Super God: If I punch you, you will die

However, despite the overwhelming hostility, "Red" Assassin's calm and composed attitude remained unchanged.

"Well then, thanks to the Holy Grail, I've suddenly been inspired to create something, so I'll have to take my leave now!"

"I said, you should at least help me out."

Ignoring the helpless looks from everyone, Caster hurriedly ran to the workshop built specifically for him... which is also known as the "study".

"Oh, right, there's something I forgot to mention. This garden doesn't belong to Romania. You should keep that in mind during the battle."

Leaving behind this statement, "Red" Assassin vanished without a trace. As for the Greater Grail... although the process is quite slow, it is indeed being gradually stripped away from Torifas.

Since the garden is so close to the edge of the walled city, the Servant could probably reach it with just a leap.

“I will deal with ‘Black’ Lancer Vlad III.”

After speaking, the "Red" Rider raised his lance. The "Red" Rider naturally chose his master, the "Black" Archer Chiron, while the "Red" Archer decided to target Caster, whom he was meeting for the first time.

The game alternates between offense and defense. The "black" side's Servants must retrieve the Greater Grail before it is taken away. The "red" side's Servants, on the other hand, must defend the Greater Grail before it is completely captured.

With the shift in offense and defense, the situation has reversed. The once-renowned fortress of Milenia has now become a useless wasteland, and the "Red" team now holds an overwhelming advantage.

However, another problem exists: the presence of Ruler, who is heading this way. Only "Red" Assassin, Caster, and their Master, Shirou, are aware of this.

Whether it's the "black" side, the "red" side, or Ruler... they all understand that this is entirely a battle of time. In these few minutes before the Greater Grail is stripped of its spiritual veins and completely absorbed into the Hanging Gardens, they must fight with all their might.

Ruler left "Black" Rider and Lin Yan behind and headed straight for the Sky Court alone. As he drew closer, Ruler was increasingly amazed by the floating Noble Phantasm. While Servants possessing Noble Phantasms powerful enough to destroy cities were not numerous, they did exist. However, Servants possessing a city itself as their Noble Phantasm were extremely rare.

When it comes to the existence of castles as Noble Phantasms, the only knowledge Ruler can immediately recall is the Child of Light from Ireland. And even that is limited to the territory of his homeland.

Moreover, a floating fortress is practically worthless. And the most pressing issue now is that the owner of that floating fortress seems to harbor ill will towards them. Although they've gone through a long and winding road, there are countless things they need to clarify with the "Red" side.

but.

Something deadly was happening, or perhaps it was already nearing its end… She had a premonition. She forced these thoughts out of her mind and desperately sprinted up the walls of the Milenia fortress.

Through the large hole punched through the nearby Milonia fortress, one can see the Greater Grail slowly revealing its true form.

"It's unbelievable."

No wonder Ruler muttered those words to himself. The oppressive feeling of being tightly bound throughout his body was telling him that this was the real Holy Grail. Incredibly, the "red" side was trying to pull it out.

Indeed, this is a war centered around the Greater Grail. However, that's generally something that happens after the war is over. With the balance of power still swaying fiercely, why are they in such a hurry to reclaim the Greater Grail?

It's likely that the problem wasn't caused by the "Red" side's Servant, but by their Master. And that Master was someone who went against the Mage's Association's wishes...

She had just reached this point in her deductions when she arrived at the floating fortress. The water was flowing upstream, and the trees were clearly growing downwards, not upwards.

"Reverse flow...a rooftop garden...!"

“You’re right, Ruler.”

A mocking voice reached Ruler's ears, and he turned to look... Ruler only knew two Servants who possessed the Hanging Gardens as their Noble Phantasm. One was Nebuchadnezzar II, and the other... was the legendary Empress who, due to the old traditions being conflated with historical fact, was spread the false claim that she "built the Hanging Gardens."

0191 The Assassin [Please Subscribe]

Semiramis, the world's oldest assassin.

"'Red' Assassin... So it was you."

“That’s right. So, Ruler, what brings you to my garden? I don’t think I’ve done anything against the rules.”

Perhaps it was because of the dim lighting, but the jet-black, alluring evening gown almost blended into the night. Ruler found the whole scene incredibly eerie.

No, you did it.

Oh… “Red” Assassin seems to have taken an interest.

"So, what rule did I break?"

"If you can honestly say that you have always abided by the rules of the Holy Grail War... then please let me see your Master."

In an instant, "Red" Assassin's gaze shifted from mockery to wariness. Seeing this change in her expression, Ruler realized that the clues he had been following were entirely correct.

"I'm sorry, my Master is very busy right now. And he's a very timid person, so no matter what, he can't let other Servants meet with him."

"So that means he's hiding in this garden?"

Ruler succinctly pointed out. "Red" Assassin was already in a state of combat readiness. As if to stop her, Ruler raised the holy banner and proclaimed:

“You should know that’s meaningless, ‘Red’ Assassin. The beam of light shooting out from the Hanging Gardens must be your magic, right? In that case…”

"My magic is indeed no match for your magic resistance. Is that one of the privileges of being a Ruler?"

“There are other privileges… ‘Red’ Assassin, please don’t force me to use this.”

Ruler's entire body emitted a faint blue light, causing even the "Red" Assassin to frown.

"As the Ruler's greatest privilege, can he use Command Spells on all Servants?"

This is precisely the biggest reason why Ruler is the arbiter. Ruler retains two Command Seals for each Servant. In this Holy Grail War, the total number of Command Seals is twenty-eight. It's only natural that the "Black" faction would try to win her over to their side.

To put it extremely, if she were to issue a suicide order, most Servants would die instantly. Of course, Command Seals can counter this. If ordered to commit suicide, the opposing Master can simply issue a "refuse suicide" command using a Command Seal.

However, that would be a complete waste of two Command Seals. If the last Command Seal must be reserved to prevent Servant betrayal, it means the Command Seal is effectively unusable.

Furthermore, if Ruler's Command Seals are also taken into account, the side that successfully recruits Ruler can use a total of four Command Seals. Therefore, Ruler, who can completely reverse the balance of power, is naturally a talent that everyone wants to acquire. Of course, a Heroic Spirit who would succumb to such temptation is unlikely to fulfill the role of Ruler.

"However, let's forget about it. Even if I use up all my Command Seals, I have no intention of betraying my Master. If you give me orders with Command Seals, my Master will stop you."

"So, Master isn't a puppet?"

"Of course. Regardless of my first life, I am now a Servant, and I will serve my Master selflessly."

Ruler took a step forward and declared:

"Then, you are now my enemy."

At this stage, she finally defined "Red" Assassin and her Master as clear enemies. Faced with this action, even Assassin couldn't help but show a nervous expression.

Assassin's power level is completely incomparable to Ruler's. Furthermore, the pairing of a magician and Ruler is extremely dangerous. Even without Command Spells, she could probably defeat Assassin immediately.

Ultimately, the "Red" Assassin and her Master have absolutely no desire to fight Ruler.

The most crucial thing now is that "Red" Lancer Karna and "Black" Lancer Vlad III have begun their battle, and "Black" Lancer's Master has confirmed the battle's progress. Until then, stalling for a few minutes with dialogue will suffice.

Shirou, who is very familiar with the cold-blooded nature of Danic Prieston Yggdrasilia's Master, is convinced that if he falls into a disadvantageous situation, he will definitely forcefully activate the Noble Phantasm that recreates "that" legend.

"Oh, really? Am I your enemy? But it's truly unfortunate that from this moment on, we are forced to stand on the same side, sharing the same interests."

"..."

Ruler turned around abruptly. There was no sound, nor any sign of magical chaos. But, in a few seconds, the worst would happen… she received this revelation.

"Alright, go quickly. No problem, I'll help too. Because going against that enemy... is quite a tricky thing."

Ruler gritted her teeth. But what she said was true.

Accompanied by immense magical power, something was "born." It was something so powerful that it made the Holy Grail War irrelevant, even deadly.

Ruler turned his back to Assassin and sprinted away at full speed.

It was an absolutely overwhelming situation.

"Sure enough."

"Ugh...!"

"Red" Lancer spoke in a calm voice, gradually pushing "Black" Lancer into a corner. His merciless and precise attacks truly lived up to the name of a great hero.

However, Vlad III, the hero who was his equal not long ago, is now at a crushing disadvantage.

"Black" Lancer himself sensed this change. His power was decreasing. If he had exerted 100% of his power just now, he was now only at most 60%.

Iron stakes suddenly emerged from "Black" Lancer's body. However, their speed and sharpness were vastly different from before. Without even needing to ignite flames, "Red" Lancer easily deflected them all with just his gun and armor.

"This aerial garden is the domain of our Assassins, not your territory. In other words... as long as you are in this garden, you are not the hero who saved the country."

The "Red" Assassin's Noble Phantasm, "Hanging Gardens of Vanity," is a fortified stronghold that can control a certain area. In other words, this isn't Romania, where Vlad III was worshipped as a hero. Therefore, his fame is practically zero.

Of course, Karna, the "Red" Lancer, is also virtually unknown. However, compared to Vlad III, Karna's power as a benchmark is entirely different.

Even if his fame were zero, as long as legends about him still exist somewhere in the world, Karna would undoubtedly be a great hero. On the other hand, once outside of Romania, Vlad III would simply be a bloodthirsty vampire.

The "Black" Lancer, summoned with the characteristics of a hero, cannot enhance his power by leveraging that fame; instead, it becomes a major obstacle to the full realization of his original abilities.

0192 The Dignity of Heroes [Please Subscribe]

The "Black" Lancer, wielding his spear and fighting against the "Red" Lancer, has lost his usual elegance, grace, and ferocity. Now, all that sustains him in the fight is the dignity of a hero.

That's all that gives him the power to fight.

However, under these circumstances, taking the head of "Red" Lancer is an extremely difficult task.

As soon as the fighting spirit of the "black" Lancer, which stems from heroic dignity, weakens even slightly, it will come to an end like an avalanche.

Both Servants understood this perfectly. So, all they had to do was retreat, simply run away with their backs to the enemy. Of course, if they could do that, they wouldn't be able to become Heroic Spirits.

Am I going to die here?

Suddenly, a near-certain thought flashed through Lancer the Black's mind. His defeat, of course, meant the defeat of the entire Black faction. But there was nothing he could do. Their strength was insufficient, and they had ventured too deep into enemy territory. More importantly, he had never imagined that the enemy would attempt to seize the Greater Grail by force.

At the very least, if "Black" Saber were still alive... he had that thought too. Shame, despair, and regret surged through his heart like a raging river.

but……

As expected, there was still no way to change the current situation.

Just as he was thinking this, holding this conviction, and making this preparation, his Master, with whom he had made a contract... appeared before him as if by magic, whispering like a demon:

"No, it's not that there's absolutely no way to win... as long as you're willing to unleash that Noble Phantasm."

All the Servants present stopped in their tracks. That was the only Master present… Darnic, the chieftain of the Yggdrasilia clan.

Darnic, standing atop a temple-like pillar far from the open area where the Servants were fighting, looked down on them, which inexplicably annoyed "Black" Lancer.

But compared to that, what he just said is a far more serious problem. After unleashing a powerful attack, "Black" Lancer distanced himself from the "Red" side's Servants and stared at his Master, saying:

"Danick, what did you just say to me?"

That wasn't a joke; it was genuine murderous intent. However, the magician calmly accepted his gaze and continued uttering his insolent words:

"Lord, I mean, I want you to unleash your Noble Phantasm. This is the only option to win."

"What are you talking about?! I told you long ago I wouldn't use that Noble Phantasm, have you forgotten?! I will die here! I will perish here with regret! But that is the fate of the defeated! Darnick! I never intended to use that thing and become a despised being! Absolutely! Absolutely!"

"You forgot. We must obtain the Greater Grail no matter what! To use it as a symbol to avenge ourselves against the Mage's Association. Or rather, to reach the Root. Even a Lord should have a real desire. In that case... the only way is to use a Noble Phantasm."

After saying that, Danic raised one hand. On it was a three-stroke Command Seal emanating a red glow.

"You guy...!"

Danic smiled at the glaring "Black" Lancer and declared in an icy voice:

"I command you with a Command Spell: Vlad III, activate your Noble Phantasm immediately... 'Bloodline'."

"Danick...you bastard...!"

Even this roar, filled with intense hatred and despair, could not sway Danic's resolve.

"I...I'm definitely not a vampire...I'm not, I'm not...!"

That trembling soliloquy was probably the last vestige of rationality in the Heroic Spirit Vlad III. However, Darnic, as his Master, utterly shattered it.

"No, you are a vampire. Dracula, the vampire, a monster forced to bear the pitiful stigma due to his creation. I commanded with the Second Command Spell, 'Live on until the Greater Grail is obtained!'"

"Black" Lancer roared and lunged at Master Danic. With a faint smile, he gladly accepted the attack.

With a swift movement, his chest was easily pierced, and his body collapsed. Blood splattered, landing on Lancer's face. But the one who let out a maniacal laugh... was Danic.

"Hahahaha! How rude of me, my Servant! As an apology, please drink my blood! You truly are a vampire, the king who rules the night! You don't need any wishes. Just leave behind my dreams, my desires, my existence! I command with my third command spell, 'Engrave my existence upon your soul, Lancer!'"

"What?"

Whose voice is that? Or is it everyone present? "Black" Lancer killed Master, and everyone was stunned by the Master's third command issued with a Command Spell.

Servant can devour human souls and convert them into magical energy. This is a privilege possessed by them as spirits. Humans can only transfer them into containers and observe them.

However, this magician was the exception. He focused his attention on the nutrient that could not be transformed through magic and was of little use... the soul.

Perhaps it's because he fought alongside Servants in the Third Holy Grail War. Or perhaps it was the fear instilled by a prophecy made by a magus in the past that compelled him to complete this great feat?

Danic developed a magic technique that could turn the souls of others into his own food. However, it was a spell that was infinitely close to forbidden. This wasn't an ethical issue. He would do anything to save his own life, even smash an infant's skull.

However, this magic trick was far too dangerous. It was an extremely dangerous spell where even the slightest deviation could lead to immediate death. In the past sixty years, he had only devoured souls three times.