Noble Phantasms are most frequently classified based on their destructive scale and output.
First, there is the Anti-Unit Noble Phantasm (対人宝具). Designed to capture one, perhaps two or three targets at most, these armaments exhibit absolute efficiency in one-on-one combat.
Representative examples include Diarmuid's Gae Dearg and Gae Buidhe, Souji Okita's 'Mumyo Sandan-zuki,' and Medea's Rule Breaker.
One step above those, dealing with a slightly larger number of enemies simultaneously, is the Anti-Army Noble Phantasm (対軍宝具).
Capable of capturing multiple targets at once or striking within a specific area of effect, these Noble Phantasms often possess much greater destructive power, though they suffer from the drawback of higher prana consumption compared to Anti-Unit types.
Notable examples of the Anti-Army classification include Archer's 'Unlimited Blade Works' and King Iskandar's Ionian Hetairoi.
And then, there is the Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm (対城宝具).
On the surface, it is a Noble Phantasm capable of blowing away fortified structures like castles. In practical terms, they are often compared to tactical nuclear weapons.
While the difference between Anti-Unit and Anti-Army is largely one of prana consumption and area of effect, an Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm exists on an entirely different level of raw output.
In fact, even Cú Chulainn's Noble Phantasm is classified as Anti-Unit when used as a thrust, but as Anti-Army when thrown as a spear. In that specific case, the actual difference in power is not immense.
However, the classification of Anti-Fortress belongs to a different league altogether.
If the comparison between the previous categories was like comparing a handgun to an anti-tank rifle, the sudden introduction of a missile would be the appropriate analogy for this leap.
Two Shadow Servants and the mud-covered shades were vaporized long ago by a single flash of Excalibur. The mud, which had been closing in as if to swallow everything, now circled at a distance, unable to approach due to the lingering heat of the incinerating prana.
[…I think I finally understand why you insisted on going to Ryuudou Temple first.]
"I'm glad you finally appreciate it," I replied.
The most crucial fact was that the King of Knights standing beside me, shrugging her shoulders, was capable of firing such an attack repeatedly.
Through the Rinnegan, I could see Excalibur still fully charged with prana. She looked ready to unleash her Noble Phantasm again the moment the enemy tried to close the gap.
"Aoko-nee, give me a briefing. Focus on the Tohsaka residence and the priority dangerous entities in that area."
*
The strategy for conquering Angra Mainyu remained exactly as I remembered it.
Seal the leylines, drain its strength with Noble Phantasms, and then render the leylines unusable to completely cut off its mobility.
"Whew, I'm racking up quite a debt to Diarmuid."
Naturally, even for Artoria Pendragon, destroying an entire leyline through pure Mana Burst was a difficult feat. It required prior preparation or the prerequisite process of firing a Noble Phantasm.
Therefore, I simply pulled out Diarmuid's spear—the tool that could dismantle a leyline with simplicity—and Artoria assisted by applying Mana Burst to 'dig,' making the task far easier.
[How dare you! You bastards!!! Do you plan to kill me again!]
"I'm tired of it. I'm tired of your endless talk of retribution. Just vanish already, you nightmare!"
Predictably, the creature resisted.
It scattered mud, summoned Servants, and attempted to project grotesque illusions.
The problem was, I had already experienced it all.
Illusions? They were amateurish compared to that crazy bitch Francesca. Servants? They all received a one-way ticket to the netherworld courtesy of Artoria's Excalibur.
"Mash, use your Noble Phantasm! Gareth, deal with the enemies pushed back by the impact!"
"Understood, Senpai…!"
"As My Master wills!"
While Artoria dug into the leyline using her Mana Burst, Gareth and Mash fought vigorously against the Shadow Servants and the mud. Growing desperate, Angra Mainyu began to speak to me.
However, when I remained silent and ignored him, he began to let out a horrific scream.
[Why… why can I not seal your Noble Phantasms?! I am the source of the Holy Grail War itself!]
"It wouldn't work. The source of her summons is entirely different from yours, it seems!"
Do you have any idea how much I suffered because of that ability?
The true culprit behind why the difficulty of conquering a Beast of Humanity skyrocketed—when it should have been easy if I just had Gate of Babylon—was that damn Noble Phantasm sealing.
Well, he's not the type of entity I have any reason to pity, nor do I have the luxury to spare him a thought.
Without hesitation, I drove the spear into the leyline. Just like before, he scattered into dust alongside a curse-filled last breath.
The Servants Gareth and Mash had been holding back also dissolved into ash. The three of them watched the spectacle before sitting down simultaneously in exhaustion.
"Phew… is it finally over?"
"It would seem so. The cause disturbing this Singularity has been completely eliminated, and the root cause—the Greater Grail—is now in your hands."
"So, how does it feel? This sensation of having the 'destiny' you were supposed to block alone be twisted?"
"Not bad… No, it is quite wonderful. It is a far better sensation than the predetermined destruction that awaited."
The Saint Graph of the King of Knights, Artoria Pendragon, was also beginning to fade.
Unlike Gareth, who was a formal summon, the inverted King of Knights was a Servant belonging to this Singularity. With the Greater Grail returned, she could no longer maintain the prana required for manifestation.
Mash quickly stored the Grail inside her shield, while Gareth looked at King Arthur with a somewhat bittersweet expression.
"There are still things you do not know… but seeing this future, I can at least tell that the path you and the brave girls there will walk will not be so lonely or arduous."
"Thank you for saying so."
"Think nothing of it… Regardless, you should keep this in mind. To grow complacent is to ruin everything. And remember that the Grand Order—the Quest for the Holy Grail—has only just begun."
Saber, as she began to turn into spirit particles, seemed to remember something and threw one last comment toward Ritsuka.
"And you, novice Master. You would do well to take a close look at the 'shield' your Servant carries."
"…The shield?"
While Ritsuka was distracted by those words, staring at Mash's shield, the King of Knights vanished completely from the Singularity.
"Senpai… Karma-san. I have confirmed the King of Knights' withdrawal. This is our victory, right?"
[…Grand Order. How did that Servant know that term?]
The reason for that… from the King of Knights' perspective, it's likely due to the sharing of memories.
She was the King of Knights who possessed 'only' the memories of having fought alongside me in Fuyuki City. Therefore, there is a high probability she knows the state of the Singularities seen through the eyes of the Lion King. Of course, even without that interpretation, she is a being who originally spoke those words, so there's no need to force a logic upon it.
[We should focus on returning for now. We've recovered the Grail, and there's a mountain of work to do on this end. The equipment at Chaldea has been somewhat repaired, so wait about ten minutes.]
Ten minutes, huh…
"I'm not sure if that's enough time."
"...?"
"I have something to do before we head back."
"What… exactly are you planning to do?"
What else? I have to catch that terrorist bastard… don't I?
It's time to give Lev Lainur Flauros a taste of reality.