Shirou glanced at the scales in his hand and said, "By the king's authority, I grant you a divine duty."
His words flowed like a sweet melody, and a soft glow extended from his hand, wrapping around the scales.
As the light completely enveloped the scales, he set aside the holy lance and drew the Caliburn. The blade emitted a radiant gleam as he swung it down—
"By the king's command, come forth, Astraea!"
With one swing of the sword, a luminous humanoid figure obediently materialized through the summoning.
Luvia was dumbfounded. "Th-this is... a joke, right?"
Taking on a more solid form, the figure gripped a sword that screamed 'justice.' Displaying an imposing bearing, she announced, "Goddess of Justice, Astraea, I have come in response to your summons, my king!"
"M-my... my king?"
Both Rin and Luvia stood there, jaws dropped, as if the world was falling apart.
The reappearance of Astraea, a goddess who had been swallowed by the monster, was already mind-blowing on its own.
But now?
A goddess referring to a human as her king?
This was beyond comprehension!
Merlin broke the silence. "This isn't something to be surprised about,"
"Magus Merlin, can you explain what's going on?" Luvia asked.
Rin also shifted her gaze toward him.
They both realized they were standing in front of none other than Merlin, the legendary magus from the Arthurian legend. So, they didn't waste any time and just went ahead and asked him what was going on.
With a chuckle, he began, "In the grand legacy established by our king, he isn't merely a ruler but the embodiment of heaven, earth, and its people. His voice resonates like a divine melody. The king's authority is unmatched, even by gods. He is, essentially, the ruler of all things, so it's only natural for gods to fall under his jurisdiction."
Rin latched onto an important detail. "But Astraea doesn't come from the Camelot legend, though, does she?"
Merlin flashed a smile, "Ah, but didn't Luvia just hand over the Divine Core to the king a moment ago?"
Rin seemed deep in thought, while Luvia looked confused and asked, "What does that have to do with anything?"
Rin snapped, "Are you kidding? You just gave the Divine Core to Fuji—" She paused and stopped short, choosing her words carefully, "—you gave it to His Majesty. That's probably the moment Astraea aligned with Camelot, right?"
Merlin grinned, pleased. "Exactly. So, it stands to reason that our king could now also summon Lady Astraea from the Throne of Heroes. The thing is..."
"The thing is what?" Luvia interjected, growing more curious.
"This manifestation of the goddess isn't the same as before. She now embodies the attribute of Justice, not Virgo and Stars," Merlin elaborated.
Astraea caught Merlin's eye before shifting her focus to Shirou. "Indeed, my king. As the magus of flowers has accurately stated, the elements of Virgo and Stars have been absorbed by that thing. Through my manifestation using your Noble Phantasm, I only represent Justice."
Shirou simply nodded. "That's fine."
"My King..." Astraea's looked at him.
He shot a quick glance at Luvia and Rin before speaking, "Rin, Luvia, Astraea, go ahead and do what you need to do."
"Got it," Rin and Luvia chimed in almost simultaneously.
Astraea joined them, her voice gentle as she added, "Rin, Luvia, let's give it our all together, okay?"
Luvia and Rin exchanged a hesitant look for a moment.
Undeterred, she continued with a soft smile, "Don't treat me like a stranger. I'm still the same me. The part that got absorbed was just one side of me. The version His Majesty summoned from the Throne of Heroes still holds onto my old memories. She put in a lot of effort to create those memories. So, please, don't keep your distance. It'd make me kind of sad."
"Lady Astraea..."
The three departed.
Shirou shifted his attention to Miyu and instructed, "Miyu, you and Ruby head over to the office and see how the evacuation is coming along."
She hesitated briefly before giving a determined nod, "Yes, Fu... Your Highness!"
With that, Miyu and Ruby took their leave.
"Now then, my king, I suppose it's time for me to tend to my duties as well," Merlin spoke with a smile as he got up to leave. However, before he could go far, Shirou signaled for him to stay.
Curious, Merlin asked, "What's the matter, my king?"
"I need to ask you something important. Tell me honestly, is Mordred the child of me and Artoria?"
Merlin's smile froze on his face.
He locked eyes with his king, whose gaze was as keen as an eagle's, and a shiver ran down his spine.
The moment he'd been dreading had finally come...
Merlin's shoulders slumped as he let out a resigned sigh. With a nod, he admitted, "Yes."
Shirou looked at him, "Did you conspire with Agravain and the others to keep this from me?"
Merlin's head drooped, his response barely above a whisper, "Yes."
Shirou gazed at him calmly and said, "Don't move, stay right there."
"Huh? My king?"
Merlin raised his head, only to be met with the Holy Lance, Rhongomyniad, radiating a searing white light that consumed him.
Within the blaze of white light, his body crumbled to ashes, and as his last breath slipped away, Merlin let out a resigned sigh.
The king was undeniably furious, and Merlin was well aware of it.
Once Merlin's life had been extinguished, Shirou took a moment to wipe down the Holy Lance.
Oddly enough, not a single soldier among those present voiced any disagreement.
But then again, was this really surprising?
They had all overheard the exchange between the king and the magus.
Moreover, the king's words were deemed divine, his judgments beyond contestation. Everything felt natural, unquestionable—an undeniable truth and a verdict beyond explanation.
After carefully cleaning the Holy Lance, he brought its shaft down to the ground with a forceful thud, the sound echoing.
His voice, low and commanding, reverberated, "Gather before me, Knights of the Round Table!"
From the very tip of lance's shaft, a shimmering light extended, forming a luminous path that expanded outward.
And then, like an assembly of light, the Round Table Knights—the pinnacle of power within the kingdom—materialized before him.
"Your Majesty!"
As the knights materialized, they all bowed respectfully to the ruler who held power over everything.
Even King Galahad, who had already ascended to the throne, was no exception.
Shirou took a quick glance at them and wasted no time; he blasted Gawain, Kay, and Agravain with his lance.
The knights displayed a mix of reactions—some looked scared, others let out sighs, and a few appeared utterly puzzled.
Just like Scathach.
She couldn't wrap her head around why he had instantly taken down Gawain, Kay, and Agravain without any hesitation.
She was tempted to ask, but a single look at his expression made her think twice and seal her lips.
The Eternal King's current manifestation was unlike any of his previous forms; he exuded an aura of undeniable authority.
With a serious expression, he spoke up, "Those responsible for inciting rebellion, step forward!"
A few knights quietly stepped forward.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
"Boom—!!!"
...
Shirou didn't show any mercy, employing the full might of the Holy Lance to bring them all down.
His voice carried an unyielding tone as he declared, "Those who supported Mordred as my descendants, step forward!"
Once more, a cluster of knights silently came forward.
From the moment Gawain, Kay, and Agravain fell by the king's hand, they understood that this manifestation wasn't about delegating tasks; it was a settling of debts.
A long-awaited reckoning for the dynasty's downfall that had happened 1500 years ago!
Shirou didn't hold back and used Rhongomyniad to eliminate them one by one.
Glancing around, only a handful of knights were left in the end.
He stated with a heavy voice, "The knights mentioned earlier shall be stripped of their titles in my service!"
At first, the remaining knights maintained their composure, silently bearing witness to his settling of scores, his brand of justice. However, his words hit them like a thunderbolt.
For a knight, what's the most difficult thing to accept?
Losing their honor, having their knightly title revoked.
But for a knight who serves under Eternal King, the most excruciating and difficult thing is the loss of the king's acknowledgment.
It's a clear indication that the king has turned his back on them!
At that moment, a wave of panic swept through the remaining knights.
"My king..." Galahad began, but a single look from his king stifled his words before they could escape his lips.
The king's gaze was firm, yet deep within it, there was also sorrow.
Why the king was sorrowful went without saying.
The trust he had placed in those knights, the trust that had surpassed all else, had been cruelly shattered by their act of betrayal.
The king's heart weighed heavy with sorrow. The dynasty he had worked so hard to build hadn't collapsed because of outside threats, but rather crumbled from within, thanks to the discord among the Knights of the Round Table.
Galahad struggled to find the right words to say.
Gareth reached out and gave a gentle tug on his robe.
Turning, Galahad glanced at her.
Gareth shook her head subtly, signaling for him not to contradict the king at this moment.
Galahad sighed inwardly and stepped back into place.
Scathach, who stood to the side, already understood the sequence of events. She merely sighed inwardly, not saying a word.
Bedivere, on the other hand, looked mournfully at Agravain's former position before lowering his head.
The other knights also gazed sorrowfully at the places their comrades once occupied before bowing their heads.
The king's judgment was not mistaken.
Because those knights had betrayed the king.
At this moment, a soldier ran up to the king in a state of urgency and said, "My King, urgent news!"
"Speak!"
"Merlin's disappearance has caused the sea of flowers to fade, and the black mist from the sea is advancing toward the city! The monsters that were previously confined to the outskirts are spreading even more quickly and becoming more rampant!"
Setting aside his grief, Shirou's expression shifted to one of determination. He declared, "I was wondering what was going on. Now that I'm here in person, there's no time for despair!"
"My king..."
"Your Majesty!"
All eyes landed fervently upon the king.
The slumbering king had awakened, radiating brilliance once again.
Looking up at the sleeping creature in the sky, he slowly drew Caliburn, its light shimmering around him.
And then he brought the sword down—
It let out a sharp, screeching sound, and then the light exploded in a blinding burst!
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom—!!!
The ground cracked open, and the sky split apart.
Across the expansive landscape, numerous light patterns bloomed, stretching like a spiderweb on the earth.
A dazzling, brilliant white light blanketed the vast and limitless land, as if tearing through the very darkness.
Amidst this light, soldiers dressed in gleaming silver armor and weapons began to materialize, one after another.
"Eternal King!"
"Eternal King!"
"Eternal King—!!!"
A hundred thousand soldiers stood upon the earth, their faces brimming with fervor as they fixed their gaze upon the King. With unwavering enthusiasm, they erupted in shouts of the King's name.
Their resounding cheers shattered even the thick black mist that had enveloped the sky.
The sheer strength of humanity made the sky rumble and the earth quake!
Over at Fuyuki City Hall, Luvia and Rin were taken aback by the commotion. They rushed to the window, peering downward in astonishment.
The scene below was a sea of people, densely packed together.
And every single one of them was standing on the web of light!
Humanity's light pushed back the limitless darkness that had veiled the earth.
Astonishment!
Awe!
This was the power of humanity!
Individuals might not seem like much on their own, but when they come together, intertwined and relying on each other, their collective impact becomes unmatched.
"Wait... is that—!"
Rin's gaze locked onto the weapons held by the soldiers, her disbelief etched across her face. She murmured, "Those... those can't be..."
"Yes," Astraea gently nodded and smiled. "Those are all Noble Phantasms."
"Are you kidding me? There are like a hundred thousand people here, right? And they're all wielding Noble Phantasms? Did he manage to summon every single Heroic Spirit from the Throne of Heroes?" Rin's face was filled with disbelief.
"No, those soldiers are like me, people under the King's rule."
"Under his rule?" Luvia shot a questioning look at her.
"Yes." she nodded, turned her gaze to look at him and said, "It was only after I was summoned by the King that I truly understood the profound meaning behind the title 'Eternal King.' Throughout history, countless revered monarchs have existed just like how stars dotting the night sky. Yet, like a solitary and dignified full moon suspended high above, the one who genuinely draws people to yearn for never-ending rule is our King alone. The title of Eternal King isn't mere grandiosity; it's the collective hope of the masses. And that's our king, Eternal King."
Luvia and Rin's eyes were drawn to him, standing amidst dazzling brilliance that radiated light from every inch of his body. He seemed like a flame in the darkest night – so brilliant, yet not scorching. It was an irresistible sight, drawing people in and igniting a yearning to approach, to follow that mesmerizing flame.
Astraea's gaze drifted up to the dormant dragon head in the sky. She remarked, "Even though that thing might instill despair in people, there's no need for sorrow. Because the King, who banishes all sorrow, has descended. Whoever can free us from this predicament isn't a divine spirit or anyone else; it's the King who has awoken from an eternal sleep!"
Luvia, Rin, Miyu, and Ruby had their gazes drawn to the Eternal King. Even those who had been hiding couldn't resist looking through the window, captivated by the radiant presence of the King.
The brilliance of the light didn't stop there – it twinkled in the far-off reaches, reaching even the distant regions.
People from various places,
Those consumed by desperation,
Fearful souls,
And those who felt lost,
Everyone unconsciously turned their heads and gazed at that light.
It's as if the light of heaven is piercing into the depths of hell itself, casting its radiance even into the abyss.
Emiya Kiritsugu observed that luminous display, his cigarette emitting a quiet stream of smoke. Okita Souji and Emiya Shirou, standing beside him, shared the same contemplative gaze.
A surge of emotions, difficult to express in words, welled up within them.
Just by gazing at that light, a trace of bitterness seeped into their hearts — hearts long riddled by scars, long rendered numb...
It was a light that presented a sharp contrast to their existence as Counter Guardians!
Karna and Arjuna also directed their gaze towards the light and remained in complete silence.
"Is that the King who rests deep within the Throne of Heroes, destined never to awaken or descend?" Arjuna asked.
Karna gave a nod, "Indeed, that's the Heroic Spirit sought after by the Counter Force."
"Hmph. I had dismissed the legends of Britain, believing none were worthy opponents. Little did I know that he was slumbering all along within those legends," Arjuna mused.
The Knights of the Round Table, King Arthur... Arjuna had paid little heed to the Heroic Spirits woven from Britain's legend. Yet, now, the very Eternal King who had slumbered within those legends had descended. Even without direct interaction, he felt an instinctual mix of respect and vigilance, perceiving him as a potential threat.
Illya looked at the light, so distant yet oddly close, as if within reach.
"What is that...?" she asked.
"The light of the Eternal King," Gil responded with a sigh, "Honestly... that was supposed to be the ultimate move, yet it's the first one out in the open. Seriously... he's just doing his own thing, not giving a damn about anyone else's situation. Am I gonna end up totally lagging behind this time?"
Gil shot a quick look at Chloe beside him.
She crossed her arms vigilantly, "What are you plotting?"
Gil scratched the back of his head in frustration, then sighed, "Forget it. Now that Eternal King has awakened, there's nothing to worry about."
"Why's that? Why shouldn't we worry?" Illya shifted her gaze toward him.
Gil smiled and said, "Even in the endless cold and darkness of the long night, the brilliant flame that illuminates the world has already been ignited."
Gray also looked at the shining light and said, "Isn't that..."
"It's the King's light!" Artoria said with anticipation.
The dazzling light gradually descended, breaking apart the shroud of black mist in the sky and the mist over the sea that were creeping towards the land like the hands of the abyss.
Shirou's grip on Caliburn shifted slightly, and the blade crackled with threads of crimson lightning.
Zla, zla!
With a resolute expression, he hoisted the sword high and cried out, "As the red dragon stretches its wings, any land this blade touches shall become the dominion of this king!"
With a sweeping motion, the red lightning woven around the blade spread like a spider's web. A silhouette of radiant red began to outline his body, casting a deep crimson glow.
The summoned soldiers were gradually shrouded in a swirling mist of crimson light.
Crackle, crackle—!!!
An army of a hundred thousand, each soldier's physique swelled with newfound strength, their gleaming silver armor becoming more intricate. Atop each head sprouted crimson dragon horns that pierced through their silver helmets, while their pupils dilated and transformed into scarlet, beast-like eyes.
A powerful surge, like that of a mighty dragon, burst out!
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