Chapter 35. Time to Slip Away

I Will Eventually Embark on the Path of No Return Called a Hero [Arc2] - 35. Time to Slip Away

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"Did you catch up?"

Caules sighed with relief and slumped into his chair.

The red side's Berserker, Spartacus, was an extremely chaotic heroic spirit whose mind was consumed by the concepts of oppressors and the oppressed. Anyone who even slightly resembled an oppressor would quickly face Spartacus's wrath. His extreme level of madness meant he rarely obeyed his Master's orders. Even if he was intercepted once by a command seal, he would disregard the order and continue to act on his own.

After understanding his Noble Phantasm, everyone realized that Spartacus was essentially super cannon fodder who could potentially turn the tide, but predicting whom he would turn against was impossible.

This created an awkward situation when the black side captured such a heroic spirit with poor controllability.

Celenike had no interest in any of the heroic spirits besides Astolfo, and Spartacus's unsettling smile made her leave immediately. Gordes, who was focused on Sieg, had no interest in dealing with this trouble. Roche was only interested in the magical doll, and Fiore, like Celenike, was somewhat averse to Spartacus, who was just a lump of muscle.

To Caules, it seemed there was no way to push the situation further, but unexpectedly, Vlad III decided to assign Spartacus to him.

Surprisingly, no one opposed this decision. They probably thought, "After all, he's just an uncontrollable bomb." Caules himself found it challenging. He was already reluctant to use artificial beings as batteries, and he couldn't afford Frankenstein. With Spartacus added, this was the only path left for him.

Determined to communicate with his heroic spirit a bit, Caules did not leave immediately after signing the contract but stood in front of the restrained Spartacus.

"So… Spartacus, what is your wish?" Caules asked nervously, looking up at the towering Spartacus.

"To crush all the oppressors who beg for the Holy Grail in this Holy Grail War!"

Uh, no hesitation at all… It's indeed extremely dangerous.

Caules twitched his mouth.

"Ugh, ugh, ugh!" Frankenstein unsheathed her sword and growled at Spartacus.

"Do you feel like you're one of the oppressed? Don't worry, I'll crush all the people who oppress you!" Spartacus responded with a mysterious smile to Frankenstein's threat, which had no sense of oppression.

I can't seem to connect with his thought process at all…

Caules scratched his face.

Speaking of which, his compatibility with Berserker was really poor. Despite Frankenstein's inability to speak, it was hard to tell she was a Berserker. Spartacus, on the other hand, was overly chaotic, speaking clearly but entirely uncommunicative.

"Um… During future battles, I might release you. Will you target the red side's people first?" Caules asked tentatively.

"There are oppressors over there too."

Hmm, I guess that's understood.

"Then I'll crush the oppressors on this side!"

Hmm, let's just pretend I didn't hear that…

Caules sighed, "One more thing: Please, do not attack Ruler, especially the white-haired heroic spirit carrying a box."

He was now afraid that Spartacus might go berserk and accidentally attack Cyd.

"He is an ally of the oppressed," Spartacus closed his eyes.

Alright, at least it's good news that Spartacus won't attack Cyd!

Although it was unclear why Spartacus considered Cyd an ally, it was certain that Spartacus would not attack him.

Recalling the conversation, Caules clenched his fists.

"Please!"

"Hahaha, oppressors, take my strike!"

Spartacus roared and charged like a beast towards Shirou Kotomine.

"Ah~ I didn't expect a former comrade to turn against me," Shirou Kotomine said with a bitter smile, easily cutting through Spartacus's waist with his katana. "Spartacus, the gladiator who led the slaves in revolt, I thought we could understand each other, but it's not too late to return now."

This was not a lie.

"Hahaha! Your gaze… is that of a true oppressor!" Spartacus smiled and swung his sword, quickly regenerating the wound on his waist.

"That stubborn look in your eyes!"

"Without a doubt! You are an oppressor!"

"Roar, roar, roar, Master, I didn't expect you to be an oppressor. It seems you'll get what's coming to you," the spirit of Shakespeare said with glee.

"Who do you think is to blame?" Shirou Kotomine said with a sincere smile. "But Spartacus, there is one thing you are right about."

Shirou Kotomine took a deep breath, holding four black keys in his left hand and a sword in his right. "I am indeed stubborn. I won't spare anyone who tries to obstruct me!"

"Oppressor!" Spartacus laughed and lunged at Shirou Kotomine.

Full of openings!

Shirou Kotomine jumped off a nearby tree, and the black keys in his hand turned into four streaks of light, piercing Spartacus's neck.

"Hey!"

Spartacus didn't care at all about the black keys in his neck and slashed at Shirou Kotomine, who was in mid-air.

Shirou Kotomine twisted his body, slicing the side of Spartacus's sword and then striking Spartacus's side. He sheathed his katana.

A sword strike!

Shirou Kotomine exhaled, his eyes flashing coldly as if a beam of light pierced through Spartacus.

Blood gushed from Spartacus's abdomen, splattering into the air.

"Beautiful," Shakespeare applauded.

"Just kidding, I'm making my escape," Shirou Kotomine sheathed his katana and, without hesitation, turned and ran.

"You're kidding, Master?" Shakespeare was somewhat bewildered, but upon seeing Spartacus's condition, he shouted, "Fleeing already… Wait! Master, you're going the wrong way!"

The wounds Spartacus had received healed within a few breaths, and the regeneration went overboard, making Spartacus look considerably bulkier and his size increasing.

With his Noble Phantasm, Crying Warmonger, all the damage he receives is partially converted into magical energy, accumulating within him. Additionally, his passive Noble Phantasm, the Honor of Suffering, speeds up his healing rate, consuming only a quarter of normal magical energy.

Combined, these two Noble Phantasms made Spartacus a terrifying existence who would only grow fiercer unless he was killed with a single blow. Moreover, when Spartacus's stored magical energy reaches its limit or when he is near death, he will release all the stored magical energy in one burst.

Shirou Kotomine knew he couldn't kill Spartacus in one hit. Continued fighting would only increase Spartacus's magical energy, and Frankenstein, who was recovering from Shakespeare's mental pollution, made staying any longer too risky.

"Caster, you should return first."

The plan to deal with Frankenstein secretly had failed. If the battle continued, even with the trump cards of Karna and Achilles, the situation couldn't be turned around.

It was time to gamble!

A gamble on that heroic spirit's obsession!

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