HBWnovel Chapter 371: Fighting Until Dawn
Chapter 371: Fighting Until Dawn
Chapter 371: Fighting Until Dawn
Goldes' early reputation was marred by his arrogance and conceit. After developing the artificial human battery system and obtaining the Linden leaf stained with dragon blood, he began to consider himself the best in the world, looking down on everyone.
He naturally believed that he was the ruler of this Holy Grail War and that everyone should act according to his will. The so-called heroic spirits, the Servants, were just puppets and tools that shouldn't resist him in any way. The obedience of the Black Saber, Siegfried, inflated his arrogance to a ridiculous degree.
He blindly believed that Siegfried was the strongest and that no other Servant could be his match. If left unchecked, this attitude would lead him to give reckless commands during the upcoming battle with the Red Rider. If Siegfried refused due to unreasonable orders, Gordes would become furious, believing that Siegfried's failure and disobedience were due to disloyalty. He would then use a Command Seal to force Siegfried to use his Noble Phantasm.
By that time, Gordes had completely abandoned the principle of keeping true names secret. If Danic hadn't stopped him, Siegfried's true name would have already been known to the Red faction, an act of sheer stupidity.
As a member of the Black faction and a temporary ally, Shinji didn't want to see this idiot continue down this path, nor did he want to see Siegfried exit the stage so soon. He had to wake Gordes up.
As for the idea of killing Gordes to solve everything, it was never an option for Shinji. Not to mention whether he could kill Gordes under Siegfried's protection or whether his death would arouse Danic's suspicion, Gordes' abilities alone made it impossible for Shinji to let him die.
Although he was reluctant to admit it, at this point, Gordes was the most important Master of the Black faction.
The Black faction's trump card—the vast magic power source, the artificial human battery system—was designed and managed by him. The Black faction's lower-tier soldiers, combat-use artificial humans, were also his creations. Even the maids, janitors, and other logistical personnel in Millennia Castle were mostly his artificial humans.
Without him, life for the Black faction would be extremely difficult—in this sense, this guy indeed had some skills.
Recalling Gordes' role, Shinji finally quelled his urge to punch him, opting instead to throw an ice rune at him.
"Assassin, what are you doing?" Gordes jumped up, his face covered in ice shards.
"I'm cooling you down so your brain doesn't get fried by impulsiveness."
"You—!"
Shinji wore an "I'm doing this for your own good" expression, prompting Gordes to look at his Command Seals for comfort.
"Don't bother looking. No matter how much you look, there are only three strokes; they won't multiply."
"It's none of your business!" Gordes, still fuming, clearly didn't catch Shinji's true intent.
Shinji wasn't in a hurry and continued, "How could it not be my business? These are precious non-renewable resources. Use one, and there's one less. If you waste them in a moment of impulse, it would be a real pity."
The emphasis on "use one, there's one less" and "waste" finally made Gordes pause.
Before long, both combatants unknowingly ceased their attacks. It wasn't due to fatigue. These rare heroes wouldn't succumb to exhaustion even after battling for three days and nights.
Yet, time was beyond their control. The sky had turned from pitch black to a deep, dim blue.
Indeed, several hours had passed since they began fighting. Neither had used their Noble Phantasms nor found a moment to reveal their true names.
"If this continues, we'll be fighting until dawn. I don't mind, but what about you? Your Master seems to be getting impatient."
"..."
Saber ultimately sheathed his greatsword in silence. Gordes seemed to want to say something but couldn't find the words. The dense tension between the two was so palpable that he instinctively realized this was not a realm for outsiders to intrude.
Then, Black Saber, forbidden to speak by his Master, cast aside his hesitation and spoke. It was this very act that slightly shook Gordes' deeply ingrained belief that Servants were mere puppets.
"I hope that next time, we can truly fight to our heart's content."
This statement, filled with an extraordinary earnestness, was something Red Lancer, Karna, did not fully understand.
He was unaware of what lay hidden within the illustrious hero Siegfried's grand legend. Even so, he admired those words immensely. Red Lancer nodded slightly, expressing his approval of the swordsman's words. The reason being that it echoed a hidden wish within Lancer's heart.
It wasn't a grand promise or vow. They saw each other as beings to be vanquished, as worthy opponents. Thus, they shared that sentiment.
"Ah, I am truly fortunate. Black Saber, I sincerely thank you for the luck of facing you in this battle."
This was Red Lancer's genuine praise, containing the bond of a warrior. The hope that "it is my sword and spear that will defeat you" was like the dream of an innocent youth.
"Well then, farewell, Black Saber."
"..."
A silent farewell. In an instant, Red Lancer's body vanished as he turned into spirit form.
At the same time, the sky took on the faint purple hue heralding the dawn.
P.S.: That's why having a Noble Phantasm that doesn't require revealing its true name is so convenient; just throw it and you're good to go.