As Shirou kept unleashing Lord Camelot to block the black obsidian arrows raining down from the sky, he raised his other hand and clenched his fist.
Within the brilliant, almost blinding white light that was filled to the brim with swirling, raw mana, one faint but distinct life force signature after another gradually began to emerge, as if crossing through eons and cycles of reincarnation across the vast expanse of space and time. Their records gradually intertwined and merged with the flowing currents of mana, steadily forming and solidifying into one distinctive Saint Graph after another, slowly but surely materializing as distinct humanoid forms amidst the radiant white light.
"They're here!" some soldiers cried out in delight.
"We've been waiting for you!"
The white light wavered, and thousands of humanoid figures emerged from within, revealing a densely packed army of soldiers.
Some of the soldiers couldn't contain their excitement, calling out to one of the figures in the light, "Long time no see, brother!"
"Long time no see," the soldier figure responded.
"It's been way too long!"
Suddenly, a horse's whinny rang out, seeming to serve as a signal. More deafening whinnies followed in quick succession. The soldiers settled down, and those in the white light calmed themselves as well.
Then, a stern-faced youth, clad in pale silver armor and wielding the legendary weapons - the demonic spear Gae Bolg and the sword Excalibur Galatine at his waist - slowly rode out from the white light astride a magnificent warhorse.
The stern-faced youth wasn't alone. Two other youths, equally resolute and clad in pale silver armor, with sharp eyes and wielding Gae Bolgs and Galatines of their own, rode out on splendid warhorses.
The three youths trotted their horses to Shirou's side and spoke in firm voices, "War is upon us. Forgive our lack of courtesy, my king."
Shirou turned to look at the three youths and gave a slight nod. "War is indeed upon us. There's no need for courtesy."
The three youths thanked Shirou for his understanding. The first to emerge took his Gae Bolg and planted it in the ground beside him. He then stood up in his saddle, raising his hand, which began to emit a faint glow that grew brighter by the second. Suddenly, a massive, imposing crimson dragon banner materialized, prominently marked with the striking number "9" emblazoned upon it, fluttering majestically in the wind.
Waving the banner, Percival shouted, "The Round Table Cavalry Corps has arrived! The 9th Legion, take your positions and prepare for battle!"
Several thousand soldiers emerged in an orderly fashion from the white light, shouting war cries as they took up positions behind him.
The other two youths then raised their spears on horseback, summoning their own crimson dragon banners and loudly declaring:
"The Round Table Cavalry Corps has arrived! The 17th Legion, take your positions and prepare for battle!"
"The Round Table Cavalry Corps has arrived! The 19th Legion, take your positions and prepare for battle!"
The soldiers responded with fervor, "Sir Dagonet!" "Sir Percival!"
The soldiers shouted loudly, flushed with excitement, yet still maintaining their formation as they emerged from the light and rallied to their respective generals, quickly forming three army group formations.
In a matter of moments, the troops had assembled, banners blotting out the sky and soldiers spreading across the land. Their thunderous shouts shattered the heavens.
Shirou watched this scene with surging passion, memories of his glorious days flashing through his mind. The sight filled him with soaring spirit, but also profound melancholy. He had thought he would never see them again, let alone fight beside them once more.
After all, his own mana was often insufficient, not enough to summon them. But this time, at this Connection Point, with the help of the Council and the black dragon Niddhog, he had enough mana to indulge - even summon all those like-minded comrades who had once fought alongside him!
The soldiers cheered loudly for the king who had once brought them glory and honor, their voices rallied by their generals. The noise was deafening.
Suddenly, a hand grasped the hanging shield in the sky that projected the shimmering castle, slipping it onto its own arm.
A youth in pale silver armor, astride a magnificent steed, took up position in the glowing castle.
The soldiers turned to look - it was Galahad!
"It's the Third Majesty!"
"He's here too!"
The soldiers' passion surged even higher, their eyes burning with excitement. To be summoned by the beloved king they had pledged their lives to serve, reunited in this foreign land of snow to once again fight under the generals and knights they had revered in life - words couldn't describe their elation and excitement.
"The Round Table Cavalry Corps, take your positions and prepare for battle!!" Galahad shouted, raising his shield and sword high in the air.
The soldiers roared in response, their thunderous voices shaking heaven and earth. The explosive force of their spirit blossomed across the endless expanse of snow, driving away the frigid sky and revealing clear, bright skies above.
...
"I see, so it's a leader-type Heroic Spirit. That must be the Human King from Pan Human History," the general replied, studying the army before him. "Judging by the imposing aura of that human army, it's likely a Human King with tremendous leadership ability. However, there's nothing to be concerned about. In heaven and earth, there is only one true great king - our magnificent king, Surtr!"
Standing beside the walls, the general waved his massive hand in a sweeping gesture, his fingers pointing directly at Shirou and the others as he shouted his command, his voice booming across the field like a thunderclap.
As soon as the last word left the general's lips, the fire giants forming the shield walls with their obsidian shields instantly switched formations, taking on combat stances. Each held an obsidian shield in one hand while drawing a fire sword with the other, pounding them against their shields.
The rhythmic clanging of metal on metal in unison created a resounding, heroic song. "Muspelheim! Muspelheim!" The fire giants used their shields as drums and swords as instruments, shouting at the top of their lungs in perfect unison. The thunderous sound was as deafening as ten thousand galloping horses.
The word they chanted, "Muspelheim," seemed to carry a magical power. They gazed ahead with resolute eyes full of faith, not like savage giants but devout believers. They slowly advanced, like a massive mountain descending upon the earth.
The sight was both awe-inspiring and utterly terrifying, the sheer weight of the giants' presence sending shockwaves through the air that seemed to ripple outward, washing over Shirou and his army like a physical force.
Shirou looked at the advancing giants and said in a deep voice, "Tear them apart!"
As soon as he gave the command, Galahad leapt off his horse and slammed his great shield deep into the ground, propping it upright as he shouted in a fierce voice, "For the king!"
"For the king!" The three cavalry corps roared, echoing Galahad's battle cry as they dug their heels into the flanks of their warhorses, spurring them forward to lead the army, numbering in the tens of thousands, into a seven-sided formation that used Galahad's Lord Camelot as the central point of their defense. Five fronts of close-combat infantry, their weapons at the ready, formed a protective perimeter around the castle, while the magi, archers, and siege engineers within the army took up positions in two additional lines of defense within the castle walls, prepared to rain down destruction on any hostiles that dared to breach their defenses.
Seeing the army arrayed for battle, Galahad turned to face Shirou who stood at the very heart of the castle, "My king, please bestow your mighty power upon us!"
Shirou nodded, then slowly extended his hand towards him.
...
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