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Chapter 48: War?
🕑 Added 2025-05-18 15:42:52 +0000 UTCThe scorching sun blazed in the sky, making everything nearby intensely hot, enveloped in a haze of yellow sand.
"No way... a grand thaumaturgy that materializes an inner world... but the King of Conquerors isn't a Caster!?"
"While I am not a Caster, I bear the desires of all my men."
Iskandar rode atop a black steed, standing proudly in the center of the desolate landscape.
"This is where our entire army once shed blood. The scenery is etched into the hearts of the soldiers who fought alongside me."
The kings realized that their situation had drastically changed. The shadow legion that had surrounded them was now pushed to the side, facing the King of Conquerors and his forces.
Suddenly, numerous figures appeared on the distant horizon, their numbers steadily increasing.
"All of us, through our shared memories, have constructed this Noble Phantasm."
The army fully materialized before them. A large group was not frightening; what was terrifying was...
"These people... they're all Heroic Spirits."
Waver finally understood. This was Iskandar's ultimate trump card! Ionian Hetairoi!!
"Hahahaha, this is my invincible army!"
Iskandar's face was filled with profound pride. He stood regally at the forefront of his army.
"No matter the enemy we face, no matter how long it takes! We will always gather together! This is! My ultimate Noble Phantasm—Ionian Hetairoi!!"
This was Iskandar's strongest Noble Phantasm! An EX-rank anti-army Noble Phantasm capable of destroying everything! There were war gods, kings of Maharaja, and founders of dynasties throughout history. All were renowned heroes! The pride on their faces confirmed it—they were Iskandar's most loyal vassals!
Before this army, even Gilgamesh, with her vast collection of Noble Phantasms, did not scoff. The loyalty of all, the hopes of all, the unwavering devotion that did not cease even in death! All of this allowed Iskandar to transform it into an extraordinary Noble Phantasm.
One hundred thousand against eighty. The overwhelming numerical difference was insurmountable; the outcome seemed certain. But...
"Is this the army of Alexander the Great, the King of Conquerors?" A voice rang out directly. Everyone looked up and saw two figures appearing before them.
It was Jeanne d'Arc Alter and Caster Gilles de Rais!!!
Jeanne and Marshal Gilles had arrived earlier, but when the King of Conquerors unleashed his Reality Marble indiscriminately engulfing them, they knew they couldn't escape.
"Hahahaha! In that case! Let's join the fun as well!" Gilles waved his hand, and a black hole directly appeared before the group, with tentacles emerging from within.
However, even this could not bridge the vast numerical gap. Wait! There was more!!!
Giant dragons also appeared from the black hole! This was! Jeanne's ability!!! The situation instantly became extremely tense. On one side, an endless army of kings; on the other, a combination of monsters, dragons, and the shadow legion. It seemed the victor was not yet clear.
But why were Jeanne and the shadow legion allied?
However, now was not the time to ponder such questions. Arthur had no intention of being a mere spectator, especially with Jeanne Alter present.
Arthur stood up abruptly. Then, he raised the Sword of Assured Victory Caliburn high above his head, its radiance seeming to illuminate everything.
"By the sword as my witness, by my heart as my strength, by the honor of a knight as my dream, I, Arthur Pendragon, hereby declare!"
"Before a formidable foe, I shall know no fear! With courage and loyalty, I shall be blameless before God! With unwavering honesty, I shall speak truth even unto death! I shall protect the weak, as is the way of Heaven!"
Arthur's voice resonated throughout the entire space.
Watching Arthur's oath, listening to those familiar words, Artoria seemed to finally understand what she had been lacking.
If Iskandar's Ionian Hetairoi was a shock to Artoria, then Arthur's army was the dream she had always pursued.
As King Arthur, he possessed an army no less impressive than Iskandar's! It was!
"Under this Sword in the Stone, before this king, heed my call and descend upon this place! —Appear now! Knights of the Round Table!"
As Arthur's voice faded, figures began to materialize behind him, gradually solidifying from mere phantoms into tangible forms! Heroic Spirits reborn! Unlike before, this time, it was the true Knights of the Round Table who had descended.
"This is... the Round Table?"
The hearts of everyone present were shaken by the scene before them. To think that Arthur also possessed such an army!
A total of two thousand Round Table Knights (Arthur had expanded their ranks). Each one was clad in black armor, wielding incredibly refined Noble Phantasms. They stood as steadfast as banners, protecting Arthur. Although they were significantly outnumbered, their spirit was in no way inferior!
Each of these individuals possessed formidable strength; any one of them could become a powerful Heroic Spirit! At their forefront stood several proud knights.
These knights were none other than:
- The Chief Knight of the Round Table! Lancelot, Knight of the Lake, bearing the title of the Silver Knight;
- Gawain, hailed as the Guardian Knight;
- Balin, renowned for her twin swords and strategic brilliance;
- Sir Kay, a fearless knight on the battlefield;
- Bedivere, who would willingly give everything for King Arthur...
These Heroic Spirits were knights revered by the people; they were Arthur's most unwavering rearguard. They were the ones who drove back the darkness—the Knights of the Round Table!
Artoria was utterly speechless—not by their power, but because this was the greatest affirmation of Arthur!
This unwavering support...
This deep bond with his subordinates...
This was the recognition Artoria had never received in her life!
"My knights! Before us lies the greatest darkness of this world! What shall we do!!"
Arthur raised his sword and cried out! The knights on horseback all struck their chests in response!
"Fight! Fight! Fight!!!—"
"The enemy consists of powerful Heroic Spirits from history! What should we do then!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!!!"
The knights roared their response. Their magnificent bearing showed no fear of any foe. All difficulties were mere scraps of paper before them! Therefore, even against an unprecedented enemy, they showed no fear whatsoever!
"Round Table Knights! Ionian Hetairoi!" Gilles shouted loudly. "To think that after all these years! I, Gilles de Rais, would once again command an army! And against such formidable foes!!! With my Jeanne behind me!" Marshal Gilles was ecstatic. "No regrets! No regrets!!!"
Dragons roared, warhorses neighed! War was imminent!!!
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