The Great Holy Grail War (Part 6)

It was a miraculous scene.

Standing before the lake brightened by the setting sun was Caster of Black.

Sieg lied on his side, stuck in a dream that would never end, forced upon him by the Rider of Black. No, not just himself, his memories, his spirit, were all wiped by the Sorcerer in order to defy fate.

Grabbing the slumbering homunculus, Avicebron hurled him at the giant golem within the lake. The stone and earth that came in contact with Sieg liquefied and sealed his movements. Steadily, with a creaking noise, the homunculus was being absorbed into the innards of the golem.

The core is inserted. The power source is ready.

Watching from the sidelines, Roche widened his eyes at the miracle he was witnessing. '...This is a golem? But how?' At first, Roche thought it was just a larger golem, exceedingly large, close to fifteen meters tall, and nothing much besides.

Even Roche, with his skill, would be able to craft such a golem were he to spend fifty years on its creation, though he would only be able to recreate its size. Its quality would be a different matter entirely.

Even so, such a creation would not be particularly rare. Roche had heard tales of a witch who once possessed something on the same scale, or perhaps even bigger. Considering the age of that tale, it could be inferred that that witch's creation would also be stronger, spiritually speaking.

Even the material used to create this golem was nothing particularly special, despite their cost, their best quality being their pristine state. However, Roche could not help but gasp in wonder. This golem was utterly abnormal on a conceptual level, though perhaps it was most fitting for Avicebron.

"This is a golem closest to its origin..." The common perception of a golem was that of a manmade existence birthed by some thaumaturgical method, but that was not entirely correct. The golem was a foetus, 'that which is without shape'. Golemancy was the arcane craft of the Lord to breathe life into Adam and thus mankind.

Many Magi would shape earth into their desired form and bring it to life, but no further. After all, that one step further into what was beyond was the dearest wish of all Kabbalists, and not one to be taken lightly. In addition, the more perfected a golem, the more it became an existence removed from the Magus' original design.

The ultimate golem represented the parousia of Adam, the king protector who would finally lead his people, after enduring many years of suffering, to Paradise.

"Born of mother Earth, let thee take in the Wind of wisdom, drink deep of the Water of life..."

It was a prayer to Heaven to breath life into the earth.

"A brand of Fire shalt rest in thy hand, removing thee from the Devil of disease. Thy rancor shalt sunder thee, yet thy love shalt cleanse thy blood..."

Earth, wood, and his own flesh, he offered them all to his Lord. It was the apex of esotericae possible only for this man who desired neither power nor fame.

"Let thee be a colossus, soaring amongst the highest peaks. Let thee be stone, unyielding and firm. Let thy form befit thine office... our guardian, our leader, our great foundation..."

It was the crystallization of a miracle, the scale of which could no longer be defined as a Noble Phantasm.

"Thou art of earth yet not of earth, of man yet not of man. Thou shalt rest in paradise. Thou shalt rule it, for we would be led to its gates by thee. Thou art Dream. Thou art Hope. Thou art Love."

It was the realization of the faith of those who had suffered through history, a recreation of His divine will, a pawn that would take up the task of recreating the world.

"Thou art the First Man, bearing the Holy Spirit... thy name be Adam."

The lake frothed and seethed.

A massive arm extended from the lake. All the material used to create it, stone and earth and wood, were of respectable age and entirely natural, never having been employed as construction material or fuel. A third of Darnic's fortunes went into procuring them.

Finally, its upper torso appeared, like a citadel raising from the surface of the water. The golem's eyes became filled with light. It drew its legs up from the lake, its feet grasping powerfully upon the earth

The first miracle occurred. The earth upon which the giant stood firmly upon began to sing, spreading tree and grass. The trees the giant touched bore fruit, which fell to the earth and became more trees in return.

That was not all.

The birds and beasts that had been repelled by the Yggdmillennia's Bounded Field began to appear out of nowhere. Like moths to a flame, they approached the giant without hesitation, grasping onto it, and were broken apart without a single drop of blood.

They were absorbed by the giant, becoming pure energy. They could wish for nothing more, after all, unintelligent beasts had always been helplessly attracted to him.

Furthermore, the area around the giant became rejuvenated. The air was faintly filled with a sweet, honey-like smell, such that simply taking breath would fill one with utter bliss.

"Yes... this is Eden." This was the ultimate expression of the pinnacle of golems pursued by numerous Kabbalists. Its mere existence could replace the current world with a Paradise.

That was the true nature of the golem, Keter Malkuth, an autonomous Reality Marble. As long as it existed, the giant would continue to replace the world with its own Eden, the land granted to Adam and Eve by God.

"Stay here, Master, I shall go and eliminate all the enemies." Avicebron flew onto the shoulder of his creation.

"Now... shall we begin the salvation of this world, my golem? You shall fight, and kill, and destroy, and build Paradise on this Earth. All other meaningless conflicts will end. All meaningless societies will cease to be." Smiling for under his mask for the first time since he was summoned, the Spanish poet declared the beginning of his dream.

Following its father's demand, the golem moved, transforming everything around it into the land of hope, an utopia with no sorrow, and marched towards the direction of-

The Fortress of Millennia.

-x-X-x-

It was a majestic scene.

Awakening from his dream, the hell he once walked through during the Shimabara Rebellion, Kotomine Shirou discovered the face of Semiramis. She seemed to have put his head on her lap and watched over him as he slept. It was an act truly unlike the queen.

"...Why am I on your lap?" Under the dissatisfaction of Assassin, the sole Master of the Red Faction rise up from the Assyrian queen's delicate touch.

"I am your Servant, does it really matter?" The Wise Queen giggled cutely.

"...I see." Sighing, the Asian saint got onto his feet and moved beside the throne where his Servant sat. As if on cue, the giant entrance doors opened and the Servants of Red entered into the room one by one. He turned to the Heroic Spirits and lowered his head slightly. "I'm sorry for calling you all here at this time."

"What is it?" Achilles questioned coldly. He has been in a foul mood ever since the death of Atalanta. Of course, the others were affected as well because they simply did not expect losing the Chaste Huntress in a mere scouting mission.

"I apologize for the inconveniences. I-"

"In any case, everyone has gathered." Frowning at her Master's submissiveness, Semiramis interrupted. "Now that our preparations are complete, the time for us to attack has come. A war with merely repeated skirmishes is not interesting, and this war is a rare occasion. It should be conducted flashily, should it not?"

"No, well, that's true. But aren't you the one who made the preparations to expressly make this castle and barricade ourselves within it?" Achilles knocked on the magically reinforced wall beside him.

"Barricade ourselves? Rider, the premise of your assumption is mistaken. My Noble Phantasm Hanging Gardens of Babylon: Aerial Gardens of Vanity doesn't exist in order to defend. It's a Noble Phantasm for attacking." Seeing the others confused by her statement, Assassin smirked arrogantly.

"Assassin, please show it to us directly without that superior air of yours."

"Very well… Master, you are also comparatively excited about this, it seems." The Assyrian queen chuckled.

"I am a man, after all."

"I see" Semiramis said in understanding, and then laid her hand on the huge jewel embedded in the armrest of her throne. Instantly, the ground started shaking slightly. The other Servants exchanged glances, wondering if it was an earthquake. The trembling gradually increased in intensity... and then suddenly stopped.

"Fufu, go look outside." Following her words, everyone except her left the throne room and rushed outside. The earthquake just now had clearly been intentionally caused by Assassin. But what on earth was the reason-

"What?!"

Rider became speechless. Caster made an overly moved expression of delight and Shirou, who normally kept his expression calm as much as possible, also had unusually shining eyes of excitement. Even Lancer widened his eyes a little as he gazed down.

They were standing on a floor of stone that served as a balcon, and beneath it, there was just a wide expanse of empty air. In other words, they were floating. Just as its name implied, this garden of vanity was hanging in midair...!

"Then, let us prepare for battle, everyone. At this speed, we have about an hour until we're close enough that the ones barricaded in the Fortress of Millennia see us coming." Fighting spirit ignited within the Servants at Kotomine Shirous's statement.

Yes, this was what they were summoned for. To fight in a battle against other famed heroes. Even Achilles, who grieved for Atalanta's death, was excited and grateful at the chance of vengeance.

"Hm, we need something to hold back the cannon fodders as well." To help with trimming down the Black Faction's forces, the Yggdmillennia's homunculi and Avicebron's golems, Semiramis chose to create three thousand Dragon Tooth Warriors under the amazement of the other Servants.

"Normally, it would be impossible. But as long as I'm within these Hanging Gardens, nothing is impossible for me." Assassin smiled in clear confidence.

Yes, even if these Hanging Gardens traveled to another country, they were always treated as her personal field. All her stats were enhanced, and it even became possible for her to use Magecraft that stepped into the realms of Sorcery.

Of course, it came with a price. After all, this Noble Phantasm was almost foul play. Assassin of Red was rendered nearly powerless should she leave these gardens. But these gardens were a moving stronghold. It was unlikely that she would ever choose to leave these gardens in the first place.

"Then who shall cut through the enemy vanguard?"

"I will." Achilles swiftly answered Shirou's question as Lancer shook his head. Caster, who had no intention of participating, acted as if it had nothing to do with him.

Watching Caster with a bitter smile, Shirou turned his gaze towards the Fortress of Millennia, which was starting to become visible far off in the darkness of the night. His heart was beating noticeably fast.

Yes, he could tell. He could definitely tell. It was definitely there. The thing he'd sought, sought and sought for so long was in that fortress. He couldn't stop trembling in exaltation, and he desperately held back the corners of his mouth as they tried to loosen into a wild smile.

"-Even a man like you cannot hide your excitement when what you want is right before your eyes. You're still a child in that regard." His trembling and smile ceased at the same time. Shirou silently turned his gaze to Assassin next to him with a slightly pouting look.

"No, it's fine as long as you can hold yourself back from jumping in excitement. More importantly, Master, if you should die, I will die, and if I die, all of our plans will come to nothing. You understand that, right?"

"Yes, of course." The Asian saint calmly nodded.

"...If my plan is something that goes against God, then I will definitely be struck down on this battlefield. I might have the misfortune of fighting a Servant and dying, or I might let my guard down and be killed by homunculi or golems. I might even get caught up in the blast of an ally's Noble Phantasm."

"If that happens, I will solemnly accept my death. God couldn't forgive me. That is something that I can't do anything about. But if, if everything goes well..." Smiling, he looked up at the moonlit sky and spoke in a resolute tone.

"Then that means God approves of my deeds. That my wish for the Greater Grail, to love... and heal all humans is just. If I can be certain of that, I will no longer waver. I will know that there is indeed worth in betraying even what should never be betrayed."

"Hmph, honestly speaking, I can't understand it at all." Semiramis pouted. Sighing to her Master's view, she decided to end the conversation seeing how determined he was.

"Thank you." Amakusa Shirou stated in genuine appreciation. Immediately after, the Hanging Gardens gently came to a halt. The Fortress of Millennia was just ahead. Between the Hanging Gardens and the fortress was a forest that spread out to both sides and a grass-covered plain in the middle of it.

In other words, this was their battlefield. The Red Servants and the sole Master gathered at the prow of the Hanging Gardens.

"The other side is probably all frantic right about now." Caster laughed.

"Yes, no Servants have yet been sent out to intercept us." Kotomine Shirou agreed. "They all seem to be in a pani-"

Then, it happened.

CREEAA- CRASH!

-x-X-x-

It was a bizarre scene.

"Return, to your nostalgic homeland. The golden field that waits for you. There are no angels here, and your friends have all vanished in the wind as well. Behind the back of the attacking knight, the warmaidens gently smile."

Standing in the midst of the forest, Rider of Black glanced up at the darkening sky. He mumbled out words that would make any Magus broke out in a cold sweat as they realize the difference between their Craft.

Purple wisps traveled around the woodlands like lost sheep being chased by devils. The atmosphere was tense as the pressure of Prana materialized in the area. Indecipherable words and strange markings came into being from time to time, showing themselves to be the dominant predators who would bite down on the intruders.

"Now, return, to the homeland of tainted souls, to the country of blood and smoke where pain and insanity are born, to the familiar battlefield."

High-Thaumaturgy.

They are spells with the amount of power at A-Rank.

It not as confusing as can imagine. Simply reaching the designated level will automatically categorize such spell into a High-Thaumaturgy. Say, a simple Single-Action spell that can produce bubbles isn't even at the level of an E-Rank spell, but creating millions or billions of them can let such a spell reach the level of a specialized field.

There are also differences between High-Thaumaturgy evocations. Some are exceedingly powerful, while others may have zero offensive abilities and can instead provide extremely helpful support.

Magecraft of A+ Rank is said to be almost at the level of Magic. Of course, that is merely describing the power output. On the topic of miracles, they are far behind from the true Sorcery that only Magicians can wield.

"Shooting star that glitters dazzlingly even on the ground, let me grant the suffering of an adult, and the fear of a child. The hero who has lost his speed shall melt in this stagnant air, and float between the sea of stars."

Although Fenric is undoubtedly one of the best Mages of the modern era, he is above average at best compared to the powerful Magi from the Age of Gods if Heaven's Feel is excluded. However, the greatest thing about him is that he has knowledge on every branch of modern Thaumaturgy.

Alchemy, Summoning, Runes, Material Transmutation, Formalcraft, Curses, Jewelry Magecraft, Astronomy, to the likes of Witchcraft, Necromancy, Kabbalah, Puppeteering, and even the Church's Holy Sacrament, these knowledge makes him a remarkably versatile Mage.

Here, in this no man's land, he is showing the magical skills he had studied and mastered over the course of three agonizing decades. Thirty years of continuous training, thirty years of mental torture, thirty years of blood and sweat... his only freedom was during the time spent with Charlotte.

"We, we are the skies. We, we are the earth. Face the might of us, the wilds. Face the judgement of you, the humanity. Return, to the mother earth we so miss."

The creation of a temple.

The construction of a massive Bounded Field chain.

The setting of a wall of spells weaved by runes and Divine Words.

The injection of unlimited magical energy from the Third Magician himself.

This, he can enact the miracles from the Age of Gods.

"Now fall, fall like the ones you are, fall, fall to us, the origin of you. I command you-"

"Fall."