Chapter 124.5 – Can you keep up? 

"Who is this guy? Arton's helper?"

Shiki frowned, halting his intended attack due to the sudden appearance of the red figure before him.

However, the red figure didn't look at Shiki but turned to face Arton.

At this moment, Arton felt dizzy as scenes from Emiya Shirou's and Heroic Spirit Emiya's memories flashed rapidly before his eyes.

"Emiya Shirou's memories?"

Arton thought, raising his head and seeing the red figure looking back at him.

Unlike the others, Arton could clearly see the figure's face. It was the Heroic Spirit Emiya.

"Can you keep up?"

The Heroic Spirit Emiya said calmly as he noticed Arton's attention.

"Interesting, to actually hear that line."

Arton smirked and quickly ran towards the Heroic Spirit Emiya.

As he passed through the spot where the Heroic Spirit Emiya stood, Arton murmured:

"The one who should keep up is you."

With those words, the magical circuits within Arton fully activated.

Simultaneously, the red figure dissipated before everyone's eyes.

"Damn it, don't think you can succeed."

Ignoring the disappearing red figure, Shiki saw Arton rushing towards him.

The growing sense of unease prompted him to use his ability, forming lion-headed blocks from the surrounding objects.

Then he directly pushed the lion head with both hands, making it lunge at Arton. At that moment, Arton could even see a dark sheen glistening on the lion head.

Clearly, Shiki had enhanced his attack by using Armament Haki on the lion head.

In response, Arton simply raised his left arm, as if preparing to grasp something.

"Projection, begin!"

"Projection, load!"

"All processes complete, [Nine Lives: Shooting the Hundred Heads]!"

With Arton's incantation, a massive stone axe-sword appeared in his hand.

Arton then swung the axe-sword at the attacking Shiki.

In an instant, the lion head created by Shiki's ability shattered completely.

Shiki himself was forced to halt in place, then looked down at his abdomen in shock.

There, the giant axe-sword wielded by Arton had completely pierced through him.

Blood spurted out in torrents.

"W-What happened?!"

Shiki spat out blood, looking at Arton in confusion.

He hadn't clearly seen Arton's movements earlier.

He only vaguely saw Arton's axe-sword swinging rapidly.

By the time he regained his senses, the lion head was shattered.

And his chest had been impaled.

Shiki could feel that many of his internal organs had been fragmented by Arton's strike, and he knew he couldn't survive this.

Now, all he wanted to know was what exactly Arton had done to him.

Likewise, the diary copy holders who hadn't clearly seen Arton's earlier actions were just as puzzled.

Arton raised his head and quietly looked at Shiki, then softly recited:

"Hundred Heads doesn't refer to my axe-sword."

"It refers to a style, a style that uses various weapons."

"Of course, the axe-sword in my hand is also used in this style."

"When I projected this axe-sword, I also copied the Hundred Heads style of the wielder of this axe-sword."

"I used the Hundred Heads style on you, and as the result shows, you couldn't withstand it."

Hearing this, Shiki's lips curled into a bitter smile.

"I see... So it wasn't... this axe-sword that defeated me."

"Defeating me... it was the style... called Hundred Heads."

"I'd really like... to meet the person... who created this style."

"I wonder... if in my prime, I could have... stood against the creator of this style."

Due to his injuries, even speaking was very difficult for Shiki.

"Unfortunately, you wouldn't be a match for that great hero."

"He was... a god, a true god."

Arton said solemnly.

"A true god, huh? Interesting."

"Arton, this sea... the future might belong to... you."

With those words, Shiki finally closed his eyes forever.

At the same time, the axe-sword in Arton's hand vanished, and his attire returned to its original state.

"For your final words, I'll find a proper place to bury you, Shiki."

Arton respectfully handled Shiki's body, then looked at himself, murmuring:

"In the end, I only developed from the basic Shirou Emiya to the Heroic Spirit version of Shirou Emiya."

"I don't know if there will be a chance in the future to further advance the Shirou Emiya template."

"Luckily, I can still use the abilities of the previous Shirou Emiya level."

"Otherwise, it would be tough to withstand the erosion from using the arm of the Heroic Spirit Emiya."

Arton touched his arm, feeling a sense of awe.

He also resolved that unless the situation absolutely required it, he wouldn't use the Heroic Spirit's powers.

Now that the "Shirou Emiya Template Challenge Scroll" had been used up.

If he were to use the Heroic Spirit Emiya template again, the resulting injuries wouldn't heal as they did when the scroll was active.

Even though he could mitigate the backlash from the Heroic Spirit's arm by switching to another template.

Injuries were still injuries.

Unless Kaya's mastery of Tsunade's abilities reached a certain level, Arton would be reluctant to use the Heroic Spirit's battle style, which was harmful to both the enemy and himself.

Arton shook his head and looked at the lifeless body of Shiki that he was supporting with his hand.

After the Heroic Spirit version of Shirou Emiya, there are still the Red Archer version of Shirou Emiya, the Black Archer version of Shirou Emiya, and finally, Sengu Muramasa.

If possible, Arton naturally hopes to further advance the Shirou Emiya template.

"Forget it, I'll think about ways to progress later."

"There should be corresponding rewards from the system that can further advance the Shirou Emiya template."

"For now, let's get out of here."

Arton glanced at the floating island in the distance, which was continuously sinking due to the loss of Shiki's power.

He immediately leaped up and made his way to the hot air balloon where Tashigi and Hina were.