The Beginning

At the border of Trifas, there was an unknown small village with a population of around a hundred people.

It was so obscure that anyone wouldn't even find it on the map.

Despite its size, the village was well-equipped with facilities like a school, a store, a church, and an inn.

The villagers were easygoing, and for someone accustomed to city life, a visit to this village might bring a long-lost sense of relaxation and comfort.

As dusk settled, the sun gradually dipped below the horizon, casting a dazzling golden edge across the land. The clear lake reflected shimmering ripples as a gentle breeze swept by, creating a serene and comfortable atmosphere.

On the loft of the church, the French saint who had just finished praying stood up.

"It should be starting soon..." Jeanne murmured softly as she gazed outside at the darkening sky.

Due to the principle of keeping the Holy Grail War a secret from the public, it could only occur at night, a custom that was well-established by now.

"I can't make the same mistake as yesterday..."

Recalling the event of yesterday, Jeanne couldn't help but show a hint of embarrassment on her face.

After leaving the Fortress of Millennia yesterday, it took her a whole day to find this small village and settle down.

After a brief rest, she began her daily prayers.

However, just as she finished her prayers yesterday, a notice from the Ruler's authority suddenly came—Caster of Red had been defeated.

The abrupt news startled her.

She quickly utilized her Ruler's authority to search for the positions of Servants of both factions, nearly giving herself a heart attack in the process.

Her Ruler's authority clearly indicated that the three Servants of Black were in Sighisoara, and most of the Servants of Red were also present. Their movements made it evident that they were in the midst of battle!

Sighisoara was a city with over ten thousand inhabitants, and fighting in such a place, with the destructive power of Servants, could easily result in an unpredictable tragedy!

In her desperation, she didn't think twice and directly used her Ruler's skill to command a driver to take her to Sighisoara.

However, midway, she noticed that the Servants of both factions had already separated, indicating that the battle had concluded.

Yet, she couldn't ease her mind until she reached the battlefield in Sighisoara and confirmed there were no innocent casualties.

Only then did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

As for the chaotic and destroyed area around her, she automatically ignored them. After all, it was none of her concern.

In brief, this perilous experience served as a wake-up call for her.

As a result, today, she finished her prayers early, determined not to let a repeat of yesterday's incident happen!

Estimating that it was about time, Jeanne took out the holy water she obtained from a nun and casually sprinkled it on the ground.

As she observed the pattern forming on the ground, a hint of surprise flickered in her eyes.

"What is this..."

===

Fortress of Millennia.

After settling matters with Sieg, Arkhan left Gordes's room. However, as he was halfway down the corridor, a deep and commanding voice of Vlad suddenly echoed in his ears.

"Everyone, gather at the throne room, now!"

Arkhan raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and then contacted Nidhogg through their connection. After a while, he changed direction and headed toward the throne room.

In the spacious throne room, Heracles, Avicebron, Frankenstein, and their respective Masters had already arrived. However, no one spoke loudly; the atmosphere exuded an obvious seriousness and gravity.

Vlad sat high on the throne, his pale face tense, his aura as a ruler emanating and causing the surrounding homunculi to tremble slightly.

Everyone could see that Vlad had entered a serious mood.

"What's happening?" Nidhogg, who had just arrived, leaned against Arkhan and asked in a low voice.

"Not sure, but it probably has something to do with the Red Faction." Arkhan replied calmly.

Besides the Holy Grail War, he couldn't think of any other reason that would prompt Vlad to gather everyone like this.

Shortly afterward, with the arrival of Siegfried and Gordes, all Masters and Servants of the Black Faction were finally gathered.

"I won't waste any unnecessary words." Vlad stood up, his stern gaze sweeping across everyone. "See for yourselves."

Darnic stepped forward, casually gesturing, and the radiance of magecraft flowed and converged, presenting an image before everyone.

Under the night sky, glowing like glass with a mysterious blue light, two colossal forms were speeding through. One was a golden ship radiating a sun-like brilliance, and the other was a massive floating fortress comparable in size to a city-state.

"That is..."

Except for Arkhan, everyone's pupils contracted at the sight, their faces revealing evident astonishment.

Even Heracles, his expression became slightly more serious.

"Surely you must have already guessed. These two objects are Noble Phantasms of the Red Faction." Vlad said with an unchanged tone. "This is their declaration of war against us!"

"But isn't this a bit too exaggerated?" Gordes whispered.

"Is this really okay?" Caules pushed his glasses up. "Even though it's nighttime, aren't they too conspicuous? Aren't they worried about interference from Ruler?"

"Even if that's the case... they probably mean it this way." Fiore tightened her grip on her wheelchair's armrest. "With Noble Phantasms like those, even Ruler might not be able to handle them."

After saying that, she turned to her Servant.

"Archer, if it were you, could you bring down those two Noble Phantasms?"

Staring at the images of the golden ship and the floating fortress for a while, Heracles soon answered.

"If it's that golden ship, there might be some hope."

"Are you saying you can't deal with the fortress?" Fiore caught the meaning in his words.

"That fortress is the Noble Phantasm of Assassin of Red, Semiramis, called the 'Hanging Gardens of Babylon', an EX-ranked Anti-World Noble Phantasm, almost equivalent to a small country."

Arkhan suddenly explained the origin of the floating fortress.

"Unless it's a Noble Phantasm of the same rank, the only way to destroy it is to infiltrate inside it and deal with Assassin of Red directly."

"I see, Semiramis, the Wise Queen of Assyria..." Gordes nodded at first, then widened his eyes suddenly. "Wait, did you say she's an Assassin?!"

"That's right." Arkhan nodded.

A sense of indescribable absurdity surged in everyone's hearts.

Shouldn't Assassin-class Servants specialize in assassination? Since when could they pull off something grand like this?

"Semiramis is a rather special one, she possesses a personal skill called 'Double Summon', allowing her to possess class skills from both Assassin and Caster classes."

Arkhan continued to explain.

"As for that golden ship, it is the Noble Phantasm of Rider of Red, Ozymandias, known as Mesektet, with power rivaling that of an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm."

"This is too much! An Anti-World Noble Phantasm and an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm. I feel like the Red Faction is better prepared than us!" Gordes couldn't help but complain.

'Duh, it's obvious that Shirou guy had prepared for this for a full sixty years...' Arkhan sighed inwardly.

Even he had to admit, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada was indeed a resolute man.

"All of this doesn't matter. Since this is my territory and they chose to invade, the only fate awaiting them is defeat." Vlad opened his hands wide. "Ladies and gentlemen, lend me your strength, and let us win this war!"

"Leave Rider of Red to me." Heracles said with an unchanged tone.

"In that case, I'll take care of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon." Arkhan smiled. "I'm probably the only one here who can threaten it."

Glancing at Nidhogg by Arkhan's side, Vlad nodded slightly.

"I'll leave them to both of you then."

With a determined wave of his hand, he loudly declared.

"Ladies and gentlemen, follow me into battle!"