Aozaki Aoko Case File

Karna launched his first attack, but it was blocked by some unknown means employed by the Einzbern Servant. Afterward, Karna held back and maintained an observational stance, refraining from attacking further.

As eleven magical shields materialized to block Karna's strike, a figure slowly rose from the Einzbern castle. She was dressed in an elegant and seductive black gown, with long, slender elf-like ears. Her figure was curvaceous, her skin pale and flawless, and her thick black hair was meticulously tied up. She was undoubtedly a peerless beauty.

However, her aura overshadowed her physical allure, leaving an immediate and overwhelming impression on anyone who saw her. There was no room for disrespect in her presence.

"Oh? Such an imposing aura—are you a monarch from somewhere?" Rider, the King of Conquerors, Iskandar, remarked with great interest. "I am Iskandar, King of Conquerors. Who are you? Speak your name!"

"You're the intruder here!" Waver, standing beside him, couldn't help but punch Iskandar in exasperation and quip, "This is someone else's territory!"

"What does that matter?" Iskandar responded nonchalantly. "If I set my eyes on land, I'll take it. After all, I am the King of Conquerors!"

"A barbarian thief from Macedonia, is it?" Semiramis's voice, amplified through magic, reverberated through the forest surrounding the Einzbern territory. It was so loud and clear that even the intruding duo, Kayneth, and Waver, could hear it perfectly. "And this one here... you carry the aura of the sun. Like myself, you are a child of both gods and mortals, aren't you?"

Karna did not deny Semiramis's observation. Instead, the scorching magical energy around him intensified, distorting the air and scenery around him.

"I am Semiramis, Empress of the Assyrian Empire," declared the Assassin class Servant, her seductive tone laced with menace as she hovered above the castle. "To dare invade my domain... it seems your lives will end here."

"Hm? The Assyrian Empire?" Iskandar exclaimed in surprise. "So, not only that golden tyrant but even you—legendary Empress I've only read about in epics—are here. What a rare opportunity! Let me test the strength of the oldest poisoner!"

With a laugh, Iskandar yanked on the reins of his Gordius Wheel. The two divine bulls, their hooves crackling with thunder, charged toward Semiramis in the sky.

Kayneth and Waver, riding on the chariot, immediately tensed up. Kayneth wasted no time activating his Mercury Mystic Code to shield himself and Waver from the potential fallout of the impending clash.

As the charging chariot neared, Semiramis remained calm and unshaken. She raised her hand above her head, and a massive, circular magic array manifested in the air. From within this array emerged a colossal beast that could only have existed in the Age of Gods—a dragon.

Or rather, the dragon's head alone was summoned. This dark green dragon head boasted six eerie eyes, sharp horns, and rows of razor-like teeth.

The dragon turned its gaze toward the oncoming Iskandar and his Gordius Wheel. With a thunderous roar, it opened its maw wide and unleashed a torrent of magical flames infused with lethal poison.

At this moment, Waver Velvet felt his heart leap into his throat. While he knew that both Rider and Kayneth's Lancer were Servants of extraordinary strength who wouldn't fall easily, the dragon's breath exuded a deadly aura that seemed inescapable. How could he possibly survive such a crisis?

Just as Waver mentally prepared to bid farewell to this beautiful yet cruel world, a golden figure shot forward.

Karna leaped into the air without hesitation, positioning himself directly in the path of the dragon's poisonous breath. With swift, precise movements, he spun and swung his divine spear, completely neutralizing the flames. Not a single ember reached those behind him.

"Well done, Karna!" Iskandar roared with laughter. "Now it's my turn!" The thunder around the Gordius Wheel grew even more intense as he drove it forward, determined to crush his foe.

Semiramis, unfazed by the attack being blocked, retreated slightly. She raised a single hand and formed a mysterious gesture, preparing her next spell.

"Tiamtum Ūmu, activate!"

At Semiramis's command, five ornate, ancient shields appeared around her, each inscribed with intricate magical patterns that glowed with her power. The shields emitted bright pink beams of energy, which converged into five massive pillars of magical force and shot toward the Gordius Wheel and Karna.

Iskandar's eyes widened. He quickly drew his sword to block the incoming attack. The beams struck his blade with immense force and heat, pushing him to his limits.

When the attack subsided, Iskandar found himself in a dire situation: one of his divine bulls was gravely injured, barely able to pull the chariot, and his sword bore scorched, unrepairable marks. His assault had been decisively halted.

Though Karna seemed unscathed, the sheer force of the magical bombardment had pushed him back a considerable distance. Determined to protect his Master, Karna surged forward, his fiery aura blazing as he intercepted any further attacks from Semiramis.

Semiramis, however, frowned deeply. She had expected her Noble Phantasm, the Tiamtum Ūmu, to heavily injure at least one of the two Servants. Yet it had only inflicted minor damage on Rider's chariot, falling far short of her expectations.

Kayneth, a top-tier magus, wasted no time. Seeing the damage to Rider's divine bulls, he immediately redirected the mana flow from his underground mana furnace to cast restorative spells. Under his magic, the injured divine bull's wounds began to heal at a visible rate, showcasing the absurd regenerative capabilities of creatures from the Age of Gods.

Iskandar, now cautious, kept his gaze fixed on Semiramis. He drove his chariot in circles around her, increasing its speed as he prepared for another charge. Her magical power was overwhelming—was this truly an Assassin, or was she more akin to a Caster?

Unexpectedly, Semiramis did not pursue Rider and his chariot. Instead, she retreated toward the Einzbern castle.

This peculiar behavior caught the attention of Waver, whose observational skills were particularly sharp. He stroked his chin thoughtfully. Was this Assassin guarding something within the castle?