The declaration of the Red Rider Achilles echoed through the heavens and the earth. The Black Rider Astolfo was not outdone; although not as grandiose, there was a resolute determination that would never turn back!
"Charge!!!"
With a teeth-grinding sound of metal twisting, another black coffin shattered in response.
"The second one, bring it on!"
The phantasm beast, inheriting the wings of the griffin, summoned a blue tornado. Pages fluttering like snow intertwined with the assault spear, fiercely crashing into the third black coffin.
Subsequently, this black coffin also shattered in response.
However, the golden assault spear that had helped its master pierce through three consecutive black coffins had reached its limit. The tip of the spear showed spiderweb-like cracks and shattered along with the black coffin.
"Oh, Argalia."
Astolfo pouted in dissatisfaction and threw the spear aside. Although the Noble Phantasm wasn't completely damaged, the assault spear without its tip was useless for charging.
"No choice, from now on, we'll have to rely on ourselves, right, Hippogriff?"
The phantasmal beast's response was still loud and clear.
"Master, the impact will be greater next. Hold on tight!"
"Yes, we will succeed because the Rider is a hero!"
"Right, I'm a hero! Charge—Astolfo Assault!!!"
Without the lance, it was now purely a contest between flesh and blood versus the turret.
Although the Hippogriff was a phantasmal beast, it ranked lower compared to the griffin, which was akin to its father. In terms of mystery, it naturally couldn't compare to Semiramis.
However, this Hanging Gardens was ultimately just vainglorious; it was a Noble Phantasm constructed from materials existing in the present world.
In the end, these two kinds of mysteries were almost evenly matched—though they could be damaged, it was impossible to do so without any harm.
One hard feather began to break, and the foreheads were already bloodied in the third one. In the fourth one, the once majestic face gradually twisted.
Soon, another black coffin was broken.
"Three more to go, Hippogriff, can you still manage?"
The Hippogriff let out three cries, though not as loud as before, still full of determination.
So what if the beak was broken and the hooves cracked? Since the master was fighting so hard, how could Hippogriff retreat as a companion?
Sieg pounded his thigh forcefully, forcing himself not to look away, trying to squeeze out the magic power in his body.
Although it was a Noble Phantasm, the Hippogriff and the Servant were also summoned as living beings. They felt pain and fear. Without a weapon, every collision brought them closer to death.
Astolfo gritted his teeth and gently wiped the corners of his eyes.
Compared to beings like Pegasus or Achiless' horse, the Hippogriff was weak.
Compared to Masters like Amakusa Shirou Tokisada or Shinji Matou, Sieg was weak.
Compared to heroes like Achilles and Chiron, Astolfo was undoubtedly weak.
A weak riding beast, a weak Master, and a weak Servant.
This is an unchangeable fact. Neither noble lineage and status nor outstanding achievements. Although considerable effort was made, it wasn't through any rigorous, unparalleled training.
However, being weak is not an excuse to avoid challenges. Pretending that what can be done is impossible is unacceptable.
Because we have always lived this way, never willing to look away no matter how slim the hope may be. Struggling desperately to do what we can, while also fighting to turn the impossible into possible.
So—
"Let's go!"
The storm rose again, and the two of them, with one rider, gave it their all.
At that moment, a pure white radiance, like a comet, sliced through the night sky and appeared before the Hippogriff.
"Assassin's Pegasus?"
The Pegasus nuzzled the Hippogriff with its forehead and then bit Astolfo's skirt with its mouth.
With an A+ rank in riding, allowing communication with almost all phantom beasts, Astolfo instantly understood its intention.
"You want to take over for the Hippogriff?"
The Pegasus nodded humanely. With intelligence not inferior to humans, it had long seen the heavy burden on the Hippogriff, so after delivering Gordes to the garden, it returned at the fastest speed, hoping to help Astolfo.
"Wow, you're so kind—"
Just as Astolfo was about to cheer, a magic bullet came flying, almost hitting Pegasus, who had no magic book for protection.
"Ah, now's not the time for this. Master, hold me tight!"
The Hippogriff dissipated into particles, and at the same time, Astolfo flipped and climbed onto Pegasus's back.
"Good job, partner. Rest well—you're up next, Pegasus. What's your name?"
"Bellerophon, is it? What a great name. Let's go, Bellerophon, smash the remaining iron blocks to pieces!!!"
"Neigh—"
Although the Pegasus's cry was different from the Hippogriff's, the will it contained was no different.
With a brave roar, the pure white comet shattered the remaining black objects!
"Infuriating! Although Master had mentioned it, I didn't expect someone of this caliber could smash the Tiamtum Ūmu. The Book of the Witch, the Hippogriff, and the Pegasus—very well, very well!!!"
Semiramis gazed coldly at the celebrating pink knight hovering outside the garden.
"No choice, the repair of the black coffins will have to wait until later. Now, what needs to be done is—"
The empress, seated on the throne, raised her right hand and cast her gaze upon the invaders who had begun to land in the garden, activating the traps prepared in advance—previously thinking Shirou was being overly cautious, now realizing it was her underestimation.
At the moment her fingers moved, the spatial structure within the garden underwent a drastic change.
The first to suffer was Achilles' chariot. He intended to use speed and numerical advantage, as instructed by Jeanne, to first take down the two shadow Servants engaged in a shooting battle with Chiron and Atalanta.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the chariot entered the garden's range, the surrounding space distorted.
When Achilles burst out of the distortion, all the passengers in the immortal chariot had vanished, and Achilles himself found himself in a strange forest.
Before Achilles could make sense of the situation, the surrounding trees began to grow wildly, in the blink of an eye trapping the immortal chariot.
"Enough with these petty tricks, come out and face me!"
Achilles scoffed, put away the chariot, and swung his spear with incredible speed, cutting through the wildly growing vegetation as he advanced toward the source of the magic.
There stood a man formed from black shadows, taller than Achilles, holding a massive war spear, raising both hands high, and issuing a deafening cry:
"Rome!"