The old priest's body fell directly into the black magical energy. His blood stained the ground and was then greedily devoured by the black magic. The old priest's eyes were still open; how could he rest in peace after being killed by his own child?
The black magical energy greedily consumed the old priest's blood, or more accurately, the life force and magical energy contained within it.
[Let me be born. A medium. A body.]
Kirei looked at the black magical energy before him as it gradually devoured his own father's body. A smile appeared on Kirei's face. So this was a person who loved me. So this was the feeling of killing someone you loved? Although the pleasure in his heart seemed to have been vented somewhat, it was not as pleasurable as when he saw the suffering of others.
But this was enough. He already knew the answer. He was, indeed, a born "monster." To think that such a monster had once been loved by a woman was really a bit amusing.
Was this the "pleasure" the King of Heroes spoke of? Was this the "true self" the King of Heroes spoke of? But it was a pity. He had already awakened, but the King of Heroes had already made his exit. He gently touched the black magical energy that coiled around his body like a snake. His teacher, Tohsaka Tokiomi, probably wouldn't die so easily.
"Be good. I will let you be born."
---
At the Tohsaka residence, after all the dust and smoke had cleared, Balin looked at King Arthur, then sighed. He hadn't expected it to really be Arthur. He then glanced at Irisviel. "You hid it quite well, to have actually summoned two Heroic Spirits... but I also have to thank you. If not for you, the two most difficult opponents would not have made their exit."
Merlin gave a wry smile twice and raised his hands. Next up was their own internal civil war. They were all people of the same era. As an existence who had been pulled out to make up the numbers, he didn't plan on intervening in the upcoming battle, at least not actively.
"In any case, everyone has dealt with the great enemy at hand. There are still four days until the end of the Holy Grail War. Why don't we all rest for a day or two before deciding a winner? As I said before, I have no interest in the Holy Grail. If you all need an arbitrator, I am willing to take on this role."
Balin glanced at Merlin and didn't say much, just nodded. In any case, their consumption today was real, and they had indeed taken care of the two most difficult Heroic Spirits, although it was also because they had deliberately not charged up at the first moment, specifically letting the King of Conquerors and that King of Heroes wear each other down. But for the sake of victory in the Holy Grail War, they did not regret it.
Balin turned his gaze to Waver. "My Master said that if your Servant is defeated, then I am to bring you over. You will study under my Master and also discuss compensation for taking the catalyst."
Waver had not yet recovered from the mood of the King of Conquerors making his exit. The back of that king was still in his mind. After hearing this sentence, his eyes widened slightly. Balin didn't care if this little brat had reacted or not. He reached out, grabbed Waver by the collar, and directly hoisted him onto his shoulder.
Waver, having come to his senses, struggled constantly, his feet flailing. Balin frowned slightly and slapped Waver's butt with his hand. "Be quiet. My Master's not going to eat you. Tsk, your butt is quite perky."
Balin gave the others one last look, then disappeared from everyone's sight with a few leaps. He needed to get back to Kenneth as soon as possible to discuss their next strategy.
Merlin bowed respectfully to Artoria. And Artoria looked at Merlin before her and nodded gently. At the last moment of that battlefield, she had already known that this teacher of hers had long since foreseen her ending. But this ending of hers was something her teacher had confirmed with her again and again, and she had also chosen to accept it. Therefore, as King Arthur, Artoria did not blame Merlin. On the contrary, she now had something to ask him.
"Merlin, my teacher, the great magus who witnessed the Sword of Selection being pulled, I now ask you in my capacity as King Arthur. You must answer me truthfully."
Merlin bowed slightly, just as he had 1500 years ago. "As long as it is unrelated to this Holy Grail War, my King, whatever you ask, in the name of the Magus of Flowers, I will surely answer truthfully."
Artoria took a deep breath. She had confirmed with the Servant Aslan so many times, but he just wouldn't budge. Since that was the case, she wouldn't ask him anymore. Anyway, Merlin was also present during their first appearance back then, and was even with Brother Aslan. The Sword of Selection was also placed there by Merlin. Then Merlin must be able to answer this question.
"Merlin... did the Sword of Selection also acknowledge Brother Aslan?"
Merlin was taken aback, and a drop of cold sweat appeared on his head. "Well... about that..."
How was he supposed to answer this? After all, 1500 years ago, he was the one who had stopped this news from spreading as the great court magus, in order to consolidate Artoria's rule. And if he remembered correctly, he and Aslan had signed a magical contract. And unfortunately, before the end of the Holy Grail War, as long as he did not suffer a fatal wound, he really had no way to just casually dissolve this body and return to the Tower of Avalon. Unless a Command Spell was used. This meant that for the next four days, he didn't know what kind of situation he would have to face. Too much time had passed; he had somewhat forgotten what he had written in the magical contract back then. That magical contract was still lying around in the Tower of Avalon. But he remembered that there seemed to be a time limit. So it should be fine to say it now...
What to do? He really wanted to see what kind of expression Aslan would have on his face after being pestered by his own cousin. Hehe... ehehehe. It's over. His own incubus's mischievous nature was making him unable to hold back from saying it!
Forget it, let's just throw caution to the wind! What's more, Artoria had already used her identity as King Arthur to ask him, the court magus. How could he deceive Artoria? In his heart, he had always felt a bit of apology towards this young girl.
"Alright... now that things have come to this, it should be fine to say it. That's right. Before you came before the Sword of Selection, Aslan did indeed pull out the Sword of Selection. The Sword of Glorious Victory he holds now is precisely that Sword of Selection."