Watching Karna leave the stage, Hades also turned to depart, walking over to Gordes's side and saying to him, "Let's go, we are returning to the Millennia Fortress."
"But! Prince Hades!! Ruler...!!" Gordes reached out anxiously, wanting to remind Hades not to forget their purpose for coming here. However, upon hearing Gordes's words, Hades walked toward Yggdmillennia's black sedan without looking back and said:
"Heroic Spirits who can become Rulers are, like Astraea, fair and impartial in all things. She will not allow this steady balance to tilt."
"Whatever the consequences, I will bear them."
Having said that, Hades got into the car. A Homunculus maid of Yggdmillennia closed the door for him.
Hades rolled down the window, looked at Jeanne, and said:
"We shall meet again if fate permits, Ruler Saint Jeanne d'Arc."
With that, Gordes also got into the sedan, and the Homunculus maid then started the car and drove away.
Jeanne watched the receding black sedan and said, "Hades, King of the Underworld... truly a great god as impartial as in the myths."
Inside the sedan, Gordes was drenched in sweat, holding his head in his hands as he recalled the battle just now. Originally proud of his talent in magecraft, his composure had shattered in an instant. He now knew that he could not intervene in battles between Servants.
Inside the Millennia Fortress
All the Masters and Servants looked at the expressionless Hades, who was resting with his eyes closed. Darnic was the first to speak, "Your Excellency Hades, why did you not bring Ruler back?"
Hades opened his eyes, walked to the balcony, and looked up at the starlit sky.
"Heroic Spirits who can become Rulers are all individuals of fair and impartial character. Especially a Saint like Jeanne, she will not join us."
Meanwhile, at the Red Faction's base—a church—Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, under the alias Kotomine Shiro, was kneeling in prayer before a crucifix.
"Heh, heh, heh—!!" A rapid sound of heavy breathing echoed in the quiet church. It was Karna, supporting himself with his hands on the ground, panting heavily and looking quite disheveled.
Kotomine Shiro stood up, looked at Karna, and began to heal him, saying, "You've worked hard, Lancer. I didn't expect that even a great god like Hades, King of the Underworld, would participate in this Holy Grail War."
"What did you say?!"
"Lord Hades, King of the Underworld!!"
Kotomine Shiro's words immediately caused two Servants to manifest. One was a handsome young man with light green short hair, wearing silver armor and an orange scarf around his neck.
Achilles, Rider of [Red].
The demigod son of the human hero Peleus and the sea goddess Thetis, he manifested in this war under the Rider class. Possessing power rivaling Karna's, he is renowned for his unmatched speed and resilience. He also possesses god-level spear techniques and numerous Noble Phantasms bestowed by the gods.
The other was a pretty young girl wearing beautiful emerald green clothes and black over-the-knee boots, with yellow lion ears and a tail.
Atalanta, the huntress from greek mythology famous for her swift feet. It was also explained in this story that she had a tragic past, being born into royalty but abandoned on a mountain by her father. Raised by a mother bear and later adopted by hunters who entered the mountains, she rapidly increased her strength through her innate talent.
There are three famous chapters of her life. The first was being chosen as one of the members of the Argo led by Jason. The second was repelling the Calydonian Boar. The third was the marriage disturbance. None of them ended happily, with the third item in particular causing her extreme distrust of men.
Upon hearing the name Hades, the two heroes from greek mythology immediately ended their spirit form and manifested.
"I didn't expect that great god would actually participate in the Holy Grail War." Atalanta slapped her forehead and spoke with distress, feeling very troubled and getting a headache at the thought of having to oppose Hades (Hades).
Achilles didn't speak, but his bitter expression, as if he had eaten a bitter melon, betrayed his inner thoughts. It seemed he also didn't want to face Hades right now.
"Hahaha~! For you two great heroes to be this scared, is that God of the Underworld really so terrifying?"
Then, a bell-like laugh rang out, and a peerless beauty wearing black finery with long ears, exuding a certain decadent atmosphere, appeared in the church.
Assassin of [Red], Semiramis. The legendary queen who is said to have once reigned over the Assyrian Empire. From a young age, she studied extensively in various accomplishments, from makeup, hairstyling, and decoration to dance, music, and astronomy; she possessed a beauty that fascinated men. On the other hand, she enjoyed extravagance and decadence, possessing a passionate personality. This passion led her to cause wars in order to obtain a man in love; in politics, she showed ruthlessness, poisoning the king who was her husband. However, her talent as a queen was indeed remarkable, having guided the construction of the city walls and the Ishtar Gate, and led multiple expeditions.
Although born between the Syrian fish goddess Derketo and a human male, she failed to receive maternal love and was left by the water. Later, she was kept warm by the wings of doves and raised on milk brought by them. As Semiramis grew, she was found by Simmas and learned various kinds of knowledge. Although she married the old general Onnes, King Ninus of Assyria fell in love with her at first sight because of her beauty and took her away.
Onnes committed suicide because of this; on the other hand, Semiramis gained great favor because she proposed novel tactics to the king during the war, and soon after officially became the queen. A few days after the wedding, she poisoned King Ninus and then reigned over Assyria as regent for several decades. This is considered the oldest surviving legendary poisoning incident.
Therefore, she is also known as the world's oldest poisoner. Born between the fish goddess and a human male, she is sometimes regarded as an incarnation of the goddess Ishtar.
"Ooh ooh ooh~~!! What kind of sparks will fly when the legendary and famous King of the Underworld descends before the heroes of Greece?! It truly makes my inspiration manifest!!" A middle-aged man with a full beard, wearing green finery, appeared with a quill and a book in hand, constantly writing in the book.
Caster of [Red], William Shakespeare.
The most outstanding dramatist in the history of English literature, one of the most outstanding writers in the history of Western art, and one of the most preeminent literary figures in the world.
His surviving works include 38 plays, 155 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and other verses. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
Now, except for Saber and Berserker, all the Servants of the [Red] faction were present.
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