On the shore of the star-filled inner sea stood a tall tower known as the Tower of the End.
A beam of light pierced through a narrow window in the tower, illuminating Merlin's focused figure.
He stared intently at the screen floating before him, the story flowing across it deeply captivating him.
When Astarte's firm and resolute will echoed in his ears, Merlin couldn't help but curl a playful smile at the corner of his mouth, as if savoring something intriguing.
"Heh, so she's planning to use herself as bait to pave an escape route for her best friend? It seems she's prepared to accept the downfall of the [Azure Glitter Galaxy]. Facing the Primordial Goddess Astarte with her boundless power, there indeed appears to be no way out.
"However, with Fujimaru Ritsuka—the Master hailed as humanity's last hope—present, I believe this chapter of the story will take an unexpected turn."
Merlin's eyes brimmed with anticipation. Though the future "singularity" remained shrouded in mist, she held full confidence in Fujimaru Ritsuka, firmly believing this young man would bring unprecedented shock and miracles to everyone with his wisdom and courage.
Deep within the Chaldea command room, everyone sat together. Astarte's words from the video still echoed in their ears.
At this moment, a tinge of sorrow appeared simultaneously on their faces. Clearly, the story's development wasn't as filled with laughter and hope as they had anticipated.
As Da Vinci had worried earlier, Primordial Astarte—this formidable Heroic Spirit—though awe-inspiring in power, also brought unpredictable dangers.
Now, she actually intended to destroy the [Azure Glitter Galaxy] within the [Servant Universe] upon which they depended for survival, undoubtedly casting a heavy shadow over everyone's hearts.
At the same time, on the screen.
[Hearing Astarte's decision to sacrifice herself, S Ishtar instantly exclaimed with a mix of confusion and worry: "Astarte... you?!"]
[Her tone revealed deep doubt about Astarte's plan.]
[Simultaneously, Fujimaru Ritsuka murmured solemnly: "Because she is the Goddess of Evil, she has been abandoned by the world..."]
[His words were filled with emotion and helplessness toward Astarte's fate.]
[However, Astarte was unwilling to waste words with them.]
[She shouted, cutting off their thoughts: "Alright, no more dawdling! Act before I change my mind!"]
[Meanwhile, high above the vast galaxy, the goddess who was the incarnation of the universe itself—Primordial Astarte—listened to Astarte's words to Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others below, displeasure etching her features.]
["How unpleasant! I never expected even another part of me would stoop to siding with humans. It seems I need not show any further mercy toward you."]
[Primordial Astarte's voice was full of coldness and determination. "You, along with that pedestal, shall turn to dust!"]
[Clearly, she harbored deep dissatisfaction and disappointment with her two "clones"—S Ishtar and Astarte. Their choices angered and saddened her.]
[As clones of the Cosmic Goddess, S Ishtar and Astarte chose to stand with humanity. In Primordial Astarte's eyes, this was an unforgivable betrayal.]
[Her patience and tolerance vanished, replaced by blazing anger and resolute intent to kill.]
[At this moment, Primordial Astarte was determined to leave no room for mercy. She would employ her most powerful and terrifying force—her EX Anti-Star Noble Phantasm—to completely annihilate the two betraying clones, reducing them to nothingness.]
[This was no lie or threat but a cruel reality she was about to enact.]
[Galactic-scale magical energy boiled within her, surging forth like a breached dam.]
["Spiritual Foundation Galaxy, open! Gate of Balmaana, reveal your power! Let all life in this universe turn to dust and nothingness!"]
[Primordial Astarte's chant echoed through the cosmos, each word carrying destructive force.]
[With her summons, the ancient Temple of Balmaana, located within the Primordial Universe and regarded as the "proof of the goddess," slowly manifested.]
[This temple contained the power of high-dimensional souls, one of the most formidable existences in the universe.]
[And now, it was about to become a weapon of destruction in Primordial Astarte's hands.]
[The Crown Shining in the Primordial Universe (Edin Shugurra Uasar)]
[This Noble Phantasm, which made the entire Type-Moon world tremble, was about to unleash its destructive power at this moment. The fate of the universe seemed poised to be utterly rewritten.]
[What Primordial Astarte wielded was a rare Anti-Star Noble Phantasm. Its power was formidable enough to shock the entire Type-Moon world, arguably the strongest weapon!]
[Rank: EX; Type: Anti-Star Noble Phantasm; Range: Boundless, moves at will; Maximum Capture: Unpredictable.]
[This Noble Phantasm was extraordinary. It could not only transform anything it touched into blazing energy, incinerating the entire universe, but its very existence transcended the category of a "Noble Phantasm," becoming the ultimate weapon against alien invasion, formidable and awe-inspiring.]
In the timeline of the Fifth Holy Grail War, Rin Tōsaka, in her room, witnessed through the video the shocking scene of Primordial Astarte unleashing her Noble Phantasm.
The vast, boundless cosmic magical energy surged like a tide, instantly shattering all defenses in her heart.
At this moment, Rin Tōsaka couldn't even utter the slightest exclamation. The impact brought by the Noble Phantasm swept through her understanding like a storm, leaving her mind in chaos; even organizing her thoughts became exceedingly difficult.
She stared blankly at the screen, only shock and awe intertwining in her heart, as if the entire world trembled at this instant.
Under the gaze of countless spectators across the Type-Moon worlds, their eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.
Simultaneously, on the screen.
[Behind Primordial Astarte, an even larger "Cosmic Rin" slowly emerged, like a cosmic giant god, exuding a heart-palpitating aura.]
[Immediately after, a series of deafening roars resounded through the heavens: "Boom!"
"Boom!"
"Boom!" The endless magical energy, like a raging torrent, surged toward Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others.]
[The EX-ranked Anti-Star Noble Phantasm was so powerful it seemed capable of crushing the entire galaxy to dust, inspiring terror.]
[Faced with this devastating blow, Astarte appeared ready to "die" completely. She closed her eyes quietly, awaiting fate's arrival.]
[However, at this critical moment, Fujimaru Ritsuka suddenly spoke. His voice pierced through the noise and chaos, clearly heard by all: "No! You're wrong, Astarte! You actually..."]
[As Fujimaru Ritsuka spoke, the scene suddenly shifted, bringing everyone into Astarte's memories.]
[It was a dusty memory—the words of Professor Tōsaka, a man who had once crossed paths with her in this "Servant Universe," seemed to traverse the barriers of time and space, echoing in her ears once more.]
[What this man hoped for was that even as the Goddess of [Evil], she could possess trust, love, and room for growth.]
[Even knowing the Primordial Goddess, Primordial Astarte, did not need her, she could still demonstrate her importance through this seemingly meaningless devotion.]
[His goal was for the [Evil Half] to personally awaken the [Good Half], allowing the two to grow together through mutual understanding and tolerance.]
[Thus, Astarte was not unneeded; rather, Tōsaka Tokiomi hoped that even if she were unneeded, she could bravely love and believe.]
This memory scene moved all viewers.
Outside the screen, in the timeline of the Fifth Holy Grail War, Rin Tōsaka witnessed the memory scene in the video, her face instantly blooming with surprise, joy, and emotion.
"What?! That's... my father?! That Professor Tōsaka is actually my father in the [Servant Universe]?!"
Rin Tōsaka's heart overflowed with indescribable excitement. The name and appearance were nearly identical to the father in her memory, giving her ample reason to believe this Professor Tōsaka was another version of her father in another universe.
Rin Tōsaka was filled with immense joy and emotion at being able to "see" her father again.
This sudden family reunion brought her great comfort and satisfaction.
Rin Tōsaka's past was filled with sorrow and pain. Separated from her sister at a young age, her father was brutally killed in the Holy Grail War.
Now, gazing at Professor Tōsaka in the video, her eyes brimmed with longing and nostalgia; her desire and attachment to her father's love were beyond words.
Though the red-clad Archer beside her was always cold and sarcastic, seeing Rin Tōsaka like this, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity.
However, what captured everyone's attention at this moment was the screen playing the video.
[Emerging from the memory scene, Astarte learned the truth that she was the [Good Half]. She murmured in disbelief: "I... am good? Is this true...?"]
[This sudden realization left her shocked and confused.]
[Compared to Astarte's doubt, S Ishtar appeared even more shocked and incredulous.]
[The Astarte she had always known actually concealed such an astonishing secret, giving her a renewed understanding of Astarte's identity and existence.]
["Huh?! How can this be? It's impossible! But my father didn't make it clear. He only said [the goddess's half], not specifying whether I was [good] or [evil]."]
[S Ishtar was stunned. She thought she was the [Good Half], but the truth was the complete opposite. She was the true [Evil Half], and Astarte was the [Good Half].]
[This reversal was undoubtedly a massive shock to her.]
[Beyond shock, S Ishtar didn't forget to save face, boasting: "Ah! But wait, if even I, pure evil, am only at this level, does it mean I'm too kind?" Even facing the truth, she didn't forget to jest at her own expense.]
[However, Astarte was unimpressed by her boasting, rolling her eyes and retorting unhappily: "How shameless can you be, [Evil Self]!"]
[Hearing this, S Ishtar wore a puzzled expression. She seemed to have guessed Astarte's thoughts. "Astarte? You..."]
[Listening to S Ishtar's confused tone, Astarte merely shook her head firmly, denying it: "I was just confused for a moment, forget it! Now isn't the time for chatting."]
[She knew all too well that their enemy at this moment was Primordial Astarte, who had already launched her Noble Phantasm attack. The situation was critical, leaving no room for distraction.]
[Thus, Astarte swiftly drew the two swords at her waist, a firm light flashing in her eyes.]
["Recite Suigetsu Nidō, Shin-Kage-Ryū!"]
[Astarte shouted loudly, her voice brimming with a second-year flair, yet also revealing her inner resolve and courage.]
[As she swung the blades in her hands forcefully, black and red magical sword energy surged forth like a tide, instantly filling the entire universe.]
[Wherever the sword energy passed, the air seemed torn asunder, emitting deafening roars.]
["Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"]
[In the cosmos, the sounds of bombardment continued endlessly.]
[And the first wave of attacks from Primordial Astarte's Noble Phantasm was successfully blocked by Astarte's strenuous resistance.]
[This scene shocked everyone present.]
[The strength displayed by Astarte undoubtedly proved she too possessed an attack capability of unparalleled power.]
In the Chaldea command room, outside the screen, Fujimaru Ritsuka witnessed the shocking Noble Phantasm bombardment in the video, his face a mix of astonishment, excitement, and shock.
"Wow, such formidable power! Just swinging the weapon in her hand formed a sky-covering magical rain!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka exclaimed, as if deeply captivated by this power.
Mash followed closely, expressing admiration for Astarte's power: "Yes, I never expected... such immense power is hidden within the [Goddess of Goodness]. Perhaps the two of them can defeat Primordial Astarte!"
However, just as the two were immersed in astonishment, Dr. Roman doused them with a bucket of cold water at the right moment.
He scratched the back of his head and reminded everyone with some distress: "But... in fact, that attack just now was Astarte's ultimate move. Her spiritual foundation state is nearly at its limit. In other words... that attack was a one-time physical exertion!"
Dr. Roman's words were like a heavy hammer, dimming the excitement and joy on Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash's faces.
They realized that although Astarte had displayed astonishing power, her spiritual state teetered on the brink of collapse; such an attack was unsustainable.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the command room grew heavy as everyone began to worry about the ensuing battle.