When Youthful Folly Led to Slaughtering a God

Gate of Babylon!

Answering the king's rage, over a hundred Noble Phantasms shot toward Duke in a sky-filling barrage, even faster and more terrifying than before. Other than the golden threads filling the air, nothing could be seen.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom—

Like a carpet bombing campaign in modern warfare, the harbor warehouse district underwent a devastating baptism. Explosions rang out one after another, and every Noble Phantasm that struck the ground produced an ear-splitting blast.

Pillars of fire soared into the sky, while billowing black smoke rose into the night and obscured the stars scattered across the horizon. Only a crescent moon remained visible.

Duke dashed through the dense pillars of fire, using short bursts to push his speed to its limit. His upper body was pressed low, like a bird skimming over water and leaving a spray in its wake.

A halberd-shaped Noble Phantasm crashed down, piercing through his chest and stabbing into the ground. The mana it carried blew the surrounding area into ruins. The pierced Duke continued running, his figure gradually fading. The next second, seven or eight more figures appeared at once, then vanished together.

Afterimages!

"What!?"

For the first time, a trace of alarm flashed through Archer's eyes. Duke, restored to his youth, was far faster than he had imagined. In only a brief moment, he had evaded the barrage of the Gate of Babylon and charged straight in front of him.

"Arrogant!"

Archer shouted and summoned a jeweled sword, slashing down at Duke. The blade was extraordinary; judging by the mana it emitted, it was definitely A+ rank.

Though Archers were best at melee combat, his martial skill was far inferior to Duke's. With a crisp clash, the sword in his hand was knocked flying.

Whoosh!

Fiery red and icy blue streaked past