This is the sword that can sever the world.
In the treasury of the King of Heroes, it is one of the most treasured of treasures.
It is a one-of-a-kind, god-forged weapon.
Even in terms of appearance, Shirou is unable to comprehend or replicate its existence.
When the incantation is chanted, the cylindrical blade, which represents the three realms of Heaven, Earth, and Underworld, begins to rotate at extreme speed.
Its sword pressure has already started to slice the world.
Storms gathered, thunder exploded. The airflow generated alone created a vacuum zone in the cloud layers for a hundred miles around.
If, in this world, people look up at the sky, they will see, before this ultimate sword flash, the sky cracking.
As if a mirror was casually and effortlessly shattered by some kind of power; or like ripples caused by a white egret stepping on the water surface.
To reconstruct the world through destruction, to rebuild through annihilation, this is the very act of creating hell in name and in truth, the genuine deed of creation and genesis.
This is the anti-world Noble Phantasm: EA.
Also known as the Sword of Rupture.
Shirou, having broken free from the Chains of Heaven, rode upon the Emperor's Steed, without choosing to retreat further.
Facing a blow capable of truly destroying the world, escape is a meaningless option.
Before the sword pressure swept him away, he had three methods to deal with this almost unsolvable sword pressure.
First: according to system calculations, he could respond to the King of Heroes with all the Noble Phantasms he had seen.
In other words, he would respond to this one with all the swords.
There could be no sword that surpassed it (EA), so he could only respond with everything.
Given Gilgamesh's condition at the time, EA definitely couldn't achieve full-power output.
With Avalon, his survival probability exceeded 90 percent.
Second: use Fragarach.
When Bazett took out that Noble Phantasm, Shirou had already recorded it.
The sword of the war-god's strike that reverses events post-occurrence. It can reverse the King of Heroes' attack to before it is even unleashed, a trump card that can rewrite reality.
However, Gilgamesh surely knew he could project Fragarach, and yet still released EA without hesitation.
That proved he had a countermeasure.
Moreover, Fragarach had a flaw, though not exactly a flaw.
When the Noble Phantasm is activated, a noticeable delay is seen.
If the opponent is already dead, then that momentary pause means nothing.
Yet, Shirou didn't believe Gilgamesh would make such a mistake.
'Perhaps this is exactly what he has been waiting for.'
Third: directly use the sheath, Avalon.
Since the King of Heroes didn't know he possessed the sheath, using Avalon's purification defense and unapproachable reflection mechanism would most easily make the King of Heroes suffer.
He might even be able to counter-kill.
The reason the emotionless King of Heroes had been pierced by a single sword after multiple EA releases was because of Avalon.
However, Shirou had no confidence in this method.
He wasn't King Arthur; it was impossible for him to draw out the sheath and shout its true name to unleash its defense.
All in all, only the first method had the highest power and the greatest reliability.
With system assistance, his thoughts cleared in an instant.
Shirou made up his mind, raised his hand, "As expected, a weapon that can match that sword simply doesn't exist."
"So, though it's a bit of a cheat, let me respond to you with all these swords!"
"King of Heroes!"
Magic circuits fully opened.
The moment the pistol was loaded and the trigger pulled, a sea of swords appeared above the clouds.
Tens of thousands of swords couldn't even encompass them all.
They were the legends forged by humanity's heroes, forged through all their lives.
Even though they were only imitations, the great feats they created didn't vanish just because they were replicas.
Without doubt, what the King of Heroes now faced was no longer Shirou alone. It was the proof of countless heroes to this day, replicas.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Gilgamesh roared with laughter.
"How interesting, how interesting, mongrel!"
"Then come at me!"
EA swung forward.
His gaze never once strayed from Shirou. The corner of his mouth couldn't suppress the excitement; even his expression reached a state of extreme pleasure.
"Then let this king use this one and only sword to judge your level!"
"ATTACK ME, BERSERKER!"
A proud roar. Yet it was the highest of praise.
Even if they were only replicas, with no honor, the Servant before him still won the King's recognition.
Storms surged.
Heaven and earth fell into darkness.
When the thunder fully gathered and let out a heaven-shaking roar, the duel between the countless and the one officially began.
BOOM!
The sky roared, the edge of the heavens bellowed. Torrential rain fell with terrifying lightning.
The storm formed tornadoes, stretching from the sky to the ground.
Everyone was dumbfounded, staring at this apocalyptic scene.
Drip!
Unclear whether it was sweat or raindrops falling.
Even though they were within a barrier, in the midst of battle, neither Tohsaka Rin, nor Red A, nor Artoria could hide their shock, all lifting their heads to gaze at the sky.
"To think it could reach this level of battle?"
Sajyou Manaka gently frowned, then immediately relaxed, smiling happily, "Berserker really is amazing, giving me so many surprises. How should I repay him?"
She squinted happily at Red A.
'These Heroic Spirits… are getting more and more interesting.'
———
"Hahahaha!", Even the deafening thunder couldn't suppress the King of Heroes' laughter.
"Looks like the conclusion has already come, Berserker. No matter how many Noble Phantasms, they can't compare to this king's only one!"
"That's true," Shirou said as if resigning, "Even if there were more, I still couldn't win."
"However—"
Buzz~
The Emperor's Steed activated.
Shirou declared, "I've won, Gilgamesh!"
The warrior of light and shadow charged into the storm of destruction.
"What?"
The sudden scene stunned the King of Heroes.
Until the wind howled by his ear, and the sound of a sword cutting through air appeared—
"Damn it!"
The King of Heroes' expression changed and he attempted to retreat.
"You can't escape, King of Heroes!", A voice came, close at hand.
It was the red-haired youth, without armor, clothes torn, arms scarred and scorched by the sword pressure and heat.
Holy Sword, Durandal.
Cursed Sword, Dainslef.
One ominous, one splendid.
Two completely opposite swords appeared in Shirou's hands.
"Damn It! Damn It! Damn It!"
The King of Heroes didn't care and opened the Gate of Babylon.
In just a moment, no, in 0.001 seconds, the teleportation Noble Phantasm could activate.
At the same time, passive defensive Noble Phantasms appeared.
"No way I'm giving you another chance!", Shirou shouted.
Both swords slashed swiftly.
Having endured the storm, coming to this point by a thread, he absolutely would not give him a chance to leave.
First Slash!
The hand holding EA fell.
Second Slash!
He cut down the teleportation Noble Phantasm he tried to use.
Third slash, defensive Noble Phantasms shattered.
Fourth slash, decapitation!
"It's over, Gilgamesh!", A slash as fast as lightning.
The Cursed Sword cut through.
"This king actually…", Gilgamesh looked up, just about to admit in a rage that Shirou was stronger now, his vision began to fall, and he lost control of his body.
He... had truly been decapitated.
By a nameless person.
"Rest in peace, King of Uruk," Shirou said coldly.
Two meteors crossed each other in the sky, falling to the horizon.
The holy sword and the cursed sword were launched and they pierced Gilgamesh's skull.
"Phantasm Collapse!"
"Damn… mongrel!", Without swallowing the immortality potion, his head turned to ashes along with himself.
Worried Gilgamesh wasn't dead, Shirou continued projecting, grinding his corpse to dust before finally relaxing.
Then he pulled out his phone.
He remembered Rin had just called him.
But in battle, it hadn't been the time to answer.
'What exactly happened, did Sajyou Manaka show up?'
Before he could make the call, Illyasviel's scream appeared in his mind.
'What is going on?'
The Emperor's Steed charged forward.
In just two seconds, it arrived before Illya.
"Caster!"
Facing Shirou's urgency, Medea explained, "Too many Heroic Spirit souls were absorbed, her body functions are nearly all failing."
"No way," Shirou reflexively answered. No matter what, it should have needed at least seven souls to reach this point. Now…
One Assassin, one dog brother, Gilgamesh counted as two, only four total.
'Unless… the phone call!'
Shirou suddenly realized.
Sajyou Manaka had attacked Tohsaka Rin.
To think she had chosen this moment.
'Who has exited the stage?'
'Red A? Or R-sister?'
Either way, he had to check it out first.
'Damn it!'
Just as Shirou wanted to move the Emperor's Steed, Medea stopped him.
"Wait, Berserker. No matter where you want to go, your Master is the most important now. If you leave, she'll be in even more danger."
Shirou's body froze for a moment.
A struggle appeared on his face.
Tohsaka Rin had saved him, Illyasviel was someone he had decided to protect to the end.
There was no way to choose.
He couldn't conveniently think that Rin was strong enough to survive even Sajyou Manaka.
He must…
But…
"Ber…ser…ker," Even with the human part of her about to be shut down completely, she kept calling his name.
'There is no way… to choose!'
"Go!", Bazett spoke beside him.
"Tomboy freak, do you know what you're saying?", Medea's eyes were filled with killing intent.
'I really shouldn't have cared about this girl.'
"I just don't want Berserker to live the rest of his life in regret."
Bazett smiled and stared at Medea, "You know exactly what kind of hero Berserker is, yet still say things like this to hold her back. Even selfishness should have a limit, right? Witch!"
This was revenge for constantly calling her Tomboy freak.
Sure enough, Medea angrily bit her lip.
If Illyasviel weren't in critical condition, she'd definitely have made this woman into a specimen.
And also, she just wanted to see Shirou's resolve.
She already understood him well enough to know that no matter what, he would make the right choice.
But as Medea, she still wanted to see it, that moment Berserker made his choice, the determination he held.
Bazett ignored her.
Even among Heroic Spirits, there were levels.
To her, Medea might have been a magician from the Age of Gods, but she was also just a magician whose workshop got blown up.
What was there to be afraid of?
She said to Shirou, "Even though I've never been reliable, I'm still a magician, and I can help Caster a bit. Also, as a magician of the Age of Gods, you should have a way to temporarily seal the Heroic Spirit souls, right?"
Bazett teased.
"Tch!", Medea didn't respond.
"Thank you, Bazett, and Caster," A gust brushed past the skin, and Shirou disappeared.
"Hmph!", Medea snorted and cast her spell.
Bazett immediately became alert.
Even runes appeared on her hands.
"Heh," Medea sneered, "Weren't you just cocky, loyal dog Master? Why so scared before I even moved?"
Medea did have a way to temporarily seal the Heroic Spirit souls within Illyasviel.
Roughly the same as Illya's own method of shutting down body functions to suppress it.
But it wasn't that easy, especially when this equaled seven Heroic Spirit souls.
After checking, Medea devised a preliminary plan.
She could only temporarily ignore the two maids.
"Follow me," She ordered Bazett.
Bazett's rose-red pupils flashed twice.
After confirming that Medea was being honest, she picked up the two maids lying on the ground.
Seeing that Medea didn't intend to go to the ruins of the Einzbern Castle, she asked, "Where to?"
"Isn't it obvious?", Medea looked at her like an idiot, "Of course we're going to Ryuudou Temple."
Ryuudou Temple was built on Mount Enzou.
And beneath Mount Enzou was the large hollow where the Great Grail was kept.
At the same time, it was the core spiritual vein of Fuyuki City.
As a magician, and quite a powerful one at that, if she couldn't sense that, Medea might as well apologize and commit suicide.
Worried Bazett was walking too slowly, Medea flew while bringing her along.
She kept looking back, thinking, 'Berserker is a Berserker, so how can he summon a mount?'
'Archer wasn't normal either.'
'One after another, what, being a Berserker or a swordsman isn't good enough for them?'
'What would the Riders think if they saw this?'
———
Medea's thoughts quickly came true.
Riding Pegasus, Medusa and Shirou met.
"Rider," Shirou breathed a sigh of relief.
Sakura and Tohsaka Rin were both fine, just unconscious.
Looked like Red A had opened his Reality Marble to cover their retreat.
"Berserker?", Medusa looked at the majestic mount under him and hesitated.
'Why does a Berserker have a mount?'
If Rin and Sakura weren't unconscious, they would probably have had the same doubt.
———
Returning to a few minutes earlier.
While the storm had not yet ceased, Sajyou Manaka clapped her hands, waking the stunned crowd, smiling, "Alright, let's wrap this up quickly too, Saber."
"What do you mean, Manaka?"
Artoria, whose will to fight wasn't strong, looked confused.
Sajyou Manaka patiently explained, "Literally, Saber. Berserker is about to win, so let's hurry and kill Rin and the others too."
"Ay…", The Knight King was overwhelmed by Sajyou Manaka's overbearing presence.
Tohsaka Rin bit her teeth till they shattered, "At least have a limit to how much you look down on people, Sajyou Manaka."
"Don't want to, Saber?", Sajyou Manaka seemed to notice Artoria's hesitation.
"No, not at all!", Artoria turned her head, "I just hope we can change the location of the battle."
To kill Tohsaka Rin, she wouldn't hesitate, but only if she didn't feel guilt.
Currently, their Master was someone fighting to protect civilians, and this side was also fighting to the bitter end, not wanting to hurt innocents.
Under these conditions, if she still attacked without hesitation, even while resisting Sajyou Manaka, this was a decision she could never bring herself to make.
'Please, Manaka… just understand me once!'
Perhaps noticing the earnestness in Artoria's upright demeanor that bordered on pleading, Sajyou Manaka sighed, "To think I made Saber show that kind of expression, I really am incompetent."
She opened her graceful palm, smiling quietly, "If Saber gets hurt during battle, I'll be very angry."
"Manaka," A hint of joy passed over Artoria's face.
Only to hear Sajyou Manaka say, "Sanctuary Blaze!"
Without warning.
Even Red A was shocked, she hadn't even chanted.
Sanctuary Blaze activated, manifesting the disaster of the Age of Gods.
Sanctuary Blaze: Revives the power of the ten crowned beasts of the Apocalypse, unleashing destructive flames, purging with heavenly punishment. This was a large-scale, realm-collapsing, possibly world-ending scale of power.
In that moment, Red A finally realized what Shirou had meant by ("Connected to the Root, almost omnipotent.")
Artoria had wanted a place to fight. She actually created one.
It wasn't teleportation, or creating a barrier. It was absurd, intending to kill all normal people here.
How terrifying, how could such a twisted person exist in this world.
'Rin and the others have to escape, run to Shirou.'
'If anyone can stop her, it has to be him.'
Thinking of that boy, different in experience but similar in essence to himself, Red A's gaze gradually hardened.
He said, "Rin!"
"I got it already!"
Tohsaka Rin snapped out of her shock, instantly understood, and used a Command Seal.
Magic energy replenished.
Red A spread his hand, and under Artoria's dazed and nearly broken expression, recited the chant for Unlimited Blade Works.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y