Until We Meet Again, Heroes (Part 2)

Ever since he met the Jewel Magician and learned that Grand Rank Hassan had been mobilized, he had been faintly hearing the sound of bells for more than a moment.

The reason he acted so decisively was largely due to the chill that ran down his spine after hearing the Jewel Magician's warning. It was as if a kind old man wielding a greatsword and shield would suddenly emerge from the shadows and stab him in the neck.

Moreover, he has now mastered all the Primordial Runes, grasping the supreme Magecraft foundation of the Northern Europe mythology Magecraft system. He has also forged the highest-level Mystic Code possible in the modern era, a wand comparable to Alchemy and the pinnacle of modern Western Magecraft, completely completing the Hallcraft he created and refined, achieving perfection in Angel Summoning, and reaching the pinnacle of his understanding of the Law Book. If one had to describe it...

It's not that Rovey is bragging, but at this moment he can truly be called the modern-day Magic King Solomon.

However, the Magecraft that the other party created and mastered was Demon Summoning, while he followed the path of Angel Summoning left by Aleister, as well as many special theories such as the Silver Star.

In short, any one of his achievements—whether it's reforging a mythical Mystic Code with human power, completely completing Hallcraft, or completing the theory in the Law Book in his own way and resummoning four Magecraft angels—would be enough to reach the highest rank, [Grand Rank], far surpassing the achievements Aozaki Touko Clock Tower created.

However, those trivial matters were no longer that important to Rovey. The Clock Tower's "Grand Rank" was not a "Grand Rank" chosen and bestowed by the Root. Apart from being an empty title and having the value of prestige to put on the negotiating table, it had no effect on Magecraft skill or the advancement of magic. Perhaps only Kenneth would be excited about reaching the Grand Rank.

A Holy Grail War; the ascension ceremony continues upon returning.

However, this time it's not as simple as just being promoted to the [Pride] or [Color Rank]; it's a direct ascension to the [Grand Rank].

Unlike Aoko, this is only because the highest rank in the Clock Tower is [Grand Rank], not because Rovey's achievements only qualify him for [Grand Rank].

But compared to all that useless stuff, now—

"It's time to fulfill my last wish."

Standing atop Mount Enzo, before the newly restored Ryūdō Temple, and gazing at Scáthach, who was spinning her crimson spear with an expectant expression, Rovey gave a somewhat troubled smile.

I didn't expect that we'd still have to fight in the end...

He originally thought that after going through so much and defeating so many opponents, Scáthach would finally say with satisfaction, "I've had a great time this time," and then leave gracefully.

However, Rovey did not expect that his Scathach still cherished his original wish.

Even after everything is over, does he still want to fight himself, so that he can give himself a death?

Rovey was truly helpless about this.

If he could, he truly would never want to fight Scáthach, who had once fought alongside him and whom he could entrust with his life, but alas...

"If this is truly what you seek, then I will do everything in my power to fulfill your wish, Scathach."

Gripping the legendary staff that was radiating a silver light tightly, Rovey muttered to himself, his eyes resolute and his words unwavering.

"I see... It seems Master never intended to breach the contract. I thought you would say something like..."

"Shh, can we not fight? And then you try to make peace with me or something like that."

Scáthach watched as Rovey's magical energy surged, clearly indicating he was ready for battle, and a slow smile appeared on her lips.

"Haha, if it were really possible, I would really like to run away or make some kind of attempt to reconcile. But a promise made must be kept, isn't that what we agreed on in the beginning?"

"Oh? You still remember what I said to you when I was summoned, Master?"

"Of course, I've never forgotten."

When Scáthach asked him a question, Rovey nodded very frankly.

What you said to me back then was—

"Your fate is tied to my gun. In this war, I will do everything in my power to help you get everything you want."

"In return, I hope that once everything is ready, you will engage me in a real battle, bringing my long life to a perfect close."

"—This is my ultimate wish as the Queen of the Land of Shadows, Scáthach."

"Pfft, you really remember things clearly."

"However, could you please stop mimicking other people's tone of voice in front of them with such a serious expression? It's really annoying, Master."

Seeing Rovey earnestly mimicking what she had said when she was summoned, and imitating his tone, even the usually serious Scáthach couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you asking for it? Sorry, sorry..."

Rovey smiled, then turned to his comrade-in-arms and shook his head. "I actually think that when Scathach is serious, he's really cool."

"Oh? That type of girl you like... But I don't remember ever taking you as my disciple. Didn't you refuse my invitation back then?"

"But not agreeing doesn't mean refusing, right? After all, whether it's the original Rune or the experience you taught me in battle, these are my most precious treasures, so..."

Rovey smiled and looked intently at Scáthach in front of him.

"I am truly grateful for your guidance, and I am so fortunate to have met you Scathach. For me, the greatest gain from this Holy Grail War has never been what Mystic Codes I acquired or what kind of Magecraft I learned, but rather the privilege of meeting you, Scathach, and all the heroes..."

"And now, in these final moments when everything is complete, shouldn't I fulfill my last duty as a Master and grant my partner's wish?"

Without saying much, Rovey spoke calmly, and the huge Alchemy Array beneath his feet, along with the Hallcraft, instantly completed the two tedious processes of setup and activation. In an instant, the monks who had just returned from Ryūdō Temple began to walk uncontrollably down the mountain again, leaving this place to the last two people.

"I see. Sigh... Don't say such cheesy things to me at this last moment, especially right before I'm ready to kill you... Master."

Faced with Rovey's sincere words, Scáthach sighed helplessly, her tone seemingly a little resentful, "This has made me waver in my determination to bring you back to the Land of Shadows."

"Haha, so Scathach still wants to take me back to the Land of Shadows? Is he still trying to kidnap me and make me his wife?"

Upon hearing this, Rovey smiled.

If I say yes, will you come with me obediently?

"Hmm... Although with my Scathach there, going to the Land of Shadows wouldn't be so bad, for me, my current life is still much more carefree."

"So..."

"There's no need to hesitate any longer, let's begin, Scathach."

"...Um."

—Whoosh!!

A piercing sound suddenly rang in his ears, followed by a heavy, brown hand that suddenly reached out from behind Rovey and easily caught the unexpected crimson light.

"Um?"

Scáthach ignored the short spear that Rovey had grabbed, and instead held the only remaining crimson spear in her hand. She looked at Rovey with some surprise and asked, "Master, you were actually prepared for this move all along?"

Controlling the earth angel Uriel, and gripping the crimson short magic spear tightly in his hand, Rovey nodded and began to explain.

"After all, the Holy Grail War has ended because all the Command Seal have been used. Since we have to fight each other, the contract must be terminated. Since you have lost your mana supply, you can only choose to fight quickly to decide the winner."

"A sneak attack, I think that's pretty good..."

"Haha, I actually guessed it."

Seeing that her thoughts had indeed been predicted by Rovey, Scáthach did not feel ashamed for her sneak attack; instead, she laughed with great pleasure.

"However... weren't all those cheesy things you just said also a way to buy me time, to let me continue maintaining the Rune to change my Spirit Origin and consume my mana?"

She countered directly with a question.

"Likewise... After all, all's fair in war, and it's a lesson every soldier must learn."

"Well then, without further ado, um... so you..."

Before Scáthach could finish speaking, Rovey attacked without holding back. After releasing his wand, four beams of light of different colors shot towards her from different directions like lightning.

—A quadruple war god!

Bah! Fourfold angels—!

With a flick of her wrist, Scáthach easily parried Rovey's attack with her magic spear. A faint smile appeared on her delicate face, "You've learned to use sneak attacks too, Master."

"That's something I learned from my Scathach."

Rovey smiled slightly, then without hesitation used his last bit of magic power, creating a blinding magical light that floated around him and bombarded Scáthach like a torrent.

"Really... if that's the case, then there's no time to waste."

While dodging the attacks, Scáthach felt her magical energy steadily decreasing and couldn't help but sigh, "I did intend to use the miracle of the Holy Grail to grant myself a long and peaceful slumber, but..."

"Thank you so much, Master. During the time I've spent with you, I've realized that my life isn't just about fighting, and my power isn't as invincible as I thought. There are many heroes and great men in this world... throughout human history, and they are all worthy opponents."

"Instead of making a meaningless wish to die, I'm actually looking forward to the future. So instead of ending up here, I've chosen to look to the future."

"I see... So, would you like to sign another contract with me? Scathach, I'm actually quite reluctant to part with you."

Scáthach's words did not cause her to relax in the slightest; the torrent of magic continued to sweep towards the target in front of her like a floating cannon.

Because Rovey knew that women's words were deceitful, especially to an old woman like Scáthach who had lived for countless years.

It would be a lie to say that there was no emotion behind her words, but if you were too moved, you might suffer a great loss later.

Although he could sense that Scáthach was serious about her feelings, that didn't stop her from smiling as she stabbed herself with her magic spear, then taking him back to the Land of Shadows to be together forever.

Therefore, Rovey will not relax his efforts until the other party completely withdraws or a new contract is signed.

"Signing another contract, huh? So, is this... yet another invitation from you, my dear Master?"

"Yes! I want to continue fighting alongside my Scathach!" Rovey answered without hesitation.

"That does sound very good, but I think it's better to stay and be your henchman... I have to go back. I'm sorry, although I don't mind continuing to be your gun, the Land of Shadows can't do without the Queen for too long, and I also have my own duties to fulfill."

Scáthach easily saw through Rovey's intention to keep her around as a henchman, smiled and shook her head, then spoke after a moment.

"This time in the mortal realm, I followed that Nightmare's advice, and meeting you this time has been incredibly lucky..."

"Merlin... um, me too."

Rovey nodded slightly.

"Then, while I still have the last bit of magic left, let's settle this with our final moves, Master."

"For this move, I will use all my current strength to try my best to complete that god-slaying strike again. You'd better be prepared."

With agile movements, Scáthach successfully escaped from the encirclement of the four angels and created some distance. She earnestly reminded Rovey in front of her, and then, just as she had said, she no longer held the magic spear with one hand, but used both hands to lift it tightly, recreating the action and scene of piercing Gilgamesh.

As it turned out, this next shot would be her final move, a final shot to bring her Holy Grail War to a perfect close.

"Are you ready, Master? Whether you run away or take the hit head-on, any method is acceptable, as long as you can survive this shot."

"Of course, I don't support your choice to run away, because without the maneuverability to match that Vimana, you have no way to escape the capture range of this move. Running away will only expose your back and then meet your death."

"So... you're determined to take me to the Land of Shadows?"

Looking at the sly smile on Scáthach's face, Rovey's expression was complicated, and he didn't know how to evaluate the situation.

"Hmph, of course, as the Queen of Warriors, I never hold back in any battle, and..."

"Master, it's not just the King of Heroes; I also yearn for your beautiful soul and want to bring it back to my kingdom to appreciate and nurture it slowly."

"You heroes are really weird... always craving other people's souls."

Rovey made a sarcastic remark.

"Say what you will, but isn't that what a king should be like—selfish?"

Scáthach smiled faintly, then said nothing more, seriously raising the magic spear in her hand, and began to continuously gather more and more powerful magic power, brewing the god-slaying spear that was about to be fired beneath her perfect body.

"I see."

As Scáthach gradually completed her movements, Rovey immediately sensed the boundless killing intent contained in her attack.

Although it may not seem as powerful as the full-force attack that pierced Gilgamesh's Spirit Core, this will still be a fateful shot that transcends cause and effect.

He knew that Scáthach was serious this time. If he couldn't resist, his soul would really be taken back to the Land of Shadows and made her his wife.

Although...

There's nothing wrong with staying with my Scathach; the Land of Shadows is a good place to retire, and I don't have to worry about being targeted by the Counter Force there, but...

My wonderful life has just begun.

The soul is shimmering with its own unique and exquisite colors.

He wouldn't be satisfied if the story ended here, so...

[High-Speed Divine Words]

He used the ancient techniques of the mythical era on himself once again, and then Rovey began his final chant, which was also the most serious chant he had ever performed.

"Every man and every woman is a star."

"—Numbers are infinite; there is no difference."

"—O shimmering Silver Star, the Circle of Reason that appears in this world, reappears here."

"—My right hand holds a silver scythe symbolizing the moon, and my left hand holds a golden scepter symbolizing the sun!!"

Although it was still daytime, a silver star twinkled faintly above their heads, and the wand in Rovey's palm gradually disappeared.

Instead, there was a phantom of a silver scythe held tightly in the right hand, and a sun scepter appearing in the left hand.

Then, an unparalleled and powerful force, along with the four Guardian Angel who had returned to defend, condensed within a few meters of him.