[230] The So-Called Heroic Spirits

"Has the first withdrawal of a Servant already occurred?"

Noel Layard, the enigmatic Master, expressed his surprise. It was only the first day of the Holy Grail War, and already one Servant had withdrawn.

Biting his lip, he asked, "Lancer, how is your recovery?"

"Well, I've already fully recovered," said Enkidu with a smile. Despite the loss of magical energy, there was no need to worry. Whether it was the Mage's Association, the Holy Church, or Dio's faction, they all had accumulated knowledge and resources over hundreds of years. Although the accumulation wasn't for the Holy Grail War, but rather for their respective goals, it didn't hinder the explosive release of energy.

With nearly unlimited magical energy supply, it was quite normal among the three factions. In contrast, Kurokawa Kazuya, being a separate faction, were at a disadvantage.

After all, Kazuya's magical energy was limited.

Fortunately, Alucard didn't consume magical energy so rapidly. However, even with that advantage, his chances of winning this time were very low.

Without using Alucard's Noble Phantasm, although he could wear down one or two Heroic Spirits, there were many who couldn't be worn down.

And... if he used that Noble Phantasm.

Though the number of River of Death was numerous, facing many Heroic Spirits, especially those with light cannons and even larger ones...

They might be wiped out instantly.

Especially in this Holy Grail War, there were quite a few Heroic Spirits with such abilities.

The River of Death, the strongest trump card, ironically became an ability that could not be used.

Enkidu looked at his Master. "How are you? Any tasks?" 

"No, Lady Barthomeloi has not given any specific orders yet... For now, resting is fine. However, I want to ask something... Lancer, do you have a chance of winning?"

"Hmm? Facing Gil... there is a chance," Enkidu smiled. "Indeed, in terms of performance, he may be slightly stronger than me now. But... I was created as a countermeasure against Gilgamesh, so I still have a chance."

"No... what I mean is, do you have a chance against that Ozymandias?"

Enkidu paused for a moment, then smiled slightly. "Of course. So-called heroes excel at turning the impossible into the possible."

For a Servant, while parameters on the character sheet were important, they weren't absolute.

In this world, there were many who claimed to have the strength of Servants.

High-ranking Dead Apostles, powerful magus, Phantasmal Species, and even Sphinxes under Ozymandias.

However, when it came down to a real fight, the winner was usually a Servant!

Not because they were stronger, but because they were heroic spirit!

They had experienced numerous tribulations during their lifetime, risen step by step, and their spirit and will had undergone tremendous growth. Finally, they were recognized by the world and human history to be summoned as Heroic Spirits.

Summoned for this reason.

Even if faced with beings of similar strength, there was no reason for them to lose. Of course... unless they themselves desired death, hoped to disappear, it wasn't considered a loss.

If one truly wanted to achieve victory and gave their all for it, besides Servants, who had the ability, who had the qualification to battle against them?

Even if humans managed to defeat a Servant, take a look at these humans themselves—

How many would ascend to the Throne of Heroes?

So...

They wouldn't lose.

Regardless of who asked any Servant, no matter who the opponent was. In general, the answer would be only one and could only be one—won't lose!

High attribute values? Unbeatable Noble Phantasms?

Servants themselves were beings capable of turning the impossible into the possible!

"Rest a bit today...," Noel Layard said with a sigh of relief upon hearing Enkidu's answer. "Rest today, you won't need to fight..."

"I see. Are there others..."

"Yes..." Noel Layard paused for a moment and said, "Assassin assassinated Gilgamesh and his Master... aren't you worried?"

Barthomeloi Lorelei requested not to tell Lancer about this matter. After all, regardless of the deadly battle between Archer and Lancer in the eyes of others, in their eyes, it might be a game among friends... So try not to say it. No one knows what the thought process of a Servant's brain circuit is like.

"Well, it's fine." Enkidu looked in the direction of the Holy Church. "Gil won't be defeated so easily over such matters."

...

Boom—

Assassin swiftly retreated amidst the thunderous noise—

The assassination attempt had failed!

After silently killing two proxy executor, and failing to locate where Kotomine Kirei was, she coincidentally discovered Archer and decided to approach.

However—

Just as she approached Gilgamesh, she was discovered.

Countless thin and dense lightning bolts appeared out of nowhere when she approached Gilgamesh, chasing her!

This was an automatic defense Noble Phantasm deployed around Gilgamesh to resist surprise attacks!

"What's wrong? Does the little mouse dare not reveal her face?"

The next moment—surrounding her were several Noble Phantasms

All of them were of A-rank and B-rank—

At this moment, Gilgamesh was unprecedentedly serious!

Even when facing a reckless intruder like the little mouse, he still mercilessly used his own Noble Phantasms to launch a sweeping attack—

It should have been so.

However—

Arrows came from afar!

The arrows pierced through the walls of the church, accurately hitting Gilgamesh who was shooting out his Noble Phantasms, sending him flying.

The arrows, having missed their target, landed on the ground. In an instant, they caused the earth to collapse, piercing through the ground and forming a hole several meters deep in the basement.

Those were Archer's arrows—

From a distance, Arash placed his hand on the bowstring, and with a wave of his hand, four arrows shot out! Each one seemed like a missile!

Archer, Arash.

He, too, was a great hero who was unrivaled regardless of whom he faced!

That was the hero who shot arrows cracking the earth!

Humming—

"Haha, it seems that the king is enraged." Arash looked at the hundreds of halos opening in the sky above the church, and the Noble Phantasms emerging from within. "This... can't be stopped, can it? Hasn't Assassin's little girl run away yet?"

"No, she has already escaped, but... the enemy's Saber is also chasing after her!"

---

If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my patreon which already contains 30 chapters: 

https://www.patreon.com/XElenea