You're the Stronger One Now!!

"Hehe... Yes, unlike the priest who has completely transcended his past, Emiya Kiritsugu is still immersed in that past, staying where he should be."

[Irisviel] chuckled softly, then tiptoed to Kirei Kotomine's side, and spoke gently.

"Make the choices he should make, answer the questions he should answer..."

"I see... I understand now."

Kirei Kotomine nodded silently, and then without warning, he punched Irisviel in the stomach.

Bang!!

With a dull thud, a large hole was blasted through Irisviel's body, but what flowed out was not blood, but a reddish-black liquid.

"As expected, they are not real humans."

"Haha, Father is so heartless and cold-blooded..."

Kirei Kotomine still didn't answer. He just said in silence, "You're torturing Emiya Kiritsugu. That man is far more desperate than you imagine. Right now, he's on the verge of collapse. If you continue making choices, he will definitely destroy himself."

"Is that how you see Kiritsugu? That's not necessarily true. What kind of path do you think he took to get here?"

Even after Kirei Kotomine suddenly pierced through her body, Irisviel still smiled and said to him, "Kiritsugu has been running all the way here. Everything in front of him has been pushing him, so Emiya Kiritsugu could only keep running and running. For him, it was a marathon that made him cough up blood. Now he has nowhere to run. In order to obtain that last remaining miracle, he has no choice but to beg it to work and give him salvation. So this time, he cannot escape, and he must make his final choice."

"You're just trying to murder him."

"... If you can't speak, you don't have to, Father."

Seeing Kirei Kotomine standing before her, unmoved by reason and unable to be disturbed by anything, Irisviel felt helpless. So she simply shook her head and pointed out a direction for Kirei Kotomine to leave.

"Forget it, you have nothing left to test now. Nothing and no tragedy can shake an enlightened being. I understand that much."

"So, you can leave directly along this path and return to the outside world. Do whatever you want. You have made your decision and choices regarding your life. The rest will belong to Emiya Kiritsugu."

"... No, I won't leave."

Hearing Irisviel's suggestion, Kirei Kotomine shook his head. "I must do the right thing. There is still a lost sheep waiting for me to save. As a priest, I cannot sit idly by and turn away, because that would not be right."

"Correct..."

Irisviel looked at Kirei Kotomine, who remained calm and unmoved, and sighed helplessly, "You're as solid as a rock. But do you think you can save him with your own strength alone?"

"I don't know, but I will do my best to give him peace."

Kirei Kotomine said very frankly.

"..."

Looking at the calm-faced person in front of her, who clearly intended to stay here, Irisviel felt somewhat helpless. After thinking for a moment, she spoke again.

"Fine, since you don't want to leave, come along with me and watch Kiritsugu's choice. After all, you were the first person I chose, and you are a qualified person. In fact, you are more suitable to be the bearer of the All the World's Evil than Emiya Kiritsugu."

"..."

Kirei Kotomine did not answer this question.

He simply stretched out his arm and let Irisviel lead him into a world even darker and more chaotic than this coastline...

Chapter Ninety-One: You're stronger now!

—The Gate of Skye (Gate oof skye)

This is the greatest Noble Phantasm that Scáthach, summoned in the Caster class, can unleash. The effect of this Noble Phantasm is to temporarily summon a massive gate leading to the vast otherworldly Land of Shadows of shadows, which is severed from the world.

All living beings within the area of effect will be sucked into the Land of Shadows Scáthach's control. Those who fail to meet the magic or luck requirements will be sucked into the gate and die instantly. Those not recognized by Scáthach are also unable to set foot in the Land of Shadows while still alive.

Even if she successfully resists using her Noble Phantasm and other magical powers, she will still suffer a lot of damage due to the rapid absorption of magical power. It is a terrifyingly powerful Noble Phantasm, and it is also one of Scáthach's hidden trump cards.

She is the warrior queen of Celts, a living god-slaying hero, and one of the most powerful figures in Human History. In terms of pure strength, even against exceptional Servant like the King of Conquerors and the King of Heroes, Scáthach, as the Queen of the Land of Shadows, would not have any fear.

Although she wasn't appearing as the original form from the Land of Shadows this time, as a Servant, her strength is top-tier. However, unfortunately, top-tier doesn't mean invincible.

As Servant, being restricted by class Master is a common problem. Even a hero like Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, who is highly functional and does not consume much magic power, is still limited by class and Master. This is especially true for Scáthach, whose class is Caster.

However, Scáthach was lucky to meet a special Master like Rovey, who was not only exceptionally talented but also had such a steady attitude that even she herself found it a bit exaggerated.

This contrasts sharply with Tokiomi Tohsaka, whom Gilgamesh encountered, which annoys the King of Heroes. Why did he have to meet Tokiomi Tohsaka instead of that interesting kid, Rovey?

Tokiomi Tohsaka is a competent Magus, but due to his mediocre talent and his treacherous intentions, the King of Heroes' strength has declined.

As for Kirei Kotomine, who was Executor but ended up becoming a halfway through his career, he is not even as good as Tokiomi Tohsaka. Although he is perfectly capable of providing for the demons, he is a limitation when it comes to fighting with his full strength.

That's why Gilgamesh offered up his Holy Grail at the last moment to save his demons—to prevent himself from being restricted by these Masters who were holding him back.

Logically speaking, Scáthach is far superior to Gilgamesh in terms of Master, and they are both top-tier Servant in terms of strength, so she shouldn't be suppressed so badly. But unfortunately, at this moment, she is in the same situation as the King of Conquerors, and her Noble Phantasm has been completely countered by the King of Heroes.

Because of the huge incompatibility issue, Scáthach had virtually no chance of winning against Gilgamesh in a life-or-death battle where she used every means at her disposal. That's why she devised a plan to trap Gilgamesh.

If Gilgamesh had been replaced by another Servant of the same rank, Scáthach wouldn't have had such a frustrating fight today. Even if Enkidu appeared here, she was confident she could have killed him in the Land of Shadows. But unfortunately, the opponent was not the Chains of Heaven, but the Heaven's Wedge.

And now things are indeed going exactly as she and Rovey predicted. As she activates her true Noble Phantasm —the Gate of Skye, Gate of Skye— the King of Heroes before her is also preparing to repeat his old tricks, once again unleashing his strongest Noble Phantasm, which destroyed the sandy world of Iskandar, King of Conquerors.

The strongest Enuma Elish Noble Phantasm in Sumerian Mythology, possessing unparalleled destructive power against any Ea Reality Marble even the entire world—Enuma Elish.

Just as its name suggests, this is the greatest source of power in Gilgamesh's hands, a sword whose function is to 'tear the world apart'.

Although Rovey didn't quite understand the divine power and principles involved, he knew that this sword possessed terrifying power output equal to, or even surpassing, that of the Excalibur in Artoria's hand.

The light that burst forth was no different from creating the world and splitting the heavens and earth, because the terrifying wind pressure faults that erupted from it could even tear the entire space into pieces. The power used was by no means the red light that could be seen in the performance, but rather the use of the fault blades of spatial collapse to crush all enemies along with the world.

Just as Gilgamesh chanted, "Around the mortar of stars, the hells of heaven are the end of creation!"

That was something from a planet that existed before the creation of the world, when it was still a hellish place.

Its true name, like that of its close friend Enkidu 'Chains of Heaven Noble Phantasm, comes from the Sumerian creation epic (Enuma Elish).

The power of this Noble Phantasm will decide the outcome of the battle. Its destructive power far surpasses that of the Excalibur, which is not fully unleashed, and is even greater than his own Demon Spear.

Scáthach realized this as soon as she drew Ea, the barrier of the entire Land of Shadows began to tremble, and cracks appeared in the entire Otherworld.

The terrifying power that the Ea in the hands of the King of Heroes could unleash was even more outrageous than the five-star bombardment sword in the hands of the Sun God. No wonder Rovey, even after possessing so many Command Seal, was unwilling to confront the King of Heroes head-on.

Because if it were a head-on collision, she would be crushed in terms of both compatibility and maximum power output.

But...

Although the Ea in the hands of the King of Heroes, Ea: The Enuma Elish, and its maximum output can destroy the distortion of space in the world, making it comparable to one of the top outputs on this planet, this does not mean that this Noble Phantasm is truly invincible.

Within this worldview, there still exists the strongest defensive means to block this power that created the world, known Anti-Purge Defense. It is a Noble Phantasm that can be released by using the power of Counter Force, and it is also a top-tier Noble Phantasm that can withstand the Enuma Elish.

Gilgamesh's close friend, Enkidu, the Chains of Heaven, was able to contend with his Enuma Elish, precisely because he possessed the concept of the Anti-Purification Noble Phantasm.

Besides these, the world also possesses the Bodhi Tree of Buddha of the Anti-Purification Noble Phantasm, the Great Temple of Radiance Rameses II's Noble Phantasm, the Paladin Galahad Knight, which, although not Anti-Purge Defense, can still withstand the Ea, or the Ideal City Shield in Matthew's hands, and... the scabbard of the Sword of Promised Victory, named Avalon.

This is also the only Anti-Purge Defense Noble Phantasm that Rovey can find and find a way to use.

Although it is the scabbard of the holy sword, it is also the gate.

Because behind it lies the Avalon of Avalon, far removed from the mundane world, possessing a real, absolute defensive domain that even the King of Heroes's Ea, capable of cleaving through the world itself, could never penetrate... an absolute defense.

At this moment, when faced with this power that created the world, it will once again unleash the strongest protective power it once possessed during the time of King Arthur.

"Oh dear, oh dear, is it finally the older brother's turn to appear again?"

In the Starry Sky, a white-clad Magus suddenly perked up his ears.

Within the barrier of the Land of Shadows, amidst the sweeping crimson storm, the previously shaky Land of Shadows suddenly stopped shaking, because Scáthach had somehow acquired a magnificent blue-gold scabbard in her hand.

She raised it high, letting the scabbard emit a faint light to neutralize the earth-shattering power.

But that's not enough.

Although it is Avalon, it is not a fully unfolded Avalon, so it still cannot unleash the strongest protective power in mythology that isolates all harm.

"This is... Avalon?"

Gilgamesh was unleashing his Noble Phantasm in mid-air, clearly recognized the blue-gold scabbard in Scáthach's hand, and his crimson eyes immediately turned serious. However, seeing the dim light on its surface, he quickly discerned its state thanks to his excellent eyesight.

"Hahahaha!! Queen of the Land of Shadows, is this your last resort? You think a mere, undeveloped Avalon can withstand my Noble Phantasm? How naive!"

"You are neither King Arthur nor an idealist. On the contrary, burdened by sin, you can never reach the Avalon and are completely incapable of using Avalon! So, you and your Master, clinging to that last shred of hope, will be annihilated by my Noble Phantasm in one fell swoop!!"

"Let your death settle everything!"

"Enuma—— Elish!!!"

Knowing that something was wrong, Gilgamesh did not hesitate at all. After chanting the release spell of Ea at its maximum power, the red light in his hand became even more dazzling, and the fierce wind that erupted was several times larger than before. He was obviously preparing to decide the outcome of this battle in one fell swoop.

"Yes, Avalon, which cannot be fully liberated, is indeed unable to withstand the attack of the King of Heroes. So... what about the Avalon after liberation?"

Facing the crimson storm sweeping towards her, Scáthach was not afraid. Instead, she used Magecraft to transmit her voice to Gilgamesh's ears.

"What?! Could it be..."

Scáthach's words successfully made Gilgamesh's eyes widen slightly.

Then, as if he had thought of something, he quickly turned his head and looked sharply at Rovey, who was standing behind Scáthach.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Merlin."

'No problem.'

At this moment, Rovey had recovered somewhat, and many flowers began to grow spontaneously around him. His thoughts had resonated with a partner he had arranged to meet in advance.

Then, countless pale pink flowers began to drift and swirl in the sky above the Land of Shadows, covering the gloomy sky above the Land of Shadows. The originally barren land beneath his feet also began to gradually become illusory because of his magic and movements, and countless petals began to spread outward from him, quickly covering every patch of dark land.

In an instant, a dazzling sea of stars fell from the sky, and endless flowers bloomed on the other side of the Land of Shadows.

"This, this is... Oh no!!"

Gilgamesh clearly realized who was behind this and suddenly realized something was wrong, but by then it was too late.

Because the release of Ea is irreversible, he has already completed the incantation of his Noble Phantasm, and this final strike must be delivered; he cannot stop midway.

"How beautiful... My Land of Shadows is actually blooming with flowers?"

Watching the petals fluttering in the air, and seeing how the once lifeless and bloodthirsty other side had transformed into a paradise for elves, even Scáthach's eyes couldn't help but flicker with a few special emotions.

Then...

Standing in the center of the park, Rovey remained composed and began waving his wand. His figure gradually overlapped with that of a white-clad Magus; their movements were perfectly synchronized, and then they began chanting together.

"The Starry Sky, the Lookout Tower."

"From a corner of paradise, I tell you that your story is full of happiness."

"A paradise accessible only to the innocent, open to the world—"

"The Garden of Avalon, Garden of Avalon!!"

As the wand was raised and swung high, countless petals swept out, rushing straight towards Gilgamesh in the sky, surrounding him and obscuring his vision. At this final moment, the scabbard of Scáthach's sword erupted with an incredibly dazzling light. Then, with the combined chanting of Rovey and Merlin, this legendary ideal land truly opened once more, and this time, the location wasn't Britannia as expected, but the Land of Shadows, opening within the Land of Shadows.

A beam of light reached the heavens, connecting the other side of the Elf Land. Behind the dazzling light, the figures of elves playing could be seen. Just as the legends say, this light successfully isolated all harm and gave the one it protected the strongest defense.

—Buzzing!

A crimson storm crashed down, carrying a destructive force that seemed intent on tearing everything apart. However, protected by the colorful light, the original scarlet power, capable of destroying everything, vanished without a trace the instant it came into contact with the light, dissolving before everyone's eyes, like sugar dissolving in water.

"...legend,"

At that moment, Gilgamesh had just dispersed the flower petals, raised his hand to block the wind pressure rebounding from the Ea. He stared blankly at the miracle unfolding before him, a look of shock flashing across his face for a fleeting instant, before slowly speaking.

"The ideal land that a certain king reached after his death... Is that it! The strongest holy sword in legend, the strongest part is never the sword itself, but the scabbard? An absolute defense that even the Five Great Magics cannot penetrate, is this your trump card? You... no, Rovey Crowley."

"And that was Merlin's power just now? I see, I see... I never imagined that he was involved in this matter..."

Seeing that the Ea was blocked, Gilgamesh realized what had happened.

He also understood the power of the legendary sword sheath, Avalon. To be honest, when Emiya Kiritsugu wielded this Noble Phantasm, he was practically immortal. However, even so, this application was only the tip of the iceberg of the Noble Phantasm; it was merely the most rudimentary use.

No, he couldn't use the other usage even if he wanted to, because he wasn't an innocent person and had no right to enter the legendary ideal land.

Avalon's scabbard can only unleash its full power in the hands of the true chosen one, the chosen one, the king of destiny, the one of oath and victory, and the eternal king, Artoria Pendragon. Only then can it unleash the truly miraculous power of Avalon, the ideal land, a power even capable of withstanding the legendary Ea that could cleave the world.

Similarly, neither Rovey nor Scáthach were qualified to unleash the power of Avalon, so Rovey originally planned to bring the King of Knights on board to take down the King of Heroes.

However, a certain Magus of Flowers told him that there was no need for such trouble; just because others couldn't open it didn't mean he couldn't.

Indeed, only the souls of the innocent can activate Avalon, but your special soul can do the same. On the contrary, you, who come from outside the world, do not possess any of the Original Sin of this world. Your soul is incomparable and irreplaceable, and your status is extremely high. Avalon cannot judge or stop you. With just a little help from me, activating this Noble Phantasm will be an easy matter.

That's why this scene unfolded before Gilgamesh's astonished eyes.

"Damn it!! How far will you damned bastards go before you stop?! Even though I've given it my all, is this how I'm supposed to end up?!"