C336

Shirou assembled a formidable team consisting of Lorelei, Altrouge, Merem Solomon, and several others to confront the Heroic Spirits causing trouble.

These Heroic Spirits resided within the Mirror World, a realm beyond Shirou's and Altrouge's reach. Therefore, they decided to dismantle Lorelei's elite magi unit and allocate them to the group, allowing them to make use of their skills.

Lorelei readily accepted this arrangement. In fact, ever since Shirou publicly acknowledged his identity as the Eternal King, this Queen of the Clock Tower had held him in high regard, showing deep respect.

This could be attributed to the upbringing of the Barthomeloi family.

The Barthomeloi family, known for their staunch aristocratic beliefs, upheld the notion that even lords should submit to those of higher noble lineage.

It is likely that Lorelei's immense respect for Shirou stemmed from this aspect as well. In her eyes, regardless of how noble a person may be, they remain subject to their status as nobles. To a king like Shirou, who possessed absolute authority, they were essentially tools or instruments for maintaining control over the dynasty.

However, Lorelei's magi displayed considerable reluctance when it came to collaborating with Altrouge.

Certainly, the magi's reluctance was understandable. After all, they were originally under Lorelei's command, entrusted with the task of hunting down the Dead Apostles and their King, Trhvmn Ortenrosse. Now, they were being asked to cooperate with another King of Dead Apostles, which naturally left them dissatisfied.

However, the present situation demanded a focus on efficiency rather than personal feelings. Shirou, valuing productivity, reorganized the team, assigning individuals who were more reserved and action-oriented to work alongside Altrouge. With their targets set, they embarked on their hunt.

Shirou's designated hunting location was the water pool in the backyard.

As Lorelei's magi successfully opened a passage to the Mirror World, Shirou stepped inside, and the Heroic Spirits appeared before him.

As he gazed at this particular Heroic Spirit, his eyelids couldn't help but twitch involuntarily.

"It's actually you..." A barely audible murmur slipped from Shirou's lips.

"Roarrrrrrrr!!!"

A towering figure, completely engulfed in darkness, resembling a ferocious beast that had just stumbled upon an intruder in its territory, let out an ear-shattering roar.

It was Berserker - Spartacus!

Once, he was the valiant hero who ignited his spark of humanity. However, the gentle smile that once graced Spartacus' face had vanished, replaced only by a brutal and destructive aura.

However, standing before him was nothing more than an empty vessel containing Spartacus' records, devoid of consciousness or soul.

Taking a deep breath, he mustered the words, "I'm sorry, Berserker. I have to kill you again."

"Roarrrrrrrr!!!"

Berserker - Spartacus bellowed and charged forward. His imposing figure emitted a feral presence, causing even the magi to involuntarily tremble.

Yet, Shirou remained composed. He calmly extended his hand, and the black mud surged forth, coalescing into a massive palm that restrained Spartacus' limbs.

Drawing upon his projection ability, he materialized Caliburn and unleashed a brilliant beam of light. With a swift swing, he severed Spartacus' head.

The enemy was completely vanquished, transforming into a Class Card.

"Wow... that's incredible!" The magi in the vicinity couldn't contain their astonishment.

Though they too possessed the ability to unleash beams of comparable magnitude, they relied on the combined efforts of their companions and complex ritual magecraft. Yet, His Highness effortlessly released a formidable beam of light with a casual swing.

It was truly incomparable.

People showered him with praise and cheers.

However, as Shirou retrieved Berserker's Class Card, a whirlwind of emotions surged within him.

Memories of the Fourth Holy Grail War flooded his mind.

His former self as a weakling, and the hero who protected him, a champion for the weak.

Now, he was no longer a weakling, and that hero was no longer there.

Perhaps, in the eyes of that champion, he had become the oppressor that needed to be defeated.

He sighed deeply in his heart, but quickly suppressed his sentimentality.

Troubles lay ahead, and he had no energy to spare for self-pity.

After the Class Card of Berserker was retrieved, it vanished, self-immolating.

This was the third Servant to be retrieved.

"Boom... boom... boom..."

In the distance, the sound of explosions reached their ears, causing Shirou to furrow his brows. He wasted no time in leading the group towards the source.

The once majestic sculptures of angels now lay in a chaotic heap, their collapsed forms creating a disarrayed mess.

Among the ruins, Altrouge lay bloodied and disheveled, her condition clearly indicating she had been through a terrible ordeal.

"What happened?"

Altrouge appeared bewildered, but as her eyes fell upon Shirou, panic took over her expression. She hastily stammered, "I... I don't know! I was working diligently, and then someone attacked me!"

Shirou's brow furrowed, his mind racing with thoughts and questions.

A few minutes ago, Lorelei's magi had successfully opened the passage to the Mirror World. Rizo-Waal Strout and Night Wallacia stood at the threshold, ready to step inside.

But then, something unexpected occurred...

With two abrupt thuds, as if struck by an unseen force, they were sent flying and crashed heavily into a nearby angel statue, becoming buried beneath its debris.

Shirou's brow furrowed, his senses sharpening as he became fully alert.

An undeniable presence lingered in this place, the same presence that had launched an attack on Arcueid.

Struggling to free herself from the wreckage, Arcueid rose to her feet, her face flushed with embarrassment. She began, "Who dares to attack me? You should know that I am—"

Her words were abruptly cut off by a resounding thud as something struck her abdomen.

With a tremendous crash, she was sent hurtling through the air, streaking across the sky like a shooting star before crashing into the garden's pool with a mighty splash. The once pristine white tiles now bore the gruesome stains of her blood, transforming the scene into a bloody display.

Shirou's gaze sharpened as he said, "Shatter the Mirror World!"

"Yes!" came the resolute response from the magi, who swiftly began drawing a complex magic circle in the air.