A Villain's Journey Begins in the Type-Moon World

"Heh, so that's why these guys dared to obediently throw their lives away here. And that guy in red seemed so confident that he'd be safe by tomorrow. So they invited you here. My princess... oh no, I should call you: Executioner now." Seeing Arcueid approach, Wang Chong understood that a great battle was about to begin.

Chapter 224 World Famous Paintings

Upon hearing Wang Chong's address, Arcueid remained silent, only taking larger strides. Jeanne d'Arc, whose Noble Phantasm was still active, saw Arcueid about to step out of its range and quickly called out:

"Wait! That guy has terrifying power, capable of attacking instantly without regard to a distance of 10 meters. None of us can react to his power! If we just step out like that, we won't even know how we got hurt! We might not even know when we're dead!"

"..." However, Arcueid seemed completely oblivious, stepping directly out of the Noble Phantasm's range. Everyone was initially startled, expecting the True Ancestor princess to either be knocked away or toyed with like the others. But strangely, they discovered that Wang Chong didn't suddenly appear in Arcueid's presence; instead, he seemed to be observing Arcueid with considerable interest, showing no immediate intention to act.

"What's going on? Could there be some limitation to his power?" For a moment, most people had this question in their minds.

"Wow, you're actually walking towards me. Instead of staying in that turtle shell, you're voluntarily coming out to die? It's rare that the French saint went to such lengths to save your life, just like those followers of the saint who knew about the French lords' conspiracy during the persecution of the saint at the end of the Hundred Years' War." Wang Chong said with a smile as he looked at Arcueid who had come out.

“If I don’t get closer, how am I supposed to twist your head off with my fists?” Arcueid also revealed a hint of madness, revealing a cruel smile.

"Hehe, since that's the case, why don't we get a little closer?"

Wang Chong leaped down from the church and slowly walked towards Arcueid, without using his strange power. The group watched as the two individuals of unknown strength approached, drew closer, and finally, when they were close enough to throw a punch, Arcueid struck first.

"Die—!" Arcueid instantly raised her power to a level sufficient to kill an ordinary True Ancestor. Her speed was so fast that, apart from the highly skilled Servants present, no one could even see the speed of her punch.

However, Arcueid's golden eyes suddenly narrowed. Her punching speed was already quite fast, but someone was even faster than her!

"Bang!" A burst of energy instantly spread outwards, the sound like an explosion deafening. Wang Chong retracted his right leg, clearly indicating that he had kicked Arcueid first with faster and stronger force.

Arcueid slid back a few steps, revealing a bruise on her left leg, which tore her black stockings.

"Too slow! I am the strongest True Ancestor. Even without using my innate abilities, in terms of speed and strength alone, I far surpass you, Princess." Wang Chong sneered.

"Looks like a guy like me, huh? We both like to use physical strength to fight head-on, huh?" Arcueid glanced down at the wound on his left leg, getting a general sense of the opponent's strength. It seemed he had underestimated his opponent. However, the planet's support would only push him to the limit of his power as the situation developed.

"I'd love to test just how much stronger I am than you, Princess. Ha, but I know without even trying," Wang Chong said, adopting a dismissive attitude.

"You mean by 'trying' that you can just gently caress your opponent without leaving a single wound? It's a shame about those £100 black stockings; I quite liked them." Arcueid looked down at the tear, but thanks to the True Ancestor's incredible self-healing ability, her leg had already fully recovered.

"Hmph, is that so? Then I'll accept your pointless provocation and play with you a few more times." As soon as Wang Chong finished speaking, Arcueid suddenly attacked again, punching Wang Chong in the face.

Undoubtedly, Arcueid's attacks were now more powerful and faster, but all of this was within Wang Chong's expectations. This time, he could fight without restraint! Wang Chong first stepped back, dodging the punch and the claw. Then he stepped forward, delivering several punches directly to his opponent's face.

Arcueid crossed his arms to protect his head, managing to block the punches. He then delivered a high side kick, creating countless afterimages. Wang Chong temporarily avoided the attack, leaping into the air to dodge it, and then, in a falling motion, delivered a powerful chop to Arcueid.

"boom!"

The ground cracked open, sending countless flying stones hurtling against Joan of Arc's protective shield, which blocked them. Everyone was watching this astonishing duel. Those magicians who only knew magic and couldn't keep up with physical speed could hardly see anything, and felt that if they went forward, they would die without even knowing why.

As for the top-tier Servants, they could barely discern the clues. Iskandar once again commented with some seriousness, "These two are truly formidable... Even without using that special ability, that monster is still incredibly powerful based solely on his martial arts and strength. With the combination of the two, it's no wonder that guy looks down on humans."

"It's truly unfortunate that modern humanity has to face such a monster that sucks human blood and life... I wonder how many innocent souls have died at its hands. If we can't kill it today, who knows how many more innocent lives will perish at its hands," Artoria said, taking a deep breath.

"Ha, nothing but a beast, a slightly sharper-toothed raven. To toy with me like this, I will take his head, unleash heavenly fire, and let him suffer the agony of being burned alive, until even his soul is consumed by the flames." Gilgamesh sneered. He was only waiting for the final outcome. No matter who emerged victorious, he, Gilgamesh, was determined to have that monster's head.

"Die! Die!" Arcueid's punches became increasingly faster, attempting to overwhelm Wang Chong with sheer speed. However, through continuous combat, Wang Chong's passive skill, Ruthless Combo, had been fully stacked, and his attack speed was now also rapidly increasing, not inferior to his opponent's.

In the end, their fists collided, and they remained locked in a stalemate, neither able to gain the upper hand. Beneath their feet, a huge crater had already formed due to their struggle and the leakage of their energy.

"Want to compete in the speed of your punches?" Wang Chong sneered, and then this time he went all out, unleashing a barrage of punches at a speed of over a hundred per second, attacking Arcueid. Arcueid was equally unwilling to back down, throwing punches with all her might, and with the support of the planet, she would only grow stronger.

"Wood big wood big wood big wood big wood big!!"

"Within the department! Within the department! Within the department! Within the department!!"

Just as their output relied entirely on shouting, the deafening sound of their fists colliding couldn't drown out their desperate roars. Blood and flesh flew everywhere, it was impossible to tell whose blood it was, only that their fists were constantly in a cycle of destruction and regeneration.

At this moment, as their strength increased, the force of their blows swept across the ground, lifting them both into the sky. In an instant, their battle had ascended from the ground to the heavens, where they engaged in further combat.

Seeing that the two had fought up to the clouds and still hadn't determined a winner, the people watching from below were at a loss for what to do.

"Jeanne, can you sense the location of those two?" Artoria asked from the side.

"Their battle fluctuations are very strong, but it seems they are constantly moving away from us in one direction, and that direction doesn't look like the direction of the Hanging Gardens... That monster seems to be deliberately luring Arcueid away, making sure they don't fight in the Hanging Gardens area," Jeanne said after sensing the battle fluctuations using her class ability.

"So what should we do next? Just wait here for news of their final showdown?" Irisviel couldn't help but ask.

“Continuing to wait is fine… but I’m afraid there will be no news at all. Are we really going to become the cowards they’re talking about? Hiding here and only coming out when the results are in? If that happens, even if we win, we’ll be ridiculed by the enemy.” Diarmuid said, frowning.

“I think the same way… Sitting idly by and waiting to die is not my guiding principle. It’s either victory or death, nothing more. Now that the monster is gone, it’s perfect time for us to officially start the war with those otherworldly Servants. I’ll take action and break through that castle’s defensive walls once again!” Artoria drew Excalibur and spoke.

"Since Saber agrees, then Jeanne, we..."

"Wait! I object."

Just as Irisviel was about to have Jeanne d'Arc remove the protective shield, a discordant voice rang out, and the voice was directed at Kirei Kotomine.

Chapter 225 Attack or Be Attacked

Irisviel sometimes felt that this man named Kirei Kotomine always seemed to enjoy going against everyone else. Seeing him raise an objection at this crucial moment, Irisviel said in a deep voice, "What? Do you have some new advice to offer?"

"I wouldn't presume to offer advice, but you've underestimated Lady White Princess. She's destined to kill that True Ancestor. We should simply wait here for news. If we go out now, we might fall into the enemy's trap, becoming food for that Fallen True Ancestor and aiding his recovery. This would only delay Lady White Princess's chance to kill him, and we'd lose our lives in vain," Kirei Kotomine said in a deep voice.

"So you mean you want us to just keep cowering here? Even if you want to cower, do you think those Otherworldly Servants will let us stay there peacefully? Keep a close eye on that fortress; they've already got their cannons pointed at us. Jeanne d'Arc said before that her shield has its limits; how long do you think we can hold out?" Artoria retorted angrily.

"Isn't Saber here? Just make sure you time your Noble Phantasm well. I think the fortress hasn't attacked yet because it's wary of your Noble Phantasm. They won't make any rash moves before you unleash your Noble Phantasm attack," Kirei Kotomine said.

"You bastard!" Artoria clenched her fists. Was this some kind of scheme to use her against the magic cannon? The shamelessness of this master and apprentice from the Tohsaka family truly surpassed even that of their master.

"Moreover, it should be the Master who makes the decision, not the Servant! Or do all the Masters present agree to leave?" Kirei Kotomine said coldly.

"I'll go!" Needless to say, Irisviel naturally stood firmly on Saber's side.

"No...no! If we go out now, we'll definitely die. Why do you all have to rush out like idiots? Can't we just...just wait here until that monster is killed...I, I don't want to become that guy's food...I don't want to..." At this moment, Sora looked completely broken, clutching her head and half-squatting on the ground. Clearly, she was the Master who had been terrified by Wang Chong's evil aura.

"Madam! Alas..." Seeing his master in this state, Diarmuid had no choice but to choose loyalty and abandon his righteous cause.

"That makes it two against one. What else?" Kirei Kotomine questioned.

"You should include me, shouldn't you? You should also know which side I'm on." At this moment, Wang Chong's clone finally spoke, looking directly at Kirei Kotomine and saying.

"Hehehe... If you want to be turtles, then go ahead and be them. Tokiomi, don't think I don't know which side you'll be on, you coward." At this moment, Matou Kariya naturally also planned to break out.

Although Tokiomi Tohsaka remained silent, everyone knew who he would side with, so the final decision fell to Waver.

"I...I..." Waver was actually quite frightened, not much better than Sora. After all, he had just been intimidated by the True Ancestor Arcueid, and had truly felt the terror brought by death and killing intent. If he could, he might rationally consider waiting until the final outcome was decided. But he also felt that if he did that, his allies would probably be disappointed in him, and...and Iskandar too.

Waver glanced at Iskandar, then at Irisviel, Diarmuid, Wang Chong, and the others. He swallowed hard; he ultimately didn't want to disappoint his allies and his own Servants… Wait, honestly, why was he more afraid of his own Servants being disappointed in him? They were just his Servants, after all. Ah! He was becoming increasingly confused about himself; he couldn't be bothered to think about it anymore!

"I want to... Ah!!!"

"boom!!"

Just as Webber decided to cast his vote in favor, a sudden, violent tremor rang out, and a bright light nearly blinded him. Webber lost his balance and almost fell inside the chariot, but was fortunately caught by Iskandar.

"It's magic bullets! These guys are trying to use magic bullets to wear down Jeanne's Noble Phantasm." Seeing countless black magic bullets constantly hurling at Jeanne's shield, Artoria immediately extended her sword beyond the range of Jeanne's Noble Phantasm, then used her magic power to continuously cut through the magic bullets, reducing the pressure on Jeanne's Noble Phantasm.

Apart from the Hero King who seemed to be watching the show and Hassan who hadn't even entered and was nowhere to be seen, the rest of the Servants were mostly wielding their weapons to defend against the magic projectiles. Even Lancelot was unusually clear-headed today, refraining from fighting Artoria and instead focusing on his duties.

"Do you understand now? If you don't take action and lack offensive capabilities, you'll only be attacked by the enemy until your shell is completely shattered! It's either attack or be beaten. That's all I have to say." Wang Chong's clone chuckled coldly at this moment, then fell silent again.

Joan of Arc glanced at Wang Chong with some oddness, feeling a little aggrieved. Why did everyone describe her Noble Phantasm, which protected everyone, as if being inside it was some kind of great injustice? When she was the one who was the most wronged.

"Ugh... my eyes. What's going on?" Weber had regained some of his senses by this point and was startled as he looked at the magic bullets raining down on him from outside.

"It's just a means of attrition. They don't dare to directly confront her with magic cannons, fearing that the Knight King's Noble Phantasm release would be too much for them to handle and would instead destroy their defenses. So they're using these low-cost magic bullets to harass her, hoping to wear down Jeanne's Noble Phantasm."

Iskandar raised the Cypriot Sword high, unleashing lightning to counter the external magic bullets, then continued, "However, these are all minor issues. Have you made your choice?"

"Considering... oh right, I'm going to choose..."

"Kid, I'm asking you, have you really thought this through and made your choice?"

Just as Weber was about to say he was ready to go, Iskandar suddenly interrupted him. Iskandar was looking at him like a teacher checking on his student's thoughts upon graduation.

"Wh...what do you mean? Don't you want me to agree with Saber and the others?" Waver asked, puzzled.

“No, I never intended to do anything for you, kid.” Iskandar patted Webber on the shoulder and said, “Kid, you’ve learned a lot and grown a lot in just a few days. But you shouldn’t just care about what others think, or my thoughts. You need to think for yourself.”

"Do whatever you want. Although you are allies and your own followers are certainly a significant factor on the scales, they are by no means the main reason. You need to really think for yourself what is the best choice for you."

“I’m glad you can follow in my footsteps and understand my thoughts, lad. But, lad, you have a long way to go. You have to learn to think and act on your own when I’m not around,” Iskandar said slowly. “Perhaps when you understand this, you will no longer be my follower… but… hahaha, never mind, let’s focus on the present for now.”

“What are you talking about… Rider, you’re just rambling on.” Waver raised his hand and clutched his chest, as if trying to see what was really on his mind. Then, a relieved smile appeared on his face, and his eyes hardened. “I understand,” he said. “Thank you, Rider. This time, I’m still going to fight to the bitter end.”

“Is that so? Then let me hear your eloquent opinion, kid. Hahaha.” Iskandar grinned and said.

"Also—! When did I become your follower!? Don't talk nonsense! Really! Humph!" After saying that, Waver jumped off the battlefield and walked back towards the Masters in the center. Waver was about to make his decision and cast his vote for this crucial battle once again.

Chapter 226 Unauthorized Expectations, Unauthorized Breakdown of Defenses

"I've made up my mind. Now we must go out and fight those heretical Servants!" Waver said to his Masters after taking a deep breath.

"Are you really sure about this? Rider's Master?" Tokiomi Tohsaka asked in a deep voice.

“That’s right. It’s not just because I trust the judgment of all the Servants, Irisviel, Mr. Wang Chong, and others. More importantly, the enemy has already used magic bullets to deplete Ruler’s Noble Phantasm. Doesn’t this prove that they are not entirely confident that the Fallen Ancestor can defeat Lady White Princess? That’s why they must try their best to break Ruler’s Noble Phantasm and weaken us before the outcome is clear,” Waver said.

"Now we have no choice but to act. If we take the victory of that Fallen Ancestor as a prerequisite, if we go out now, we might at least be able to eliminate those Heretic Servants. Then we can surround that Fallen Ancestor and, with the help of Ruler's Noble Phantasm, we still have a chance of victory. But if we continue to hide here, once the Noble Phantasm is broken, we will completely lose our trump card that allows us to avoid the opponent's strange ability. In that case, we will definitely lose."

"When faced with two evils, choose the lesser. If we go out now, our losses will undoubtedly be minimal. As for using the White Princess as a prerequisite for victory, then we won't need to worry about that Fallen Ancestor even more, will we?" Waver said bluntly.

“That is indeed the case, Head of the Tohsaka Clan. Now it is four against three, the minority shall obey the majority, do you have any objections?” Irisviel looked at Tohsaka Tokiomi and questioned him directly.

"No..." Tokiomi Tohsaka opened his eyes at this moment, accepting the result calmly.

"In that case, Joan of Arc, prepare to unleash your Noble Phantasm at any time. I'm about to release it now, to..."

"Ruler's Noble Phantasm cannot be unlocked so easily." However, at this moment, Tokiomi Tohsaka suddenly spoke up.

"Head of the Tohsaka family, what do you mean by this? Since the decision to attack has already been made, why are you trying to stop us?" Irisviel was also dissatisfied. She knew very well that she had to enter that fortress tonight to rescue her daughter.

"I did not stop your attack. As you just said, since you believe that attacking is the best option, then please step out of the protection of your Noble Phantasms. We believe that the Fallen Ancestor is lurking around, and once we step out, we will die. Therefore, the three of us only ask for the protection of Ruler Jeanne d'Arc and will continue to stay under Jeanne d'Arc's Noble Phantasm," Tokiomi Tohsaka said calmly.

"Heh, so in the end, Head of the Tohsaka family, you were never making us choose, but rather planning to divide us up and monopolize Jeanne's Noble Phantasm, is that right?" At this moment, Wang Chong's clone sneered a few times and said.

“Mr. Wang Chong, we only seek to save our lives. Is there anything wrong with that? Or has our decision violated the terms of the covenant? Or do you intend for Jeanne to ignore our three requests and disregard our lives? If so, you may simply have your Servant Jeanne do such a thing,” Tokiomi Tohsaka replied calmly.

Tokiomi Tohsaka had already realized from last night's voting process that these four were destined to stand against him, and that he couldn't gain even one more vote no matter how hard he tried. Clearly, he had no say in any of the choices. Therefore, after careful consideration, having already anticipated this inevitable situation, he deliberately prepared this trap for the four.

While nominally pledging to take sides and make a choice, he was actually deliberately driving people away to fight on the front lines while he reaped the benefits. Furthermore, in Tokiomi Tohsaka's view, the battle between the Fallen Progenitor and Hakuhime was already predetermined; no matter how powerful the Fallen Progenitor was, he would certainly not be a match for Hakuhime. After all, Hakuhime's fearsome reputation was undeniable.

Therefore, in Tokiomi Tohsaka's eyes, all he needed to do today was wait and see. He could not only eliminate the Another Progenitor and the Another Servants, but also completely weaken his rivals. The best outcome would be for those Another Servants to eliminate these four at a great cost, and then he could clean up the mess. As for the last Lancer, one of his own, wouldn't obtaining the Holy Grail be a piece of cake?

As for whether Jeanne d'Arc will retain her Noble Phantasm? Ha, in Tokiomi Tohsaka's view, that's a foregone conclusion. Given Jeanne d'Arc's saintly personality of fairness and justice, it's absolutely impossible for her to take back her Noble Phantasm. Tokiomi Tohsaka knows very well the nature of such a kind-hearted person; moral blackmailing them into compromising is just too easy.

"Hmph, this is what happens when you oppose the Tohsaka family. Aren't you all very capable? Today I have already invited Lady Hakuhime to deal with the Fallen Progenitor. Isn't it reasonable for you to eliminate those heretical Servants for me?" A cold glint flashed in Tohsaka Tokiomi's eyes.

However, just when Tokiomi Tohsaka thought everything was under his control, a resolute glint flashed in Jeanne d'Arc's eyes. She stopped her prayer gesture and instead waved her flag, preparing to end the Noble Phantasm.

"! Ruler, what are you doing!" Tokiomi Tohsaka exclaimed in shock and anger after seeing his Noble Phantasm removed.

"Tokiomi Tohsaka, I think you've misunderstood something." Jeanne looked at Tokiomi Tohsaka and said solemnly, "As Ruler, my mission is to ensure the Holy Grail War proceeds normally. And the most abnormal anomaly in this Holy Grail War right now is those heretical Servants. Therefore, I have only one mission, and that is to correct all of this. So, as Ruler, I will fight!"

"Secondly, personally, I have never believed that hiding in one place will bring victory in war. At least... the French resistance army I lead has always fought to the last moment to bring victory and a future to the people of France. I will continue to fight, carrying everyone's will to the other side of success. Therefore, for myself, I will fight!"

"I'm sorry, Diarmuid, I'm about to remove my Noble Phantasm. Please prepare to protect your Master," Jeanne said.

“It’s alright. Protecting my lord’s family is what I should do.” Diarmuid shook his head, then stood in front of Sora, holding his red spear and bracing himself for the magic bullets that kept raining down from the sky.

"Wait a minute! Do you really intend to rush in recklessly like this? Putting aside the fact that the enemy is constantly on guard against Saber's Noble Phantasm release, even if Saber can break through the castle's defenses, among you, only Wang Chong and Rider can get inside. Do you even have a way to get up there? If you don't even have a way to get up there, then what are you talking about..."

"Enough! Tokiomi Tohsaka!"

When Tokiomi Tohsaka saw that Jeanne d'Arc was really going to deactivate her Noble Phantasm, he became anxious and even asked about how to ascend to heaven, making it seem as if Wang Chong couldn't take people to heaven. It was this kind of talk that finally made a certain Servant who had been watching the show unable to hold back.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger." Upon hearing this angry rebuke, Tokiomi Tohsaka froze, sighed, and turned to Gilgamesh, saying.

"Tokiomi, you have some nerve. Haven't you embarrassed me enough already?" Gilgamesh's expression clearly showed his extreme rage. He clenched his fists and said, "I'm tired of this farcical farce. I thought you could come up with something to please me, Tokiomi, but you just want me to become a coward along with you?"

"No, that's not it, I just wanted to..."

"Shut up! Those bastards who insulted me are still singing and dancing, all those vixens. I have only one thought now: to wipe out those vermin! If I hear your cowardly and defiled words again, I will kill you without mercy! The King's Treasure!"

At that moment, a massive golden gate appeared behind Gilgamesh, from which a radiant ark, crafted from gold and emeralds and capable of soaring through the sky, slowly emerged. Everyone present was momentarily stunned.

“Since yesterday, I have been searching the treasury for my flying throne—Vimana. Those clumsy fortresses that fly in the air are as foolish as stone targets in front of my throne. As for you, all of you, follow me and wipe out those monstrous cultivators!”

After Gilgamesh finished speaking, he leaped onto his throne and sat down, giving Tokiomi Tohsaka a somewhat disgusted look before saying, "Aren't you going to get on top of me?!"

Tokiomi Tohsaka never imagined things would end this way; he had utterly lost face. He hadn't grasped Jeanne's personality, presumptuously expecting her to retain her Noble Phantasm, only to find she didn't play by his rules and broke down on her own. In the end, even his own king couldn't stand it anymore and shattered his only escape route.

Tokiomi, tragic.

Chapter 227 Breaking Through the Hanging Gardens