Chapter 18: Merlin's Arrival!
"Hold the line, hold it now!"
"Launch a counterattack immediately! Don't let these Magical Beasts keep pushing forward!"
"Attack!"
"Kill them!"
On the Northern Wall, the soldiers drenched in blood gripped their weapons one by one, using every ounce of strength they had to maintain their defensive line.
At the front, countless Magical Beasts continued to gather and charge forward without pause. Their numbers stretched so far that even the end of the swarm couldn't be seen. The sight alone was enough to fill anyone with fear.
Three days had passed.
And throughout those three days, Akira had remained on the Northern Wall.
He hadn't left even once, nor had he returned to the city of Uruk.
From Leonidas, Akira had received a clear answer: defending the Northern Wall was their primary duty.
Unless there was something truly important, or unless King Gilgamesh personally issued an order, they were not permitted to return.
Previously, the reason they had returned to Uruk at night was because of Akira's presence. After all, this place was the "Absolute Frontline Babylonia."
In truth, Akira could easily summon Shadow Soldiers to wipe out these Magical Beasts.
However, Leonidas had refused.
The reason he gave was simple: a true soldier must be tempered in blood and iron, not born and raised in comfort. Uruk was currently facing a massive crisis, and no one could afford to grow complacent.
Of course, that didn't mean he forbade Akira from summoning Shadow Soldiers to fight.
This was a battlefield. Leonidas had no wish to see his soldiers die either.
He merely wanted that, within a controllable limit, the soldiers themselves would continue fighting while minimizing casualties as much as possible.
On the battlefield now, towering figures known as Leech Shadows stood one after another.
Their massive forms looked like monsters themselves.
The shadows of Magical Beasts were the finest nourishment for the Leech Shadows.
And through the constant devouring of those shadows, the Leech Shadows continued to evolve, steadily growing stronger.
Within the defensive line, hidden amidst the clashes between soldiers and Magical Beasts, Squid Shadows remained on silent standby.
The moment a crisis appeared, they would move at once to protect the soldiers as much as possible.
Meanwhile, across the battlefield, every Magical Beast that fell was dragged one by one into the Shadow Realm by Ninja Shadows.
Since Akira had already discovered that absorbing magical power could increase inheritance levels, there was no way he would let these Magical Beasts go to waste.
No matter how small they were, they were still meat.
And their numbers weren't small either. They kept coming endlessly.
"My deepest thanks, Lord Akira."
As Akira sat atop the defensive wall, looking down and overseeing everything, Leonidas had appeared beside him at some point without him noticing.
"What is it, Leonidas? Do you actually have free time now, enough to come chat with me?"
The King of Sparta was an extremely busy figure on the Northern Wall.
Fighting, patrolling, handling matters big and small—if any emergency arose anywhere, he was the one who had to respond.
Before Shin Akira arrived, the entire Northern Wall had essentially been supported by him alone.
"I came to thank you. In these three days, the total casualties across the Northern Wall have been fewer than thirty, and only one soldier has fallen. All of this is thanks to you."
"Don't say that. I'm just doing what I can."
"No. You are a visitor from a foreign land. In truth, none of this has anything to do with you. Yet you still chose to help us. That is a debt. A Spartan never forgets a debt."
"Don't misunderstand, Leonidas. I'm guarding the Northern Wall not for your sake, but because I have my own goals."
"I know. Seeking benefits and avoiding losses is human nature. Especially for someone as strong as you. Without gain, it would be impossible for you to move."
"They say Spartans only think with their muscles. Looks like that's complete nonsense. Just look at you—you're pretty sharp."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Leonidas smiled as he said that to Akira.
With a personality as straightforward and relaxed as his, he was someone who could easily get along with others.
Even Akira was no exception.
Toward this man, Akira truly found it impossible to feel any dislike.
A hero acknowledged by the world and elevated into a Heroic Spirit.
"Hello there..."
At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out—light and casual.
Akira and Leonidas both turned toward the sound at the same time.
Then they saw a white-haired man walking over, holding a rather peculiar-looking staff.
The moment he saw who it was, Akira frowned slightly.
Because he recognized him.
Merlin.
A man so "annoying" it reached an extreme level.
A being with mixed blood—half human, half nightmare.
The former court mage of Britain.
The guide and mentor of King Arthur.
A magus possessing qualifications at the Grand level.
And yet, toward this man, Akira had absolutely no good impression.
Don't be fooled by how he appears in anime or by certain worldviews that paint him as if he stands on the side of justice.
At his core, this man had no concept of "good" or "evil."
Because he wasn't human.
Half of his blood was that of a nightmare.
He was a being without human emotions.
All the feelings he displayed on the surface were merely "masks" he chose to wear.
He was a creature that lived by attaching himself to the human race.
The tragedies that befell King Arthur—Artoria—across countless timelines in the Fate universe were, in essence, largely the result of his actions.
That so-called notion that "King Arthur did not understand the hearts of humans."
Asking a nightmare—one that lacks human emotion—to teach a human how to become a king?
It sounded nothing more than a fairy tale.
"Merlin, why have you come?"
Leonidas appeared somewhat surprised to see him, but showed no displeasure.
After all, both of them were Servants summoned by Gilgamesh using the Holy Grail of Uruk.
He himself had become the general guarding the Northern Wall, while the other served as the court magus.
"Well, I was sent by the King too."
"Did King Gilgamesh issue an order?"
"Something like that. Over the past few days, the clay tablet reports sent back to Uruk—both regarding casualties and battle results—have been very impressive. Because of that, the King asked me to come and conduct an inspection."
"I see. But you may rest assured. These are not false reports, but simple facts. With Lord Akira's arrival, the Northern Wall has become as solid as a fortress of steel. The pressure from the Magical Beasts' assaults has been greatly reduced."
"Is that so? Then you must be Shin Akira-san. I've heard the King and Lady Siduri mention your name quite often."
Merlin's gaze shifted toward Akira.
Though his expression appeared gentle, Akira could clearly feel that this man held absolutely no goodwill toward him.
Merlin was truly… "annoying."
Across countless timelines, who knew how many people, after interacting with him, had ended up wanting to tear him into tiny pieces.
"Just a nobody. Not worth mentioning."
Akira answered flatly.
Toward this man, he had no intention of showing a friendly face.
This was the type who would climb right over your head the moment you gave him an inch.
And sooner or later, he would definitely set a trap for you.
When it came to someone like this, Akira believed that keeping his distance was the wisest choice.
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