Section 9: Tactician of the East and the Courageous General of the West - Before

Are you ready? We're going to make our way into the castle from this cliff.

Now that they've rushed to fortify the castle, this back way is the only place that's still open to us.

？！

Don't worry, you don't have to be a Servant to do this. You just need to psych yourself up.

Even the soldiers in that boy Iskandar's army weren't afraid towell, no, I suppose some of them were.

This reminds me of Lord Yoshitsune's Hiyodorigoe maneuver.

Oho, so you had someone in your country attempt something similar once? Now I really wish we could have extended our empire to your land.

Anyone obsessed enough with battle is quick to come up with this kinda idea. In my nation, Lord Yoshitsune is one of those heroes every kid knows about.

I see. Your land lies far to the east, yes? Even farther than where we were forced to give up.

Between your country, Taigong Wang's country, and all the other nations out there, I don't think I'll ever stop being surprised by how big this world truly is.

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All right, it sounds like Taigong Wang's near the castle gate. If we enter now, we should have a straight shot to the throne room.

Even if we can't get the Tear of the Holy Grail right away, having the advantage of making the first move is always good.

Okay, enough small talk. Are you ready, Master!?

？！

Gimme your hand!

We've got this! I can see the castle's tower now!

Hm?

My, oh my. You actually did come this way.

？！

He may be an absolute dunce of a tactician, but he does have an eye for strategy. I suppose this is what they mean about not showing your hand too soon.

Of course, that sort of cunning is irritating in its own right. Don't you agree, Nezha?

Agreed. Taigong Wang. Surprisingly. Mean-spirited. But. He does know. His stuff.

So he sent you here!?

Oh yes. Much as I hate to admit it, he IS the lord of our castle, so we have to do what he says.

Though only until I can take my leave with suitable payment in the form of the Holy Grail, of course.

Anyway, now that you've kindly gathered yourselves in one place for me, you should make a lovely meal for my adorable pets.

Yikes! What kind of monsters are those!?

I've got your back!

Oh, what an adorable little peashooter you have there. I'm sure the other me would love to take you on.

Unfortunately for you, you've got my more...animalistic self to contend with.

And if there's one thing I won't stand for, it's firing a gun at my darling animals.

Wh-what're you going to do now!? You can't possibly take shelter while you're sliding down a cliffside!

Even if you make it to the bottom, you'll still have Nezha to deal with! The way things are going...

The longer they drag this out, the worse it will get! If Taigong Wang joins the fight, they'll be completely outmatched!

So, they did come from the cliff.

I suppose I needn't have bothered guarding the gate myself.

Guess I'll make my way over there no

Hm? What was that?

I had a suspicion you would see through my strategy, as you ARE one of the greatest tacticians of the East.

So I made some...adjustments.

Unidentified impact. Confirmed.

It sounds like something's charging the ramparts!

Ooh! I didn't think you still had a Servant capable of this kind of attack!

...No, wait. This is

You know how our castles are so close they're practically connected, right?

Now that Master's the lord of our castle, we were able to tinker with its structure to lead it your way.

I guess you didn't have one of them in yours!

？！

...! (Oh my, what a fine looking specimen! I hope I remembered my scouting equipment!)

Now!

A Morph spell!? ...No. It's not!

An illusion? ...No, it's not that either!

This is the Light of Atlas!

Aah! My darling animals!

Such incredible destructive force! So this is the Library of Alexandria's

(That wasn't just sheer force!)

(It seemed like he could tell where and how the animals would try to avoid the attack.)

(Is that one of the library's features? Or could it be)

Go, Dreadnought! Don't hold back! Destroy everything in your path!

The shadow knights, too!? This is worse than I thought!

I can't let that monster rampage through the castle! I'll handle it!

Nezha, Lady Koyanskaya, you two take care of Ptolemaîos's team!

Why can't I be the one to deal with that beast!?

All right, you, you're coming with me!

Taigong Wang. Has left. He really. Is a. Hopeless. Deadbeat.

All right, Master! NOW we go on the offensive!