"Archer, how far is that thing from our position?"
On the other side, the Black Faction had detected the Red Faction approaching with an entire floating territory using front-line familiars. They immediately entered a state of high alert.
Despite knowing the enemy would launch a fierce attack tonight, even Sages like Chiron and Merlin—completely unaware of the existence of the Assyrian Empress Semiramis—had not anticipated such a massive scale.
Even Vlad III, upon witnessing the colossal, ornate aerial fortress bearing down on them through magecraft, had to acknowledge the sheer weight of its presence.
The pressure was arguably no less than when he had fought the Ottoman Empire's army of 150,000 men with only 10,000 soldiers.
Yet, despite the overwhelming pressure, they could not simply allow the enemy to advance unchallenged. Thus, Chiron, the Servant with the best eyesight, assumed the responsibility of observing the enemy's movements.
"Judging by the distance, the enemy does not appear to be advancing further. They have stopped on the opposite side of the plains."
Enhancing his vision with magical energy, Chiron relayed his observations and analysis.
"It seems they intend to make this plain the main battlefield."
"Indeed. The enemy leader does not appear to be a foolish brute."
Following the voice, the Black Lancer, Vlad III, walked out of the room alongside his Master, Darnic, the leader of the Yggdmillennia clan.
Seeing their arrival, Chiron and Fiore bowed respectfully.
"My King."
"Uncle."
"At ease." Vlad III waved a hand, signaling them to relax. "Archer, can you tell me what the enemy soldiers look like and how far they are from us right now?"
As if realizing something, Vlad III frowned deeply while gazing at the massive fortress. Even shrouded in the night, its silhouette was clear, dotted with glowing red lights.
"From their appearance, they seem to be Dragon Tooth Warriors."
Chiron immediately focused his attention on the ground ahead of the Red Faction's fortress.
There, a black tide was surging toward them. Undoubtedly, those were the Red Faction's soldiers and cannon fodder.
Although they looked similar to the Dragon Tooth Warriors summoned by the Mage's Association previously, Chiron acutely observed that their size and bone coloration were larger and darker. He drew a conclusion.
"However, compared to the ones we faced earlier, these Dragon Tooth Warriors are distinctly different in quality. They are superior in both quality and quantity."
Hearing this, Darnic frowned.
"Are these... Dragon Tooth Warriors summoned using Evil Bones? The Mage's Association is truly determined to annihilate us."
In the realm of magecraft, although Evil Bones were relatively common, they were still mystical materials. For the Red Faction to use them for large-scale summoning indicated a severe level of commitment.
"It does not matter, Darnic. There is no need for anxiety."
Vlad III chuckled.
"Although the enemy soldiers are mere skeletal monsters, unfit to demonstrate my terror with iron stakes, if they believe they can invade my territory relying solely on such filth, they are far too overconfident!"
Vlad III turned to Darnic and commanded.
"Go, Darnic. Relay my orders. Summon all the remaining heroes. I shall issue the declaration of war."
"Yes."
Despite feeling slightly displeased by Vlad III's tone, which treated him like a servant, Darnic merely frowned imperceptibly. He retreated with a humble demeanor to assemble all the Servants.
Within a few minutes, excluding the confined Astolfo, the remaining Servants, including Caster Merlin, appeared on the observation deck.
"Hm?"
Vlad III's gaze habitually swept across the faces of each Servant. When he saw a figure entirely cloaked in a black robe standing beside the Black Caster Merlin, he frowned.
Who is this? Since when did I have this person under my command? And why can I not detect the aura emanating from them?
Sensing Vlad III's stare, the hem of the figure's robe fluttered slightly, but they made no other movement.
Vlad III looked at Merlin and asked.
"Caster, you have not yet informed me of the identity of the person you brought."
"Oh my, apologies, my King. It slipped my mind to introduce her."
Hearing the King address her, Merlin, who had enthusiastically run to the railing to gaze at the distant fortress the moment she arrived, finally remembered and turned around with a radiant smile.
For some reason, her deep purple eyes flashed with a red-black glow under the moonlight.
"She is a helper I specifically summoned for this Holy Grail War."
"A helper?"
Vlad III was slightly taken aback, but a thought struck him, and he asked Merlin with anticipation.
"Could it be that this is one of the renowned Knights of the Round Table? A new Servant you summoned as the Sage of Britain?"
"My?"
Before the black-robed figure could react, Merlin froze for a moment. But her eyes quickly shifted as if discovering something amusing, and she smiled brightly.
"Yes, yes! She is one of the Knights of the Round Table, specially summoned by me, Merlin. However, due to special circumstances, she cannot reveal her True Name. The King wouldn't mind, would he?"
"Of course not! Since she is a noble Knight of the Round Table, joining my command to fight for me makes her my warrior, an honored guest. There is naturally no problem with that."
Hearing Merlin confirm his assumption, Vlad III laughed heartily, incredibly pleased.
He had inexplicably felt an aura from this person that both repelled him and felt strangely familiar. After Merlin's explanation, he dismissed it entirely.
At that moment, accompanied by an enthusiastic greeting, Darnic arrived with the imprisoned Astolfo. Thus, the Black Faction's combat power was fully assembled.
"My King, considering the enemy possesses an additional Servant, and we have discarded the combat power of Assassin, I took the liberty of releasing Rider from the dungeon so he may redeem himself in this battle. What do you think?"
Facing Vlad III's gaze, Darnic bowed his head respectfully.
"A timely decision, Darnic."
Being in an excellent mood, Vlad III did not get angry. He praised Darnic, then looked at Astolfo, who still wore a carefree expression.
"Then, Rider. I shall overlook your previous treasonous actions for now. Now, show me the power of the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne."
"Oh! No problem at all!"
Astolfo grinned widely, patting his chest in guarantee.
"Business is business. I have not forgotten that my mission is to fight in this war. Trust me!"
"Excellent."
Vlad III nodded, shifting his gaze to the others.
"Saber, Berserker. You shall charge alongside me this time. Acceptable?"
"Understood, my King."
"Acknowledged."
The Black Saber, Siegfried, and the Black Berserker, Penthesilea, both agreed. As a Dragon-Slaying hero and the Amazon Queen, both excelled at and loved battle. They naturally had no reason to refuse.
"Archer, you shall take command of the homunculus army and provide long-range support."
After instructing the Saber and Berserker, Vlad III looked at Chiron.
"Yes." Chiron accepted the order without surprise.
"As for Caster, I leave the defense of my territory and rear-guard coordination to you. If necessary, I also expect you to assist us in battle with your magecraft."
"My, my. I am truly touched by your trust, my King~"
Merlin smiled like a deranged fanatic. Vlad III automatically ignored her response, turning his gaze to the black-robed figure.
"Finally, the Knight of the Round Table who cannot speak her True Name."
"Although I believe myself to be exceptionally outstanding, I will not force my will upon a noble Knight of the Round Table. Therefore, please act freely and assist me in defeating the barbarians who attempt to lay their hands upon my land."
With that, Vlad III hesitated no longer. Under Astolfo's look of disbelief and defeat, he mounted the demonic horse prepared by Darnic—a steed mixed with Phantasmal Species blood—and pointed his lance at the Dragon Tooth Warriors closing in on them.
"My warriors! No matter how formidable the enemy, even if we are missing a Servant, it is precisely because of the disparity that our thirst for victory burns brighter!"
"The enemy are barbarians! Despicable savages who laugh as they attempt to destroy and invade my territory! Now, follow my iron hooves and launch a fierce assault against them!"
Vlad III snapped the reins, galloping toward the black tide of Dragon Tooth Warriors like a loosed arrow.
Thus, the Great War finally commenced.