Shinji Matou At Your Service

Chapter 395: Archer’s Helplessness (Part 2)

As Vlad III mentioned, it wasn't just Siegfried who felt helpless. The Red Archer, who couldn't deal with Siegfried, and the Black Archer, the great sage Chiron, were also in this predicament.

Chiron was the most helpless of them all, to the extent that even his Master, Caules, who was standing with him on the city wall overlooking the battlefield, could sense it.

"Archer, is something wrong? Is the battle not going well?"

"No, overall, the battle is in our favor."

With his B+ rank Clairvoyance, honed as an Archer, Chiron could see Avicebron's golems firmly containing the Red Berserker. On the other side, although Assassin was at a disadvantage, he was not showing signs of defeat. The only thing Chiron did was use a telepathy-like skill to inform Siegfried of the Red Archer's position.

"Then why?"

"Because of the Red Rider. I know him."

Hearing Chiron's words, Caules didn't immediately understand.

"Isn't this the first time the Red Rider has appeared? How could you—?"

"No matter how hard one tries to hide their true name, there exist undeniable truths in this world. Yes, if you were well acquainted in life, it's only natural to know each other's true names."

Caules asked, "Who is he?"

"Achilles."

"Achilles... the Achilles from the Trojan War!"

Chiron nodded.

"I recall he was your—"

"Ah, yes, he was my disciple," Chiron said with a sigh. "Even though it's not in the traditional sense, in the Holy Grail War, such situations are not impossible... This so-called destiny sometimes doesn't spare even those of us who have passed away. It's truly ironic."

When Achilles was young, his mother Thetis returned to her underwater homeland due to disagreements with his father, Peleus. Thus, Peleus entrusted his old friend, Chiron, who had trained numerous heroes, to educate Achilles.

From then on, Achilles lived and learned with Chiron, spending nine whole years together. It's no exaggeration to say that Achilles spent more time with Chiron than with his parents, especially during the most emotionally turbulent years of his youth.

The bond between them had long surpassed that of a typical master and disciple. For Chiron, who possessed a long life, Achilles was not just a disciple but also a son, and sometimes even a mischievous younger brother.

Even after Achilles completed his training, Chiron continued to watch over him silently.

He knew about the countless legendary feats Achilles had accomplished, worthy of the highest praise as a top-tier hero.

He also knew that Achilles would likely be the most outstanding Servant in this Holy Grail War.

Blessed sincerely by the gods of Olympus, Achilles possessed an invincible body that could nullify any attack.

Only those who shared his divine heritage and had divinity skills, or wielded god-forged Noble Phantasms could harm him.

Among the seven Black faction Servants, only Chiron had divinity.

Upon receiving Gordes' request for support and recognizing Achilles, Chiron had been genuinely worried for Assassin on the battlefield. If Assassin hadn't possessed a god-forged Noble Phantasm and managed to injure Achilles, Chiron would have intervened.

Since then, Chiron had drawn his bow several times, only to lower it each time, until finally, Achilles departed in his chariot without Chiron having shot a single arrow.

Was it because he didn't have the opportunity?

No, it wasn't. Given his understanding of Achilles, hitting him when he was unguarded wouldn't be difficult.

Eliminating those moments that would only expose himself and were irrelevant to the overall situation, he had at least three opportunities to act, one of which had a high chance of directly killing Achilles.

However, he missed them all.

Yes, that's right, he missed them, not gave up. He knew when he should strike and predicted the outcomes. But every time he drew his bow, there would be a moment of hesitation in his heart because that was his disciple. This hesitation made him miss those fleeting opportunities.

Does he regret it? A little bit. But compared to the bond between teacher and student, it's just an insignificant part.

Seeing his expression change with his mood was almost unbelievable to Caules because the impression Chiron had given him during this time was one of calm and tranquility as if nothing could shake him—until now.

"Archer, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Chiron closed his eyes and exhaled as if trying to expel all his emotions.

"I just remembered the times I lived with Achilles. Seeing him now, you'd never guess that when he was young, just like Roche, he wasn't strong at all. His punches and kicks were soft and weak."

Listening to Chiron and recalling Achilles' legends, Caules couldn't help but laugh. "So he had such a past. Perhaps only you, as his teacher, would know that—turning the weak him into a hero of world renown, you truly are an exceptional teacher."

"And he is an exceptional student."

"Chiron, in this Holy Grail War, you and your disciple—" not Servant Archer, just Chiron.

"Don't worry, Caules. Once on the battlefield, there are no fathers, sons, or mentors, only enemies and allies. I won't hold back just because he's my disciple. Besides, I want to see how much he has grown since he left."

Chiron opened his eyes again. This time, he had not returned to the calm and tranquility of a sage but instead exuded the unparalleled spirit of a hero, like a drawn bow, ready to shoot an arrow that could split the heavens.

My disciple, you remain as proud as ever. This is your most fatal flaw as a warrior. Although your overwhelming strength has never exposed this flaw.

But this time, that arrogance will become a lethal poison—because your opponent is your teacher, Chiron himself!

I'll let you go this time, but next time, you better be prepared, or even you will die.

"By the way, Archer, since the Red Rider is your disciple, could he be like the Red Berserker and—"

"Impossible." Chiron shook his head firmly. "He is no longer the immature boy he once was. Now, he is worthy of the title of hero. He won't change sides because of me. On the contrary, knowing of my existence, he will undoubtedly put everything on the line to fight me—because that is the only way to show his growth and prove he is worthy of being my disciple."

Indeed, Chiron's educational philosophy differed from Scathach's, being relatively gentle. But in one respect, they shared a common belief: the dignity and expectations of a teacher. A disciple should not merely look up to their teacher but should surpass them and reach greater heights.

"That's quite a pity."

Since Chiron said so, Caules didn't ask further. Just as Fiore trusted Shinji, he had great trust in Chiron.

"Let's go back. The battle is over."

"Yes."

As they were about to leave the city wall, a massive communication spell rose from within the castle, quickly spreading around.

"To all Yggdmillennia Masters, Rider has escaped with a homunculus. That homunculus is an important vessel. Capture it alive at all costs."

Chiron's steps suddenly halted: "Rider, young man, I wish you safe travels."