The Death of Amakusa Shirou

--it's a pity.

At the same time, a very ulterior motive suddenly popped into my head:

I'm really curious to see what that guy's expression will be when he finds out he's going to die.

"Honestly, if you guys could have arrived earlier, I wouldn't have had to go through all this trouble."

In the corridor, among Wang Xiaoming and his group heading towards the Greater Grail at the end, Mordred suddenly complained.

Although Lily's treatment has helped her recover most of her health, she is still somewhat unsteady on her feet due to the lingering effects of the toxins.

"Saber, if you hadn't acted on your own, why would we have gone through all this trouble?"

Ruler was furious when Mordred dared to bring it up again.

The group had already decided on how to deal with the Semiramis at the previous battle meeting.

Lily's [Poison Resistance] skill completely counters the poisons used by the Empress. Under these circumstances, Ruler and Mordred could easily defeat Semiramis with their combined power.

However, Mordred, who arrived at the battlefield first, disobeyed orders and went to fight Semiramis one-on-one.

So when Wang Xiaoming and his group finally found Mordred after reuniting with Ruler and Jack the Ripper, the first thing they saw was Mordred being bullied so badly.

If it weren't for the concern that their sudden entry into the battlefield would provoke Semiramis's murderous intent and endanger Mordred's safety, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths to distract Semiramis and then have Jack the Ripper infiltrate to carry out the assassination.

"Well, anyway, once we took that guy down, we achieved our goal... right...?"

Faced with Ruler, who had already launched into a lecturing mode, Mordred subconsciously felt a little guilty.

The next second--

The sudden tremor from beneath their feet drew everyone's attention.

"What's wrong?"

"It must be because of the Empress's death that this garden, as her Noble Phantasm, has begun to collapse."

With the departure of the Semiramis, the Nebuchadnezzar II Noble Phantasm, deprived of its magical energy supply, began to crumble. Fortunately, this aerial fortress was constructed of tangible matter, so even if its master disappeared, the materials that made up the garden would not vanish. If this garden were the true Hanging Gardens of Babylon possessed by Nebuchadnezzar II, it might have been completely restored to magical energy. However, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon possessed by Sella was ultimately only established as Noble Phantasm by utilizing the faith of numerous misunderstanding followers, and was not the original. It was precisely because of this that it avoided complete collapse.

We need to hurry--

Although the building can still hold up for now, it's only a matter of time before it completely collapses.

If the problem of the [Greater Grail] isn't resolved before the courtyard completely collapses...

Feeling a sense of urgency, the group quickened their pace once more.

The heavy doors ahead blocked their view and path, and those who stopped could clearly sense the immense magical energy fluctuations and the aura of the Servant emanating from the other side of the doors.

At this moment, only one person from the Red Faction was able to stand inside.

In other words, the final battle is about to begin.

"What are you dawdling about? If we just take down that guy in the house, the Greater Grail will be ours!"

Completely disregarding the atmosphere, Mordred swaggered out of the group and flung open the door in front of them. Before them lay a vast space, as Serenity and solemn as the interior of a sanctuary, and Amakusa Shirou standing beneath the Greater Grail, smiling at them.

"Although this is somewhat unexpected, welcome, [Black] team. Your next opponent is me."

Let's see if we can make it up today.

Also, the next chapter will conclude the Fate/Apocrypha storyline.

Chapter 288. The Death of Amakusa Shirou

"Ah, it seems I really overestimated myself."

Amakusa Shirou lay on the ground in a somewhat disheveled state. Even with his hands bound by a spell, the smile on his face remained as bright and mischievous as ever.

Facing the Servant Mordred and Ruler, along with Wang Xiaoming watching while holding Jack the Ripper, even though he had connected to the Greater Grail through his Noble Phantasm Right Hand - Evil Eater and Left Hand - Xanadu Matrix, the difference in the size and number of their Spirit Origin meant that Amakusa Shirou was powerless to fight back. He was easily defeated by Servant Jeanne d'Arc and Mordred.

"... Fortunately, it hasn't been started yet."

After dealing with Amakusa Shirou, the "troublemaker," Jeanne d'Arc breathed a sigh of relief as she quickly ascertained the current state of the [Greater Grail]. Although the souls and magical power stored within the [Greater Grail] were sufficient to grant wishes, it was currently in a stable standby state.

Jeanne d'Arc glanced in surprise at Amakusa Shirou lying on the ground behind her. Based on her impression of him from her brief one or two encounters, Amakusa Shirou should have been willing to do anything to achieve his wishes.

"Amakusa Shirou, have you given up on that unrealistic wish?"

Of course not.

Amakusa Shirou answered Jeanne d'Arc's question with a very firm tone, but the next second, his expression turned to helplessness.

The Great Holy Grail War is not yet completely over. Forcibly activating the Greater Grail now would require more time. And my grand ambition of [saving humanity] needs even more time. But right now... the crumbling Hanging Gardens of Babylon and Semiramis's vanished aura...

"Really... she's already left."

Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, this man who always harbored ambitions, lowered his eyes, which were always fixed on the future, for once. Under the illusory light and shadow of the Greater Grail, the man's face was indistinct and blurry. He stood there, his eyelids lowered, silent as if about to fall asleep, or focused as if in deep prayer.

It had been such a long time, so long that even Amakusa Shirou Tokisada felt a little tired at this moment.

Time has never left its mark on this young man's body; it has only flowed silently toward the future.

Sadness or pain, whether it should have been or shouldn't have been, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada cast them all into the long river of time. Only the unwavering belief in "saving humanity" sustained him as he walked and moved forward...

But time was so short, from everything being ready to the last card being played.

For Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, defeat came so fiercely and unexpectedly, as if mocking his struggles and criticizing his misunderstood dreams.

Although bitter;

Although there was resentment;

Although there was resentment;

But that was only for a moment.

Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, this man had abandoned these emotions that a human being should have, or that a saint should not have, ever since that Holy Grail War.

In this life, this body lives only to [save humanity], even if it is a spirit of the past.

So even if we fail this time, it's just this one failure.

He still has a chance, and he still has time to wait.

Therefore--

"You are the victors of this war, so go and claim your [rewards] with your heads held high."

Even in the face of defeat, Amakusa Shirou showed no sign of regret. And everyone's attention turned to the Root of this great battle, the [Greater Grail], following his words.

The [Greater Grail] emitted a bluish-white light, and immense magical power continuously surged from it, its peculiar rhythm remarkably similar to the heartbeat of a fetus.

--It was this thing that led them into this brutal war. And now, the [omnipotent wish-granting machine] was right before their eyes... But Jeanne d'Arc's next words were like a bucket of cold water poured over them:

"Everyone, since the Great Holy Grail War is not yet over, the [Greater Grail], having not absorbed enough Servant souls, is still in standby mode. So, I apologize..."

Jeanne d'Arc's helpless expression seemed genuine. They didn't have Noble Phantasm like Amakusa Shirou's that could directly cheat and forcibly activate the Greater Grail. Although they wanted to wait until the others finished their battle, the increasingly severe collapse of the Sky Garden clearly denied them that option.

"I can help with this."

Just then, Lily's voice suddenly rang out. "If it's just a matter of modifying the spell, it will take very little time."

"Huh, is that even possible?"

"Yes, although it's a bit complicated, it's all very simple techniques that can be solved after just one look."

"Wow... that's amazing..."

The French village girl, who had never been exposed to any Magecraft in her lifetime, was utterly shocked by Lily's words.

"But that requires your permission first, Ruler."

As an obedient and good child, Lily had to get Joan's permission first, even in Jeanne d'Arc's presence.

"Then, in the name of Ruler, [Red] Caster, please activate the Greater Grail."

The Command Spell held by Jeanne d'Arc d'Arc took effect, and Lily, whose body was filled with magic, turned her head and focused her gaze on Wang Xiaoming.

"Come on."

"Um!"

Encouraged by her Master, Lily raised her wand with renewed vigor.

Although Lily's intervention greatly shortened the activation time of the Greater Grail, it still ultimately takes time.

Mordred, who was watching this scene with utter boredom, yawned. Then he suddenly noticed that Wang Xiaoming was walking towards Amakusa Shirou. Out of curiosity and boredom, Mordred naturally followed him.

Just as I got closer, I heard Wang Xiaoming asking Amakusa Shirou a question:

"Amakusa, you just said you wouldn't give up on your dream, right?"

"Ah, of course."

"Is that so? Then I'm sorry."

The spear that suddenly appeared pierced Amakusa's throat without any resistance.

"Huh, you just dealt with him like that?"

Mordred had originally intended to just watch the drama unfold, approached Wang Xiaoming and asked him in surprise.

"Otherwise, why would we keep it for the New Year?"

After putting the gun away, and looking at Amakusa Shirou's pupils gradually losing their luster, Wang Xiaoming remained silent for a while before suddenly saying, "He didn't really do anything wrong; it's just a difference in perspective."

"Yes, you're right."

Regardless of whether he understood or not, Mordred nodded in agreement.

On other battlefields, Amakusa Shirou's death triggered a chain reaction, like dominoes falling.

Clang!

Outside the crumbling Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the two Archers who were fighting stopped simultaneously.

Amakusa Shirou is dead.

"..."

Shirou relayed the real-time information he had received from Mordred, but received no response.

"Looks like you already knew."

As the acting Master of the Red Faction, his death also signifies the cessation of the mana supply, and the other side has no reason not to know this.

Seeing Atalanta's silence, Shirou sheathed his weapon and turned to leave, but then he heard an angry voice behind him:

"Archer, are you looking down on me? Even without a supply of magic, I..."

"But why should I fight you?"

Shirou turned around, somewhat surprised, and asked in return:

"My only purpose was to keep you occupied, and now that's done. Besides, you have no reason to fight for Amakusa Shirou, do you?"

"I..."

"Alright, instead of fighting me, you, with your [Independent Action] ability, might as well wander around while you're still here."

Faced with Atalanta, Shirou waved his hand and vanished in a burst of spiritual energy, but before leaving, he uttered a cryptic remark:

"But speaking of which, it seems like this Greater Grail can grant more than one wish..."

"..."

After hearing Shirou's words, Atalanta stood there stunned for a moment, then gritted her teeth and followed.

"[Brahma, curse my body! (Brahmastra kundala)]!"

"[Fantasy Greatsword: Balmung]!"

There was not enough distance between us. The light from the Noble Phantasm clashing at point-blank range once again illuminated the night sky.

The two sides had no idea how long the battle had lasted, but they knew that this was the final blow that would determine the victor.