271 Bizarre End

Watching the vortex slowly disappearing in the sky, the scene fell into an eerie silence.

No one expected that this formidable crisis would end in such a bizarre way.

It felt absurd, like gearing up in top-tier divine armor for a dungeon, clearing all the little monsters ahead, eagerly preparing for a manly 1 vs. 1 with the final boss, only to find a Level 1 slime standing in front of you.

'Is this the so-called Tohsaka family's infamous tragedy and misfortune?' Arkhan, holding his forehead, chuckled helplessly. 'The R'lyeh Text could connect to all the Great Old Ones of the Cthulhu Mythos, yet, from all those choices, Tokiomi had to go for the whimsical Cthylla."

Despite thorough preparation, it all went in vain, betrayed by pig teammates.

Arkhan sighed.

'Maybe this is just Tohsaka Tokiomi's fate.'

"Uhh... What on earth is happening? A development even this king didn't anticipate..." Iskandar rubbed his chin, glancing at Artoria and Arkhan, bewilderedly. "So, what's our next move? Keep fighting?"

"No need for further battles." Arkhan crossed his arms and shook his head. "The Holy Grail, filled with sixty years of magical energy, has been completely drained. There's no way to fulfill your wish now. In a day at most, we'll vanish from this world."

Tokiomi forced the summoning of the Holy Grail using the 'R'lyeh Text', sacrificing all its magical energy and 'All the World's Evil' to attract Cthylla. Essentially, it prematurely declared the end of the Holy Grail War.

Now, the Holy Grail's only function was to gather the spirits of the seven Servants to connect to the Root, which didn't benefit them, who were Heroic Spirits.

Why bother fighting to the death?

"Well, even though you said that way, sometimes the purpose of battle isn't just the victory spoils. Enjoying the conquest process has its own flavor, no?"

Iskandar, standing proudly on his chariot, spoke with a thunderous voice.

"We were once invincible heroes. Only the battlefield is a fitting end for us!"

With a swift draw, he pointed his sword at Arkhan.

"Prepare yourself, King Arthur. This is a challenge from the King of Conquerors, an honorable battle, a battle of faith, and the greatest battle of kings!"

*Swish—*

The rustling wind echoed as Iskandar's cape billowed, his tiger eyes burning with a fierce flame, dazzling and intimidating.

"..."

After a moment of silence—

"Heh..." Arkhan's lips curled up slightly, lifting his head as his pitch-black pupils remained fixed on Iskandar. "Well then, I accept this challenge. Don't worry, King of Conquerors. I assure you, I will grant you the grandest of deaths."

"Guhahaha, Lancer, don't underestimate the bonds I've forged with my unparalleled army."

Iskandar laughed heartily, commanding his divine chariot towards the distance. Only the faint echoes of his voice lingered.

"Until the end, who'll emerge victorious is still unknown!"

Arkhan silently watched Iskandar's departing figure, but suddenly, a cold voice echoed in his ears.

"Truly a conqueror, I finally understand why he possesses such a Noble Phantasm."

Arkhan turned to Artoria, lightly chuckling.

"What, envious?"

"There's nothing to envy. He has his kingship, and I have mine. I've merely chosen a different path from him." Artoria replied nonchalantly.

"Even though you know it's a path with no end?"

*Swish!*

A black sword swung through the air, hovering less than three centimeters from Arkhan's neck.

"Do you really think I wouldn't dare to kill you?" Artoria's pale golden eyes flashed with a cold glint.

"Even if you killed me, you couldn't change what has already happened." Arkhan spoke calmly, seemingly unaffected by the looming sword.

"Even so... How are you better than me?" Artoria retorted coldly.

"I'm different from you, at least..." Arkhan glanced meaningfully at her. "I possess the strength to bear this hope."

Artoria clenched her teeth, unable to utter a single word.

"Take this as my last piece of advice for you." Arkhan turned and headed towards the summit of Mount Enzou. "Don't take on stuff you can't handle the responsibility for. It'll just sink you in an endless swamp."

Artoria stood in silence, watching his retreating figure.

===

In the ravaged woods that resembled nothing of their former selves, Arkhan gazed at the black book on the ground. With his fingers, he traced a primordial rune in the air, an emerald-green symbol that seemed to encompass all truths in the world soon appeared.

Due to Tokiomi's series of schemes, this forbidden book had been completely awakened. Except for him, no one in Fuyuki could seal its power.

The deep green rune, seemingly containing all truths, slowly descended from the void and merged into the R'lyeh Text. The eerie fluctuations in the book instantly dissipated, reducing its activity to that of an ordinary book.

On the side, Kayneth hurriedly picked up the R'lyeh Text, disregarding the dirt it collected. He clutched it tightly, as if afraid someone would snatch it away.

"Better destroy that thing sooner rather than later." Arkhan advised calmly.

'No way, this is the legendary R'lyeh Text. Unless you're out of your mind, no mage would destroy it!' Kayneth pondered silently, but he felt that if he said that aloud, he might lose possession of the book in the next second.

He had already exhausted all his command spells, with no means to stop Lancer. A more indirect approach was necessary.

His eyes shifted slightly and started to make a confident expression.

"Don't worry, I understand the danger of this book. Once I return to the Clock Tower, I'll find a suitable way to deal with it. I swear in the name of El-Melloi."

Hearing that, Arkhan chuckled inwardly. Playing such word games in front of him—this man was too naive.

However, he didn't expose Kayneth's little trick. Besides the sealing, he had also placed another magecraft on the R'lyeh Text. As soon as he left this world, the book would self-destruct.

Consider it the final gift from a Servant to his Master.