Fate Grand Order: Broadcasting Master Love — Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Shining Like a Meteor, Achilles

【The light screen’s broadcast continued, the glowing text unraveling the mythos of Greece’s swiftest hero. As the son of the sea goddess Thetis and the mortal hero Peleus, Achilles’s fate had been essentially sealed from the cradle.】

【Thetis had sought to burn away his mortal blood in celestial fire, an act that would have granted him true invulnerability—but at the cost of destroying Achilles as a human being. His father, Peleus, had firmly opposed making his son a completely immortal entity.】

【—Of course, the mortal king could not have foreseen the tragedy that awaited his son on the plains of Troy. Yet, even if Peleus had known, he likely would not have stopped.】

Within the bustling corridors of New Chaldea, Achilles stood tall and straight, his emerald eyes locked onto the floating screen. The overhead lights caught the vibrant sheen of his wild green hair. He thumped a fist against his chest, a fearless, razor-sharp grin splitting his features.

“That’s right,” he declared, his voice ringing with absolute certainty. “Even if this life is as brief as a falling meteor, I will still die as a hero.”

【Without pausing for breath, the light screen’s text shifted, beginning a detailed inventory of the legendary hero’s Noble Phantasms.】

【Dromeus Kometes: Comet Form】

【Rank: A+ | Type: Anti-Unit (Self) Noble Phantasm】

【Range: 0 | Max Targets: 1 person】

【A constantly active-type Noble Phantasm initiated by disembarking from the ‘Chariot of Surging Tempest and Immortality’. It is the absolute manifestation of his legend as the fastest among all heroes across every age. He can cross a vast battlefield in a single breath; even the most treacherous terrain and obstacles cannot impede his velocity. Although using this speed necessarily exposes his fatal weak point—the Achilles heel—few Heroic Spirits in existence can even hope to match his pace.】

In the Fourth Holy Grail War timeline, within the cramped, humble dwelling of the Mackenzies, Waver Velvet shot up from his chair. His eyes were wide as saucers, his jaw dropping.

“He can cross an entire battlefield in a single breath?!” the young magus sputtered, his voice cracking with incredulous awe. “That’s just way too fast!”

Beside him, Iskandar stroked his thick beard, lifting his chin as his crimson eyes shone with shared pride. The King of Conquerors gave a grand, booming laugh and waved his massive hand. “Of course! That is Achilles for you, boy! One of Greece’s most radiant and glorious heroes!”

【Andreias Amarantos: Amaranth of the Braves】

【Rank: B | Type: Anti-Unit (Self) Noble Phantasm】

【Range: 0 | Max Targets: 1 person】

【His entire body, save for his heel, was bestowed with a blessing of immortality by his mother, the goddess Thetis. It completely nullifies all hostile attacks. However, this absolute defense can be bypassed and negated by those possessing the inherent skill ‘Divinity’.】

In the frigid halls of the Einzbern Castle, Emiya Kiritsugu leaned heavily against a stone wall. A crumpled cigarette rested between his fingers, its tiny ember glowing weakly in the gloom. He stared at the glowing text, his brow furrowing into a deep, troubled trench.

“Only those with Divinity can harm him…” he muttered, the gravelly exhaustion clear in his throat. “If a monster like that were summoned into this war, my Saber would be completely helpless against him.”

【Diatrekhōn Astēr Lonkhē: Meteor Spear】

【Rank: B+ | Type: Anti-Unit Noble Phantasm】

【Range: 2~10 | Max Targets: 1 person】

【Initiated by disembarking from his chariot. A peerless long spear gifted by the centaur sage Chiron to Achilles’s parents at their wedding. Only with the opponent’s explicit consent can it create an isolated domain for a one-on-one duel between heroes. It is a great magecraft rivaling a Reality Marble. As he was summoned in the Rider class rather than Lancer, it has lost certain properties, such as its incurable curse.】

“Huh?!” Kiritsugu’s pupils constricted to pinpricks. His free hand clenched into a tight fist at his side. A forced one-on-one duel was the absolute worst-case scenario for his pragmatic, trap-oriented assassination tactics.

It was only when his eyes caught the crucial clause—requires the opponent’s consent—that the Magus Killer slowly exhaled. The rigid tension eased from his shoulders, and he took a long drag of his cigarette. “Then it’s fine,” he whispered into the smoke.

【Troias Tragōidia: Tempestuous Immortal Chariot】

【Rank: A | Type: Anti-Army Noble Phantasm】

【Range: 2~60 | Max Targets: 50 people】

【A war chariot pulled by three steeds. Two are immortal divine horses bestowed by the sea god Poseidon, while the third is a famous mortal horse plundered from a conquered city. It tramples the battlefield with divine speed. The kinetic damage inflicted scales exponentially with its velocity. At maximum speed, it acts as a giant, unstoppable running lawnmower.】

【Akhilleus Kosmos: The Miniature World Enclosed by the Azure Sky】

【Rank: A+ | Type: Barrier Noble Phantasm】

【Range: 0 | Max Targets: 1 person】

【A defensive barrier-type Noble Phantasm powerful enough to rival ‘Rho Aias’. Reportedly a divine shield crafted by the smith god Hephaestus. It projects the world as seen by Achilles within it, with the outer rim surrounded by the sea god’s ocean currents. To oppose this shield is to oppose the world itself. Once deployed, it can completely defend against even Anti-Fortress and Anti-Country Noble Phantasms.】

Kiritsugu watched the relentless barrage of overpowered armaments scroll across the light screen. His expression shifted from grave, to exhausted, to utterly speechless. He dropped his cigarette onto the stone floor, grinding the cherry out beneath his heel.

“Just hand him the Grail then,” he complained in a low, helpless grumble. “An immortal body isn’t enough; they had to give him a shield that blocks Anti-Fortress strikes too…”

【The ML radar indicates that Achilles represents a variant type of MasterLove—not romantic affection, but absolute, unwavering trust. Next, a fun anecdote from Chaldea.】

【The light screen’s visual shifted, panning into the familiar, high-tech interior of the Master’s room. Achilles, fresh from the summoning circle, stood with his hands planted firmly on his hips. A bright, cocky smile plastered his face. His tone was casual, entirely lacking the reverence expected of a Servant. “Anyway, how you want to use me is your freedom,” he told Fujimaru Ritsuka. “But if it’s something I don’t want to do, I’ll refuse. If you absolutely must have me do it, you’ll have to use a Command Spell.”】

【The scene dissolved, fast-forwarding to a Bond Level 3 interaction. Achilles slung a heavy arm over Ritsuka’s shoulder, clapping the Master’s back with a booming, hearty laugh. “Wahahahaha! I gotta hand it to you, your orders are always clear-cut and totally worth following! Alright, Master, what’s next?”】

【Another transition, this time to Bond Level 5. The cockiness had melted away. Achilles bent down slightly, bringing his emerald gaze perfectly level with Ritsuka’s. His smile was warm, grounded, and fiercely resolute. “Hey, my Master. I am the one who has sworn loyalty to you. Whether in life or death, I never imagined I’d entrust my back to someone who isn’t a warrior. To believe in what’s right is such a wonderful thing. So… let’s continue to get along from now on.”】

In the Fifth Holy Grail War timeline, Tohsaka Rin watched the stark contrast between the Rider’s initial arrival and his deepened bond. She couldn’t help but cover her mouth, a sharp, airy giggle escaping her lips.

“Although those first words and the Bond Level 3 line might have been spoken months apart…” she mused, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Putting them back-to-back like this really makes it look like an instant slap in the face.”

Beside her, Emiya Shirou watched the final scene of Achilles pledging his loyalty. A touch of genuine emotion softened his amber eyes.

“Believing the Master is right, and being willing to sacrifice his life for them…” Shirou murmured softly. “That feels like the ultimate limit of trust between two men, doesn’t it? It certainly qualifies as its own kind of ML.”