Chapter 499: Red and Black Showdown - Seizing the Holy Grail

Where lies the greatest strength of the EX-rank Anti-World Noble Phantasm "Hanging Gardens of Babylon"?

Different people would offer different answers to this question.

Shakespeare, without a doubt, would praise the exquisite scenery that lies between reality and illusion.

Heroes like Karna and Achilles might point to its comprehensive functionality and its power as an aerial fortress.

Semiramis would naturally consider it her domain, where she can maximize her power, confident that she wouldn't lose to any enemy here, no matter how strong.

Shirou's answer, however, differs from everyone else's — the Hanging Gardens itself.

Indeed, it has nothing to do with the scenery, its strategic role as a fortress, or the liberation of Semiramis's power. It is simply the sheer massiveness of this floating structure.

The Hanging Gardens are not conjured from thin air but are a reassembled and reconstructed entity based on real materials. It's akin to a worker constructing buildings using existing materials. While it's true that the reinforcement and concrete binding them together are through Semiramis's magic, the other materials are real, possessing immutable physical properties and adhering to the laws of physics.

As for the quantity of these materials, there's no need to elaborate further. Shirou had spent decades in the Middle East, and the money he spent could buy a small country. This alone speaks volumes. Combining and restructuring these materials into a cohesive entity and making them float in the air is a formidable weapon of mass impact in itself.

If it weren't for considering Semiramis's and other heroes' sentiments, along with some unknown factors, Shirou wouldn't have wasted so much time on this meaningless war. He could have simply... cough, cough, flown the Gardens straight into the enemy.

With a mass several times that of Millennia Castle crashing down, it would be an overwhelming force. No matter how the Black Faction struggled, they couldn't withstand this ultimate strike. Perhaps the Servants wouldn't die, but with their Masters dead, their time would be limited.

Of course, for now, they could only proceed step by step, making the best use of what they have, and testing the waters.

Looking at the devastation on the screen, Shirou asked with a smile, "Feeling better now?"

"Yes, a bit... I was worried about how much effort it would take to destroy that fortress, but now it's much easier. I thought I'd have to rely on Lancer's Noble Phantasm..."

Semiramis's chill slightly lessened.

"Have the others returned? We're about to—"

Before Shirou could finish, someone interrupted:

"Yes, yes, we're back. It's annoying to have my fun interrupted. If you can't give me a satisfactory explanation, you'll pay for it."

The one speaking in such a tone could only be the unruly Achilles.

"Watch your tone, Rider!"

Semiramis's gaze was icy.

"This is my tone, so what?"

Achilles glared back, refusing to back down.

"Do you want to die?"

"Who's going to die is still uncertain."

Achilles flashed a wild grin and made a throat-slitting gesture at Semiramis.

Already in a foul mood, the Empress was provoked further and immediately raised her right hand to weave a spell. Fortunately, Shirou noticed the tension and grabbed her wrist in time.

"Assassin, now is not the time for internal conflict. Think of the bigger picture."

Opposite them, Atalanta signaled to Achilles with her eyes, "You should also know when to stop."

The two finally snorted coldly and looked away from each other, no longer speaking.

Taking advantage of this pause, Shirou explained, "Everyone, you've worked hard. I know your boiling blood hasn't calmed down yet—it's okay, bear with it a little longer. We're about to fight again. But this time, we aren't attacking; they are, and we will defend."

Atalanta asked in confusion, "Defend? What exactly is going on? Does this have to do with us approaching that fortress? Are we planning to kill the enemy's Masters directly?"

As they spoke, the Hanging Gardens continued to move, now directly above Millennia Castle.

"Of course not. Our goal is only one: to make them return the Greater Holy Grail."

For a moment, all the Servants present fell silent. Rider and Archer exchanged glances, and even Lancer looked at Shirou with a surprised expression.

"Make them return it? No, wait... how are they supposed to return it?"

"Assassin."

"I know!"

Semiramis impatiently pointed to the floor.

"The reason this Hanging Garden floats in the air is entirely based on the concept called 'inverse.' Plants grow downward, and water flows from bottom to top."

The garden stopped above the Millennia fortress. If the residents of Trifas looked up at the night sky, they might have a mental breakdown upon seeing this enormous garden that even blocked out the moonlight.

"Watch closely, you ignorant magi. This is the true domain of magic."

Semiramis calmly declared, spreading her hands to release the spell.

Boom—violent winds began to blow from the bottom of the garden. The wind, resembling a tornado, connected to the fortress like a conduit.

"Hey, hey... are you planning to take it by force?"

Witnessing this magnificent scene, Achilles momentarily forgot his defiance.

Semiramis, focused on her magic, gave a contemptuous sneer.

"Of course! This garden was designed for this purpose! If you can't even see that, you're truly ignorant. Now, come to me, Greater Holy Grail! Show me your ugly yet beautiful form, constructed by divine magic!"

The earth began to collapse and was gradually absorbed. Two-thirds of the fortress was already destroyed, and the exposed rocky foundation was also being pulverized. Finally, the Greater Holy Grail revealed its true form.

"Is that... the Greater Holy Grail?"

Atalanta muttered to herself in astonishment. With her eagle-like vision, she indeed saw the Holy Grail below. However, what truly shocked her was not just this.

Not only her, but even Karna, Achilles, and Shakespeare were also stunned. The immense, colorless, transparent magical power that had been accumulating unceasingly over sixty years was now swirling there.

"That is the Holy Grail...! Excellent! This is fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic!! I can feel the overwhelming magical power even from here! It makes me want to dive in and immerse myself, even merge with it! Yet, the exposed form is as ugly as a human! Truly, 'clean is dirty, and dirty is clean'!"

Shakespeare shouted with passionate joy.

If it were this Greater Holy Grail, calling it an "omnipotent wish-granting machine" would be no exaggeration for any wish that isn't too grand in scale. It was natural for the Servants to be this excited.

"...Hmph, it has completely fused with the ley lines. It will take some time to extract it. However, we can't just stand idle. They're coming, everyone."

There was no need for Semiramis's reminder; everyone present had already sensed the change. To prevent the Greater Holy Grail from being stolen, the Black Faction's Servants were rapidly approaching.

"I must focus my power on the Greater Holy Grail for a while. I'll leave the rest to you. If we can't hold out during this time, your wishes will turn to dust. Be careful, okay?"

Hearing her mocking words, the Greek duo retorted with undisguised hostility:

"—You don't need to tell me that. Just don't fail."

"I will do what I must. There's no need for you to point it out."

Despite the blatant hostility, Semiramis remained composed and confident.

However, it wasn't long before her calm expression vanished.