AN: Enjoy the chapter

Ch 18 At the Line

Heroic Knight Tristan vs Agravain

A slash echoes throughout the barren Lands of the North; Itsuki swings his Failnaught. The Cursed Bow slams into Agravain's Axe and Spear, "Ngh!" He growls, pushing the Knight of the Round back to his knees,

However, Agravain slashed Heroic Knight Tristan away. "HA!" He then twisted his Body, tossing his Spear at Tristan,

Itsuki strummed his Bow, green stings caught the Spear mid-air before catching Agravain rushing at him with his Axe, still in hand. He dodged the Attack, seeing the Knight had made the ground crack,

'Damnit, he's fast! He didn't seem to be a fighter,' Itsuki thought, greatly underestimating the Knight who hardly participated in Battles. He landed on the ground, pulling his Bow to release an Arrow of energy.

Agravain raised his Spear, swinging his Axe to block the Arrow. "Is that all you got?" The Saber asked, walking over to the Archer of the Three Heroes. "I heard that you were able to best Archer during the Battle at the Border. That you were in a frenzied state, overpowering him."

Heroic Knight Tristan frowns, aware that he was able to beat Ritsuka's Servant. However, he lacks memories of that fight, all he remembers are bits and pieces of Tristan and the Fairy Princess.

The Archer shook his head, ignoring what Agravain said. "Shut up, I don't need your meaningless words." Heroic Knight Tristan stated, carefully placing his Failnaught to the side, "All that matters is that-"

Agravain felt the strings of Failnaught covering his body, his eyes darted to his arms. He saw green strings entangled by them, unable to budge. "I beat you! Making my way to Fujimaru so that Bitch will come!" Heroic Knight Tristan exclaims, rushing at him.

Mald took Agravain's bondage to his advantage. He raised his Sword, pointing it towards Ritsuka's Aid. "Now's our chance! Attack that Bastard and teach him a lesson for going against the Three Heroes Roundtable!" He ordered the Knights.

The Knights rushed towards the black armored Knight, "Get him!" A Knight exclaims, raising their Swords at him.

Agravain saw all the Human Knights aim right at him. He sighs, seeing how futile their attack is. "How futile," He grips his hands, just as the Knights are about to strike.

The area around him burst into flames, and the Knights who went for the Saber screamed.

Mald was taken aback, not expecting the Enemy would just burst into flames. "W-What the Hell? He just burst into flames," The Heroic Knight Aid Gareth gritted his teeth before hearing some cranking of heavy chains within the Flames.

Itsuki stood up, seeing the flames surrounding Agravain disburse revealing black chains emitting a red hue. "Tch, the Hell is this!?" Heroic Knight Tristan asked, looking at the Servant in the center of the flames and chains.

Agravain stood in the center of his Noble Phantasm, both holding a Spear and long Axe in his hands as Chains circled him. "Tch, stand up you fools! It's just one Person, who cares if he's a Mage, kill him!" The Knight ordered those under his command.

The Knights once again charge for Agravain, however, he saw this coming. "Hmph, how annoying," He raised his Spear, causing the Chains to react.

The Chains hurls straight for the unconscious Knights around him, chaining them up. "My Elite Guard will handle you all,"

All the Knights stopped their advancement, seeing the fallen Knights they worked with rise from the ground. Their armor turned black as the chains wrapped around them tightly.

"W-What is this?" Mald asked, seeing the Knights that were once under their command turn on them.

The Melromarc Knights step back, sensing their former Allies have gained a significant amount of Magical Energy.

Heroic Knight Tristan could tell the regular Knights couldn't handle these Knights Agravain dished out. He turns to the Dragon Knights at the back, awaiting orders. "Dragon Knights, take the others' places!" The green-haired Archer ordered the more powerful Knights.

The eye holes in the Dragon Knights glowed red, their armor creaked before roaring. They all leap toward Agravain's temporary Enforcement Knights, raising their Swords to strike.

Agravain's eyes were glued on the incoming attackers, he held his hands to his temporary Knights. "Go, keep those Knights busy my Elites!" He ordered them.

The Enforcement Knights Agravain created did what he ordered. They ran toward the Dragon Knights, both Knights clashed, each one equal to the other,

Agravain then turns his attention back to Itsuki, about to take a shot at him. He dashed forward, slashing at the Knight of the Roundtable.

"NGH!" Heroic Knight Tristan blocked the strike from the black Knight's Spear before strumming his Failnaught to ensnare his other arm to stop his attack.

"Huh, I guess you're not all brawn after all," Agravain stated, seeing Itsuki leap back, aiming his Bow at him.

The Archer huffs, glaring intensely at the Knight. "Shut up! It doesn't matter what you say!" Itsuki pulls his strings, sending projectiles at the Saber Servant. "Defeating you is all that matters!" He shot a barrage of projectiles at Agravain,

Agravain swats the projectiles away, leaping in the air, and slams both his Weapons on the ground.

Within the flames Agravain set up to protect his master, both Ritsuka were observing the Battle between Agravain and Itsuki's Platoon. He saw that Heroic Knight Aid Gareth picked up the lack of leadership they had. "We need to make them disorganize," He looks at the remaining Knights taking on the Enforcement Knights.

In one corner, he saw the Adventurers who were traveling with Heroic Knight Tristan. The two Party Members were fighting off the Enforcement Knights to an extent, however the one with green hair panics, casting Spells at their former Allies,

"That Girl with the green hair seems to be struggling to keep up with everyone," Ritsuka commented, observing her beyond the flames.

"Um, master, what do you intend to do with her?" Gareth asked, looking at her master. "Shall I capture her for interrogation?" She asked,

Ritsuka shook his head, "No, I'm merely pointing out how out of place she was in the Battle." His attention turns to Mald, having his eyes set on Agravain. "Lancer, you said you want to fight Heroic Knight Aid Gareth?" He asked his Servant.

The armored Servant nodded, ready to participate in the Battle. "Hai! Ready as I ever be, master!" Gareth responded,

"Oi! You three go and-" Mald stops, seeing the Knights that he was about to send were intercepted by the former Knights under their command. "Shit," The Heroic Knight Aid looks around for any available Knights, but they were preoccupied with the other Knights.

His Party members were also busy fending off the Enforcement Knights, Risha was no help. She was useless and weak, always hiding behind Heroic Knight Tristan, "Tch, damnit!" Mald drew his Sword, searching for Heroic Knight Tristan. The Knight then spots him in the corner of his eye.

Agravain thrust his Spear before swinging his Axe at Itsuki.

Itsuki used his Failnaught to deflect the thrust and slash, often strumming his strings to send projectiles.

The Knight Aid of course deflects the projectiles before ordering Chains at the Archer.

Itsuki leaps back, unable to deflect the Chains. He landed on the ground, not noticing that his Bow was emitting a black aura.

Agravain turns toward Heroic Knight Tristan, commanding the Chains to attack.

Mald saw that Agravain had his back turned, giving him the perfect opportunity to attack. "This idiot, I'll end this by attacking him." The Heroic Knight Aid ran towards the Saber,

He was halfway to Agravain when he heard some clanking of armor. Heroic Knight Aid Gareth shifts his eyes to the side, seeing a small Knight running towards him.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" Gareth slams into Mald with her Shield, dragging him forward before swinging him away.

"GAAAAAAHHH!" Mald was flipped back, rolling on the Battlefield. The Knight stopped, using his Sword as a hold from rolling some more.

Mald huffs, glaring up at who attacked him. "How dare-who the Hell do you think you are!?" He demanded of the Person who attacked him. "You must have a death wish if you dare to attack me, Heroic Knight Aid Gareth!"

Gareth stood before the one who stole her name, both her Spear and Shield at the ready. "I am Lancer, a Servant of Chaldea and Knight to my master!" She announced, aiming her Spear at the Human Knight. "You who bares my name, I'll punish you for tarnishing it!"

Heroic Knight Aid Gareth has no idea what this Girl is saying. "What the Hell are you spewing?" He got up, glaring at the Servant. "I'll be the one who'll punish you for your arrogance and attacking a Knight of the Roundtable!" Mald announces,

"You're the one who's arrogant," Gareth got into position, raising both her Shield and Spear. "Alright, here I go!" She rushed forward, her armored boots marching on the ground.

"Damn heretic," Mald growls, advancing towards Gareth, raising his Sword to attack. "I'll show you the might of the Roundtable! HAAAAA!" He yells at her.

Gareth leaps forward, "Sei!" She thrust her Spear at Mald's Sword, shattering it into pieces.

Mald's mouth gaped, seeing his Sword break into a million pieces. "W-Wha…"

"Ei yah!" Gareth then shoved her Shield into Mald, tossing him back from her.

The Knight cried out, feeling the force from Gareth's Shield into him. He once again fell to the ground, rolling over from the force. He coughs, hacking out vomit from the impact. "Y-You heretic," He cursed her out.

Gareth planted her feet in the dirt, stopping herself. "Never underestimate a Shield!" She stated, feeling like she justified all Shielders this World's inhabitants criticized. "You who call yourself, Gareth. You will never live up to that name." She stated.

"Heh," Gareth gave a complex expression, unsure what the Knight who stole her name was laughing.

"W-Why are you laughing? You lost this fight," The Lancer asked, knowing these Humans are prone to anger whenever something doesn't go their way.

Mald looks up, smirking at the Seventh Knight of the Roundtable. "You didn't notice, while you were busy with me. I send a few Knights after Lord Heroic Knight Lancelot's Brother," He stated, informing what happened during their fight.

Gareth felt like an idiot, however, she knew her master could handle himself. "True, master is alone. But he's capable of fending for himself from anything." The Lancer stated, hearing explosions from behind.

"What!?" Heroic Knight Aid Gareth questions, looking at where Ritsuka stood.

Ritsuka slashed his Sword at a Knight after throwing gems at them, leaving a gash across his chest. He swats his Sword off his opponent's blood, glaring at the remaining Knights.

"S-Since when Lord Heroic Knight Lancelot's Brother can fight!?" A Knight asked, stepping back with the others.

"I thought he was a Mage, not a Swordfighter!" Another Knight exclaims, holding his Sword tightly

"Just because I'm a Magus, doesn't mean I can only use Magecraft," Ritsuka stated, raising his hand to shoot some gems he prepared beforehand.

Red gems hurl towards the Knights, exploding at their feet. They all stepped back, greatly underestimated them.

One Knight turns around to the others, issuing an order. "Send in the Dragon Knights! Surely he cannot stand a chance against-" The Knight stopped talking, realizing a looming shadow encroaching from above them. (Insert Fate/Samurai Remnant Archer Theme "Wrapped in Inferno")

"W-What is that?" One Knight asked, seeing a shadow casting over them.

"I-Is that a flying ship!?" A Knight exclaims, looking up at the sky.

The ship was of a foreign design, "That ship resembles the ships from the Island of Q'ten Lo!" A Knight commented, gazing up at the sky. "What is it doing here, and why is it flying!?" He asked,

Mald was thrown back by Gareth's attack after trying to attack her with his broken Sword, he glares at the Knight. "Damnit, you'll pay…" He paused, seeing a flying Chinese ship. "A-A Q'ten Lo vessel!? Here!? And it's flying!?"

Gareth paused, turning her attention to the sky. "Huh, well look at that. It must be a Servant's Noble Phantasm," The Lancer said, knowing flying ships are usually when a Servant is around. She then smiles, realizing what this means. "Does this mean Sir Naofumi did it!?"

Back with Ritsuka, he gazes upward seeing a figure standing at the edge of the ship. "A Rider Servant?" He asked himself, seeing a grey-haired Servant in Chinese robes. "Huh, that Guy there looks familiar…"

Itsuki strums his Failnaught, getting in a few projectiles at Agravain. "Take this!" He strums again, sending even more projectiles.

Agravain merely brushed it off as he dashed at him. Once he was above him, he slashed at him with his Axe only to have him move back. "Damnit, why is this happening!? I'm Heroic Knight Tristan, the strongest of the Three Heroes Roundtable-"

"That name doesn't mean anything," Agravain stated, glaring at the arrogant Pseudo-Servant. "You may inherit Sir Tristan's name, Skills, and Noble Phantasm, but you are far beyond being called Tristan." The Saber stated, holding both his Weapons in his hands.

Agravain was about to attack, however, he noticed that Itsuki's attention wasn't on him. He followed his eyes, seeing the ship arriving in the sky. "Now that's interesting, Sir Naofumi must've succeeded in his negotiations."

Heroic Knight Tristan smirks and quickly notices that Agravain's attention is on the ship. He raised his Bow, aiming it at him. "Dragon Knights! Attack this guy!"

Agravain turns around, seeing some of the Dragon Knights his Enforcement Knights didn't hold down appear. He smiles, realizing this is an opportunity. "A perfect opportunity, if I do say so myself." He said, now engage with the Dragon Knights.

On the ship, Archer of the Red Cliffs stood at the head. His eyes gaze down at the Battlefield below him. "T-This is amazing! We're flying, we're actually flying!" Melty smiles, running to the wooden railing. "I never rode a flying ship before, have you Filo?" The Second Princess asked the Filoial,

Filo nodded her head, enjoying her time with Melty in this experience. "Filo has been on one, Mel-chan. But that was an evil ship!" The feathered Girl told her Friend. "This ship is a good one, Filo can confirm it!" She said, remembering the ship from the First Wave.

"I have to admit, Naofumi-sama, your World's ships are amazing," Raphtalia spoke, it was the first time seeing a ship from Naofumi's World. "Do ships in your World ever fly in the sky?" She asked her master.

"No, it doesn't," Naofumi said, turning to Archer for an explanation. "Oi, Archer, what gives? Since when did Chinese ships ever fly in the sky?" He asked the Servant.

Archer of the Red Cliffs smirks, placing his hand on his side. "They don't, nor any other ships from our World, Lord Iwatani." The grey-haired Servant informed the Shielder. "This is just a small part of my Noble Phantasm, I figured it's the best way to travel where Lord Fujimaru was in record speed instead of going through the rugged terrain."

Naofumi nodded, "First about the time, good call. Second, what do you mean it's a part of your Noble Phantasm?" The Shielder asked the Archer of the Counter Force. "I get those are what makes a Hero from History, but isn't it also something that gives your True Name away to the Enemy?" He asked.

"Not always, Onii-san." Castoria stood next to Raphtalia, answering his question. "This ship we stand on doesn't have a name, it's just a vessel Archer used for his accomplishment in his life." The Lostbelt Servant said,

Archer of the Red Cliffs nodded, confirming what the Child of Prophecy said. "That's right, now that's enough admiring my ship." He looks down, counting the Enemies down below. "I count at least forty or so of the Enemy's Soldiers. Melromarc must be counting fear to subdue the Resistance here," He commented, taking a guess at their strategy.

Naofumi walks forward, looking down at the ground. "Must be it, I see Itsuki is leading this platoon." The Shielder stated before turning his head back. "Well? What do you say, big guy? Ready to show off like you did before?" He asked another Person on board Archer's ship.

"Remember, you dislocated my shoulder during our fight, Berserker," Naofumi stated, unable to fight for a while.

"Heh," Berserker of Einherjar walks up to Naofumi, his arms crossed as his eyes gaze down. "So that's the famous Heroic Knight Tristan…I've been itching to know what fighting a Heroic Knight might feel like."

Naofumi steps away, seeing he does not need to mow down the Enemy. "Then, by all means, go right ahead Berserker." He said, motioning his hand to the ground.

Berserker grins, punching his hands together. "Alright! Heroic Knight Tristan, here I come!" The iron-haired Servant steps forward before running across the ship's deck.

"Heha!" Berserker of Einherjar leaps off the deck, falling from the sky.

Naofumi watches as Berserker plummets to the ground, smirking at him. "And there he goes, man that guy doesn't seem to understand his limits." He committed, rolling back his shoulders from their earlier bout.

"Well, you did slam him against his own Village's wall with your Shielder, Naofumi-sama," Raphtalia commented, still having that fight fresh in her mind.

Castoria nodded, waving her Staff over Naofumi's shoulders "It only solidifies his resolve Berserker wanted to see." She said, casting Healing Spells on her Brother Figure.

On the ground, Berserker of Einherjar landed in front of Ritsuka. His fall caused a crater beneath him, and the Knights were stunned by his entrance.

Ritsuka steps forward, seeing another Servant different from the previous Servant he saw on the ship. He thought that the other Servant was the Resistance Leader they were searching for, "Wait, who are you?" He asked him, never seeing anyone like him before in his Adventures.

"I take it you're the master of Chaldea; the Magus from the Stars?" Berserker asked Ritsuka, seeing the Command Seals on his hands.

"That's right, so you are the one leading the Resistance here?" Ritsuka asked, seeing this guy was the most likely candidate to be a Resistance Leader.

Berserker gave a booming laugh, placing one hand on his Axe handle. "Hahahahaha! That's right, master of Chaldea!" He pulls out his Axe before pulling out the Second one. "The name's Berserker, Berserker of Einherjar! I'm the Leader of the Great Heathen Army here in the North!" He gazes back at Ritsuka, his Command Seals glowed.

Ritsuka looks down at his Command Seals, seeing them react to Berserker. "H-Huh? Wait, did you just-" He looks at Berserker, seeing he already made a Temporary Contract with him.

"That's right, a Temporary Contract. Since we're going to fight Melromarc together as Allies, it's best to get that Servant/master Contract out of the way." The iron-haired Berserker stated, not into those formal introductions.

His attention draws back to the Enemy Soldiers, their stances were trembling from what they witnessed. "From now on, I will be in your care, boss. Now, orders will you?" Berserker asked Ritsuka.

The Magus nodded, holding out his hand. "My orders are simple, push the Enemy back, Berserker!" Ritsuka gave the order to attack.

"All right!" Berserker leaps forward, rushing at the Enemy with his Axe.

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