["Hahaha, this is far from enough!"]
[Spartacus, lying on the ground after being knocked down, refused to yield. Balancing himself on one foot, he raised his massive sword and prepared to continue his rampage. However, several black lances suddenly pierced his body from behind, halting his advance.]
["It's time to switch opponents."]
[Astolfo turned around with a carefree wave. "Bye-bye~!"]
[The source of the attack revealed itself—Vlad III, the Grand Duke of Wallachia, who had arrived with the rest of the Black Faction. Riding a tall, imposing steed, he observed Spartacus coldly.]
[Vlad III: "Rebel, Berserker of the Red Faction. If it is power you seek, then look no further—for I am the one who stands at the pinnacle of authority."]
["Hahaha, you are the oppressor!"]
[Despite his injuries, Spartacus turned his blazing eyes toward Vlad, his voice ringing with defiance. "I will sing the song of victory over you!"]
[Avicebron snorted from the sidelines, his expression calm as he waved his hand. "Let me deal with him."]
[The soil beneath Spartacus came alive, forming chains that bound his massive body and immobilized him. Spartacus roared in frustration, struggling against the restraints, but to no avail.]
[Vlad III: "The Lord of Execution will pass judgment on you."]
[Vlad didn't hesitate, unleashing his Noble Phantasm. A massive spike shot up from the ground, piercing Spartacus' wrist and forcing him to drop his sword. The pain contorted Spartacus' face, but his resolve remained unshaken.]
["Oppressor, I will destroy you!"] Spartacus bellowed.
["Your rebellion is noble," Vlad said, his voice almost respectful. "Your defiance against tyranny is worthy of admiration. But rebellion is futile in the face of true strength."]
[With another gesture, a second spike shot out, piercing Spartacus' neck. The Berserker's body finally went limp, and he collapsed unconscious.]
[Vlad III: "Darnic, he is yours now."]
[With those words, Vlad turned his horse and rode back toward the castle.]
---
Waver: "So this is the strength of Vlad III? He took down Spartacus so easily."
Kayneth: "Let's not forget that Avicebron assisted him. If it were a one-on-one fight, the outcome might not have been so decisive."
Vlad III: "Hmph. Are you doubting my strength?"
Kayneth: "Not doubting, merely stating facts."
Tohsaka Rin: "I can't believe they just gave Spartacus away like that."
Chihiro: "It's not like they had much of a choice. Their 'teammate' didn't listen to orders."
Atalanta: "You can't blame us for abandoning him. Spartacus doesn't listen to anyone. Even if we saved him, he'd just run back into the fight."
Achilles: "It's true. Spartacus doesn't care about strategy. He fights for his ideals, not for his team."
---
["I think I'll take my leave as well."]
[Seeing that Vlad had left, Astolfo decided it was the perfect opportunity to retreat.]
[Celenike: "Rider, what are you doing?"]
["Ahhh, my back hurts!"] Astolfo exclaimed, clutching his side and exaggerating his movements. "I need to rest!"]
[Ignoring Celenike's protests, Astolfo bolted from the battlefield.]
---
[Darnic: "Caster, I want this Servant's connection to the Red Faction severed. Force the contract if you must."]
[Avicebron: "Understood."]
[Darnic: "Roche, Celenike, assist him."]
["Understood," both Masters replied in unison.]
Tohsaka Rin: "Why bother trying to convert Spartacus?"
Darnic: "A Berserker of such combat prowess would be wasted if we simply eliminated him. He'll be far more useful as our pawn."
Spartacus: "O oppressors, I will never submit to your tyranny!"
Darnic: "We'll see about that."
---
["Archer, are you in position?"]
[On the highest point of the castle, Chiron stood with his bow drawn, ready to fire.]
[Darnic: "Good. Then I'll leave the remaining two servants to you."]
[Siegfried and Frankenstein materialized nearby, their expressions serious. Darnic nodded approvingly as he laid out the strategy: three Servants engaging openly, two in the shadows, and Chiron providing long-range support. It was a cautious yet calculated approach.]
[Meanwhile, Astolfo returned to the Black Castle, feigning exhaustion as he made his way to Chiron's quarters.]
["The opportunity has come. Run now."]
[Astolfo had decided to use the distraction of the ongoing battle to help Sieg, the homunculus, escape. Knowing Sieg's existence would eventually be discovered, Astolfo acted quickly.]
---
Darnic: "Caster, have you located the homunculus yet?"
"Not yet," Avicebron replied calmly. "But I've placed surveillance on the most likely candidates. If there's any movement, I'll know immediately."
---
[Back in the forest, Achilles waited leisurely for the Black Faction's Servants to arrive. When Siegfried and Frankenstein finally appeared, Achilles greeted them with a cocky grin.]
["Oh, I'm being underestimated," Achilles said, his tone mocking. "Do you really think two of you are enough to take me on?"]
[His expression twisted into a snarl as he growled, "There's a limit to how much I can tolerate being humiliated!"]
[A wave of pressure radiated from Achilles, scattering the birds in the trees and causing the ground to tremble slightly.]
[Siegfried raised his sword, his expression calm but focused. Frankenstein let out a low growl, her claws gleaming in the fading light.]
["Even though I'm a Rider, don't think I'm limited to chariot battles," Achilles sneered, spinning his spear in one hand. "Let me show you the difference between a true hero and a mere warrior."]
[The battle began in an instant.]
---
[Video paused.]
[Question: In this battle between the Black Faction and the Red Faction, which side will win?]
---
Darnic: "We will win."
[Ding! Congratulations to Darnic for answering correctly. 3 Saint Quartz have been awarded.]
---
Darnic: "Of course. This outcome was inevitable."
Tohsaka Rin: "What makes you so confident?"
Darnic: "Achilles is powerful, yes, but the Black Faction has the numbers advantage. And let's not forget that Chiron, who knows Achilles better than anyone, is on our side."
Vlad III: "Good work, Darnic. Proceed as planned."
---
[Video resumes.]
[The battle was fierce. Despite being outnumbered, Achilles maintained the upper hand. His speed and skill overwhelmed both Siegfried and Frankenstein.]
[Siegfried barely managed to block Achilles' strikes, while Frankenstein was repeatedly knocked away, her defenses unable to hold against his relentless assault.]
[With Frankenstein incapacitated, Siegfried found himself completely outmatched. Achilles grabbed Siegfried's wrist, preventing him from swinging his sword.]
["What a disappointment," Achilles said, his tone dripping with disdain. "You're not worthy to face me."]
[Siegfried's eyes glowed faintly as his sword flared with magic power. With a burst of strength, he broke free from Achilles' grip and prepared to counterattack.]
["Oh, so you've got some fight in you after all," Achilles remarked with a smirk. "This might take longer than I thought."]
[Siegfried remained silent, his stoic expression betraying no emotion.]
["People like you who don't smile on the battlefield," Achilles taunted, "probably forget how to smile after death. Lighten up a little."]
[Siegfried: "A smile on the battlefield can sometimes be a mockery of your opponent's resolve."]
---
Tohsaka Rin: "Wow, Siegfried's really stoic in this scene."
Siegfried: "I'm not always like this. I enjoy talking to people, it's a way to gain new perspectives."
Tohsaka Rin: "Then why are you so quiet here?"
Siegfried: "…I don't know."
Chihiro: "Maybe you should ask your Master. Right, fat uncle?"
Gordes: "You insolent brat! Stop calling me fat uncle!"
---
[As Achilles and Siegfried clashed, a sudden arrow struck Siegfried in the chest. The attack came from Atalanta, who had been waiting for the perfect moment to intervene.]
["Nice shot, Big Sister," Achilles said with a grin. "We've lost a Berserker, so it's only fair the Black Faction loses one too."]