C69

Shirou led Spartacus towards the shore, but at that moment, the sky was suddenly filled with the sound of explosions. Several fighter jets sliced through the black fog, firing missiles at Spartacus.

"Boom!!!"

"Boom!!!"

The missiles hit their target, causing a thunderous explosion and bursts of fireworks-like flames on Spartacus's body.

Shirou looked at the fighter jets with a sigh, realizing that the military was now intervening. This was not good news, as it meant the impact would become even greater and the effort would be in vain.

"Roar roar roar roar roar roar --!!!"

Spartacus let out a long roar as he lifted a cylindrical building off the ground and threw it at several fighter jets that were flying above. The jets could not dodge in time and were crushed, turning into brilliant fireworks.

"Boom!"

Shirou had to act quickly, knowing that the situation would become dire once the military was fully involved. He led Spartacus to the riverbank in the Miyama district and with his innate skill [Clairevoyance C], he could see the "X" marked by the bomb that Kiritsugu had buried. He also saw Iskandar riding his horse, carrying Waver and Irisviel not far away.

He was aware that Kiritsugu was hiding nearby, holding the detonator and waiting for Shirou to lead Spartacus into the pit. Although Shirou did not want to admit it, he knew that his actions were aligned with Kiritsugu's plan.

Shirou was leading Spartacus toward the location where the bomb was buried.

"Ahhhhh----"

Spartacus let out a rage-filled scream and began pursuing Shirou.

The massive, burly figure chased after him, causing the ground to tremble with each step.

Shirou sprinted past the "X" point, then pivoted and watched as Spartacus rapidly closed in on him.

Here it is.

The moment was almost upon him.

Closer.

Closer still.

But then--

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!!"

Additional fighter jets appeared in the sky, raining missiles down upon Spartacus.

The explosion and assault captured Spartacus's attention, causing him to veer off course.

--This is not good!!

Shirou's heart pounded with anxiety.

At that moment, Artoria appeared, soaring overhead and standing in front of Spartacus. The invisible sword in her hand blazed with terrifying energy, the wind swirling around it.

The compressed wind surrounding the holy sword was suddenly unleashed, hitting Spartacus like a powerful hammer and forcing him back several steps, right onto the "X" mark.

——This is it!

Shirou raised his arms and bellowed, "Grant me the power to unleash my Noble Phantasm!"

Crimson light bloomed and the second Command Seal vanished, granting Shirou, who had only a small reserve of magical energy, another chance to unleash the full power of [Unlimited Blade Works].

Almost simultaneously, Kiritsugu hit the detonator.

"Boom——"

The equivalent of 52 kilograms of C4 and TNT detonated in an instant, obliterating the unsteady riverbank and causing Spartacus's body to plummet into the wreckage.

Taking advantage of the moment, Shirou recited the incantation for [Unlimited Blade Works] with a loud voice.

However--

"Roar Roar Roar Roar Roar Roar Roar——!!!"

Spartacus was incensed. Despite being partially trapped by the collapsing earth, he was still able to raise his massive sword high overhead and bring it crashing down toward Shirou with a thundering chop.

The cold wind from the blow felt like a physical blade, pressing down with the weight of a mountain. But Shirou remained composed, continuing to recite [Unlimited Blade Works].

He put his trust in the two knights!

And they, in turn, did not let him down.

The holy sword and dual spears, fueled by their wielders' unwavering beliefs, swept across the sky and blocked this devastating attack.

"Bang!"

A muffled thud echoed across the battlefield as the immense pressure caused the ground to split open beneath Artoria and Diarmuid.

"Poof!"

They both spat blood as their arms were shattered by the tremendous force. Artoria's gauntlets also burst open from the impact.

But they stood their ground.

And thus, a chance at victory presented itself.

"Yet these hands will never hold anything. So as I pray, Unlimited Blade Works!"

As the incantation was completed, Unlimited Blade Works trapped everyone present in a swords graveyard.

"This place..."

Irisviel gazed in awe at the endless field of swords, feeling both stunned and shocked. But as she gazed upon the countless giant gears in the hazy sky, she felt a suffocating pressure in her chest.

Reality Marble was a manifestation of one's inner world, and the appearance of this place spoke volumes about the person who created it. What kind of person, no, what kind of Servant had Shirou merged with, to have such a desolate and hopeless inner world?

"Artoria!"

Shirou cried out.

She nodded, her expression serious.

The moment had arrived.

The King of Knights summoned all her strength and raised the holy sword high.

The light from the holy sword intensified, converging into a brilliant beam that shone unlimitedly, bathing the area in its radiant glow. All those present were struck speechless by its beauty as if they were witnessing a miracle unfold before their eyes.

The hero who wielded the sword was a symbol of hope in a chaotic era, shining brighter than the darkness that surrounded them. This hero had persevered for ten long years, emerging victorious in twelve battles, a feat unmatched in the world. Their glory transcended time and space, making them eternal.

The sword of light, Excalibur, was the embodiment of the dreams and lifelong pursuits of all fallen warriors on the battlefield. With pride in holding its will and a sense of justice in carrying out its beliefs, the King of Knights declared the true name of this miracle.

Its name is-

Sword of the Promised Victory, Excalibur!!!

The light blazed, turning into a surging flash that rose into the sky, creating vortices and swallowing the giant and massive gears in its path. The Black Mud was evaporated instantly, every molecule of the brutal giant exposed to the scorching impact. The giant let out a roar as it was consumed by the light of destruction.

Standing next to Iskandar, Irisviel watched the blazing light and a smile spread across her face. She turned to Iskandar and asked, "Do you see it, King of Conquerors? This is the glory of Saber. After beholding this brilliant radiance, can you still deny Saber's path to glory?"

Iskandar snorted at Irisviel's question, but the expression on his face was not one of disdain or insult. Instead, it was a serious and sorrowful look, as if he were looking at something tragic.

He sighed and said, "It's precisely because she carries the hope of an entire era that she wields such power, but it's also precisely because it's so dazzling that it brings heartache. Who would have thought that the person bearing such a heavy burden is just an innocent girl who loves to fantasize? She's not fit to be a king because her ideals have led her to a dead end."

"Roar Roar Roar Roar--"

Suddenly, a dull roar echoed from the end of the light.

"How could it be!?" Irisviel covered her mouth, her face full of surprise.

The light which brought hope, dissipated, revealing the despairing reality. The upper half of the giant had been completely destroyed, but the lower half still remained. Foul-smelling black mud flowed on the giant's lower half, constantly condensing and expanding at the wound.

"That mud is repairing Berserker!"

The shocking revelation left all the heroes stunned.

Shirou asked Artoria in a hurry, "King of Knights, can you use Excalibur one more time?"

Artoria replied with a worried expression, "No, my magical energy is not enough. I need a command seal."

"I can't contact Kiritsugu from this place..."

Should he open Unlimited Blade Works?

No.

If he did, the range of casualties would only increase.

The black mud had already repaired Spartacus's spine and was spreading, contaminating the world. Everywhere it passed, even swords were melted into pure magical energy and consumed.

They couldn't wait any longer, but all the heroes were at a loss and didn't know what to do. Shirou was also at a loss and didn't know what to do next.

"Help me,"

"Who's there?" Shirou asked, wondering if he was really hearing something.

"Help me,"

"Spartacus?" Shirou wonders aloud.

"I'm suffering so much... I don't want to be a tool of tyranny anymore. I was meant to be a sword for the weak, a hero to guide them to freedom. Help me, please... I can't take this suffering anymore."

Shirou gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

Go?

Not go?

What a foolish question.

His resolve hardened as he knew what he must do.

"I've received so much help from him so far, I simply can't stand by and watch Spartacus endure any more pain. I won't let him suffer any longer."

With determination in his step, Shirou rushed forward to help his friend.

"No! Don't go!" Artoria cried out, trying to grab Shirou, but Diarmuid stopped her. The thought of watching a child, especially one so similar to someone she once knew, marching toward his death was unbearable for her.

"Stop! Don't go near that mud," Diarmuid warned. "We can't touch it!"

"I can't just stand here and watch a child go to his death!" Artoria gritted her teeth and followed with determination. However, the next moment, they both froze.

...

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