Chapter 636
Over Snowfield.
Nearly 10,000 meters above the ground, a gigantic spaceship floats as if out of reality.
It employs concealment techniques (illusions) that surpass modern Magecraft, so much so that even the Watcher might not be aware of its existence.
The interior of the spaceship was dark, and the numerous barriers stacked on the space made its actual internal volume far exceed the size of the spaceship as seen from the outside.
Francesca, the owner of the Magecraft workshop, sits on a large, adorable Lolita-style bed, watching the battlefield unfold through a crystal ball.
"Oh, really! This is so unexpected! Utterly unexpected! I never thought the Avengers, on whom so many hopes were pinned, would lose!"
But it's precisely because things like this happen that life is so irresistible! How delightful! Ahahahahaha!
Francesca put down the popcorn bucket and burst into laughter.
"Honestly, why did these people start fighting?"
They had originally planned to use illusions to create misunderstandings and accelerate the Holy Grail War, but they unexpectedly became friends so naturally!
You two just don't like each other and are looking for a chance to beat each other up, right? Hahaha! Hahahaha! Hahahaha!
Ugh, ugh, I can't take it anymore! This is so amazing! Oh no, my bile ducts and spleen are going to twist!
Francesca lay on her back, kicking her legs vigorously, a genuine smile on her face.
Just then, a new figure appeared on the crystal ball—
That was a knight dressed in modern clothes standing before Shirou Amamiya, who had just defeated Rider Hippolyta.
Saber, Richard I and his Master Sajyou Ayaka.
"Oh! That's... Lionheart King has joined the battle too!!"
Francesca's eyes widened with excitement.
Even from tens of kilometers away, she could feel the fighting spirit emanating from Saber—unreservedly pressing towards Shirou.
"This... this... is this a revenge war? The second one! King Arthur vs. Lionheart King, the war begins!!!"
A dazed smile appeared on Francesca's face.
Richard I formed an alliance with Enkidu shortly after the Holy Grail War began, and now that Shirou and Ishtar's alliance is at war with Enkidu, it's not surprising that he would come to help.
Come on, come on! Let more dead appear! Let's all let more souls flow into the "hole"!
Something feels off...
Francesca's Servant, or rather, her own Servant —the young Prelati— muttered to himself as he popped a high-end brand of truffle chocolate into his mouth.
"Isn't everything going a little too smoothly?"
"It seems the goddess's faction is eager to eliminate any obstacles before Gugalanna arrives."
"But I didn't expect Saber to come too. I thought he would at least ask about the situation first, after all, the other party is his favorite King Arthur."
"Didn't I tell you? These guys are just looking for an excuse to fight."
Francesca said with a smile, "You should all thank me for providing you with such a grand stage where you can do whatever you want."
"Once today's battle is over, let's do the cleanup."
"That's true. To make this fake Holy Grail War more exciting, the contestants' efforts alone aren't enough; the organizers (the shady side) also need to step up their game!"
The two teenagers were exchanging words, seemingly with some kind of ulterior motive.
Although it appears to be a young man, writhing inside its container are dark, visceral organs that can only be described as those of a monster.
Francesca was completely absorbed in watching the battle unfold on the crystal ball, unaware that an uninvited guest was about to visit her workshop.
"Oh! I found it! Sorry, are you busy? Did I come at the wrong time?"
Richard I walked through the battlefield ravaged by Hydra and stopped somewhere.
"It's okay, I just finished here too."
Shirou turned his gaze away from Rider's dissipating spirit particles and towards Richard I.
"..."
Shirou noticed that Saber's entire demeanor was completely different from before.
This is a change that cannot be reflected in specific numerical values; only Shirou, who has experience in the Holy Grail War, can clearly perceive it.
The Master and Servant, who were originally on tense terms, now share a common goal, which is why they feel this way.
"You've become stronger, is it because of Ayaka?"
Richard I and Sajyou Ayaka exchanged a glance before answering.
"Yes, Ayaka has decided to take on the responsibilities of Master."
"That's not surprising," Shirou muttered to himself.
He had already realized the true nature of the girl "Sajyou Ayaka".
I'm afraid—no, I'm certain.
Sajyou Ayaka's true identity is the three Mana Core that Kenshinnes brought to Fuyuki City during the Fourth Holy Grail War.
Born in the distant past, as A Drop of the Star, possessing a life form that resembles but is not quite the same as gods and spirits.
In the beginning, "it" may have also had the appearance of some kind of creature.
However, throughout history, Magecraft have fought countless battles to obtain "it," and "it" has also perished in the battles, turning back into an amorphous Magic Lump.
Rebirth, melting, rebirth, shattering, rebirth, flattening, rebirth—later, "it" stopped caring about its own form.
The person who eventually obtained "it" was El-Melloi's ancestor.
Magecraft recognized its danger and cut it into three parts, which were passed down as the family's supreme ceremonial attire.
Until Kenshinnes's generation, the child prodigy chose to replace "it" with his own self-made Mercury Mystic Code, which became the new Supreme Mystic Code.
Then the year was 1994.
In Shirou's world, "it" was stolen and preserved by Shirou.
But in this world, Kenshinnes unexpectedly died in battle in the far east, and "It," which was taken there with him, also disappeared without a trace.
I never expected "it" to appear in a place like this...
Of course, it's not a coincidence.
It was Ishtar who ordered her to come to United States; even the guys who convened the Holy Grail War didn't know Sajyou Ayaka's background.
Shirou didn't know what "it" had gone through to become human-like and even forget what it was.
But--
You seem to be really enjoying yourself.
"Huh?"
Sajyou Ayaka's eyes widened slightly; she hadn't expected Shirou to initiate a conversation with her.
"Enjoying it? Me?"
"Yes."
"No... isn't this okay?"
"Of course not. Rather, I'm glad you're enjoying life so much."
I sincerely hope you will continue to stay true to yourself in the future.
"..."
Sajyou Ayaka frowned slightly. At that moment, Saber took a deep breath and then loudly proclaimed.
"King Arthur! Please allow me to request the War of Renewal!"
I lost to you in the previous battle; that is an indisputable fact.
I don't want to blame Ayaka for the defeat; it has nothing to do with my Master, it's entirely my responsibility..."
"... Saber."
"Listen to me."
Richard I gestured to Sajyou Ayaka with his eyes to remain quiet for the time being.
"Our idol, King of Knights Arthur Pendragon."
Perhaps in your eyes, I am utterly defeated yet still clinging on, which is a disgrace to the name of a knight.
But even so, even if it's considered beneath the chivalrous spirit, I—"
"Sure."
Shirou interrupted Lionheart King: "Although I'm in a hurry right now, I won't refuse if you want to take on the challenge."
This is fan service; I'm happy to oblige as many times as you want to try.
"Oh... oh! Really? Thank you so much, then let's not delay..."
Richard I reached for the hilt of his sword, but Shirou stopped him.
"Before we begin, I have a question—Saber, what is your reason for desiring the Holy Grail?"
After hearing this question, the Saber hesitated for a moment before speaking:
"The reason for yearning for the Holy Grail... I don't even understand it myself."
"Wait! What do you mean? Wasn't it because you wanted to make a wish to the Holy Grail that you were summoned?" Sajyou Ayaka asked in surprise.
Richard I nodded. "Logically, that should be the case, but in truth, when I was summoned, I didn't know why I longed for the Holy Grail..."
In a special place that Magecraft call a "seat," not only space, but also time and world lines are blurred.
Perhaps in the future, or when I am summoned elsewhere, I will develop a reason to desire the Holy Grail; at least, I don't have that memory when I was summoned."
Aren't you interested in the Holy Grail?
"Um... would it be rude of me to say I'm not interested?"
Richard I observed Shirou's expression and offered his explanation.
"No, no, no! Of course I want the Holy Grail! Don't be angry! After all, it's the Holy Grail that the great King Arthur sought during his lifetime!"
As someone who reveres King Arthur, I absolutely wanted to obtain it myself and place it at your tomb as an offering, but—"
Saber stared at Shirou's face and smiled.
"Although we've only met once, I have a vague feeling... that you've already obtained the Holy Grail, haven't you?"
"..."
Shirou also smiled with satisfaction.
No wonder he's the man who claims to have been chasing after the phantom of King Arthur throughout his life; nothing can be hidden from him.
"... Therefore, my goal this time is absolutely not to offer the Holy Grail to my idolized King Arthur, but quite the opposite."
Richard I drew the mass-produced holy sword he had received from Shirou and solemnly declared.
"I must express my gratitude to God and the Holy Grail... for granting me the opportunity to fight the King of Knights I admire."
I will challenge you, Arthur Pendragon, whom I know nothing of!
"Hmm... come on."
Shirou waved, and at the same time, Saber vanished from her spot.
His speed was beyond imagination, clearly even faster than before.
Richard I knew very well that he could not win a firepower contest against Shirou, so he chose to play to his greatest advantage, which was speed.
Accelerating oneself to a level that Shirou's Projection could not catch up with was not enough; one had to reach an even higher level.
"----" The Ever-Distant Sword of Victory (Excalibur)!"
Richard I unleashed his Noble Phantasm while running, unleashing a slash from his sword that transformed into a massive band of light.
However, Shirou remained unmoved. He simply waved his hand, and a pale pillar of light appeared before him. The golden light band collided with the pale pillar of light, and then the mist dissipated.