Shinji Matou At Your Service - Chapter 514: Noble Phantasms Clash

As Chiron mentioned, the Holy Lance was not originally a weapon.

When humanity ascended to the throne of all spirits, the original mysteries came to an end. In their place, a layer called the laws of physics that best suited humanity enveloped the planet. To maintain this thin layer, several anchors were embedded into the earth, and the Holy Lance “Rhongomyniad: The Lance That Shines to the End of the World” was one of them.

This anchor, created to maintain the world, was entrusted to the Knight King and unknowingly subjected to seals imposed by the King and knights.

These seals are the shackles that limit the power of the Holy Lance—Thirteen Strictures.

Only in circumstances where multiple glories and missions can be achieved can the true Holy Lance be liberated.

Now, the decisions of the Round Table are being declared within the Holy Spear.

“The battle must be to live.” —Acknowledge, Kay.

“The enemy must be more powerful than oneself.” —Acknowledge, Bedivere.

“The battle must not be inhumane.” —Acknowledge, Gareth.

“The battle must be for truth.” —Acknowledge, Agravain.

“The enemy must not be faeries.” —Acknowledge, Lancelot.

“The battle must not involve personal gain.” —Acknowledge, Galahad.

“The battle must be an honorable one.” —Acknowledge, Gawain.

Not all, merely seven.

Yet seven is sufficient; the number required for complete liberation is exactly seven.

The moment the resolutions take effect, the dim and deep courtyard corridor is filled with unprecedented radiance.

Seven seals, also seven prayers, and seven purest powers from her companions are injected into the Holy Lance, igniting the beginning of humanity and guarding the light of humanity.

She and her companions have bravely fought time and time again under this light.

Amid the radiance, Artoria’s expression is solemn and devout, more pious than a saint like Jeanne, as if all her mind and spirit have been captured by this starry brilliance.

“All unrelated persons, retreat immediately—Holy Lance, anchor removed!”

The moment the words fall, Jeanne and Darnic are astonished to find that Artoria’s attribute panel has changed.

Originally an already powerful A++ rank Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm, with the restraints lifted, it has been rewritten to rank EX, type ???, something that has never happened in any known Holy Grail War.

“Listen to her! Retreat!”

Although Chiron does not have the authority to see the Servants’ panels like a Master or Ruler, his rich experience and keen perception make him sense the danger immediately. He grabs Darnic and retreats.

The others, realizing the situation, quickly follow suit. At the back of the group, Black Caster throws what looks like purple gemstone magical tools onto the walls as he runs.

These are golem cores created using Caster’s class skill “Item Construction.” Unlike other Casters, Avicebron’s “Item Construction” is limited to golems and puppets with a single function, but he has perfected this single function to the utmost.

As soon as the core touched the wall, it began to assimilate the surrounding materials, consuming them voraciously. In less than a second, the golem had already taken shape.

Next, Avicebron casually moved his fingers in the air, and the newly formed golem began to move swiftly.

This was his inherent skill, B-rank “Numerology.” It is an application of the magical system “Kabbalah” he created, and through short chants structured by Notarikon, he can instantaneously input multiple commands into multiple golems.

Compared to the golems he controls directly, the self-operating golems on the battlefield are laughably puppet-like.

The golems extended their bodies, constructing layer upon layer of defensive walls behind Avicebron.

Behind these walls, the immortal dragon-slaying hero slung his fantastical greatsword on his back, using his body and the broad blade as a second layer of defense.

Beside him stood Jeanne, holding the Holy Banner aloft. If the situation turned dire, she would also unleash her Noble Phantasm. Judging from the mana emanating from the Holy Lance, Artoria’s strike had already surpassed the intensity of the self-destructing Spartacus earlier. Even with the protection of the Holy Banner, Jeanne was not confident she could emerge unscathed from the Holy Lance’s attack.

Whether intentional or not, the Black faction had also included her within their defensive construction. With the situation having developed to this point, as the adjudicator, she bore a certain responsibility and could not stand idly by, both publicly and privately.

“After this, you must give me a proper explanation! Otherwise, I will never forgive you!”

The Saint of France, for once, showed a rare flash of indignation befitting her age.

While the Black faction and Jeanne could retreat, the Red faction trio could not.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to; they simply couldn’t.

Disrupted by the Invisible Air, they had missed the best opportunity to interrupt or escape. At this point, a forced retreat would only leave them within the attack range of the Holy Lance and destroy the carefully formed formation. This would expose all three to the Holy Lance’s radiance simultaneously. If lucky, one might fall; if unlucky, none would survive.

Indeed, none would survive.

Atalanta, who was not skilled in defense, was a given. Even Karna and Achilles lacked confidence.

Though Karna’s golden armor was mighty, it paled in comparison to the star-made Holy Lance.

Achilles’ immortality was ineffective against the Holy Lance, and his Shield was only A+ rank. Facing an EX-rank, nature-unknown Holy Lance, it wouldn’t be surprising if it got shattered.

Moreover, Avicebron’s puppet manipulation to set up defenses had also indirectly blocked the Red faction’s retreat path.

To survive, they had to work together.

“The Miniature World Enclosed by the Azure Sky!”

Achilles once again invoked the true name of his shield. Without an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm, he chose to face the fully liberated star anchor with the grand world he experienced in his life, providing a canopy for his teammates.

And his teammates did not disappoint him. Atalanta notched two arrows, compressing the attack range of her Noble Phantasm to the extreme, focusing the arrows on a single point. Though it was her third time using the Noble Phantasm, it was the most suitable attack method for the current situation.

Fortunately, her Master had no complaints about this.

“I offer thee this Calamity — Phoebus Catastrophe!!!”

A rain of arrows, gleaming with a light teal hue, fell brilliantly.

Simultaneously, Karna raised his immortal blade.

Flames formed a vortex, merging with his entire body’s mana to coat the golden divine spear in a layer of red. This magnificent color could not be erased, even by the star’s radiance.

“Brahmastra Kundala: O’ Brahma, Curse Me!”