Chapter 282: The Imperial Army vs. the Red Faction

“Darnic, since the Red faction intends to go all in and attack the Yggdmillennia stronghold, let them come.”

“The Greater Grail needs the souls of four more Servants to activate. Once we defeat four more of the Red faction’s Servants, the Holy Grail War will be over… And then the omnipotent wish-granting device will become the stage I promised you all.”

Red Rider Achilles and Black Assassin Jack the Ripper had already fallen—one had their Spirit Core extracted by Selene, and the other had been purified. Their Servant souls had been reclaimed by the Greater Grail. Along with Black Berserker Spartacus, who would inevitably be used up in battle, that left only four more souls to be collected.

Once a Servant is defeated or loses their Master and can no longer maintain their existence, their soul will be absorbed by the Greater Grail buried deep beneath the Yggdmillennia stronghold, to be used at the end of the Holy Grail War.

The collected souls of the Servants would then be used in the final stage of the Greater Grail’s ritual to bring about the miracle.

As for who would ultimately claim the omnipotent wish-granting device, Selene had no interest in that at all.

Selene would keep her promise, helping the Yggdmillennia family achieve final victory in the Romanian Holy Grail War. But after that, even if Darnic and the others turned on each other for the sole wish, it would no longer concern her.

“Perhaps within the next day or two, the Yggdmillennia family will achieve victory in the Holy Grail War.”

“Darnic, join my generals in giving the Red faction a warm welcome.” With that, Selene ended the communication with Darnic via the World Chronicle.

Watching the Hanging Gardens of Babylon swiftly approach Trifas on the horizon, a smile appeared on Selene’s face.

Sebas, you’re going to love the schematics for this thing!

“Your Majesty, since your side has its own plans, I won’t impose on you any further. As a referee, I cannot partake in the battle between you and the Red faction.”

Standing on the rooftop with Selene, Ruler Jeanne d’Arc hurriedly waved her hand after overhearing the conversation between Selene and Darnic. “The Red faction’s Master, that priest named Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, is up there. I need to find a way in. I’ll be on my way.”

Jeanne quickly departed, her figure growing smaller as she hurried away. Selene figured Jeanne must have received some sort of revelation. Selene, however, made no comment and simply remained where she was, standing still on the rooftop.

“Still, I bet the local civilians have gotten quite an eyeful today…”

With Jack the Ripper’s Reality Marble completely dissipated, the commotion and damage caused by Selene had attracted the attention of the townspeople.

A large number of Sighișoara’s citizens were leaving their homes and stepping out into the streets, where they were greeted by the sight of a massive “UFO” in the sky.

Seeing this, Selene shook her head. “The ’secrecy’ rules for supernatural forces, the way they keep the world of the supernatural hidden from society… it’s really such a hassle.”

According to an ancient and ironclad law within the world of mages, the existence of magic and all supernatural forces must be hidden from ordinary people at all costs.

Selene didn’t care to judge whether this was good or bad. It was just how things were, dependent on the situation and the need.

Suddenly, Selene spoke out, “I didn’t expect them to send someone like you, just a scribe, to stall me.”

She turned her gaze toward a clumsy green figure awkwardly leaping from rooftop to rooftop.

“Hahaha! Indeed, most esteemed divine ruler, the world praises you! I am filled with joy at this meeting, so much so that inspiration is pouring from me!”

…

In Trifas, inside the Yggdmillennia castle’s main hall…

“But Your Majesty… Your Majesty, we must be cautious…”

Despite Selene’s refusal to use the Command Spell to return, Darnic was visibly unsettled by the Red faction’s all-in attack.

“Enough, Darnic, this is the nature of war…” Black Lancer Vlad III interrupted, stepping forward.

He understood Darnic’s current mindset—essentially, those with shoes fear those without.

Standing before the World Chronicle’s projected image in the hall, Vlad continued, “In war, there are always obstacles that affect the execution of plans.”

“Though the Red faction has indeed made a strong move, taking advantage of Your Majesty’s absence to attack our stronghold, and their trump card is undoubtedly their ultimate weapon…”

On the screen of the World Chronicle, a massive Hanging Gardens floated in the sky. The structure consisted of orderly arranged floating islands, lush greenery, and marble floors and columns, with a central tower resembling an inverted ziggurat. Its red domed roof shone like a crown, surrounded by eleven massive black slabs, each over twenty meters long and inscribed with complex, ancient magic runes.

“… But Darnic, do not forget that we hold a significant advantage in terms of forces.”

At Vlad’s back, the other Black Servants—Saber Siegfried, Archer Chiron, Berserker Frankenstein, and Caster Avicebron—also appeared in the hall, their expressions resolute.

As soon as Chiron entered, he immediately sensed the presence of several powerful auras being openly released. He paused slightly, casting a quick glance toward the second-level platform at the back of the hall. Though the space was empty—save for the guards and homunculi attending—he had a guess.

“Spiritual form, perhaps?”

“No doubt about it, they’re extraordinary, beyond the norm…”

Standing behind Vlad, Caster Avicebron commented. Though his specialty was constructing golems, he couldn’t deny the mystery and grandeur of the floating temple-like structure.

“That garden itself is likely a high-tier magical stronghold. The World Chronicle lost its ability to precisely track the Red faction earlier—likely because they entered that garden.”

Avicebron was well aware of his own limitations. Even if given unlimited time, he wouldn’t be able to create something of that magnitude.

“So, Caster, is the Light of Wisdom ready?” Vlad asked.

“It’s already in place. That special homunculus, after being captured and tested by Her Majesty, perfectly fits the magical core requirements for the Light of Wisdom,” Avicebron nodded.

“My lord… The floating fortress has suddenly accelerated. According to estimates, it will reach our location by midnight. It seems they’ve used a Command Spell,” Darnic reported grimly, still staring at the World Chronicle’s live feed.

“It seems they’re growing impatient!” Vlad’s eyes narrowed coldly as he turned toward the second-level platform, now empty. “Well then, generals, it’s time to deploy.”

“My lord, generals?” Upon hearing Vlad’s words, Caules and his sister Fiore exchanged puzzled glances.

But as Vlad finished speaking, a large amount of magical energy condensed in the hall, and a purple-red glow filled the space.

Several towering figures materialized, each clad in intricately crafted power armor adorned with ornate decorations.

All the Black Servants had previously fought alongside the Astartes Legion, so even if they couldn’t distinguish ranks, they could tell from the lavish armor that these newcomers were high-ranking officers within Selene’s army.

At the forefront was a giant over four meters tall, with a physique like that of a titan. His muscular frame was bare, with short brown hair and a square jaw that exuded an air of intense pressure.

Though his appearance suggested he was in his forties, his expression was one of unyielding determination, and he radiated a commanding presence like that of a seasoned general.

His armor was iron-gray, etched with golden and blue lightning patterns. Draped over his pauldrons was a large white-and-gold cloak, and around his neck was a collar inscribed with an olive-leaf wreath and the numeral ’Ⅱ’, marking his identity.

This was none other than Budo, Great General of the Astartes Second Legion, and second-in-command of the entire Imperial army.

As for the supreme commander of the entire Imperial army, that went without saying.

“No worries. Her Majesty’s orders are to be followed to the letter.”

Thunk thunk—

With steady steps, Budo descended from the second-level platform to stand before the Yggdmillennia Masters, his massive form and towering shoulder plates casting a long shadow over them like a living wall.

“Darnic, I presume? Her Majesty has ordered me to follow your instructions if necessary.”

Budo’s golden eyes looked down at Darnic, who stood gripping his staff tightly. Lightning crackled ominously around the gigantic warrior’s hydraulic-armored gauntlets.

Taking a deep breath to steady his racing heart, Darnic managed to keep his voice level. “Great General, there’s no need to frighten them.”

From behind Budo stepped another massive figure, over three meters tall. Unlike Budo, this man had a crew-cut hairstyle and a cheerful smile. His black-and-red power armor shimmered under the hall’s lights, and his cloak was red and white, with an olive-leaf wreath and the numeral ’Ⅰ’ marking his status as Alex.

“So, our task is to bring down that floating fortress, huh?” said Leiva, another giant figure, this time clad in purple power armor adorned with silver and red accents. His right pauldron bore the insignia of a coiled blue dragon, and around his neck was the numeral ’Ⅲ’, surrounded by olive leaves.

Though Budo commanded the Second Legion, he wielded incredible influence over the entire Imperial army. After all, if even common Astartes soldiers averaged around 2.6 meters in height, Budo’s four-meter stature certainly made him stand out as a symbol of Selene’s philosophy that “bigger is better.”

Standing next to his peers—Alex, at 3.2 meters, and the others at similar heights—Budo’s imposing presence only solidified the fact that the Astartes Legion, under Selene’s rule, had been crafted to exemplify her empire’s ideals of strength.

“You got it, Great General and all other commanders,” Darnic said with a perfect display of respect, bowing as he stood beside Budo, the gesture one of submission to a superior.

“Everyone, follow me.”

With that, Vlad opened the central hall’s doors and led the way onto the castle’s balcony, pointing in the direction of Sighișoara.

“According to our estimates, the Red faction’s floating fortress will arrive at the plains outside the Yggdmillennia stronghold by midnight.”

“Understood, I’ll handle it. Alex, Leiva—summon your respective legions,” Budo ordered as he stood beside Vlad, gazing down at the golems and homunculi preparing for battle below.

“Darnic,” Budo addressed the Yggdmillennia leader as he emerged onto the balcony, “I’ll leave the mana supply preparations to you.”

Summoning an entire legion required an immense amount of mana. In a standard Holy Grail War, Servants like Selene would drain their Masters dry. Only the Yggdmillennia family, with years of preparation and a vast supply of homunculi to produce mana, could support a Servant of Selene’s caliber.

Darnic bowed deeply, his expression one of solemn responsibility. “Of course. Leave the mana supply to me.”

“In that case, we’ll await the Red faction’s arrival.”

Midnight, the plains outside the Yggdmillennia stronghold.

Rattle rattle—

A sea of grayish-white bones flooded across the plains, the sound of their clattering echoing as they advanced toward the Yggdmillennia stronghold.

“They’re here.”

Budo’s eyes snapped open, his extraordinary vision spotting the countless headless skeletons swarming forward, summoned by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon as it hovered high above.

As they marched, more and more skeleton soldiers clawed their way out of the ground, wielding bone swords and silently roaring at the Yggdmillennia fortress.

Sensing Budo’s disdain for the skeletons, Black Caster Avicebron offered an explanation.

“Great General, these are called Dragon Tooth Warriors. They are not the resurrected dead but rather creations made from the teeth of dragons. Their bodies are incredibly durable, much stronger than ordinary human skeletons.”

“I see. Thank you for the explanation,” Budo replied politely before turning back to his troops. “Prepare to deploy!”

…

“Imperial Army! Attack!”

“For Selene—!”

“Glory to the Empress!”

“Third Legion, crush them!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Rumble! Rumble!

The battle erupted into a one-sided slaughter almost immediately. Explosive bolts and Honkai energy pulses ripped through the battlefield, tearing into the skeletal army with deadly precision.

Chainswords, power swords, and even bare fists were used as the Astartes charged forward relentlessly, unleashing a storm of shattered bone as they bulldozed through the enemy ranks.

Though a few Dragon Tooth Warriors managed to dodge the long-range weapons, their bone blades couldn’t even scratch the Astartes’ adamantine power armor. The most they could do was knock off some of the decorative gold and silver engravings, which only incited the Astartes to crush them into dust in retaliation.

Meanwhile, high up in the Hanging Gardens…

“The number of those soldiers… Archer’s predictions were correct,” observed Red Assassin Semiramis. The speed at which her Dragon Tooth Warriors were being decimated far outpaced their regeneration.

Some Astartes had even begun firing at the floating fortress itself, the impacts sparking against the black slabs that formed the outer defenses.

“Assassin, don’t reveal the Hanging Gardens’ magical cannons just yet,” Amakusa Shirou advised, halting Semiramis from her impulse to obliterate the Astartes with a barrage of anti-army fire. “Let’s wait until we draw out some of the Black Servants.”

“Understood,” Semiramis agreed, though her irritation was palpable.

Outside on the platform, Red Archer Atalanta stood ready, observing the battlefield below.

“Understood…” she replied as she drew her bow, nocking two arrows on the string simultaneously.

“By my arrow, I beseech thee, O Apollo, God of the Sun, and Artemis, Goddess of the Moon, for your divine protection…”

As Atalanta chanted, visible magic gathered around the arrowheads and flowed along the shafts.

“I offer thee this Calamity—”

“Phoibos Catastrophe!”

The twin arrows shot into the sky, vanishing into the darkness above. Moments later, dazzling lights filled the night, stars seeming to explode into existence, illuminating the heavens like the Milky Way.

But before anyone could admire the beauty of it, the sky darkened once more as countless arrows rained down from above like a deadly storm.

“Interesting—an area-wide aerial bombardment, huh? What a shame I don’t have the Night Bat Squadron (Bat Khan) with me. They’d make quick work of this. Astartes, cease pursuit!”

Standing at the center of his formation, Leiva watched the descending storm of arrows, a slight smile playing on his lips. With a wave of his right hand, blue light shimmered in the air.

“Water Dragon Art: Heavenly Flood!”

At Leiva’s command, the ground beneath them trembled, and torrents of underground water surged upward. Dozens of muddy water dragons formed from the deluge, their shapes growing larger by the second.

“Go!”

With a deafening roar, the massive water dragons shot upward, colliding with the descending arrows and neutralizing them. The sound of water and arrows clashing filled the air like the roar of a waterfall.

“They blocked it…” Atalanta grumbled, annoyed. Her Noble Phantasm had once again failed to deliver the decisive blow she had hoped for.

“Well, Saber, do you see that silver-haired giant in purple armor down below? He looks like the commander of those soldiers. He’s all yours!”

Clang clang!

“Got it! Leave it to me!” Helmet snapping into place, Mordred grinned as she pounded her chest. Turning toward Semiramis, she yelled, “Hey, old hag, open the transfer array! I’m heading down!”

Click!

“Old hag?” Semiramis’s eye twitched in barely contained rage.

Keeping the bigger picture in mind, she took a deep breath and bit back the urge to throttle Mordred. Begrudgingly, she activated the transfer array, sending Mordred down to the battlefield.

“I almost feel sorry for King Arthur, getting stuck with such a brat.”

“Hey, open the—”

Boom!

Mordred hadn’t even finished her sentence when she found herself in the middle of a sea of Astartes warriors, their chainswords whirring to life around her.

“For the Empress—! Kill her!”

Buzz!

“Sigh, could you guys say something different for once?”

Crash!

With a playful grin, Mordred’s body crackled with lightning as she unleashed her magic energy, instantly strengthening her body.

Boom!

The ground trembled beneath her as the intense heat from her lightning scorched the grass, turning it to ash. The exposed earth beneath seemed fragile, cracking under the pressure.

Taking advantage of the Astartes’ lack of energy-based attacks, Mordred sped through their formation, her red lightning both swift and devastating. She tore through their ranks like a storm of crimson energy, sending any Astartes who stood in her way flying.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Inside the Astartes formation, they couldn’t fire their bolters in full-auto, fearing friendly fire. But single shots weren’t enough either, as one bolt wasn’t nearly sufficient to penetrate Mordred’s magic-infused armor.

“Hahaha! You lot are no match for me!” Mordred taunted as she rampaged through the ranks. “Where’s your commander? Send someone worthy to fight me!”

Of course, everyone knows that setting up a challenge like this never ends well.

“Very well, I’ll oblige.”

Boom!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep