Fate: Question And Answer System of Traversing Heroic Spirits

[At the same time, in the Hanging garden.]

["The reason why the Hanging garden floats in the air is entirely based on the concept of 'reverse.' Plants grow downward, and water always flows from the bottom to the top."]

[Semiramis laughed loudly, spreading her arms wide as she unleashed her spell.]

["Watch carefully, you ignorant magus. This is the true realm of magecraft."]

["Boom..."]

[A strong whirlwind surged from the bottom of the garden, causing the already damaged Yggdmillennia Castle to collapse further.]

[The soil was blown away, the foundation shattered, and the Holy Grail finally revealed its true form.]

Waver: "...Is this really Assassin?"

Kayneth: "That's ridiculous. Truly absurd."

Tohsaka Rin: "It's even more over-the-top than King Hassan."

King Hassan at least looked somewhat like an Assassin, but Semiramis...

They simply couldn't see how she resembled an Assassin at all.

[Semiramis: "I must concentrate my strength on the Greater Holy Grail. I'll leave the rest to you guys."]

["If you can't hold on during this time, your wishes will amount to nothing."]

["I know that even if you don't tell me."]

[Achilles and Atalanta responded unhappily, clearly irritated by Semiramis's provocation.]

["Oh, there's one thing I forgot to tell you. This garden does not belong to Romania, so you should keep that in mind during the battle."]

[After leaving these words, Semiramis disappeared.]

[Separating the Holy Grail from the Leyline and storing it would take some time, just a few minutes.]

[But with the current situation, where the Red and Black factions were fiercely battling for control, even a few minutes could mean the difference between victory and defeat.]

[The next phase of the war would become a battle of endurance.]

Tohsaka Rin: "It doesn't belong to Romania? What does Semiramis mean by that?"

Tohsaka Tokiomi: "It's simple. The Hanging Garden isn't part of Vlad III's territory. When he sets foot here, he'll lose the homeland bonus he normally enjoys."

Caules: "It's already a tough fight for him, and now losing that bonus..."

Vlad III: "Hmph, even so, I will not retreat."

[Not only was the Black faction preparing for a desperate struggle, but Jeanne also set off toward the Hanging Garden after ensuring Astolfo and Sieg were safe.]

[She was determined to meet the Red Master today.]

[With the Hanging Garden positioned directly above the Yggdmillennia castle, it provided Jeanne with a path forward.]

[Jeanne moved swiftly, scaling the castle wall with a leap so extraordinary it could defy Newton's laws of gravity.]

[As she ascended toward the Hanging Garden, Jeanne's mind lingered on the identity of its owner.]

[The Hanging Gardens of Babylon—a treasure that could only belong to two individuals: Nebuchadnezzar II, its creator, or Semiramis, the legendary Empress associated with its construction.]

["That's right, Ruler."]

[Semiramis emerged, standing before Jeanne with an air of confidence.]

[Jeanne: "The Red Assassin. So, it's you."]

[Semiramis: "Yes, Ruler. What brings you to my garden? I don't recall doing anything that violates the rules."]

[Jeanne: "No, you did."]

[Semiramis: "Oh? Then tell me, what rules did I break?"]

["There's no need to waste time with your games."]

[Jeanne's tone turned serious as she said, "If you can truly say, with a clear conscience, that you've abided by the rules of the Holy Grail War, then allow me to meet your Master."]

[Semiramis's expression shifted. The mocking arrogance in her eyes was replaced with a vigilant gleam.]

[Seeing the change in her demeanor, Jeanne knew she had hit the mark. The clue she had been pursuing was correct.]

[Semiramis did not continue to obstruct Jeanne, because she couldn't.]

[By revealing her Command Seal, Jeanne made her position clear. With just one Command Seal, she could force Semiramis to commit suicide.]

[Faced with such a threat, the Empress had no choice but to step aside.]

Semiramis: "Ruler, this time you've broken the rules."

Jeanne: "Hah, weren't you the ones who broke the rules first?"

She was, of course, referring to the Red Team's initial assault.

As the arbiter of the Holy Grail War, Ruler's role is to maintain order. Unless circumstances demand it, they are meant to remain an observer, not an active participant.

If the Red Team hadn't attacked her first, Jeanne would never have intervened in the war.

Jeanne's personality is inherently gentle. If it were someone like the First Emperor, however, the Red Team might have faced open hostility.

[Not long after Jeanne continued forward, a strange sense of foreboding made her stop and glance in a particular direction.]

[Something truly malevolent had appeared there.]

[Flashback: A Few Minutes Earlier]

[In that same direction, Vlad III had leaped onto the Hanging Garden, intent on reclaiming the Holy Grail. However, he was once again intercepted by Karna.]

[This time, the Grand Duke was utterly crushed by the Sun God.]

[As Semiramis had warned, the Hanging Garden did not belong to Romania. When Vlad III stepped into its domain, he lost the homeland bonus that had been empowering him.]

[If his strength in their previous battle had been at 100%, now it was barely at 60%.]

[It had been difficult enough for him to win at full power, let alone with his current weakened state.]

Caules: "As expected..."

Gordes: "There's really no hope now."

With Siegfried already gone, the Black Faction's strongest fighter was Vlad III. But if even he couldn't match Karna, what hope was there against the Red Team's other Servants?

Vlad III: "Even so, I refuse to yield."

Darnic: "..."

Darnic had already started to retreat quietly, fully aware of what was about to unfold.

["Am I going to die here...?"]

[The Grand Duke had lost the grandeur, violence, and dignity he once carried as a ruler. Now, all that remained was his pride as a Heroic Spirit.]

[Shame, despair, and regret surged through him like an unrelenting tide, threatening to drown his resolve.]

["No, victory isn't entirely out of reach. You just have to release that Noble Phantasm."]

[Darnic, who had followed the Hanging Garden and observed the battle from a distance, spoke these fateful words.]

[His suggestion ignited the Grand Duke's fury.]

[With a ferocious blow, Vlad III forced Karna back temporarily. Then, he turned his gaze toward his Master, releasing an unmistakable killing intent.]

["Darnic, what did you just say to me?"]

[But despite the immense pressure radiating from the Grand Duke, Darnic remained unfazed. Instead, he spoke with the calmness of someone who had already accepted his fate.]

["My King, you must use that Noble Phantasm. It's your only chance to claim victory."]

["What did you say?!"]

[Vlad III, like an enraged lion, roared, "I've told you before, I will never use that Noble Phantasm! Have you forgotten? I will not become the very thing I despise!"]

["I refuse! I absolutely refuse!"]

["If I must, I will die here with my dignity intact. That is the fate of a true loser!"]

["You've forgotten, Your Majesty. We must obtain the Holy Grail, no matter the cost."]

[Darnic no longer masked his intentions, raising his Command Seal for Vlad III to see.]

["In order to use the Grail to avenge the Magic Association or to reach the Root...even a King must have a wish."]

["If so, then the only path left is for you to activate your Noble Phantasm."]

["Darnic, you bastard!"]

["I command you, Vlad III, with the power of the Command Seal—release your Noble Phantasm: Legend of Dracula!"]

["DARNIC!!!"]

---

As soon as the scene in the video played, the Vlad III's expression turned murderous.

"Darnic!!!"

Vlad III's voice was filled with rage as he stood abruptly, slamming his hand against the table. His eyes were fixed on Darnic, radiating a terrifying killing intent.

The suffocating aura made Darnic tremble. For once, his usual composure faltered.

"Damn it..."

Darnic muttered under his breath, hurriedly kneeling before Vlad III. "Your Majesty, this is the only viable option. Without that Noble Phantasm, we have no hope of victory."

"Silence!"

Vlad III could no longer contain himself. In an instant, he leapt forward, aiming his lance directly at Darnic's head.

"Calm yourself!"

Fionn reacting quickly, stepped in to block the attack.

"Please, Your Majesty! Now is not the time for infighting."

Fiore, with Chiron at her side, stepped forward to intervene. She pleaded, "Your Majesty, my uncle only wishes to prevent our complete defeat. Please, forgive his desperation."

"Hah..."

With great effort, Vlad III finally lowered his weapon. But his piercing gaze never left Darnic, and the murderous intent in his eyes did not diminish.

Darnic, though trembling internally, tried to maintain a facade of calm. He could only hope that the him in the video wouldn't follow through with his desperate plan.

***

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