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IBHJ Chapter 605
🕑 Added 2023-12-04 00:01:53 +0000 UTCThe Hanging Gardens of Babylon was Semiramis's Noble Phantasm. It was a giant Bounded Field-type Noble Phantasm. Within the Hanging Gardens, Semiramis was akin to the world's master. If she did not open the gates of this bounded field, it would be extremely difficult to break in.
Of course, Noble Phantasms with penetration effects like Mordred's were exceptions.
And Shirou...was another exception!
He used the malice from the black mud to corrode the defenses of the Hanging Gardens, opening up a hole in its barrier.
While Shirou had said before that he possessed ways of destroying and corroding Bounded Field defenses, everyone was still filled with astonishment upon seeing this scene unfold.
Many also wondered to themselves just how many Noble Phantasms Shirou actually had at his disposal.
So far, he had revealed so many noble phantasms, astounding everyone with his vast reserves.
Saber felt that his arsenal could perhaps even rival that of the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh himself.
Jeanne was especially eager to take a look at his stat sheet. However, unfortunately, due to the [All the World's Evil] interfering, Jeanne's [True Name Discernment] was unable to discern his stats and true name.
Using the black mud's malice, Shirou corroded through the Hanging Garden's barriers, opening up a passageway straight into the heart of the Red Faction's base.
With weapons drawn and Shirou leading the charge, they stormed the church where their enemies lay in wait.
...
"Hmm?"
The instant Shirou's group infiltrated the Hanging Garden, Semiramis sensed an abnormality. Her slender, arched eyebrows twitched ever so slightly.
Seeing this, Kotomine couldn't help but ask: "What's wrong, Assassin?"
Frowning, she said: "It seems more rats have broken into my garden. And this time, it's an infestation."
With a wave of her hand, she summoned a full view of the Hanging Garden's interior, using her authority over the bounded field to reveal the intruders.
Seeing this, Kotomine's face was full of astonishment. "The Black Faction...how did they get in? And...and there's Eternal King too! They actually joined forces!"
"It's not surprising. Didn't Karna run into Assassin when he went out to hunt down that woman? Clearly they found out about our situation from Karna and joined forces to break in together. It's nothing unusual," said Semiramis.
"Humph." she raised her smooth chin arrogantly, proud as a white swan, "Since they've broken in, don't think about leaving! It'll be a good lesson for them to know the might of this garden master!"
A light flashed through Semiramis's eyes.
...
The moment Shirou's group entered the Hanging Garden, he felt space warp around him. In an instant, he was transferred elsewhere alone, separated from the others.
He now stood in an ancient castle, with rows of steel armor lining the corridors, resembling a medieval king's palace.
He retrieved a roll of parchment from his clothes. Drawn on it in messy lines was a map copied from the one Mordred had provided. Everyone had their own copy for reference.
Mordred's information was quite detailed. Though lacking illustrations, there were textual descriptions outlining each area.
Scanning it briefly, he quickly determined his location.
"Area 21, huh..."
He stroked his chin.
According to Mordred's map, the Hanging Garden contained 49 total areas - exactly 7 times 7 - relating to the mystical significance of the number 7 in Semiramis's culture.
The ancient Assyrians worshipped seven celestial bodies as gods, believing they governed all aspects of human life. So the number 7 held broad, profound influence.
The Hanging Garden's 7-by-7 layout also drew from this numerological symbolism.
Having determined his location, he surveyed the map to chart his course.
According to Mordred's map info, Semiramis and Kotomine should be in Area 1, the central area.
As for whether Devil's Bodhisattvas existed or not, there were no markings on the map. But if there were Bodhisattvas, they were likely in the central area as well.
However...
To enter the central area, one had to pass through that area first.
The area marked red...
Area 7!
He took a deep breath and turned to leave. But then the suits of armor lining the halls began to rattle and jerk ominously.
"Clank clank clank——"
Though empty inside, the lifeless armors started shambling forward on their own.
if this were a horror movie, ghosts would probably appear about now. But instead, writhing black mud erupted from Shirou, instantly disintegrating the armors into particles that vanished without a trace.
Well...
The opponent's genre was horror while his genre was...
Disaster!
Leaving only scattered piles of metal, he strode on undaunted.
Soon the halls filled with patrolling Dragon Tooth Warriors. But to Shirou, they were mere pests in his path. His advance would not slow for these small fries.
Devouring everything who crossed his way with ruthless efficiency, he cut a direct line towards Area 1, leaving only death and fading motes of mana swirling in his wake.
It was clear Semiramis and Kotomine had discovered the infiltration and mobilized the Hanging Garden's defenses. Unfortunately for them, no matter how many Dragon Tooth Warriors they sent, that just meant more cannon fodder.
And as the Garden's controller, Semiramis likely realized the futility of these small fries. Soon larger magical beasts began emerging from the darkness.
"Rooooaaarrrr——!!!"
A thunderous roar suddenly shook the entire domain, resonating through the whole place. But this wasn't a beast - it was Heracles, bellowing with fighting spirit. Clearly he had encountered some powerful enemy.
Shirou's brows furrowed and he raced towards the earth-shaking sound.
Passing mountains and mist-veiled valleys, he traced the roar to a fetid marsh region.
He was just about to step into the marsh when his eyes suddenly contracted.
Poison gas!
He quickly retracted his foot.
"You heard Berserker's roar too, I assume?" said a dispassionate voice behind him.
He turned to see it was Arjuna. "Since you showed up here, I take it you heard Heracles as well?"
Arjuna nodded. "I arrived before you. I suggest we avoid entering. The gas is too dense - top tier A-rank at least. This area doesn't suit either of us."
Shirou nodded in understanding. A-rank poison was enough to penetrate his mud defenses. Not an ideal battlefield.
"What monsters lurk inside?"
"Hydra and Bašmu," Arjuna replied.
Shirou's eyes widened in surprise. "The Greek monster once killed by Heracles. And one of the eleven demonic beast created by Tiamat?"
"That's right," Arjuna nodded.
"I see, so that's why Heracles appeared here. It must be fate brought about by the Holy Grail."
Suddenly, the barrier around the marsh region shattered like a spiderweb. An enormous, bloodied snake head smashed through, its jaws parted slightly. Dense purple miasma spewed out from within.
Shirou instantly used the black mud to cover his mouth and leaped back, out of reach. Arjuna covered his own mouth and fled as well.
Then an enormous figure leapt out, standing atop the giant snake head - Heracles. His muscular body was hard as stone. Wielding an enormous stone axe, he smashed it down onto the serpent with earth-shaking force.
"Thud, thud, thud......!!!"
The heavy blows sounded like thunder. The snake thrashed violently, but Heracles showed no mercy, relentlessly bludgeoning the creature.
The snake head was smashed into a pulpy mess under Heracles' blows. Stomping atop the ruined serpent, he threw back his head.
"ROOOOOAAAAARRRR!"
The ear-splitting roar was deafening.
Suddenly, the barrier smashed open once more. Several hissing snake heads crashed through, fangs bared as they struck at Heracles.
Roaring, the warrior swept up his axe and attacked the writhing nest of serpents. More violet miasma gushed forth, shrouding the marsh.
"Let's leave this place to the great Greek hero. This is a replay of his myth!"
Shirou nodded, "Alright!"
With a wave of his hand, he bestowed [Mana Burst], [Battle Continuation], and [Wisdom from Desperation] to Heracles before leaving.
However, this time [Wisdom from Desperation] could not dispel Heracles' [Mad Enhancement] as it had for Spartacus. Clearly, apart from the skill, Spartacus' own indomitable will had been the key. After all, it took two Command Spells just to control him.
Shirou and Arjuna departed, leaving Heracles to battle on alone. His roars echoed as he grappled with Hydra and Bašmu, their serpentine bodies coiling and smashing. Eventually his stone axe shattered, but still Heracles fought on, pummeling the beasts with fists even while his steel-like body was mangled and covered in blood.
The legendary warrior had the demonic beast locked in place, and the sight of this feat astonished Kotomine and Semiramis.
"Which Berserker has such power?" wondered Kotomine.
"Let's not concern ourselves with them now," Semiramis replied. "Two enemy Servants are heading this way!"
Kotomine said, "It's time to send out our servants. We'll bury them right here!"
Comments
JeanMartin Freites
Nice to know why Heracles is here.
