Reality Marble: Ionioi Hetairoi
This is Iskandar's ultimate trump card and his strongest Noble Phantasm. A Reality Marble that summons the heroic spirits of his former subordinates as independent Servants to fight alongside him.
Every member of this army is a genuine Heroic Spirit. However, due to the limitations of the King of Conquerors, none of them possess their own Noble Phantasms or assigned class skills.
Among them, there exist spirits even stronger than Iskandar himself. This is because, while Iskandar's achievements were grand, his personal combat ability was not outstanding.
This army carries an illustrious reputation, with some members having founded future dynasties. Even Iskandar's beloved horse, Bucephalus, has been summoned as a Heroic Spirit. This army is the crystallization of the bond between Alexander and his subordinates.
Furthermore, the magical energy required to sustain the Reality Marble is shared by the entire army. Each soldier possesses the equivalent of an E-rank Independent Action skill.
Such information flashed through their minds, but as Sakatsuki stood upon the scorching sands, he realized how meaningless words truly were.
Everyone, including Sakatsuki, widened their eyes in astonishment as mirage-like figures began to appear around Rider.
Not just one, but two, four... The shadowy forms of mounted warriors multiplied rapidly, forming into an organized battle formation. Their silhouettes gradually took on colour and solid form.
"The reason this world, this landscape, takes shape is because it embodies the collective vision of us all."
As the stunned onlookers watched, the cavalry materialized beside Iskandar. Though their ethnicities and armaments varied, each warrior was strong and imposing, their gleaming armour radiating an aura of valour. They seemed to compete in magnificence, exuding both grandeur and sharpness.
These were heroes of great renown, warriors who once fought alongside the legendary Alexander the Great.
"Behold! My peerless army!"
The King of Conquerors raised his arms high, his booming voice filled with pride as he declared the arrival of his mighty cavalry.
"Even in death, their loyalty remains unwavering. Summoned as Heroic Spirits by the World itself, these are the warriors of legend!"
No one had expected this king to reveal such a fierce yet exuberant expression. As the red-haired giant spread his arms, his overwhelming presence surged forth like a sandstorm.
"The bond between my subordinates and me is my greatest treasure, my path as a king. This is my proudest Noble Phantasm—Ionioi Hetairoi!"
A thunderous roar erupted as spears and halberds bristled in unison. Countless soldiers and commanders bellowed, their eyes ablaze with an unyielding flame, never straying from their mighty sovereign at the forefront.
A lone, riderless horse strode to Rider's side—a massive, powerful beast that could only be described as a monster in its own right. Though not human, its strength was on par with the other Heroic Spirits.
"It's been too long, my friend."
Rider grinned like a child, embracing the enormous horse's neck. It was none other than the legendary Bucephalus, later deified as a divine horse. Under the King of Conquerors, even horses had the right to become Heroic Spirits.
Everyone stood in stunned silence. Even Archer, had he been present, would have momentarily ceased his mocking sneers before such a formidable army.
These warriors had entrusted everything to their king's dream, once following him in his conquest of the world.
Iskandar had transformed the undying loyalty of his followers into his greatest treasure—his ultimate Noble Phantasm.
Saber trembled, not from fear of Rider's power but because this Noble Phantasm shook the very foundation of her honour as the King of Knights.
An unbreakable bond between a king and their subjects, so deep that it had manifested as a Noble Phantasm.
It was the one treasure she had sought her entire life as an ideal ruler, yet never obtained.
Berserker, also drawn into the Reality Marble, trembled within his dark armour. The black knight tore his gaze away from the assembled Army of the King and instead locked onto Saber, whose golden hair and green eyes now seemed particularly fragile.
Seated upon his horse, Rider turned back, gazing proudly at the very embodiment of his life's achievements.
"A king must live the grandest of lives, captivating all who behold them!"
"Indeed! Indeed! Indeed!"
The Heroic Spirits in formation responded in unison, pounding their shields as they roared in agreement.
"To be admired by warriors and to guide them forward—that is what makes a king!"
With overwhelming confidence and honour, the King of Conquerors surveyed his surroundings with a commanding gaze.
"A king does not stand alone! Their greatness is the very embodiment of their people's hopes and dreams!"
"Indeed! Indeed! Indeed!"
The ground quaked as their synchronized shouts soared skyward. No army, no fortress could withstand the fervour of these warriors, their battle spirits enough to tear through the heavens and shatter the earth.
Miyu stood beside Sakatsuki, clearly hearing the increasingly ragged breaths of her brother.
Was it nervousness? Or fear?
"Miyu, give me your hand."
A small hand stretched out, and Sakatsuki grasped it tightly. The cool sensation against his palm restored a sliver of clarity, allowing him to calm his breathing.
His eyes never once left the vast army before him.
Golden sands, golden sunlight, golden irises... Beneath all that dazzling gold, an intense, burning battle spirit roared to life.
A single thought spun endlessly in his mind, refusing to fade.
'If I were at my peak... If I could take on Iskandar's entire Ionioi Hetairoi alone... how incredible would that be?'
A hand patted his shoulder.
Sakatsuki turned sharply, his gaze so searing that Kariya instinctively took a step back.
The young man gave a curt reply before turning back to assess the Army of the King, like a hunter eyeing his next prey.
Kariya, sensing that something was off, hastened his words.
"From our positioning, it looks like Rider intends to wipe us out in one swift strike with Ionioi Hetairoi, so—"
"I already know that."
Sakatsuki interrupted, his tone laced with a cold sneer.
"There's no Assassin here. If the King of Conquerors has chosen to unleash his Noble Phantasm, his pride wouldn't allow him to use it on just you. And that golden fool didn't enter the Reality Marble—he must have understood Rider's intent and couldn't be bothered with this skirmish."
As if to confirm Sakuya's words, Rider raised his Kupriotes Sword high and declared.
"Saber, Berserker, Caster, and all Masters who participate in the Holy Grail War—let us begin!"
"As you can see, our battlefield is a vast plain. Though we hold the advantage in numbers, you possess Heroic Spirits capable of standing against a thousand—three, no, four of them!"
"Come! If you have the strength, then break through my Noble Phantasm and show me your will! But if you cannot overcome my army, then abandon your pursuit of the Holy Grail! Perish here in the scorching sands, becoming my trophies and laurels of conquest!"
The next moment, Rider took a deep breath and bellowed.
A deafening war cry erupted as an endless wave of soldiers surged forward, an overwhelming tide of death that sought to consume the six before them.
Having strayed from the original path of fate, the King of Conquerors, Iskandar, had finally unleashed his Ionioi Hetairoi—to take on three Heroic Spirits at once!
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