Advance, advance, endlessly advance. Under Astolfo's declaration of destruction, Jeanne and he continuously broke through the surrounding defensive mechanisms, constantly delving deeper into the Hanging Gardens.
Although neither of them was as familiar with the passages here as Atalanta, by relying on the Noble Phantasm of broken magecraft, La Black Luna (Declaration of Destruction), they were the first to arrive at Semiramis's location.
A double-doored entrance was right before their eyes. Looking at this doorway, Jeanne and Astolfo involuntarily stopped. Just as the two looked at each other, preparing to discuss, Semiramis's voice suddenly echoed in their ears.
"Open it. If it's you, you should be fine no matter what you encounter! Even if it's a trap." Jeanne sighed at Semiramis's telepathic message, which was almost a provocation, and then directly pushed open the door.
This was the Black Faction's King's Chamber. Although the knights and the clown who should have been serving there were not present, the Empress sat on the throne. Just her presence alone filled the room with a majesty worthy of the title King's Chamber.
"What an incredible place." Astolfo couldn't help but marvel as he surveyed the surroundings. The throne, made of beast bones and exuding an ominous aura, was of course occupied by Empress Semiramis, the Red Faction's Assassin.
"If you wish to obtain the Holy Grail, you must defeat me!"
"That's what I intended to say." Semiramis said, then wordlessly snapped her fingers. One of the walls seemed to melt and vanish without a trace, and the door constructed from magecraft automatically opened. "You may pass through that door and continue underground; the Greater Grail is there."
"What did you say?" Jeanne stared at Semiramis, dumbfounded. Based on her intuition, she immediately perceived that this path indeed led to the Holy Grail.
Semiramis seemed a little displeased, frowning and glaring back at Jeanne. "Don't make that face. I myself am quite unwilling to point the way for you like this."
"However, since Master has given the command, I have an obligation to follow his intentions. Don't worry, you may proceed with confidence. Your welcome is handled by that fellow, the Red Caster."
After saying this, Semiramis tightly closed her mouth, as if she had nothing more to say. Sitting proudly on her throne, she seemed to have no particular concern for Jeanne. Although Jeanne could feel a certain degree of hostility, it didn't seem as though Semiramis intended to do anything to her. Jeanne made this judgment. Then, she recalled the information Shirou had provided regarding Red Caster.
"The great writer Shakespeare? Although his combat ability itself is weak, his Noble Phantasm requires caution!" Silently pondering in her mind, Jeanne turned and walked towards the side passage.
"Then, I suppose this is goodbye." Hearing Jeanne's words, Semiramis revealed a fearless smile and nodded, "I suppose so. Farewell, Ruler. You are a boring saint.
Perish along with them." Then, she looked at Astolfo, who was following Jeanne and intended to proceed with her, and said, "By the way, this one stays!"
"What!" Waving the flag in her hand, Jeanne shielded Astolfo behind her. She had thought the other party meant for the two of them to go together, but she hadn't expected it to be just herself.
"Heh heh, surely you don't think I'd let so many people go to see my Master, do you?" Semiramis scoffed at Jeanne's hostility.
"Ruler, you go first! I'll handle this here!"
"But!" Looking at Astolfo, who had walked up beside her, Jeanne hesitated.
"No 'buts,' the Greater Grail is more important!"
"And don't underestimate me! I am Astolfo, one of Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins; I won't fear even the Empress. Besides, in the original plan, my opponent was supposed to be the Empress, wasn't it?"
"My Noble Phantasm counters her, you see!"
"What's more, little Fran and Atalanta will arrive here soon. When that happens, three of us against one, we won't be scared of her at all, so you really don't need to worry about me!"
Hearing Astolfo's words and sensing his resolve. Jeanne nodded slightly. "I understand! Astolfo, you are a true warrior!" With that, Jeanne swiftly rushed into the side doorway, heading towards the location of the Greater Grail.
"Of course I am!" Gripping his lance, Astolfo fearlessly gazed at Semiramis, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.
"Tsk!" Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Semiramis directly activated her Noble Phantasm. She had to try and eliminate this guy before Atalanta and Frankenstein arrived. Otherwise, facing three opponents alone, even she would have a very difficult time!
"Second Noble Phantasm activation: Semiramis (Dignified Chaldean Queen's Banquet)!"
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...
As battles raged on various fronts, Shirou and Karna, far on the outskirts of the Hanging Gardens, also reached the climax of their battle. In the clash of sword and spear, the two had fought to a frenzy. Life and death hung in that single instant!
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