Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

Atalanta's beast ears suddenly trembled.

What's this……?

The girl's eyes widened: I actually...felt fear? To this kid?

A bead of cold sweat trickled down her cheek as she stared intently at Shirou's actions.

The red-haired youth nocked a spiraling longsword and then revealed the true name of his Noble Phantasm (martial art)—

"——————Shoot a hundred heads (Nine Lives)."

That was in the distant mythical era when Atalanta lived.

A "school" founded by the greatest hero in history with his talent, but which disappeared because no one could inherit it.

Legend has it that the divine skill of unleashing a nine-hit combo in an instant is called "Style: Shoot Down a Hundred Heads".

If used with a sword, it would become a nine-hit sword dance in an instant; if used with a spear, it would be a single thrust followed by nine strikes—

In the Fairy Kingdom, Shirou analyzed the weapon once used by the great hero (Mythical Mystic Code Mamiya Dez).

After a series of arduous training sessions, the young man finally mastered this unparalleled skill—

Although he couldn't achieve nine strikes in an instant, he did manage eight strikes in an instant.

Shirou also successfully used this move when fighting the golden wolf at Touko's house.

However, Shirou's most learned skill was the melee technique of "Style: Shoot a Hundred Heads".

Hercules, who is considered to be the best class for archers, what exactly were his superb archery skills?

Shirou had no way of knowing this.

All he could do was imagine, nothing but imagination.

By incorporating imagination into his daily training, Shirou came to this realization—

Atalanta stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Even though only one arrow was shot from the boy's hand, it produced such a scene.

Arrows imbued with the magic of the dragon race traced eight paths across the night sky.

That devastating scene looked just like a giant, black serpent.

The eight-headed evil dragon soared through the night sky, devouring all the approaching arrows of light.

"Ah...ahhh...?"

Atalanta's mouth was half-open, but she could no longer speak.

The eight trajectories transformed into eight enormous jaws, twisting and speeding as they devoured the world, swallowing the calamity she had prayed to the gods for.

Anyone who has poured their sweat and effort into bows and arrows can understand how extraordinary that scene is.

While it may not be able to achieve the miracle of "nine" like the original, simply realizing the number "eight" is already breathtaking enough...

Is it really?

No, that's not right.

Only Archer knew what was going on.

Atalanta, a huntress who had gone on many adventures with Hercules during her lifetime and knew the great hero's background well, was the one who knew Shirou's true abnormality.

because----

This kid's use of "shooting down a hundred heads" is completely wrong!!

The real, original "Shoot Down a Hundred Heads" is actually an auto-tracking Noble Phantasm that fires nine arrows simultaneously.

Holding nine arrows in one hand and firing them is something only Hercules, with his divine bloodline and extraordinary physique, could do.

Hercules' bow was forged in a mysterious and intense era, a powerful bow that drew upon the blood and magic of countless enemies from the battlefield.

Atalanta secretly tried to pull that indestructible string, but she couldn't even budge it. It must be that only extraordinary strength could be used to wield it freely.

Therefore, Atalanta never entertained any thought of challenging Heracles's superior archery skills.

After all, that was already the realm of gods, which was not human.

However, today she saw a young man enter the realm of the gods in his own way.

The boy had never seen Hercules in person.

Based solely on imagination, they turned hearsay myths into reality—

The extraordinary skills accumulated by heroes throughout their lives were reinterpreted, giving birth to new divine skills.

Is he a genius or just lucky?

or……

Atalanta craned her neck in a daze, finding the eight evil dragons dancing wildly in the sky to be beautiful.

She was so shocked that she forgot the passage of time.

Only when the rain of arrows and the phantom of the giant serpent disappeared and the night sky returned to silence did the girl finally come to her senses.

"How on earth did they do that...?"

"Um, what?"

Shirou walked toward the bow of the ship, speaking as he went.

"Alright, tell me about things in your area."

"…………you!"

Atalanta showed a displeased expression.

Shirou has put away his bow, which means he believes he has won the archery duel.

Atalanta felt humiliated once again by that frivolous act devoid of any awareness.

but……

No matter how stubborn he was, he had to admit that the "Black" swordsman's skill was far superior to his own.

Ugh... I actually lost to Saber in the archery contest!?

Atalanta belatedly discovered this fact, and was immediately filled with shame and indignation.

"Archer? We made a promise, you're not planning to go back on your word, are you?" Shirou urged.

"You don't need to tell me, I will naturally keep my promise."

Atalanta suppressed her dissatisfaction and gritted her teeth, asking, "What do you want to know?"

"Where is your Master now?" Shirou asked.

"How could I possibly tell you such important information!"

Atalanta frowned slightly: "I did say I could tell you information about our side, but it's impossible for me to tell you information about my Master as well—"

Shirou smiled slyly: "You don't know, do you?"

"……Well."

Atalanta's expression froze.

As Shirou said, after being summoned, Atalanta immediately realized that the white-haired man in front of her was not her Master, and she could not feel any magical connection.

Later, Atalanta learned that the young priest named Kotomine Shirou was a member of the "Red" faction and also her Master's proxy.

The Master was unwilling to intervene, therefore entrusting the entire war effort to Father Kotomine.

This statement is highly suspicious no matter how you look at it... and Assassin next to him is also highly suspicious.

Moreover, it wasn't just Atalanta's Master; the other Servants' Masters did the same, except for the "Red" Swordsman's Master, who refused Kotomine Shirou's cooperation.

Although I have strong doubts, it is not entirely unreasonable.

The biggest problem with this Holy Grail War is not losing, but what happens after you win.

Although it was the largest war in history, the Greater Grail could only grant one wish.

Therefore, the moment the "black" side is defeated, the "red" side should immediately engage in internal conflict.

That's why the magicians were unwilling to show themselves easily, and instead entrusted Father Kotomine to participate in the battle on their behalf.

Atalanta still found it suspicious, but she really didn't have a better solution, so she could only take it one step at a time.

"That's all I know. Is there anything else you'd like to know?"

"Yes, I have a general understanding of the situation."

Shirou pondered for a moment, then said, "I think your Master has probably already been dealt with by Father Kotomine."

"…………What!?"

Atalanta was startled: "Are you saying my Master is dead? What proof do you have?"

"No, no, no, the person should still be alive. Your continued good supply of magic is proof of that."

Shirou said, "Although he is still alive, he is only alive."

"what do you mean……"

Atalanta's mind conjured up the stunningly beautiful face and alluring smile of the "Red" assassin.

If it's that woman—

It's not surprising that a magician empress who can easily manipulate men would do something like this.

"I'm amazed you even thought of that." Atalanta gasped.

Shirou chuckled: "I happen to know someone who's doing something similar."

Having stripped your defeated opponents of their magic circuits and placed them in retirement facilities, what's the situation here?

It's likely that the Command Seals were stripped away, leaving only the functions of a magician.

As long as they continue to rely on their magic supply, there's no need to worry about their safety; they're probably just being controlled by magic.

"I'm not worried, and... it's all just your speculation, there's no real evidence, is there?"

Shirou nodded: "Ruler seems to have noticed something amiss as well, and is searching everywhere for Father Kotomine's whereabouts."

"Ruler?"

Atalanta gazed thoughtfully toward the Hanging Gardens.

"Hey, 'Black' Swordsman, you've already parted ways with the 'Black' faction, haven't you?"

"Yes, that's how it is."

"In that case, would you like to cooperate with me?"

"No."

"........."

Atalanta frowned and turned to look at Shirou.

"I see. Judging from your expression, you've already formed an alliance with someone else... I'm too late."

After the red-haired boy nodded, Atalanta showed a slightly regretful expression.

Come to think of it, this is the first time she's ever been rejected by a man, she suddenly realized.

"In that case——"

Halfway through her sentence, Atalanta suddenly tensed up.

"...What's wrong?" Shirou asked.

The girl sighed, and said with a self-deprecating expression:

"My Master has given me orders to go and help... I heard the situation down there is not good."

So, what are you going to do? Are you going to stop me here?

Shirou shook his head and said, "Let's call it a night. We'll be enemies next time we meet."

"it is good."

Atalanta nodded slightly.