Chapter 133: Chapter 57. The King Who Watches Over Forever
Looking for more translated chapters?
Over 30 chapters are available at [patreon.com/kurato6180].
---
I Will Eventually Embark on the Path of No Return Called a Hero [Arc2] - 57. The King Who Watches Over Forever
---
The flames have burned everything in this world.
Whether human or Servant, all turn to ashes before this fire, which seems to originate from the sun.
It should be this way…
"Why…"
Darnic stared blankly at Vlad III, who stood with arms outstretched, completely charred. Black mist and shadows enveloped them like a shield, leaving Darnic untouched amidst the scorched land.
Vlad III staggered, as if losing all his strength, and slowly fell forward. Darnic's eyes widened, and he hurriedly stood up to catch Vlad III.
So hot!
Vlad III, transformed into a vampire and activating his Noble Phantasm, should have been cold, but now he was intensely hot, almost burning Darnic's hands. Yet, he stubbornly supported Vlad III.
This proud king would never allow himself to appear pathetic before the enemy. Since the king could not do it, Darnic would support him!
"King, you won't be hurt. I still have two Command Spells. You haven't lost!" Darnic raised his hand stubbornly, and the remaining two Command Spells slowly vanished in a flash of light. "King, recover quickly!"
Karna watched Darnic calmly, having no intention of stopping him. He had the ability to see through the essence of things, but being not very articulate, he would unintentionally expose others' wounds. He was aware of this, so he did not plan to speak. Some things can only be believed when discovered personally.
"Why! Why isn't it working!" Darnic was stunned as Vlad III's body failed to recover and even began to turn transparent.
This was a scene that typically appeared when a Heroic Spirit was withdrawing.
But it shouldn't be like this!
"King, open your eyes quickly! You still have unfulfilled wishes," Darnic roared.
As a vampire, Vlad III's only weakness should be sunlight, so why is he dying!
"It's useless now," Karna said softly, "Your Command Spells cannot support him."
"It's my fault. I turned the king into this state. If I hadn't asked him…" Darnic clutched his forehead in agony.
"No, you are not at fault," Vlad III opened his eyes. The prominent fangs had disappeared. The Vlad III who could even hold his own against Karna had vanished. The bloodline legacy had ended because he was about to die.
After becoming a vampire, he had left the realm of Heroic Spirits and become an immortal-like being. As long as he could consume enough blood, he could even withstand Karna's Noble Phantasm and approach Karna. The attack just now was Karna's final strike. He no longer had the magical power to defend.
But he gave up…
He became an immortal demon to protect his people but abandoned his life for their protection.
Vampires' regeneration is not infinite. Without blood intake, they die. At that time, Darnic was right in front of him and could have been consumed anytime. Yet he gave up, stretching out his arms and using all his strength to protect Darnic in this sea of flames.
For some reason, the hunger that had once driven him to despair had vanished.
Do you regret it?
Yes, I do regret it. If only I were stronger, if only I could have done everything perfectly.
Are you satistfied?
Yes, I am satisfied. Even with my body's transformation, my will remained mine until the end. I never betrayed my people, even in my final moments, I opened my arms for them.
Do you have any regrets?
Yes, I do have regrets. In the end, I still couldn't fulfill my people's wishes.
"It's my fault. I failed to fulfill my promise to you," Vlad III forced a bitter smile. "Darnic, you are not at fault. Whether as a Master or a subject, it is truly wonderful to be able to talk with you in the end. If you had been there at that time I wouldn't have fallen to this state."
"King…" Darnic closed his eyes.
"Come on, Darnic, help me up. Even in death, I won't fall before the enemy. You are Darnic, as my subject you must never show such a pitiable state. No matter how desperate the situation, as long as you haven't given up, it can definitely be changed," Vlad III placed his hand on Darnic's shoulder.
"Mm," Darnic nodded and helped Vlad III to stand.
"That's good. Look ahead, don't look back. The coming life may be tough, but you must keep moving forward," Vlad III staggered to Darnic's back, chest out. "Remember, you are my Master, Vlad III's Master, and also my people. Even in death, I will guard this land and you all. So…"
A faint light fell on Darnic like rain.
"You must carve out the future of this land for me. I will always watch over you from behind."
Darnic clenched his fists against his forehead, his body trembling. For the first time, tears appeared on the face of Darnic, a magician who had lived for over sixty years.
"Then I leave everything to you, my Master, my subject," Vlad III raised his hand to touch Darnic's head, but his fingers shattered upon contact.
"Darnic…"
Lancer Vlad III's spirit base dissipated, and he died.
"I understand, King," Darnic dropped his fists and calmly faced Karna, bathed in the dissipating light of Vlad III.
"Kings are indeed extraordinary beings. They change a person," Karna crossed his arms.
"Attracting people, guiding people, changing people."
"Boom----"
The wall collapsed with a roar, and Cyd emerged carrying a box, followed by Jeanne and Atalanta.
"Redeeming people, protecting people, plundering people. They are contradictory yet entirely reasonable. This is the King."
"A Ruler, huh?" Karna made no move.
"Yes, Darnic, Lancer has been defeated. You have lost your qualification and should leave," Cyd looked at the unmoving Darnic. "You can leave through the hole behind me."
Will he leave?
Jeanne was somewhat doubtful. From the first time she met Darnic, she understood that he had an incredibly deep obsession. His desire for the Holy Grail far surpassed others, and even if the Heroic Spirit was gone, he would not abandon the Holy Grail.
"I understand," Darnic exhaled, his expression calm but hiding a heavy sense of responsibility. "I give up the Holy Grail."
"Is that so? Congratulations," Cyd smiled and clapped. "The wish for your people's future should not be entrusted to that cup filled with desire. The future should be created by your own hands. As long as you haven't given up, you shouldn't leave it to the Holy Grail."
"If it were before, I would probably argue with 'What do you know? You don't know what I've been through.' But now…" Darnic passed by Cyd and walked toward the broken hole.
"I should indeed keep trying, because…"
Darnic paused and smiled.
"Because the King entrusted me with it."
Even if the next reincarnation named Darnic will never disappear! This Holy Grail War, this memory will never vanish—not until fulfilling the King's wish and carving out their future.
Until then, he will never meet the King again!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone