49 Count of Monte Cristo

"Krahahahahahahaha."

As the King of Conquerors and the King of Heroes engaged in a contest of kingship in the world of yellow sand, on the other side...

On the way to the arena, Roy suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and stopped in his tracks, sensing some danger.

However, this danger did not come from his surroundings; its source was the large bridge ahead.

"What kind of aura is this?"

Looking out, he could easily see the figure on the bridge due to his enhanced physical abilities, no longer bound by humanity.

"Seriously, has he come to find me this early?"

The Count of Monte Cristo, who had also sensed Roy's gaze, smiled knowingly, black flames burning fiercely beside him, and this unmistakable aura surged forth.

Just like Lancer's fighting spirit that had drawn Saber into battle, the King of the Cavern extended an invitation to his master in the same manner.

The black flames danced on the bridge in Fuyuki City, almost gleefully.

Seeing this scene imbued with the significance of a decisive battle, Roy knew retreat was impossible now.

Though the bridge was not the only route to his destination, if he ignored the Count, he would definitely explode with rage and angrily chase him down to beat him up. Thus, he sensibly ascended the bridge.

Having been with the King of the Cavern for so long, he understood his temperament all too well. Simply put, it was a mix of bad attitude and a bit of tsundere; though he constantly spoke of revenge, he wasn't truly evil at heart.

"What disrespectful thoughts are you pondering?"

The King of the Cavern couldn't help but frown.

"No, it's nothing particularly special." Roy tilted his head, continuing to walk over.

Looking at the King of the Cavern not far ahead, he raised his hand.

A flash of red light flickered, and the connection to the command seal on the back of his hand could still be easily felt.

At this moment, the Master and Servant completed their reunion once again.

With not much distance separating them, their gazes locked tightly, and the atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

"Hey, it's been a while, Count, but you arrived much earlier than I expected." Roy broke the silence first.

"I thought you would show up for a decisive battle to settle our grudges at the end like in a comic."

"Idiot."

"What?"

"That kind of thinking is idiotic, fool."

The Count looked at him with some exasperation and continued, "I thought after everything you've been through, you'd have grown quite a bit, but you're still as naïve as ever, Master."

The flames gently boiled beside him, crackling, and the black color rapidly surrounded the two of them like a fierce tiger, igniting the bridge in an instant.

"This… this shouldn't be necessary, right? Have you even sealed off the area to prevent me from escaping?" Roy sighed silently, tugging at the rainbow ribbons on his arm.

"Indeed, it is very necessary."

"The flames here are the vengeful fires from hell, surrounding and igniting this place, transforming it into a judgment site akin to Prison Tower. Only one person can escape from here!" The Count fixed his crimson gaze on Roy as he spoke.

"Now do you understand?"

He was serious; through the Count's unwavering gaze, Roy could see his resolve. In that case...

"I don't understand."

"But if this is truly what you seek, then I am naturally willing to accompany you to the end."

"Very well, that's more like it, Krahahahahaha!!"

"But now that we've reached this point, aren't you planning to be honest? After all, we've been together for quite some time, and it seems we haven't properly introduced ourselves."

In truth, Roy didn't want to engage in a bitter struggle with the Count so soon; the chaos on Emiya Kiritsugu's side was even greater, and if he really let the tainted Holy Grail rise, it would be a huge mess.

However, since he was pushed to this extent, he could no longer evade. The Count's demeanor clearly indicated that he knew what would happen ahead, deliberately blocking his path.

He was serious; he couldn't escape. As for the situation over there, he could only trust in Kayneth's capabilities and hope that Artoria would make the right choice.

"Introduce myself? What's there to talk about in my boring story?"

The King of the Cavern grinned; he felt no pride in his story.

"You've already read through the tale of the Count of Monte Cristo, haven't you? You can identify me based on the character in that story. Just a foolish man who was wronged and thrown into hell, who after fourteen years of struggle, finally escaped from hell and transformed into a vengeful spirit."

He lit a cigarette, unbothered as he recounted the past to Roy.

"After emerging from hell, that man, with the cunning honed in hell and the power he gained, dragged his enemies down into hell one by one, completing his revenge. That's about the gist of it."

"What do you think of that story, Count? The Count of Monte Cristo is celebrated as the greatest revenge tale in the world."

"What do I think? What do you think, huh… Krahahahahaha. "

"Is there even a need to say? Of course, it's fantastic! The vengeful spirit emerges from the darkness, no longer hiding, letting the flames of anger and hatred blaze within, igniting everything in sight... what an incredible experience!!"

Saying this, the Count laughed maniacally again, "When I personally drag those enemies down to hell and see them plead for mercy before dying, recalling their past misdeeds upon hearing my name, the despair etched on their faces and the venomous curses they uttered before dying are absolutely thrilling!"

"The Count of Monte Cristo ends with the Count personally avenging all his enemies and, just as the tale goes, finding his lost love, disappearing into the distance with his beloved concubine... how romantic." Roy sighed, looking at the still-laughing Count.

"In reality, so-called revenge is essentially about how to justly wield violence. As long as one does what is deemed righteous in the eyes of the people at that time, that revenge becomes worthy of being celebrated, which is why your story, Count, is told so widely…"

"How to justly wield violence? Krahahahahaha, that's right, Master, it seems you understand too... this is the core of revenge."

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life! If the law can't do it, then do it yourself... this is revenge, a means to justly wield violence personally."

The Count laughed heartily as he raised his hand to stir the flames, continuing, "Do you know, Master? I, who descended as an Extra class, shouldn't even exist. I could only be born if there were significant upheavals in human history or encounters with unknown threats. The signs of disaster have long since appeared, and you do not belong to the trajectory of human history, which is why I have been placed beside you by the Counter Force. The encounters between people have never been coincidental; everything is inevitable!"

"Though the command given to me by the Counter Force is to eliminate you as a threat, I too have my own thoughts, much like that pitiful saint."

"Master, you harbor good intentions, a completely different existence from a vengeful spirit like me. Every time I see the brilliance in you, it feels blinding, just like Father Faria. He once redeemed the poor, yet buried himself forever in hell, but not anymore; this time, I will save you!"1

At that moment, the golden eyes flickered with a strange light, and the surrounding black flames boiled up completely.

"Is the fight about to start?"

Roy let out a bitter laugh, his body already prepared because he knew what was coming would eventually arrive.

"Heh, of course. After delaying for so long, your magecraft must be nearly ready, right?"

"Ah, as expected, such little tricks cannot escape your eyes."

Seeing his small trick exposed by the count, Roy smiled slightly, calmly admitting it. He then waved his sleeve sharply, and several pale blue butterflies took shape out of thin air, fluttering around him.

"It's butterfly magecraft! You've actually mastered it to this extent? It seems that incubus really taught you a lot."

"Yes, although Merlin is a scumbag, his teaching skills are indeed top-notch, and I've made significant progress."

With a smile, Roy raised his hand and continued to release the butterfly familiars he had just created, their numbers quickly surrounding him.

"However, count, you just told me that Father Faria sacrificed himself in hell to save a lost soul, so now you must sacrifice yourself to save me."

"But do you really want to become the second Father Faria?"

Roy raised his hand and forcefully tore off the colorful ribbons on his arm, various enhancement magecrafts quickly manifesting on him as they followed the magic imprint.

Hero Creation EX

Dreamlike Charisma A

In response to the count's answer, Roy also gave his own reply, "But that's not right; none of us should decay. No one needs to sacrifice anyone, and no one needs to become anyone. We are here, always have been."

"So, from beginning to end, no one needs to become Father Faria!!"

"Krahahahahaha! How naive you are, my Master. Even if I choose to let go, they won't. As long as you exist, you'll be seen as a threat to the world. Even if I leave, other guardians will come to kill you, so you have no choice." He raised both hands, deep resentment igniting the black flames, issuing a final ultimatum.

"Come on, right here, extend your hand to me. This time, I will save you."

"But if you truly haven't given up and have chosen another way, then crush me! Prove to me here that you are the one who defeats despair and guides hope. If you can't even do this, then just comply!"

"Just like a king and their steed, to prove it to you?"

"Exactly. The loser will continue to exist as part of the winner. This is the best choice. Let me see your growth, Master!"

Laughing maniacally, that figure, engulfed in black flames, sped away at an incredible rate, the black silhouette flashing past Roy's line of sight.

"Then let me introduce myself. My name is Roy, a traveler from another world who has fallen here, and I am your Master, ready for battle!"

This time, Roy did not hesitate. Empowered by Merlin's enhanced magecraft, he gripped the luminous Arondight he had just summoned with both hands and swung it with all his might toward the oncoming raging tiger flames.

----

If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my pa treon :

https://www.pa treon. com/XElenea