Chapter 260

The black mud continued to pour out from the hole into the outside world without stopping.

Within seconds, the entire crater was about to be filled with the black sludge. Simultaneously, headless giants several meters tall began emerging from the mud. Born from the mud, they would soon follow Darius and the ever-expanding black sludge to destroy the world.

"The nature of this planet is being completely rewritten bit by bit, just like the incident five years ago. Is this the salvation Lord Darius sought? As I thought… there's no intention of saving humanity."

Watching the scene below, Angelica's cold monologue was met with Shinji's harsh ridicule and sarcasm.

"So, what's the point of saying all this? If you knew all along, why didn't you do something when you figured it out?"

Angelica said nothing in response, as she knew he was right. Even if she had guessed it, she had done nothing.

In the sky, from the best spectator seat, Young Gilgamesh began narrating the scene below.

"Headless giants. These are giants created from an unknown myth, different from any myth known on this planet. Facing such an invasion, this world's strength alone is insufficient to resist. At this rate, both the planet and its inhabitants will be destroyed."

He glanced down at Shinji, who stood with his hands in his pockets, visibly displeased.

"So, how will the man who concludes known myths deal with an unknown one?"

"Hey— I heard all of that."

Shinji looked up at Vimana, hundreds of meters above, and voiced his annoyance.

Young Gilgamesh laughed, scratching his head. "Haha, sorry, sorry, I just let my thoughts slip out. But, big brother, you have really sharp ears to hear me from such a distance."

Shinji clicked his tongue in frustration, realizing that the guy above had no intention of helping.

After exhausting all his magic in a futile EX-Calibur blast at the hole, Saber could no longer fight, struggling to stay on her feet.

Red Archer, Shirou, and the Great Hero were also out of magic after multiple ineffective attacks, panting and unable to continue.

Bazett and Cu Chulainn were out of the picture, as Bazett couldn't provide enough magic for Cu to throw his spear.

The only one still capable of fighting was Miyu, supported by Ruby, but even the strongest Saber card could only unleash one more EX-Calibur, which had already proven ineffective against the hole.

Not because EX-Calibur lacked power, but because they were up against a new mythological foundation.

"Damn it!"

A transformed clone cursed, acting perfectly.

Red Archer, no longer the young girl she once was, clicked her tongue. Having saved the world multiple times, she knew this one was beyond saving.

"Damn it! What should we do…" Shirou, unable to bear the situation, suddenly turned to Shinji, his face full of hope. "Shinji, is there really no way?"

Shinji's mouth twitched as he retorted, "Emiya, do you really think I'm omniscient and omnipotent?"

"But you don't seem that worried, so I thought maybe you had some plan…"

"Idiot! It's not my world, why should I be worried?"

"Please! If you have a way, tell me! Shinji!"

Seeing Shirou bow deeply to him, Shinji couldn't help but complain, "Would you just listen to me, you idiot!"

"Matou Shinji! Now is not the time to hold back!"

Illya looked at Shinji with a determined expression, convinced he had a way to stop the current crisis.

At the same time, everyone else, filled with either hope or plea, turned their eyes to Shinji.

Feeling everyone's gaze, including Red Archer's, Shinji sighed heavily, holding his head down.

"When did I give you all the impression that I can do anything? And why are the newcomers (the Great Hero, Miyu, Angelica, a barely alive Julian, Beatrice) looking at me like that? We don't even know each other well!"

"Well..." The Great Hero scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Everyone else was looking at you, so I thought..."

Miyu nodded seriously. "Since Illya and Shirou believe in you, I believe in you too."

The three from the Einzbern side didn't speak, merely staring at Shinji.

"Sorry, but your trust doesn't give me power! Trust alone doesn't make me stronger! Those looks do nothing!"

Shinji loudly complained, but it was futile as everyone continued to stare at him.

"Honestly, I'm completely defeated…" Shinji sighed deeply, then his expression changed slightly. Speaking in a tone of seriousness rarely heard by Shirou and the others, he said,

"Alright, I'll buy you five minutes to stop the black mud from spreading. Use that time to deal with the hole.

And remember, Darius's next target is this girl. To complete his myth, he needs the Grail! Don't let him get the Grail!"

Hearing this, everyone nodded, seeing a glimmer of hope, and turned around.

At that moment, their expressions were resolute, as if ready to sacrifice everything to achieve victory.

Then, five minutes passed.

Seeing everyone collapsed on the ground, exhausted and unable to fight, Shinji's eye twitched. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke quietly.

"Are you performing a comedy sketch? Your current state doesn't match the determined expressions you had earlier! Weren't you all looking like you were sure to win?"

"Damn it!"

Julian punched the ground in frustration.

"Complaining won't cover up your failure!" Shinji retorted.

"Click!"

"You complaining doesn't change anything! Are you always this cranky? Are you in menopause?" Shinji continued, then stopped and removed the amber bottle he had placed under the hole, which was nearly full, and sealed it.

The black mud was, in a sense, useful. It had the power to give Servants physical forms and could mentally corrupt people.

"Shinji..."

Shirou, unable to bear it, lifted his head and muttered almost pleadingly. He knew that if there was any hope left, it lay with Shinji.

The others also turned their gaze back to Shinji...

"Enough! Are you all kidding me? Those looks do nothing! Having such high expectations of me is pointless!"

Before he could finish, Shinji froze, hearing a familiar voice in his ear—it was the voice of the world (Gaia)!

Instantly, Shinji put his hands in his pockets, glancing at Shirou. "Emiya, didn't I tell you before? When you need help..."

"Shinji, please..."

"Alright, being asked for help by a friend who always helps without expecting anything in return feels rare. Because of that rarity, I'll help you, Matou Shinji."

Seeing Shinji's serious and determined expression, Shirou was deeply moved, his eyes filling with tears.

Perhaps…

This world could be saved!

Some force: ...Isn't it because I agreed to certain conditions that you're willing to help?

"So, what will you do?" Illya asked.

"Kid, don't overdo it," Cu Chulainn reminded. "That thing isn't easy to deal with."

Looking at the hole in the sky and the giant now targeting him, Shinji drew his right hand from his pocket and said calmly, "Yes, I know. To combat myths and mysteries, you need equal or superior myths and mysteries. To fight an unknown myth, you need another unknown myth."

Everyone frowned, not understanding, until they saw a dark gold card appear between Shinji's fingers!

At the same time, his aura changed, his clothes and hair moving as if caught in an invisible wind, as his life force flowed into the card.

"Come forth, My Queen!"

As he spoke, the card transformed into points of light, coalescing into a figure beside him. At the same moment, Gilgamesh, far in the interstice of the world, used his means to cross worlds, abandoning Rin amidst her cursing.

Because the woman with the crossbow, voluptuous figure, and crown had reappeared.

Wearing a crown but not claiming kingship, possessing immense power yet serving another—this was what Gilgamesh found most fascinating about this woman.

He wanted to know who her original master was. If he found out, he'd kill him and claim her as his own servant!

"Leader..."

So, hearing the queen address Shinji as such, Gilgamesh frowned upon his arrival.

"Hey! Where have you been all this time? I've been in great danger, you know!"

Ignoring the excited Luvia, Gilgamesh kept his eyes on Shinji, curious to see what his servant would do next!