Chapter 60. Mutual Destruction
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I Will Eventually Embark on the Path of No Return Called a Hero [Arc2] - 60. Mutual Destruction
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The white blade pierced through Achilles' body.
The fierce iron fist halted before Siegfried's face.
"Ah~ Did I lose?"
As the frozen world began to shatter, the victor had emerged, rendering the world meaningless.
It was undoubtedly a fair and just battle.
Setting aside all external factors, both sides fought with their skills and the pride of heroes. In the end, Achilles was defeated by Siegfried.
Achilles, who had been dipped in the River Styx by his mother since birth, had always had an easy journey, untouched by harm. He could fully unleash his bravery, which did not mean he lacked skill, but he was still outdone by Siegfried.
Though he had an invulnerable body in mythology, Siegfried had previously defeated the evil dragon with his sword. Even in battles where a single scratch could shatter him, Siegfried won.
Although he won, Siegfried was not in much better shape. His internal organs were almost a mess, two ribs had pierced into his stomach, and his face was covered in bruises. In a state where an ordinary person would have succumbed to pain, Siegfried managed to drive his sword into Achilles' heart.
"Boom----"
The world constructed by the spear shattered completely.
Achilles took a step back. The result obtained in that world could not be changed; he had lost, and his spirit core was shattered. He could clearly feel the magic power dissipating from his body.
"What happened!" Gordes widened his eyes. To him, it seemed that after the spear fell, Achilles suddenly took a step back and appeared as if he was about to disappear.
"I'm satisfied. Although I didn't get to face Cyd again in the end, you're not at a loss," Achilles stretched and lifted the spear onto his shoulder. "You can go ahead. I'll disappear soon."
"It's fine. We'll just wait a bit," Gordes, hiding behind Siegfried, watched Achilles with some caution.
Unless he witnessed this invincible hero disappear with his own eyes, he wouldn't dare to approach. Even though he trusted Achilles' character, he couldn't bring himself to trust the master who was still around.
"Hey, I'm still a respectable hero. I accept defeat," Achilles grinned. "I haven't disappeared yet; it's just because of the Battle Continuation."
"I believe in you, but I don't trust your master," Gordes still had no intention of moving.
"Huh? That guy was already knocked out long ago; he won't affect me…" Achilles' face stiffened, then began to twist. "You really did it!"
By the Command Spell, Achilles, use your Noble Phantasm.
By the Command Spell, Achilles, defeat the enemy Saber.
By the Command Spell, Achilles, use all your strength.
A strange voice echoed in Achilles' mind.
The chariot on the side burst into dazzling light, and the immortal horse gifted by the sea god began to revolt. Achilles couldn't control himself and ran towards the chariot.
"My chariot…"
Achilles leapt onto the chariot, gripping the reins tightly. Although he wanted to resist from the bottom of his heart, the continuous activation of the three Command Spells completely ignored the will of the great hero.
"My life is a shooting star!"
The chariot slowly floated into the air, and Achilles, with a face full of unwillingness, lashed the reins.
"Troias Tragōidia!"
"Look! I knew it would be like this!" The terrifying magical power made Gordes stagger and sit on the ground. "This is an army Noble Phantasm!"
"Hey, enemy Saber! I don't have much time left. As long as you hold on, as long as you can endure this time, I'll disappear!" Achilles roared.
"Clang----"
Siegfried, with an expressionless face, turned the sword handle. The twilight-colored radiance enveloped the entire space, and the divine ether from the age of gods surged like a wave.
"Master, please step back," Siegfried exhaled, "This is the final battle."
"Don't joke around! Saber, you won. You defeated Achilles. You have no reason to sacrifice yourself. You…" Gordes got up and grabbed Siegfried's armor, but after seeing Siegfried's resolute expression, Gordes released his grip. "You're serious…"
"I'm sorry," Siegfried shook his head.
"Damn it! Damn it! You're not going to lose! You're the strongest!" Gordes raised his hand. "I command you with all my Command Spells! Win for me!"
"Understood."
Siegfried's eyes narrowed, and he slowly raised Balmung above his head.
"The evil dragon shall fall."
The heart in his chest began to beat powerfully under the enhancement of the Command Spell, and immense magical power surged through his body explosively.
The true ether stored in Balmung was fully released under the enhancement of the Command Spell.
"And the world will reach its sunset."
The twilight-colored radiance was like the end of the world.
"I will bring you down—Phantasmal Greatsword - Felling of the Sky Demon!!!"
Siegfried roared as he swung Balmung down. This time, the sword's concealed radiance was no longer white but the twilight announcing the end of the world.
Achilles' eyes narrowed, and his mouth began to involuntarily curl upwards. Indeed, he was too greedy. Although he had lost, the sight of such brilliance reignited the combat spirit that had already faded.
"To unleash such power… How could I endure it!"
"This is your true strength!"
This time, Achilles did not resist the Command Spell but fiercely lashed the reins. The chariot sped straight toward the twilight radiance like a shooting star.
The green streaks of light pierced through the twilight radiance. The chariot, which had never been stopped, slowed down in the light. Knowing it was futile, Achilles still widened his eyes, staring fixedly at the radiance as if he could see Siegfried's sword swing through it.
The chariot began to wail, the immortal horse roared, and Achilles' fighting spirit was nearing its limit, his body starting to become semi-transparent.
He was already in a dire situation!
But that was precisely why!
Achilles began to laugh maniacally. He had come here to fight a true hero.
Defeated honorably, using all his strength to counterattack with his Noble Phantasm.
He could be satisfied to disappear…
Not at all!
Since he had come this far, disappearing would be too disgraceful! Since he had unleashed his Noble Phantasm, he must win. Since he bore the name of a hero, he could not respond to this radiance with anything other than victory!
This was his final pride!
The immortal horse disappeared, the chariot was shattered, but Achilles charged into the twilight like a shooting star.
"Saber!"
"Rider!"
"Boom----"
The twilight radiance pierced through the aerial courtyard and straight into the distant starry sky.
"Hmph, although it's shameful, Command Spells really work," Achilles slowly disappeared within the light.
"I'm sorry, Saber."
Siegfried lowered his head. The spear Achilles wielded, which had slain many heroes, ultimately pierced through his evil dragon blood armor and shattered his spirit core.
"Even though you used Command Spells," Gordes sat heavily on the ground, "You were the one who won."
"I'm sorry. I didn't meet your expectations," Siegfried smiled bitterly. If Achilles hadn't created a one-on-one space, he wouldn't have had the chance to defeat him. It was only right that he, the loser, had won.
Even a mutually destructive outcome wasn't bad.
"Yeah, you useless guy. You let him get away," Gordes pounded the ground in frustration. "You were the true victor!"
"I'm sorry," Siegfried didn't know how to respond, only able to apologize repeatedly.
"It's my fault… I'm so useless," Gordes buried his face in his arms. "You're the strongest Saber, able to defeat even Achilles. I held you back."
If he hadn't followed, he could have used a Command Spell to make Siegfried retreat from the battlefield, avoiding a mutual destruction result.
If he had been a bit stronger…
"No, it's precisely because of your presence that I had the chance to defeat Achilles. It was you and me who overcame Achilles together," Siegfried bent down and extended his hand to Gordes. "Please, lift your head high. You are the best master."
Gordes hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took Siegfried's hand.
"Boom----"
Gordes fell heavily to the ground. The reassuring hand vanished, the light slowly fell on him, and Siegfried completely disappeared.
"You…"
Gordes curled up.
"You useless guy."