Since Bašmu is a monster comparable to the gods, it naturally wouldn't be so easily killed.
Although Achilles had inflicted a grievous wound on it with his chariot, Bašmu quickly recovered and opened its maw to spit out a mouthful of venom.
Due to the previous collision, the speed of the two divine horses had already decreased. At this moment, the immortal chariot no longer possessed absolute speed and destructive power. It could neither deliver another fierce blow to Bašmu nor avoid the venom capable of instantly killing a Servant or a Phantasmal Beast.
Seeing this, Achilles had no choice but to release the reins, commanding the chariot to disperse into spirit particles. Simultaneously, he activated his Comet Form to dodge the range of the venom.
The enraged poison dragon was not about to let the little insect that made it bleed so much escape. It pursued Achilles relentlessly. Achilles' title as the fastest was only valid among humans, but compared to a monster several tens of meters long, his so-called speed advantage disappeared—running dozens of steps laboriously while the opponent only needed to twist its body slightly was no match.
This was even after Achilles had ingested a super serum, granting him strong resistance to poison. Otherwise, the venomous mist spreading from the liquid would have been enough to kill him on the spot.
However, the relentlessly pursued Achilles showed no fear. On the contrary, his face was full of ease, as if he were being chased by an ordinary beast rather than a poisoned dragon.
While running, Achilles suddenly stopped and raised one hand high:
"Now, Big Sis!!!"
As if in response to his call, countless emerald green lights appeared in the sky—a rain of arrows, a divine punishment from Apollo and Artemis, the Noble Phantasm of Atalanta.
This wide-area anti-army Noble Phantasm was not very effective against a single Servant, but it was perfect for dealing with a massive monster like Bašmu.
In the blink of an eye, Bašmu turned into a porcupine, covered with green arrows.
Along with the divine punishment, a sapphire shield fell from the sky, landing accurately in Achilles' hand. The strongest human sprinter raised the shield and launched into a hundred-meter dash.
This shield was crafted by the god of blacksmiths, Hephaestus, at the request of Thetis, Achilles' mother, out of pity for her son who had lost his armor.
It is the legendary shield described in over a hundred lines in the famous Iliad.
Engraved on the shield are the sky, earth, and heavens; the sun, moon, and stars; gods, nations, and men; soldiers, thieves, and sacrifices; song, birth, and death. And surrounding it all, the endless ocean (Oceanus)—
This was a Noble Phantasm symbolizing the world in which Achilles lived.
This was the world of the hero's eulogy to life, representing the world itself.
"Well done, Sister, perfect timing—The Miniature World Enclosed by the Azure Sky!!!"
With the release of its true name, the small world engraved on the shield replaced the spatial rules and, driven by Achilles, slammed into Bašmu's head.
This artifact, crafted by Hephaestus, was originally Achilles' treasure. He had lent the shield to Atalanta for protection out of concern for her weak defense.
Atalanta initially refused but accepted after Achilles persuaded her with reasons like for the children's sake and even without the shield, I still have other Noble Phantasms. (This transfer met the conditions, as using the shield required no special skill. Both parties agreed willingly, and there are legends of Achilles lending his treasures and Atalanta receiving gifts.)
In a critical moment against the shadow Berserker Beowulf, she successfully reverses the situation using the shield, killing the transformed wolf Beowulf and, after a short rest, arrives at the most intense battlefield to return the shield and assist Achilles.
In terms of sheer strength, Achilles couldn't surpass a giant monster tens of meters long. But with this small world, no matter how strong or struggling Bašmu was, it wouldn't affect Achilles. He only needed to focus on using the small world to crush everything it touched until he was exhausted and had to retreat.
The pained Bašmu went completely berserk. Its throat moved as it prepared to unleash some terrifying "thing."
However, before it could spit out this "thing," a pure white comet descended from the sky, crashing directly onto Bašmu's forehead.
"We're here to help too!"
Bellerophon, Astolfo, and Master Sieg had officially arrived.
"Just in time."
Achilles waved and ran to his teacher's side.
"Still not dead? Such tenacity."
Chiron fired a few arrows to delay the Hydra on the other side.
"That's Tiamat's son, Bašmu, a monster comparable to the gods. How could it be so easily killed?"
"So that one over there is the famous Hydra? Perfect for a hero's opponent."
"Not just a suitable opponent, but the best prey."
Almost blending into the surroundings, Atalanta emerged from a thicket.
"I dedicate this hunt to the great goddess Artemis."
"Then I'll dedicate it to my father Peleus, my mother Thetis, and my dear friend Patroclus."
Achilles materialized his Spear and pointed it towards the sky.
"That previous Lancer was strong too, but he seemed a bit off in the head, and the fight wasn't satisfying. This time, I should be able to fight to my heart's content—Master, do you still have Command Seals? Give me some more mana."
"Alright, By my Command Seal—"
Caules had also made up his mind, revealing his last Command Seal and was about to declare it.
Chiron extended his hand to stop him: "Master only has one last Command Seal left, keep it as a contingency. I have a way to provide support—Ruler, can you hear me? This is Chiron. It's time, could you please use your last Command Seal to boost us?"
A few seconds later, a distinctive red glow appeared on every Servant of the Black faction, accompanied by the most sincere wishes and expectations of the legendary Saint: "Make sure to secure victory!"
Feeling the overwhelming mana within him, Achilles laughed heartily.
"This is the feeling, this powerful sensation. Now I can finally let loose and give it my all. I'm going in! Tonight, we will surpass legend!!!"
In the most glorious era of Achilles, he was known as "the man closest to the gods," and he had always been proud of it. But today, he harbored a new ambition—how could merely being the closest to the gods be enough? He wanted to reach even greater heights, starting with defeating the Bašmu in front of him.
Activating Comet Form, Achilles turned into a streak of light, thrusting his Spear directly at Bašmu's nose, followed closely by Astolfo charging in with Pegasus.
Chiron and Atalanta exchanged glances, and the two legendary archers simultaneously drew their bows, unleashing volley after volley of arrows.
Avicebron leaped onto Adam's shoulder, fighting alongside his creation, together gripping Hydra's throat.
Not only Achilles, but everyone participating in this battle was surpassing legend.
Avicebron achieved what no Kabbalist had ever accomplished—the creation of the primordial giant, making history.
Astolfo rode the Pegasus that had long since vanished from his era.
Atalanta was hunting a beast far stronger than the Calydonian Boar.
Chiron sought to wash away the shame of losing his immortality with Hydra's blood.
This would be a battle worthy of being recorded in the annals of history.