Fate: I Will Eventually Become the Hero of Justice

Having been specifically named by Shirou as his combat partner, Mash felt a mix of excitement and nerves.

She was thrilled to fight alongside her Servant, yet anxious to face legendary Heroic Spirits! One look was enough to tell these were exceptionally powerful enemies.

Just hearing the Black camp's true names made her heart almost leap from her chest. As a complete novice, she had to square off against the likes of Vlad and Arjuna and other heroes, what's worse, at the disadvantage of being outnumbered two to four!

She was far too nervous. Kiara's reassurances were completely useless.

Shirou called Mash over to brief her on their plan.

Looking hesitant, she asked, "Um, Mr. Fujimaru, can I really do this?"

"I believe you can," he said, smiling warmly.

"I..." Seeing that smile and the warmth in his bright eyes, she didn't know how to respond.

This was trust.

Senpai had surely placed the same trust in her own Servant as well.

An image of that orange-haired girl's back floated up in Mash's mind. No matter how she chased, she was unable to catch up as that figure moved further and further away until disappearing before her eyes.

Yet...Why did she increasingly feel as if their positions were reversed, that she was the one being commanded like a Servant while Mr. Fujimaru was more like her Master?

Mash felt troubled. Still, this wasn't bad. After all, as a Master she was completely inexperienced - a newbie, a rookie, utterly without any experience. But as a Servant, she did have some experience!

Shirou slapped her shoulder and pointed at Arjuna, saying, "Master, keep an eye on him. Watch Arjuna closely. When he uses his Noble Phantasm, you use yours as well."

"Huh?" she stared blankly for a second before hurriedly asking, "Use...my Noble Phantasm?"

He nodded, "I'm familiar with the Heroic Spirit who is the foundation of your Saint Graph, but I can't say more for certain reasons. Rest assured though, he's an exceptionally powerful spirit, one who could likely face any foe and remain undefeated. Against someone with mighty offensive power like Arjuna, he is probably the perfect counter."

"Is, is that so..." Mash still looked hesitant as she said, "But, I don't know how to use my Noble Phantasm!"

He placed both hands on her shoulders, gazing intently into her eyes, "Master, I leave my life in your hands."

She inhaled sharply, as if choking for breath. Both her hands clenched tightly as she said solemnly, "I will try my best!"

Saber and the others had come out as well. Everyone gathered in front of the Millennium Fortress.

Saber felt troubled. She had not expected to face something like this immediately upon her return, setting aside the matters of Shirou's betrayal and the connection points for now, most critical was the appearance of a [Beast], of all things?!

However, Saber noticed one thing - she did not see Mordred with Shirou. Frowning, she glanced at him and asked, "Assassin, where is the Red Saber?"

"She went to take care of her own business," he answered frankly.

"I see..." Saber murmured.

Seeing her expression, he raised a brow in surprise, "Are you worried about her?"

Saber's expression returned to impassivity as she said, "Don't make such crude jests. Also, even if it's you and Mash, I won't hold back."

"Of course. Neither will I," Shirou said with a smile, "Because I know clearly that you are not her."

Saber's frown deepened.

"Let's end this silly game now-"

Vlad waved a hand, and endless stakes transformed into a volley of arrows that streaked violently at them!

The endless wooden stakes transformed into a torrential downpour, like gigantic palms covering the sky, bombarding towards Shirou and Mash in a blanket-like fashion.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh-"

The sound of continuous piercing, like heavy rain pouring down.

Gazing at the wooden stakes assaulting them like a sky-blanketing canopy, Shirou's mind stirred and he opened [Unlimited Blade Works], summoning dozens of legendary shields to form a barricade to meet the attack head on.

The blanket-like wooden stakes shot towards it.

"Clang clang clash-"

Making an unceasing cacophony of metallic collisions.

Vlad furrowed his brows, thinking, just how many Noble Phantasms does this guy have?

"Roar!"

Heracles let out a fierce bellow, the shout shaking the very earth. Charging like a tank, he raised his enormous stone axe high and smashed it fiercely down upon the shield barricade—

"Boom!"

With one strike, Heracles smashed a giant breach in the shield wall.

Bellowing wildly, his entire body exuded a berserker aura, eyes bloodshot, Heracles charged murderously towards Shirou.

That appearance— was far too terrifying!

Like a battle god emerged from the very depths of hell.

Mash gritted her teeth, overcoming her fear. Facing Heracles as she raised her shield to block, Shirou unexpectedly grabbed Mash's collar, pulling her behind him while hurriedly saying: "Don't clash directly with him, you won't be able to withstand it."

While speaking, he summoned countless mud, transforming it into thick barricades blocking Heracles' path.

With only a "thud", the barricades shattered like spiderwebs under Heracles' frenzied assault.

Grabbing Mash's collar, he used the black mud to form ten magical propulsion jets.

"Whoosh!" With a roar, he jetted away, widening the distance from Heracles.

Suddenly—

Danger!

Shirou yelled internally, hurriedly dodging. He saw a flash of red, an arrow imbued with flame shot at his head. But just before impact, as if deflected by an irresistible force, the arrow abruptly changed direction, shooting straight for the skies instead.

Shirou whipped his head back to see Arjuna staring coldly, asking: "Do you have some blessing against arrows?"

In response, a barrage of projected swords flew at Arjuna.

"Can't let him take to the skies!"

Vlad bellowed atop his warhorse.

"Ex—"

Saber raised the invisible holy sword, faint radiance emitting as she pointed it at Shirou, shouting: "Calibur!"

The invisible sword shone, manifesting mankind's hope, bursting towards Shirou.

Seeing the light cannon firing at them, Mash panicked but Shirou calmly waved a hand, projecting six Caliburns from [Unlimited Blade Works], infusing them with magical energy. Faint radiance glimmered as the golden swords converged into a single beam, striking back.

Excalibur's light collided with the composite beam. For an instant, space itself stilled.

Then—

BOOM!

An explosive sound like muffled thunder resounded as the two energy beams intersected, forming a terrifying storm vortex, blowing the surrounding trees over 10-meters into the air.

Then, several "crack crack" sounds rang out as the composite beam pushed Excalibur's attack right back.

Dazzling light illuminated Saber's astonished expression.

Vlad naturally wouldn't let Shirou succeed. His eyes flashed as he stared at him.

With a "shick" sound, Shirou coughed out blood as a sharp wooden stake burst out from within his body.

Bereft of power with this sudden shift, the composite beam dissipated along with Excalibur's attack.

The black mud roiled within Shirou. Powerful curses unleashed upon the protruding stake, immediately emitting "fizz fizz" as it corroded and broke down the wood while healing his wounds.

He rubbed his chest, glancing at Vlad: "I forgot [Kazikli Bey] can be used like this..."

The black mud surged around him, forming sinister pitch-black armor that covered his entire body. With a wave of his hand, he took out dozens of swords from [Unlimited Blade Works] and bombarded towards Vlad.

Vlad's expression was tranquil as Heracles roared, shielding him with his body.

The barrage of swords clanged loudly, failing to damage Heracles whatsoever.

Shirou frowned. Heracles' [Twelve Labors] granted immunity to attacks B-rank and below. Although the projections were numerous, their quality wasn't enough to bypass his defense.

Just then, Vlad used [Kazikli Bey] again, attempting to sprout stakes into Shirou from within.

Yet—

"Fizz fizz"

As soon as Vlad moved, the mud corroded it.

Vlad's face was the epitome of astonishment. 

The cursed defenses from the black mud could block most Noble Phantasms, similar to Heracles' [Twelve Labors].

Although it had been pierced by powerful enemies throughout his journey, Vlad's [Kazikli Bey] apparently could not measure up.

"Let me return the favor!"

Shirou took out the Death Scythe, casually slashing through space itself.

With a "shing" the blade stabbed through causality at Vlad.

Not expecting such a reality-warping Noble Phantasm, although Vlad dodged instinctively, a moment's carelessness allowed the scythe to stab his right arm.