C350

"Those eyes... those eyes..."

Fina-blood Svelten stared intensely at the Young Shirou in the castle, trembling with excitement. It was as if he had been **ed in place, his face showing a strange blush.

Rizo-Waal Strout stared at Fina-blood in utter astonishment, his voice laced with confusion. "Fina-blood, what's going on with you?"

Fina-blood's voice quivered with desire as he muttered, "Those eyes... no, not just his eyes. That child... that boy, I need to have him!" Unable to resist his impulses, he licked his lips and extended his trembling hand toward Young Shirou.

Rizo-Waal Strout was taken aback and swiftly seized Fina-blood's wrist, lowering his voice urgently. "Fina-blood, stop with these foolish jokes! Control yourself! That... that's the Eternal King!"

A vivid image of Shirou's commanding and kingly gaze flashed through Fina-blood's mind, causing a momentary shiver to run down his spine. However, his infatuated expression only grew more intense. He couldn't help but confess, "I... I want him so much...!"

Rizo-Waal Strout's face contorted with a mixture of frustration and exasperation. His friend was an unabashed and unapologetic super pervert who has soft spot for attractive young boys.

It was bad enough that Fina-blood had a peculiar preference for indulging in the blood of handsome young men, but now he had set his sights on none other than the Eternal King? Was he actively seeking his own death?

Not to mention the legends that surrounded the Eternal King. They spoke of his possession of a powerful Mystic Code capable of obliterating even the deadliest of Dead Apostles. Even the princesses, who were considered formidable, paled in comparison to his might. It was sheer folly to think they stood a chance against him.

Rizo-Waal Strout felt a strong urge to correct his friend's disturbing tendencies, so he forcefully pulled Fina-blood to the side. Yet, even as he was being dragged away, Fina-blood's unwavering gaze remained fixed on Young Shirou.

Such a gentle and beautiful boy, so beautiful. He couldn't help being intoxicated.

In fact, ever since their arrival at Adra Castle, Fina-blood had been keeping an eye on both Shirou and Waver. However, confronted by the intimidating gaze of the king emanating from Shirou, he hadn't dared to entertain such thoughts until now.

Right now, seeing this gentle little guy, he really wants to hug him, stroke his head, kiss his neck, and then suck his blood.

Young Shiro couldn't help but turn his head and give Fina-blood Svelten a disgusted look. This guy reminded him of his elementary school days, especially that one demanding homeroom teacher who always craved his attention. It sent shivers down his spine, bringing back unpleasant memories.

But what really caught his attention was the sudden materialization of the second Noble Phantasm right before his eyes. There was no doubt that this second Noble Phantasm, appearing in reality, promised countless possibilities. This was unlike in dreams, where he had to rely inconveniently on "Clairvoyance EX."

Young Shirou glanced around and offered a gentle smile. "Everyone, it's not safe here. Please, go ahead and leave first."

"Lorelei's anxiety started to show. 'Your Majesty! My family, the Barthomeloi family, has served you for thousands of years. I could never let you face danger alone, even if it cost me my life!'"

As the head of the Barthomeloi family, how could she abandon the king, who symbolized their noble lineage, in such a dangerous situation?

"I understand your concern, but recklessness isn't the same as bravery," Young Shirou replied gently. "If you were to lose your life, you wouldn't be able to fulfill your ideals and aspirations, would you?"

"Your Majesty...!" Lorelei's eyes mirrored his gentle smile. She made a noble gesture and took a step back, retreating slowly.

Just then...

"Boom boom boom boom!!"

Astraea emanated a terrifying aura.

Arcueid instinctively positioned herself in front of Shirou, shielding him from the impending threat.

Astraea's gaze bore into him, her face twisted with anger, as she spoke in a low, menacing tone, "Do you regard me as nothing, human?"

Young Shirou smiled, "No, I wouldn't do that. The Goddess of Justice is standing right in front of me. With you here, I can be completely at ease."

"Are you underestimating me?" she angrily questioned.

"Not at all," he shook his head and said, "I am the one who committed the crime, and you are targeting me. I won't involve others because that would be unjust. Isn't that right, Goddess of Justice?"

"Justice has already turned its back on me!" she declared with a hint of bitterness. "And I've long abandoned the illusion of justice!"

"But you can't truly abandon it because that sentiment within you is one of kindness."

She stayed silent.

"I won't flee, and I won't avoid it. Let's have a genuine conversation, Astraea-neesan," he said with a warm smile on his face.

"..."

She sneered, "Fine. No matter how many lackeys there are, they're just insignificant insects that can easily be squashed!"

Shirou observed as Lorelei and the rest slowly backed away to a safer spot. Then, he turned towards Arcueid and spoke, "You should step back too. I'll take care of this."

"But Shirou... I'm not some weakling!" she clenched her fist, her voice determined. "I am strong! I'll protect you!"

"I know. You've always had my back, Arcueid. But this time, it's about me and the goddess from that world, so I don't want you to be involved. If something were to happen to you because of this, it would crush me."

"..."

She stared at Young Shirou, unable to help but ask, "Are you... really Shirou?" 

He showed a big smile and said, "Yes, it's me, no doubt about it. My concern for you hasn't changed at all because we're good friends! It's just that in my normal state, I tend to keep my true emotions concealed. Back when I was younger, I didn't like hiding what I felt. So... don't make me worry, you little troublemaker."

"..."

"Li... little, little, little troublemaker... Wahhh...!" she covered her face and run away.

"Is... is that really the scoundrel king?" Altrouge crouched in a corner, peeking out cautiously, her gaze fixed on Young Shirou. She couldn't help but wonder, Could this child, who emerged from the light, be the same fearsome king who terrified her, and yet she can't forget?

Although his eyes had never changed, the manner in which he presented himself was entirely different.

When the surroundings finally empty, Young Shirou turned his head slightly and looked at her, smiling. "Thank you, Astraea."

"Hmph," Astraea snorted dismissively. "They're nothing but insignificant ants. Even if you've assumed a different appearance, you're still one of the culprits responsible for the world's destruction! I shall end your life!"

He smiled, "Such passionate love." 

She furrowed her brows. "What?"

"Oh, don't worry," He extended three fingers from his right hand and flashed a smile. "My first Noble Phantasm has three stages. Since Astraea-neesan didn't reject my request, as a token of appreciation, I won't unleash the final stage of my first Noble Phantasm. I'll only use the first and second stages."

"Are you underestimating me?" Astraea frowned, loudly questioning him.

"Astraea-neesan, you've misunderstood me. You see, you're a benevolent goddess, and the body you inhabit belongs to my friend who has shown me kindness. If anything were to go wrong, I would blame myself."

As Young Shirou stretched out his hand, Caliburn instantaneously materialized in his grasp.

"Why don't you experience it firsthand, neesan?" Young Shirou suggested with a gleam in his eyes. "This is the Noble Phantasm that buries the gods of old, plundering their glory!"

Raising Caliburn high above his head, he proclaimed, "This sword holds the ultimate testament of dominion, the battleground between heaven and earth!"

With a swift motion, he swung the blade—

Light erupted!

Light thundered!

"Boom boom boom boom!!"

The earth fractured, and the sky rent asunder.

A massive sword scar resembling a dragon stretched across the expansive terrain after the light was swiftly obliterated by Astraea's divine power.

"Is this what you call a Noble Phantasm that buries the gods of old?" she sneered. "Pathetic!"

He smiled, "That was just the war horn, you see."

Just as his words trailed off, a flicker of blue lightning crackled within the fractured sword scar, resembling a serpentine dragon.

"Zap, zap—"

Magical energy surged!

"What... what is that!?" Lorelei and the others observing from a distance couldn't help but be taken aback.

"It... it appeared!"

"What in the world is that?"

The onlookers were filled with questions, their astonishment evident.

Amidst the sword scar on the ground, a surge of magical energy erupted, accompanied by crackling blue lightning. Soon, humanoid figures materialized, one after another.

It was an army, though only a few hundred had fully manifested, their presence already flooding the castle.

Each member of this formidable army donned gleaming silver armor and wielded the legendary spear Gáe Bolg.