Chapter 124: Holy Grail War (2)

Chapter 124: Holy Grail War (2)

~Third POV~

[Flying Gardens]

Stepping outside of the room Saber of Red was greeted by Shirou startling her with him asking in a calm tone, "Ah. Saber of Red I came to inform you that the time is approaching for the remaining Servants of Red to battle. I take it by your mood that you are displeased with your Master."

Mordred glaring at Shirou with her helmet on scoffed at him approaching her in a neutral tone, "Tch. Far from it. He only needed a good talking to get his damn head straight again. I can't have him go soft at this point."

Shirou remained calm on the outside, glancing at Mordred's resolve in her Master confusing him as he spoke stoically, "Hmm… you both seemed to fight and yet you believe in your Master? I apologize but isn't that a bit optimistic kind of thinking trusting each other."

Mordred merely laughed at Shirou's lack of trust between her and her Master with a burst of hearty laughter, "Hahaha! Hell no!"

Jabbing her thumb to her chest while the other hand points to the door where her Master resides spoke out loudly for him to hear responding to Shirou in an annoyed tone, "Listen up, you. There's no one in this world but I would kill his arrogant ass but me. I don't know where, I don't know when, but I will. But for my Master's sake, he isn't allowed to die. I, and nobody else will be the one to kill him. Do I make myself clear snake…"

Shirou merely smiled allowing Saber of Red to leave with Mash listening to everything from his Servant's voice. He could only berate himself within his room listening to the conversation.

His expression soon changed from depression to pure annoyance as he thought to himself blaming his weakness, 'Tch. Despite her words, she essentially said she'll protect me till she can kill me if I give my all. And to be honest…'

Clenching his fist enough that his knuckles turned white Mash's annoyance soon changed to confidence closed his eyes as he muttered to himself, "When the heck did, I need that much of a pep talk? I'm usually the one who gives others advice, not the other way around. But…"

Mash soon frowns looking down at his own hands angered at himself in a calm tone, "… Mordred's right. I can't fear my Authorities forever."

Exhaling out the air he began to contemplate their conversation with a genuine happy tone rubbing his face eyes closed, "She's right. If I wasn't so weak-minded to use all my Authority from the start, then I wouldn't be weak to save them. The fear and reminders of their abilities shouldn't be my shackle. They should be my reminders…"

Rubbing his hand to the back of his hair Mash opened his eyes no longer depressed instead filled with hope and confidence in a calm tone, "… to never become a monster. To become great. Better than the previous Authority users. To not treat life like some kind of game… like them."

Having regained his composure Mash was soon prepared for the challenges and difficulties ahead with a new mindset placed for him. One that he can't treat life and all the people he meets like games but to truly be alive with them.

/////

[Trifas, Fortress of Millennia]

Standing from the very top of the Fortress of Millennia Chiron commented with her Master Fiore in a serious tone, "… Even I never imagined they'd bring their entire domain with them to attack."

Fiore bound to her wheelchair asked in uncertainty about the flying fortress for all to see, "… Archer, what is that currently doing?"

He narrowed his eyes trying to see as he spoke crossing his arms in a serious tone, "It's come to a halt in midair. It seems they intend to use these grass plains as the battlefield."

Fiore sweated a bit observing the flying fortress turning her attention to Archer in a nervous tone, "So it's going to turn into an all-out battle. Yes?"

Chiron nodded his head observing the flying fortress with wariness in his eyes said in a cautious tone, "You and the other Masters should go hide somewhere safe. The enemy most likely intends to assault us using their servants and familiars."

*Thud*

Appearing next to them was Darnic in a neutral tone informing the duo albeit startling them in the process, "So it seems. They've summoned Dragon Tooth Warriors, probably to counter our Homunculi and Golems."

Fiore spoke to Oji-sama while Darnic explained to them the situation in a serious tone having his weapon in hand, "We're heading inside, Fiore. At this point, we can only trust the battle to them."

Stepping forward Vlad, Frankenstein, and Avicebron stepped forward with the Lancer of Black speaking out loud with an authoritative tone, "Exactly so, Darnic. This battlefield will be the domain of us servants. Not only have they intruded upon my territory with that thing, but they also even scattered detestable skeleton soldiers across my fields."

Darnic nods understanding with Caules retrieving Fiore and returning to the inside castle. Darnic soon addresses Vlad in a respectful tone, "My lord, we shall retreat inside the castle. If those grass plains shall serve as the battlefield, we will be fighting with the town to our back. Please wield your power to your heart's content without worry."

Vlad nods as he responds in a serious tone eyeing the incoming Dragon Tooth Soldiers, "Yes. Also, free Berserker of Red we'll have him join the battle as well."

Darnic paused as he stopped bowing asking for certain to Vlad in a neutral tone, "Is that all right? Berserker…"

Darnic soon stopped seeing Vlad's eyes as he nodded agreeing. Vlade raised his hand into the air observing the flying fortress in gusto, "The enemy has gone this far to demand an all-out decisive battle with us. We must show our respect and send out all our warriors in response as well."

Darnic nods agreeing with Vlad's request as he soon speaks with Archer in a serious tone, "Archer, take command of the Homunculi along with Rider."

Chiron nodded his head in understanding as he spoke to Darnic in a serious tone eyes gazing at each other, "Understood, however, when Rider of Red comes out, I will have to go out and fight him."

Vlad nods his head understanding Chiron's predicament as he voices his plans for him to follow in a neutral tone, "It's fine if you only take command at the beginning of the battle. Either way, the battlefield will become chaotic, and the Homunculi will merely end up being expended along with the Golems. Caster."

Soon Vlad draws his attention towards Avicebron earning his attention in a serious tone arms crossed, "You should stay on standby here. I'll leave it to your judgment to decide when to release Berserker of Red."

Avicebron understood Vlad's intent as he agreed while revealing to him a golem horse gifting it to him in a neutral tone, "Understood. I'll direct the Golems to obey orders from you all and the homunculi. Ah, right. Lancer, we can't have a King like you fight on foot. I've prepared a horse for you. Naturally, it's a Golem."

Vlad thanked Avicebron for the gifted Hourse Golem mount with Astolfo appearing ready for battle only to stop viewing Vlad in an awkward tone stretching, "Huh? Is Lancer riding a horse? Then what about my position as the team's Rider?"

Vlad on the other hand wasn't amused by his actions caught on video pranking him relating to his legends in a stern tone, "Rider, I won't ask if you repented going against me at this point. Now's the time for you to show me your power, demonstrate your strength as one of Charlemagne's Paladins."

Astolfo laughs nervously but brushes it off returning to his upbeat attitude readying himself for battle in a confident tone, "Y-Yeah, leave it to me! That is that, and this is this. Fighting in this war is my mission after all."

Vlad nods as Astolfo salutes turning his attention to Frankenstein allowing her to go all out in a neutral tone, "As long as you understand that there's no problem. Rider takes command of the Homunculi along with Archer. Berserker, you're free to act as you wish. Fight and rage madly until your body turns to ash."

*Zzzz*

Frankenstein nodded her head growling as sparks of electricity shrouded her figure, "Uu… UUUuuu…"

Vlad viewing the remaining Black Faction Servants spoke in a solemn tone before shifting into courage inspiring his forces with his charisma confidently said, "Well no, my fellow Servants. Saber and Assassin are gone. In exchange, we managed to obtain Berserker of Red, but he is merely a disposable weapon…"

*Shinng*

Raising his lance above and pointing at the flying fortress Vlad continues speaking in a confident tone, "On the other hand, the enemy likely has all 6 of their Servants, with only Berserker missing. Lancer of Red fought equally with Saber, and Rider of Red wasn't even wounded by of our attacks. Saber of Red is strong enough to press Archer in battle. The yet unseen Caster and Assassin of Red are surely fearsome enemies as well. Now let me ask you, do any of you feel like accepting defeat here?"

All the Servants of Black remained silent only expressing confidence and smirking with Vlad slowly forming a smirk raising his lance high in a prideful tone, "Yes, that's right! We shall be the victors! How could we ever call ourselves heroes if we couldn't face this trifling amount of overwhelming odds and despair?!! They are barbarians. They have invaded my territory and are snickering in their arrogance. Only death awaits such fools. Kill them with a laugh on your lips! These fools who are severely lacking knowledge of the word 'fear' need to be thoroughly retrained with an ox-hide whip!"

*WHOOOSH*

*THUD*

Landing down Vlad was the first to take charge with his forces following behind and yelled, "CHARGE!!!"

Both sides are now prepared for war. Each fighting for what they have in stake for this Great Holy Grail War wanting their wishes fulfilled from the Black and Red Faction. Both were ready to finally draw blood to determine who would win the outcome of this battle….

Red and Black clash at last.

/////

[Grass Plains]

Meanwhile, the Ruler Class Jeanne D'Arc soon began to observe the incoming battlefield in the grass plains judging the battlefield in a neutral tone, "It seems the battle is about to begin. This will most likely be the biggest battle since the start of this Great Holy Grail War. I will head to this battle as Ruler. I must question the Red Masters why they aimed to kill me."

Observing the incoming battle ahead Jeanne D'Arc rushed forward when the battle finally started…