Chapter: Confrontation
"This is quite different from riding a horse," Jeanne d'Arc mused, almost dropping the box she was carrying as the train jolted.
"How much longer until we reach Tupilas, Grandfather?" she asked, trying to sound patient.
"About 12 hours," the elderly man replied with a light hum. "This old train needs its rest."
Jeanne nodded, eager to reach their destination. Time wasn't something she wanted to waste, so she pulled a book from her backpack. Although the Holy Grail granted Heroic Spirits general knowledge, it was limited. Jeanne stared at the math textbook's dense formulas and diagrams, feeling overwhelmed. She had never received formal education as a peasant child, and without the Grail's general knowledge, she wouldn't understand any of it.
"Lord, please help me understand this," Jeanne prayed subconsciously as she placed her hands on the textbook.
After five minutes of futile struggle with calculus, she sighed and flipped to the table of contents. Suddenly, a sense of danger jolted her awake.
"Grandfather, keep going! Don't stop!" Jeanne shouted, grabbing her belongings. "It's about to get very dangerous here!"
Without waiting for a response, Jeanne jumped off the moving train. The old man, startled by her urgency, stepped on the accelerator, seeing a flash of light speed past like a meteor.
"May the Lord bless you," Jeanne whispered, setting down her baggage. Armor formed around her body, infused with magical power. "This feeling... it's the Red Rider!"
With a grating roar, Achilles appeared, stopping not far from Jeanne with his spear in hand. The raised dust made Jeanne frown.
"Are you the Ruler?" Achilles dusted himself off. "I'm here to eliminate you. I hope you'll put up a good fight."
"Red Rider, why do you block my path? I am merely a referee and will not interfere with your actions," Jeanne said, her brows knitted. "You should respect your Command Spells."
"If it were up to me, I wouldn't care. But my Master doesn't like taking chances," Achilles shrugged, spear resting on his shoulder. "I just want a good fight. It's rare for my big sister to ask for something, and I thought someone else would be here. It's disappointing."
"Here?" Jeanne's eyes narrowed.
"Enough talk! Show me your strength!" Achilles roared, launching a violent flurry of spear strikes at Jeanne.
"Now!"
A silver sword slashed from a cunning angle towards Achilles' head, but his spear intercepted it.
"You look strong," Achilles grinned at the white-haired swordsman before him.
Without a word, the white-haired swordsman spun, his blade slicing toward Achilles' waist. Achilles dodged, his movements swift and precise.
"Red Lancer, my Master Gordes witnessed your attack on the Ruler. This clearly violates the rules. Surrender now!" Gordes shouted, emboldened by Jeanne's presence.
"Huh? I didn't know the Holy Grail War had such a rule," Achilles said, cracking his neck. "If you both want to fight me, I don't mind."
"Ruler, let's eliminate this Lancer who broke the rules," Gordes suggested, his eyes on Jeanne.
"He is a Rider. If you wish to fight, I will only observe as the Ruler. Rest assured," Jeanne declared firmly.
Gordes felt a sudden unease as the wind seemed to shift.
"Are we fighting or not? I have other places to be," Achilles tapped the ground impatiently with his spear.
"Arrogant fool! Saber, attack him!" Gordes commanded, enraged by Achilles' nonchalance.
Siegfried, the Saber, took a deep breath and stepped towards Achilles, his face relaxing into a determined expression.
"That's better. I prefer fighting someone who isn't frowning," Achilles laughed, thrusting his spear like a meteor at Siegfried's neck.
Quick!
But Siegfried's eyes focused, his body shifting slightly as his sword aimed for Achilles' neck in return.
The clash of weapons resounded through the clearing as Siegfried and Achilles exchanged fierce blows. Achilles' spear was a blur, each strike swift and deadly, but Siegfried's sword met each attack with equal precision.
"Impressive!" Achilles laughed, enjoying the challenge.
Siegfried's expression remained focused as he parried another thrust and countered with a powerful slash aimed at Achilles' torso. Achilles twisted, the blade narrowly missing him, and retaliated with a spinning kick. Siegfried blocked the kick with his sword but was forced to take a step back.
Jeanne watched the battle closely, her eyes darting between the two warriors. She knew Achilles was formidable, but Siegfried's calm determination gave her hope.
Achilles lunged again, his spear aimed low. Siegfried sidestepped, bringing his sword down in a sweeping arc. Achilles leaped back, the blade grazing his armor. He spun his spear, aiming for Siegfried's legs. Siegfried jumped, using the momentum to bring his sword down hard on Achilles' spear, cracking the ground beneath them.
The two warriors locked eyes, their breaths heavy but their resolve unshaken.
"Enough games!" Achilles shouted, his spear glowing with a fierce light. He thrust it forward with incredible speed and power.
Siegfried braced himself, his sword meeting the spear in a blinding clash of energy. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the air, pushing both combatants back.
As the dust settled, Jeanne could see both warriors still standing, their eyes blazing with determination. The fight was far from over, and she knew that only one would emerge victorious.
Both warriors were thrown back by the force of their clash, causing Gordes to stumble and nearly fall. In contrast, the seemingly delicate Jeanne d'Arc stood firm against the strong winds.
"Take back what I said, you're quite the extraordinary opponent!" Achilles exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement. He didn't hold back, each strike delivered with full intent, yet his spear had only grazed Siegfried's shoulder.
Siegfried blinked, his sword targeting Achilles' neck. Yet, instead of beheading Achilles, the blade didn't even leave a mark.
"This is undoubtedly an exciting fight!" Achilles laughed, thrilled. "I haven't come all this way in vain. Come! Fight with all your might, Black Saber!"
Though his opponent was intimidating, Siegfried couldn't help but feel exhilarated. Bathing in dragon's blood had left him yearning for a worthy opponent. And now, this Rider seemed to match his power!
Their inhuman speed and strength tore the ground with every strike, each weapon swing generating strong winds. Gordes watched from a safe distance, worried but unable to intervene.
Siegfried was incredibly strong, his dragon blood granting him invulnerability to attacks below B-rank. Yet, he struggled because he couldn't inflict any damage on Achilles, while Achilles managed to leave shallow wounds on Siegfried in every clash. It was clear who had the upper hand.
"Ruler, at least tell me the Red Rider's real name!" Gordes demanded of Jeanne d'Arc.
"It is not appropriate," Jeanne replied indifferently.
"Damn!" Gordes stomped in frustration. Knowing the Rider's real name would allow them to devise a counter-strategy, but this Ruler was unyielding!
The battle between Siegfried and Achilles seemed endless, both fighters lost in the thrill of combat. Spear and sword clashed relentlessly, their blood boiling with excitement as the confrontation stretched into daylight.
According to the Holy Grail War rules, battles should cease during the day. Gordes considered retreating, believing the enemy's Master would likely do the same. After all, Jeanne d'Arc, the Ruler, was still observing.
"Very good! Saber, you've made me very happy. You are a worthy opponent in this Grail War!" Achilles declared, sweeping Siegfried aside with his spear. His eyes burned with determination, terrifying magical power surging behind him. "I will strike with all my might! Come forth, my chariot!"
A meteor-like flash streaked across the horizon, the horses' neighs turning Gordes pale.
This was not the time to retreat!
"Wait! Red Rider, it's daytime. Stop your actions now!" Jeanne d'Arc stepped forward. "Your behavior will expose the Holy Grail War to the public. If you don't stop, I will have to force you!"
"Who cares about that?" Achilles leapt onto his chariot. "I am Achilles! Black Saber, you don't need to know my name. Show me your full power!"
The chariot's presence revealed Achilles' identity, but he didn't care. This was his pride as a warrior!
Siegfried's eyes narrowed as he prepared to draw his sword, but he glanced at Gordes for orders.
"Go, Saber! Use your Noble Phantasm and defeat him!" Gordes commanded, his voice resolute.
Red Rider clearly intended to unleash his Noble Phantasm. Without it, Siegfried would certainly perish! Gordes trusted in Siegfried's power.
Siegfried's eyes widened with determination as he gripped his sword.
"Master, I will repay your trust with victory!"
Silver magical energy surged into the sky, matching Achilles' overwhelming power.
"This is the fight I've been waiting for!" Achilles laughed maniacally.
"Stop your actions immediately!" Jeanne d'Arc demanded, worried as dawn approached. If they continued, the Holy Grail War would be exposed!
Jeanne sighed, preparing to use her Command Spells.
"If you do not cease, I will use my Command Spells!" Jeanne declared.
"Onward, Black Saber!" Achilles roared. "Gale and high seas—"
"Use your Command Spell to order Red Rider to cease his actions and return to your side," Jeanne interrupted firmly.
Instantly, the magical energies subsided. Achilles vanished as if a light had been switched off.
Siegfried blinked, slightly awkward as he lifted his dragon-slaying sword. He should cancel his Noble Phantasm now to maintain his appearance.
At that moment, Gordes' voice echoed in his mind. Though skeptical, Siegfried obediently lowered his sword.
"Ruler, Saber's Noble Phantasm has reached its release stage and cannot be withdrawn," Gordes pleaded, looking to Jeanne for guidance.
"Use your Command Spell," Jeanne commanded, raising her hand. "Black Saber, cease your Noble Phantasm."
The towering magical aura vanished, and Siegfried sheathed his sword, standing calmly behind Gordes.
"..." Jeanne blinked. Compared to the visibly reluctant Achilles, Siegfried seemed almost indifferent, complying effortlessly with the command to retract his Noble Phantasm.
"Ruler, let's discuss our strategies regarding Red Rider," Gordes suggested, extending an olive branch despite their differences.
"No," Jeanne replied simply, rejecting the offer.