Revenge

"Shoot!"

*WHOOOOSH—!!!*

Ancient and resolute declaration flowed from Heracles's lips as the arrow of light shot out like a meteor, bursting into brilliant radiance.

This radiance was even more dazzling than Kama's countless towers of light that had risen before as if it filled every corner of this dark universe.

Arkhan searched through the memories of his two lifetimes but couldn't find suitable words to describe this magnificent scene.

"So beautiful..." Arkhan could only sigh softly.

However, while this breathtaking scene unfolded before his eyes, it was like a death sentence to Kama.

She could clearly feel that her realm of love, 'Samsara Kama/Mara Avaruddha', created by her Beast authority, was gradually collapsing under this radiant light!

The arrow of light flew onward, piercing into the infinitely distant depths of the universe. After an indeterminate amount of time, perhaps just a moment, or perhaps eternity, a painful grunt suddenly resounded.

Arkhan lifted his head and saw against the backdrop of the dark starry sky, a beautiful face slowly emerging.

It was a colossal and unimaginable figure of a woman, and the universe they were in right now was situated within the left hand of this woman as if frozen in amber!

That was the 'universe' constructed by the authorities of Kama and Mara. She used her own arm as an arrow, piercing through enemies and forever sealing them there, always within her grasp!

All beings trapped there were like Sun Wukong in the palm of the Buddha, no matter how they struggled or jumped, they couldn't escape the imprisonment of that colossal five-finger!

This was something even Arkhan hadn't realized.

At this moment, the tip of the arrow of light was firmly pinned at the center of this colossal woman's brow, countless cracks spreading along it, causing turmoil throughout the entire universe.

Looking directly into those fiery eyes as if ready to spew fire, Heracles, whose body had become extremely ethereal, chuckled lightly.

"Just a little gift, hope you like it."

"HERACLESSS—!!!"

A thunderous roar echoed in his ears, yet Heracles remained calm, knowing well that it was nothing but the lament of a defeated enemy. Similar sounds, he had heard countless times before. Though somewhat regrettable, this time, he couldn't defeat the enemy by his own hands.

"But..."

With a warm smile gracing his lips, Heracles turned to look at Arkhan, whose face bore a complex expression.

"Having a trusted companion, this feeling is quite nice indeed... I leave the rest to you..."

Archer of Black, Heracles, exited the stage.

At the same moment Heracles dissipated, countless doubles of Kama vanished into thin air, followed by the disappearance of the colossal woman amidst unwilling and angry roars.

'Samsara Kama/Mara Avaruddha' finally collapsed.

Dim morning light poured into this desolate and dilapidated universe, and soon, as collapsing dominoes, more light flooded in, and more darkness dissipated.

Arkhan quietly observed this scene, his expression devoid of joy or sorrow. He nodded slightly, paying his respects to the honorable and great hero of Greece.

The illusory universe dissipated, and the real world descended, warm morning sunlight shining upon Arkhan's body as if welcoming his return.

Before him was a familiar sight, a scarred land, ruins of a crumbling fortress, the pleasantly surprised face of Jeanne, and a certain goddess, trembling as if frightened, stared at him with a face full of horror.

Arkhan remained silent, only raising and pointing the Might of An-Utu toward the goddess. The golden radiance on the greatsword's blade shimmered like molten lava against his face, the intense heat instantly distorting the air into swirling vortexes.

"Though dinner time may have ended, I hope my dessert won't disappoint you, O great goddess."

The heat wave swept over, and Kama instinctively took a step back, swallowing her saliva hard, her beautiful face filled with fear.

She couldn't understand why things had come to this point?!

Everything was supposed to go according to her plan, so why was she the one backed into a corner in the end?!

Where did things go wrong?!

Her gaze shifted slightly, sweeping over Jeanne, who held a holy flag with caution written all over her face, and then over Shirou, whose eyes were calm and gentle, and the Greater Grail stood tall on the earth, without any magical energy fluctuations, like a statue.

'Wait?! Where is the magical energy? Where is the magical energy in the Great Grail?!'

Kama's eyes widened in astonishment, and then a flash of realization hit her before she gritted her teeth.

"It's all because of you..."

"I've been a priest for sixty years, but at this moment, I still want to experience what it feels like to be a hero..." Shirou said with a gentle smile.

Kama's gaze darkened as she looked at him. She never expected that the final straw that broke her would come from this hypocritical priest she had always ignored!

'Damn it, he is just a slightly above average mortal, why, why...'

"Mortals and heroes, in the end, are just mere titles..." Arkhan seemed to see through Kama's thoughts and chimed in calmly. "What truly matters is the belief one stands for and the courage to uphold it, even if one ends up defeated, there will be no regrets in their heart."

Upon hearing that, Jeanne glanced at Arkhan's back, a strange color flashing in her violet eyes.

"Belief one stands for..." Shirou murmured softly, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

"This world doesn't need lofty gods, nor does it need the indulgence of escaping reality. The future belongs to humanity; they will choose their own path forward." Arkhan raised the Might of An-Utu, pointing straight at Kama's face. "Times have changed, Kama. Unfortunately, you couldn't keep up with the change."

"Why..." Kama whispered, her voice barely audible. "Why does this era belong to humans who aren't even worthy of the universe's garbage? Why can incompetent and boring humans become the centers of this era, while we gods are either wiped out or forced into hiding? Tell me, why is that?!"

Her voice grew louder and louder, until she was even roaring, tears the size of beans streaming uncontrollably from her eyes.

"C-Crying...?"

Jeanne froze and muttered in disbelief, while Shirou's expression became slightly peculiar.

The mighty and terrifying Beast, reduced to tears?

"Why is it always on me? Giving love, not giving love, both my fault! Being stuck with this god of love nonsense, carrying all these bullshit responsibilities!"

"Fine then, if you all want love, I'll give you unlimited love! That's my revenge!"

"But why?! I'm clearly stronger than anyone else, yet still end up so miserable! It shouldn't be like this! I should have always stood tall, looking down on everything, freely trampling incompetent and annoying humans!"

Kama cried out, pouring out her heart, feeling unjust.

However, everyone couldn't help but feel there was an inexplicable sense of humor about it all.