Chapter 9

"Has it come, Lancer?"

Matou Shinji gazed at Lancer ascending the stairs of Ryuudou Temple. With a slender and graceful body, her skin beneath the purple tight-fitting attire radiated a jade-like glow. Her crimson lance emitted a red light, a strong curse indicating her master's bellicose intent.

"What's the matter, Caster? Did you invite me here without any special preparations? I can't be satisfied with that. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of ending you'll paint for this Holy Grail War," Lancer inquired loudly, surveying the surroundings.

Matou Shinji's strength was indeed considerable, but the Queen of Shadows did not believe he could defeat her. Her self-assuredness stemmed from her pride in her own abilities, honed through countless battles of life and death.

The Queen of Shadows, Scáthach, had survived until now, her cursed lance claiming the lives of countless warriors and deities.

More Matou Shinji would be redundant, and fewer Matou Shinji would be insufficient.

"Queen of Shadows, I'm certainly prepared, and I won't disappoint you. It's just that it's not here. Come with me," Matou Shinji smiled, bowing slightly, and turned towards Ryuudou Temple.

In the temple's courtyard, Matou Shinji activated a magic circle. It was a magic ritual long inscribed here, a gateway to the entrance of the underground cavern.

"Now, where we're headed is the place of our final battle."

"Teleportation magic, huh?" Lancer Scáthach didn't hesitate to follow Matou Shinji.

As the teleportation magic was invoked, darkness shrouded Lancer's vision. When her spiritual form stabilized again, the surroundings had undergone a drastic transformation. A vast wasteland stretched as far as the eye could see, devoid of life. At the end of the expanse was a platform with a black sun emanating an aura of malevolence.

Malevolent magic and nauseating evil saturated the space, as though they had arrived in a hell inhabited by demons.

Even the experienced Scáthach was taken aback by the scene. She asked in astonishment, "What is this place?"

"This is the core of the Holy Grail System," Lancer said, gazing at the black sun in the sky.

"That thing is the Holy Grail? It's truly a tasteless joke, a curse evolved from twisted beliefs. Even though it's an imitation, all it has is an outer shell. Left unchecked, it could still cause a great disaster. Such a thing can never grant wishes."

"Before, that might have been true. This is a Holy Grail tainted by the world's evil, merely a vessel. The Holy Grail War has become consciousness given to this curse's contents."

Lancer looked to Matou Shinji beside her and asked, "Caster, are you inviting me to join forces to destroy this curse?"

"Haha."

"Why are you laughing?"

"Didn't I just say? This is where we'll have our final battle. Though underground, the space is quite expansive, making it an excellent location for me."

"You don't seem like you've gone mad."

"What are you talking about, Queen of Shadows? Aren't you also smiling quite happily? Such a pure smile, as if you're eager to tear me apart. Let's go, to that platform. It's not time for our battle yet. The fruit becomes more delicious the more it ripens. Don't you think so too?"

Matou Shinji glanced at Lancer. Scáthach, the Queen of Shadows, was a battle maniac. She held no fear of the Holy Grail's curse, her smile exuding a cruel fighting spirit.

"I'm looking forward to it."

The Holy Grail had already absorbed the souls of three Servants. With just two more, the ritual would be complete. Once Saber or Rider exited the scene, along with Matou Shinji himself, the ritual would be fulfilled.

The malignancy of humanity would descend upon Matou Shinji, incarnating in the form of Angra Mainyu.

······

Within the bounded field, the roaring torrent of light overwhelmed over half of the army. In an instant, the desert evaporated, and masses of sand turned to molten rock. The strike seemed to cleave the world of the heart in two.

Amidst the swirling dust, Rider charged out on a swift horse. Fury marked his countenance, his broad sword raised high, as he shouted, "All troops, obey! Fire! Don't let her use her Noble Phantasm again!"

The Noble Phantasm Gordius Wheel was destroyed by the torrent of light. Rider had also abandoned it, struggling to escape Excalibur's destructive range.

Rider was surrounded by thunder and lightning as a blue spear was conjured and hurled toward Saber's location.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

Behind him, thousands of soldiers raised their spears and launched them in Saber's direction. The densely packed spears rained down like a tempest, their forms transforming into streaks of golden light, increasing both speed and power.

Weapons thrown by Servants transcended conventional concepts, each spear's might rivaling that of artillery bombardment, creating craters and sandstorms upon impact, their power no less than that of anti-army Noble Phantasms.

Saber didn't retreat; she advanced, the remnants of Excalibur's brilliance surging. She swung her sword, rending the storm of spears, and with powerful steps, charged into the army's midst.

"Has she gone mad? She actually wants to break through head-on and face the entire army of King's Men with King's Might!" Waver, sitting atop a horse, watched in astonishment.

"Don't underestimate the King of Knights. In her era, warfare was commonplace, and the King of Knights remained undefeated. Even my army hasn't encountered such a powerful opponent," Rider sternly stated as soldiers behind them surged forward, blocking Saber's path.

A petite blue figure intruded into the heart of the army, surrounded by a dense formation of soldiers. She appeared to have taken a path to her own demise.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Saber swung her sword, severing the incoming spears. Amidst the astonished gazes of the soldiers, she split one in half.

Crack~

Her armored arm deflected a large blade from another direction, the sword's edge swirling back to decapitate the soldier wielding it.

Countless spears stabbed in, but with a single horizontal sweep of Excalibur, a large portion of soldiers was swept away.

Under the power of Excalibur, none could stand against her. Even the warriors with peerless skill found their weapons far less resilient than wood against the holy sword's edge.

One strike, one kill!

The strike was always lethal!

Just like in her past life, Saber was familiar with the sensation of killing. Warm blood stained her armor, the dragon factor within her body circulating. With each breath, she regained mana, and within her body, Avalon continued to heal her wounds.

One person was a dragon, and one person was an army. The number of soldiers meant nothing to her.

If the soldiers were truly human, wherever Saber went, the ground would be strewn with corpses, the desert dyed crimson.

"As a ruler, I won't just hide behind my soldiers. Otherwise, this battle would be too dull."

Rider grabbed the collar of his Master's clothing, placing him on the ground. "I won't be able to protect you in the upcoming battle with Saber. Responding to the expectations of my subjects is my duty as a king. Bearing witness to the king's dream and living to recount it to future generations is your duty as a subject."

"Survive, my friend, Waver Velvet."

Waver was momentarily taken aback, tears welling at the corners of his eyes. He nodded firmly. "I understand. Go, bring victory for me, my King!"

Leading his horse by the reins, Rider issued the command, "Onward, Bucephalus!"

====

"AAAALALALALALALA~!"

Rider roared, riding on his tall steed, his broadsword raised with an invincible aura as he charged into the battlefield, thunder covering his sword, and as he swung it down, it seemed like the anger of a divine god, blinding lightning exploding in an instant, the sun paling in comparison.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Empowered by the force of lightning, Rider's strength surged up several levels, comparable to an A+ rank output, heavily cleaving on the blade of Excalibur, as if he wanted to snap that delicate body.

"Conqueror King!"

Saber held onto Excalibur, supporting it with difficulty, the tremendous pressure extending to the desert, a circular pit forming around her, the sand turned charred black by the lightning.

The ability to manipulate lightning originated from Rider's divine nature. In Greek mythology, he was the son of the supreme god Zeus, and because of this, he lost to Archer.

Archer's Rule Breaker was the bane of all divine-faction Servants.

Sword against sword, light against lightning. In dozens of clashes, Rider burst into laughter, "Hahaha, tonight is long, King of Knights! My condition has never been better, because behind me, I have my most trusted friend, who will witness tonight's confrontation!"

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sitting atop his horse, Rider continued to hack away, every strike carrying the weight of thunder, his beloved horse Bucephalus helping him evade Saber's attacks, his main focus being to suppress Saber's attack space and create opportunities for his soldiers to surround her.

"Unleash the spears!"

The spears were arrayed, the shields compressed, and following the divine command, they thrust at Saber from all directions.

A step forward is a step into danger. With Rider suppressing from the front and the Macedonian phalanx threatening from the back, there was no way to avoid this encirclement.

Although Saber was formidable, within the realm of close combat, it was difficult to contend with an elite army. Especially with Rider's support, his inherent skills, "Charisma" and "Tactics," made the soldiers of the army of the king more powerful.

"The situation isn't favorable to oneself. The movements of the surrounding soldiers have become faster, and their marching formation more disciplined. Could this be the influence of the inherent skills of the Servant known as the Conqueror, the very embodiment of the king? If so, I'll disturb their formation and take down the enemy by starting with the king!"

With a determined gaze, Saber remained composed amidst the encirclement, staying focused on Rider's position. She wound her magical energy around her hands and, in an instant of sword swing, enhanced Caliburn's golden blade to cut through the thunder. In the next second, she aimed the blade downward, and a burst of light erupted towards the desert.

Boom!

The massive explosion shattered Shogun's formation and kicked up an obscuring dust storm.

"Invisible Air! (Barrier of the Wind King)"

Invisible gusts enveloped Saber's body, and under the guidance of the Barrier of the Wind King, the billowing dust surged in the direction of Rider.

Leveraging the wind's strength, Saber launched a surprise attack, exclaiming, "Conqueror King, brace yourself!"

Her delicate arms tightly gripped Excalibur, and she swung it with all her might, breaking through space, melting the dust. However, her target wasn't Rider; it was his beloved Bucephalus.

Having fought on countless battlefields, Saber knew well how to deal with cavalry. Just now, Rider had used his mounted advantage to engage with her in a flexible manner. By killing his mount first, Rider's mobility would be reduced by at least half. Even amidst a myriad of soldiers, Saber was confident she could catch up to Rider and claim his head.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Rider struggled to react, and Bucephalus seemed to sense the intent to kill from the enemy knight and grew agitated.

The sky full of dust couldn't obstruct Saber's vision, nor did it lessen the sharpness of Excalibur's blade.

Saber's innate skill, "Instinct," acquired through countless battles, enabled her to make the best decisions for herself, even when her eyes couldn't see, her ears couldn't hear, and her body felt numb. Instinct transcended the present, indicating the future.

In just an instant, the battle-hardened Saber made her decision. She narrowly dodged Rider's wide-bladed sword with a close crouch, her golden hair trimmed by the blade.

Due to the influence of the dust storm, Rider's attacks became erratic, his judgment compromised.

Facing a formidable adversary, Rider shouldn't have attacked head-on, but rather retreated for defense.

However, if he did that, Rider wouldn't be known as the Conqueror King.

Evading Rider's attack, Saber's tightly gripped Excalibur traced a golden arc from bottom to top, surpassing the range Rider's weapon could respond to. In that moment, she struck down Bucephalus' head.

Bucephalus let out a pitiful cry as its head was severed, its massive body losing balance.

Before falling to the ground, Rider leaped into the air using its strength, his voluminous cape billowing in the wind, dispersing the nearby dust. He laughed heartily, "Impressive as ever, King of Knights! Flawless swordsmanship! I'm getting more and more excited!"

Rider's lightning sword vibrated, slashing towards Saber, the summoned thunder following the trajectory. However, it was effortlessly shattered by the swing of Excalibur.

Saber swiftly advanced, her sword cleaving through several soldiers obstructing her path. She continued her duel with Rider, stating, "Allow me to reject that! Repetitive provocations without respect deserve retribution with your life!"

"King! Withdraw!" Eurymenes, the commander of Rider's army, shouted. He blocked Saber's path, his prepared troops once again dispersing Saber's assault, giving Rider a brief moment to catch his breath.

Rider gazed seriously at the petite figure before him. In his era, such a charming girl would have enjoyed a life courted by men. However, Saber was already a ruler of a nation, a battlefield conqueror.

From Saber's eyes, he saw no hesitation. Even though her body was pierced by spears, slashed by swords, and battered by axes, he couldn't discern whether the blood on her body was her own or the soldiers'.

Saber didn't retreat a single step. Her wounds quickly healed, and the might of Excalibur remained undiminished.

"I underestimated the heroes of this world. King of Knights, with the valor of one person, you can stand against my thirty thousand-strong army!"

"I'm growing more excited!" Rider grinned widely, raising his lightning sword and launching an aggressive attack.

====

"Warriors! The King of Knights has proven his valor. Let us recall the brilliance of the battlefield and offer our noble respect!" Rider raised his arm and shouted, with a multitude of soldiers behind him responding in unison.

However, several streams of radiant torrents sliced through the desert, engulfing the soldiers.

In the midst of such intense combat, Saber was able to conserve magical energy and activate her Noble Phantasm.

"What a formidable enemy. The duration of the King's army has passed halfway, yet she shows no signs of fatigue. Her valor is unmatched, her strength surpasses that of the peak of Xingdouku. Such an opponent is worthy of conquest."

Almost torn apart by excitement, Rider could barely contain his feelings. Witnessing the fading radiance of the holy sword in the sky, he reminisced about distant memories, all in pursuit of reaching the boundless sea.

Simple rumors of the world's end were enough for it to be valuable for conquest, and by praising tyranny and displaying dominance, he instilled dreams into the hearts of his subjects.

Seeing the figure of the King, who wouldn't feel envious?

"Ahahahaha!"

Rider laughed heartily with joy, roaring as he swung down his lightning-charged sword, which split into a spear of thunder, yet it couldn't match the might of the holy sword.

Once, Rider had experienced his own despondency, crossing mountains and rivers, traversing deserts, yet never seeing the end of the world. How foolish it all was.

Now, those doubts were gone, and before him stood the King of Knights, the endpoint he had wished to reach.

Their paths of perseverance were drastically different, beyond mutual comprehension, yet neither could deny the other's royal demeanor.

Isn't this the best rival?

Now was the prime moment to differentiate between the paths of ideals and those of a conqueror's.

The torrents of light never ceased, and it was impossible to count how many soldiers had been consumed by the radiance.

Rider made a decision; he couldn't afford to delay any longer. Allowing Saber to massacre his troops would only hasten the collapse of his bounded field.

As the world's most renowned military strategist, he had nearly foreseen the outcome of this battle. Even with thirty thousand soldiers, they couldn't match the valor of the King, the stamina of the King's forces was waning, yet Saber's fighting spirit was growing stronger.

Bathed in blood, Saber heard Rider's spirited call, "King of Ideals! Accept the challenge from the King of Conquest!"

She reorganized her forces and led another charge.

This time, Saber was prepared. The radiant light emitted from the sword earlier was just a lure to lower Rider's guard. The effect of the curse was taking hold, replenishing her expended magical energy.

"So then, let me express my respect with this strike."

Gathering the brilliance of her holy sword, this attack was unlike any before. The torrents of light converged at Saber's feet, forming an impenetrable defensive barrier. This wasn't "Avalon" but rather Saber intentionally placing herself within the range of the holy sword's attack.

"Excalibur!"

Saber raised her sword high and roared the true name of her Noble Phantasm, an endless brilliance surging toward Rider.

This time, Rider, without his mount, couldn't evade the Noble Phantasm. He had no choice but to draw his sword and release all his magical energy, transforming it into thunder in an attempt to withstand the brilliance.

Crackling~

But countless bolts of thunder couldn't secure even half a second's respite. The inexhaustible radiance overwhelmed Rider's senses. Just before his body was destroyed by the torrent of light, in a manner he couldn't fathom, Rider felt serene.

The surging brilliance resembled an endless sea. He could finally hear the sound of the waves.

A complex tumult surged within him—profound regret for the ideals left unfulfilled in life, and yet a profound satisfaction. Chasing the world's edge was merely an expression of dominance. Now, he and his followers had completed another expedition.

With a sigh, he said, "It's inevitable. King of Knights, someday others will undo your stubbornness. I apologize, Waver. As a king, I couldn't uphold the promise I made to my subject..."

Waver, watching this scene unfold from afar, was left speechless. The King he had followed had finally departed. He obeyed the King's orders and witnessed the magnificent figure of his king crossing the world's edge.

"No... no, it's not like this, my King. You have fulfilled my wish."

The battle wasn't over. Despite Rider's elimination, his loyal followers remained. They dutifully executed their King's command, vowing to defeat Saber once more, until they could no longer sustain the bounded field.

...

"The match is decided. Saber triumphs over Rider."

Matou Shinji led Lancer to ascend the platform in the great chasm. The Little Grail had absorbed Rider's soul.

Gazing at the dark sun in the sky, Lancer asked with a smile, "Shall we begin on our side now?"

"Of course."

Bang~ Bang~ Bang~ Bang~ Bang~

Drums?

The dull sound reverberated throughout the entire underground chasm, as if the malevolent aura had become tangible, causing Lancer to frown and prepare for battle.

The eerie resonance that seemed to pierce the heart came from the dark sun above. It pulsed like a beating heart, growing larger, and the shadows devoured all light.

Splash~

A cursed liquid, brimming with malevolent energy, poured from the tilted dark sun.

Matou Shinji calmly stepped into it, allowing himself to be consumed by this world's malevolence.

In an instant, Matou Shinji found himself in another place, the castle of Einzbern. Black snow fell outside the window, gradually turning the white world into black.

In front of Matou Shinji stood the Winter Saint, Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern, dressed in black attire. She walked over, crouched down, and gently lifted Matou Shinji's face, speaking softly, "So then, please make a wish, bestow a purpose to the Holy Grail, and let it return to the outside world. Only you have this privilege."

Without hesitation, Matou Shinji answered, "My wish is to sever all human malevolence with my own hands and bring relief to humanity!"

Irisviel von Einzbern's lips curled into a malicious smile, her voice filled with delight, "As you wish. Indeed, you are the most suitable Master for the Holy Grail."

She kissed Matou Shinji's lips, transforming into a black sludge that poured into his mouth.

The Small Grail within Matou Shinji merged with the Great Grail's system.

Boundless magical energy surged forth, the kilometers-long magical circuits inside the great chasm were consumed by Matou Shinji, who was the embodiment of human universe concepts.

At this moment, the entity named Matou Shinji surpassed that of a Servant.

Outside, the dark sun ceased its malevolent emanation. Matou Shinji slowly rose from the black curse mud.

Matou Shinji's appearance had undergone a tremendous transformation, his body growing into that of a young man, covered in enigmatic runes. His hair had turned pale.

The present Matou Shinji had absorbed all the malevolence within the Holy Grail system, becoming the vessel of its contents. He became Angra Mainyu's incarnation, the god of evil who cursed and killed primates.

"Lancer, don't die too quickly before I fully enjoy myself."

====

Kacha~ Kacha~ Kacha~

Materializes out of thin air, following Matou Shinji's thoughts, constructs a pure white temple and throne. Matou Shinji takes slow steps up the stairs, ascends the throne step by step, and sits down. He casually gazes at Lancer below the throne, contemplating strategies.

Matou Shinji's gaze is deep and obscure, not pondering how to deal with Lancer, but considering how to execute a strategy of self-destruction, putting an end to the script designed for this world.

Becoming the destruction of all humanity isn't the outcome Matou Shinji desired.

Before this, Matou Shinji believed that the strength he gained from devouring the evils of this world was at most on the level of a Saint Graph-enhanced Cu Chulainn (Alter) or perhaps that of a Demon God Pillar.

The script was even more intricate than expected, with twists and turns that surpassed imagination. Perhaps it was precisely because of this that the Holy Grail War summoned the Queen of the Land of Shadows, who theoretically shouldn't have been summonable.

Devouring the Holy Grail, Matou Shinji gained power far beyond his imagination, overflowing with malicious curses. The direction of his power was already fixed. The current Matou Shinji was a bullet aimed at all of humanity, though he would not harm the present humans.

The eradication of human malice should be understood as the elimination of the collective unconsciousness, Alaya.

If the Alaya of this world were to perish, humans would lose most of the emotions referred to as desires, including even the most fundamental desire for reproduction.

After the Alaya perishes, humans would continue to go extinct within a century.

This was a direction that Matou Shinji, who made the wish, could not alter.

If it were an ordinary person, no, even if it were Angra Mainyu's birth itself, it wouldn't be as terrifying.

Matou Shinji was a magician, a powerful alchemist, who obtained enough immense magic to change the world.

The present Matou Shinji was like the once-bottled Homunculus, Holmunculus, ascending the throne by offering the philosopher's stone formed from the land's sacrifice of over fifty million citizens.

The spiritual matrix within him changed. Originally just a summoned Servant's Saint Graph, Matou Shinji completely devoured the Lesser Grail, dominated the Greater Grail, constructed a human universe, and then used the malice of this world as a foundation to absorb mana from humanity worldwide. His Saint Graph level had long surpassed that of a typical Servant.

Beast-class?

Matou Shinji couldn't confirm whether he had reached such a height, but as long as he intended, he could wipe out over seven billion people worldwide in less than a minute.

The Saint Graph generated by the concept of cursed malice itself was specialized in the ability to kill humans.

Matou Shinji closed his eyes in contemplation, continuing to explore the potential of this body.

No, perhaps he hadn't reached the level of a Beast. Only by eradicating the Alaya of this world, could Matou Shinji as the embodiment of human malice proceed further, seize the authority of the Alaya, and ascend the throne.

This was Matou Shinji's own karma, as well as the ultimate achievement he could attain.

While Matou Shinji contemplated, five crystals of different colors rapidly evolved, forming different structures, connecting to create a pentagram formation. Suspended in the air above the temple, they generated a dazzling giant alchemical array. From the center of the array, a black point emerged and continued to expand, ultimately turning into a distorted black hole.

"So, this is your ultimate goal, Caster." Lancer's cruel smile intensified, wielding her cursed spear, stepping forward in a flash.

Lancer's agile figure moved faster than ever before. The current Matou Shinji was an enemy she had to take seriously.

Throughout, no matter how much she slaughtered and consumed blood, it couldn't quench her thirst for fresh blood. Only a powerful enemy could satisfy her hunger.

Czczcz~

Dozens of laser beams shot out from the perimeter of the black hole. They meandered, twisted, and no matter how Lancer dodged, she couldn't shake them off.

"Interesting." Lancer snorted lightly, her figure gracefully dancing in mid-air. Her spear thrust out as if to pierce through the lasers. However, the lasers, as if possessing intelligence, evaded the spear's thrust as if they had a will of their own. They converged from two directions to encircle her.

Lancer landed on the ground, spear held upright, the spearhead angled towards Matou Shinji. The dozens of laser beams that were about to pierce her body inched closer, and she lightly shouted, "Rumble forth! Gáe Bolg!"

Czczcz

A red glow emanated from the spearhead, the power of the curse erupted, transforming into a formidable vortex that shredded the lasers. Following the direction of the spearhead, it swept towards Matou Shinji on the throne.

The alchemical array atop the temple brightened once more. A crystalline element symbolizing wind released a powerful white tornado, which clashed with the cursed vortex. Despite being shattered by the cursed vortex, the strong pressure of the tornado, supported by boundless magical energy, momentarily had the upper hand.

Rumble~ Rumble~

The desolate land was upturned by the powerful tornado, swallowing the cursed vortex and relentlessly bearing down on Scathach behind it.

Under the terrifying air pressure, all nearby matter was drawn in and reduced to dust by the ultra-high-speed wind.

Scathach didn't evade or dodge. She raised her finger and traced ancient runes in the air, symbolizing the "Wind Avoidance" concept. Just before the high-pressure tornado reached her body, an invisible mysterious force divided the tornado. It couldn't harm her in the least.

"Is it already at this level? The self-directed attacks of magic are no less potent than Noble Phantasms." Lancer's gaze grew serious. Her mana evolved, generating dozens of spears behind her. Once again, she launched a surprise attack towards Matou Shinji on the throne.

Czcz~

Facing the dozens of laser beams flying towards her, Lancer released her mana. Even in mid-air, she displayed agile movements, finding openings to attack through her rich combat experience. She consecutively hurled her cursed spears at Matou Shinji.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

The spears, more powerful than shells, all came to a halt a meter away from Matou Shinji. They formed layers of magical barriers upon touch, disintegrating and vanishing after creating ripples on the barriers.

The autonomously operating alchemical array above interpreted the cursed spears' properties, rendering them ineffective against it.

The intense commotion finally prompted a response from Matou Shinji. He lightly tapped the armrest of the throne with his fingers, causing the alchemical array to cease its autonomous attack. His eyes, devoid of emotions, glanced at Lancer, and he spoke indifferently, "Queen of the Land of Shadows, I'm giving you a chance. You can't possibly threaten me at this point. You were summoned by the Holy Grail, and I am the Holy Grail. No matter how strong you are, you cannot escape this shackle. Let this be the end of your attempt to test my strength."

Matou Shinji only needed a thought to dissolve Lancer's Saint Graph. Servants created by the Holy Grail couldn't resist the Holy Grail itself.

Matou Shinji knew. Scathach's true self hadn't died; she was likely in the otherworld, Land of Shadows, cut off from the world. Her true self possessed a Saint Graph on the level of a genuine Divine Spirit.

====

The Underground Great Hollow in Fuyuki City, the atmosphere is heavy.

Lancer's crimson eyes meet Matou Shinji on the throne, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. She senses a very familiar divine aura, and its specifications surpass all the gods she has killed.

"What's your current state? Have you become a god?" Lancer asks, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Matou Shinji calmly explains, "It's something like that. Not quite a part of Gaia, but rather an evil god born from human belief, the Queen of the Land of Shadows. You should be familiar with killing gods, right?"

Angra Mainyu, the head of evil gods in Zoroastrianism, opposes the creator god Ahura Mazda in the theological world of good and evil. It is a deity on the level of a major god.

The Holy Grail cannot summon gods, nor can it produce a major god's Spirit Core. However, the fusion of Matou Shinji with the Greater Grail has indeed mixed his nature with that of a god's Spirit Core.

Such an existence is beyond what mere Servants can contend with.

"Very interesting. The current situation seems to support that. Then, Angra Mainyu, I won't let your invitation go to waste. Let's have an exhilarating battle, and I will achieve the final victory," Lancer responds with a smile, gripping her demonic spear and slamming it into the ground.

Thunk!

Crimson ripples spread beneath Lancer's feet and in the sky behind her. The curse of the spear summons a gateway to another realm.

A majestic stone gate descends slowly from the red vortex in the sky. It's at least dozens of meters tall, flanked by statues of wolves. The gate is engraved with the legend of the Queen of the Land of Shadows, Scathach.

Seeing this scene, Matou Shinji is moved. When Scathach summoned this stone gate, he could clearly feel that the rules governing the construction of the temple had been rewritten.

The gateway to the mystic realm opens with a rumble. A powerful cold current surges out from within the gate, dispersing the malevolent magical energy in the underground cavern.

Inside the gate, the world is desolate. Jagged rocks, bare mountain tops covered in thick snow, a vast sky obscured by dark clouds—shadows cover all directions, there's never any sunlight. It's a world of death.

This world follows completely different rules.

Matou Shinji stands on a mountain peak, gazing into the distance. He senses the strong fighting spirit coming from the direction of the Queen of the Land of Shadows, Scathach.

Matou Shinji smirks, and behind him, the intricate alchemical array unfolds again. Radiant light gathers, and five crystalline elements simultaneously illuminate.

Each of the four elements corresponds to a different world: the Divine Realm (fire), the Creative Realm (wind), the Formative Realm (water), and the Material Realm (earth). The empty element, serving as a pseudo-element, reconstructs the four elements around its core, recreating the true Ether of the Age of Gods and making it substantial.

Matou Shinji chants the true name of his Noble Phantasm, "Birth of All, Dominion over Everything, All Records Begin Here and End Here."

"The Tree of Life."

Hummm~

The gathered radiance transforms into a devastating destructive light that shoots out like a jet, piercing through mountains. After a brief calm, the entire world trembles. The impact of the destructive light formed by the true Ether hits the target with a powerful shockwave, obliterating the distant mountains, and the shockwave instantly clears the ice and snow covering the desolate land.

In terms of destructive power, the Destructive Light is even superior to Excalibur.

As the attack lands, Matou Shinji's expression remains calm. He slowly raises his right hand, layer upon layer of defensive barriers forming before his palm, each with a different color. The power of the elements, symbolizing the characteristics of different worlds, reinforces the defense. The defensive capabilities of this array are far superior to those of a Servant's Noble Phantasm.

Swish!

A bright red demonic spear shoots from afar, almost instantly arriving in front of Matou Shinji. The spear's tip effortlessly pierces through the layers of defensive barriers Matou Shinji has set up.

Crackle~

Terrifying curse power emanates from the spear tip. It's not in the same league as Lancer's spear as a Servant.

The curse contained in the spear has exceeded the capabilities of a Noble Phantasm. It carries a special curse born from slaughtering countless lives and elevating them to become gods and demons. It transcends the concept of a Noble Phantasm.

The spear breaks through over half of the defensive barriers, and its assault finally slows. The dispersing curse power corrodes the land, turning the earth around Matou Shinji into molten lava, and billowing waves of heat rise up.

Eventually, the spear seems to lose its power. Its shaft trembles, and it traces an odd trajectory before looping back to its owner's hand.

Scathach stands atop the magma, staring at Matou Shinji. Her eyes reveal heightened excitement. "Let's end the greeting here. Next, we'll have to get serious."

"I've said it before, as you wish. The final showdown of this Holy Grail War belongs to us."

Matou Shinji examines the Queen before him intently. She is no longer just a Servant. Unbound by class restrictions, Matou Shinji can hear the cries of countless deceased souls within her.

Deities, demons, fallen gods, humans—all the beings she has killed intertwine and entangle around her, forming a curse directed at her. It's precisely because of this characteristic that she became the ruler of this realm of death.

In her presence, the concept of death doesn't exist. To kill the Queen of the Land of Shadows, one must destroy this entire world.

Matou Shinji, show us your true power!

====

The realm of death, roiling with dark clouds, countless undead beings transforming into a sky-obscuring shadow, fleeing in panic. A river of death flows from the sky, and on the ground, numerous undead shadows lurk within the gaps of the darkness, trembling.

Atop a solitary peak, a grand palace stands, adorned with minimal decoration. Its color harmonizes with the cold gray rocks around it. Several robust men stand on the city walls, gazing at the river of the undead howling across the sky. One of them speaks with gravity, "Do you know what's happening? The undead today seem unusually restless."

"You call this unrest?"

"Cough, they are indeed in turmoil. It's been too peaceful in the Land of Shadows, and only our master can instill such fear in them."

"Perhaps the master has found a worthy opponent."

"An opponent? How could there be anyone in this world who could rival our master? Even if all twenty of us disciples join forces, we can barely suppress our master. Don't forget what happened last time when more than twenty of us confronted our master. Cú Chulainn provoked our master with words, and I don't want to witness that sight again," a disciple shuddered.

His words seemed to trigger memories in the other disciples, as their expressions carried a touch more fear.

Although the apparent strength of Scáthach matched the combined strength of the disciples, on that day, they saw the enraged Scáthach and truly witnessed the extent of their master's power.

Soon, a warrior descended from the sky, sent by numerous disciples to gather information.

"How is it?"

The warrior's face showed fear, "It's our master, yes. She's in battle with a certain deity."

"A deity? Is there a deity in this world audacious enough to provoke our master? How many deities have become undead beneath our master's spear?"

"This time it's different. I dare not get too close. The battle is just too intense. I even suspect that our master might have been showing us mercy all along in the Land of Shadows. I've never seen our master in this state before."

"Is the master truly serious?"

"Can't you see it? The undead fleeing from the sky. If it were just our master, they wouldn't be causing such a commotion. The other world is already collapsing."

"Collapsing!? Are you kidding me? This is the realm where even deities cannot set foot, the Realm of the Dead!"

"I'm very certain of this. If they continue fighting, you won't have to wait long to feel it."

······

The desolate land had long transformed into a sea of magma, the void shattered, consuming the Land of Shadows.

Matou Shinji sat on the throne in the sky, five elemental crystals placed in five different directions, symbolizing distinct elements. They constituted the cornerstone of the world, points interconnected in a circle. This was the most fundamental power of alchemy, the wellspring of alchemical forces.

External unity, internal pentagram, the Temple of Matou Shinji was constructed from the nutrients of the Land of Shadows.

Matou Shinji closed his eyes in contemplation, his thoughts divided into twelve parts. He lightly tapped the armrest of the throne with his right hand, generating different elemental attacks directed at Scáthach in the distance.

A halo of light danced, releasing dreadful elemental torrents, each one's power comparable to the light torrents of Excalibur's victorious oath.

The land, now a sea of magma, was alternately cleaved, frozen, and swept up in hurricanes.

In addition, three shadow servants held Scáthach's movements in check, all of them shadow servants crafted from the souls of servants retrieved by the Holy Grail.

Conqueror King Iskander, Devilish Bodhisattva Jack the Ripper, Hundred-Face Hassan. They lacked individual personalities, mere puppets shaped by Matou Shinji from the extracted information of their servant souls. Yet, they were puppets under Matou Shinji's control.

As the saying goes, "Shoot the horse before you shoot the man." To deal with Scáthach, the Land of Shadows had to be dismantled, removing her curse of immortality.

In this place, Matou Shinji constructed the temple, his Mystic Eye (Spiritron Computer) merging into the temple's foundation. By using alchemy to decipher the rules of the Realm of the Dead, he sought the "core" of the world.

Once filled with the essence of the divine age, the True Ether was the foundation of all matter. Destroying the world's stability by simulating the True Ether's composition.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The clash of weapons resounded incessantly.

"No chance to strike."

In the midst of the intense battle, Scáthach muttered, unable to find even a slight advantage in this seemingly evenly matched confrontation. The crimson spear danced wildly. Just as she drove back Conqueror King Iskander, who had charged at her with his divine chariot, she was attacked by the demonic claws of Jack the Ripper. Interwoven with the attack were torrents of elemental crystals, leaving her no breathing room.

Constructing the temple's foundation was Matou Shinji's Mystic Eye, now transformed into a super Spiritron Computer. With balanced strengths, no servant, even in direct combat, could defeat the Spiritron Computer.

"I can't continue this entanglement."

Scáthach had to admit that she was being suppressed by Matou Shinji. At one glance, she realized that Matou Shinji's focus was not even on her.

Proficient in the ancient Lúin runes, Scáthach, despite the stark difference between her foundation and alchemy, recognized what Matou Shinji intended to do.

Similar to how she once created the Land of Shadows by dividing the Underworld, Matou Shinji was trying to control his Land of Death through the temple.

Clang!

The spear forcefully blocked the devil's talons, as Scáthach simultaneously evaded the curse lasers shot from the devil's eyes. With a spin of her spear, she attempted to strike down the demon, only to be blocked by the Celtic sword of Conqueror King Iskander.

Scáthach raised her left hand, continuing to generate spears, blocking the thrown knives of Hundred-Face Hassan.

The shadow servants' abilities, supported by limitless magical energy, were several times more powerful than when they were in their regular states.

"Truly tenacious."

With a sudden burst of strength, Scáthach parried the three shadow servants. Without a moment's respite, she looked to the sky. Kilometers above, a circle formation with a radius of over ten kilometers had been activated. One of the elemental crystals was aimed directly at her.

"Even in matters of strategic wisdom, I can't catch a break. How intriguing," Scáthach's aged face turned slightly red.

The three shadow servants glared, denying Scáthach a chance to break free.

Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!

Eerie, brittle sounds merged into a single harmony. Within the circle formation of ten kilometers centered around the invisible torrents, the sea of magma was instantly frozen. The cold spread, the magma solidifying into black scorched earth, then swiftly crystallizing into ice.

Meanwhile, hail began to fall from the sky.

The secondary ability of the Water elemental crystal, temperature manipulation, or, to put it more scientifically, molecular control.

The elemental attack of the circle formation had reached a point where it could alter the weather.

Rolling for recommendations! Bookmarking! Blades!

This woman, so infuriatingly sweet.

====

Boom!

"You're too naive, Angra Mainyu."

A purple shadow burst through the ice, swinging its magic spear horizontally before the three shadow servants pounced. It split into dozens of spears, shooting in different directions, with unpredictable and unevadable flight paths.

"So quickly finding the weak point of self-regulating attacks. Truly a battle-hardened queen," Matou Shinji praised softly from his throne.

Scáthach had grown accustomed to the combat style of the Spiritron Computer. As long as her movements didn't follow a predictable pattern, her opponent couldn't anticipate her next action. For example, while running, she would alternate between fast and slow, making it impossible for them to calculate how long it would take to reach her destination, thereby allowing her to plan her responses ahead of time.

The hearts of the three shadow servants were instantly pierced, their magical attributes shattered by the curse of the spears, destroying their bodies.

Additionally, three spears were shot from different angles toward Matou Shinji.

Before the spears arrived, Matou Shinji's heart contracted sharply. He immediately understood what was happening and abandoned resistance, allowing the three spears to pierce his heart.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Matou Shinji looked down at the spear piercing his heart, and his brows furrowed slightly. "So this is the first time I've seen a spear that reverses causality."

After speaking, he casually pulled out the spear. The curse of the spear had already dissipated, having no effect on his body. There was no sign of blood from the wound, and the wound itself healed instantly within seconds of removing the spear.

Scáthach stood in the sky, gazing at Matou Shinji. She exclaimed, "Incredible recovery. Are you immortal now as well?"

"To be precise, it's regeneration. As long as there's enough magical energy, I can create anything, even the sun," Matou Shinji said with a faint smile, raising a finger. A rotating sphere instantly expanded, emitting a brilliant light like a miniature sun.

With a casual point toward Scáthach, the miniature sun disappeared, only to reappear next to her and then detonate.

The sudden attack left Scáthach no time to react.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

In the shadow realm that had been devoid of sunlight, light suddenly appeared as a mushroom cloud rose, and a powerful shockwave swept through the entire realm.

This was the terrifying aspect of alchemy. While most magicians' abilities were declining in this world, the alchemists of Atlas Institute could still create weapons capable of destroying the world seven times over.

Alchemy, mastery of core technology.

In the burning world, dozens of spears shattered the thick smoke. Reversing causality, they once again locked onto Matou Shinji's heart.

"The same move won't work on an alchemist," Matou Shinji chuckled softly. He raised his hand to block, simultaneously using magic to create temporal disruptions, disturbing the causality attached to the spears.

The curse on the spears suddenly lost its target and fell from the sky, dissipating into red light.

At the same time, Scáthach launched a surprise attack from the ground. Moving in a zigzag pattern, her body rapidly approached Matou Shinji, alternating between different speeds. Her unpredictability made it impossible for the autonomous defenses of the elemental crystals to counter her.

Without the protection of the Rune of Luin, even an attack of the magnitude of a small nuclear explosion couldn't harm the Queen of Shadows.

"Realm Authority!"

As she closed in, Scáthach's voice grew louder. Her speed increased further, and her body was enveloped in a red radiance.

"Huh?"

Matou Shinji's eyes narrowed. He couldn't ignore the Queen before him any longer. While dividing his thoughts to control the temple, his Spiritron Computer analyzed Scáthach's Saint Graph.

Scáthach was the queen of the realm of shadows. She wasn't a symbol of power elected by others; she genuinely ruled this world. In this world, she could exert her maximum strength.

Seeing the spear of divine slaying thrown, Matou Shinji's expression grew serious. He roared, "Silver Ripple Rapid Deployment!"

Countless ripples of light spread and diffused, forming a unique defensive barrier.

Ordinary defensive barriers wouldn't stop Scáthach's attack. These rippling lights were tangible True Ether, weakening the power and curse of the spear like ocean waves, one after another.

However, just as the power of the first spear was about to wane, the second spear followed closely. Sourced from the immense power within the queen herself, it broke through the ripples' seal, and both spears pierced Matou Shinji's body simultaneously.

"Wait!"

Scáthach's expression changed slightly. The abnormal feedback from the curse caught her attention. Then, she saw Matou Shinji's body, pierced by the spears, turn into a white light and disappear.

Substitute puppet. Matou Shinji's true body had been replaced the moment he released the miniature sun.

Higher in the sky, beneath the massive alchemical array, Matou Shinji raised his right hand and chanted, "Pillar of Compassion, Pillar of Mildness, Pillar of Severity, evolve twenty-two paths. This is the essence of the original, manifest the Wheel of Life."

His chant was improvised, saying whatever came to mind. However, this action wasn't entirely without purpose. Alchemy was a completely different system from magecraft, with its own foundations. Alchemy required circles, and chanting spells was a form of self-suggestion, a ritual of magecraft.

The composition of the chant was based on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life theory, intricately connected to the world's alchemical foundations.

The massive alchemical array continued to evolve, locking onto Scáthach's body. At the same time, it released over a hundred light cannons containing various magical attributes, covering the sky and resembling the northern lights on a winter night, magnificent yet carrying enough energy to melt an entire city.

"Amazing magecraft. You are indeed strong. This is the first time I've seen someone use magecraft to this extent," Scáthach said, her smile growing broader. "Then I'll pierce through both you and that array!"

In Scáthach's hand, the spear drew an elegant circle. The tip of the spear ignited crimson cursed flames. She grasped the spear tightly, infused it with mana, and the flames spun and condensed, gathering into a point.

The usually vivid red eyes turned unprecedentedly cold, brimming with cruelty and killing intent toward her enemy.

"If you survive this, Angra Mainyu, you'll have earned the right to witness my true strength."

"Gáe Bolg Alternative! (Piercing Death-Lance of the Flying Spear)"

Boom!

The sound resonated like a cannon blast. The spear aimed upward from below at Matou Shinji, creating a whirlwind of crimson. Along its path, all the elemental currents were instantly engulfed.

Empowered by the Realm Authority, Gáe Bolg's curse continued to expand. Wherever the red whirlwind passed, all particles in the air were torn apart.

Magic, rules, elements, True Ether – everything that composed this world was devoured by the curse.

Matou Shinji's expression remained unchanged as he chanted, "Sage's Trial, Eleventh Emanation: Da'at (Knowledge)"

"Release."

"Gate of World Connection."

Boom!

The red whirlwind collided with an invisible, seemingly imaginary barrier, struggling briefly before losing its target and reluctantly dissipating.

In front of Matou Shinji, he briefly set up an area akin to a "dimensional space." With his inherent void nature, it became the world's sturdiest shield.

Scáthach's spear, as powerful as it was, could only affect objects within its own world. It couldn't attack beings in another world.

====

"Is this it? The Queen of Shadows."

Above the void, Matou Shinji looked down in disappointment at Scáthach and asked, "Is this all? The true strength of Scáthach in front of me doesn't even pose a threat."

Scáthach stared at Matou Shinji, her crimson eyes growing colder, her smile deepening, revealing her true nature as a battle enthusiast. "Didn't I tell you? Blocking my attack was just the beginning. I no longer see you as a junior. You've earned the right to be my enemy."

The curse flames ignited by the demonic spear grew even stronger, spreading from the spear's tip to Scáthach's body. Red lightning flickered, tearing through space, turning cursed land into molten lava.

The demonic spear flew from Scáthach's hand, weaving through the air in continuous twists before piercing through her chest. Strange red patterns extended from the wound, spreading across her body.

When did the Queen of Shadows learn the tradition of the Sparda (Devil May Cry) family?

Matou Shinji squinted at Scáthach, feeling that she was releasing something terrifying.

Scáthach shed her tight-fitting clothes, her body covered in red and black lightweight armor. Like a beast's mouth, her waist-length crimson hair flowed freely, revealing an air of grandeur mixed with a sense of solemn killing intent.

This was the true appearance of Scáthach.

A sense of desolation appeared on Scáthach's beautiful face as she lamented, "Fighting that can't kill me only makes me stronger. I've suppressed my power all along, even locking away my nature deep within my body. Angra Mainyu, you're a worthy opponent who deserves my full strength. I hope you can kill me, or else your soul will become an eternal undead, forever under my control."

The demonic spear materialized in Scáthach's right hand. The moment it pointed toward Matou Shinji, there were no warnings. A terrifying torrent of curses burst forth, instantly engulfing Matou Shinji's body, even partially stripping away the massive alchemical array in the sky.

She was too powerful.

Scáthach was born a battle enthusiast, constantly seeking opponents among human warriors to satisfy herself. After defeating all human warriors, she sought out powerful legendary monsters, continuing her slaughter and forging her demonic spear. Eventually, even the divine spirits of the heavens became undead under her spear.

Fight! Fight! Fight! Kill! Kill! Kill!

With each battle, she grew stronger. By the time she regained her senses, her body was saturated with the blood of the gods and monsters she had slaughtered. She was cursed by the world, and her dominion of the Shadow Realm was expelled from the world, making her immortal and akin to a divine spirit.

In the void, Matou Shinji's body reconstituted. Facing Scáthach who had unlocked her Second Saint Graph, Matou Shinji finally grew serious. He gazed at Scáthach and said softly, "I hope you're not all talk this time."

The densely glowing incantations enveloped Matou Shinji's body. Black shadows emerged from behind him, engulfing his body. With wings sprouting from his back, his form transformed into a demonic presence.

The massive alchemical array in the sky, controlled by the Spiritron Computer, quickly completed its self-repair, rising higher into the void and disappearing into the overcast clouds.

The alchemical array's task of analyzing the Shadow Realm was done; it no longer acted as an autonomous Noble Phantasm.

Boom!

Both figures disappeared simultaneously from their original positions. In the void, crimson thunder exploded, and the claws of the demon grabbed the tip of the demonic spear. The surrounding void shattered, the earth trembled, and lava mixed with debris was sucked into the cracks of the world.

The two transformed into streaks of light, leaving behind a long tail in the sky. They collided again, resembling two planets colliding.

Roar! Roar!

Mountain ranges shattered violently upon impact, turning into scattered molten debris.

Their speed surpassed the limits of human sight, like a hurricane of destruction sweeping across the world, accompanied by the world's mournful cries.

The demon's claws clashed countless times with the god-slaying demonic spear. The claws tore through Scáthach's body only to be restored by her immortal nature, while the demonic spear pierced Matou Shinji's defenses but was resolved by the versatile alchemical formula.

"Hahaha, battles like these are truly entertaining!" Matou Shinji laughed heartily, while the shadow of death cast its shade over his heart. A storm unprecedented in his mind's sea of thoughts surged as he divided his thoughts into over a hundred parts. Some were used to sustain alchemy, some to analyze the battle, and some to cast spells.

With the world's malice as the foundation, he assumed the stance of the quasi-primordial evil god Angra Mainyu, augmented by alchemy. He drew boundless magical energy from within and forged the Philosopher's Stone, enabling him to adapt his methods of attack.

At times, manipulating molecular-level movements, altering temperature; at times, manipulating time's flow to create traps; at times, rending space with these powers as his blade.

Yet, despite the countless exchanges within a span of a few minutes, Matou Shinji couldn't gain an advantage.

Matou Shinji finally understood the being named Scáthach, a combination of magecraft and spear techniques, a manifestation of the origin of all things. She easily deflected any form of attack.

"Even after stealing Angra Mainyu Saint Graph and undergoing countless cycles of reincarnation, there's still a massive gap in our combat abilities," Matou Shinji realized. "She's growing even as she fights me."

"It's not in vain that you've lived for countless years, old hag. Your experience is truly incomparable to a young one like myself."

From the sky to the earth, mountains shattered, rules collapsed, and countless undead were turned into nothingness. The battle between the two divine spirits was causing the Shadow Realm to crumble under their combined might.

Scáthach's attacks grew fiercer, with trajectories as unpredictable as shooting stars, untraceable and nowhere to hide. Matou Shinji's magical energy consumption to dispel the curses gradually exceeded his rate of recovery.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With each strike of the demonic spear, a seemingly simple attack directly crushed a significant portion of Matou Shinji's body.

Matou Shinji carefully managed his internal magical energy, ensuring that each part was utilized efficiently. He continued to fight against Scáthach, refusing to give up.

"Originally, a battle of attrition should favor the side with overwhelming advantage! What kind of monster is this Second Saint Graph BBA?! Even if it's not a Grand class, it must be a contender!"

"But!"

"It's already enough!"

Amidst the fierce battle, Matou Shinji, despite the piercing pain of the demonic spear, seized Scáthach's bare foot and spun her in the air, tossing her towards the shattered space. He aimed to seize the opportunity to activate the alchemical array situated on the outer side of the Shadow Realm.

The alchemical array completed its analysis of the Shadow Realm as anticipated. The core of the Shadow Realm was Scáthach herself

=====

"Tree of Life (Kabbalistic Tree of Life), rooted in this world!"

"First Sephirah: Kether (Crown)"

"Second Sephirah: Wisdom"

"Third Sephirah: Understanding"

"Fourth Sephirah: Mercy"

"Fifth Sephirah: Severity"

"Sixth Sephirah: Beauty"

"Seventh Sephirah: Victory"

"Eighth Sephirah: Splendor"

"Ninth Sephirah: Foundation"

"Tenth Sephirah: Kingdom"

"Trial of the Sage, Eleventh Sephirah: Da'at (Knowledge)"

"This is the cornerstone of the world, giving birth to all things, governing all phenomena. All records begin here and end here."

"Unleash, RODS FROM GOD! (Rod of God)"

Heavy dark clouds, radiant flashes, eleven layers of formation are sequentially cast down. Each has a different color, symbolizing the different elements and the eleven Sephiroth of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. They interconnect, achieving unity.

If the Alteration Sword is a tool for cutting the world, separating chaos and clarity for the world's treasures.

The Kabbalistic Tree of Life represents a pseudo-structure of all the world's materials, energy, and concepts, returning to chaos, transforming all into one, the realization of the one true truth.

RODS FROM GOD (Rod of God) uses the Holy Grail to create a highly concentrated philosopher's stone with nearly infinite magic power, simulating true etheric composition and compressing once again.

After all preparations are completed, the materialized highly concentrated true etheric crystal passes through the formation, imbued with special magical concepts.

Its design concept originates from the real-world concept superweapon "Rod of God," unrelated to religious interpretations of God.

The combination of technological concepts and magical means is Matou Shinji's most powerful alchemy creation, comparable to the seven apocalyptic weapons created by the Atlas Academy alchemists.

Seeing Scáthach return after being thrown into the void, Matou Shinji chuckles, "This strike will annihilate the Shadow Land you dominate, along with you."

Am I not allowed to flip the table if I can't win?

Scáthach doesn't chase Matou Shinji, gazing at the unfolding formation in the sky. The arrow she shot has returned. Killing Matou Shinji won't change the fact, so she should focus on how to block the arrow aimed at the Shadow Land.

A smile curls on Scáthach's lips, "I knew your intentions from the beginning, but I didn't expect you to create something so extravagant."

The original runic symbols are the universe's secret, even in the modern age of magical decline, they are miracles close to the level of magic. Mastery of the original runic symbols allows one to understand most magical concepts. Hence, Scáthach can see through the function of the formation at a glance.

The massive formation that stretches for tens of kilometers shines brightly, releasing a crystal over ten meters long.

This crystal is the Rod of God, containing enough magical energy to sustain hundreds of years of magical use by magicians worldwide, continuously sublimating into true etheric substance. It descends through the clouds, refracting countless beautiful rays with each passage through a formation.

Until the Rod of God passes through the final formation, the transparent crystal becomes multicolored and slowly descends, revealing its power.

Crackle ~ Crackle ~

The sky collapses, the clouds of the Shadow Land disperse, revealing boundless darkness beyond the world's edge. The void shatters, the earth crumbles, revealing an abyss without end.

Scáthach steps beneath the Rod of God, gripping her spear tightly, its tip raised. She doesn't swing or throw it, but the tip stirs a red vortex, compressing curses.

Space loses its meaning before a world-class treasure.

Before the Rod of God, all things are meaningless chaos.

"Does she have any other means besides the Annihilation Thrust?"

Watching from the sidelines, Matou Shinji gazes at Scáthach with surprise. Activating the formation drained all the magic within Matou Shinji's body. Although he's recovering rapidly, he's not yet a threat to Scáthach's level.

The curse of the spear continues to compress, far surpassing Gáe Bolg's original capabilities.

"Not just the weapon's nature, but also the authority over the Shadow Land. The curses directed at her, whether from gods, magical beasts, or even humans, all transform into the spear's power."

Matou Shinji smirks, it's not surprising. If the Rod of God were truly unleashed, the entire Shadow Land would be destroyed. Naturally, the undead under Scáthach's control would disappear as well. To survive, the undead spontaneously contribute their power.

The fusion of Gáe Bolg and the foundation of the Shadow Land briefly ascends into a true world-class treasure.

Lifting the spear high, a red curse torrent engulfs the Rod of God.

Humming ~ Humming ~

The momentum of the Rod of God's descent slows down, the crystal continues to emit a dazzling light. Stimulated by the curse torrent, it radiates an unprecedented brightness, engulfing everything.

White light overwhelms Matou Shinji's vision. His hearing, sense of smell, taste, and touch are flooded with strange and unclear sensations. Then Matou Shinji understands—his body is being annihilated by the residual shockwaves of the collision between the Rod of God and the spear.

His body is replaced by however much remains. Waiting for the shockwaves to dissipate, Matou Shinji's consciousness transfers to the formation in the sky, reshaping his flesh.

Looking down on the scene below, Matou Shinji smirks, "Not bad power."

A tremendous transformation overtakes the Shadow Land. The clouds disperse, the earth fractures, countless fragments of the city slowly rise, revealing a radiant expanse of stars behind.

The Shadow Land exists no more.

Scáthach stands on a floating chunk of earth, gripping her spear, gazing into the distance. If the Rod of God didn't entirely destroy the Shadow Land, it means her undying curse still lingers.

Matou Shinji smiles, "It seems your wish is about to come true."

"Hehe, my wish was to be killed by an enemy while giving it my all in battle."

Scáthach turns her head to gaze at Matou Shinji, "Originally, I wasn't planning to use this move. Since the Shadow Land is shattered, and there's no concern for my disciples, it doesn't matter anymore."

"Angra Mainyu, you are the most formidable opponent I've encountered, worth giving my all."

Oh? She finally used it.

Matou Shinji's gaze freezes. He knows Scáthach has a true ace up her sleeve, its power surpassing even the Rod of God. Even an ordinary magical energy could annihilate a world with this Noble Phantasm, or rather, this technique—Annihilation Thrust.

====

"Unlocking all the Rune symbols."

" (Wealth), (Water), (Huge), (Gods), (Journey)..."

"Ochd Deug Odin! (Great God Rune)"

Scáthach softly recites the names of the eighteen original Rune symbols. With each pronunciation, crystalline Rune symbols appear around her, hovering and repelling interference from other forces.

The original Rune symbols encapsulate the mysteries of the universe, distilled by the Norse god Odin. Their essence is akin to magic and is one of the closest powers to the Root.

The complete activation of the eighteen original Rune symbols forms the Great God Rune, a skill that requires divinity of A rank or above to execute properly. If this condition is not met and it's forcefully used, it will likely result in damage to the spiritual core.

Although Scáthach lacks divinity, she has already grasped the essence of the original Rune symbols.

"This is!"

Matou Shinji senses a chilling sense of danger. His magical energy pours out of his body, connecting with the formation above the clouds. The elaborate formation rapidly analyzes the significance of Scáthach's actions.

The power of the eighteen original Rune symbols arranges in a specific order, evolving into cosmic secrets beyond the understanding of the formation.

Matou Shinji's back chills, his expression growing darker: "So, this is the true nature of Annihilation Thrust, the actual usage of the Great God Rune. Just like the concept behind the Gáe Bolg's Reverse Causality, magic can't analyze it. No wonder it can pierce through Singularities with a single thrust."

Cu Chulainn of the Caster class also uses the Great God Rune, and it's his ultimate card within his arsenal, equivalent to an A-ranked anti-fortress Noble Phantasm.

But now, Matou Shinji truly comprehends the proper use of the Great God Rune.

The release of the eighteen Rune symbols, combined in a specific sequence, reproduces the cosmic mysteries discovered by the Norse god Odin. Following that, Scáthach uses the Great God Declaration to bestow her spear with a blessing.

The strike that blocked the Rod of God was a momentary elevation of her Shadow Land's foundation into an anti-world Noble Phantasm, augmented by the power of the Great God Rune. Her spear also possesses the concept of anti-world, but the two are on completely different levels.

The Shadow Land is at most a small world split from the Norse underworld. The Great God Rune, on the other hand, represents a cosmic secret.

The Queen of the Shadow Land, Scáthach, no longer ages, no longer dies, and has become something eternally existing.

Battle! Battle! Battle! Slaughter! Slaughter! Slaughter! Become stronger! Become stronger! Become stronger!

Slaughtering countless gods, magical beasts, and undead, innumerable battles led her to realize that at the end of infinite time, everything will disappear.

Life, rules, the world—everything becomes meaningless.

This is the origin of Annihilation Thrust.

Annihilation Thrust is the culmination of her countless battles throughout her life, her answer to this world as she graduates from it.

Feeling the threat of death, Matou Shinji can't sit still. A hint of a smile tugs at his lips, and he takes a deep breath: "Conditions met, then I must also use my trump card."

Matou Shinji opens his arms, his consciousness sinking into the spiritual core that constitutes his body, merging with the human universe contained in the Greater Grail. A magical circuit several kilometers long operates at full speed, and he proclaims loudly, "Declare, I am the world, or rather the universe, or rather a god, or rather the truth, or rather all, or rather one."

"Unfold! Gate of Truth! (Gate of the Root)"

Matou Shinji's body dissolves into light. Simultaneously, the vast formation several tens of kilometers across above the clouds illuminates. Points connect with points, lines with lines, forming a territory within the formation.

Matou Shinji cannot go against Angra Mainyu decision. To put it differently, as long as Matou Shinji persists in his ideal of human salvation, it will provide him with an unending supply of magical energy.

Scáthach has become the obstacle standing before Matou Shinji, and her elimination has become the goal of this world's malevolence.

Matou Shinji's true trump card is to use the foundation named "this world's malevolence." The Greater Grail, having accumulated power for decades, possesses a vast magical energy that could be squandered by magicians worldwide for hundreds of years. This energy fuels the creation of the Philosopher's Stone. With the sacrifice of six Servants (and one being Angra Mainyu), the Gate to the world outside is opened.

Indeed, this ritual is highly reminiscent of the "Bottled People" land created in the world of "Fullmetal Alchemist." People are transformed from alchemy that has passed through the Gate to become the souls of Servants. Energy flows from human souls to become corrupted magical energy and Angra Mainyu.

The outcome is a Gate that no longer adheres to the alchemical definition, but rather the Gate to the Root of this world.

The beginning of the world, the end of all things, the ultimate knowledge that records the truth.

This has already entered the realm of magic, a miracle created through the Greater Grail system's intrinsic abilities.

The formation projects a colossal stone door facing the earth. Its dimensions span tens of kilometers. It slowly unfolds, revealing a silver eye inside. The pupil holds the myriad of stars, resembling the vastness of the universe, dark and profound. Gazing into it, one can't sense any emotion; instead, it consumes one's rationality.

The power of the Root, even a mere trace of it, supported by vast magical energy, is enough to rewrite the rules of the universe.

The eye of the Root fixes its gaze on Scáthach, rippling outward. It's not a material or energy-based attack, but rather an alteration of the world's rules, an area beyond the understanding even of magicians. It's an alteration that fundamentally rewrites reality, with the intention to obliterate the existence known as Scáthach.

At an unknown moment, Scáthach's spear transforms from its crimson hue to silver-white. Its appearance changes dramatically, and its tip emits the void of annihilation, affecting the surroundings. Space is shattered and continuously repaired by the impact of this power governed by rules.

Scáthach gazes up at the sky, her spear becoming a silver-white shade. A smile tugs at the corners of her lips: "I shall be the one to end you, Angra Mainyu. This strike is my complete respect for you as an opponent, to pierce you along with this world!"

"All things have their end, originating from chaos, and ending in nothingness. Return to the origin!"

"Annihilation Thrust!"

With no extravagant movements or displays, Scáthach simply tightens her grip on the silver-white spear in her hand and lightly thrusts it towards the sky. Without any warning, the world collapses. The eye's pupil behind the gate contracts violently. The formation behind the gate disintegrates in an instant.

The world trembles, and under this single thrust, the myriad stars lose their brilliance.

On one side is the Gate of Truth unfolding, drawing upon the magic obtained from glimpsing the Root.

On the other side is a world-class Noble Phantasm, the culmination of Scáthach's life story, the Annihilation Thrust.

Transcending magic, surpassing what the foundation determines, and even exceeding the world itself, these two forces collide.

Boom!

In an instant, a torrent of consuming light erupts once more, flooding the shattered Shadow Land.