Tathagata's Divine Palm!! (Continued)

The castle of the Avalon is impregnable; as long as the wielder's faith remains unwavering, it will never be breached by external forces. However, Mash, the user of the Noble Phantasm, is ultimately just a homunculus girl, and even with the blessing of the Holy Grail Knight, she still has her own limits.

Under the constant pressure of the Holy Lance, the arm holding the shield trembled incessantly, and bright red blood was oozing from the arm and fingers. Even Ritsuka behind him was swaying precariously under the impact of the Holy Lance.

However, even so, even in the face of such impact and magic, and even though the Sphinx beneath their feet was roaring and beginning to burn, their firm steps did not falter even a step, because the companions they were protecting behind them were their Avalon.

"Well done, girls..."

Witnessing what was happening before him, Rovey sighed inwardly and immediately rode the Sand Sphinx to replace the Sphinx, which was now just a skeleton, as their platform. At the same time, he gently patted Mash's back to relieve some of the pressure from the Holy Lance.

Click, click, click—!

In this final collision, cracks finally appeared in the snowflake holy city constructed of blue light, but the tip of the golden Holy Lance, like a peeled shell, began to fall layer by layer, turning into a shower of fragmented light.

Hundreds of meters above the Holy Lance, the people below gazed intently at the clash between human will and divine consciousness in the sky. They watched the rain of light shattering as it fell, silently witnessing humanity's great feat of resisting the gods. This moment had become eternal in their hearts.

"Galahad..."

The Knights of the Round Table below recited the name of the knight that existed in their memories.

Witnessing the rise of the White Chalk City after a thousand years, the Knights of the Round Table were filled with endless emotion.

Bang, bang, bang—!!!

The piercing sound still echoed in my ears.

"No, I was so close! I absolutely can't fall here!!"

The clash between the Holy City and the Holy Lance reached its final stage. Mash's body was badly damaged, the phantom of the Holy City gradually became blurred, and at this moment, only the innermost core of the Holy Lance remained, as all other power had been neutralized.

Now, the clash of physical laws is over; what remains is a battle of wills, a test of who can endure the longest.

"Absolutely, absolutely... I won't let you... hurt everyone!!"

Mash and Ritsuka rallied their spirits and persevered, making a final stand against the Holy Lance.

"That's enough."

The next moment, a gentle voice accompanied by warm magic rang in Mash and Ritsuka's ears. Then, Rovey's magic changed its flow pattern, and a light of miracles quickly enveloped their bodies and repaired them.

"Well done, girls. I was worried that my intervention might deprive you of enough training and create some hidden dangers for your future journey, but it seems I was overthinking it."

"Mash, although your holy city is not as white, cold, and solid as the walls of Camelot, the warm will to protect it is equally worthy of praise. Or rather, what Camelot's holy city is really like is no longer important to you at this moment. Cherish this moment, for this is the White Chalk City built from your heart. In the not-too-distant future, it will surely become the ideal land that responds to you."

Rovey pulled them back to their bodies, while simultaneously grasping Galahad's shield.

He believed that even if the fight continued, Mash and Ritsuka would eventually be able to defeat the Holy Lance, but the damage to them would be too great.

Their growth is now reflected in our eyes, so...

"Now it's my turn to take over."

"Galahad's Noble Phantasm, a sacred relic also guided to heaven! I know you have your own will! Whether it's Galahad's or the Round Table's, everyone, be alert now! Don't lose face in front of this girl!!"

"Now, in the name of the Child of God, I command you, Noble Phantasm —unleash it fully!!"

Like a peerless master who commands magnetic field power with his own heart, Rovey, holding his shield high, unceremoniously poured his own magic power into it, and at the same time used his identity as proof to directly communicate with the consciousness within.

No, it was less a form of communication and more a forced authentication.

However, compared to Mash, who had gone through countless hardships to gain the right to use it, his shout was indeed remarkably effective. The surface of the shield burst forth with a dazzling blue light. Although the shield's protective power was not as strong as Mash's newly activated shield, which could withstand the full power of the Holy Lance, it was still a successful release.

However, Rovey's heart was not originally one of protection; he had his own way of using the shield.

"Smash it!!"

Spinning his massive shield, Rovey mercilessly slammed the blade into the golden Holy Lance.

The pristine city, which was originally a protective fortress, was instantly transformed into a mountain that crushed the enemy.

—Click!

It was a collision that happened in an instant, a sudden clash between two different pantheons.

The next moment, a blinding explosion and the most dazzling aurora burst forth, and for a moment, those below could hardly determine what was happening high above.

In the very first round of combat, from the release of Noble Phantasm to the final clash, it lasted only half a minute, yet the overwhelming impact had already shocked both armies.

Finally, after the dust settled, they could finally make out the figures inside—

The light of the Holy Lance completely disappeared, and standing behind it with a shield half-raised on its back was a dark figure. Sitting on the back behind, two girl figures were also staring ahead, their swords pointed at Camelot.

As the Sand Sphinx landed heavily, after entrusting the somewhat weakened Ritsuka and Mash to the care of others, Rovey raised his shield and, like a frisbee, traversed the last few kilometers, slamming it down heavily towards the gate of the White Chalk City.

The spinning shield unleashed terrifying speed, its immense power like a mountain collapsing, and its terrifying impact mercilessly smashed away any powerful enemies in its path, whether they were Purification Knights or human soldiers, they were all sent flying.

In the end, even the Sun Knight guarding below the city gate did not forcefully catch the spinning shield flying towards him from the front. Instead, he watched quietly as it crashed heavily onto the city gate, then was violently blasted away and stuck in the distant wasteland.

This is a clash between two Avalon, and he has no right to stop it, nor is it necessary for him to.

All he needs to do is still eliminate the enemy in front of him.

From a great distance, the Sun Knight and the Child of God in front of him made eye contact, and then smiled at each other.

"Then, let the war begin..."

There was no deliberate announcement; it was just a casual remark from the two that officially ignited this bloody war.

On the other side of the desert battlefield.

Compared to the siege battle that had officially begun on the other side, the war here, which was responsible for clearing out the layout of Agravaine Castle, had also reached a fever pitch.

Just as expected.

Although the two sides had roughly the same number of troops, the difference in their skill level was enormous.

Most of the soldiers in City of Sand were simply conscripted by Ozymandias and were militiamen who had only been trained for a little over a month and had never experienced combat.

Compared to those Purification Knights know no pain, their flesh and blood bodies are far more fragile.

Moreover, the continuous attrition has indeed dealt a heavy blow to morale.

If it weren't for the few riders on their side Servant were able to turn the tide, this battle would have been impossible.

However, even so.

After learning from the Pharaoh that the Lion King's plan was to destroy the entire world.

These people living in the City of Sand, these people who have never been on the battlefield, are now fighting with all their might to protect their families who have been relocated to the Mountain Village.

Since they were going to die anyway, rather than sullenly waiting for death like ants in some corner, they wanted to use their own hands to create a future where their families could possibly survive.

Only...

"We can't keep fighting like this. It's too much of a loss to trade our lives for these metal shells."

After cutting down several Purification Knights, Bors and Gaheris naturally realized that something was wrong.

Although life and death are common on the battlefield, and sacrifices are necessary for victory, that is only true against equal enemies. It is absolutely not worth it to send the soldiers behind you to exchange their lives for these iron shells driven by Agravaine.

"Isn't there any other way?"

Looking at the battlefield where blood was constantly being shed and lives were being sacrificed, Gaheris felt a pang of pity, but was also extremely helpless.

They then looked together at the several dark fortresses standing directly in front of them.

Their goal this time was to breach the fortresses, disrupt Agravaine's plans, and compress the battle lines towards Camelot. However, there were seven fortresses in total, and after a night of fierce fighting, they had only managed to capture three, even with the Tawara Toda, Sanzang, and their two Servant on the main battlefield.

The army had suffered more than 25% casualties, and the Divine Beast Legion still had more than a hundred beasts left. Despite the fighting being so fierce, the army had not yet deserted. They were all quite surprised.

However, at this rate of attack, even if they breach the four fortresses behind them, the main battlefield of Camelot will be decided by then, and the remnants of their defeated army will be of no use there, which gives them a huge headache.

At the same time, everyone knows that Agravaine took advantage of this point, which is why he arranged things this way to hold them back. If they don't do anything, the Purification Knights here will go around and join Camelot's soldiers to encircle Rovey's side. If they do do something, they will have to bear the disadvantage of fighting on their home turf, trading casualties for resources, and also have several of their Servant tied up.

It's an open conspiracy, a blatant open conspiracy. Agravaine are so blatantly cunning.

This was the most intuitive thought for Gaheris and Bors at that moment.

"This, this, Amitabha..."

"What a heinous crime! What a terrible sin!"

"Stop complaining over there, give it your all! Another squad of Purification Knights is coming!"

Compared to Gaheris and Bors, who were worried about their losses, Sanzang was overwhelmed with grief as she walked on this battlefield, which was like a living hell. For a moment, she even forgot to launch an attack. Tawara Touta, who was fighting with a bag of rice on his shoulders, looked anxious and hurriedly reminded her while protecting her.

He's really had a terrible time.

He was inexplicably summoned to this Singularity that had nothing to do with him, and then he was taken in as a disciple by this strange female monk.

He thought the legendary traveler from the west would surely lead him out, but after this guy led him into the desert, they got separated. Afterwards, he could only wander around with a Heroic Spirit named Holmes, unable to find the corresponding organization at all.

Later, after receiving guidance, he searched for the lost Sanzang and ended up directly joining the war.

His trip to the Singularity felt quite strange, like an outsider who arrived and immediately started fighting, without even understanding what was going on.

Moreover, his master had an excessively compassionate heart; he never imagined that his master would perform a ritual to help others find peace on the battlefield.

However, when he thought about what his master's real name was, Tawara Touta understood.

The famous Journey to the West, also known as the Holy Mother, is said to be made for the purpose of compassion. Her careful actions in such a situation are remarkable, no wonder only the legendary Monkey King could protect her.

"Tawara Touta, how can we end this pointless war?"

During the intense battle, Sanzang suddenly asked Tawara Toda a very strange question.

"Ha?"

This question left Tawara Toda somewhat bewildered.

He entered later, and the reason he started fighting was because you were on his side.

Moreover, these Purification Knights hadn't exactly been good people before, which is why he immediately started the war. As for how he planned to end it—

"Kill all these knights, or..."

Tawara Touta looked at the few remaining dark fortresses before him, his eyes lighting up slightly. He then said in a deep voice, "Shouldn't we just destroy all these castles and let the army pass through? But that's the most difficult thing right now."

"Alright, although there are indeed some ordinary people in their troops, there are mostly these tin monsters. If you don't want to kill anyone, just leave obediently. Leave this to me!"

After finishing his conversation with Sanzang, Tawara Touta decided to ignore it.

Although the time spent together was short, fighting alongside these humans and witnessing their fearless courage still touched him deeply.

If he could, as a hero, he would also like to help these humans, but with Sanzang by his side, he felt somewhat constrained.

"No, if this continues, the casualties will undoubtedly be even greater. This is the end. This is not a battle that should be taking place."

"Of course I know this fight shouldn't have happened, but what can you do? Use Buddhist teachings to reform the tin monster? Or try to reform that Lion King?!"

Tawara Touta felt that he and monks like Sanzang were inherently incompatible.

"Amitabha..."

"Yes, that's the only way."

Without answering Tawara Touta's question, Sanzang continued to mutter to herself. Then, a resolute glint flashed in her eyes, and she suddenly spoke.

"Fujita, run forward! Towards that fortress!"

"Hmm? It doesn't matter. Enemies are everywhere, which is why you can just mess around!"

Although he didn't quite understand what Sanzang wanted to do, Tawara Touta had originally wanted to take down a castle, so he didn't hesitate to clear a path.

However, while he was running, he still made a point of asking Sanzang a question.

"Is there any strategy? Or is it simply a matter of getting closer to the soldiers inside and reasoning with them? Using Buddhist teachings to influence them?"

"Yes, it is indeed a good idea. But to reject it shows a lack of awareness."

Sanzang shook his head slightly.

"Huh? Isn't this the weird thing you love to do most? Hey! What are you going to do now? Going there alone? That castle is Magecraft defended; it's impossible to go without attacking and weakening it beforehand..."

Tawara Touta watched as Sanzang rushed headlong toward the castle gates without any regard for his safety, and hurriedly shouted.

"What am I doing? Of course, I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. All we need to do is break through these fortresses, right? After all, if things continue like this, everyone will only suffer and die, won't they?"

"According to Buddhist teachings, this is not acceptable. To be reborn in the Pure Land, one must continue to cultivate until death, and not let hatred remain in this life."

"So what exactly do you want? Even with my Noble Phantasm, it would take me three tries to open the gates of this castle; ordinary attacks are simply not enough..."

Tawara Touta wanted to pull Sanzang back, but when he saw Sanzang's calm eyes, he silently stopped.

As a legendary warrior, he naturally possessed the necessary insight, so Tawara Touta could easily see that Sanzang was undoubtedly serious this time and genuinely wanted to do something.

Therefore, she seemed to have made some kind of decision that she herself did not understand.