The chaotic, disorderly strikes of spear shadows and sword flashes formed a large net of blades and spikes, encompassing Beowulf's entire body.
Facing these moves that were much faster than just now, Beowulf gave up thinking, entrusting his everything to his body's combat instinct and intuition.
Strength and magical energy all over his body erupted in an instant. The two large weapons in his hands were swung to the limit by his body, so fast that only a blur of black shadows could be seen.
The sudden intense movements abruptly hollowed out the surrounding air. Beowulf actually gave up defense at this time, choosing offense as defense!
The weapons of both sides clashed constantly, sounding as rapid as a pouring rain. Centered on the two, the airflow seemed to take form at this moment. The violent airwaves swept sand and stones splashing around, making it hard to even open one's eyes.
Impressive.
Takumi couldn't help but marvel at Beowulf's combat judgment in his heart again.
Should I say as expected of an existence who also slayed a dragon? And in his later years, at that.
Takumi could roughly guess what Beowulf's attack completely giving up defense was for—
To utilize the advantage of his weapon's length!
Beowulf had two Noble Phantasms in total, [Hrunting] and [Naegling] (Iron Hammer Snake Smasher), both on the larger side. In terms of weapon length, they definitely exceeded Takumi's weapons by a chunk.
After all, Rama's Brahmastra was just the length of a normal sword-type weapon. The flag-spear was long enough, but because Takumi used it single-handedly, he generally had to grip the upper-middle part of the shaft. Compared to Beowulf's normal attack distance, it was indeed lacking a bit.
Beowulf took a fancy to this bit of distance, swinging his weapons wildly to pull the true combat distance further away, creating a "safe zone" for his body.
In a sense, Beowulf was also gambling like this, gambling that Takumi wouldn't attack him directly regardless of consequences.
Because as long as Takumi dared to do this, he had the ability to make his attack hit Takumi while Takumi dashed in.
Takumi still had to go fight Cú Chulainn Alter later, naturally he wouldn't choose this risky attack method.
So...
[Mana Burst]!
Since the attack distance is not enough, then add this bit of distance!
The corners of Takumi's mouth rose. The magical energy in his body was released substantially, covering the weapons in his hands, extending them by a chunk.
Sharp and dense chaotic flashes of light finally broke through Beowulf's attack range, leaving hideous blood traces on his sturdy body.
Being subjected to "death by a thousand cuts," how could Beowulf not know his technique had been cracked?
So Beowulf threw away all hesitation in his heart, muscles all over his body tensed. With an angry shout, he smashed the weapons in his hands together fiercely.
[Grendel Buster]!
This was a special Noble Phantasm with the activation condition of destroying two Noble Phantasms, briefly manifesting the power that killed giants and dragons in life.
Simultaneously.
At the instant the two Noble Phantasms shattered, the greatsword in Beowulf's right hand suddenly flashed with an exceptionally violent and raging magical light—
Boom!
The earth shattered, smoke dispersed. Weapon fragments splashed around faster than bullets. Even a tiny fragment was enough to tear human bodies apart.
[Naegling], at the instant of being destroyed, would erupt with extremely terrifying power!
Suddenly, the wind howled in a patch of smoke and dust, dark grey smoke surging.
Only the whites remained in Beowulf's eyes. Shining with red magical energy all over, he punched forward with all his might.
And in front of him, Takumi holding the glowing flag and burning long sword also made a sword-swinging motion.
The two actually coincidentally chose to launch the winning strike now while the explosion hadn't ended!
[Flowing Fire Mana Burst, Pierce Through the Indestructible Rakshasa]!
More than a dozen small Runes gathered on Brahmastra, attaching flowing flames to it. The power of Mana Burst and the Noble Phantasm itself was firmly locked on the blade. Looking at a glance, it was like Takumi holding a burning blade of light.
The figures of the two crossed past each other, stopping while maintaining their attacking postures.
One second later.
Takumi dispersed the power on Brahmastra, shook his prosthetic arm which was somewhat damaged again due to the battle just now, then rushed towards the Celtic main force non-stop.
While Beowulf still maintained his posture without moving.
—In the end, Takumi's speed was superior!
Beowulf's desperate punch only hit the air. After one exchange, a slanted charred sword mark had already appeared on his chest.
Beowulf—Exit.
***
The rain kept falling, shrouding the constantly spreading orange-red world below.
Takumi didn't know how long he burned either, only remembered Celtic soldiers seemed endless to burn; even running head down he could encounter a large pile.
"Even the most unparalleled grass-cutting (musou) game gets tiring to play..."
Takumi leaned on the flag to rest somewhat exhaustedly, looking at the still numerous scattered Celtic soldiers, the corners of his eyes twitching constantly.
Simply ridiculous!
Medb, are you playing FGO without using scripts (macros)?
Even with the Holy Grail and infinite resources and magical energy, it still takes time, right?
So is it interesting for you to grind out so much cannon fodder!
Takumi conceded. Although his [Tiger, Burning Bright] could be used regularly, and the consumption was more than a little less than The Count's Noble Phantasm, it still had consumption after all. Especially the consumption of mental energy was relatively high. Keeping it active continuously for so long, Takumi was somewhat exhausted.
After all, although his speed was fast, it ultimately belonged to the subjective time acceleration type like The Count. The perceived time was about the same as him setting fires and killing people at normal speed.
"Sigh, better finish up quickly and go fight Cú Chulainn..."
Resting for a short while, Takumi sighed, running over to clear out the denser soldiers, then hurriedly went to rendezvous in the direction of Edison and the others.
Not many soldiers were left. Whether they could break through the remaining fire field was a problem. Even if there were survivors, presumably they would have no impact on the battle situation.
***
Not long after, Takumi arrived at the northern front.
Looking at the scattered Celtic soldiers that could be almost seen to the end at a glance, he couldn't help issuing a soul-searching question:
"So you guys only have this few people here?"
Takumi pointed at the Celtic army ahead, face full of disbelief.
Helena and Edison supervising the battle in the rear were startled by Takumi's sudden voice, even pulling out their weapons and pointing at the location where the voice came from.
Only breathing a sigh of relief after discovering it was Takumi.
"Or did you guys already finish off a large portion before I came here?"
Feeling somewhat psychologically unbalanced, Takumi pressed.
"Hey hey hey! Even if your speed is fast, Takumi, don't be so elusive! Suddenly making a sound next to others, even I will be scared into a heart attack!"
Edison wiped his cold sweat, clutching his thumping heart, unable to help complaining.
"Uh, sorry sorry..."
Takumi smiled awkwardly, pressing his hands together in apology.