Chapter 114: Sword of Promised Victory

Legend has it that after King Arthur's sword, Caliburn, shattered during the selection of the King, the great magician Merlin guided him to a sacred lake. In the lake, a fairy presented Arthur with a sword forged from gold, with gemstones embedded in the hilt. This holy sword emitted a radiance brighter than the sun and had a blade that could cut through iron like mud. It was bestowed upon King Arthur.

Along with the sword, Arthur was also given a scabbard for the holy sword. Merlin once asked Arthur, "My king, which do you think is more important, the sword or the scabbard?"

Without hesitation, Arthur answered that the sword was more important. However, Merlin reproaches him with a bitter smile, saying, "You are mistaken. While the sword is used to vanquish enemies, the scabbard protects you. As long as the scabbard is with you, you will not bleed or be harmed. The scabbard is what truly matters, not the sword."

As Merlin had said, with the protection of the scabbard, Arthur became invincible. However, after losing the scabbard, Arthur's glorious life was shadowed, ultimately leading to the downfall of Britain.

Now, this most important treasure to King Arthur has finally returned to its rightful owner.

This legendary scabbard, associated with the homeland of fairies, the final resting place of King Arthur, a place countless kings have dreamed of but were unable to reach, is called "Avalon – The Everdistant Utopia."

Saber couldn't help but speak the true name of this long-lost treasure. It was not a Noble Phantasm, but it possessed the ability comparable to the highest-ranked EX Noble Phantasms. It had the power to heal any wounds, including curses.

As Saber's injured left hand made contact with the surface of the scabbard, a long-forgotten clarity instantly flowed into Saber's heart through her numbed thumb.

A vast amount of magical energy flowed incessantly between Saber and the shining scabbard. The scabbard's inherent healing ability continuously permeated Saber's thumb.

Mysteries become ineffective in the face of higher-level mysteries, a rule every magus knows. Although the curse of the Yellow Rose was powerful, it still fell before the higher-level "Avalon."

However, this "defeat" was not immediate; it was a slow and continuous process. Several minutes passed, and there were no obvious signs of Saber's wounds healing. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why Kiritsugu Emiya refused to return the scabbard to Saber.

At this moment, the Sea Demon had approached the shore. If it weren't for Rider and Lancer's timely interception, the tentacles of the Sea Demon would have fallen on Irisviel and Saber's heads.

Assassin was not idle either. Since a while ago, she had been busy inscribing runes in the air. Judging from the unintentional fluctuations of magical power, these were likely high-level Rune Magic. Shinji even saw four original runes among the combinations of runes.

The original URUZ symbolized creative power. It could stimulate vitality and be used to heal diseases or injuries.

The original EIHWAZ symbolizes protection. It could dispel curses.

The original HABALL symbolizes contemplation and tranquility. It was a slow-moving force that could bring good luck or positive stable development.

The original GIFU symbolized unity and harmony. It could enhance the effectiveness of magecraft.

Around these four original runes floated numerous derived runes of various sizes, forming this high-level magecraft.

In the instant the magecraft was completed, Scáthach looked up and said.

"Rider, drag that chunk of flesh into your Reality Marble. Throw it out after one minute, as high as you can. No problem, right?"

"No problem! Lancer, step back. We'll leave it to you after that, Assassin, Saber."

Seeing the solemn nods of the two, Rider laughed heartily, waving the reins and driving the chariot without looking back, rushing towards the Sea Demon.

"!!"

Accompanied by the roar of the Conqueror, a scorching whirlwind wrapped around him. This wind dispersed the pervasive mist, defying nature and eroding reality.

In the blink of an eye, Rider's figure and the colossal body of the Sea Demon disappeared into the distant river.

At the same time, Scáthach held Saber's left hand, and Rune Magic began to take effect.

Under the influence of Avalon, the curse of the "Yellow Rose of Mortality" was no longer an impenetrable barrier. It had developed cracks. Scáthach could previously alleviate Saber's pain, and now she could contribute her power to dispel the curse.

The power of dispelling tore the curse from the outside, and the power of healing penetrated Saber's body, treating her wounds from within.

Inspired by Scáthach, Irisviel also began chanting curative magic. Even if it was just a little, she wanted to assist the knight who had always protected her.

Lancer, who witnessed this scene, looked down at the magical spear his foster father had given him. He didn't regret injuring Saber, but he sincerely hoped for the restoration of Saber's left hand. The former was his accomplishment, while the latter was a prayer for the ideals of knighthood. The two were not contradictory.

The noble knight raised his twin spears, silently guarding those who were working hard. It was the only thing he could do now.

Saber felt the will of her allies and increased the output of her magical power. Surging magical energy created invisible ripples in the air. Kiritsugu, lurking on the upstream boat, suddenly felt a piercing pain and collapsed.

With the joint efforts of the three, an unseen magical force oozed out of Saber's wounds, completely expelling the curse imposed by the Sea God.

Freed from the curse, the injuries on the Wrist of the King of Knights swiftly healed.

"Saber, it's up to you now."

"I leave it to you, Saber."

The two Heroic Spirits smiled at Saber, and the intense emotions surging in their chests made Saber tightly grip her left hand as if she was responding to everyone's expectations and enthusiasm in this way.

The silver gauntlet resounded with a clang, trembling slightly due to the boiling emotions.

"I swear upon this sword that I will bring victory!"

The King of Conquerors' Reality Marble unfolded, and the Golden Sword revealed its divine figure amidst the sweeping gales. The blade shone with golden light as if echoing the imminent victory, illuminating the darkness around.

That was the supreme and unparalleled holy sword of King Arthur's legend.

It felt like gazing at the dawn after enduring a long night, gently wiping away the anxiety and unease deeply entrenched in one's heart.

Yes, that was the ideal of a knight.

Even amid a bloody battlefield, exposed to death and despair, they still sang the praises of the nobility of humanity. It was the crystallization of everything depicted in the hearts of all those who had vanished in glory.

The air above the river began to tremble as if it had long been prepared to welcome this moment. The space, corroded by the longing of the Heroic Spirits, returned to its normal state.

First, abnormal shadows covered the night sky like mirages. Then, suddenly, they solidified, fully exposing the terrifying colossal body in the air.

Only in this way could they leave no chance for the Sea Demon and allow Saber to annihilate it.

Above the Vimana, an evil smile appeared on Archer's face, radiating with divine light.

"Let me see, Saber. I, as the King, will determine your radiance and worth as a Heroic Spirit."

Rider, who appeared in the sky simultaneously with the Sea Demon, didn't even have time to speak. He quickly drove the chariot away from the dangerous area.

Under the pull of gravity, the Sea Demon fell towards the river, causing Irisviel to shout.

"Now, Saber!"

At this moment, Saber was more impassioned than ever. Bathed in the radiance of the holy sword, her blood as a king boiled, and she finally understood the true meaning of the phrase, "Wherever the king's sword points, our hearts follow."

The time was ripe.

The King of Knights gathered all her strength in her arms, gripping the hilt of the golden sword, and raised it high.

The light kept gathering.

Dazzling rays converged one after another, illuminating the peerless holy sword, embellishing it with the most brilliant radiance, the supreme duty it held.

The intense yet serene light left everyone speechless.

This heroic figure once illuminated a chaotic era darker than the night.

Unyielding after ten years, undefeated after twelve battles.

The King's achievements were unparalleled, and her honor would be eternal.

That radiant holy sword represented the sorrowful and sublime dreams embraced by all the fallen warriors on the battlefield, transcending the past, present, and future — a crystallization of their longing called "glory."

To take pride in holding this will high, to uphold this belief as their duty.

At this moment, the King of Promised Victory called out the true name of the miracle in her hand with a loud voice.

Its name was—

"EX---CALIBUR (the Sword of Promised Victory)!"

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