"Clarent Blood Arthur!"
"High-Rank Sword of Victory!"
The two great swords of magical energy collided, and boundless magical power relentlessly ravaged everything around them. At this moment, even the darkness of the night was illuminated by their attack. As the two continuously exerted their power, a pillar of light shot straight into the sky from the center of their colliding attacks, changing the heavens. And on the outer periphery of their attacks, Jeanne had continuously retreated with Kairi Sisigou, who was observing. After all, even the residual waves of such an attack were more than an ordinary magus like him could bear.
"Ah!!!"
"Ah!!!"
Continuously expelling the magical energy within his body, Shirou persisted. To be honest, it seemed he was at a slight disadvantage in this clash. After all, it was an A+ rank Noble Phantasm amplified by three Command Spells; its power had long surpassed a holy sword.
Fortunately, Shirou's magical energy was extremely abundant. Originally, Shirou's magical energy was already far superior to ordinary magical energy due to his "three-in-one" nature. Plus, as a "magic human," his total magical energy was constantly increasing. This made Shirou's magical energy, though A-ranked, already close to EX. In terms of total magical energy alone, no other participant in this Holy Grail War could compare to him. Coupled with the high recovery rate from his Independent Action, this allowed Shirou to seize the opportunity for victory.
"You won't suppress me!"
"You're the one!"
Unleashing all their magical energy, the two intending to suppress each other ultimately ended in a draw. The terrifying magical energy permeated heaven and earth, ultimately not being pushed towards either side. After their clash, the environment around Shirou and Mordred was completely destroyed. At this moment, as the surrounding smoke dissipated, the two, having used all their magical energy, gasped for breath. They were finally exhausted.
"You bastard, you're really something. To be evenly matched with me!"
"You've got some nerve! Without Command Spells, could you even clash with me?" The two exhausted figures spoke intermittently.
After a moment of respite, Mordred, sitting on the ground, suddenly asked, "Father, did she really fall in
love?"
"Ah, she did!"
"Is that so! That's wonderful then!" Looking at the stars in the sky, Mordred murmured to herself, "My previous wish was to return to the past, challenge the Sword of Selection, and prove my ability to Father."
"But now I've given up!"
"Rather than giving up, it's more accurate to say I've finally come to my senses. I'd probably be quite happy just picking up what fell from the King's hand."
"I hated only the King, not Father. It was that country, that era, that burdened Father with everything, forcing everything upon that person, merely through the title of 'King'."
"The reason she was forced into a solitary position was
entirely because she was King."
"Even though she was never a hateful existence, she was hated, also because of her status as King."
"Everyone, without any consideration, unilaterally entrusted all their dreams, hopes, and wishes to her."
"I hated this, and at the same time, I really wanted to correct it. Because Father was not someone who should endure people's hatred." The more she spoke, the more agitated she became, eventually becoming hysterical, but then she calmed down.
"Every time I close my eyes, I dream."
"I always dream of wanting to challenge the Sword of Selection but being unable to."
"So, I thought something must be missing, something necessary to become King."
"But, in reality, it wasn't like that, it wasn't like that."
"It wasn't that something was lacking, but that it was completely different from Father's starting point."
"To make someone she didn't know smile just for that purpose, Father resolved to become King." What an absurd reason. What a foolish reason. What a tragic reason. That was what a fleeting yet precious reason.
Those who served her were afraid of her utter lack of self-interest, and even I thought Father was such an existence. But in reality, it wasn't like that. It was just that the reward Father desired was not a reward to anyone else; it was merely something everyone casually discarded on the roadside. Father didn't care about sparkling jewels but held affection for the inconspicuous stones rolling on the side of the road.
"Now, she, who was selfless and bore everything, has finally made a choice for herself."
"This is truly wonderful!" Continuously pouring out her heart, Mordred finally laughed.
And at that moment, after a flash of golden light, a golden longsword plunged into the ground before her.
"This is!?"
"The Sword of Promised Victory!" The Sword of Promised Victory, its True Name is Caliburn. Artoria originally drew this sword to become King. And Mordred's wish was also to draw it, to prove her worth.
"Will you pull it?" Hearing Shirou's question, Mordred's whole body trembled. Yes, will she pull it? Her previous goal was right before her; will she pull it? Slowly extending her hand, Mordred carefully reached for the Sword of Selection. But just as her palm was about to touch the sword, her hand suddenly stopped. Her fingers, suspended in mid-air, twitched several times, but ultimately, she didn't touch it. Finally, Mordred stopped.
She withdrew her arm.
"Honestly, I already said I gave up on this wish, why did you have to tempt me again!" Sighing helplessly, Mordred looked up at Shirou and said, "Has your magical energy
already recovered? That's really fast!"
After that last attack, let alone Mordred's magical
energy, even Kairi Sisigou's magical energy was almost depleted. Now, he was struggling just to maintain his body, let alone fight. Moreover, without magical energy release, she couldn't even break through his defense.
What could she possibly fight with!
"You won this battle, Assassin Shirou!"
"End me!"
"Was this journey enjoyable, Mordred?"
"Ah, it was very enjoyable. Whether it was meeting my Master, learning about Father, or fighting you, it was all very enjoyable."
"Is that so? Good to hear!" Gently picking up the Sword of Selection plunged into the ground, Shirou held it before him. "Let me end you with this sword!"
"Only a King's sword can kill a King!" Golden light continuously bloomed, with golden specks scattering everywhere. Looking at the golden sword wave before her, Mordred smiled and said, "Although you always provoke me, talking to you has been quite interesting."
"Then, we'll meet again if fate allows!"
"Caliburn!"
As the golden slash pierced through Mordred's body, Mordred, as the Red Faction's Saber, was the first to leave this Great Holy Grail War. Looking at the ravine before him, Shirou smiled, then turned and walked away, waving to Jeanne and Kairi Sisigou on the side. Shirou walked alone in the dark night. Suddenly, a golden flash erupted from behind him. As magical energy continuously flowed in and out of his body, Jeanne could clearly feel Shirou's presence continuously rising.
"This is?"
"Finally reached LV.6?" Sensing his own state, Shirou's
face was filled with joy. Usually, when leveling up, there wouldn't be any unusual phenomena. But now, as a Servant, his leveling up was akin to a Spiritual Core Ascension. How could there be no unusual phenomena in such a situation! Thus, the golden glow blossomed again.
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