Chapter 176: I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [176]
"You wish to fight me? No… you seek to protect your Master."
Artoria's voice was calm, though it carried an undercurrent of indifference.
The young woman in the wedding dress had stayed behind Caules earlier, partially due to his warning not to act rashly, but also because she was instinctively intimidated by Artoria's overwhelming presence.
The gap in their standing was vast, a difference between worlds.
Yet her desire to protect her Master overpowered her fear, giving her the courage to step forward and shield Caules.
"Don't worry, Berserker, I'll be fine."
Caules stepped forward and gently took the hand of the woman in the wedding dress, calming her instantly.
The rapport between this Master and Servant was remarkable. Despite Berserker's inability to speak, Caules seemed to understand her intentions immediately. For her part, she obeyed his every word without hesitation, an unusual trait for a Berserker.
After soothing Berserker, Caules exhaled lightly and turned to face Artoria, who radiated divine light from her ethereal form. Though his heart was still unsettled, he maintained a respectful tone.
"Greetings, honored Ruler. I am Caules Forvedge Yggdmillennia, one of the Black Faction's Masters. I would like to formally invite you to our stronghold."
The Ruler class, essentially the adjudicator of the Holy Grail War, possessed unique privileges akin to those of a referee in a competition.
Just as referees in sports could penalize players, Rulers had the authority to use Command Spells and reveal a Servant's true name.
While Rulers were chosen for their impartiality and were unlikely to favor any side, that didn't mean one couldn't cultivate goodwill with them.
Despite the peculiar circumstance of this war having two Rulers, it didn't deter the Black Faction from attempting to establish a positive relationship.
That was Caules's goal: to secure amicable terms with the Ruler while avoiding hostility and, ideally, persuade her to visit their base.
He wasn't optimistic about success. If she were truly impartial...
"Very well. I have no objections."
"???"
Caules froze, stunned.
Did… did that just work?
The ease of it left him feeling as if this were a dream.
"But..."
Artoria spoke again, and Caules tensed.
"Not now. Please wait a moment… and it would be best if you and your Servant withdrew to a safer distance."
She turned her gaze to a specific direction, and the divine glow around her intensified, illuminating the night sky faintly.
"Someone's coming… for me. If we fight, you and your Servant won't even survive the aftermath."
Artoria had already shifted her attention away from the Black Faction Master.
A burning presence drew near, and her gaze sharpened.
"He's here."
Suddenly, the sun descended.
It was deep into the night, far from dawn. Yet when the figure appeared, it felt as though the sun itself had manifested.
Golden armor gleamed like sunlight, a crimson cape rippled like flames, and his pale hair shone faintly.
Artoria regarded the newcomer without surprise.
"The Red Faction's Lancer, child of the Sun God. Did your Master send you to attack me?"
"You don't seem surprised by my arrival, Ruler."
Karna, the Lancer of Red, noted her lack of reaction with mild curiosity, though it was fleeting.
His Master had tasked him with eliminating the Ruler—a command he did not fully comprehend, yet he saw no need to question it.
His sole focus was on fulfilling his Master's orders.
The golden spear in his hand ignited with searing flames—the flames of the sun, capable of incinerating all.
Seeing Karna adopt a combat stance, Caules shouted urgently, "Ruler! We can help you!"
The attack on a Ruler puzzled Caules, but it didn't stop him from seizing the opportunity to earn her favor.
However, Artoria refused.
"There's no need. Against this opponent, only Saber or Lancer from your faction could qualify to stand a chance. Retreat immediately!"
"Apologies."
With a low murmur, Karna thrust his spear forward.
In an instant, an overwhelming sense of danger engulfed the area. Berserker acted on instinct, lifting Caules and retreating at top speed.
Caules barely had time to react before a crimson mushroom cloud erupted behind them.
Even with Berserker's speed, the shockwave quickly caught up.
"Was that really necessary—?" Caules began, only to see a wall of light rise before them.
A golden thread had flown out from the center of the explosion, faster than the shockwave itself, and landed on the ground. At its touch, a shimmering barrier formed, effortlessly absorbing the destructive force.
Berserker halted, allowing Caules to witness the sight in stunned silence.
The golden thread connected back to Artoria's finger, its faint glow severing once the danger had passed. Clearly, she had been the one to shield them—even in the midst of her battle.
The flames of Karna's spear raged, creating waves of heat so intense that even divine beings would struggle to endure. Yet Artoria stood unscathed.
"Light, come forth."
Golden light responded to her call, forming a thin barrier around her.
The crimson flames, which could melt mountains and evaporate oceans, were unable to pierce the barrier. Not even the scorching heat reached her.
Seeing this, Karna adjusted his approach.
The flames contracted, their intensity growing further as he prepared to strike. His golden figure flickered within the inferno, like a shadow amidst the sun.
"Take this!"
Karna roared as his flames surged, merging with his spear. His entire being seemed to become one with the inferno as he charged at Artoria.
In response, her gaze steeled, and golden light coalesced into the form of a lion.
"Roar—!!"
The lion let out a thunderous roar, its cry summoning golden lightning that infused its form with even greater majesty.
"Go."
With a slight motion of her hand, the lightning-clad lion leapt forward, meeting Karna's fiery onslaught head-on.
The clash resulted in an explosion akin to a miniature nuclear detonation, turning night into day.
When the blinding light faded, Karna's spear trembled mere inches from Artoria's forehead—a distance meaningless to Servants.
But he could not advance further.
Golden threads, delicate as spider silk, bound his limbs and spear, rendering him immobile.
Though they appeared fragile, they were unbreakable.
Even with the tip of the spear so close, Artoria's expression remained calm. With a simple push of her left hand, she unleashed a tremendous force that sent Karna flying.
He hurtled through the air like a cannonball, crashing through a mountain before landing in a distant forest, leaving behind a trail of dust and shattered rock.
---
T/N: I for one can't wait for the interactions between her and mordred :D (morax transferred to scribble hub!)
Reader, your presence signifies commitment.
To walk this path is to contribute to the pursuit of eternity.
If you wish to strengthen our resolve further, step forward:
[patreon.com/WiseTL].
Each action adds to the unyielding foundation of what we create. Together, we leave a mark that transcends the fleeting nature of time.
— Raiden Shogun