Nobody knows how to be a villain better than me.

Amidst the shimmering light, a magnificent and elegant courtyard, surrounded by eleven fan-shaped black coffins, appeared suspended in the clouds.

The Hanging Gardens of Vanity, also known as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, was an architectural marvel created by the Assyrian queen Semiramis.

In reality, Semiramis has no connection to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon; it is merely a Noble Phantasm created by exploiting the faith of a large number of misled individuals.

The conditions for its completion are quite stringent.

It cannot be manifested through magic. A certain amount of wood, stone, minerals, plants, and water from Semiramis's former residence (ruins near Baghdad, the capital of Iraq) must be collected and combined. Then, Semiramis must perform a long ritual to make the illusion real in order to complete this Noble Phantasm.

In theory, it would take at least three days from the start of preparations to launch the operation, and the cost of the materials required would be almost enough to buy a small country, which is quite extravagant.

Looking up from afar, the "Hanging Gardens of Vanity" appears as a collection of neatly arranged, lush floating islands, marble floors, and pillars. A variety of plants intertwine everywhere. The garden appears to float because of its "inverted" concept, where plants grow downwards and water flows from downstream to upstream.

While inside the garden, Semiramis's skill levels will be enhanced. Her fame will also rise to the highest level, and her attacks will receive a favorable boost. She can even cast spells in the magical realm; for example, if she gets serious in the Sky Garden, she can forcibly dispel spiritification, or create chains from space to bind her opponents. She can also use spells to defend against Command Seals and incantations, and nullify Command Seals within a certain range.

However, during the process of casting great magic or even summoning spells, her defensive and teleportation spells would be unable to activate. She used this to create 3000 dragon tooth soldiers and set up the incredibly destructive [Eleven Black Coffins] as the inner and outer barriers of this floating fortress.

Such a luxurious and magnificent courtyard is in essence an impregnable war fortress, capable of baring its sharp fangs at any outsider.

Yes, it would be very suitable as a temporary palace.

Samael admired it for a moment, then looked away from the mobile fortress floating in the sky, lowered his eyelids, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, and pondered leisurely.

"Come on, take me to meet my subordinates from this period..."

Karna nodded slightly and silently raised his hand to draw the wedge-shaped rune for knocking on the door.

A ray of sunlight descended from above.

Chapter 40 If you don't have the ability, don't pretend! 6.6k

In the luxurious hall, the queen sat on her jade throne, propping her smooth chin up with one hand, leaning against the side, her narrow eyes slightly narrowed as she gazed at the pomegranate flower on her fingertips, which was gradually losing its color and withering away, and she couldn't help but be a little lost in thought.

From youthful innocence to prosperity, from prosperity to decline, ultimately returning to withering and silence, just like dead love.

The lingering aroma of half a glass of red wine on the table stirred her chaotic thoughts and evoked distant memories of the Empress.

The man she once loved was a frail old man. He didn't force her to do anything, telling her that all she needed to do was be there for him in his final days. She even smiled and said that the dances and songs she had learned to please men could be sung and danced to her heart's content whenever she wanted.

That must be a peaceful kind of love.

...Then appeared before her the man who had taken her away because he loved her. He even smiled and said it would be amusing to watch her repent and twist her face with regret.

That must have been a very passionate kind of love.

Although she has no regrets about killing him, the fact that she was loved will never change.

She had thought that she would spend the rest of her life wandering and wasting away in the struggles between men.

Until, a man's projection appeared in front of him.

"In this era, to use cunning to manipulate men, I must say, Semiramis, you are remarkable."

The man paused, then spoke frankly and sincerely.

"Don't worry, this is not sarcasm, but praise."

His gaze remained as ardent as ever, but what he craved was not the woman's stunning beauty, but rather the exceptional talent beneath her outward appearance.

"Think about it, serve me, and I'll give you a higher stage, like... becoming the Queen of Assyria?"

"So, what do I need to give in return, sir?"

The alluring woman, intrigued, asked a question.

The man didn't make any specific requests; he simply said he wanted to travel with him.

Semiramis, who had received the divine gift, nodded in agreement in despair.

This is probably a good pastime.

Walk with God.

Gradually, women ascended to the throne, standing at the pinnacle of power among humankind;

Gradually, the queen moved forward, overcoming the barriers of time and space, following that figure as she conquered foreign lands.

Gradually, the deity wove a magnificent epic through repeated brushes with death and breakthroughs in desperate situations.

Semiramis

I discovered that it wasn't just me; people, whether I knew their names or not, were doing the same thing.

Walk with God.

And He needs power.

The power to save the world.

The farther they went, the more radiant that figure became.

The distance seems to be becoming more and more obvious.

The journey is endless, yet it never gets boring.

Because it was only then that she realized—

Semiramis's greatest hatred was actually of herself.

That's why she felt disgusted by men who craved her and those who believed in her.

She was pleased that they could simply stand on equal footing, acknowledge her talent, and be eager to work alongside her.

"Ah, but why do I always have to be the one who sees someone off at their deathbed?"

The old man, who didn't want to lose his woman, chose to die.

A man who longs to take a woman, even in a state of delirium due to poisoning, still craves her.

In the end, the man she longed for embarked on his journey without ever looking back, burning out his last ray of light.

tsk...

Standing in darkness, yet supporting the most dazzling light;

Despite his own filth and hardship, he maintained an unyielding passion.

Despite possessing unparalleled power, he never indulges in it recklessly...

She still couldn't understand the value of what that person was pursuing, even until the very end.

Even so, he was content.

After all, those were the figures they followed and the gods they worshipped.

The queen on the throne opened her narrow eyes, stared at the blood-red wine in her cup, and began her usual daze, appearing even more decadent and languid, as if she lacked interest in all the beauty in the world.

"Buzz buzz!"

Just as Semiramis, who was feeling drowsy, opened her mouth to yawn, several magical fluctuations that had entered her territory forced the bored empress to open her eyes. She raised her hand and summoned water vapor, which coalesced in front of her to form a water mirror that connected to the outside world.

As the waves rippled, several figures walking side by side toward the main hall came into the Empress's view.

Um?and many more!

In an instant, the languid beauty who was leaning back in her chair suddenly straightened up, her deep gaze falling on a black-haired, black-eyed man among the newcomers.

This is……

Immediately, Semiramis raised her cup and drank the remaining crimson wine in one gulp, a hint of amusement in her eyes, and an unconscious smile curving her lips.

Now, things seem to have become much more interesting.

As Samael and his group of outsiders stepped into the Vainglory Sky Garden, the Masters and Servants who resided there also awoke from their rest and gathered together towards the palace of Empress Semiramis.

It seems that our last group of Master and Servant has arrived.

A quarter of an hour later, in the main hall.

The people who entered the room were glancing at the man in front of them, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Meanwhile, the man who was leaning casually against a pillar was also observing the people present with great interest.

The old black man from the Holy Church was right; the Master sent by the Clock Tower this time is indeed very capable.

Because he knew many of them.

Samael's amused gaze followed Karna's direction and first landed on a small, plump, brown-haired girl with glasses. She was petite and had a cute, fleshy figure.

Her messy long hair, her goofy appearance in pajamas and slippers, and the little habit of checking her phone almost every five to ten seconds all revealed the girl's deep-rooted homebody nature.

After a while, the somewhat slow-witted little girl realized that she was being stared at. She immediately hid behind Karna like a frightened little bear, looking timid and socially awkward.

Ginako Garigili, a cyber addict.

A Japanese-German, her father is German and her mother is Japanese. Her father loved Japanese culture, so she was given a name that sounds like a Japanese girl's. She lost both parents in a traffic accident when she was fourteen and inherited a sum of money that she could live on for a lifetime if she was frugal. Because she was left unsupervised, she did not attend high school and spent fifteen years as a shut-in.

But this unassuming child is secretly a gaming champion from Western Europe, a notorious gaming slacker known for his endless playtime and complete game overruns. His online name, "Jinazi," is practically an invincible legend in the gaming world.

Because of this, after her unique magical talent was discovered, the Clock Tower's mentor made an exception and recruited her into a secret magic research group called "Mooncell" (the eye that observes the Earth).

This group's main focus is to combine computer technology and magic to develop a unique Moon Spirit Crystal Autonomous Calculator for observing Earth.

Thanks to her exceptional talent, Gina is one of the key members of the research team and is a highly valuable technical talent.

Looking at the little girl's timid and naive appearance, Samael couldn't help but chuckle. He smiled and tried to express his goodwill and ease the tension on the other side.

However, the little girl hiding behind Karna looked terrified and as if facing a formidable enemy. She circled around her own Servant behind her, much like an ostrich burying its head in the sand.

There was nothing they could do; the guy in front of them had a notorious reputation.

She inherited part of the divine will of the stone elephant god Ganesh.

While he was eating and drinking in the Persian camp, he was terrified by a cruel demon king who was chopping up a group of angels, and he even lost more than ten pounds.

At this moment, realizing that he was not well received, Samael innocently touched the bridge of his nose and turned to look behind the big sister Atalanta. There was an intellectual girl wearing a purple school uniform, a graduation cap, purple hair and eyes, and glasses on her nose.

Shion Eltenham Atlasia, one of the three major branches of the Mage's Association, is an alchemist from the Atlas Institute.

Although she comes from the fallen noble family of Eltnam, she has already achieved the top score in the Atlas Academy and has been awarded the title of Atlasia, the certificate of the next Dean. She is definitely a top student.

Immediately afterwards, the ancient serpent shifted its gaze and looked up at another familiar face on the throne in the main hall: the Assyrian Empress Semiramis, and her Master who was also somewhat familiar beside her.

She was a stunning woman dressed in a Yuzen furisode kimono. Her long black hair reached her ankles, and she wore glasses. Her aura was similar to that of Semiramis, exuding a reptilian chill that easily evoked images of snakes.

Ryori Adashino, a magician affiliated with the Law and Politics Department of the Clock Tower.

The father was a survivor from the spirit tomb Albion, who abandoned his wife and newborn son, whom he had married in the tomb, and returned to the surface alone. However, as if in retribution, his second wife died shortly after giving birth to Adashino Ryori.

In order to take revenge on her father, this woman severed ties with her family and entered the Department of Modern Magic, and later entered the Department of Law and Politics, the center of power struggles and politics in the Clock Tower.

As a magician belonging to the "Law and Politics Department" of the 13th Faculty, which is responsible for the interaction between magic and real society, she often appears as a manager, supervisor, or even a punisher.

Because of her status and power, this woman was naturally disliked by many magicians.

But her skill is undeniable; she is definitely one of the best magicians.

After all, in order to survive long in the hated Department of Law and Politics, the ability to protect oneself is indispensable.

The Master who summoned Semiramis was actually her?

These two women are truly a perfect match.

One snake, looking at the other two beautiful snake women on the stage, muttered to itself.

Finally, Samael gazed wistfully at a Greek Thessalian hero with striking green hair in the corner.

Suddenly, the green-haired youth who had been leaning against the wall with a nonchalant attitude snapped to attention, straightened up, and a forced, embarrassed smile appeared on his face as he guiltily looked away.

He looked exactly like a naughty student who had been caught red-handed by his elders.

Tsk, no manners at all. They're supposed to be graduates of the Academy of Athens, but Peleus and Teacher Ma never seem to teach them proper etiquette.

The ancient serpent, having just met Achilles, secretly rolled its eyes, inwardly grumbling about the inaction of its two old acquaintances.

However, the snake, which was leaning against the pillar, never mentioned its own double standards, and its scrutinizing gaze passed over Achilles and fell on its master.

What a coincidence, it's someone I know.

Samael looked at the blond man in the Clock Tower lecturer uniform, with an arrogant demeanor and neatly trimmed sideburns, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Kenneth El-Melloi Archibald is the head of the Archibald family, a magician lineage that has lasted for nine generations. He is also a highly accomplished and talented magician and a first-class lecturer at the Clock Tower.

However, the gathering of acquaintances came to an end there.

Our own Berserker and Caster, who have little presence, are also paired with two unremarkable ordinary magicians to make up the numbers.

However, among the Seven Grail Knights, five Grail Knights and four Masters are all familiar faces of considerable caliber, which is already a very good start.

After looking around, Samael was quite satisfied and decisively got straight to the point.