Black Dragon Arkhan vs White Dragon Vortigern (III)
Watching the distant battle between Vortigern and Arkhan, Crimson Moon furrowed her brows slightly.
'Looks like he won't be able to take down that kid by himself. Maybe I should go help him, better safe than sorry.'
However, as she took a step forward, a figure suddenly blocked her path.
"Excalibur Wielder..." Crimson Moon's expression darkened instantly. "I spared you last time for Gaia's sake. This time, I advise you to stay put and not do anything reckless."
"Big words are only spoken by the weak. If you think you've got the strength, give it a try." Artoria raised Excalibur, pointing it at Crimson Moon.
Her once sacred azure eyes had turned golden, akin to amber, devoid of the previous gentleness, replaced by a touch of madness and ferocity.
Her 'Ahoge' wiggled slightly, then fell like withered leaves.
"You..." Crimson Moon hesitated, sensing that the girl in front of her was somewhat different from before.
"What, no plans to attack?" Artoria spoke coldly. "Then I won't hold back."
Before Crimson Moon could react, Artoria shot forward like an arrow, with Excalibur aimed straight at the head.
"Don't overestimate yourself, human!" Crimson Moon snorted, raising her pristine white hand to block the attack.
However, at that moment, the previously vertically descending golden sword suddenly dissipated, then strangely thrust out from another direction.
Though Crimson Moon reacted in time, she couldn't dodge completely, and the sharp blade cut a significant gash in her dress.
"Too bad, failed." Artoria shook her head regretfully.
Crimson Moon stared at the tear in her dress, and clenched her fist tightly, anger burning in her golden eyes.
Almost getting hurt by a human was a tremendous disgrace for her.
"Wearing knight's armor but resorting to such underhanded tactics. Don't you feel any shame?!"
"Real battles require risking your life. Anyone who adheres to useless doctrines at a time like this must have a broken brain." Artoria sneered. "I pursue only the result. As for the process... well, as long as I win, who cares."
"You little—!"
As she yelled angrily, Crimson Moon snapped her fingers, summoning a boulder in the sky that crashed down on Artoria, causing the ground to tremble.
"Hmph, after all the talks, that's all you've got?" Crimson Moon snorted, ready to help Vortigern. But then, a crisp voice echoed in her ears.
"Seal Thirteen──Decision start!"
"This is a battle against the enemy stronger than oneself!"
"This is a battle of one-on-one!"
"This is a battle against non-fairies!"
"This is a battle to defend human order!"
*BOOOOM—!!!*
A towering golden pillar of light rose, cleaving the boulder in half. Artoria emerged, surrounded by hundreds of dazzling golden particles.
Excalibur was completely shrouded in divine golden light, and the terrifying aura distorted the surrounding void like irregular waves.
Artoria raised Excalibur, pointing it at Crimson Moon, her golden eyes indifferent and cold.
"As long as I stand here, you're going nowhere!"
===
On the other side of the battlefield, the confrontation between Vortigern and Arkhan was gradually reaching its conclusion.
After receiving countless attacks from Abyss Flower and Jizo Mitama, Vortigern's immortality had been largely depleted. Only a sliver remained, hanging by a thread.
Losing this last shred of immortality would mean no chance of resurrection for him.
He initially thought Arkhan reaching for two weapons was the limit, but to his surprise, the damn bastard pulled out a third!
Thinking it might be an illusion, he charged forward, only to be impaled by the golden spear from Oath of Judah, relinquishing his last trace of immortality.
Moreover, due to the power of 'Binding' from Oath of Judah, his internal strength was completely suppressed. There was no way to escape; even if resurrected, he remained bound in place.
Arkhan approached calmly, picking up the fallen Black Abyss and Jizo Mitama. He looked at the helpless Vortigern, limbs bound by golden chains.
"Even the lofty gods can be dethroned by mortals because this is no longer a world meant for the gods. You've lost, Vortigern."
"I have one last question..." Vortigern lifted his head, gazing at Arkhan. "Where did those weapons of yours come from?"
"Sorry, I refuse to answer." Arkhan replied casually, raising Black Abyss, pointing it directly at Vortigern's forehead.
However...
"Let there be light."
At that moment, an ancient and deep voice suddenly echoed through the vast expanse of the heavens and earth.
*Swish!*
A bright radiance instantly burst forth, transforming the death-shrouded realm into a dazzling daylight.
An otherworldly force momentarily froze the entire space-time, leaving Artoria, Crimson Moon, Arkhan, and Thrud, feeling as if their bodies were solidified, unable to move.
An object slowly penetrated out from Vortigern's body, transitioning from a blurry form to a tangible reality.
As Arkhan saw the true form of this object, his pupils shrank to pinpricks.
It was a golden cup. Though seemingly unremarkable, it exuded an indescribable sense of holiness, inspiring an impulse to bow in reverence.
'The Holy Grail! Fuck, it turns out to be the Holy Grail! How?!'
Arkhan exclaimed inwardly, full of surprise. His emotions surged like a turbulent river. He had never imagined that Vortigern's hidden trump card would be the Holy Grail!
'Could I have been wrong all along? Is this world some sort of 'Singularity'?'
Arkhan instantly dismissed the thought. Even if this world were a Singularity, the power of the Holy Grail couldn't cause such a disturbance.
Feeling the power vaguely suppressing the entire world, Arkhan became increasingly certain of his inner speculation.
This Holy Grail was probably not some artificially created imitation of that King of the Demon Gods but the true legendary Holy Grail, the miraculous relic that once contained the blood of 'God (Jesus)'!