Black Rider Takes the Field (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)

"So that's how it is. These rafters are indeed Noble Phantasm —but the sheer number is far too unusual."

Karna did not stop thinking. To stop at this moment would mean providing the enemy with an excellent target.

Vlad III) rafters are very weak, making them too fragile for Noble Phantasm. They are so fragile that even Atalanta) could easily destroy them.

However, the true value of his Noble Phantasm lies not in its individual power.

That's right, it doesn't matter if the iron stakes are Noble Phantasm. If they were a single one, they wouldn't have much destructive power, and their speed would be very slow... However, the sheer number of them is frightening, and they're things that suddenly appear from the ground, making it quite difficult to dodge them.

This is the power of the Noble Phantasm Kazikli Bey]. Its attack radius is one kilometer, and the maximum number of attacks is 20,000.

If it's simply a matter of numbers, no one on the field can beat Vlad III.

[Kazikli Bey] -- This Noble Phantasm, bearing the name of its owner, is a manifestation of the historical fact of the impalement of 20,000 Ottoman soldiers, symbolizing the Noble Phantasm of Vlad III himself.

Unable to attack their opponents, Karna and Atalanta can only keep their distance from Vlad III.

Even if you destroy the rafters, it won't help; new rafters will appear under your feet in the next instant. If you're not careful, the distance between you and Vlad III will only get further and further apart.

"This boring charade is about over. Now, let my brave warriors face your challenge."

With the announcement of Vlad III, the stakes, like an extended wall, separated the two Servant of the Red Faction. Chased by the stakes, Karna ran through the group of stakes centered on Vlad III.

Karna, eager to see what tricks the opponent was up to, didn't destroy the rafters. Instead, he followed the rafters' "guidance" to the edge of the maze.

Then he saw a man standing in the only open space in front of him that hadn't been pierced by the rafters.

"Who are you..."

Even the Noble Phantasm of Vlad III failed to surprise Karna, but this time, a rare flicker of emotion appeared in his eyes, a rarity for him.

Before him stood a man with long, flowing silver hair, carrying a demonic sword.

--She is Saber from the [Black] side, and also Karna.

"We meet again, Saber from the [Black] side."

Karna was staring at his opponent, took the initiative to speak.

It seems that Vlad III intended to make Siegfried his rival from the very beginning.

A warrior with a sturdy body capable of withstanding a single blow from his divine spear, and a spirit that never yields to any hardship or adversity.

Although they fought all night last time, neither side could determine a winner.

But this time--

"It seems that this time, I can truly fight to my heart's content with you."

Even when facing the terrifying Noble Phantasm of the Vlad III Karna's expression finally softened slightly, and the fighting spirit in his eyes seemed to indicate that the Siegfried held a much higher place in his heart than the Vlad III.

"..."

Faced with the enemy's challenge, the silent Saber responded by raising the greatsword in both hands.

Karna didn't find his attitude offensive at all, and he wasn't speaking in order to get a response.

--Now Saber is standing here to kill him, and he feels the same way.

That's enough for both sides to know.

The murderous aura surrounding them caused both of them to unconsciously slow their breathing.

No one cares about anything other than the other person. Whether it's sight or hearing, it's as if they're being slowly stripped away from this world.

In this space, independent of the world, there were no loud shouts or fierce battles, yet the fighting spirit of both sides burned like a scorching flame, gradually permeating everything around them.

No one made the first move. But by the time they reacted, the collision of the demonic sword and the divine spear had already sparked intense flames.

"So that's how it was from the beginning. That was your plan all along."

nimbly dodging the rafters extending from the ground, Atalanta, after sensing the astonishing magical power erupting from the battlefield not far away, revealed a knowing expression.

"As a warrior under my command, I, as the king, should satisfy Saber's thirst for battle."

After once again using the rafters to block the arrows fired from his blind spot, Vlad III revealed a proud smile befitting a king.

"Is that so? Then it's the same for us."

Atalanta gave a knowing look.

After returning from his battle with Siegfried, Lancer unusually revealed his true feelings, saying, "I really want to fight him again."

Therefore, the Servant of the Red Faction had already deliberately prepared a battlefield for these two, but unexpectedly, the guys of the [Black] side had the same idea.

However, there's no need to worry about the battlefield over there. Karna's identity is enough to make people feel at ease with him as a great hero, so Atalanta has moved back to the battlefield in front of him.

After dodging another attack from Vlad III, Atalanta heard the opponent's praise--

"I never expected that you, as a woman, would be able to dodge my attacks."

Upon hearing Lancer's words, Archer frowned and retorted angrily, "If you look down on me just because I'm a woman, you'll regret it, Lancer."

"Underestimating you? Absolutely not. The fact that you, a woman, have become Heroic Spirit is precisely what requires even greater vigilance."

Just as Lancer said, he didn't let go of any idea of capturing Archer.

"Although you are quick and agile, how long can you hold out?"

Lancer smiled with obvious satisfaction.

With ample mana supply and the highest level of fame, there's no Servant in the entire world who can fight under such favorable conditions. Although the true name of the Atalanta is still unknown, Lancer, who is like a boss in this Holy Grail War, doesn't need to worry about such things.

They believed that they could not possibly lose; both Vlad III and his Master Darnic firmly believed this.

Guns roared and tore through the air.

Sword, fragments of wind and clouds, a sharp scream.

A fierce clash ensued. Like the fading of life, the sparks dissipated, and the two immense forces were evenly matched.

The period of mutual probing is long over; now all that remains is a life-or-death struggle.

Siegfried gripped her sword hilt tightly to praise Karna's strength and skill; Karna, meanwhile, brandished his spear, savoring the long-awaited joy of battle.

Saber's prized defensive Noble Phantasm, [Armor of Fafnir], is a skill that recreates the legend of Siegfried, Heroic Spirit who was bathed in dragon's blood. It can nullify attacks of rank B or lower.

No one could harm Saber during her lifetime, and she ultimately died because she deliberately exposed her back, her weakness.

But Lancer could break through Saber's body with just a simple stab.

Although Lancer can only recover instantly with Master's healing Magecraft, his ability to inflict damage on Saber head-on undoubtedly makes him the strongest close-combat fighter in this Great Holy Grail War.

In other words, the spear in Lancer's hand contains physical attack power equivalent to A-grade. Needless to say, the spear itself must be an extremely rare and valuable item.

However, these alone are insufficient to unleash a strike capable of piercing the Dragon Blood Armor. Such destructive power can only be generated by astonishing physical strength and exceptional skill.

That's wonderful.

Saber Alter remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he felt joy. In his previous life, he had never even had the experience of facing such a hero. Since defeating the evil dragon that had destroyed thousands of villages, he had created countless legends with his immortality.

No attack worked on him; Siegfried simply slaughtered his enemies with ease—it wasn't a battle, but felt more like a job devoid of any real feeling.

--But I didn't feel that way during this battle.

The slight stinging pain from the wound stimulated Saber's nerves while also fueling the rising fighting spirit within him.

Similarly, Lancer, as an enemy, also secretly admires his rival.

Possessing swordsmanship comparable to his own spear skills, it is extremely rare for Heroic Spirit that even gods find difficult to touch. In his lifetime, only Arjuna and Krishna, but at that time, he was unable to unleash his full power due to a curse.

And now, despite the unstable element of receiving magical energy from his Master, he is still grateful for this Holy Grail War and for his Master, which has allowed him to encounter worthy opponents and enjoy the joy of fighting them.

Lancer unleashes a deafening gale, launching thrusts like cannonballs; Saber slices through the atmosphere, wielding a golden greatsword that cleaves through the darkness.

Their combat skills intertwined like a spiral, fleeting like sparks, as the two masters of swordsmanship and spearmanship vied for supremacy.

The dust stirred up by the battle was swept into the air by the magical storms unleashed by both sides, and the ground, unable to withstand the pressure, became even more fragmented than pebbles.

Due to the fierce battle, their surroundings had long since become a wasteland.

There were no words needed to be exchanged; only their gazes conveyed their mutual fighting spirit.

Saber raised his greatsword again, while Lancer gripped his spear tightly with both hands.

Despite the darkness of night, a refreshing and invigorating feeling, like basking in sunlight, filled the air as two rare and heroic Heroic Spirit clashed once more.

The slashing blades sing praises to the hero's pride, while weapons thirsting for glory clash foolishly.

The battle will not stop until one side falls.

No one will allow this battle to end without a clear winner.

Two chapters owed

Orz

Chapter 226. Astolfo, Deployed (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)

The sky above the battlefield, that's where the Red Faction's stronghold is located.

"Both of these Servant are very powerful Heroic Spirit."

Standing outside the Hanging Gardens of Babylon observing the battlefield, Wang Xiaoming and Lily naturally wouldn't overlook the battle between Siegfried and Karna.

Using Magecraft, Lily Projection the battlefield situation onto herself and her companion, watching the fierce battle between these two Servant who stood at the top of their respective classes. Lily eyes were filled with uncontrollable amazement.

Karna) is an absolute hero in Hindu mythology, so his strength is beyond question. Therefore, the true identity of Siegfried), who can fight him to a standstill, is something to ponder.

But compared to these...

The source of Wang Xiaoming's initial surprise was probably Archer from the [Black] side.

The short white hair, dark skin, and crimson coat... Seeing this "familiar" outfit, although his memories of the [plot] were already hazy, Wang Xiaoming wasn't so bad as to have forgotten this "character."

-- "Emiya Shirou," or the man jokingly referred to as "Red A" by netizens in his previous life.

Although it's unclear why he appeared in this "Great Holy Grail War," if the [Black] faction has Master with sufficient compatibility, summoning him doesn't seem like such a difficult question to answer.

Just then, the dense flapping of wings beside him interrupted Wang Xiaoming's thoughts. Following his gaze—

A horde of monsters with indescribable appearances were continuously flying out from above the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and their target was... the [Black] faction's Rider flying in mid-air?

If nothing unexpected happens, this battle should be the one between the [Red] and [Black] factions to decide who will win the Holy Grail; it's a decisive battle where both sides will stake their entire strength.

While the battle between Siegfried and Karna is terrifying to watch, a total of 14 heroes participated in this Holy Grail War. The battle between Siegfried and Karna was only one part of this war, and the role of other Servant on the battlefield should not be overlooked.

Astolfo gallops across the sky above the battlefield. The scene of fierce battle between the two sides can already be seen, with Dragon Fang Soldiers, Homunculi, and Puppet Masters, or Servants clashing and engaging in a close and evenly matched struggle.

The target of the Astolfo is the Red Faction's stronghold—[Hanging Gardens of Babylon].

Since the enemy is located in the sky, only I, who has the ability to fly, can attack them.

Although I'm alone, it's not like I have no chance of winning.

Rider's Noble Phantasm Magecraft, [LunaBreakManual], grants its wielder A-rank Magic Resistance. Not only modern Magecraft, but even Magecraft from the Age of Gods would find it difficult to harm him.

The owner of this aerial fortress should be either Caster or Assassin, two Servant from the Red Faction who have not yet appeared on the battlefield. If I have this book, Caster cannot harm me, while Assassin's direct combat ability is very low.

With this in mind, Rider flew straight toward the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Rider's actions naturally did not escape the sight of the fortress master. Seeing the Astolfo riding his Hippogriff and approaching the Semiramis, he revealed a smile with a hint of mockery.

"--Oh, so their Rider also has a flying horse. In that case, all the effort I put into preparing these guys wasn't wasted."

Assassin moves your finger like you're manipulating a fine thread:

"Play with me a little, [Black] Rider."

"The demon bird (Harpie)?"