Accompanied by the howling wind, the golden holy sword revealed its original form. Pushed to the very edge of desperation, Saber for the first time abandoned the conventional, balanced offensive and defensive style of knight's swordsmanship. She completely ignored the black sword slashing at her, focusing only on thrusting the holy sword in her hand towards the Black Knight's vital point!
"Slice!"
The blood-soaked knight heard the sound of a blade piercing his chest.
And, simultaneously, the sound of a weapon falling to the ground, heavily striking the heart, striking the soul.
Two sighs echoed simultaneously in the connected mental space: one of relieved ease, the other of helpless resignation.
Why must you suffer so much...? This is enough, just this is enough...
Saber didn't know how to face him at this moment, the Black Knight who had suddenly frozen in place during their clash, allowing her sword to pierce his heart.
The enemy's blood flowed down the blade, but Saber felt no joy of victory, only complete confusion and a sudden, inexplicable panic.
What on earth happened?...
The more she gazed at the black mist shrouding Berserker, the more blurred the details of his armor and figure became.
This was a protective illusion similar to the Wind King Barrier that Berserker possessed, making it impossible for anyone to discern the true identity of this Heroic Spirit.
So, who exactly was he?... Looking at this opponent, whom she had just killed and who was about to depart, Saber suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of dread.
His Spirit Core had been shattered, and only by his Master's unsparing infusion of magical energy was the Black Knight forcibly kept in the present world.
He staggered back two steps, the blade of the Holy Sword withdrawing from his dark heavy armor.
The black mist that had always enveloped Berserker gradually dissipated, finally revealing the true appearance of the dark heavy armored knight.
It was a perfect suit of armor, neither ornate nor crude, yet it exquisitely combined combat functionality with elegance.
One could see the meticulous design and forging by a craftsman who had poured his heart into it.
Even the countless scars on it became embellishments showcasing his illustrious battle achievements, adding to his valiant demeanor.
It was the ideal combat equipment that all Knights would involuntarily envy.
"No, impossible?!"
Saber recognized the brave hero who had once worn that armor and galloped across battlefields, but precisely because of this, she found it even harder to believe.
Yet, cruel reality mercilessly slapped the naive Saber in the face.
The knight's longsword, which had fallen to the ground, also had its surrounding black mist dissipate after being separated from its owner, revealing the sword's true form.
The design of the sword's blade was identical to the Holy Sword in Saber's hand.
Elven script, a testament to its forging by non-human hands, was inscribed on the sword's spine, and its sharp edge shimmered under the moonlight with a tranquil glow like a lake's surface.
It was an indestructible sword that would never be damaged by any blow, its name: Avalon...
A proof that more clearly indicated its wielder's identity than any self-introduction, Saber could no longer even deceive herself.
"Berserker, your Spirit Core has been shattered, and the curse of Mad Enhancement has been lifted.
If you have anything to say, please explain it yourself."
The main gate of Ryudoji Temple opened, and Rin's figure appeared from within the Buddhist hall.
She was still dressed in her crimson attire, still exuding a calm and composed aura, showing no trace of annoyance or anger at her Servant's defeat and elimination, her composure was unnaturally steady.
As if obeying his Master's command, the tall Black Knight knelt on one knee before Saber, in the manner of a knight presenting himself to his monarch.
With both hands, he removed the helmet he had never taken off.
The handsome face, which in legends had once made countless women envious, reappeared before Saber after a thousand years.
Shoulder-length light blue hair, a gentle and humble demeanor, completely contrary to the demonic shadow of the wild beast he had been before.
Looking at the person before her, Saber was struck by a thunderbolt, trembling violently and stumbling back four or five steps, almost falling.
"knight of the lake... Sir Lancelot... How could you have fallen to the point of becoming a Berserker...?"
In fact, there were many clues to Lancelot's true identity.
His ability to wield any weapon he picked up with ease, and his supreme martial arts which remained undiminished even in madness.
Saber had actually entertained this suspicion at their first meeting, but she could never admit that he, who was revered by all, would fall to become a Berserker.
The Berserker class requires a Heroic Spirit with anecdotes and legends of madness, hatred, and furious rage that caused them to lose their sanity.
That Lancelot could be summoned as a Berserker proved that in his life he was... "...Did the country we built and protected together truly bring you such despair?"
For the first time, Saber felt such powerlessness.
Even when Rin had completely negated her at the Banquet of Kings, leaving her speechless, she had never felt this way.
The Holy Sword, reflecting the light of victory, fell from Saber's hand.
At this moment, Saber could no longer hold the sword, which had become too heavy for her, nor the weight of "victory" it represented.
"Not so, my King.
You look truly unsightly now, not at all like the figure deep in my mind..." Lancelot, who had been bowing his head in silence, finally spoke.
His voice was deep, carrying a tranquility like lake water, and he refuted Saber's words.
"Lancelot, the traitor who committed a grave sin, offers his apologies to my King.
Your servant, together with my Master, has slain all Servants except the King and myself.
Once your servant returns to the Holy Grail, the Holy Grail will be full and descend.
By the great generosity of my Master, the victory of this war is dedicated to the King!"
To offer King Arthur another victory in war, to use the omnipotent wish-granting machine to atone for the tragic end of the kingdom's destruction caused by himself, and then to be personally punished by the King in a knightly duel.
Only then could he be freed from the endless torment of guilt... This was Lancelot's wish.
With calm and compassionate eyes, he gazed at the sword that had just pierced his heart.
Lancelot stood up, picked up the Holy Sword that had fallen to the ground, and with both hands, returned it to Saber, who was at a loss.
"In my heart, I could never let go of my feelings for Guinevere.
Precisely because of this, I could never forgive myself.
I believed myself guilty.
But, my King, you did not accuse me, nor did you ask me to atone, but instead continually showed us the path of righteousness."
The Black Knight, freed from the curse of madness, recounted his inner thoughts from his lifetime with deep guilt and sorrow:
"But at that time, I yearned even more for your personal judgment.
If I could have been punished by your own anger, perhaps I could have found a path to salvation, and not been tormented by endless guilt, to the point where after everything happened, I was ashamed to face the King again, and failed to rush to the final battle.
Ultimately, the King died, the Knights of the Round Table were annihilated, and Britain, which we jointly saved and protected, perished.
As the one who started it all, I lived.
This torment of guilt and sin accompanied me until after death, plunging me into the abyss of madness, even developing hatred towards the one who did not punish me.
How utterly ridiculous..."
As Lancelot spoke these words, Saber's face was already covered in tears, which dripped down her cheeks onto the ground.
Why hadn't she noticed his lonely thoughts at that time?
Why hadn't she been able to free this knight's noble soul from his near-mad self-reproach?
Even if someone had denied his sin, the one most entangled by this guilt was no one else but himself.
To yearn to atone for one's sins only to be forgiven was an unimaginable cruelty for a person of noble and steadfast knightly spirit, ultimately tormenting him to madness...
"My King, your sinful servant Lancelot now offers the Holy Grail and victory with both hands, seeking the King's forgiveness for his past transgressions!"
Lancelot knelt once more before Saber, bowing his head in silence, awaiting the King's judgment.
Not the forgiveness of righteousness and justice, but merely the King's personal pardon.
However, whether the King forgave him or not, Lancelot could be freed from his torment.
Forgiveness, and everything would fall silent; no forgiveness, and he would obey the King's demands to atone, even if he could never fully repay, he would still find inner peace.
Saber, her eyes blurred with tears, replied with a choked voice to the First Knight of the Round Table, who had been tormented by this guilt for a thousand years:
"In the name of King Arthur... I forgive you... Lancelot, the one burdened by sin..."
A smile of relief finally appeared on Lancelot's face; he had waited for this moment for too long.
"Thus, I can sleep as a peaceful deceased.
From now on, Lancelot will no longer answer the summons of the Throne of Madness; this will be Lancelot's final appearance under the name of Berserker."
Finally, having resolved the entangled ties with King Arthur from both his life and afterlife, Lancelot, who should have departed peacefully, turned and walked towards Rin.
Rin looked curiously at Lancelot, who was still unwilling to leave, and blinked.
"Berserker, do you have any other regrets?
If it's the Holy Grail, I will keep my promise and give it to Saber."
Lancelot's handsome face bore a genuine smile, and before Rin, he knelt on one knee like a knight meeting a noble lady, taking Rin's hand in both of his and gently kissing it.
However, he did not kiss the right hand, as is customary for a hand-kiss, but rather the back of Rin's left hand, where her command spells were engraved.
"Meeting my Master is the greatest fortune of my life, both before and after death.
Even all the words of praise in the world are insufficient to describe your beauty in my heart.
You are the only one who can grant Lancelot complete liberation."
Indeed, any Master participating in the Holy Grail War does so for the Holy Grail and victory.
Regardless of which of the two they pursue, Lancelot's wish could not be fulfilled.
To abandon the Holy Grail, to abandon victory, to hand over the fruits of success when on the verge of achieving it—this kind of thing, apart from Rin, absolutely no other Master would allow such a thing to happen.
Lancelot maintained this posture, holding Rin's left hand in both of his, his gaze never leaving the back of Rin's hand, where a single command spell remained.
This was a testament to the bond between Rin and him.
Strictly speaking, this was already considered impolite towards a lady.
"Your beauty and soul deeply moved my heart.
If Lancelot has any unfulfilled wishes, it is only that I cannot protect your future to the very end.
You gave me such an opportunity, but my selfish self chose to give it up to atone to the King.
However, Lancelot still wishes to continue protecting you, my Princess!"
Just then, Rin felt an inexplicable spiritual power feedback from her left hand, which Lancelot was holding, transmitting towards Rin.
This power, following the spiritual link between Rin and Lancelot, directly reached the essence of Rin's soul!
"Berserker! What are you doing!?"
"Although my soul will inevitably return to the Hall of Heroes, the memory of my encounter with my Master is a precious thing that cannot be shared with others! Since I cannot protect my Master by her side, I shall bestow this power and martial prowess upon her. This power will be for her use, protecting her forever!"
Lancelot's body began to dissipate into spiritual dust, just like other departing Heroic Spirits. However, this dust did not scatter with the wind; instead, it followed the command spells on Rin's left hand, flowing back into Rin herself along the still-unbroken soul contract!
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