's argument, Lancer showed an indescribable look of distress. In fact, not only him, but everyone waiting in this room, whether Master or Servant, did not look too good.

Achilles, a renowned hero of ancient Greece, is known to all.

Achilles, born into the world as the son of the sea goddess Thetis and the hero Peleus, was blessed by the gods from birth. After his birth, his mother learned from the Fates that he would die in battle, so she burned away his mortal body with celestial fire and restored it with divine ointment. Just as she was about to finish Peleus discovered this and stopped the process, leaving only his heel. As a result, his entire body was invulnerable to weapons and could not be harmed by the gods.

Later, when war broke out between Troy and Achaea, Achilles' mother Thetis asked Achilles a question—

Do you want to live a long and peaceful life in obscurity, or to make a name for yourself in war and live a short life as a hero?

Achilles' final choice needs no further explanation. While his mother was proud of his decision, she was also heartbroken. For from the moment he was born, his fate was sealed—if he were born as a hero, his life would be as fleeting as a passing revolving lantern.

As an adult, he joined the Greece coalition in the Trojan War, where he distinguished himself and eventually became the commander-in-chief of the Greece coalition, becoming the most brilliant star of that era and even in the entire history of Greece.

His nemesis was Hector, the Troy general who single-handedly held off most of the Akhaili army!

His and Achilles' brilliance illuminated the entire Trojan War, making Agamemnon, Ajax the Lesser, heroes who could have been protagonists in other legends, pale in comparison.

"Heroes who made their mark in the Trojan War must all be top- Servant. Achilles is an exceptional one among them. But Archer, you should have a way to win him over, right?"

Lancer, seated on his throne, looked down at Archer. Every move Archer made during his battle with the Red Faction Rider had not escaped the eyes of Lancer and the others who were watching the battle from the sidelines using surveillance Magecraft.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Although ordinary attacks have no effect on him, a Noble Phantasm with the Noble Phantasm of a god-slaying technique can harm him. In that case, I can rely on an anti-god Noble Phantasm, and as for the other Servant, I can just aim for his heels, right?"

"Wait, Archer, there's one more thing I need to ask you."