Chapter 69: Overlapping Battlefields
While Waver was busy mentally constructing a grand drama, Rider had already dismounted and stood firmly on the ground. Seeing this, Waver hurriedly scrambled down from the horse's back as well.
"I truly didn't expect that the one to arrive here at the very end would be you... Orihara Shirou."
Rider looked at Shirou with a look of slight disbelief, his gaze then lingering on Saber standing nearby.
"Strange... Saber, why are you together with Orihara?"
Rider remembered clearly that Saber's Master was not this red-haired youth; so why was Saber standing by his side now? Masters were rivals; given the solitary and proud nature of magi, an alliance was unlikely. There was only one logical conclusion.
"I see. So, Orihara is your Master now."
Seeing that Saber did not refute him, Rider confirmed his suspicion. He then turned to Shirou, his gaze filled with admiration.
"No need for words. The fact that you can stand here after defeating that Archer says everything."
Hearing this clear praise, Shirou shook his head slightly. "No, I am not the one who defeated Archer."
Upon hearing this, Rider was stunned and asked in surprise, "Then who was it? Saber?"
Faced with Rider's question, Shirou answered calmly.
"The one who defeated Archer was Lancer. With his full strength in a final strike, he destroyed Archer's strongest Noble Phantasm. He was truly worthy of the name of a Hero."
That had been Gilgamesh in his serious state.
Even with Unlimited Blade Works, Shirou would have met a bitter end if he had faced that ultimate Sword of Rupture, Ea. The blazing sun that hung in the sky that night had left an incredibly deep impression on him.
"Since Lancer has departed, then... what was his true name?"
Rider also knew how formidable Gilgamesh's strength was—especially after seeing that uniquely shaped "sword" Archer brought out during his fight with Lancer. Even he, the "King of Conquerors," couldn't help but feel shocked by Gilgamesh's power. If not for Lancer, Archer would undoubtedly have been the strongest Heroic Spirit in this Holy Grail War.
With a hint of admiration, Shirou spoke the name.
"Karna! His name was Karna. Son of the Sun, the Hero of Charity!"
Hearing that name, Rider's pupils constricted slightly.
"..."
Upon arriving in this era, every Servant passively acquired knowledge of this world's history, so Rider was familiar with the legend of Karna.
"To think Lancer was that noble hero... It is a great regret that I could not cross blades with him." Rider sighed with a touch of disappointment.
Then, Iskandar turned his gaze back to Shirou and Saber.
"Well then, I suppose this is the final battle. If you wish to challenge me, I grant you permission to come at me together!"
Iskandar let out an arrogant laugh, his words brimming with a king's domineering aura. His confidence was well-founded; with the tens of thousands of Heroic Spirits in Ionioi Hetairoi, he truly feared no one.
"Saber, I still do not recognize your ideals, for they run contrary to my kingly way. If you want me to acknowledge you, then prove it in battle!"
Hearing this, a high-spirited fighting intent surged in Saber's crystal-clear eyes.
"Rider, I shall crush your army in a single blow!"
Even though Saber's declaration was full of momentum, Rider merely grinned, completely ignoring her intimidation. With a heroic laugh, he drew the longsword from his waist.
"Because of the power of the Command Seals my friend bestowed upon me, tonight, Iskandar is in his most perfect state!"
Although his previously stored magical energy was only enough to support one more activation of the Reality Marble, the three seemingly "meaningless" Command Seals Waver had used were now functioning in an unexpected way. Even if Waver's orders were too vague to be literal commands, they nonetheless transformed into a massive amount of magical energy, allowing Rider to utilize the full power of Ionioi Hetairoi.
In this sense, the Command Seals Waver used had actually achieved a specific effect: replenishing Rider's mana. Consequently, Rider, wielding the full power of his Noble Phantasm, could summon the entirety of the Heroic Spirit army within his Reality Marble—including generals whose individual strength might even surpass Iskandar's own.
"Hmph, don't underestimate me, Rider! I will use the sword in my hand to utterly defeat you!"
Saber's grip tightened on her sword. The golden blade emitted a vibrating hum, and its dazzling radiance transformed into clear sword qi, causing the ground beneath her to crack.
At that moment, Rider had already raised his longsword high, pointing it straight at the heavens.
In the night sky, dark clouds gathered. Ear-splitting thunder echoed across the firmament. Accompanied by a gale of magical energy, a thick bolt of lightning descended directly from the heart of the clouds, striking Rider's upraised blade.
Guided by the lightning, Iskandar swung his sword downward. Space tore apart, and the earth shook!
"Gather, my comrades! Tonight, our brave figures shall leave behind the greatest legend!"
Lightning fell from the dark clouds, announcing the arrival of the storm. Burning sands swept across the battlefield, and the mist from the river surface began to spread over the bridge.
The entire world underwent a violent transformation at that moment, as yellow desert sands gradually obscured their vision. From top to bottom, even the horizon was filled with sand, permeating the world like a dust storm.
Within that desert, countless Heroic Spirits were gathered, their power rivaling that of other Servants. Their wills converged at this moment, appearing as if nothing could obstruct their path.
"The enemy is Britain's 'King of Knights'! A worthy opponent! Brave warriors, show them our hegemony!"
"OHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Iskandar let out a roar, and the assembled army erupted in an immediate, thunderous cheer.
"..."
For Waver, this was the second time witnessing the soaring majesty of the "King's Army." Though no longer surprised, he felt an added layer of awe after understanding the significance of this ultimate Noble Phantasm—the embodiment of Iskandar's kingly way.
The tens of thousands of Heroic Spirits let out a synchronized roar. The deafening sound was so powerful it shook Waver to his core, even having seen it once before.
.
.
.
New Fanfiction!
Hachiman please tone down your Inner Thoughts
While waiting for Yukinoshita in the clubroom, he unexpectedly travels to the world of Classroom of the Elite and becomes the representative of Class B.
Initially, he only intended to keep a low profile while helping Class B escape its tragic fate from the original story, and incidentally saving Ichinose Honami.
However, why these girls seems to know what am I Thinking?
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting