Chapter 49. The Sun Has Set

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I Will Eventually Embark on the Path of No Return Called a Hero [Arc2] - 49. The Sun Has Set

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The sun was slowly setting. 

The pleasant time without any awkwardness was coming to an end. 

Karna silently removed his apron, folded it into a neat square, and placed it on a flat stone they used as a table before dissipating into spirit form. 

Achilles also put away his smile, shouldered his spear, and staggered back to his chariot, casually tossing Shakespeare onto the vehicle as he passed. 

Mordred sat on a stone, swinging her legs. Unlike Karna and Achilles, she wasn't planning to return to the Hanging Garden anytime soon, as she wasn't exactly part of their group. 

"So, master, what should we do?" Mordred asked in a nonchalant tone.

"Saber, what do you think?" Sisigou, puffing on a cigarette, leaned against a nearby wall.

"Honestly, I don't want to deal with that woman. She gives me a very unpleasant feeling," Mordred said, scratching the back of her head with irritation. "Master, you wouldn't want to get stabbed in the back, would you?"

"Well, that's how I feel too," Sisigou said, taking a drag and blowing out a smoke ring.

After defeating the Black Faction, it was time for an internal conflict among the Red Faction. Considering that Shirou Kotomine had four heroic spirits at his disposal, two of whom were exceptional, he couldn't possibly help the Red Faction.

"But I don't really want to help the Black Faction either," Mordred said, jumping down from the stone.

"Because of Black's Saber and Archer?" Sisigou tilted his head, noting that Mordred had been repelled by these two troublesome figures on both of her recent outings.

"Master, do you think I'm someone who can't handle defeat?" Mordred kicked the wall next to Sisigou, and with a crack, her foot got stuck in the broken wall.

"Seems like it…"

But knowing she was likely not as tough as the wall, Sisigou wisely kept this to himself.

"So, what do you want to do?" Sisigou moved aside a bit.

"Whatever," Mordred shrugged. "Let's just mix in with the Hanging Garden first and adapt to the situation. The Black Faction is eager for the Holy Grail, and the Red Faction is focused on defense, so they probably won't pay much attention to us."

"And then we'll cause trouble while both Factions are fighting?" Sisigou threw his cigarette butt on the ground and stepped on it. "That's not what a knight should say."

"Sorry, I'm just a third-rate one," Mordred stuck out her tongue.

"Then let's be troublemakers~"

With the sun fully set, the Black Faction's heroic spirits, led by Vlad III, stood before the iron stakes.

"This will be the final battle," Vlad III took a deep breath and stepped onto the iron stake. "My allies, lend me your strength!"

"Haha, wasn't this decided from the beginning?" Astolfo laughed, holding his head.

"That's right," Chiron smiled faintly.

"Wu, wu," Frankenstein waved her war hammer.

Siegfried nodded.

"Darnic," Vlad III turned to look at Darnic behind him, "Next is the battle of the heroic spirits. You don't need to follow us."

"No, I want to witness the king's battle until the last moment," Darnic tightened his grip on his staff. "This is our war."

"As a Master, it's necessary to support the heroic spirits at all times," Fiore waved her hand with a command seal.

"Considering the presence of Black's Assassin, it might be safer for us to stay with you," Caules adjusted his glasses. He was still concerned about their missing Assassin, Jack the Ripper. If Jack took advantage of the situation and came to harvest them while the Black Faction's heroic spirits were busy, it would be disastrous.

"Remember to drive far away. The Holy Grail War might end tonight, and there's no reason for Assassin to chase you that far," Gordes was still advising the uninjured homunculi, pointing to a few off-road vehicles that had been salvaged and patched up from the wreckage nearby.

Though Sieg wanted to join Gordes, he was too weak to protect himself, so his biggest help was to reassure Gordes.

Celenike, whose personality had completely changed, readily agreed to go up and see the action since they might be attacked below as well. Her straightforward attitude made the previously abused Astolfo a bit uncomfortable.

"The final battle is finally about to begin," Cyd, standing not far away, raised the corner of his mouth. One of the Ruler's privileges, the ability to locate heroic spirits, clearly showed him that Jack was currently in the Hanging Garden. There was no need to guess; Shirou Kotomine had clearly persuaded them successfully.

But that was good; all the heroic spirits were gathered.

Atalanta, feeling bored, started yawning. For her, it didn't matter which Faction won; the result wouldn't change. Her wish would surely be fulfilled.

Jeanne looked at Cyd with concern. She had a sense that Cyd was hiding something, and she had a premonition that his true goal was about to be realized.

…

In the Hanging Garden.

"Master, everything is ready," Semiramis snapped her fingers, causing dozens of images to appear around them. Each image showed an important passage in the Hanging Garden, but strangely, all the passages were shrouded in thick fog. "But this fog is affecting our visibility."

"It's fine. As long as we confirm the position of the Black Faction and their opponents, that's enough," Shirou Kotomine said, looking at Reika Rikudou. "You don't need to deal with the Black Faction's heroic spirits. Just wait for the opportunity to attack their Master."

Reika Rikudou nodded. If possible, she would prefer not to engage with Jack and those seemingly fierce heroic spirits.

"Semiramis, please try to split the Black Faction when they land, ideally separating the heroic spirits from their Masters," Shirou Kotomine said, patting his waist where his sword was. "I might need to focus on other things."

"Master, just focus on what you need to do," Semiramis waved her hand. "Controlling this Hanging Garden is my job. It will be easy to make them die here."

"Thank you." Shirou Kotomine smiled gently. "It's great to have you as my heroic spirit."

"Ahem, now you realize that it's useless to please me," Semiramis lightly coughed, turning her head away with a slight blush.

"No, this is what I've always wanted to say," Shirou Kotomine scratched the back of his head. "I might not return this time, so at least I want to thank you for your usual help."

"Hmph, it's only natural for a Servant to help their Master, but don't forget your promise," Semiramis moved closer to Shirou Kotomine, pressing a pointed spike from her palm against his chest. "You must not die."

"Hmm, I'll live no matter what until my wish is fulfilled."