On the Verge of Battle (Second Update)

Lancer scanned the Servant present, finally fixing his gaze on one of Servant.

"Rider, you'll be in charge of commanding the completed androids and golems."

"Clear!"

Rider readily agreed, patting his chest.

"Archer, you will face the Achilles. You are the only one who can be his opponent."

I will not let you down.

Archer nodded in agreement. Just as Lancer had said, only Archer's Noble Phantasm could harm the Achilles. Therefore, Archer's enemy was decided from the very beginning.

"And Caster, you stay here and wait. The time to unlock the shackles of the [Red] Berserker is up to you."

Caster needs to be more careful in manipulating the [Red] Berserker than in commanding the golems. Although Caster became the Berserker's proxy Master by supplying him with magical energy, the [Red] Berserker became a berserker because his way of thinking is fixed on "rebellion." In this respect, he is different from other Berserkers who lack the ability to think for themselves. If his Master's orders conflict with his way of thinking, he is very likely to swing his giant axe at the Master who disagrees with him.

Therefore, the Servant is most difficult to communicate with and command in this Great Holy Grail War is undoubtedly the big man next to Caster.

"Understood."

Cater nodded in agreement, and then...

"Lancer, as king, you certainly cannot go to battle on foot, therefore, I have prepared horses for you."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Lancer's gaze towards Caster became tinged with curiosity.

"Of course, it's just something that's been created—"

"It's alright, after all, ordinary horses can't handle a war like this."

Caster is Magecraft creates golems, so naturally, the golem he prepares as a mount is a golem in the shape of a horse.

This is a spotted horse made of iron and bronze. Its eyes, composed of Ruby and sapphires, gleam with an eerie light.

"Very good."

Lancer smiled contentedly and leaped onto his horse.

"Saber, your opponent is Karna, no objections, right?"

Saber nodded to express her agreement.

This was exactly what he had hoped for. Whether in life or now, only Karna could damage his armor without using his Noble Phantasm.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Saber's wish is to fight him again.

Finally, Lancer turned his gaze to Berserker, who was silently watching the floating fortress.

"Berserker, you are free. You can fight to the very end, dance wildly on the battlefield."

"Waaaaah..."

Berserker nodded slightly. As if she couldn't wait any longer, she leaned against the battlement.

Lancer, his gaze sweeping across the room once more, said in a deep voice:

"Gentlemen, the time has finally come to fight the enemy to the death. I ask you one more time: are you prepared to kill the enemy and be killed by the enemy?"

No one answered, not because they were unwilling to, but because there was no need to ask.

--This is what are called Heroic Spirit.

Those who responded to the Greater Grail understood the significance of this war more than anyone else. Therefore, their resolve was already forged the moment they were summoned!

"The enemy has six riders in total. Although their Berserkers are on our side, they are just disposable weapons. In reality, the enemy and we are evenly matched. Karna is engaged in a fierce battle with Saber, and Achilles has no means to harm him except through Archer's attacks."

The one who controls that enormous Noble Phantasm is the Semiramis, who has yet to appear. Undoubtedly, the Assassin who possesses this fortress will be a formidable enemy.

Lancer paused, surveying the battlefield, his gaze fixed on the enemy fortress, then taking in his trusted comrades:

"So, are you feeling afraid?"

--Impossible.

Everyone except "Red" Berserker expressed their refusal in their own way.

"Yes, that's right. We will surely win! But if we can't overcome this level of hardship and adversity, what right do we have to call ourselves heroes!"

Lancer's tone was resolute.

Indeed, the enemy is rushing here.

Facing the royal city, those yearning for the gold and silver treasures within the castle are sharpening their knives.

Come on over then!

Waiting for you here is [Vlad III Impaler], a cruel king and the nemesis of invaders!

"Those are barbarians. They defile my territory, arrogantly uttering savage laughter—they are fools who can only atone with death. Just kill them while laughing. Lacking any knowledge of terror, we must thoroughly re-educate them with the cowhide whip!"

Although Lancer's words were a bit extreme, they were very easy to understand.

Don't let them go back alive—that's what he was trying to say. And that's what the other Servant also hoped for.

That's all.

"Then, I'll go first."

Lancer gripped the reins and leaped off the fortress, horse and all. Although the walls and cliffs were over a hundred meters high, the bronze and iron horse made by "Black" Caster remained unharmed even after the jump.

Lacking the [Riding] skill, Lancer relied solely on his riding skills from his previous life to successfully land. He then slowly walked towards the battlefield on the grassland.

The atmosphere of battle, which Lancer hadn't felt in a long time, ignited his fighting spirit.

On the land of Romania, where he had faced 20,000 enemy troops in his previous life, the king, who had been given a second life through the miracle of responding to the Holy Grail, returned to the battlefield as if examining his own life.

This time, the enemy consisted of only six riders. But those six riders were far more powerful than those of the Ottoman Empire.

But he remained certain that he would not be defeated.

The biggest reason Lancer was driven to desperation during his lifetime was a lack of talent. He had no generals capable of single-handedly defeating a thousand men. If he had a "hero" on par with an entire army, he wouldn't have needed to rely on wooden stakes; he could have defeated the enemy solely through his strategic and tactical abilities and trustworthy subordinates.

Looking back, I have to admit I'm lucky now. I have the strength to fight any enemy by my side.

Neatly arranged golems and androids appeared behind Lancer.

Rider, as expected of a high-ranking knight, was adept at commanding his android subordinates.

[Red] Berserker was also dragged to the side of the line. His strong physique brought the restraints covering his body to the brink of collapse.

If he were released now, the first to suffer would likely be the androids around him. Therefore, deciding when to release him is a test for Caster.

As for Archer, he had already concealed himself around the battlefield to prepare for any sudden enemy attack.

Berserker is positioned slightly away from the main battleground. Although her Mad Enhancement level isn't particularly high, and therefore she possesses a degree of rationality, once the battle begins, no one can guarantee that her rationality will be able to control her rampage.

Moreover, considering her Noble Phantasm, she can only maximize her value by fighting alone.

So, the formation is now complete. It's the Red Faction's turn.

Lancer turned her gaze to the now-still Hanging Gardens of Babylon of Babylon and murmured to herself.

"Come on, let me see how you'll handle this."

Related information... I'll talk about it in the next chapter. Orz

Chapter 219. On the Verge of Explosion (Second Update)

"The [black] side has started to move."

At this moment, the Red Faction 'Servant, along with their Master Shirou and Wang Xiaoming, were all gathered at the bow of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Meanwhile, the Atalanta, possessing the best eyesight within the faction, keenly sensed the unusual activity within the Millennia Fortress.

As her voice faded, a slight movement appeared ahead, which had been completely dark due to the twilight.

"Puppets and androids...?"

As the Black army surged towards them like a flood from the horizon, a disdainful smile appeared on the lips of Semiramis.

"It's finally starting!"

Standing beside her, the Achilles, eager to get started due to the ignition of the war, was rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

"Then, let me strike first—"

Atalanta, Atalanta loads two arrows onto the bowstring of her beloved bow Tauropolos, a bow said to have been bestowed upon her by the goddess of the hunt (Artemis), an alternate name for the goddess Artemis, who is also known as the Bull Slayer. It is indeed a masterpiece befitting an archer.

"With my bow I beseech the protection of the sun god and the moon goddess."

Under the hazy moonlight of an autumn night, Atalanta shot two arrows at the moon, which was casting its cold light.

The arrows began to gleam. Her Noble Phantasm was neither the bow nor the arrow shot from it. Both were merely catalysts. Her Noble Phantasm was the act of "loading the arrow and shooting it" itself.

"Offering such a calamity—[PhoibosCatastrophe]!"

Two arrows shot into the air traced dazzling trajectories as they pierced through the clouds and vanished without a trace. This was the signal fire, the very first arrow.

--That was a plea to the gods. Apollo, the sun god, and Artemis, the moon goddess. Both were gods deeply connected with the sun and the moon. Apollo was also the god of archery, while Artemis was the goddess of hunting.

As the price Archers pay for seeking protection, their demand is disaster. This so-called protection is, in effect, causing disaster to the enemy.

The night sky was filled with a faint glow, and a soft sound like raindrops dancing in the wind could be heard. But it was no gentle breeze or drizzle. The god of tyranny sought sacrifices and showered the earth with a torrential rain called calamity.

Countless arrows rained down from the sky, tearing through the night, and immeasurable light brought death to the earth. Homunculi caught in the crossfire lost their lives to a single arrow, and even the sturdy golems were reduced to shapeless pincushions. Because the objective was a wide-range attack, it failed to harm the Servant. Although the [Black] side's Servant withstood Archer's Noble Phantasm through evasion, parrying, and other methods.

However, Archer's attack had already achieved its objective—the opponent's previously orderly formation had been completely disrupted.

"--That completes my first strike. Now it's your turn, Rider."

"Good!"

Rider, with a joyful expression, began to sprint forward.

Archer's mission was to crush the enemy's morale with a preemptive strike, which is why he reluctantly agreed to cede the real offensive to Rider.

Rider jumped off the aerial fortress and whistled. A Chariot powered by three warhorses instantly appeared in the air and caught Rider perfectly as he fell.

Rider gripped the reins in his chariot and lashed the warhorse with his whip. The thunderous neighing of the horses instantly shook the entire battlefield.

"Come, let the battle begin! I, Achilles, will lead the charge now!"

The Achilles atop the carriage proclaimed thus.

After the sturdy divine horses and famous steeds landed on the ground, the chariots began to gallop across the battlefield.

The androids and the golems stood in his way. However, not to mention the androids, which were specifically designed for combat, even the golems, which weighed over a ton, were utterly no match for the immortal steed bestowed by the sea god and were crushed into dust.

Simply by speeding across the ground, the tank piloted by Achilles can ravage the entire battlefield.

"Come on, [Black] Faction Servant! Show us your power! If anyone can stop my Rider's chariot, then come and try!"

It was not the Servant who responded to his provocation, but the puppets.

The three golems walked up to the chariot that was suddenly speeding forward. The astonished Achilles naturally chose to crush them into pieces.

"I won't let you get away so easily."

Through the Magecraft, the Avicebron on this battlefield moved her fingers swiftly.

The moment the Achilles made contact with the puppets, all three puppets simultaneously dispersed. Before the astonished Rider, the puppets suddenly hardened the instant they entangled themselves around the hooves of the warhorses.

This is a special artifact that can even restrain the [Red] Berserker, and even Achilles' divine horse cannot easily break free.

--The chariot, having lost its speed, came to a halt on the battlefield.

The androids, who also witnessed this scene, did not let the opportunity pass them by, raising their battle axes and leaping towards the chariot.

Generally speaking, a Rider who loses mobility will be significantly weakened. The strength of the [Rider] class lies in its powerful and diverse Noble Phantasm, while its physical abilities are not particularly outstanding.

But this is just common sense, and it doesn't apply to the current Rider.

"Ha, a bunch of grunts!"

The roaring rider released the reins, drew his sword from his waist, and simultaneously gripped the Hero Killer's Gun in his other hand, leaping from the driver's seat.

The encounter was instantaneous. In that instant, Rider took the lives of every single attacking android without missing a single one. The gushing blood rained down on the earth.

Due to the appearance of the Achilles, the [Black] faction's androids suffered an unexpected reduction in numbers at the beginning of the war.