[FDJ]Chapter 141: Servant Profile: Richard I (Saber) (Patreon)

[FDJ]Chapter 140: The Hidden Saber

Eleanor followed the flow of the underground leyline, steering the chariot towards her son, Richard. As they approached the fourth extraction point, she was unaware that another Servant had just been defeated.

The first to notice something amiss was Aphaf. Her Mystic Eyes sharply caught a flash of gold in the west. Both she and Don Quixote realized that Eleanor had deviated from the route to Tiberias, but Aphaf was more concerned with the unusual light and questioned Eleanor about it.

"Just now, there was a golden light in the west. Have we deviated from the route to Tiberias?"

"Young lady, the target you're looking for is not in the city, so the route is correct. As for the light?"

Eleanor glanced towards the west where Aphaf had indicated, but with her vision, she couldn't see anything unusual. However, she vaguely noticed a red cloak—Archer was not far off.

Suzuki casually asked, "Could there be a battle happening over there?"

"We'll know soon enough."

Rider Eleanor sped up the chariot. Indeed, it wasn't long before Suzuki saw a red dot appear in front of the chariot, rapidly growing larger until it formed a human shape.

Archer stood on high ground with his bow, watching the chariot approach. He symbolically shot two arrows, forcing the chariot to a halt. "Regrettably, my Master does not wish to engage in battle with you at this time."

Following Archer's vantage point, Suzuki saw a young knight in light armor standing on the shaded side of the slope—Richard.

The Holy Grail and the box in his hand emitted the same golden light.

Richard saw his mother, now a Servant, arriving in the chariot before him. He said nothing and made no gestures, only signaling his Servant to approach.

Suzuki noticed two local snakes quickly slithering away on the sand, not fixated on them as before.

"Damn it, the markers in the camp have also failed," Richard grumbled, raising the Holy Grail.

Archer remained vigilant towards Suzuki and the others, not relaxing his bowstring.

"Master, directly locate the True Cross."

"Alright, that thing still exists. More reliable than Caster," Richard said, ignoring the other two Master-Servant pairs that had arrived. He was only concerned with his affairs, uninterested in playing the Holy Grail War game at this moment.

But as he raised the Holy Grail again, he and Archer remained in place.

"What's going on!"

Richard angrily lowered his hand, his eyes scanning his mother and Don Quixote.

Anxiety and the unknown failure fueled his anger, but he was certain his mother would not interfere, and the old knight Servant couldn't possibly disrupt his plans.

Richard then scrutinized Aphaf and Suzuki. One was an outstanding magus, but still human, and the other he directly ignored.

"It doesn't make sense, why can't we teleport to the True Cross's location?"

Richard muttered, warily looking around.

It was as if someone had opened a door; everyone present heard the sound of a door opening.

Aphaf immediately screamed, frantically covering her eyes, and quickly donned heavy armor to cover her entire body.

All natural sounds abruptly ceased—the scream, the door opening, the wind lifting the sand—all fell silent.

Richard heard chaotic whispers again, and as he looked up, a cross radiating holy light descended from the sky, crashing in front of him.

Fortunately, he stepped back a pace, getting hit only by scattered wood fragments and not the full impact.

"Archer, hold the box and protect..."

Richard commanded before drawing his sword and looking up at the portal created by imaginary number magecraft. Although the portal wasn't as large as the one Aphaf had accidentally opened last time, it was still awe-inspiring for Richard, Suzuki, and the others, especially those who had witnessed the mass descent of the Outer God's avatars.

"In the name of the Command Spell, Rider King Baldwin I, come to my side immediately and face the avatar of the Outer God."

Richard used one of his remaining twelve Command Spells, issuing the most appropriate order.

At the same moment, Suzuki did the right thing by reaching into his pouch and holding the Jupiter talisman mirror to his chest. Both he and Richard overlooked a crucial detail, but it had no bearing on their confrontation with the Outer God's avatar.

"Master, hold on tight!"

Eleanor urged, not caring whether the two others in the chariot were secure. A quick glance confirmed that Suzuki was still holding onto the chariot's rope, and she promptly urged the magic-formed horses to flee in another direction.

But as the chariot turned, the rope Suzuki was holding suddenly snapped. Everything happened so suddenly that before he could react, he was thrown from the chariot by the momentum, still clutching the rope.

Rolling several times, he crashed onto the sand-covered wasteland. Relying on sheer willpower, he managed to keep hold of the copper mirror with his other hand.

Lying on his back, Suzuki had a clear view of the sky, which was now filled with bubbles. Despite holding the copper mirror, he was paralyzed by the overwhelming whispers and madness that swept over him, unable even to cry out for help.

"You've gone too far, young lady!"

Eleanor halted the chariot and leaped off, running towards her Master.

"I didn't... Vivar, why did you cut the rope?"

Aphafwas at a loss, having come to her senses after donning her armor. She was certain she had never ordered her Servant to cut the rope tied to their companion.

Don Quixote, who had also jumped off the chariot, did not directly respond to his Master.

"The real Holy Grail War begins now. My Master's initial orders remain valid."

Eleanor was the first to lift Suzuki from the ground. Still shaken, he saw that the bubbles in the sky had formed a circular barrier, enclosing the entire area under its control.

It was clear that the enemy's goal was to prevent a certain, not truly powerful yet magically significant artifact from leaving this place.

The first wave of descending bubbles all reflected a knight holding the Holy Grail, whose allure far surpassed that of human magus and Servants.

Countless flashes enveloped Richard and Baldwin I, who had arrived via Command Spell.

Richard quickly used another Command Spell, reducing his count to ten.

"In the name of the Command Spell, Rider Baldwin I, reinforce your defenses with faith."

After the first wave of attacks, Rider Baldwin I stood unscathed. He then raised the pseudo-Holy Lance in his hand, releasing its Noble Phantasm.

Spear of Longinus.

Even though it was a fake, the holy power still penetrated through a row of bubble monsters in the sky. Baldwin I's chariot was also summoned simultaneously, and in an instant, holy light descended around him, as if a complete army had gathered behind him. Despite being alone, he exuded the grandeur of the mightiest army on earth.

Unlike Eleanor's luxurious horse-drawn chariot, Baldwin I's chariot had no superfluous summons; it was a true anti-army Noble Phantasm meant for war.

The first wave of descending bubbles was easily dispersed by Baldwin I's chariot, the holy light crushing all the bubbles it touched like rolling wheels.

Suzuki didn't just focus on the enemy Rider charging at the front; he also saw Richard standing in place with only a few pieces of his armor shattered, seemingly unaffected by the light and heat the monsters had just emitted.

As their eyes met, Richard turned his head disdainfully and absorbed the Holy Grail back into his body.

Piercing the enemy lines once, Baldwin I saw more bubble monsters descending. He then turned and released the true name of his chariot.

"Warriors fighting for the Lord, the glory of the Cross never ceases! In the name of the Holy City, I proclaim—The Endless Crusades!"

The holy light followed the chariot's rapid direction, crushing everything within its range. When the light subsided, all the bubble monsters on the ground were obliterated, leaving only the chariot representing the Crusades and the king atop it, temporarily slowing down to turn around.

Rider Baldwin I, with ample mana, was fully capable of continuously using his Noble Phantasm, causing the descending bubble monsters to vanish as quickly as they appeared.

Though not as powerful as his brother's extraordinary Noble Phantasm, Baldwin I still possessed personal honor, being the first King of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, embodying the glorious deeds of the first Crusaders.

Richard remained standing, ignoring the fact that the bubble monsters had landed only about 10 meters away, and ordered the Archer who had leaped to a high vantage point.

"Archer, use your Noble Phantasm to attack the sky!"

Without the Master needing to say more, Tristan seized the opportunity and fired an invisible arrow towards the sky.

"Song of my pain and sound of my grief. Failnaught!"

In an instant, seven consecutive shots pierced through the bubble monsters with invisible vacuum blades, with six hitting the magical "gate" in the sky, shattering the imaginary number projection. The seventh arrow struck the massive bubble conglomerate revealed behind the "gate."

With a loud explosion, a gap was blown open in the bubble mass behind the "gate."

Watching the Noble Phantasm assaults of the two Servants, Suzuki couldn't help but think of assisting Richard's two subordinates. He felt admiration and respect for any Servant who displayed their heroic splendor through their Noble Phantasms. Now, the countless bubbles in the sky had formed a barrier, enclosing the entire area within its control. To escape, they would undoubtedly need the help of the Servants.

His Servant, Eleanor, was intently watching Richard, who was commanding the battle. To her, her son Richard was the most dazzling hero at that moment, far outshining the Noble Phantasms of the two other Servants. Suzuki dared not suggest leaving at this moment, so he decided to support Eleanor instead, regardless of whether it would deplete Richard's strength.

"Go help your son; he needs you."

Eleanor did not thank her Master for his generosity. She merely extended her hand towards Richard, using her unique support ability. Everyone present felt their condition improve significantly, and the whispers in their ears that affected their concentration diminished greatly. Richard received a boost from the hero-enhancing ability.

Without expressing gratitude, Richard raised his sword above his head and swung it at the fully exposed bubble cluster in the sky. The seemingly ordinary sword shone as brightly as the Noble Phantasms of the two previous Servants!

Suddenly, Suzuki saw the information unique to Servants—Class: Saber.

"---Excalibur!"

===========================================================================

True Name: Richard I

Profile: Richard I, the great king of medieval England, was known for his bold and lion-like bravery, earning him the title "Lionheart." He ascended the throne in 1189 and reigned until his death in 1199, a mere ten years. Yet, within that short decade, Richard I created countless legends. It is said that he spent his entire life on horseback. During his ten-year reign, Richard I spent only six months in England. From the moment he ascended the throne, Richard displayed his lion-like ambition. He led his army in the Third Crusade to conquer the holy city of Jerusalem, engaging in a fierce contest with his formidable adversary, Saladin, in the Middle East.

During the war, Richard's horse fell, and Saladin sent him two fine horses. Richard, deeply moved, accepted the horses and personally led the charge, participating in the battle with unmatched vigor, ultimately achieving a glorious victory. After the Battle of Jaffa, both Richard and Saladin fell ill. Saladin sent fruit and a doctor to Richard. Both understood that the other was their greatest rival, yet they also held mutual respect for each other. However, the war could not continue, so Richard and Saladin agreed to a three-year truce. Richard vowed to return to conquer the Holy Land, and Saladin accepted the challenge, replying that he could not imagine another monarch more likely to seize his empire than Richard.

On his way back to England, Richard I was captured by the Holy Roman Empire and imprisoned in a mountain castle for a year and a half. Meanwhile, back in his own country, his brother, John Lackland, conspired with Philip II of France to rebel. Despite this critical situation, the people of England stood firmly by their proud monarch and knight, Richard, ignoring John's rebellion. After raising a huge ransom with the nation's wealth, Richard finally returned to his homeland.

Soon after his return, Richard once again embarked on campaigns, continually fighting for the Plantagenet dynasty. He defended borders and expanded territories until he was mortally wounded by an arrow. Richard maintained his resolve and chivalric spirit until his last breath, spending his final ten days in England and passing away in his mother's arms.

In this Holy Grail War, the 20-year-old Richard summoned himself, becoming the first Servant to appear.

Class: Saber

Origin: European History

Region: Europe

Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Gender: Male

Height: 178 cm

Weight: 66 kg

Armament: Light knight armor, sword

Summoning Catalyst: Himself (all attributes enhanced except luck, regardless of the Holy Grail's blessing)

Abilities Parameters:

Strength: A

Endurance: A

Agility: A~A++

Mana: A

Luck: C

Noble Phantasm: A+

Class Skills

Magic Resistance: A

Richard I possesses Magic Resistance that nullifies magic circles and high-level magecraft. Any magecraft below A rank will be ineffective. He can resist high-level control abilities (including but not limited to one Command Spell) due to his Magic Resistance.

Riding: A

He has the ability to skillfully handle various mounts but cannot control Phantasmal Beasts and Divine Beasts. Owing to the Holy Grail, he can achieve teleportation, making this ability somewhat redundant.

Holy Grail's Blessing: -

Having received the Holy Grail's recognition, he can slightly alter the Holy Grail War system rules. Richard I, with the Grail's acknowledgment, becomes the Master of all seven standard Servants. Due to his location in the Holy City, he forces the Grail to disallow the summoning of Ruler-class Servants and gains the Grail's recognition as its master. Possessing this skill signifies that he has already won the Holy Grail War.

Personal Skills

Godspeed: A

Displays lightning-fast marching speed. As the battle progresses, Richard's Agility increases, potentially reaching up to A++ rank. However, to conceal his Servant identity, he deliberately refrains from using this easily revealing ability.

Excellence in Many Fields: A

A weakened version of Emperor's Privilege. Richard I exhibits exceptional talent across various domains such as martial arts, arts, emotional intelligence, eloquence, and charm. Anything he was fond of during his life is at least at B rank. Even when encountering something for the first time, he can quickly and proficiently master it. Richard can achieve a high human level in magecraft within a short period.

Lionheart: A+

Embodies the courage of the Lionheart King, transforming fearless bravery into a skill. It can instill vigilance and fear in enemies while boosting the morale of allies.

Noble Phantasm:

Sword of Forever Distant Victory (Excalibur)

Rank: C

Type:

Range:99

Maximum Target: 1000 people

Due to Richard I's extreme admiration for King Arthur, he has sublimated everything he lays his hands on into a Noble Phantasm akin to Excalibur. This Noble Phantasm is like a fusion of Lancelot's "Knight of Owner" and Arthur's "Sword of Promised Victory (Excalibur)."

As long as it is something Richard I holds, be it a weapon, tableware, or even a branch picked up from the roadside, he can release a beam of light akin to the Sword of Promised Victory for a ranged attack.

While its power naturally does not compare to the true "Sword of Forever Distant Victory (Excalibur)," it remains significantly threatening. The drawback is that if the item used to release the light beam is too fragile, it will disintegrate after a single use in Richard I's hands.

Rounds of Leonhart

Rank: A (Sealed)

Type: Anti-Army Noble Phantasm

Range: —

Maximum Target: —

Originally, this unique Noble Phantasm could summon seven companions from his lifetime to fight alongside him. However, Richard I, having altered the rules of the Holy Grail War, embedded this Noble Phantasm within it, thereby illicitly gaining control over all seven standard Servant classes. Consequently, this Noble Phantasm is sealed and can no longer be used.

The Servants illicitly summoned through this Noble Phantasm are Berserker Godfrey, Rider Baldwin I, Archer Tristan, Lancer Baldwin IV, Caster Asclepius, Assassin Jane Grey, and the first summoned, Saber Richard I himself.