Facing the roaring tidal wave of thunder rushing toward him, Achilles clicked his tongue helplessly.
"Tch… no choice then. In that case, I'll use my Noble Phantasm as well!"
Whoosh!
He leapt back, raising his hand. A moment later, a small, silver-gray shield materialized on the back of his hand, conjured from his magical energy. Its surface was ornate, decorated with a cross and angular patterns.
"Ughhh!!"
Planting his spear into the ground, he gripped the shield with both hands and raised it against the incoming tidal wave of thunder. With a fierce shout, magical energy surged around him, gathering in torrents within a few meters of his body.
The shield began to glow faint green, illuminating the sky.
"Achilles Cosmos: The Miniature World Enclosed by the Azure Sky!"
At his cry, a pale-green bounded field spread outward, enveloping the forest around him, including the incoming sea of thunder.
That small silver shield now radiated immense magical power, transforming as it expanded. Within its mirror-like surface, a miniature world appeared.
As Achilles poured in prana, the shield's reflection turned, flipping the mirrored world inside out. The bounded field warped as that miniature world became real, manifesting outward like a fortress wall rising against the thunderous flood.
Zzzzt!
The roaring tide of lightning crashed violently against the 'world,' overwhelming the cities and fortresses within and shattering them without mercy.
"!"
Gritting his teeth, Achilles forced more prana into the shield, rebuilding the miniature world's structures and withstanding another wave of thunder! Again and again, he repeated the process—repairing and reinforcing the world, step by step, to offset the attacks.
"This power is insane… even a defense rivaling Rho Aias can't completely block it in one strike!"
Wiping sweat from his brow, Achilles muttered grimly. Just who was this Saber? He desperately wanted to know her true name—for with it, he might find her weakness. Otherwise, she would become Red's greatest hidden threat.
Perhaps thinking the battle was dragging, the Shogun dispelled the Bury the Thunder. The storm of heavenly lightning subsided after one final wave.
She caught the Engulfing Lightning as it descended from the air, twirling it lightly before her form became lightning itself, vanishing. A flash later, she reappeared at Achilles' side. Still in the rigidity of sustaining his Noble Phantasm, he had no time to react before she slashed upward with her naginata!
"Wha—?!"
Achilles hurriedly shifted his shield into position to block, but it was too late. Lightning strikes thrived on instantaneous bursts!
Zzzzt!
Her blade flared, knocking his shield violently aside, throwing him off balance!
The Shogun followed immediately, gripping her naginata with one hand at its end, swinging with brutal force at his neck!
"Tch!"
Abandoning his shield, Achilles twisted desperately, tilting his body backward at a sharp angle. By sheer effort, he narrowly avoided decapitation!
Vrrrmmm!!
The lightning-wreathed blade slashed past his face at point-blank distance, the crackling of steel and thunder ringing in his ears painfully.
Almost as if she had predicted this, the Shogun shifted her grip fluidly. Twisting her body, kimono swaying, she slashed low at his legs!
Her blade cut cleanly toward his heels!
"!!!"
Achilles' face drained pale. Desperately clutching his spear, he leapt up with a motion resembling a dancer's pole swing, narrowly evading another deadly strike that might have ended him!
The Shogun wasted no words. She stomped forward and struck at his spear's balance point with a sharp kick. Crack! The weapon tilted, throwing Achilles' body into the air.
Zzzzt!
Lightning gathered under the Shogun's feet. Raising her knee, she readied her naginata behind her back, then slammed her kick into Achilles' waist!
Boom!
With a dull impact, his body was sent flying, crashing through a massive tree behind him.
Such unnecessary flashiness. The Shogun shook her head lightly, lowering her elegantly raised leg. In truth, she rarely used her legs in battle, but just now, it had simply been the most convenient option.
Boom, boom!
A series of explosions in the distance drew her attention. She tilted her head slightly, glancing at the clash between Chiron and Atalanta, then shifted her gaze to Frankenstein, who was standing idly by, watching like a bystander.
"Leave this to me."
Her words carried the meaning clearly enough: Berserker was to assist the other side. Understanding, Frankenstein gave a nod, hefted her great hammer, and ran toward Atalanta's position.
The Shogun returned her gaze to Achilles, who was still sprawled on the ground, and let out a soft sigh.
"How long do you intend to lie there?"
That kick had been powerful, but hardly enough to cripple him. Against an ordinary person, however, it would have shattered their waist.
"Ahhh… I can't even take a moment's rest? So strict~"
Achilles emerged once more from the dust, brushing off his dirtied armor with a wry smile.
The Shogun narrowed her violet eyes, silently watching his insouciant demeanor.
"As expected of Saber… No matter your form, you are truly your team's greatest asset. At first, I was dissatisfied seeing you wield a weapon other than a sword. But now… I've changed my opinion."
Achilles sneered faintly.
"A Saber who doesn't use a sword? Heh… right now, I really feel that you—"
Whoosh!
Before he could finish, the Shogun released a slash of lightning several meters high! Like the fin of a shark, the violet blade of thunder tore across the ground toward Achilles, carving a deep scar into the earth as it passed.
"!"
Achilles evaded again.
"Hey… at least let me finish talking!"
"…So noisy."
Her cold reply was all she gave. She hadn't come here to listen to his chatter. And besides—what weapon she chose to wield was none of his concern.
"Tch… so aloof, huh~"
It was exactly as Karna had described. She truly was like a god—detached, unworldly, untouchable.
Achilles smirked no further. Instead, he recalled his spear to hand, and prepared to call forth another Noble Phantasm.
Fwooo~!
With a sharp whistle, magical energy surged from the earth. A grand chariot drawn by three steeds materialized before them, ancient in design yet radiating immense power.
"Oi, woman! Let's see how fast you really are. Dare to race against my chariot?!"
Leaping atop the vehicle, Achilles grinned wildly, shouting down at the Shogun with taunting arrogance.
"Hyah!!"
Boom!
In a dazzling streak of emerald light, the chariot exploded with speed and magical might, soaring into the sky in an instant!