C261

Shirou made the decision to bury the scabbard in Cornwall, entrusting Artoria with the task of burying it once she no longer needed it.

If he has already become a part of established history, there is no doubt that the Einzbern family will excavate the scabbard during the Fourth Holy Grail War, summoning the Saber-class Artoria. If this Saber happens to be the same Artoria, then Shirou will undoubtedly continue as Guinevere, appearing as her in Artoria's eyes during the Fourth Holy Grail War.

Subsequently, the scabbard becomes crucial for Shirou in his battle against Gilgamesh in the Fourth Holy Grail War, and ultimately, he returns it to Emiya Kiritsugu, leaving it within the Emiya household.

However, recently, Shirou has been carrying the scabbard with him, wearing it as he eagerly awaits future information while preparing for the decisive battle against Crimson Moon.

Then, on a particular night, three months later, Shirou slept while embracing the scabbard and received a message in his dream from the future.

"Brother... Brother... I've finally found you."

"Is it Sakura?" Shirou asked.

"Yes, I've managed to obtain Avalon from the Emiya household. The scabbard is now in my possession. All that's left is for you to bury it in Cornwall and use Avalon to return."

"Is that so..."

"What's wrong, brother?"

"I can't go back yet. There are still some things I haven't finished here."

"Why? Are you the Eternal King? Do you consider that place your home now?"

"Eternal King... Has that title reached future generations? But you also said it, Sakura. I am the Eternal King, a king with a responsibility to my kingdom, my people! And with this final battle, my duty as a king will be fulfilled!"

"Merlin said that you only have this one chance to come back! When the sun sets here, the entrance to Avalon will close, and you won't have another opportunity to return!"

"Ask Merlin how long I can stay here, according to your time?"

"Merlin said... you have one year."

"That's enough."

"Brother... Do you still want to stay there for another year?"

"In terms of your time, it's only one day."

"Don't you miss home?"

"I do. However, I have a purpose to fulfill and responsibilities to carry out. You must understand, Sakura, that the one speaking to you now is not your brother, Fujimaru Shirou, but the Eternal King!"

"...I understand. I'll wait for you. Everyone... Everyone misses you!"

"I know. I miss everyone as well."

With those words, Shirou woke up.

He began to intensify his actions.

The entire kingdom sprang into motion, spurred by his resolve.

When September of the sixth year arrived, he was prepared to take action.

Shirou pulled out the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad. Clad in gleaming silver armor and wielding the majestic lance, Shirou rallied an army of three thousand elite knights as he set forth towards Gaul.

News of his call to arms resonated across the lands, drawing lords and knights from Ireland, the British Isles, and various regions of Gaul. In response, a formidable force of a hundred thousand troops assembled in Gaul, ready to march under his banner.

These were Shirou's possessions, everything he could bring along. In addition to the knights he could muster, he rallied every last one of them, leaving only a select few individuals in charge of domestic affairs to oversee the management of Britain and ensure the kingdom continued to function smoothly.

Morgan, too, expressed her desire to join the army, but Shirou gently urged her to assume the throne instead. "You are now the rightful heir to the throne. You need not partake in the war. Focus on governing our land and learn from the wisdom of Guinevere."

Looking into his eyes, Morgan couldn't help but ask, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "Once this war is over, will you be leaving?"

"That is not something you need to worry about," Shirou replied, his grip tightening on the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad. With a resolute gaze, he turned away from Morgan and set his course towards Gaul.

In Gaul, he successfully gathered a mighty force of a hundred thousand troops, each soldier equipped with a formidable Gáe Bolg. The knights entrusted with commanding these soldiers carried the legendary blade Galatine, ensuring that each individual had a weapon at their disposal. However, time constraints prevented Shirou from imparting his innate skills to too many individuals. Ultimately, only around thirty thousand soldiers possessed those unique abilities.

Among Shirou's royal army of three thousand, each soldier carried both a Gáe Bolg and a Galatine, secured at their waists. Every member of this elite force possessed innate skills, making them a formidable presence on the battlefield.

Gawain, as the true bearer of Galatine, couldn't help but feel a deep sense of frustration when he beheld the countless replicas of the sword. Tens of thousands of these replicas existed, and their abundance only intensified his discontent.

In the presence of the king, uniqueness seemed to be nonexistent, as his exceptional abilities lay in shattering the boundaries of uniqueness itself. Through his extraordinary prowess, he forged numerous holy swords and magical spears, distributing them among ordinary soldiers. This act of empowerment allowed these once-ordinary individuals to rise above themselves and become heroes.

Given sufficient time, the king had the power to build a kingdom brimming with heroes, establishing a well-regulated society where peace and harmony prevailed, upheld by the principles of law and order. Perhaps, this is the key reason that earned the king the revered title of the Eternal King.

However, Gawain knew one thing.

This... is the king's final battle!

...

"King Arthur! King Arthur!"

"King Arthur! King Arthur!"

Shirou strode onto the battlefield, where a mighty host of a hundred thousand troops erupted into a deafening roar.

Their thunderous cries reverberated through the very fabric of the heavens and earth.

Each soldier brandished their weapons, Gáe Bolg held high, and the Holy Sword Galatine, known as the Sword of Revolving Victory, firmly gripped in their hands.

Sunlight cascaded upon the vast sea of warriors, illuminating their resolute faces with a radiant brilliance.

Shirou plunged the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad deep into the heart of Gaul. In a breathtaking display, the lance underwent a magnificent metamorphosis, morphing into an immense Tower of Light that illuminated the entire region. From within the Tower, a surge of True Ether surged forth, as if originating from the depths of the Inner Sea of the Planet, its radiant waves cascading across the vast expanse of the European continent.

The Irish and Britons rejoiced, their hearts brimming with immense joy. However, a sense of unease and suffocation enveloped the Gauls and the people of the European continent.

Shirou swiftly assessed the situation and made the necessary adjustments. Striking a delicate balance that would appease both sides, allowing his soldiers to gallop across the European continent.

In this battle, his adversaries were not humans but rather the Dead Apostles and the Crimson Moon. If he were up against humans, utilizing the Tower of Light as a biological gas attack could have been a viable option.

With Caliburn held high, Shirou bellowed, "As the red dragon unfurls its majestic wings, this sword shall mark the birth of our realm! Rome, brace yourself, for we shall etch our everlasting glory into your very heart! I am none other than King Arthur!"

"King Arthur! King Arthur!"

The deafening roar of a hundred thousand troops echoed through the air, their voices hoarse with unbridled passion.

Both the Franks and the Gauls were spellbound, entranced by the spectacle unfolding before them.

In that moment, the spirit of the dynasty that had once conquered Gaul came alive, captivating all who witnessed it.

"Raise the banners!" Shirou's voice rang out.

Amidst the vast assembly of three thousand royal soldiers, a flag depicting a majestic red dragon unfurled, its fabric dancing gracefully in the wind.

Not only did the flag of the red dragon capture the gaze of all, but within each legion, additional banners were raised, harmoniously complementing the proud emblem as they too swayed in the breeze.

"March forth!" Shirou bellowed, his sword slicing through the air as he rallied the hundred thousand troops into action.

Simultaneously, the kingdoms of Vandals, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Burgundians, and the Holy Church responded one by one, encircling the already crumbling Western Roman Empire. From south to north, from east to west, a multitude of forces converged upon it.

The resplendent army, resembling a thundering herd of wild horses, assailed the Western Roman Empire from all directions. As they advanced, enemy soldiers, Dead Apostles, and True Ancestors met their untimely demise, crushed beneath the relentless march of the invaders. In a little over a month, the converging army stood before Ravenna, its mighty walls now besieged by their overwhelming might.

In this pivotal moment, Ravenna took on an unsettling air of peculiarity.

A blood moon loomed overhead, casting an eerie hue that seemed to seep into every crevice.

Having retrieved the holy lance Rhongomyniad from Gaul, Shirou stood unfazed by the haunting sight. He manifested the Tower of Light into existence outside of Ravenna, his gaze piercing the city with a cold resolve.

The sky became a canvas for the blood moon, its ethereal glow haunting and otherworldly, while the majestic Tower of Light rose proudly from the earth, emanating a divine radiance.

There was no room for doubt - this would be the ultimate and decisive battle!

Shirou drew in a deep breath, fully aware that the outcome of this battle would determine the prosperity of humanity, finally freeing them from the shackles of constant threats.

As if on cue, Zelretch arrived at his camp, offering his support and becoming a temporary ally in this critical juncture.

Zelretch asked, "What is it that you need me to do? Just give me a brief explanation. I'm not your knight, and I particularly dislike those who don't share my ideas. Nevertheless, I'm willing to assist you in taking down Crimson Moon. I've been itching to do it myself for a while now, but you currently have a good opportunity, and I'll lend you my support."

Shirou maintained his composure and calmly responded, "I have just one favor to ask of you."

"What might that be?"

"Force it to reveal its true form!"