Shinji Matou At Your Service

Chapter 123: The Other Three Noble Phantasms

The ownership of a Noble Phantasm is important for two main reasons.

Firstly, it allows for Spirit Particle Conversion. This not only provides convenience in terms of preservation and carrying but also includes functions such as positioning and recovery within a certain range. It can be understood as a property similar to the "bonding with the master" mechanic in games, ensuring that the Noble Phantasm is not lost.

Secondly, it enables True Name Release. Only those who possess the ownership of a Noble Phantasm can unlock its true name and unleash its true power.

By the way, the ownership of most Noble Phantasms is unique, but there are exceptions where multiple heroes may be associated with the ownership of the same Noble Phantasm. For example, the magical spear "Gáe Bolg" in the hands of Cu Chulainn was originally crafted and granted by Scáthach to her disciple. If Scáthach were to obtain this spear, she could use it freely without requiring permission from Cu Chulainn.

However, if we disregard the benefits of Spirit Particle Conversion and True Name Release and focus solely on usage, then ownership becomes less significant. After all, most Noble Phantasms do not have a "password lock" mechanism, so as long as one can wield them, they can be used. The four Noble Phantasms brought back by Lancelot, for example, belong to a type that can exert their power without the need for True Name Release. The power unleashed by Kariya with these Noble Phantasms in his hands would be no different from the power unleashed by Gilgamesh.

After listening to Scáthach's explanation, Shinji pondered for a moment and said, "So, as long as I allow it and resolve the carrying issue, whether or not I have ownership of the Noble Phantasms doesn't matter, right?"

"Yes," nodded Scáthach. "And there's one more thing to consider: the supply of magical energy to the Noble Phantasms. The nature of Noble Phantasms is similar to that of Servants—they materialize the soul—and this requires the consumption of magical energy."

"But the magical energy doesn't necessarily have to be provided by the Master," Shinji said confidently, trying to please. "As the highest-ranked magus, Sensei, you must have a way to solve that. Whether it's in the Age of Gods or the modern era."

Scáthach shook her head slightly. "If it were just a matter of being the highest-ranked magus, this issue wouldn't be resolved. Including myself, after all, this already delves into the realm of magic. However, after experiencing the miracle of 'soul materialization' myself while in the form of a Servant, I can solve this problem. But before that, we need to decide who will be using the Noble Phantasms. Who will this be given to?"

"This is...?" Both Shinji and Kariya fixed their gaze on the golden Noble Phantasm in Scáthach's hand.

It was a shorter weapon than the "Qingyun Sword," resembling a sword in shape, but the main body was not as flat as a sword. Instead, it was a nearly perfect cone shape. Three ring-like earpieces were evenly distributed at the bottom of the cone, converging at a point. Together with the exquisitely designed pommel, it held a black pearl, which was not in a solid state but rather fluctuated between liquid and gaseous states, constantly changing, resembling rolling thunderclouds in the summer sky.

"This is the 'Indra's Vajra,' the artifact 'Indra's Lightning' used by the 'Rain God,' Indra," Scáthach explained as she handed the artifact to Shinji. Inadvertently, Shinji touched the black pearl at the end of the artifact, and a faint electric current made his body tingle.

Legend has it that this artifact is a materialized form of the thunder and lightning that Indra used for attacks. With this artifact, Indra defeated the dragon Vritra and possessed a special effect against magic. It is also the highest-ranked among the four Noble Phantasms, with a rank of B+, while the Qingyun Sword is only C+.

Shinji pondered for a moment, then put away the Indra Vajra and handed the Qingyun Sword back to Scáthach.

"Although the Indra Vajra has tremendous destructive power, its practicality as a defensive weapon is too low. It's better to treat it as a hand grenade and throw it. That's the true 'thunder in hand.' Give the Qingyun Sword to Lady Justeaze; she lacks area-of-effect attacks."

Although Shinji liked the Qingyun Sword, he could readily give it up for the sake of someone he valued.

"What about the remaining two?"

"I can only discern their history and general effects; I don't know their true names," replied Scáthach as she picked up the third artifact. It was a staff with a primary color scheme of golden and sapphire blue. It was approximately 120 centimeters long, with a forked end and a top resembling a bent "T."

"This should be the symbol of authority of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, also known as the scepter. It possesses healing and purification powers, effectively restraining magical creatures. Among the Egyptian pantheon, both the scorpion goddess Serqet and the primal goddess Isis possess such powers. People often confuse these two goddesses, and I don't know which one of them bestowed this symbol of authority upon which pharaoh in which era."

"A scepter of healing and purification." Shinji and Kariya exchanged a glance and reached an answer without needing to discuss it further. "Give it to Sakura."

A symbol of authority from a goddess should naturally be given to a girl. They didn't want their little princess, their little lady, wielding spears, swords, and grenades to kill.

Shinji held the final artifact in his hand, accompanied by a teasing remark.

"China, India, Egypt, we're only missing Babylon. Is this spear from Babylon?"

"Correct."

Scáthach reached out and caressed the surface of the spear. It was a black spear with gold trimmings. The spearhead was longer than usual, while the shaft was shorter, and the double-edged blade was covered in blood grooves. The intricate patterns on the grooves couldn't conceal the spear's fierce nature.

"This spear is the weapon of the goddess Ishtar, who has a significant connection with the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh. Ishtar once thrust this spear into the heart of the divine mountain Ebi, killing the mountain that even the king of the Babylonian gods feared."

"Wait, Sensei," Shinji became more and more uneasy as he listened. "This is a very famous story. How can you not know the true name of the spear? Moreover, how can a weapon that kills a sacred mountain have only a B rank?"

Shinji trusted Scáthach's judgment, but even the privilege of a Master granted by the Holy Grail system couldn't be wrong. The rank of the spear's Noble Phantasm was indeed only B.

However, in Shinji's memory, Ishtar's Noble Phantasm, "Mountain Range-Shaking Firewood of Venus (An Gal Ta Ki Gal Šè)," was ranked higher than A.

Faced with the doubtful gaze of her disciple, Scáthach explained in her unique calm tone, "That's because this spear is an original. It doesn't have the sublimation of the legend of Ishtar killing the sacred mountain."

With that explanation, Shinji understood. Noble Phantasms were not just mere weapons; like Heroic Spirits, they were also enhanced by the sublimation of legends and anecdotes. However, the majority of the Noble Phantasms in the "King's Treasures" were originals, prototypes, and not enhanced by legends and anecdotes. Taking this spear as an example, in the hands of the goddess Ishtar, due to the enhancement of the legend, the Noble Phantasm's rank could reach A++, with additional special effects against mountains. However, without the enhancement of the legend, the Noble Phantasm's rank was only B. The same principle applied to the Indra Vajra, which would have a higher rank in the hands of Indra.

The power of a Noble Phantasm is indeed related to the legend itself. The Noble Phantasm Shinji knows of Ishtar involves incorporating the concept of Venus into her hand and directly smashing it down, without any visible connection to a spear. Therefore, it is reasonable to speculate that the ranking of the spear is somewhat arbitrary.

"The weapon of the goddess that Gilgamesh despises, hmph, no wonder he couldn't wait to get rid of this spear." Shinji held the spear in his hands and handed it to Kariya. "This is truly the most suitable Noble Phantasm for Uncle."

"You're right." Kariya tightly grasped the spear and licked his lips unconsciously. "Ishtar, who caused Enkidu's death, is undoubtedly an enemy of Gilgamesh. And I, as the Master of Berserker, am an enemy of Tokiomi. I will defeat Tokiomi with this spear!"

P.S.: The fact that Heroic Spirits descend into the world as Servants is already related to the realm of the Third Magic.

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