Chapter 47: 47 The Endless Sea
The Holy Grail War has reached its conclusion.
The seven Masters and Servants chosen by the Holy Grail have made their respective decisions.
In this war...
Some have found the meaning of life, some have let go of their long-held wishes, some have retaliated, some have died content, while others still wander in confusion.
At this moment, four Servant souls have been collected in the Holy Grail... Caster, Assassin, Berserker, Ruler.
With this, this epoch-spanning war has officially entered its final phase.
Watching the suffering Irisviel before him, Emiya Kiritsugu's hand holding the cigarette began to tremble uncontrollably.
Due to the four Servant souls contained within her, Irisviel's body was enduring immense pain.
This is the fate of the Lesser Grail, a homunculus created by the Einzbern family, essentially a magical tool that takes on a human form.
As the Holy Grail War progressed, the burden of carrying the Servant souls would gradually cause her to lose her human functions, ultimately leading to her demise, transforming into the Lesser Grail.
After a whole night of research, Kayneth discovered many secrets from Irisviel, particularly regarding the true nature of the Lesser Grail created by the Einzbern.
The Third Magic - Heaven's Feel.
If it were another magus facing Irisviel, an excellent magical material with the capabilities of the Third Magic, they would surely be unable to resist dissecting her for further study. After all, it is one of the legendary Five True Magics, undeniably lethal in its appeal to magus.
However, Kayneth's interest in this was not significant, as he was already aware of the considerable drawbacks of the so-called Third Magic... Heaven's Feel.
Gaining immortality through such means would only strip humanity of its humanity. Over time, emotions would be washed away, leading to a civilization incapable of progress, unable to move... such a taboo should not exist.
Thus, he only conducted some research on Irisviel without taking any extreme actions and eventually locked her away in a bounded field in the basement after his study.
As for whether she would be taken away, it was of no consequence; her ultimate fate would still be to transform into the Lesser Grail, and only the victor of the war could claim the Holy Grail. In the end, it would surely return to his hands in the form of the Grail.
But what he did not know was that activating the Greater Grail only required the souls of four Servants, and now, with the sacrifice of Amakusa Shirou, Irisviel's body had reached its limit of accommodating four Servant souls. All that remained was to take her to a suitable place to await the arrival of the Grail.
However…
Even though they had come this far, Kiritsugu's heart began to waver.
He had seen the shattered future projected into his mind by Roy, and now, looking at his wife suffering before him, he felt lost, unsure of what the right course of action was.
In the silence, Irisviel was the first to speak.
"Kiritsugu… it's alright, I was born for this."
"And I'm truly happy to have met you and Illya."
Irisviel smiled as she bid her final farewell to her beloved.
She knew she would soon leave this world, as her senses and memories had begun to fade gradually.
Perhaps she would forget Kiritsugu and Illya very soon…
"...I'm sorry, Iris."
Kiritsugu's voice trembled; he knew he had finally reached the most desperate and tormenting moment of the Holy Grail War, and this was where he felt the most helpless.
"Please take good care of Illya, Kiritsugu. Meeting you has made me truly happy…"
...
Burning Church.
Ruined Forest.
An hour ago.
Kayneth and Waver, this master-apprentice duo, cautiously explored the entire church under the layered protection of Lancer and Rider.
After all, in someone else's territory, Kayneth wouldn't be foolish enough to let his confidence lead him astray; besides, he didn't want to end up dead here. The thought of that terrifying prophecy from Zelretch made him even more alert.
However, no matter how hard they searched... even flipping the entire church upside down... there was still no sign of Amakusa Shirou or the Avenger who had betrayed them. The church was already deserted.
This left Kayneth feeling extremely frustrated as if he had thrown a power-packed punch only to hit a cotton ball, completely failing to deal any damage.
In contrast, Iskandar seemed to have a clearer understanding of the situation. He rubbed his chin, seriously analyzing their next moves.
"Avoiding confrontation is a wise decision, but how will they respond next? With their base eliminated, it will be hard for them to retaliate, right?"
"What remains are Saber, Ruler, Avenger, and then me and Lancer. In this situation, do they really want to consolidate their forces and have a final showdown with us? If that's the case, then I'm looking forward to it."
"A showdown? Although it's two against three, in terms of combat power, it's clear that we have the upper hand. If it really comes to a fight, we shouldn't have anything to fear." Kayneth rarely agreed with Iskandar's words.
"But… is it really like that?"
"Hmm? Waver, do you have a new thought?" Kayneth looked at him.
"No… nothing, I just feel something is strange…" Waver shrank back, glancing left and right, a bit frightened.
"Don't be afraid, little Master; if you have any thoughts, just voice them."
Fionn remained silent, lightly sucking on his fingers, his thoughts swirling for a moment before he soon spotted a flaw.
"No, Master, something isn't right."
"What's going on?"
"Lancer, did you notice anything?"
Fionn nodded. "Yes, although I can't be sure, there is indeed something abnormal.
Haven't you noticed? The magical particles in the air in this room are too dense, almost as if they're at the center of the ley lines."
"But the ley line center of Fuyuki City isn't here, so what's with this abnormal concentration of magical energy? If it were because Ruler had built a magical ritual here, that could explain it, but just now, there was no sign of a ritual being established throughout the entire church…"
"What do you mean?"
Listening to Fionn's analysis, Kayneth seemed to have thought of something.
"Exactly. Although it's hard to believe, perhaps a Servant dissipated here not long before we arrived? The particles haven't had a chance to disperse."
"You mean Ruler or Avenger might have…" Kayneth pressed for more, but someone interrupted them.
Whoosh...
Several sharp, swift sounds of air slicing through.
"Watch out!" Iskandar immediately reacted, drawing his sword and striking down the flying spear that was shot at them.
*Clang!*
Seeing the two long spears aimed at them, Kayneth and Waver broke out in a cold sweat, their shocked expressions barely concealed. That feeling of life and death left them with lingering fear.
"Quick reaction time, King of Conquerors, but it should be like this. If you can't even block such an attack, you're not worthy to compete with me."
The golden figure of Gilgamesh appeared, perched high on a nearby streetlight, looking down at them.
"It's Archer!" Waver exclaimed upon seeing Gilgamesh.
"But didn't Roy say his contract with Tohsaka Tokiomi had already been terminated? Why is he still here?!"
"Hmph, boy, do you think a mere Command Seal can restrain me? Who do you think I am? As long as I don't wish to withdraw, I can certainly remain."
Gilgamesh shot him a glare before returning his attention to Iskandar and Fionn, clearly uninterested in small fries like Waver and Kayneth.
"Oh, it's been a while, Archer."
Iskandar smiled at the front-facing Gilgamesh and began greeting him.
"I knew it; a king like you wouldn't be so easily dismissed.
If the situation allowed, I would definitely host a feast and invite you, that King of Knights, and Lancer to gather together and discuss the way of kingship."
"Discuss kingship? You say you want to discuss kingship with me?"
"Pfffhahaha!" Gilgamesh laughed heartily, doubling over in amusement.
"What's so strange about that?"
"Hahahaha, you're killing me! You guys, pretenders to kingship, actually want to discuss the way of kings with me? Now, that's the funniest joke ever."
"Though you say that, since no one can judge which way of kingship is superior without a comparison, right?" Iskandar laughed in response as well.
"Hmph, it seems you're quite confident in your way of kingship, but who do you think I am?"
"I am the King of Heroes and the King of Uruk, Gilgamesh!"
Gilgamesh slowly spread his arms, and countless golden ripples emanated from the void behind him.
"Rider!!!" Seeing the myriad of Noble Phantasms emerging from the golden portals, Waver immediately hid behind Iskandar.
Kayneth also looked apprehensive, stepping back a few paces to give way to Lancer, as he had no confidence against the extraordinary existence that was Gilgamesh.
"If time were sufficient, I wouldn't mind playing with you, but right now, it's better for you to retreat obediently! I no longer have the patience to play with you!"
"Ah~ so you're saying we're going to discuss kingship with force?"
Iskandar scratched his head, responding in the same posture.
"But this king accepts! Come on! King of Heroes, let's compete and see whose way of kingship is the strongest!"
"Little Master, use the command seal! This king has expended quite a bit of magical energy before, and now I need to be at my best to fight! Also, Lancer, please do not intervene in this battle; this is a contest of kingship between the King of Conquerors and the King of Heroes."
"King of Conquerors, are you sure?" Fionn paused for a moment before confirming.
"You fool! What are you thinking? Hurry up and team up with Lancer to eliminate him while Archer is low on magical energy!"
Kayneth shouted anxiously; he really couldn't comprehend Iskandar's peculiar thought process.
Facing the King of Heroes Gilgamesh, how could they not take advantage of his weakened state? They should quickly team up with Lancer to defeat him; why challenge him to a duel? What kind of foolish operation is this?
However, before he could say anything more, Iskandar had already raised his large hand, signaling him to be quiet.
"This is a battle of kings; no one else needs to intervene! Lemonhead, if you're unwilling to accept this, then you too shall be my enemy!"
"You!!"
Fionn blocked him and nodded towards Iskandar, saying, "Is this your choice, King of Conquerors? Then I understand. I swear by the honor of the Knights of Fianna that I will only protect my master in this battle and will not interfere."
"Thank you, Lancer. If given the chance, I would also like to compete with a hero like you."
"Of course, it would be an immense honor."
"Are you ready then? My little Master, I previously mentioned that I would show you what true conquest looks like. Are you willing to set out with me now?"
"Rider..."
"I understand!" Waver nodded solemnly, then raised his right hand and shouted, "By the three command seals, I command you, Rider, to fight at your best!"
"Okay!!"
Iskandar roared, unleashing the pent-up excitement he had, suddenly raising his sword, causing a thunderous roar... Ionioi Hetairoi.
Yellow sand filled the air, and dust swirled around.
With Iskandar's roar, the surrounding environment underwent a dramatic change, and everyone present was transported to this ancient battlefield filled with flying sand.
"Welcome to my world, King of Heroes! From now on, this will be the battlefield for our clash of kings!"
"Hmph, I didn't expect you to reject the help of that Lancer by your side. Should I call you foolish, or admire your courage for daring to face me alone?"
"Hahahaha, the clash of kings should be fought like this, and make no mistake, I am not alone, King of Heroes."
Iskandar lifted Waver beside him as they both commanded the Gordius Wheel, leading an innumerable army behind them into battle.
"My Master, my warriors are all here! Under the banner of the King of Conquerors, they fight alongside me, and we will battle together!!"
"King of Conquerors!"
"King of Conquerors!!!"
Every soldier behind them, every voice called out Iskandar's name, marching in synchronized steps as they formed a magnificent army, their eyes filled with fervor.
"Kill!"
Then, with a sweep of his sword, Iskandar cut through the air, directing the army toward Gilgamesh.
"Kill!!!!"
"Hmph, a battlefield of yellow sand constructed by your mind, huh? Not entirely boring. I must say, you have some skill, King of Conquerors..."
Gazing at the terrifying army rushing toward him, perfectly synchronized and filled with might, Gilgamesh felt no disturbance within; instead, he couldn't help but laugh.
"Unite dreams and achieve greatness; such will is worthy of my praise."
Behind him, golden ripples appeared as two golden twin blades floated into his hands.
"But, warriors, do you understand? The so-called dreams are destined to awaken."
The twin swords fused in his hands to form a golden longbow, a terrifying momentum rapidly surged around him as Gilgamesh floated into the air.
"Then come, witness the end of your so-called dreams. I will personally make you understand this truth."
Sword of the End - Enki
"What a terrifying magical aura; is that the Noble Phantasm Archer is about to unleash?"
"Get ready; it's coming!"
Witnessing the great bow that Gilgamesh had drawn, Iskandar also felt an unprecedented sense of crisis.
The formation of the nearby army began to change rapidly, manipulating the legendary and invincible formation as they launched a surprise attack from all directions toward Gilgamesh.
The clash of metal and the sound of galloping horses filled the air; the terrifying momentum made the heavens and the earth tremble!
The formation suddenly shifted...
Did they sense the danger?
But it was meaningless; everything would be in vain after this strike!
"Hahaha, gaze upon the heavens!"
The golden longbow was drawn back, and before him, golden runes rippled, unfurling a pair of golden wings.
At the center of these golden wings, six symmetrical points of light sparkled, connecting to form a single red eye.
"It's time to put an end to this!"
The arrow coalesced, and then the points of light on the bow and the red dots disappeared in an instant, revealing a corresponding pattern in the sky.
"The fire of destruction is now full!"
The points of light in the sky formed an arrow, launching downward into the sandy world below.
"Behold! The inferno of destruction fills the heavens! Come forth! The Surge of Utnapishtim!"
"Enki!!!"
Gilgamesh shouted as he released the bowstring with his left hand.
*BOOM!*
The sky screamed while the earth roared.
The swelling force of magical energy shook the laws of the divine, surging forth in an instant.
Archer released the taut longbow but did not aim at anyone in particular.
There was no need to aim at anyone anymore. The arrows shot from the Sword of the End would annihilate not only enemies.
The moment the Sword of the End fell, it was as if the apocalypse had arrived; a deluge cascaded from the heavens, instantly engulfing all the armies, and the terrifying pressure of magical enegy crushed the military force to death in an instant.
"Master, be careful!"
Facing the towering waves of destruction, Fionn hurriedly shielded Kayneth, bracing himself against the impending terror.
"What on earth is this?!!" Kayneth exclaimed, on the verge of breaking down as he witnessed the mythic scene of the flood of destruction.
He had thought that Iskandar's military force was an absurd enough Noble Phantasm, yet Gilgamesh had now revealed an even more shocking Noble Phantasm that challenged his worldview.
At this moment, the outcome was already clear.
"This is the endless sea..."
On the Gordius Wheel, gazing at the towering waves and the soldiers being swallowed, Iskandar seemed momentarily dazed.
"Rider…" Waver's face turned pale upon seeing the tragic fate of the cavalry behind.
"It's okay, kid; I won't let anything happen to you."
"Little Master, do you wish to conquer this endless sea alongside me?"
"I do!"
Waver gritted his teeth and replied with unwavering determination in his eyes.
"Is that so… then let's continue the charge! Let's conquer this endless sea!!"
Raising his arm and shouting, the divine bull before the Gordius Wheel let out a battle roar.
In an instant, the Gordius Wheel transformed into a streak of piercing thunder, charging toward the still-surging sea of wrath.
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