Shinji Matou At Your Service - Chapter 451: Combat Power of the Phantasmal Puppets

Macbeth, one of Shakespeare’s representative works, was written in 1606 and is one of the most classic tragedies in Shakespeare’s and all of European literature.

Using the book’s protagonist, the usurper and tyrant Macbeth, as the starting point, various classic figures from Shakespeare’s works fused with the puppets one by one.

Among them were protagonists recognized in the 19th century as part of the “Four Great Tragedies,” as well as other well-known main characters and vivid supporting characters who appeared across different plays.

Of course, the classic characters created by Shakespeare throughout his life are far more numerous than this. However, since these phantasmal puppets were meant to be deployed on the battlefield as combatants, characters with insufficient combat power naturally could not appear.

About fifteen minutes later, the Noble Phantasm sublimated from the First Folio disappeared. Simultaneously, more than a dozen puppets in the hall stood up, creating a scene reminiscent of a Phantom of the Opera.

Fortunately, with Shakespeare present, these phantom spirits, now endowed with bodies, behaved relatively well and did not act excessively.

The creator of these phantom spirits glanced over the puppets before him, like a general reviewing his soldiers or a father looking at his children.

Finally, he turned to the three martial Servants who had stepped aside to make way and said, “The warrior praised in the Iliad, the huntress who shot the Calydonian Boar, and the hero from the Mahabharata—who among you will do the testing?”

“I will.”

The ever-belligerent Achilles did not hesitate. He clenched his fists and charged at the first to be born, Macbeth.

Facing the charge of one of ancient Greece’s foremost heroes, Macbeth, clad in the most splendid armor, did not flinch. He raised his shield and shouted confidently:

“No man born of a woman can harm me, just as you cannot harm air—”

Before he finished speaking, Achilles struck him with a single punch, sending him flying, and added:

“My mother is a goddess!”

As Macbeth had claimed, he was protected by life magic that prevented anyone born of a woman from harming him (he ultimately dies at the hands of Macduff, who was born via cesarean section). This attribute was also sublimated into a Noble Phantasm—yes, even phantom spirits have Noble Phantasms, though their effects are significantly diminished due to the nature of their spiritual foundations.

However, no matter how strong this protection was, it could not affect Achilles, for his mother, Thetis, was not a woman but a goddess.

After punching Macbeth away, Achilles shook his wrist, somewhat disappointed: “Decent strength, but not very bright.”

“Well, after all, they are phantom spirits; you can’t hold them to the standards of Heroic Spirits.”

In contrast, Shirou was quite satisfied.

“True.”

Achilles crossed his arms and thought for a moment, then nodded.

“The guy who wields a pen can create such things; I’m already amazed—I underestimated you before. Sorry.”

With his straightforward and bold personality, Shakespeare laughed heartily: “It’s not just my work alone—one person isn’t enough to be your match. How about facing a few more?”

“No problem, bring them all on.”

Achilles beckoned to all the phantom spirits.

Two figures closest to Achilles moved immediately. One brandished a longsword and declared proudly, “I am Prince Hamlet!”

The other took a similar stance, though his voice was gentler: “Romeo.”

With two longswords, one on the left and one on the right, they flanked Achilles.

“Good, good, this is more like it.”

Achilles chose not to rely on his immortality to take advantage of the phantom spirits. He swung his right hand horizontally, materializing the spear he received from his father, Peleus. The spearhead deflected Hamlet’s sword, and the spear’s butt swept Romeo aside.

As Romeo was pushed back, another figure immediately filled the gap.

An arrow tore through the air with a piercing whistle.

“The bow is drawn and ready, be careful to dodge the arrowhead.”

The puppet wearing a crown bent his bow and shot an arrow, his voice old and maniacal.

Achilles caught the arrow with his left hand and easily broke it, then turned his head and asked, “Who is this?”

“King Lear,” Shakespeare answered with a smile.

“Be careful, Oberon and the witches are about to attack as well.”

Oberon, the fairy king from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of Shakespeare’s four great comedies, once used a potion to humiliate his queen, causing her to fall in love with a donkey.

The witches, three in total, are important characters from Macbeth. They ignited Macbeth’s ambition and provided various means for his usurpation.

These four are phantom spirits of the magus type. When Semiramis made their puppets, she used different materials than those for warrior-type puppets. As a result, each of them could easily surpass modern magus.

Achilles’ rank C Magic Resistance was easily breached by the four magus. Of course, breaking through his immortality, scorched by heavenly fire, was impossible. Because of this, Shakespeare had no qualms about letting the phantom spirits attack him together—they couldn’t harm him, making it perfect for testing.

Semiramis also manipulated the space, creating an undisturbed area within the hall for the phantom spirits and Achilles to fight freely.

The battle lasted from midnight until dawn, ending with Achilles’ unscathed victory. However, Achilles used all his Noble Phantasms except his chariot, which speaks to the spirit’s strength.

Atalanta remarked that with so many phantom spirits attacking together, she could only fight while retreating.

Karna also gave his evaluation: even without considering magical energy consumption, using anti-army Noble Phantasms would still take considerable time to deal with them.

It’s understandable—there were close and long-range fighters, physical and magical attacks, healers, tanks, supports, and DPS—a classic setup for raiding a boss. Other than high-level, overpowered individuals like Karna and Achilles, any other boss could be defeated.

“As for Archer’s concern, I guarantee that Saber will not be absent. Since the Black Lancer is King Arthur, she won’t miss this opportunity for a duel.”

“Wait, Master, the Black Lancer is King Arthur?”

Semiramis looked at her Master in astonishment, and he scratched his cheek.

“Yes, oh, I forgot to mention it to you.”

“You should have told me earlier about such things,” Semiramis said, gritting her teeth in frustration.

Shirou apologized twice and returned to the main topic: “As for the captured Berserker, due to his unique nature, it doesn’t matter which side he’s on—I have my ways to deal with him. Do you have any other questions?”

Karna remained silent as usual, while Atalanta and Achilles looked at each other and shook their heads simultaneously.

Achilles sighed regretfully, “You even went to the trouble of making a castle, preparing for a siege defense.”

“Siege defense? Rider, your premise is already wrong. My Noble Phantasm, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, is not meant for defense but for offense.”

Semiramis let out a light laugh.