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Nrvnqsr had no idea, but he instinctively wanted to avoid this mud.

However, it was already too late.

Shirou was a very cunning combatant.

The mud thrown at him was just a distraction. But the true danger lay in the silent flow of mud seeping into the ground from Shirou's shoes.

As Nrvnqsr considered evasion, numerous crimson hands began to emerge from the ground. They resembled demonic hands, as if rising from an abyss, and swiftly latched onto his body.

And then—

"Splash!"

The oncoming surge of mud swallowed him whole, akin to a colossal tidal wave.

"I'm immortal! It's futile... Wait, no! No way! My immortality! This can't be real...!"

Nrvnqsr's terror knew no bounds as he witnessed his immortality as a Dead Apostle being mercilessly stripped away. Even the Lair of the Beast King was being digested by the strange mud.

"What... what is happening?" Nrvnqsr cried out, consumed by fear.

Yet Shirou paid him no mind, his gaze icy and indifferent.

Dealing with Nrvnqsr was difficult due to his dual immortality as a Dead Apostle and the protection provided by the Lair of the Beast King. Regrettably for him, Shirou's mud possessed the means to counter both.

[All the World's Evil] possessed the ability to devour a Reality Marble, even those as intricate and otherworldly as the Forest of Einashe. Meanwhile, [Vampiric Evil] had the power to consume the immortality bestowed upon a Dead Apostle.

Nrvnqsr possessed an imposing presence thanks to his formidable immortality. Even Arcueid herself couldn't bring him down, and that was precisely why he hunted her down!

However, fate had a different plan for him when he crossed paths with Shirou, the one who surpassed even his might.

"Who... who are you?" Nrvnqsr yelled in desperation.

Shirou simply replied, "There's no point in telling the dead."

Nrvnqsr found himself consumed by the crimson mud, his Lair of the Beast King slowly dissolving in the encroaching black mud. In those fleeting moments before his demise, a sudden clarity washed over him, and a long-forgotten memory resurfaced.

It was a tale of great significance, passed down among the ranks of Dead Apostles. Legend spoke of a remarkable story, where a Mystic Code was crafted by a legendary figure. This artifact held a unique power—a power to suppress and balance the forces of both Dead Apostles and True Ancestors. It was whispered that the very same creator was responsible for the fall of the Crimson Moon, the origin of both Dead Apostles and True Ancestors.

The White Wing Lord, the King of Dead Apostles, and even Arcueid Brunestud, the princess of the True Ancestors, along with countless ancient Dead Apostles, all shared a common hesitation. They refrained from launching an all-out assault on the human world, not only due to the Church's restraints but also because of their deep-rooted fear of the enigmatic Mystic Code that might still exist.

Was it possible that this very crimson mud engulfing Nrvnqsr was none other than the fabled Mystic Code renowned for its power as a "suppressive force against Dead Apostles"?

If that were indeed the case...

Then who is this person?

Nrvnqsr gazed upon Shirou's face as his last shreds of immortality were devoured, feeling the weight of time gradually erode his being. His consciousness and soul sank deep into the relentless currents of the river of time.

The muds that once consumed him now subsided.

What lay before them was nothing but a decomposing corpse.

And this was the genuine form of Nrvnqsr Chaos.

"Wow..." Arcueid couldn't help but exclaim, "Shirou, that skill of yours is way too overpowered!"

His immortality had been a source of concern for her, but now, with the combination of black and crimson mud, Nrvnqsr had met his demise.

Shirou cast a brief glance at her and said, "Use your Mystic Eyes to wipe this memory from the minds of these civilians."

Her expression froze. "I... I don't have Mystic Eyes!"

"Quit pretending! We need to clean up your mess!"

Suddenly, a cluster of magical symbols materialized outside the door, effectively cutting off the connection between the interior and exterior spaces. It was as if an invisible barrier had formed, enclosing them in their own secluded world.

Just then, a girl entered the room, wearing a white tailcoat that perfectly accentuated her chestnut-colored twintails.

Her footsteps were deliberate and graceful, exuding an aristocratic air that harkened back to medieval times. Yet, her cold expression hinted at a disregard for human life.

Scanning the room, her gaze briefly lingered on the decaying corpse that had once been Nrvnqsr Chaos, before eventually fixing upon Shirou's face. Breaking the silence, she remarked, "So, it appears that you've managed to take care of the tenth Dead Apostle Ancestor, Nrvnqsr Chaos."

Shirou nodded in confirmation and then spoke, "If I'm not mistaken, you must be Barthomeloi Lorelei, the current head of the Barthomeloi family, right?"

She nodded. "That is correct."

"In that case, I'll leave the cleanup here in your capable hands," he stated, preparing to dispel the black wall and depart with Arcueid.

But before they could leave, Barthomeloi Lorelei interjected. She fixed her gaze on Arcueid. "Hold on! This must be Arcueid Brunestud, one of the True Ancestors, right?"

...

London at night buzzed with vibrant lights and bustling activity, devoid of any tranquility. Altrouge Brunestud, the True Ancestor and Princess of the Dead Apostles, stood atop a Tower, basking in the cool moonlight. She exuded exceptional elegance and beauty, truly capturing the essence of a princess.

At least, that's how Rizo-Waal Strout saw it. As one of the oldest Dead Apostles alongside Trhvmn Ortenrosse, he couldn't help but be captivated by Altrouge's presence.

And that was precisely why Rizo-Waal Strout had chosen to follow Princess Altrouge Brunestud.

"What's the matter?" Altrouge asked.

Rizo-Waal Strout sighed, "It's been confirmed, Your Highness. The White Wing Lord has gone ahead with the hunting plan, and the first member they've sent out is Nrvnqsr Chaos."

She scoffed in response. "That mindless puppet, huh? The White Wing Lord must be incredibly naive to rely on a Dead Apostle who didn't even have a true personality to execute the hunting plan."

Taking a brief pause, she smirked disdainfully. "Although I have to admit, he can be quite a nuisance for my so-called sister."

He raised an eyebrow. "Should I step in, Your Highness?"

She waved her hand dismissively. "No need. That replica, regardless of the hardships she may face, is nothing but a clown show worth savoring for me," she remarked, her lips forming a subtle, elegant smile.

Rizo-Waal Strout kept his head lowered, maintaining a stoic silence.

He understood why she referred to the Arcueid as a replica.

It was because she had been fashioned by the True Ancestors, using the template of the White Princess who had accompanied the Eternal King over fifteen hundred years ago. However, they had both entered a deep slumber in Avalon after defeating Crimson Moon.

"Have they returned?" she asked, her voice tinged with impatience.

"Not yet, Your Highness."

"Hmph. Their efficiency leaves much to be desired. The presence of the 'True Ether' in the underground of London is getting stronger by the day, stirring up unpleasant memories. But we can't allow others to get their hands on the Holy Grail left behind by Galahad."

"Absolutely," he affirmed, his voice filled with unwavering loyalty.

"Then let's get going... Hm?" Just as she spoke, her body trembled involuntarily.

"What's the matter, Your Highness?" Rizo-Waal Strout raised his head, his expression filled with confusion as he looked at her.

"Oh... It's nothing," she dismissed, shaking her head. "I just felt a bit uncomfortable. Let's keep moving!"

"Understood."

The two of them continued to move through the night.

Yet, a perplexed look surfaced on Altrouge's face.

Just a moment ago, her soul instinctively experienced a brief moment of fear and dread.

That shouldn't be possible. Even in her prolonged conflict with the White Wing Lord, Trhvmn Ortenrosse, she had never experienced fear. So why did her soul suddenly tremble with fear now? It almost took her breath away.

Could it be an illusion?

Until this point, there were only two individuals who instilled fear in her, two people who truly terrified her.

One was Crimson Moon, but he had already perished. Even if his will persisted, he couldn't manipulate her, let alone evoke fear within her.

And the other...

He had died a long time ago!

Ah...

It must have been when Rizo-Waal Strout mentioned the True Ancestor named "Arcueid" that those memories, which Altrouge had desperately tried to bury, resurfaced in her mind. Memories of humiliation, manipulation, and domination.

That must be the reason. It explains why she instinctively felt fear just now, doesn't it?

But it doesn't matter anymore.

Both the Crimson Moon and the King of Men are relics of the past.

Now, Altrouge Brunestud herself will assert dominance over the world of the Dead Apostles and eventually rule the entire world!