Part 57: Conqueror of the Moon - Iskandar - Part 3

Iskandar 3



Well, I can't say it's not fitting. It's actually a thing that Type-Moon characters can be surprisingly muscular underneath their normal clothes. Iskandar here can barely fit into a big shirt, and depending on the artist, EMIYA can be pretty ripped, too.

The final Iskandar conquest is based on the 3rd stage of Dawn Arc, where Altera first met and defeated Tamamo's armies. There are poison and ice Sector Traps scattered around, so prepare appropriately. Also, you might have noticed it in the previous stage, but you can't use the Swap Code Cast during the Servant Side-Stories.


Iskandar stage 3

Yeah, more like total chaos. They've got a Servant on their side just as strong as our Goldie. We'll have our hands full with that one. I'll have to keep a close eye on my head. Too bad Bucephalus isn't ready. Wouldn't be a problem back on Earth, but up here, the...what, do you call it, the gravity? It's different, you know?

The gravity settings should be the same as they are on Earth...but I suspect that's not what you truly mean.

Of course not, I'm making a metaphor about the souls of men. No offense, but I wouldn't expect a woman to understand.

"The souls of men" you say. ...By the way, isn't your beloved horse Bucephalus a mare...?

All right, now is the time to strike! I'm going on ahead, Ruler! I'll show you the full might of the King of Conquerors!

He...ran off?! Are you sure you're not just babbling with me?

Jeanne is quite easy to take advantage of. It's unfortunate. Well, Bucephalus is indeed identified as the historical Alexander's horse, a beast he tamed (according to Plutarch) in connection with a wager he made with his father, Philip. It's actually not just a name, it's the name of a branding mark put on horses in ancient Greece, and Alexander's horse was named after a star-shaped bucephalus on his haunch. The more you know.

They stuck together for nearly all of Alexander's conquering life, having been slain at the Battle of Hydaspes, which marked Alexander's victory over a northern Indian king. He founded a nearby town, whose exact location is in dispute. Wikipedia's article on Alexandria Bucephalous has more information about it, but basically Alexander *loved* naming new towns after himself, and buried his beloved horse near the town named after the pair. The most famous, of course, being Alexandria, Egypt. But, there's also an Alexandria The Furthest, located all the way in Tajikistan, of all places.



So, like in the Dawn Arc version of this stage, you're under heavy attack from the very start of the stage. The only Sector that won't immediately come under attack are the northernmost blue Sector, and even that's been targeted for invasion. Jeanne will be providing some backup, in the form of that one Sector she's attacking, but that place is only worth 1 Key, and you've got your back up against the wall. This is the first Sector you'll want to take. To achieve maximum safety, then you'll attack the Plant sector in the middle.

I went a slightly different route. My overall route will be this Sector, then Tamamo in the north, secure this Sector again from an enemy invasion, then relieve Jeanne and defeat Lu Bu. Once Tamamo and Lu Bu are down, you've got some breathing room. Still, there's no time to dawdle here.



Just posting Tamamo's introduction again because she has a very cute subtitle there.



*laugh* You're well-informed! But that was before I trained with the Zeus Thunder!

It should be noted that extella and Grand Order were very roughly contemporaries in terms of development, thus it's not strange than occasional veiled Grand Order reference will find its way into the game. It's only appropriate Tamamo makes both of them (this, and the gacha reference during the Orchid Words bonus update).

Anyway, Tamamo is actually a pretty rough fight for Iskandar. I don't know if it's because Tamamo is powered up a bit, but she attacks pretty quickly, and it's hard to get off much but his S S T attack and maybe the chariot charge if she's far away. Perhaps I was fighting a bit sloppier because I feel like I have to rush this stage. Which, to be fair, I kinda do.



But now it's time to hustle. We wasted quite enough time on the fox woman.



Jeanne meant well, but unfortunately, she slowed me down a bit. Lu Bu kept blocking her attacks when she was around, so it made it a bit tougher for me to find a good opening.



That arrow did quite a number on me. While I was recording, I thought that arrow just narrowly missed me, but that's only because I didn't stagger from it at all.



And then he got me again, at a distance. He's proving to be quite the pain.



And there we go. Territorial victory, but a lot of real estate to take over while Karna's on our ass. For Iskandar's thoughts on our final adversary...

Such a loss to defeat this Hero. I would take them as my subject, but... I can't agree with this!

Something weird also happened while I was taking over Sectors. I brought out my doughnuts attack, but Karna parried it, and knocked me off my chariot... I guess the parrying goes through anything.



Pretty good crowd to nuke with my Noble Phantasm, don't you think?





Pretty rough, but a fun fight. I'm sure Iskandar would approve.


Iskandar ending

Yes, Altera! After I faced the Holy Sword of the Sun, I fought with the Spear of the Sun! *laugh* They were like Zeus's thunderbolts! Looks like I've beaten a good number of your enemies. I haven't brought you the head of their leader, but what do you say? If you want, I can bring you that too. Anyway, as your vassal, I want to ask for your verdict on something. Have I proven my worth to you, as the King of Conquerors? You'll notice I've finally achieved complete control over this Cyber Frame, too.

Your work has been satisfactory. I could even credit you with defeating the enemy's main forces. And I see what your intentions are in speaking to me. Now that you've regained your full power, you want to fight me again. Isn't that right?

Well, yes. I'll give you a gold star for that answer, Lord of Destruction. Just as that Ruler says, I want to konw how you and I really compare!

...This is depressing. I understand your words despite myself. It seems both of us are the sort that can only judge the other in battle. ...Very well, King of Conquerors. I'll grant you your wish. And it happens to be my wish as well.

Ah, right here and now, then? Now you're talking some sense! But just to make sure... We're in the middle of a major battle for you. If you lose, you'll have gone through all this trouble for nothing.

...I don't need your tedious lectures. Come, Iskandar.

All right, all right, don't say I didn't warn you. If you're dead set on it...



...let's fight to our heart's content! Shall we, Altera? No, child of the war god Attila!

...Tch!!

Yes indeed, one on one at our full power! Oh, my blood is boiling right now! The battle between Earth's greatest conquerors! Awaken and fight me, Lord of Destruction! Let's carve this battle into our souls! Whoever wins, no regrets! Your destruction and my subjugation - we'll see who wins when the two collide...!!

It's...! The weight of the sword...is incomparable to what is was before! King of Conquerors!!

...Yes, yes! Our clashes are like heartbeats to me! *laugh* It looks like it was worth making the trip all the way out here! I didn't reach the sea this time, but I'll do that next! Even if these fields burn to ashes, my rampage of conquest will never end! Follow me to the furthest ends of the battlefield, Altera...!