-874- Intense battle

"Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!"

The red spear transformed into a crimson meteor, rising towards the sky, simultaneously shattering all the light arrows. It almost obliterated the torrent of light arrows that poured down like a storm.

"What is that...!?"

Even Atalante couldn't help but be astonished.

Her Noble Phantasm was unexpectedly easily thwarted, leaving Atalante in disbelief.

As Atalante was taken aback, others also gasped, especially Jason.

"It's the Mad King's spear...!?"

Jason exclaimed. Clearly, upon witnessing the red spear streaking like a meteor, Jason immediately recalled the thrown sinister spear of Cu Chulainn.

However...

"No! That isn't Setanta's spear!"

Scathach decisively denied.

Rozen also spoke, revealing the true name of the spear.

"〈(Gáe Dearg)—Crimson Rose of Exorcism〉!"

————Gáe Dearg

A spear given to Diarmuid by the god of love and youth, Angus, for protection.

This spear, inscribed with runes of "Purple Garment" ("Holy Tree"), "Restraint," "Gift," "Birch" ("Fertility"), and "War God" ("Victory"), was about two meters long. It was a spear that nullified magical defenses, particularly effective against armor constructed with magical energy.

Upon contact, any magical enhancements, additional abilities, and magic effects on the target would be nullified. It was a perpetually active Noble Phantasm that didn't require chanting, a Phantasm killer that could only be defended against with physical means.

Now, this spear was thrown as a projectile by its owner, and its anti-magic effect effortlessly neutralized the divine protection of Atalante's arrow rain, causing all the light arrows to shatter.

And the owner of this spear was...

"Diarmuid Ua Duibhne!"

Mash loudly declared the name of the spear's owner.

"Boom!"

Almost simultaneously, the anti-magic spear shattered the last of the light arrows and hurtled towards the direction of the Argo.

"Not good!"

Several Servants exclaimed in succession.

This was because, if the spear indeed had the effect of nullifying all magical protections, not only would Mash's Noble Phantasm be shattered, but even the floating flight magic sustaining the Argo would be dispelled, ultimately causing it to crash to the ground.

Therefore, that spear must not touch the Argo.

"Allow me to handle this! Master!"

Rama volunteered to Rozen.

To deflect that anti-magic spear, magical defenses were useless, and only Servants skilled in close combat had a chance.

In this regard, Rozen had almost no means to deal with it, and only a Servant with exceptional swordsmanship like Rama could attempt this feat.

However, just before Rozen could nod in agreement...

"I knew you fools couldn't be relied upon!"

Jason erupted ahead of everyone, either out of fear or anger.

"Don't think you can easily hit my ship!"

With that, Jason abruptly turned the helm, miraculously tilting the entire Argo to one side.

"Shing!"

The anti-magic spear narrowly grazed the edge of the Argo, falling into empty space.

However, due to Jason's sudden change in course, everyone on the deck lost their balance, staggering in all directions.

"Ah!"

Mash, too, almost lost her footing. The movement caused her shield, currently in the active state, to be immediately deactivated.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

A deluge of arrows once again soared into the sky, shot by Celtic soldiers, blanketing the Argo.

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"

Jason, appearing both anxious and furious, continued to shout, but his actions were swift. He deftly maneuvered the helm, making the Argo come alive, constantly changing direction. Eventually, he managed to evade the overwhelming arrow rain.

"This..."

"No way..."

"Unbelievable..."

On the deck, the Servants, still swaying, were dumbfounded by this spectacle.

"Is this guy really Jason?"

Even Rozen was astonished, almost suspecting his eyes or even the reliability of his "Mind's Eye".

But this was indeed reality.

At this moment, Jason demonstrated exceptional piloting skills, allowing the Argo to dodge both the arrow storm and even the anti-magic Noble Phantasm.

"While I understand everyone's astonishment, please don't be surprised. This is Lord Jason for you."

Medea, holding a staff, smiled bitterly as she explained to everyone.

"Even though he usually exhibits such behavior, at critical moments, Lord Jason becomes inexplicably reliable. His piloting skills leave many heroes in awe, hence his "Riding" skill being at the Ex level."

//// I dunno bout this one cuz the wiki said it's B, but oh well I got no rights to change that.. ////

Learning the truth from Medea, the group was dumbfounded. Only Jason remained frantic.

"What are you all staring at? Counterattack now! We're really going to die!"

Jason shouted angrily at the numerous heroes.

His current performance was truly the opposite of the abilities he was showcasing.

However...

"Hahaha! Don't think avoiding Diarmuid's strike means you're safe! Brave warriors!"

A laughter echoed from afar, drawing closer.

"...!"

Everyone immediately turned their heads to look ahead.

There, a figure leaped high from the ground, surpassing the Argo and ascending to the sky, backlit by the sun, holding up a purple spear.

"Come, face my Noble Phantasm!"

Fionn loudly unleashed his own Noble Phantasm.

"This is a strike capable of slaughtering even fallen gods!"

This wasn't an exaggeration but a fact. Fionn's twin spear had defeated the fallen god Oin, now an evil fairy. It not only possessed automatic attack capabilities but also the ability to nullify all negative effects involving mental interference.

And when its true name was released, as a descendant of the war god Nuada, Fionn could use the water under his jurisdiction to turn the spear into a surging torrent, delivering a powerful blow.

This single strike reached A+ rank against armies.

Therefore...

"〈Mac an Luin〉!"

As the true name of this Noble Phantasm was unleashed, a raging torrent of water erupted in the sky, as if an entire lake had been instantaneously transported, bursting forth.

These water currents, resembling flowing streams of air, surged from all directions, converging on Fionn's spear.

Soon after, Fionn, surrounded by the turbulent waters, descended from the sky, hurtling towards the Argo.

Facing this assault...

"〈O' Brahma, Curse Me（Brahmastra Kundala）〉."

A calm and quiet voice echoed.

"Boom!"

A colossal flame erupted instantaneously.