IBHJ Chapter 655 (Patreon)

Kiara and Hinako walked towards the large underground cavern.

The journey was filled with silence. In fact, Kiara wanted to find some conversation topics to lighten up the awkward atmosphere, but Hinako didn't seem interested in chatting. No matter what Kiara brought up, Hinako would just say "Oh" or "Mm," making her seem rather aloof and hard to approach.

)╥﹏╥)

Luckily, they didn't run into any enemies on the way, so the journey went quite smoothly.

Before entering the cavern, Kiara carefully peered inside, then said to Hinako: "Let's go in slowly and carefully, Senpai."

"No need," Hinako shook her head. "You stay here and don't move."

"Huh?" Kiara was stunned.

Hinako spoke firmly: "Listen clearly. No matter what you see, you must be quiet and don't say anything. Otherwise, you'll certainly die."

Her tone was cold and somewhat threatening.

Wu... so scary. Hinako senpai is so scary.

Hinako didn't seem to care about Kiara's distress. She just wanted to quickly take care of this connection point and free herself from babysitting the rookie.

Rather than taking the passageway directly into the cavern, Hinako walked up to the wall, raised her palm, and smashed through it with a fierce punch.

"Boom!" The mountain wall shook as a large hole was punched open. Hinako then calmly strode inside.

So violent... Kiara thought to herself. She tiptoed over to the large hole created by Hinako and peeked in, scanning the interior of the cavern in an attempt to identify the guardian of this anomaly.

Before Kiara could find the guardian, she saw Hinako calmly striding to the center of the cavern. Hinako took a deep breath and called out coldly: "Berserker, come out and accept your death!"

Kiara's eyes widened. Too flashy, Hinako senpai. You're too flashy!

Shirou, who was sitting cross-legged with eyes closed connecting to his main body, suddenly heard this and was stunned. 

What the hell? 

Lancer's been taken out? 

Has Chaldea broken in already?

Reaching out to the Black Grail, he carefully sensed the existence of his subordinate Heroic Spirits. He found that although Diarmuid was down, Medusa and the others still lived!

What's going on here? Some kind of decapitation strategy?

(Note: Decapitation strategy is a military strategy aimed at removing the leadership or command and control of a hostile government or group. The strategy of shattering or defeating an enemy by eliminating its military and political leadership has long been utilized in warfare. Source: Wiki)

Shirou raised his eyebrows. If this was a decapitation strategy, weren't they severely underestimating him? Or did they learn of his identity from Saber and decided to exploit his reluctance to be ruthless?

If that's the case...

"Come out, Berserker!" Hinako shouted again.

Hmm... As you wish then...

Shirou slowly rose to his feet, his body emanating such terrifying pressure that the surrounding land trembled as though pressed down by an immense weight.

Even Hinako couldn't help but frown slightly. As for Kiara, panic was written clearly across her face.

Too overwhelming...!

The pressure of his mana is unbelievable!

"My subordinates have not yet been dealt with, yet you have the gall to challenge me? I must commend your courage, Chaldea."

Accompanied by the clanking of armor, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice rang in Kiara's ears.

She abruptly turned her head. On the platform of the large cavern, she saw a man walking out slowly.

The moment she saw him, Kiara's body shuddered violently.

He had dark, soft hair, sharp brows slanted in a prominent angle, sharp black eyes containing a piercing edge, thin pursed lips, and chiseled features - handsome in a noble, aloof way. His tall, slender yet strong figure wore European-style black armor engraved with dragon-like red patterns. He stood like a solitary eagle overlooking the world amidst the dark night - oppressively formidable, exuding the dominance of one high in station.

"M-Mr. Assassin...!" Kiara recognized him.

In just three months, it was impossible for her to forget this man - the ray of light that had pulled her out of that fake paradise.

But now, the light was gone. What replaced it was a figure like a demon from the abyss.

Salter had said it very clearly. This was not the ray of light that had descended in Romania three months ago. Rather, he was the darkness and despair shrouding this connection point - Berserker Alter, Eternal King!

Shirou stood on the high platform, his gaze sweeping over Kiara outside the cavern and Hinako below.

I see, the one sent by Chaldea to deal with this connection point is Kiara.

And this one is...

Consort Yu?

So the A-Team wasn't blown apart by Lev? Oh right, when he spoke with Mash and Chaldea in Romania previously, he was told Lev is now an assistant there?

Hmm... It seems like Chaldea has indeed changed in a direction I don't understand.

But was this change...good or bad?

With these thoughts in his mind, Shirou slightly turned his head, his gaze falling on Hinako as he asked in a flat tone: "So you're the one disturbing this king's pleasant dream?"

Hinako didn't answer Shirou. Instead, her footsteps shifted as her body shot out like a bullet, charging straight at him.

She was someone who hated humans and was also unwilling to interact with them. She placed great emphasis on efficiency. If it was someone else, they might have exchanged a few words with him first, trying to get some information. But she was different.

More than talking and thinking, she preferred taking action.

As long as she took out Shirou, then all matters regarding the connection point would be resolved. It could be said to be the most efficient course of action.

And whether she could defeat him... Firstly, without mentioning that generally speaking, Heroic Spirits who have been extolled as Holy Kings and such tend to be weakened after being corrupted into Alter Servants; most importantly, as a Xian, she definitely didn't think she was weaker than him.

(Note: Xian is a term for Taoist immortals in Chinese mythology - humans who ascended through training. They are powerful higher order beings that are Chinese mythology's equivalent to genuine gods (as opposed to divine spirits). Xian possess overwhelming Saint Graphs and spiritual standings and are covered in powerful mystery. They also demonstrate traits and abilities similar to a True Ancestor, such as rapid regenerative capabilities that make them nearly unkillable, as well as the ability to draw upon the inexhaustible magical energy of the world and use it as their own. Source: Wiki)

The quality of Hinako's Saint Graph naturally exceeded that of a Heroic Spirit recorded in the Throne through legend. So normally, Xians were stronger than Heroic Spirits. Especially since someone like Arcueid was also around their level.

But Hinako had evidently forgotten—or rather, hadn't considered—one issue.

You couldn't make blanket statements.

In the Nasuverse and even among the Twenty-Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors were powerhouses like Crimson Moon and monster like Primate Murder. But there were also weak Dead Apostles that an average magus could kill.

It was the same for Heroic Spirits. There were weak ones, but also powerhouses like Altera who had gained insane power.

Which type did Shirou belong to?

While he couldn't compare to planet-destroying monsters like Altera, but he was still considered top-tier among Heroic Spirits.

As Hinako charged, Shirou smiled.

Perhaps she wanted an intense melee brawl?

What a pity...

He never let anyone have their way!

A cold sneer appeared as he summoned Excalibur with a wave of his hand, borrowing Artoria's record.

Then—

"Boom!"

He blasted Hinako head-on as she rushed at him!

"Hina...Hinako senpai!" Kiara cried.

Seeing the light blast, Hinako’s eyes shrank as her body unnaturally froze midair. She spun sharply, barely dodging it.

"Boom boom boom!"

Excalibur ravaged the land, carving a smoking ravine.

Hinako landed on a nearby platform. She turned to stare at him, her expression solemn.

This guy... 

Is no ordinary enemy!

Shirou leisurely lowered Excalibur and looked towards Hinako with a chuckle. "To actually dodge that, you have some skill. This king should commend you."

"You talk too much."

Veins bulged on Hinako's arm, but sensing Kiara's presence, she suppressed it.

She knew he was no ordinary Heroic Spirit. She might need to undo her disguise and release her seals.

However...with someone around...

Hinako hesitated.

She'd blundered!

Though she hadn't planned ahead, she'd clearly made a mistake!

Shirou's strength wasn't as weak as she'd assumed. Given the situation, she should've firmly sent Kiara away earlier so that she could unleash her true power.

But now...

"You're hesitating, Xian," Seeing her hesitation, he spoke.

"!!?"

Hearing this, Hinako's eyes shrank again.

Xian... No, could he have seen through her disguise!?

Hinako looked at him in astonishment.

"You're probably wondering if this king has seen through your disguise," he asked with a smile.

How...how is that possible?

Could it be that I have really been exposed?

Hinako stared at him with wide eyes.

That's impossible! 

She had never met him before. So how did he see through her disguise?

"Hmm... Isn't the answer obvious?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm the Eternal King. I can see through everything. How could a mere illusion deceive my eyes?"

Of course, that was a lie. His All Seeing Eyes ability was useless now, disabled by the Black Grail. And knowing so much was clearly because he had read the wiki.