"Whoa!"
At the black figure materializing beside him, Waver scrambled on all fours toward Iskandar, ducking behind the giant man for cover.
At the same time, Irisviel swiftly moved to stand behind Artoria.
Tendrils of black mist spread throughout the garden, coalescing one after another into figures of varying shapes and sizes.
They were all clad in black shrouds, their faces hidden behind ghastly white masks.
"Why are there so many Assassins?! This number... it's just unreasonable!"
A closer look revealed over a hundred Assassin figures crowding the space!
Even with their individual weakness, such overwhelming numbers made them a formidable force.
In a one-on-one fight, even a top-tier Servant would struggle against them without resorting to their Noble Phantasm.
Of course, numbers were their only real advantage.
"Was this your doing, Golden Boy?"
Iskandar's face showed clear disappointment as he eyed the encircling Assassins, turning to question Gilgamesh.
"That fool Tokiomi, always resorting to underhanded tricks." Gilgamesh let out a cold snort, his tone dismissive. While he didn't answer directly, his words made it clear this scheme wasn't his.
Simultaneously, a flicker of displeasure toward Tohsaka Tokiomi stirred within Gilgamesh.
The man's etiquette was impeccable, but his methods lacked grandeur.
In the original course of events, Gilgamesh would have harbored significant resentment toward Tokiomi by now. However, with Mydei's involvement, Tokiomi's two previous acts of defiance had never occurred.
So, for now, Gilgamesh still had the patience to play along with Tokiomi's little game of lord and vassal.
"We are a divided existence. A group, yet individual Servants. Individuals, yet also a collective... shadow."
As if answering Waver's unspoken question, the Assassins spoke in unison, their voices flat.
"Vile assassins. You remind me of unpleasant memories. Withdraw now, and I may choose not to pursue this insolence. Otherwise, neither you nor your Masters will escape retribution."
Before Iskandar could speak, Mydei frowned, his gaze sweeping over the Assassins.
The people of Castrum Kremnos valued directness and honor on the battlefield. They held nothing but contempt for vermin who only struck from the shadows.
Especially after Mydei joined Okhema... The romantic demigoddess Aglaea had not fallen in the divine war against the Titans, but had instead been slain by a Cleaner's dagger, wielded by one of the Senate's worthless curs.
Though Mydei had been stationed at Castrum Kremnos, suppressing the Black Tide at the time, the news had ignited a raging fury deep within his chest.
And now, these vile Assassins stood before him...
Mydei's hands were itching for a fight.
"Berserker, leave this to me."
Iskandar, standing nearby, furrowed his brow, not understanding why Mydei was having such a strong reaction.
"No need, King of Conquerors. You must understand their purpose. As Assassins, their combat strength is weak. Even with a hundred bodies, they are no match for us. So, their goal is clear: to force you to reveal your Noble Phantasm. Hmph..."
Mydei finished with a cold snort.
"So that's it? Ahahaha! But since when would I fear my Noble Phantasm being exposed?" Upon hearing the analysis, Iskandar had an epiphany.
Among those present, he seemed to be the only one who hadn't yet shown his hand.
Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, needed no explanation.
Artoria, the King of Knights, her legends were far too famous; one could easily guess her Noble Phantasm.
While there was little information on Mydei, he had just unleashed that staggering blow yesterday. In Tokiomi's estimation, that must have been his Noble Phantasm.
Therefore, this group was targeting him.
Given his temperament, if provoked by these fools, he would undoubtedly use his Noble Phantasm to crush them.
And that was precisely what the enemy wanted to see.
But so what?
Iskandar didn't care about such things. If he did, he wouldn't have revealed his True Name from the very beginning.
"Logically speaking, having your power exposed would be to our advantage. However, since these maggots have reminded me of some... unpleasant affairs, my apologies, Iskandar, but I'll be seizing the right to deal with them this time."
"Alternatively, we could use the Kremnos way to decide who gets to slaughter them?"
Mydei took a sip of wine, looking at Iskandar with keen interest.
"Unpleasant affairs, is it? In that case, these men are yours to dispose of as you wish."
In their conversation, they spoke of the Assassins not as enemies, but as mere goods to be disposed of at their leisure.
This arrogant attitude naturally angered the Assassins.
"How dare you look down on us! In that case, die!"
The Hassans, having clearly heard the arrogant conversation, grew restless. In an instant, they lunged forward, charging directly at Mydei.
"Look out!" Artoria raised her sword, ready to meet the enemy.
But in that moment, Mydei simply waved his hand and stood up.
"I am Nikador Mydemos, the Scourge's Spear! O wandering heroes of strife, heed my call! Serve my will! Kremnos's Exiled Legion!"
A vast torrent of magical energy swirled around Mydei, whipping his hair into a frenzy.
In that same instant, a blinding white light enveloped everyone.
As the brilliant radiance faded and their eyes adjusted, they found themselves no longer in the elegant, tranquil garden, but within a magnificent and imposing city.
The city held no superfluous structures, only pervasive metal and an aura of stern lethality.
Merely standing there sent a shiver of unease down Waver's spine.
But what drew everyone's attention more was the golden spear hanging high above the city, like a sword of Damocles.
It was then they understood why Mydei called himself the King, or God, of Castrum Kremnos.
For the Scourge's Edge suspended in the sky above the city, if it were to fall, held the power to annihilate heaven and earth!
"This is... a Reality Marble!" Waver stared in shock.
"A Reality Marble? How is that possible... The materialization of an inner world..." Irisviel gazed in stunned disbelief.
As a magus, she knew well what this represented.
Reality Marbles, known as the magecraft closest to True Magic, were listed in the Magus Association's Sealed Designations. Among the magi in the world today, those capable of using a Reality Marble were as rare as phoenix feathers.
And now, in this small city of Fuyuki, she was witnessing one.
How could she not be utterly shocked?
"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent! Just seeing the outline of this architecture, I can imagine how powerful your empire must have been."
Iskandar looked toward Mydei, who stood not far away, and laughed heartily.
Mydei merely glanced at him before turning his attention to the five figures now surrounding him.
Hephaestion, Perdikkas, Leonnius, Ptolemy, Peucesta.
These five had been his steadfast guards since his return from the River Styx.
Through years of exile, they shared life and death with Mydei. A decade of hardship and wandering, yet filled with memories worth cherishing.
Every night, they would sit around the campfire, drinking freely and singing lustily.
"They are my comrades, my closest brothers-in-arms from my campaigns across Amphoreus. I should thank this world, for its rules have allowed them to return to my side as my Noble Phantasm..."
Mydei looked at the five beside him, a faint smile unconsciously gracing his lips.
"Let's fight together again, Mydeimos, just like the old days." x5
The five looked at Mydei, smiles spreading across their own faces.
"Yeah. Let's fight together again, lads."
Mydei gave a slight nod, then waved his hand grandly.
"The enemy is the despicable Cleaners, honorless curs who only bare their fangs from the shadows! Warriors of Kremnos, tell me, how should we deal with such honorless scum?!"
He proclaimed loudly.
Arrayed before Mydei was a solemn, disciplined army, brimming with fighting spirit and a bloody, fearsome aura.
These warriors were all comrades who had once followed Mydei across the lands of Amphoreus.
Now, summoned by this world's rules from the depths of Mydei's consciousness, they were made manifest, transformed from void into reality.
This was Mydei's Noble Phantasm: The Grand Journey.
In terms of ability, it was strikingly similar to Iskandar's own Noble Phantasm, Ionioi Hetairoi.
However, Mydei's Reality Marble could even fully manifest Castrum Kremnos itself.
"With the Kremnos way, grant them a glorious death!"
After Mydei spoke, the soldiers below roared in response.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
An endless, murderous aura coalesced around the soldiers, so thick it seemed almost tangible.
Their battle cries shook the very heavens.
The next moment, as Mydei swept his hand forward, these warriors charged toward the Assassins, carrying with them an overwhelming tide of killing intent.
As Assassins, they were inherently ill-suited for frontal combat. On the wide-open battlefield of Castrum Kremnos, they had nowhere to hide.
Moreover, shadowy rats were no match for a proper army.
Under the charge of the Kremnos's Kremnoan Detachment, the Assassins were utterly shattered in the first clash.
It was a crushing, overwhelming defeat. It couldn't even be called a battle; it was a slaughter!
The Assassins were dead, every last one of them. Under the iron-shod hooves and relentless spears of Kremnos, they hadn't even managed a decent resistance.
"A mighty army! Their spirit alone proves their combat prowess."
After witnessing Mydei's Kremnoan Detachment, Iskandar's face showed clear appreciation.
As one who also commanded a peerless army, Iskandar couldn't help but feel a familiar itch.
If he could cross swords with such an opponent, even if this Holy Grail War ended in failure, the journey would have been worth it!
"Of course. The troops I lead cannot be lacking in spirit."
Watching his army crush the Assassins, Mydei waved his hand, dismissing the Reality Marble, and spoke with pride.
"But truly, it's astonishing. Just how many Noble Phantasms do you possess? For a Berserker, to have so many?"
Iskandar spoke while looking Mydei up and down, as if considering how to seize his treasures.
"If you can defeat my Kremnoan Detachment, you'll earn the right to witness my other Noble Phantasms." Mydei shrugged casually.
"Hahaha! My army will not lose to anyone!"
Iskandar laughed heartily, brimming with confidence in his own forces.
Meanwhile, Gilgamesh nearby also showed a flicker of interest. So, Mydei still had other Noble Phantasms unused?
Of course, Mydei had more cards up his sleeve. The blow that defeated the Cthulhu monster yesterday was theoretically already an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm.
But in reality, that was merely Nikador, the Scourge's Spear, formed by channeling a minuscule fraction of his power.
If he were to go all out, it would truly be a strike capable of scouring the earth.
It was precisely for this reason that his Nikador was ranked as an EX-level Noble Phantasm by this world.
And the reason it was EX was simply because EX was the highest rank this world's system allowed.
"Though the troublesome maggots have been dealt with, this little... incident has soured my mood for further drinking. Tonight shall end here."
Mydei glanced around the courtyard. While the magical winds generated by his Reality Marble had left the place somewhat disheveled, the damage was minimal.
However, after the event, none of them were really in the mood to continue the party.
"Though our conversation was pleasant, after tonight, we are enemies. Hahaha, if not for this Holy Grail War, perhaps we could have been friends." Iskandar stroked his beard, clicking his tongue.
"You'd best be careful not to die by my sword, mongrels." Gilgamesh snorted coldly, also speaking dismissively.
"Though neither of us can convince the other, I will use the sword in my hand to prove I am right, Rider."
Artoria, standing to the side, looked seriously at Iskandar.
She had earlier explained her reasons for participating in the Holy Grail War, only to be met with Iskandar's incomprehension. Both knew they couldn't persuade the other.
In that case, it was better to let their swords validate their beliefs.
"Anytime. But first, you should focus on fulfilling your promise and surviving your fight with Lancer. Hahaha..."
Iskandar said, then laughed heartily.
Artoria didn't refute this. While confident in her own abilities, her opponent was also strong. In a fair duel, they were evenly matched, worthy adversaries!
After returning home, Mydei didn't choose to rest. Instead, he opened the System Shop. As the Holy Grail War progressed, it seemed he needed to start considering other options.
If he didn't come up with a plan soon, Irisviel would surely die.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.