Credits: Korntaratana Jutimitta
"You scoundrel!!"
As if provoked by Alaric's indifferent attitude, Nitocris, who had been floating in the sky after separating from the Sphinx, could no longer hold back.
Wielding her scepter, she unleashed streaks of golden light that pierced through the sandstorm, shooting directly toward Alaric! Within the golden light were pairs of winged Eyes of Horus, radiating a metallic luster.
These metallic artifacts, symbols of Horus, the god of the sky, burst forth with incredible divine speed amidst the vast sandstorm. In an instant, golden trails filled the air, charging toward Alaric from all directions!
Alaric stood unmoving, casually swinging his sword. The pitch-black sword aura, intertwined with faint crimson arcs, effortlessly annihilated the streaks of golden light! Even the metallic artifacts couldn't approach within several meters of her.
The sword aura, like moonlight, silently tore through the sandstorm, devouring everything in its path, including the golden light!
"Sword energy?!"
Nitocris, consumed by anger, immediately realized how Alaric had deflected the Eyes of Horus—it was through the pitch-black sword aura emitted by the Sword of End! Yet this greatly contradicted her impression of Alaric; back then, he hadn't been capable of such swordsmanship.
Unconsciously, she blurted out, "When did you—"
"I've learned a lot in this past month. I've realized how important imagination can be!"
Alaric swung his sword lightly, speaking with a smile full of confidence.
Meanwhile, not far away, Mash was locked in combat with the skeletal warriors summoned by Nitocris. Her massive shield swept and smashed through her enemies, defeating them with ease.
However, there were simply too many foes. Even Mash, skilled as she was, found herself struggling, unable to divert her attention to the most significant threat—the Sphinx!
"Summon!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka's determined cry rang out again. As Alaric clashed with Nitocris, Ritsuka simultaneously activated a simple summoning spell, aiming to handle the Sphinx alone!
A radiant light burst forth before her, coalescing into a tall figure wielding a sword. The figure's bronze skin exuded an overwhelming sense of strength. Unlike the previously summoned Siegfried, this Servant's form flickered between solid and shadowy voids, as though it were a standing shadow.
"Engage the Sphinx and provide fire support for Mash!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka issued her command the moment the Servant appeared. Upon receiving the order, the dual-wielding Servant loosened his grip on his swords, as if abandoning the fight!
Yet, as the weapons fell, a deep chant resonated:
"Trace On."
It was a spell ordinary to magus, not even considered a distinct system or exclusive technique—a spell as commonplace as street snacks.
A pale blue magical glow bloomed in the Servant's hands, taking shape.
What emerged was a pitch-black longbow, simple yet elegant in design, radiating an icy aura of lethality.
As the black longbow rested in the Servant's hand, an oddly shaped long sword, spiraling like a drill, also materialized. When the Servant drew the bowstring, the spiral sword stretched and transformed into a fine, arrow-like shape.
Red light emanated from the Servant, spreading outward like countless glimmers.
"Mash, dodge!"
Almost the instant the arrow was loosed, Fujimaru Ritsuka shouted.
Hearing her voice, Mash instinctively dove to the side, driven purely by reflex!
Boom!!
The spiraling arrow tore through the sands, landing directly in the center of the Sphinx and the skeletal warriors! A deafening explosion, accompanied by brilliant light, engulfed the group, including the Sphinx. The aftermath of the blast kicked up towering waves of sand, swallowing Fujimaru Ritsuka and her allies!
"Roar!!"
From within the explosion, a massive figure emerged, letting out an earth-shaking roar. The metallic artifacts adorning its body melted and fused with its muscles, and large burn marks marred its surface.
The Sphinx, now filled with rage, flew into a berserk frenzy, ignoring Mash entirely and charging straight toward Fujimaru Ritsuka and her Servant!
"Continue engaging!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka didn't stop moving; another familiar light burst forth in front of her—she was summoning yet another Servant!
Meanwhile, the dual-wielding Servant, upon receiving the command, dashed toward the approaching Sphinx.
"Trace On."
As magical energy surged, dozens of identical long swords materialized in midair, forming an array aimed at the Sphinx. In an instant, these swords rained down like cannonballs!
Unlike the spiraling arrow earlier, this storm of swords was a pure physical assault!
"Roar!"
Unable to evade in time, the Sphinx was pinned down by the relentless rain of swords, and its unstoppable charge abruptly halted.
As the swords suppressed the Sphinx, the Servant's hands glowed once again, and the twin swords, previously abandoned, returned to his grasp.
With the Sphinx momentarily immobilized, the Servant lunged forward, slashing at it!
Splatter!!
Blood sprayed as deep gashes appeared across the Sphinx's body. Scarlet blood gushed out, only to be obscured by the swirling sandstorm.
"Emiya, huh—"
Amid the sandstorm, Alaric instantly recognized Fujimaru Ritsuka's summoned Servant: Emiya Archer.
A nameless hero unrecorded in history, one who left behind no legends.
Emiya's combat style was unforgettable, a manifestation of the pinnacle of magecraft—the application of the Reality Marble unique to him, combined with projection magecraft.
He could replicate any bladed weapon he had seen, using it to its fullest potential—even imitating the skills and attributes of its original wielder. By leveraging the nature of creating countless counterfeits, Emiya could also destroy projected Noble Phantasms, unleashing explosive power.
Ding—!
Familiar magical energy pulsed behind him, causing Alaric to glance over instinctively. His pupils shrank slightly.
What he saw was a massive figure akin to a towering mountain. Even standing before Emiya, made him look small and fragile. The figure's chiseled muscles radiated a superhuman, terrifying strength.
It wielded a massive stone axe as tall as Alaric himself. Each heavy breath it exhaled sounded like rolling thunder, pushing back the surrounding sandstorm.
Its pale, emotionless eyes contained no trace of rationality—this was a beast of pure battle instinct, existing solely to destroy its enemies.
Alaric instantly realized who Fujimaru Ritsuka had summoned: the most powerful Heroic Spirit to appear alongside Emiya in the same Holy Grail War timeline.
One of humanity's strongest heroes, a cornerstone of Greek legend:
Heracles!