Black Saber and Red Lancer

Rider, with his spear slung over his shoulder, gave Archer a mocking smile.

"Your performance right now is completely inadequate!"

"..."

Instead of responding verbally, Archer, the target of the mockery, Projection the black and white swords again.

"What, you really are stubborn."

Achilles's smile faded.

I initially thought that, given Archer's personality, after his weapon shattered, he would conjure another Noble Phantasm to counter my attacks, but now it seems—

The opponent seems to have decided to decide the outcome through close combat.

He was just an archer...

"Then, let's do it again!"

Wielding his spear, the Achilles charged at Archer once more.

"This won't do, Archer!"

Despite his sarcastic remarks, the gaze of Achilles became slightly serious.

Ride, the "Red," wielded his spear at Chiron." The speed was so fast it could only be described as lightning; even Archer's dynamic vision struggled to track the spear's trajectory.

Achilles, hailed as the fastest hero, possesses speed not only in his leg strength, but also in his spear attacks, which primarily utilize speed. In some situations, speed can even transform into power.

If it were just an ordinary opponent, the outcome would be decided in an instant.

But Arche (Black) blocked his attack.

He was just an archer...

Quite some time has passed since the battle began.

Judging from the situation, the Achilles undoubtedly holds the advantage.

Achilles's spear technique is as simple and unadorned as the spear he wields; there are no tricks or disguises, and all his movements are solely for killing the enemy—this is a spear technique truly honed for the battlefield.

This marksmanship may not be aesthetically pleasing, but it's highly effective. Add to that the terrifying speed...

This made it difficult for Chiron to retaliate, leaving him only able to passively parry with his twin swords.

Even so, the battle remained deadlocked.

The reality before him left Achilles with no choice but to admit that his spear, which had brought him glory on countless battlefields, had been thwarted by this unknown Archer.

I have the advantage in both speed and strength, but why can't I hit him?

Rider's gaze grew increasingly serious as he brandished his spear.

Whenever his spear was about to strike Archer's vitals, he would always dodge or use his twin swords to defuse the danger.

The spear and double-edged sword clashed thousands of times, the flashes illuminating the forest hidden in the darkness.

Up to now, Rider has no wounds whatsoever, while Archer continues to accumulate wounds.

If you continue attacking, you will win.

Achilles was certain of this, but how long Archer would keep entangled with him was what troubled him most.

What is the situation on the main battlefield? Although I have absolute confidence in the strength of my teammates, I cannot rule out the possibility of unexpected events occurring at any time on the battlefield.

Therefore, I shouldn't waste my time here.

Thinking this, Rider, who was on the offensive, suddenly lowered his gun and pulled back to create some distance.

Although keeping your distance from archers is a rather disadvantageous choice, the damage you suffer is entirely worthwhile compared to the benefits you can gain.

In an instant, Rider created a distance of tens of meters and locked his gaze on Archer.

"Then, how about we go big?"

Rider sheathed his spear and gripped the hilt with a reverse grip.

The use of a spear is not limited to wielding it in the hand. On ancient battlefields, the spear was an excellent long-range weapon comparable to the bow and arrow.

It is a weapon that was created almost simultaneously with humankind, used to kill enemies and hunt prey.

Ancient Greece during Rider's active period was no exception; javelins were a popular weapon at the time. Rider himself used javelins to defeat many famous warriors on several occasions.

Contract all the muscles in your body and begin swinging your arms.

The obstructing trees had already disappeared during the previous battle between the two Servant, leaving no hindrance to the target.

The moment Archer saw Rider create distance, he had a premonition.

Was the decision to forgo a decisive advantage in close combat and instead create a more favorable distance due to confidence that one could close that distance at any time?

Or rather, is this the distance he needs to launch his attack?

--Probably the latter.

If it were a release of Noble Phantasm, the preparation time and the amount of magic power required would be too little. It should be a throwing technique or a skill accumulated during one's lifetime.

"Tsk!"

Even a simple throw shouldn't be underestimated, considering this guy's "true name (Achilles)". Although it's not Noble Phantasm, it will definitely have Noble Phantasm- level power.

Having already guessed what the Achilles would do next, Archer began to consider corresponding countermeasures.

Using a bow for sniping and Projection Noble Phantasm attacks are both options that lack preparation time. So, should you dodge? No, trying to dodge the fastest Heroic Spirit's attack at this distance is a reckless act.

So the only solution seems to be...

No, there was no time to think anymore; the Rider on the other side had already begun swinging his spear!

Subconsciously, all the Magic Circuit activated. The blueprint in his mind unfolded, and with magic power gathered to its limit, he materialized [that thing] in his mind.

Archer raised his right hand as Rider's spear left his wrist.

"Go forth, Spearhead of the Soaring Star (DiatrechonAstir Lonchi)!"

Rider hurled his spear the instant he called out its true name. Propelled by Rider's terrifying strength, the spear unleashed unimaginable speed.

In the blink of an eye, the spear tip had already sliced through the air and struck Archer's location.

The smoke and dust kicked up by the explosion scattered in all directions. Centered on the explosion point, the surrounding forest looked as if it had been ravaged by a typhoon, a result of the shockwave from the explosion.

Who could believe that it wasn't Noble Phantasm but simply the result of being thrown?

"That should be enough to give you a hard time!"

Achilles thought half-jokingly and half-seriously, though it might also be a form of retaliation for Archer 'Durindana] against him. But it was, after all, a full-force attack. If Archer hadn't actually died, then...

With this thought in mind, Rider looked into the dissipating smoke and dust, but the moment Archer's figure appeared, Achilles seemed to see something unbelievable, his whole body stiffened and he couldn't make a sound.

"What..."

Archer is still alive—that doesn't matter.

The javelin was blocked—this is the Holy Grail War, and such things can happen.

However, the enormous petal-shaped shield that appeared between himself and Archer was something that should never have been there.

"[The Sevenfold Rings of Blazing Heaven (Law Aias)]?!"

--He obtained the "Conceptual Weapon" that grants absolute defense against projectile weapons by blocking Hector's javelin during the Trojan War.

It is Archer's most powerful defensive Noble Phantasm among his many Noble Phantasm, and also the most likely absolute defense to block Rider's javelin.

Then things unfolded exactly as Archer had predicted...

"Why, you bastard—using that guy's shield?! Aa..."

Rider, sheathing his spear, charged towards Archer with an angry roar.

There's no way you could be mistaken; the shield Archer is holding is Ajax's shield.

The original owner of that shield, Ajax the Great, was a formidable warrior in Arcadia, second only to Achilles, and also his cousin.

Seeing one's own friend's "proof (Noble Phantasm)" appear on an unknown archer is something no one could remain calm about.

That's why I don't want to use this thing.

Seeing Rider charging towards him, Archer seemed to grumble, then without hesitation raised his longbow, nocked the Projection Anti-God Noble Phantasm, aimed, and then—

Shot out.

Number of updates due: 1

Goodnight, goodnight.

Chapter 224. Siegfried and Karna

After the Achilles was lured to another battlefield by the Chiron, the Servant on both sides on the main battlefield also ushered in a period of great activity.

Vlad III didn't lift a finger. He wasn't carrying a gun; he was simply letting the horse run forward.

As Heroic Spirit, Vlad III's life was devoid of any particular legends concerning swords, spears, bows, or steeds.

He was able to enter the Throne of Heroes because of his ability to formulate strategies and tactics and his feat of defeating the Ottoman Turks; he had no personal reputation for martial prowess. He is fundamentally different from a [Lancer] in the general sense.

So, why did he arrive as a [Lancer]?

Because summarizing his historical deeds, only the [Lancer] class best fits him. But what he uses isn't a "gun," nor anything that can be held and wielded. It's not even a weapon—

The Dragon Fang soldiers sensed Lancer's approach and began to stir. Their numbers were not just a couple hundred, but more than five hundred Dragon Fang soldiers surged towards him.

"Come, barbarians who have ravaged my homeland, now is the time for divine retribution! Mercy and wrath will transform into scorching stakes that pierce through everything! And these stakes are infinite; despair before them!"

As the dragon-tooth soldiers gradually surrounded him, Lancer spread his arms, and a tremendous amount of magical power erupted from his body—

"[KazikliBey, the Kazikli Bey!]"

The earth trembled slightly. The Dragon Tooth soldiers reflexively looked down at their feet—instantly, countless slender iron stakes were summoned from the surrounding area, shooting into their bodies one after another as if shooting into the sky. Rustle, rustle, rustle... Many trees grew on the grassland. The iron stakes were the slender trunks, and the leaves and branches were made of bones.

Only three seconds had passed since the Noble Phantasm was activated, and all five hundred Dragon Fang Soldiers were wiped out in an instant.

Lancer completely ignored all of this and simply headed straight for the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Archer has successfully lured Rider, one of the enemy's two main forces, into a trap. So, will it be Lancer or Archer who comes to meet him this time?

Or perhaps, together as a couple?

"Are they here?"

Lancer keenly sensed the unusual activity within his "territory." He looked up and his gaze quickly fell upon two figures rushing by.

--One of them, wielding a longbow, is likely the archer who used his Noble Phantasm earlier; the other is the mysterious Servant clad in golden armor who fought to a draw with Saber from the [Black] faction in the first battle—that's Archer and Lancer from the Red Faction.

Vlad III targeted them, summoning a tsunami of rafters.

On the grassland, which had already become a battlefield, rafters grew continuously, like clusters of black thorns, or like a spear formation of an army. This dense thorn formation, stretching for hundreds of meters, was enough to stop most of the Servant.

However, this does not seem to include Atalanta. Archer, who was originally galloping with a light and agile pace that was faster than a horse, has also begun to slow down.

Seeing the rafters appear before her, she lightly stepped onto them and leaped up, simultaneously firing an arrow at Lancer, who was riding on horseback.

The arrow was stopped by a suddenly appearing stake before it could pierce Lancer. Lancer remained mounted on his horse, standing leisurely in place.

The Atalanta continued to fire several more arrows, but each one was blocked by the surging rafters.

"Tsk, what a hassle."

Atalanta had to admit the fact that the opponent's Servant was protected by the rafters. Although there have been many heroes in history, only one person could use the rafters in this way.

If that's the case, then as Father Shirou said, he is "Black" Lancer, and his real name is --

"Vlad III, I think you must be Vlad III."

The Karna, who arrived a little later, revealed the true name of the Vlad III while helping to extricate the situation.

"Oh, so you're calling me by my real name, are you Karna?"

A duel between [Lancers] is a scene that would never occur in a normal Holy Grail War. While feeling a strange joy at the idea of a "duel between the same class", Vlad III once again summoned the rafters.

However, Karna easily shattered the rafters with his divine spear.