Chapter 385: Stalemate

Perspective shift.

Huan Long's shrunken, solidified Insect Body has its defense and offensiveness raised to a new level.

The purple‑black crystallized shell is so hard that Artoria's holy sword slash can only leave a deep white scar; the jet of concentrated corrosive flow easily melts through the shield JiAssassin hastily erected, and those extremely specialized Insect Swarm are like festering bone sores, causing huge trouble for everyone.

The battle fell into a painful stalemate.

Artoria, relying on her superb swordsmanship, weaves around and can inflict effective wounds on Huan Long, but whenever she tries to expand the victory, she is met with suicide‑style interceptions by the Insect Swarm or a frenzied counterattack from Huan Long's core, forcing her to fall back.

Her armor now bears many scorch marks and corrosion scars, and her breathing is slightly rapid.

Black Tower's magical bombardment remains precise and lethal, clearing a large number of high‑threat insect units and continuously disrupting Huan Long's operation, yet she can feel that Huan Long's total magical power is still bottomless, with some replenishment coming from deep underground.

Her magical power is high, but not infinite; it must be carefully managed.

With San Yue Qi's Ice Arrow assistance, the battlefield control is significant, freezing many Insect Swarm joints and attack paths, but her own Magic Power Consumption is also huge, and her complexion begins to turn pale.

Gui Naifen and JiAssassin's Insect Swarm bore the heaviest frontal pressure.

The machine insect swarm suffered heavy losses, numbers sharply dwindled, and the front line repeatedly contracted.

Gui Naifen, like a tireless Flame gyroscope, charged into the densest part of the Insect Swarm; each thrust of her Flame Spear swept away several enemy insects, and her orange figure flickered in the purple‑black tide, strikingly conspicuous.

Her Flame has an extra purifying effect on the Insect Swarm, but Huan Long's core shell has extremely high fire resistance; her attacks can only harass and restrain, unable to deal decisive damage.

"This can't go on!"

Gui Naifen thrust a spear to fling away an incoming flying insect, took a moment to wipe the sweat and insect‑blood‑stained grime from her face, and shouted into the comm, "This big insect's skin is too thick! We've been fighting for ages and it hasn't shed a layer! Its minions keep multiplying!"

"The core defense is extremely strong; conventional attacks can hardly penetrate."

Black Tower's calm voice came, saying she had just used a prism‑refracted Light Cannon to pierce an Insect Limb of Huan Long that attempted to ambush Artoria, "We need a focused attack that can break through its defensive ceiling."

"My sword can."

Artoria swung her sword to disperse the Insect Swarm before her, saying gravely, "But it requires enough time and a safe charging space, without interruption. Moreover, its core seems to be constantly fine‑tuning its position, needing precise Lock."

"I can create space for you!"

Gui Naifen immediately interfaced, eyes blazing, "Use my Noble Phantasm! That one last time... Camellot's Radiance! That light can suppress these insects and also slow that big guy's movements!"

The words caused a brief silence in the comm.

"Lancer,"

Black Tower's voice, with scrutiny, said, "Your Noble Phantasm consumes enormously, and you've been in fierce battle for a long time; your condition is not optimal. Deploying it again would burden your Spiritual Core..."

"Oh, it's fine!"

Gui Naifen cut off Black Tower's analysis, her tone still brimming with seemingly carefree vigor, "I am a Heroic Spirit! Isn't this exactly the moment we should step in? Besides, I joined this to be useful at the crucial moment!"

Her words were candid and natural, as if stating an obvious truth; that sense of "mission" even made several truly seasoned Heroic Spirits present cast side glances.

Artoria's emerald eyes stared deeply at Gui Naifen, a complex glint flashing within.

Another "Gwenivere"...

So different, yet in enlightenment it vaguely overlaps with some impression.

"Master,"

Gui Naifen turned toward the rear cover, voice clear, "Please use a Command Spell to support me! Give me enough power, unleash the strongest Noble Phantasm! I'll hold it down and create an opening for you!"

Ailisi Feier, hidden behind the cover, shivered.

The sole remaining Command Spell on the back of her hand is the final safeguard, also a heavy responsibility.

She looked toward the orange‑haired girl battling in the Insect Sea far away, then at the Knight King needing an opening, and at Black Tower.

There is no time to hesitate.

"I understand, Lancer."

Ailisi Feier's voice came through the contract, bearing resolute tenderness and trust, "By Command Spell—Gwenivere! Unleash all your radiance, manifest Camellot's will!"

A vivid red Command Spell light flared, turning into a massive warm current that surged into Gui Naifen's body.

This magical infusion was more turbulent than before, carrying the Master's unreserved trust and entrustment.

Gui Naifen's surrounding faint golden‑red aura suddenly surged!

The Dragon Shadow on the Flame Spear emitted a soaring dragon roar, as if trying to break free.

She felt the raging power within her body but did not release it immediately; instead she took a deep breath and quickly said into the comm, "Black Tower Lady, Saber, wait for my Noble Phantasm to deploy and suppress it, then you all attack with full force! The opportunity may last only a moment!"

"Understood."

Black Tower's reply was concise; hovering in the air, the hundreds of purple prisms around her began rotating and combining at higher frequencies, layer upon layer of massive multiple Magic Arrays slowly taking shape behind her, with Destruction‑level magical power wildly compressed and stored within.

Her gaze was intensely focused.

Artoria sheathed her sword, standing a short distance away, as the Wind King Barrier slowly contracted, all magical power beginning to converge onto the sword.

Golden light flowed from the hilt to the tip of the sword, growing brighter, as if holding a miniature sun.

She closed her eyes and concentrated, locking all her spirit onto the core that roamed within Huan Long's massive body.

She waited, awaiting the moment when the binding would descend.

San Yue Qi gritted her teeth, pouring all remaining magical power into the energy bow in her hand, no longer seeking quantity but forging a particularly massive, frost‑radiating giant ice crystal arrow, aimed far at Huan Long's head compound‑eye area, ready to deliver crucial interference when the Noble Phantasm suppresses.

JiAssassin then controlled the remaining machine insect swarm, launching a reckless counter‑charge, not to kill but to attract and tie down as many enemy insects as possible, clearing the way for the upcoming all‑out assault.

Huan Long seemed to also sense the danger.

Its phantom emitted a sharp Warning screech; the Insect Body ceased attacking, instead coiled, the patterns on its purple‑black shell flared brightly, beginning to build layer upon layer of shields, while surrounding Insect Swarm frantically retreated, trying to erect a flesh‑and‑blood wall around it.

It aims to forge itself into an impregnable fortress.

"Now—!"

Gui Naifen's eyes snapped open, golden light blazing fiercely within her pupils!

She drove the Flame Spear, blazing with fierce fire, hard into the ground before her!

"With this body, this soul, this conviction—"

Her voice no longer leapt aside, but carried a solemn, time‑piercing resonance, as if another soul awakened within her.

Show it—

In our hearts, never-ending—

Camelot's brilliance!!!