Seeing Iskandar stand, Waver Velvet asked hopefully, "Are we leaving?"
"Leaving? What are you talking about, boy?" Iskandar looked at Waver, puzzled, then laughed. "The battle is just heating up! How can we leave now? Seeing these warriors clashing with pure skill… it's rekindled my own battle lust. We're not leaving. We're joining the fight!"
"No! Rider, please!" Waver cried, clinging to Iskandar's leg. "It's too dangerous! Didn't you see what happened? We'll be killed!"
"Hahaha! Boy, don't underestimate me. Didn't I tell you to have faith in me?" Iskandar patted Waver's shoulder and lifted him like a small child. "Don't worry, no matter what happens, I will protect you. But we have to hurry. If we're too late, someone might be eliminated."
He drew his short sword and slashed at the air.
RUMBLE!
Amidst a clap of thunder, a chariot pulled by a bull wreathed in lightning materialized in the sky. It was Iskandar's Gordius Wheel, pulled by the divine bull, Bucephalus.
Iskandar jumped from the bridge, carrying Waver.
"AAAAAHHHHH!" Waver screamed as they landed in the chariot.
Bucephalus dashed across lightning as it charged towards the port.
"Via Expugnatio!"
Via Expugnatio was the combined form of Iskandar's two Noble Phantasms: Bucephalus and Gordius Wheel. It possessed the charging power of Bucephalus, amplified by the lightning crackling around it, and the crushing force of the chariot's wheels. The wheels themselves emitted a thunderous roar that further enhanced Bucephalus' lightning attacks, extending their range.
Individually, both Bucephalus and Gordius Wheel were B-rank Noble Phantasms. But combined, as Via Expugnatio, they became an A+ rank Noble Phantasm, comparable to Artoria's Excalibur, though lacking its explosive power.
…
At the port, Ailin danced wildly with his two swords, launching powerful slashes that forced Artoria and Diarmuid onto the defensive. Even with her Eye of the Mind and Instinct, Artoria felt she was nearing her limit.
Diarmuid felt the same. While his Agility was a rank higher than Ailin's, his Eye of the Mind was a rank lower than Artoria's. And he lacked the precognitive ability of Instinct. If not for his superior speed and mastery of his twin spears, he would have already been injured.
But even so, his stamina was waning. He felt he would be eliminated before Saber. This battle, against such a skilled swordsman, had made his participation in the Grail War worthwhile. His only regret was failing to obtain the Grail for his Master. Still, to die fighting for his Master… it was a fitting end, a redemption for the regrets of his past life.
Unlike Diarmuid, who had unleashed his Noble Phantasms and was fighting at his full strength, Artoria still had a trump card: Excalibur. She was confident that once unleashed, it could defeat Ailin. But she hesitated. She had already revealed her "Invisible Air" and used Mana Burst, yet even with Diarmuid's help, they had only forced their opponent to use his dual wielding and enhanced sword techniques. To rely on Excalibur for victory… she would despise herself. But this was the Holy Grail War. If she didn't use it… would she be eliminated?
RUMBLE!
Just as Diarmuid braced for his defeat, and Artoria wrestled with her decision, a thunderous roar, accompanied by a powerful surge of magical energy, interrupted their fight.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
A chariot pulled by a bull wreathed in lightning streaked across the sky, heading straight for them.
"Iskandar," Ailin muttered, recognizing the newcomer. He looked up with narrowed eyes as the chariot charged towards them.
Artoria and Diarmuid, sensing the incoming threat, quickly retreated, avoiding the chariot's path.
Ailin's excitement waned. It had been so long since he'd enjoyed such a thrilling fight. To interrupt him at such a crucial moment… it was unforgivable.
He didn't mind Lancelot interrupting Artoria and Diarmuid's duel. Iskandar had intervened, and Ailin had no objections. But this… this was different. He had come here to answer Diarmuid's challenge. This brazen interruption… what was Iskandar trying to achieve? Did he intend to reveal his identity and recruit them?
Ailin's annoyance intensified. Blackish-red spiritual pressure surged around his dual-wielded blades.
"Is he unleashing his Noble Phantasm?"
Both Artoria and Diarmuid's expressions turned serious, observing Ailin's actions and the ominous energy swirling around his blades. But then, they shook their heads. It wasn't a Noble Phantasm. He was simply using magical energy.
"Such chaotic, ominous magical energy… is he Berserker?" They'd finally identified Ailin's class. Only a Berserker would possess such chaotic magical energy.
"Is he going to face me head-on?" Iskandar, observing Ailin's stance, was surprised. His Via Expugnatio was an A+ rank Noble Phantasm. A direct hit would obliterate most Servants. He hadn't intended to actually attack them, only to separate them. But now, seeing Ailin's reaction, Iskandar's battle lust ignited. As the King of Conquerors, retreat wasn't in his vocabulary.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
He roared as the lightning surrounding Bucephalus and Gordius Wheel intensified, the chariot was leaving a trail of blue flames as it charged towards Ailin.
Ailin drew a horizontal line in the air with his left blade, a blackish-red barrier of spiritual pressure materialized before him. He then raised his right blade and swung it downwards. The blackish-red slash, combined with the horizontal barrier, shot towards Iskandar.
"Getsuga Jūjishō!" (Cross-shaped Moon Fang)
BOOM!
The blackish-red cross-shaped slash collided with the oncoming chariot, creating a deafening roar. Blackish-red and blue light illuminated the sky. A powerful shockwave rippled outwards, creating a massive wave that surged towards the banks of the Mion River.
After a brief stalemate, Ailin's attack overpowered Iskandar's Via Expugnatio.
RUMBLE!
A massive explosion rocked the port, a fireball hundreds of meters wide. A battered chariot emerged from the flames that disintegrated mid-air, its fragments were raining down, causing further destruction. A large, muscular figure jumped from the wreckage, carrying a small, unconscious form in his arms.
"Hahaha! A powerful attack indeed! Unknown Berserker, I am Iskandar, King of Conquerors. May I have the honor of knowing your name?" Despite the scorch marks on his body, Iskandar laughed heartily.
"Iskandar, King of Conquerors?" Ailin glanced at Waver Velvet in Iskandar's arms. While unconscious, he seemed otherwise unharmed. Iskandar had protected his Master, even in defeat.
"It's a pleasure. I am Ailin, Captain of the Fifth Division of the Gotei 13. I am participating in this Grail War as Berserker. In your terms, I suppose I would be considered an 'Outside Heroic Spirit.'"
"I see. I thought it strange that I didn't recognize a warrior of your caliber."
Ailin's words not only answered Iskandar's question but also clarified Artoria and Diarmuid's confusion. The Grail provided each Servant with knowledge of other Heroic Spirits from history and mythology. This allowed them to recognize each other, even though they came from different eras. Diarmuid had recognized Artoria from her sword. Artoria, in turn, had identified Diarmuid from his twin spears and the teardrop birthmark on his face.
"But Ailin… you said your organization is called the Gotei 13. Are there twelve other captains like you?"
"Well…" Seeing that Iskandar seemed disinclined to continue their fight, Ailin dispersed his Zanpakutō, returning them to his Unlimited Blade Works. "While there are indeed twelve other captains, only two or three are as strong as me."
In Ailin's estimation, only Ichibei Hyōsube, the leader of the Zero Division, was stronger than him in the Soul Society. Ichigo Kurosaki, after merging his Shinigami, Hollow, Fullbring, and Quincy powers, would also surpass him. And Yhwach, after absorbing the Soul King, would be even more formidable. But aside from these three, even Sōsuke Aizen, fully merged with the Hōgyoku, wouldn't be his match.
"A powerful organization indeed. It's a shame we won't have the opportunity to meet them." Iskandar sighed.
Ailin's strength was overwhelming. His Via Expugnatio, second only to his "Ionioi Hetairoi," had been easily defeated. If he could command such an organization, he could build an empire even greater than the one he'd ruled in life. But an Outside Heroic Spirit… he didn't belong to this world's history. There was no way to recruit him.
"Opportunity? We'll see about that. But first, Iskandar, King of Conquerors, why did you interrupt our fight? If you don't give me a satisfactory answer…"
BUZZ! BUZZ!
Blackish-red spatial ripples appeared behind Ailin. The tips of multiple Zanpakutō began emerging.
"A magnificent sight indeed."
Instead of answering, Iskandar's gaze was drawn to the Zanpakutō. "I saw you use this technique against 'Goldy' yesterday. I thought it was quite impressive. Seeing it up close… it's even more awe-inspiring. So, Ailin, how about it? Join me. Give me the Grail." He then turned to Artoria and Diarmuid. "And you two, with such pure magical energy… it's like a holy baptism. Join me."