Chapter 566: Day and Night

Among the attack methods Chiron can execute, this is an absolute shot with the highest power and precision. Since Chiron is represented by the constellation Sagittarius, he is always drawing his bow. This attack only requires deciding the target of the arrow to be activated; it does not require the release of the true name or the accumulation of magical energy, eliminating the inherent time lag of bow-type weapons due to actions like nocking and drawing. This is a meteoric strike that only the constellation, which perpetually aims its bow at the celestial scorpion, can achieve.

The meteor fell, piercing precisely through the heart of Shadow Archer, causing the black shadows that composed his body to lose his body and disperse instantly.

During his disappearance, his previously rigid face suddenly showed some vitality. This great hero, also related to meteors, calmly watched Chiron, who had ended his shadowy form, as if to say—what a splendid shot.

Chiron showed the utmost respect and reverence for such an opponent.

"I look forward to truly facing you one day."

A breeze blew through, scattering the last traces of Shadow Archer.

"Is it over?"

Lying on the ground and curling up, Caules cautiously lifted his head, and Chiron reached out to help his Master up.

"Yes, it's over. He was an excellent archer. If he were a regular Servant like me, I might not have won."

"I see, well, as long as we won. Let's go, we need to support the others. Oh, wait, we should be careful, given that 'thing' has a limitation."

Chiron understood Caules's concern well.

The limitation of Antares Snipe is that it can only be used once per night. Now that it has been used, compared to other Servants, this is a decisive disadvantage.

However, the great sage of ancient Greece would not shrink back due to this disadvantage. Even without his Noble Phantasm, his arrows could pierce the vital points of his enemies. This is the pride of a top-tier archer.

◇◇◇

The battlefield where Karna and Siegfried were fighting was one of the few places in the garden not filled with poisonous mist. No one would, nor wanted to, interrupt the duel between these two rare great heroes.

As the lyrics of the Nibelungenlied state:

The invincible knight, the noble hero, the great warrior.

With a body made invincible by bathing in dragon's blood. He wields the fantastic great sword Balmung that slays dragons. Having gone through countless adventures, he obtained dazzling gold.

A man who continually fulfilled the wishes of people and friends, ultimately even satisfying all wishes with his death.

His name is Siegfried.

As a Saber-class Servant, he is undoubtedly among the strongest.

As the Mahabharata narrates:

A man who sought nothing, gained nothing, and ultimately received nothing.

Because of his charity, the ashamed god Indra entrusted him with the spear that slays gods.

Even after being stripped of his golden armor worn since birth, losing his skills, and eventually having even his honor taken away, he resolutely bore no resentment toward anyone.

The hero who gave everything, his name is Karna.

As a Lancer-class Servant, he too has the qualifications to claim the title of the strongest.

The former achieved the feat of dragon slaying single-handedly, while the latter demonstrated invincible power against entire armies.

Though they are both heroes, their ways of life are opposite.

With each clash, countless sparks flew. The golden armor reduced the damage from the fantastic great sword's slashes. Meanwhile, the body that had bathed in dragon's blood similarly disregarded any spear strikes from the invincible blade.

Of course, being completely unscathed was impossible.

Yet even so, the wounds of both combatants healed instantly.

As the battle progressed, doubt began to surface in Karna's mind. His self-healing ability could easily repair this level of injury, but Siegfried did not possess such a capability.

His Master was not by his side at the moment to provide healing magic support.

So what was going on? With this question in mind, Karna scanned his opponent's body.

Soon, he noticed a slight difference in Siegfried's armor compared to their first encounter. Although these differences were extremely subtle, they did not escape Karna's sharp eyes, as keen as his divine spear.

"I see, you've got new equipment."

As the golden divine spear and the silver sword clashed, Karna spoke slowly.

Siegfried did not hide it and truthfully replied:

"As you said, this is an outfit prepared by my Master. He said that with this, I could fight without any concerns."

"Is that so? It seems you and your Master are getting along well. I took a quick look from afar, and he seemed somewhat different."

"One might say he has grown. So have I. Through this time together, both my Master and I have realized our shortcomings and are striving to change."

Seeing a smile form at the corner of Siegfried's mouth, Karna sighed softly.

"You've met a good Master."

"Yes, I believe so too. Thanks to him, I now have a real chance to defeat you."

"If you can manage it, then try."

The golden armor's plates opened, spraying Siegfried's body with solar flames hot enough to melt steel.

At the same moment, Siegfried unleashed a burst of power that could only be used once in a short period, striking Karna away.

Immediately after, Siegfried held his sword before him, letting it enter its released state.

"Sword, be filled."

With these words, the aquamarine jewel at the end of the sword's hilt emitted a twilight glow. This was a magical power not belonging to the modern era, but the true ether of the Age of Gods, capable of unleashing overwhelming destructive power with just a little bit. It was the greatest masterpiece of the Nibelungen race, Siegfried's trump card.

The moment Karna sensed this sign, he immediately stomped on the ground, injecting all the solar flames surrounding him into his divine spear.

"Assassin, I'm going to slightly damage the garden, so don't blame me."

After conveying this intent via mental communication, Karna cut off the link before the other party could respond.

"Though it's a beautiful aurora, at this distance, even I can't take a direct hit."

Talking to himself, Karna raised his divine spear.

Flames formed a vortex, and with a clang, a part of the garden's exterior decor was obliterated, along with the sound of a beast's growling.

The divine spear burst into dazzling light like the dawn breaking through the night.

"Go forth—Brahmastra Kundala!"

"I'm coming!"

Facing this radiance, Siegfried quietly declared, swinging the twilight-colored sword light.

"Awaken from the golden dream... Release yourself from its cradle. The evil dragon must be destroyed. Balmung!!"

In an instant, under the pitch-black night sky, a miraculous scene unfolded.

Two special phenomena, symbolizing the alternation of day and night, interchanged at the same time and place.