Chapter 271: [271] Targets, Zhuge Liang and Iskandar

Words : 1278 Updated : Oct 5th, 2025

Chapter 271 - [271] Targets, Zhuge Liang and Iskandar Like a raid commander in World of Warcraft's Dragonflight: Vault of the Incarnates, Sakatsuki meticulously calculated every step, seized every opportunity, and issued the most effective commands with the fewest words. "Shield bearers, advance three zhang. Adult soldiers, follow. Prepare spears." The moment the tentacle lashed out, part of the blood miasma scattered while another part shifted. "Thrust the spears! Medics, ten seconds to act!" The blood-stained spears were razor-sharp, piercing through the demonic scales of the tentacle. With each thrust and withdrawal, chunks of flesh were torn away, eliciting a shriek akin to a scream from the tentacle. Seizing the opportunity, the lightly armored infantry temporarily acting as medics rushed forward, dragging their comrades—or corpses—out of the battlefield from behind shattered shields. "Those who can't retreat in time, drop down! Tighten formation, assume the Heng'e formation, now!" Sensing the impending danger, the soldiers swiftly moved into position, raising their defenses just before the laser struck. Amid the deafening roar, the destructive beam clashed with the overwhelming blood miasma, annihilating each other. As the light faded, a crimson rain poured down, drenching the tentacle and igniting a dazzling blaze. "Javelin troops, fall back! Switch to Fish Scale formation, retreat three zhang!" The moonlight vanished, and the empty night was filled with crisscrossing hues of blood-red and scarlet. The white-haired general stood with his sword planted firmly, the blood miasma coalescing around him into towering, soldier-like giants several meters tall. Slowly, the giant drew its massive bow, nocking an arrow thicker than its torso, the string tautening. The soldiers retreated in orderly fashion, while the tentacles on Caligula seemed to miscalculate, their strike slamming into the ground and kicking up a dust screen like a barrier. "Trying to run?" Sakatsuki saw through the tentacles' intent and sneered. Did you think my legion was a place you could come and leave as you pleased? The giant behind him released its grip. The crystalline arrow, gleaming with cold light, spiraled through the air like a whirlwind, piercing through the thick mist. More akin to Mjolnir than the Spear of Longinus, it came crashing down, obliterating Caligula's body—and his Spirit Origin—completely. "Guaaahhh—!" A cry, whether of agony or relief, rang out as the Spirit Origin representing "Caligula" was annihilated by the blood miasma, vanishing into the air. The sea of demonic tentacles disappeared along with it. The brief skirmish over, Sakatsuki pondered as he released the restraints on the soldiers' Spirit Origins. Instantly, the floodgates of their emotions burst open—relief at survival, terror at facing such monsters, and exhaustion that left their limbs weak. One after another, they collapsed like dumplings dropped into boiling water, thudding to the ground. Yet the commander, who had stood at the rear and exerted more mental effort than anyone, showed no signs of relaxation. The giant behind him dispersed into blood miasma, which he absorbed, but the crimson glow in his eyes only grew more intense. "Demonic scales, rose-like spears... There's only one opponent with such traits... Hah, so you're finally showing your hand?" At this moment, Sakatsuki fully understood the reason for his summoning and the significance of the famed general's possession of him. "But... why you? At what point in your life did the Beast's shadow appear, driving you to descend from the Throne of Heroes just to eliminate her?" Such murmurs would inevitably go unanswered. Sakatsuki had no knowledge of Nero's dream about the general's past. All he could do was cast aside his doubts and focus on the "reality" before him. "Rosario." The white-haired commander called his trusted aide, issued a few orders, then used his Spirit Origin to command the soldiers who still had stamina to begin their tasks. With the aid of the blood miasma, a camp was swiftly erected on the spot. The quartermaster provided rations, supplies were transported from the ships, and logistics were arranged in an orderly fashion, allowing the exhausted soldiers to quickly settle into their tents, their snores soon filling the air. After ensuring his weary troops were settled, Sakatsuki walked alone along the beach, silently contemplating his next move. Even now, a trace of shock lingered in his heart—because the tentacles that had possessed Caligula were not the whole of the enemy. At best, they were but a small fragment of a far greater entity. And yet, even that had cost over a dozen soldiers their lives, with more than a hundred wounded. Ordinary spears and swords could hardly harm such monsters. Even infused with blood miasma, the soldiers remained mere mortals. In his current state, Sakatsuki couldn't extend his protection to every single one of them. If the enemy broke through the shield bearers' line, the legion would be subjected to a slaughter. And if it came to that, Sakatsuki might as well take to the field himself and duel the Servants. After all... "Only a Servant can defeat a Servant." Sakatsuki murmured this truth softly, finally realizing what he needed to do next. His legion, too, needed to welcome a few Servants into its ranks. And as for the unaffiliated Servants in this Singularity— "The Isle of Avalon?" Shaking his head, Sakatsuki couldn't help but laugh at himself. "If a murderer like me barged in, Stheno and the others would fight back with everything they've got, wouldn't they?" The Isle of Avalon—that was the domain of Stheno, one of Medusa's elder sisters. She shared the place with Elizabeth Báthory (the "Dragon Witch") and Tamamo Cat, an incarnation of one of Tamamo-no-Mae's tails. Three Servants might sound impressive at first glance, but unfortunately, Sakatsuki had no use for mere ornaments or warriors who had never experienced true battle in his legion. Without proper discipline, they would only cause chaos. "Tamamo Cat could manage logistics, but unless I twist their wills, they'd never join me. Forget it." Rifling through his memories, the man soon settled on his second target—a pair of Servants who, though already contracted, were exceptionally powerful. "The later-era Military Zhuge and the Conqueror of Macedonia." Of course, one could also call them Lord El-Melloi II and his young Rider. In the original timeline, under Lev's control, they kidnapped Boudica to lure Nero in, tested her resolve, then deliberately lost and were killed. But if they were to fight seriously, the combination of a peerless strategist and an invincible conqueror would likely crush Nero utterly. "From the memories of the one I've possessed, their stronghold is near Massilia... Hm, it's time to prepare." The enemy had already played their hand. By all rights, it was Sakatsuki's turn to respond. The white-haired commander raised his arm, and the great black banner of Qin—symbolizing the virtue of water—snapped in the wind. He was but a lonely shadow left behind by one who no longer belonged to this era. Behind him stood no comrades, and even the war banner he carried was not real, merely a construct of spiritual particles. And yet, a brilliant smile—unseen by any—spread across the man's face as he murmured in a voice both unfamiliar and calm: "Da Qin—" No one answered. But in his heart, the response came. "Ten thousand victories." From beginning to end, he had never considered incorporating Rome into his plans. Or rather, neither he—nor the one he carried within him—had ever entertained the thought. *** Hey readers! Want to read ahead? ???? Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance Chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster. ????/aarvan????

Chapter 271: [271] Targets, Zhuge Liang and Iskandar

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