Chapter 519

[Editor's note: This chapter has been edited to remove content that breaks our content rules.]

“Because you cannot stand by and watch humanity be trampled, because you cannot bear to witness the end of civilization...

“That is why you stepped forward. That is why you were willing to sacrifice your own life to take me down with you.

“What a noble conviction. Having seen victims, you became their guardian—

“But have you ever considered that I, Gorgon, am the true victim?”

Shirou frowned. “What are you trying to say?”

Gorgon continued with a sneer. “Offering salvation, paying the price... Those are things only people who can still ‘get back on their feet’ think about.

“Those who have had everything stolen from them seek only a still more wretched atonement.

“What would it matter if I reclaimed my wealth or my lands?

“I have nothing left.

“Everything I loved has slipped through my hands. Everything I fought to protect has vanished from the face of the earth.

“Even I myself burned away from this world long ago.

“Now I want nothing. All that remains is my desire for revenge against humanity.

“Kill everything. Trample all things underfoot. Exterminate this entire world, and kill myself along with it.

“That is an Avenger. That is what I seek.

“Destroy Uruk. Destroy humanity. This fierce hatred of mine was humanity’s gift to me.

“Shirou... Humanity took everything from me. Am I not worthy of your sympathy?

“The malice of this world burned away everything I loved. Now that nothing remains of me but vengeance... who is supposed to protect me?”

“Mr. Shirou!” Ritsuka shouted. “Don’t let her words deceive you!”

“Silence, little girl!”

A beam shot from one of the wildly writhing snakes that formed the Demonic Beast Goddess’s hair.

The petrifying ray swept