"Now that everything else is arranged, it's my turn to show you my preparations!" Facing the expressions of doubt, surprise, or anticipation around him, Shirou placed the briefcase he had been carrying onto the table in front of him. Opening the briefcase, Shirou took out a
cloak and displayed it before everyone.
"Ta-da!"
"This is the equipment I prepared for the three warriors who will subjugate that queen: the Guardian Cloak!"
"Guardian Cloak!?" Astolfo excitedly took the cloak, imbued with various mysteries, from Shirou's hand. He curiously draped it over himself and asked with a smile,
"What's the use of this Guardian Cloak?"
"Of course it's useful! This is an item I specifically created to counter Semiramis!" Taking out another Guardian Cloak from the briefcase, Shirou explained seriously, "As the Red Faction's Assassin, Semiramis possesses an innate skill called Double Summon, allowing her to also function as a Caster!"
"And within the Hanging Gardens, her magecraft abilities can be amplified to near-True Magic levels, which is incredibly tricky!"
"However, what's most noteworthy about her is her title as the 'Ancient Poisoner.' From this title alone, one can tell that she definitely possesses extremely powerful poisoning methods."
Handing the Guardian Cloak to Caules and gesturing towards Frankenstein, Shirou then took out the last
Guardian Cloak and walked over to Atalanta.
"Therefore, in summary, Semiramis's methods are nothing more than magecraft and poison! The magecraft aspect can be dealt with by Astolfo's Noble Phantasm, and the poison can be countered by this cloak."
"I've used special methods and processing to maximize the poison resistance and magical energy interception effects of its raw material, the Holy Shroud."
"Especially its poison resistance; I put a lot of effort into it, and its poison resistance is absolutely trustworthy!"
"Coupled with its inherent healing ability and the Master's support, I believe you will surely be able to complete your mission!"
As he spoke, Shirou draped the Guardian Cloak over Atalanta's shoulders and fastened it for her. Caules, on the side, followed suit, fastening the cloak for Frankenstein!
"Wow, this is so useful! Thank you for your help, Shirou!" Astolfo thanked him with a smile after hearing Shirou's explanation.
"If you want to thank me, then do your best!"
"Mhm!"
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...
As time passed, everyone arrived at their respective departure points. This battle was divided into two groups. First was the decoy group, consisting of Jeanne and Chiron. At the appointed time, the two of them would ride in a fleet of planes, directly invading the Hanging Gardens to attract the Red Faction's attention.
Shirou and the other three, meanwhile, would infiltrate the Hanging Gardens through other means. With the planes starting up, this battle officially entered its warfare phase. Once the two sides met, the war would begin!
Unlike Jeanne and Chiron, who traveled by plane, Shirou's group of four was also divided into two. Astolfo rode his Hippogriff, carrying Frankenstein. Shirou, meanwhile, performed sword riding, carrying Atalanta!
"Master, isn't there any other way?"
"Bear with me, Atalanta! Is there a sword that two people can stand on?" With a straight face, Shirou manipulated the magical weapon under his feet with magical energy, closely following Astolfo.
Just then, the radio in Atalanta's hand suddenly crackled to life. "We are very close to the Red Faction's fortress now. Everyone, please pay attention to concealment!"
"Don't worry, Chiron. As for you, don't get defeated by your disciple! You must win! It would be a disgrace for a
master to lose to his apprentice!"
"Ah, yes, indeed. Although my life has been long, I have never lost to an apprentice. So, I will go and win now."
"Go, Chiron!" Listening to Astolfo and Chiron's conversation over the radio, Shirou couldn't help but smile. What a statement, perfectly matching Astolfo's personality!
"Go forth, everyone, towards our victory!"
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...
At the base of the Hanging Gardens, where the Greater Grail was housed. Shakespeare, who had witnessed Shirou Kotomine entering it, suddenly heard Semiramis's telepathic voice. After a brief conversation, Semiramis suddenly asked, "Wait, Caster, I want to ask you a question first. Is the outcome you desire for our Master one of glory? Or perhaps, failure!?"
Hearing this, Shakespeare almost burst out laughing, but managed to suppress it. "That would, of course, be glory."
"I think you should know this, but I must still warn you.
If the book you write causes this plan to falter, I will definitely hold you responsible, in the most painful way."
"Empress, please rest assured. I was just reminded of this by Master's Command Spell. Oh dear, what a shame, no, of course, I never intended to write a tragedy from the start!"
"Hmph, who would believe a clown like you? Listen, Caster. As a writer, your value is only reflected in the books you write. And the moment that book is judged to be unbeneficial to us, my reason for letting you live will vanish."
"Then, allow me to ask you a question. Empress, what outcome do you truly desire? Do you wish for our Master's earnest wish to be realized, or do you find it more interesting to trample upon his earnest wish?"
As if struck at a vital point, Semiramis suddenly held her breath. "Of course, it's to fulfill the wish. Because Servants exist to serve their Master."
"Oh dear." Shakespeare's response contained very clear dissatisfaction. He, who was undoubtedly the weakest among the currently living Servants, never feared anyone.
"That is merely an empty answer! Assassin, do you wish to see destruction or not? Please answer honestly!"
Shakespeare asked again.
Semiramis, stung by the verbal blade, understood that this was a serious question from the clown. In that case, the Empress also had to give a sincere answer. With an unprecedentedly focused attitude, peeling away countless layers of pretense, the Empress finally spoke her true feelings: "I do not deny my 'desire to see' feeling.
Because I have no interest in kindness or generosity; I am a woman who loves destruction and despair."
"I have seen kings boasting of their power tragically fall, and brave generals despair in terror. However, I have yet to see the despair of a saint. So, my 'desire to see' is an undeniable fact."
"Heh heh!" Semiramis laughed. "However, there is something else I wish to see, and that is the scenery that man truly desires to see from the bottom of his heart."
"The salvation of humanity. That is simply inconceivable to ordinary people, a sight that every hero and saint has already given up on. After all, I am also an existence above ten thousand others; I have seen all sorts of things: tragic, splendid, ugly, pure."
"But this particular one, I have not yet seen. Perhaps I find it very boring. It might also lead to an incurable, dry, and tasteless boring ending. However, I won't know until I see it."
"I see. In other words, Empress, you wish to see that outcome not out of loyalty to your Master, but out of pure curiosity, then?"
"Exactly. Of course, I also have the desire to 'dominate.'
But what's more important is how far that man can go, what kind of scenery he can show me. That is what I am currently looking forward to."
She's like a child asking for a toy! Shakespeare barely managed to swallow this thought. He knew that if he uttered those words, he would probably be killed.
"You seem to be about to make an impertinent remark, but for a man like you, it's quite a feat that you can hold it back. I will, for now, forgive your silence."
Pft. A sensation like a disconnect spread through his mind. It was then that Shakespeare remembered something he had forgotten to ask. "Damn it, I should have asked if I could add a love story for the Empress.
Well, what should I do? Never mind, I'll just write it in.
This will definitely be a huge hit, no doubt about it."
Shakespeare took out a piece of paper from his pocket and scribbled notes on it. The Empress had fallen in love.
Fortunately, Semiramis's previous communication was only telepathic; if she herself were here, Shakespeare would probably be dead! But this was inevitable, after all, the Empress was currently sitting in the King's Chamber, awaiting the Black Faction's attack!
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