Chapter 61. Trap

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I Will Eventually Embark on the Path of No Return Called a Hero [Arc2] - 61. Trap

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"We've reached the enemy's core… right?"

Looking at the enormous gate in front of them, Astolfo scratched the back of his head.

"It seems so," Chiron stroked his chin. "What should we do, Master?"

"We have three Heroic Spirits on our side, so we should be fine," Fiore thought for a moment and replied. "They probably let us through to pick us off one by one. To deal with Lancer and Saber, they must have sent the strongest: Achilles and Red Lancer. That means, behind this great door…"

"There are only Assassin and Caster," Caules adjusted his glasses.

"We have a complete advantage here," Celenike patted Astolfo on the shoulder. "It's up to you now."

"Ah hahaha~~ I'm really not that strong," Astolfo laughed awkwardly. To be honest, he wasn't used to having a Master who wasn't sadistic.

"Then let's go," Chiron nodded and pushed open the door, stepping inside first. After confirming there was no immediate danger, he waved Fiore over. "Looks like there's no problem."

"What's this— we still need to search," Astolfo dramatically sighed, resting his hands on his head. "There isn't even any mist here."

"Boom----"

As they all stepped into the hall, the door slammed shut with a roar, and magical arrays began to deploy from the top to the bottom.

"It's a trap!" Caules instinctively shielded Fiore.

Frankenstein summoned her hammer and growled as she surveyed the surroundings.

"It seems we weren't forgotten. You must have planned for us to get here safely, Red Assassin," Chiron said, looking towards the throne. "The concealment skill of Assassin is truly remarkable; even I didn't notice it."

"Indeed, Centaur Sage," Semiramis appeared in their view, her legs crossed with a hint of light. "But discovering it now is too late."

"Is it really alright for an Assassin to appear so openly in front of us?" Astolfo summoned his spear.

"Ridiculous. This is my territory. Why shouldn't I appear openly?" Semiramis snapped her fingers. "Rather, why aren't you kneeling before me?"

"An Empress, then?" Caules pushed his glasses up.

"Since you've appeared so openly, does that mean you're confident you can take us all down?" Chiron reverted to his centaur form.

"That's natural. Centaur Sage, I specially prepared for you," Semiramis snapped her fingers.

A massive magical array appeared above the hall. Accompanied by spine-chilling roars and dark mist, a gigantic creature descended into the hall, its nine heads slowly emerging from the black mist.

"This is…" Chiron's eyes narrowed. "Hydra!"

"That's right, the monster defeated by your student, and also the being responsible for your death," Semiramis raised a finger. Several magical arrays appeared beside her, and chains extended from them. "Can you defeat it?"

Semiramis covered her face with a smile. "With a bunch of deadweights in tow!"

The Hydra roared and opened its enormous mouth, spewing thick purple mist in all directions.

"Run!" Chiron's face turned pale.

"Trying already!" Astolfo swung his spear, relentlessly striking the door. Upon hearing the name of the monster, he immediately began to smash the door, but who knows how much magic was reinforced on it; it showed no reaction.

"Wuuhhh!" Frankenstein growled as she lifted her hammer. Accompanied by thunderous lightning, Frankenstein swung down, but the door only shook slightly.

"I said I prepared thoroughly," Semiramis smirked. "You lost the moment you stepped into this hall."

Chiron's expression was extremely grim. Semiramis was positioned behind the Hydra and the poisonous mist, making sniping impossible. To defeat her, they had to traverse the mist that even gods couldn't endure and deal with the Hydra, all while avoiding Semiramis's attacks.

Entering the poisonous mist meant certain death, and being ensnared by the Hydra would also be fatal.

Someone among them was destined to sacrifice.

Chiron sighed lightly.

"Looks like I'll have to go. Rider, Berserker, stay behind to protect the Master."

"Wait! We should all go together. At least we can distract the monster," Astolfo said urgently. "You can't handle that monster alone! Don't forget, it's the monster indirectly responsible for your death."

"Wuuhhh!" Frankenstein nodded vigorously.

"No, Archer, it's up to you," Fiore's voice was conflicted. "Do you want to gamble on that Noble Phantasm?"

"Mm, at least it will minimize the damage," Chiron smiled as he stepped onto the path of certain death. "I'm not gambling; I believe in this Noble Phantasm."

"Understood! Please, do your best!"

"Sister, you…" Caules was stunned for a moment, then gritted his teeth. "Berserker, destroy that door with all your might!"

"Wuu!" Frankenstein nodded, gathering an even more powerful lightning on her hammer.

"Tsk, don't do anything unnecessary," Semiramis waved her hand, and dozens of chains shot towards Frankenstein.

"Clang------"

With a sweeping light, the chains snapped in mid-air. Astolfo rested his spear on his shoulder. "Don't underestimate Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins!"

"Tch, Hydra, take care of them!" Semiramis commanded.

"Roar----"

The Hydra roared as it began to move its massive body towards them, accompanied by the deadly poisonous mist.

"I didn't expect to experience this feeling," Chiron sighed lightly, drawing his bow and charging towards the Hydra in the mist.

The moment he stepped into the mist, the familiar soul-corroding sting made his mouth twitch uncontrollably, but he didn't stop. He concentrated magical energy to nock an arrow on his bow.

"Hmph, Centaur Sage, I'm quite looking forward to your performance," Semiramis folded her arms. Since they couldn't break the door anytime soon, she was more interested in seeing how Chiron would deal with the Hydra before he met his end—or if he would fail.

Chiron didn't respond to Semiramis. His life was on a countdown; every second was precious, and he couldn't afford to waste time or experiment.

"Boom----"

The arrow, carrying a gale, tore through the mist and shattered one of Hydra's heads.

"Roar----"

The pain drove Hydra into a furious roar as two heads lunged at Chiron.

Hmm, attacks can destroy heads.

Chiron calmly nodded and leaped up, stomping on Hydra's head. The immense force caused the head to explode like a watermelon, while an arrow he'd charged up burst another head trying to sneak attack him.

There were six heads left, and the other three hadn't fully grown yet!

Victory is possible!

Chiron drew back his bow and nocked six arrows in one breath. Even if Hydra's heads kept swaying, it didn't matter. As long as he nocked the arrows, every enemy was bound to be hit!

Chiron's eyes narrowed sharply as he drew the bow and stepped back. The next moment, dozens of chains pierced through the spot he had just occupied, embedding into the ground.

"I'm not done watching yet," Semiramis said with a smirk as she propped her face up. "Continue resisting."