"That is the Red Berserker, the rebel..."
Atop the Fortress of Millennia, Vlad III frowned. Even someone as proud as him couldn't help but voice a trace of fear in the face of that self-destructive spectacle that left one's mouth dry.
"Even after being captured by me, he still sought to reduce my nation to ashes?"
The other Servants were no better off. Even the renowned sage of the Age of Gods couldn't remain unmoved by such a sight—not because of its sheer scale (for the forbidden arts of witches from that era could achieve similar destruction), but because of Spartacus's identity.
A mere gladiator, remembered only for his rebellion, with little known about his past life. Yet Spartacus had forged himself into an instrument of destruction and revolt through sheer will.
Faced with such a noble and reckless resolve, Chiron couldn't help but offer his deepest respect.
He had come alone toward the Fortress of Millennia... which meant he had already resolved to perish together with his enemies from the very beginning.
Fiorre's face turned pale as she instinctively gripped the armrests of her wheelchair. If even the Servants were struck with awe, how much more so for mere magi like them?
Just imagining being caught in the aftermath of such destruction was enough to make one's heart stop.
Yet, amidst the Black Faction's ranks, there existed one peculiar Master-Servant pair.
"Rider, what's happening over there?"
"Let me see... Oh, that's the Red Berserker, right? I remember he'd already grown huge before we escaped. I didn't expect him to explode too!"
One asked out of mere curiosity, while the other answered with complete sincerity—the only ones who could converse so casually amid such devastation were the ever-carefree Astolfo and his airheaded Master, Sieg.
Their exchange snapped the rest of the Black Faction back to their senses. Vlad III cast a glance at the laughing pair, his gaze lingering on the missing Command Spell on Sieg's hand. With a cold snort, he ultimately said nothing more.
Rewarding the deserving and punishing the guilty—such was the fundamental way of kings.
Though the runaway magical reactor (Sieg) had fled and Astolfo had disobeyed orders, in this battle, the eccentric knight had still fought alongside him. Moreover, Sieg had used a Command Spell to retrieve one of the Black Faction's Servants.
Thus, past transgressions could be forgiven. Besides, now that this homunculus girl had become a Master, she could no longer be sacrificed for Caster's Noble Phantasm—losing her would be too great a cost.
Still, Avicebron would need much more time to find suitable materials...
As the leader of the Black Faction, Vlad III still had to weigh such trivial matters. Chiron, however, had no need for such concerns. After confirming Siegfried's safety, he turned to Sieg with quiet satisfaction.
The fragile homunculus he had once saved had now steeled her resolve and become a Master capable of standing on her own.
Though he had never taught her anything, as a teacher, Chiron felt deeply fulfilled. With gentle warmth, he spoke, explaining the situation to Sieg:
"The Rider is correct. To be precise, this is the effect of the Noble Phantasm belonging to the Red Berserker, Spartacus—likely the type that absorbs attacks and releases them all at once, much like the gladiator's own life... Of course, we must thank our Assassin for employing an extraordinary Noble Phantasm to block Spartacus's attack."
Chiron's explanation was far more coherent than Astolfo's ramblings. Not only Sieg, but every Master and Servant present held their breath, awaiting Chiron's judgment.
Artoria hadn't concealed her Noble Phantasm's activation. With something as unmistakable as Avalon, her true identity was hardly a mystery.
"—If I'm not mistaken, Assassin is none other than the legendary King Arthur, the ideal monarch of ancient Britain from myth and legend."
Chiron turned his gaze toward Reika Rikudou, who approached with measured steps. She smiled and nodded, confirming his deduction.
The declaration sent a ripple of astonishment through the Black Faction.
"King Arthur? That King Arthur?!" Vlad III's eyes widened in shock as he instinctively looked at Reika.
If you're referring to that beautiful, radiant, and incredibly gluttonous girl... Reika's smile deepened in affirmation.
"Incredible... No wonder even Sakatsuki was no match for her!" Chiron mused thoughtfully.
You might not believe it, but this ahoge Saber actually listens quite attentively to Mr. Sakatsuki's opinions... Reika maintained her serene smile.
"Hmm, even I've heard tales of King Arthur," Avicebron murmured.
My apologies for making you play dumb, Mr. Gordes. Though your mask hides your expression...
"Ohh, I know too! Charlemagne talked about her—he absolutely idolized King Arthur!"
Charlemagne? As in, the Emperor Charlemagne? Who knew Mama Artoria was this popular... Should I start treating her with more reverence?
The naturally oblivious Reika belatedly realized. As for the antennaed king herself, she might humbly brush off the Black Faction's praises—but if Reika suddenly started treating her with exaggerated respect, she'd likely squirm awkwardly while secretly preening.
Even in Romania, the legends of King Arthur were far more widespread than tales of some Wallachian voivode or a Greek forest sage... Older generations even claimed Arthur never died, merely slept, destined to return and save her people in times of crisis. Such was the ubiquity of her legend.
"But I thought King Arthur was a man? Assassin is clearly a woman," Astolfo blurted out with characteristic bluntness.
"Yet here we are. And Assassin is quite lovely," Sieg nodded vigorously. She and Astolfo exchanged glances before declaring in unison:
"History is so mysterious..."
The Black Faction collectively sighed at the duo's antics. While they too were startled, watching Sieg and Astolfo gawk like country bumpkins made sharing their reaction feel downright embarrassing.
"After returning the Holy Sword, the mortally wounded King Arthur was taken by mysterious fairies on a boat to Avalon, where it's said he was finally laid to rest. Could the so-called 'utopia detached from the world' be the manifestation of this legend..."
Caules murmured, while Fiore pondered and asked doubtfully, "But I remember the legendary King Arthur strictly adhered to chivalric virtues—kindness, integrity, benevolence, loyalty... He shouldn't be an Assassin, right?"
Isn't an Assassin the very antithesis of knighthood?
Just as Reika was about to speak, Vlad III calmly responded to Fiore's confusion.
"Perhaps it's because King Arthur is too famous. Countless versions of her story have been passed down through the ages, so it's not surprising if some include acts resembling assassination."
For the Wallachian Lord who had suffered conspiracies and once resorted to unsavory means himself, such things were entirely normal.
"But no matter what, she is one of our Black Faction, and it's thanks to her that our fortress remains intact—as long as this is confirmed, she is someone worthy of trust."
As Vlad III had previously told his Master Darnic, the lack of capable subordinates had been a lifelong regret. Now, not only did he have the sage of ancient Greece, but even the undefeated king of Britain under his command—he was doing well just by not laughing triumphantly at the sky, so why would he doubt the class of that ahoge?
"Look! Spartacus's explosion trajectory seems to have changed!"
Suddenly, Astolfo exclaimed, pointing at the distant outline uncertainly.
"That... it seems like... it's heading toward that floating garden in the sky?"
Hearing Astolfo's speculation, Chiron perked up and immediately used his innate skill 'Clairvoyance' to carefully observe. After a moment, he arrived at a precise conclusion.
"Yes, it appears Assassin... that is, Miss Artoria, is using her Noble Phantasm to push Red Berserker back. If she can send Spartacus to the Hanging Gardens before he fully explodes, it will undoubtedly deal a severe blow to the Red Faction."
Hearing this, the Black Faction's morale soared. Vlad III nodded, his approval evident in his eyes.
For the Black Faction, the Red Faction's possession of the Hanging Gardens was an extremely troublesome advantage, combining high mobility with formidable defenses.
If Artoria could successfully turn their strength against them and destroy the Hanging Gardens, it would undoubtedly be a great achievement!
"Well done, Assassin!"
The Lord of Wallachia stood tall on the castle walls, watching as destruction visibly raced toward the Hanging Gardens in the distance. His delight was unmistakable, and his trust in Artoria skyrocketed.
See this, heroes of the Red Faction? This is my capable right hand, the counterattack of our Black Faction!
Even the gladiator's rebellion can be safely deflected!
If the Lord had known modern memes, he would undoubtedly have shouted:
How can you lose with a dragon in your face!
Yet amidst the Black Faction's jubilation, no one noticed Reika Rikudou standing silently at the back, wearing an enigmatic smile.
Everything was proceeding exactly as Sakatsuki had predicted.