Chapter 494: Red and Black Showdown · As Steady as an Old Dog (Patreon)

Noble Phantasms can be classified in various ways: by rank, type, scope of effect, and another category we will discuss now—characteristics.

Based on their characteristics, Noble Phantasms can be divided into two types.

The first type is ordinary Noble Phantasms. When held, they don't reveal much. Only knowing the true name can identify their owner.

The second type has very distinct characteristics, such as Vlad III's "Kazikli Bey" and Artoria's "Excalibur." These Noble Phantasms don't need their true name to be released; just seeing the actual item can reveal their identity.

Indra's Thunder (a common Buddhist artifact, which can be used by heroes with any connection to Buddhism, such as the Lancer-class Raikou, whose Noble Phantasm is the Vajra, the authentic Thunder God's Vajra), Ishtar's Spear (used by many heroes, especially those with divine spears), and the Scepter of the Goddess (staffs with healing powers, though fewer than spears, still exist in considerable numbers, especially among heroes related to divine authority, religion, or faith, who may have staffs blessed by gods or know some healing arts) belong to the first type.

Pegasus Bellerophon and Athena's Shield belong to the second type, with very distinct characteristics. This is why Shinji avoids using Pegasus unless necessary and is cautious with Athena's Shield. Once such Noble Phantasms are exposed, they practically confirm the true name—if not, they lead to strong assumptions. This is why Shinji said what he did.

Hearing this explanation, Fiore and the others accepted Shinji's words but still had a lingering doubt.

"If you're not Perseus but possess his Noble Phantasms, who exactly are you?"

"That... you'll have to wait until we obtain the Holy Grail to find out."

Sorry, Fiore, I really can't say now. Once everything is over, if you still want to know the answer, I'll give you one. I hope you won't be disappointed then.

"Okay, I'll look forward to it."

Fiore didn't see Shinji's expression, her smile pure and beautiful.

"Better not. The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment—"

—I am just a faker, after all, like a certain red-clad Archer.

Shinji sighed and turned his gaze to Caules.

"How are the others?"

Caules replied, "Archer is still alive, Caster..."

"The teacher is fine... but half of the golems have been destroyed, and the rest are damaged to varying degrees. Only those further away and inside the castle are still operational."

Roche was heartbroken over the painstakingly created golems being shattered to pieces. However, he confirmed that the Caster he cared about most was still alive.

Shinji nodded inwardly. If he remembered correctly, the original loss should have been around eighty percent, now reduced to half. The homunculi's combat losses should be smaller than the golems'. Chiron and Astolfo's tactical framework had the golems as the frontline shields, with the homunculi filling in the gaps. This way, most attacks would be absorbed by the golems before reaching the homunculi. The combat loss ratio should be below fifty percent. His efforts hadn't been in vain.

"Saber will be fine."

Gordes's attitude remained as proud as ever.

"The Grand Duke too. What about Rider?"

Standing by the bed, Darnic turned his head to look at Celenike. Astolfo and Shinji had undertaken the task of sending Spartacus to his ascension. Though they left early, by then, Hippogriff had already sustained significant damage, and it was unclear how far it could go.

"Ah, Rider is also fine, but—"

Celenike snapped the whip in her hand, her voice filled with intense resentment and anger.

"...Ah."

Shinji glanced at the projection in front of Celenike, his expression freezing.

Astolfo was seen riding the limping Hippogriff across a completely leveled wasteland, without a single undulation. Hippogriff's wing was broken, and its right forepaw was injured. Fortunately, its master was mostly unharmed, save for a slightly messy hairstyle and some dirt on his face.

This was certainly a relief but not enough to change Shinji's expression, as he was well aware of Hippogriff's true capabilities.

Hippogriff: Otherworldly Phantom Horse

Rank: B+

Type: Anti-Army Noble Phantasm

Range: 2-50

Maximum Target: 100 people

A magical creature born from a griffon and a mare. Its upper body is that of a griffon, and its lower body is that of a horse, making it a "phantasmal beast that should not exist." Its rank is inferior to that of the griffon, a beast from the Age of Gods, but its charge can deliver crushing blows equivalent to A-rank physical attacks. It can fly at speeds of 400 km/h.

However, its true trump card is not its anti-army charge but its hidden ability called "impossible existence." When its true name is released, the hippogriff and its rider fade into a blurred state and vanish from sight, evading all forms of observation and reappearing elsewhere. Even the mightiest attacks, capable of destroying gods and Buddhas, cannot harm it in the slightest.

As its name suggests, the Phantasmal Hippogriff has a very ambiguous existence, and its very existence is unclear. As long as griffons consider horses as prey, the birth of a hippogriff is impossible. Thus, the more its true name is released and its power manifested, the stronger the perception of its "impossible existence" becomes, meaning it transcends this dimension and erases its presence. Since Astolfo, the rider is a physical entity, he pulls the hippogriff back every time it is about to disappear, resulting in a cycle of vanishing and reappearing, making the effect momentary.

It is precisely because of this invincible cheat skill that Shinji dared to have Astolfo block Atalanta's first Noble Phantasm and face the monstrous Spartacus.

Seemingly panicked on the surface, in reality, as steady as an old dog—this is one of the reasons why Astolfo, despite being known as "weak," stands alongside powerful figures like Roland and Rinaldo among the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne and remains a historical legend.

The secret of the hippogriff is known only to Shinji and Astolfo. Others, including Celenike, are unaware. However, Celenike's anger does not stem from not knowing, as she never asked, and Astolfo's personality wouldn't lead him to disclose it voluntarily. She is angry because of the person riding behind Astolfo on the hippogriff.

With short, dark beige hair, ruby-like eyes, and a finely crafted artificial appearance, it is clear he is a homunculus.

His attire, different from the Yggdmillennia family, indicates he does not live in the Millennia Castle. Coupled with Astolfo's affectionate attitude, the answer is evident.

At this moment, Shinji's mind repeatedly asks one question: "Why is Sieg there?"