Arc 11Chapters 252–277

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Chapters 252–277 Vol. 3 Read

Ch. 252O Brahma, Curse My Body

Roland used Rin Tohsaka and Bazett as hostages to force Saber, Scáthach, and Karna into a battle, then challenged the three Servants to endure one attack. His Crystal Wall overwhelmed their combined defense, and Karna unleashed his Noble Phantasm as Roland’s attack turned into a devastating force.

  • Roland revealed that he had captured both Rin Tohsaka and Bazett, then taunted Saber by repeatedly making Rin appear to fall into a shadow vortex.
  • Karna attacked Rin with Heat Vision, but Roland intercepted it with Electrifying Eyes and pierced Karna’s heart; Karna survived by restoring himself with crimson flames.
  • Roland offered to spare the Masters if the Servants endured one attack without evading, and Saber accepted the terms despite her anger.
  • Roland released a blood-red Crystal Wall that withstood the combined assault of Saber, Scáthach, and Karna without a ripple.
  • The Crystal Wall reversed into a crushing force, and Karna moved first, invoking “O Brahma, curse my body!” as his golden-red flames collided with Roland’s attack.

Ch. 253This Master was ridiculously strong yet overly cautious

Roland overwhelmed Saber, Karna, and Scáthach in battle, then let them withdraw while Francesca prepared for the Beast Goddess’s arrival. After Solomon used the Greater Grail to monitor the Leylines, he confirmed Roland’s suspicion that another divine spirit had manifested through possession.

  • Roland’s inverted Divine Purification Light clashed with the Noble Phantasms of Saber, Karna, and Scáthach, leaving Central Park and the surrounding streets reduced to a vast crater.
  • Karna and Scáthach accepted defeat and withdrew, while Roland warned Saber to comfort her Master and then departed; Saber was left worrying about the battles ahead and her lack of power.
  • Francesca discussed Leyline preparations with the King of the Sun, then eagerly welcomed the arriving Beast Goddess.
  • Solomon assessed the known Servants for Roland and reported that the two remaining unknown Servants included a Ruler, presumably a modern-era saint.
  • Solomon revealed that the Holy Grail’s view of the Leylines had confirmed another divine spirit had manifested through possession.

Ch. 254Goddess of love

Caren and Jeanne assessed the devastation from the Shinjuku Gas Explosion and decided to raise money to help its victims, with Caren persuading Jeanne to wear a revealing missionary outfit. Meanwhile, Rin Tohsaka planned to find Sakura and urge her to withdraw from the war, but a mysterious goddess appeared and revealed herself as Sakura’s Servant.

  • Caren and Jeanne saw news of the Shinjuku Gas Explosion and recognized the scale of destruction caused during the Holy Grail War’s first night.
  • Caren explained that their finances were strained by Jeanne’s need to eat and proposed missionary work to earn money for disaster victims.
  • Caren persuaded Jeanne to consider wearing stockings and garters by appealing to her desire to help people displaced by the battle.
  • Rin Tohsaka decided to find Sakura and persuade her to withdraw from the Holy Grail War before the next battle.
  • A mysterious silver-haired girl trapped Rin Tohsaka with her power and introduced herself as Sakura Matou’s Servant, a goddess who wielded authority over love.

Ch. 255Artoria Alter

Kama revealed that Sakura Matou had willingly summoned her to fulfill a wish, then subdued Rin Tohsaka and took control of her Contract with Saber. Kama used her Command Spells and a mass of souls to transform Saber into Artoria Alter, who stood at her side as Kama prepared to confront the humans.

  • Kama told Rin Tohsaka that Sakura Matou had chosen to become her vessel and that Sakura resented Rin for their unequal childhoods, though she did not blame her.
  • Kama overcame Rin's resistance, left her unconscious, and took ownership of Saber through Rin's Command Spells.
  • Saber attacked Kama to protect Rin, but Kama stopped her with a Command Spell that exposed her buried regrets and memories.
  • Kama ordered Saber to accept her true nature and fed her a mass of souls, transforming her clothing and Sacred Sword into dark forms.
  • Saber emerged with cold, dragon-like golden eyes, and Kama named her Artoria Alter before inviting her to help trample humanity.

Ch. 256Sajyou Manaka and Roland

Roland met Sajyou Manaka in a flower-filled park, accepted her confession, and agreed to marry her. As they prepared to leave together, a red projectile suddenly shot toward them from the darkness.

  • Roland rested in a sealed-off Shinjuku park and recognized that Sajyou Manaka might be responsible for a nearby surge of power.
  • Sajyou Manaka appeared beside Roland, gave him a lap pillow, and introduced herself.
  • Sajyou Manaka confessed that she wanted to become Roland's wife, and Roland accepted her proposal.
  • Sajyou Manaka revealed that she had entered the Holy Grail War as its administrator and killed intruders who threatened Roland's plans.
  • Roland agreed to obtain a marriage certificate with Sajyou Manaka, and they rose to leave together.
  • Sajyou Manaka noticed something in the darkness just before a red streak shot toward them.

Ch. 257The descent of the Land of Shadows

Sajyou Manaka interrupted Scáthach’s attack on Roland, then withdrew after Roland calmed her and granted her a kiss. Scáthach challenged Roland for the chance to fulfill her wish, and when he overwhelmed her in combat, she summoned the Land of Shadows to begin their second round.

  • Scáthach attacked Roland with Gáe Bolg Alternative, but Sajyou Manaka caught the spear and erased its effects.
  • Sajyou Manaka argued with Scáthach over Roland, then left after he told her not to interfere and kissed her as a reward.
  • Scáthach offered herself to Roland if he would fulfill her wish, and Roland agreed to fight her.
  • Scáthach opened with a True Name Release, but Roland caught one spear and kicked her through several walls, shattering her Spirit Core.
  • Scáthach revealed that Runes had preserved her undying nature and summoned the Gate of the Land of Shadows, bringing the death-filled demon realm down on Roland.

Ch. 258Scáthach staked everything

Scáthach replaced Shinjuku with the true Land of Shadows and staked its limited lifespan on a final battle with Roland. After she unleashed her full technique, Roland caught her spears and prepared a devastating counterattack, leaving the fight unresolved.

  • Scáthach transformed Shinjuku into the Land of Shadows, creating a battlefield that would last about 251 seconds.
  • Scáthach restored her true power and charged Roland with a rain of Magic Spears as the realm fully descended.
  • Roland answered with overwhelming flames that lit the Land of Shadows and became visible across Tokyo.
  • Scáthach launched a mortal strike, using her perfected spearmanship to lock onto Roland and attack his throat.
  • Roland caught Scáthach's spears, halted her movement, and unleashed a radiant attack that swept across the Land of Shadows.

Ch. 259The approaching Ultimate Darkness

Roland unleashed his full power against Scáthach, shattering the Land of Shadows, but she survived by merging more deeply with the Reverse Side of the World and demanded a final fight. Roland revealed that he had already decided the outcome, as his Familiars spread through the ruined realm ahead of the approaching Ultimate Darkness.

  • Scáthach recovered from Roland’s attack through the Land of Shadows’ deathly energy and explained that she could not die because her authority over death had become part of her.
  • Roland rejected Scáthach’s advice about battle purity and transformed his AT Field into a destructive power that devastated the Land of Shadows.
  • Scáthach survived the destruction by relying on the Land of Shadows’ existence on the Reverse Side of the World and challenged Roland to a final fight to the death.
  • Roland said the outcome had been decided when he shattered the Land of Shadows, and Scáthach saw his Familiars marching through the ruins as the Ultimate Darkness approached.

Ch. 260Queen of the Shadow Realm

Roland overwhelmed Scáthach by replacing her Land of Shadows with his own Shadow Realm, then defeated her in their final clash. He spared her and named her the queen of the Shadow Realm, leaving their new bond established.

  • Roland eroded the Land of Shadows and created a Shadow Realm that treated him as its master.
  • Scáthach recognized Roland's plan to pursue transcendence through both her power and other terminal devices, then challenged him with a spear thrust carrying the force of her life’s experience.
  • Roland absorbed Scáthach's attack into the Shadow Realm and defeated her as her strength ran out.
  • Scáthach awoke alive after the battle and asked Roland what he intended to do with her.
  • Roland named Scáthach the queen of the Shadow Realm.

Ch. 262A plot against the Counter Force

Roland made Scáthach queen of the Shadow Realm and revealed his plans to challenge the Counter Force, then turned to face another enemy. Meanwhile, Kama trapped Karna and prepared to kill him with her Saber, only to discover that Saber had vanished.

  • Roland offered Scáthach authority over the Shadow Realm, and she accepted his rule and pledged her spear to him.
  • Roland explained that he planned to overcome the Counter Force, possibly by becoming the god of a New World, and said he would test his approach against another Beast.
  • Scáthach kissed Roland before her Spirit Origin returned to the Holy Grail, and Roland sensed a familiar figure and announced that he would begin round two.
  • Karna followed an unfamiliar presence into an Imaginary Space, where Kama tried to recruit him and then threatened to eliminate him.
  • Kama summoned her supposed support to defeat Karna, but when no one appeared, she realized her Saber had disappeared.

Ch. 263Excalibur Morgan!

Blackened Artoria emerged from her Barrier only to be trapped by Roland, who challenged her to demonstrate her strength. After she unleashed Excalibur Morgan, Roland revealed his own Sword of the Star and cut through her attack, leaving her stunned by his power and identity.

  • Artoria sensed the signal and burst through her Barrier, but an Otherworld Transformation surrounded her in darkness.
  • Roland appeared and rejected Artoria's offer to serve him in exchange for the Holy Grail, promising to reveal a truth if she proved her strength.
  • Artoria attacked Roland with her demonic sword and powerful strikes, but he stopped her charge and countered her blows with ease.
  • Artoria unleashed Excalibur Morgan at full power, sending a torrent of destructive darkness toward Roland.
  • Roland summoned a Sword of the Star and cleaved Artoria's attack apart with a wave of light.

Ch. 264Aestus Estus, the Sword of the Star

Roland tested Aestus Estus against Saber, whose Excalibur Morgan nearly destroyed her despite Avalon sustaining her. He discovered that Aestus Estus could absorb and unite sacred power with primordial curse energy, then offered King Arthur a deal promising happiness for everything she cared about.

  • Saber interrupted her Noble Phantasm to evade Roland's Aestus Estus, but the sword struck her and left her gravely wounded.
  • Roland identified Aestus Estus as a Sword of the Star and battled Saber as she charged him and unleashed Excalibur Morgan at close range.
  • Saber survived the blast through Avalon and her Dragon Factor, then demanded that Roland explain the truth behind the Holy Grail War.
  • When Roland attacked in earnest, Saber chose to resist the will urging her to retreat and began releasing her demonic sword's curse power.
  • Aestus Estus absorbed Saber's curse power and fused it with its sacred steel, confirming Roland's experiment had succeeded.
  • Roland told King Arthur that he would reveal the truth and offered her a deal promising eternal happiness for her country and everything she cared about.

Ch. 265A promise to meet again

Karna cornered Kama in her collapsing otherworld, but Saber arrived and renewed the battle. After Roland revealed the Holy Grail’s true nature, Saber agreed to abandon the war and endure her suffering until they met again, only for Roland to hurl her toward Kama as Jeanne appeared to challenge him.

  • Karna sealed Kama’s escape routes with divine flames and prepared to use his Divine Spear, forcing her to stake everything on a last struggle.
  • Saber broke into the otherworld and fought Karna, whose close-range skill and divine weapons clashed with her greatly enhanced power.
  • After the battle, Roland told Saber that the Holy Grail was an embryo nurturing a Beast and offered her a chance to start over in the future.
  • Saber agreed to give up on the current Holy Grail War and endure her pain until she and Roland met again.
  • Roland threw Saber toward Kama’s battle, then turned to face Jeanne, who declared that she would end things with the Beast of Revelation.

Ch. 266Jeanne d'Arc, a lamb in the tiger's den

Roland confronted Jeanne d'Arc, who had come to investigate the Holy Grail War's anomaly, and challenged her belief that she had to defeat him. Jeanne chose to fight despite suspecting Roland might not be the anomaly, and he overwhelmed her before unleashing a torrent of crimson fire.

  • Roland recognized Jeanne d'Arc as the Ruler summoned to resolve the Holy Grail War's anomaly, and teased her about her maid outfit and leaflet work.
  • Jeanne said her Revelation had directed her to the battlefield but had not specifically ordered her to vanquish Roland.
  • Roland suggested Revelation might have brought Jeanne to him as a sacrifice, but she reaffirmed her resolve to fight for the people endangered by the disaster.
  • Jeanne attacked Roland with her Holy Banner, and he caught it, lifted her into the air, and slammed her into a crater.
  • Roland gathered crimson fire and true ether, then sent a blazing torrent toward Jeanne.

Ch. 267Jeanne d'Arc's Regret

Jeanne d'Arc endured Roland's devastating assault, but he captured her and sealed her powers before taking her to the church. There, Caren agreed to fulfill Roland's conditions in Jeanne's place, leaving Jeanne horrified as Caren prepared to undergo an exorcism.

  • Jeanne d'Arc withstood Roland's overwhelming attack with her flag, but he battered her until she could barely keep fighting.
  • Roland seized Jeanne d'Arc's flag, stopped her from using La Pucelle, and separated her soul from her body before sealing her in place.
  • Roland returned Jeanne d'Arc to the church and told her that the battle elsewhere had ended, with the Goddess and Saber exposing their positions and condition.
  • Jeanne d'Arc found Caren in Roland's arms and begged him to release her, but Caren said she had reached an agreement to fulfill his conditions herself.
  • Caren told Jeanne d'Arc she would pay Roland's price to secure her release, then announced that it was time for the exorcism.

Ch. 268The Saint's Ultimate Humiliation

Jeanne watched helplessly as Caren went to Roland in order to spare her, then realized Caren had chosen the encounter as part of her plan to change Jeanne. When Roland’s restraints faded, Jeanne stood outside the confessional, resolved to save Caren despite her shame and helplessness.

  • Jeanne remembered why she had vowed to protect Caren and resolved to shield her, but Roland’s force kept her from speaking or moving.
  • Caren comforted Jeanne, then approached Roland and went with him into the adjoining compartment.
  • Caren revealed to Roland that she intended to use Jeanne’s feelings and personal attachments to corrupt the means by which Jeanne pursued her ideals.
  • Roland and Caren remained inside the confessional while Jeanne waited outside and heard them through the wall.
  • After Roland’s restraints disappeared, Jeanne approached the confessional but stayed outside, vowing to save Caren.

Ch. 269Jeanne, replenish my mana with me

Jeanne found Caren exhausted after Roland’s abuse and agreed to take Caren’s place in exchange for Roland leaving her alone. Roland then asked Jeanne to replenish his mana, leaving her trapped in the confessional and overwhelmed by shame and unfamiliar desire.

  • Jeanne discovered Caren lying exhausted in the confessional and covered her with spare clothes.
  • Jeanne asked Roland what he wanted in exchange for sparing Caren, and he said he wanted nothing from her.
  • Jeanne agreed to help Caren if Roland would leave her alone.
  • Roland asked Jeanne to replenish his mana, explaining that Caren’s limited capacity made her unable to sustain Jeanne’s mana needs.
  • Jeanne realized Roland was serious and backed into the confessional as he approached, regretting that she had agreed.

Ch. 270The Fall of the Saint

Roland broke Jeanne d'Arc’s resistance by using Caren’s sacrifice to undermine her convictions, then left her unconscious in the confessional. He turned his attention back to the Holy Grail War as Rider’s enormous Noble Phantasm appeared over Tokyo Bay, poised to destroy the city.

  • Roland intensified Jeanne d'Arc’s sensations and argued that Caren’s sacrifice made Jeanne’s protective mission selfish, leaving her unable to refute him.
  • Roland shut the confessional door and later emerged after Jeanne d'Arc had passed out, covering her with a blanket and leaving her for Caren to tend to.
  • Roland spoke with Solomon, who reported that the preparations were complete and that the Root Princess had sent Archer out to slaughter.
  • Solomon confirmed that Rider had arrived and intended to destroy Tokyo and every life in it with his Noble Phantasm.

Ch. 271You're a sun too?

Kama and Saber were driven toward a confrontation with Karna until Ozymandias arrived in his enormous sunlit temple and destroyed the military forces attacking it. To keep the Greater Grail safe from the temple’s threat, Kama and Saber entered, where Ozymandias welcomed them and recognized another sun among his challengers.

  • Karna kept Kama under pressure with long-range flame arrows, while Saber fought back with her Demonic Sword and showed improved control of her magical energy.
  • As Karna prepared a powerful attack, Ozymandias appeared aboard his mobile temple and declared himself King of Kings.
  • Ozymandias’s temple destroyed the fighter jets and Pacific Fleet ships sent to investigate and attack it.
  • Kama decided to enter the temple with Saber to prevent the Greater Grail from being caught in Ozymandias’s threat to burn the city.
  • Ozymandias sensed the intruders and welcomed Kama, Saber, and a third challenger, remarking that one of them was a sun too.

Ch. 272Praise the sun

Kama tried to recruit Ramesses II, but he refused and joined the fight against Saber and Karna. After the two heroes repeatedly destroyed his beasts and struck him down, Ramesses II revived and sealed Saber's Avalon, leaving Kama panicking and pleading for help.

  • Ramesses II praised Karna but rejected Kama’s offer to share the Holy Grail, insisting that all wishes had to be made within the world he ruled.
  • Kama ordered Saber to attack, while Ramesses II sent Sphinxes after her and urged Karna to abandon Kama and destroy Tokyo with him; Karna refused and fought the beasts.
  • Karna unleashed a devastating sun-like Noble Phantasm that destroyed the Sphinxes, while Saber slipped past her opponents and cut Ramesses II in half.
  • Ramesses II revived himself and his beasts inside his temple, but Karna and Saber destroyed the renewed pack again with their Noble Phantasms.
  • Ramesses II sealed Avalon and prepared to kill Saber; Kama rushed to her and begged her to save her.

Ch. 273O sun, submit to death

Karna unleashed his annihilating spear, destroying most of Ramesses II’s Composite Great Temple and leaving Saber, Kama, and the pharaoh wounded but alive. As Karna prepared to carry out his Master’s plan, Roland appeared and addressed Kama as Sakura, and Saber suddenly stabbed her with the Demonic Sword.

  • Karna gave up his Golden Armor and Divine Bow to form a spear of annihilation, then hurled it at Saber, Kama, and Ramesses II.
  • Saber poured the energy of crystallized souls into Excalibur Morgan while Kama secretly aimed her bow at Saber, but Karna’s spear shattered their attacks and destroyed much of the temple.
  • Saber shielded Kama from the spear’s blast, and she and Ramesses II survived the ruined temple while Karna lost his armor and could no longer use the spear.
  • Karna revealed that his Master wanted Kama to fall into the abyss, then raised his Divine Bow as a pitch-black serpentine creature emerged behind him.
  • Roland appeared beside the shattered throne and called Kama Sakura, prompting her to try to flee the Holy Grail War.
  • Before Kama could finish telling Saber to release Ava, Saber stabbed her through the chest with the Demonic Sword.

Ch. 274Sacrifice Yourself for the Greater Good

Saber killed Kama before sacrificing herself for the greater good, while Kama resurrected in a new form from the Primordial Mud. Roland then forced Ramesses II to leave and defeated Karna’s transformed serpent-arrow Noble Phantasm, leaving Kama as his next target.

  • Saber stabbed Kama through the heart, explained that her love for her country outweighed her love for Kama, and sacrificed herself after giving Roland the Scabbard.
  • Kama returned from the Primordial Mud in a new body, and Roland revealed that he had allowed her resurrection.
  • Roland drove Ramesses II and the Temple away, while Karna accepted his fate and prepared to fight under Sajyou Manaka’s three Command Spells.
  • Karna transformed and fired Ashvasena as a serpent arrow, but Roland caught and swallowed it.
  • Karna’s Contract ended, and he vanished after bidding Roland farewell; Roland said the conditions for awakening the Holy Grail had been met and turned to Kama.

Ch. 275Sajyou Manaka: Stealing my man?

Kama unleashed her powerful love-based Noble Phantasm against Roland, but he resisted it with his AT Field. Sajyou Manaka appeared and subdued Kama, and Roland offered her a chance to fight his Servant; Solomon then arrived to face her.

  • Kama fired her flower-arrow Noble Phantasm at Roland, awakening desire and transforming the surroundings into a vast flower-shaped Magic Circle.
  • Roland's AT Field stopped Kama's attack, and he taunted her about her appearance and strength.
  • Sajyou Manaka appeared, knocked Kama into the ground, and restrained her murderous intent after Roland asked her not to kill Kama.
  • Kama rose and prepared to attack again, so Roland offered to spare her if she defeated the Servant responsible for activating the Holy Grail.
  • Solomon arrived and identified himself as the King of Magecraft, declaring that he had come to vanquish Kama.

Ch. 276One-Punch Man Solomon

Solomon confronted Kama and overwhelmed her devastating Magic Bullet attack with a single punch. Meanwhile, Francesca watched the battle with Ramesses II and, after seeing Solomon, declared that she would win.

  • Kama recognized Solomon's vast power and asked why he had chosen to serve Roland; Solomon said he believed Roland would bring a prosperous future to the world.
  • Kama unleashed a barrage of Magic Bullets, but Solomon punched through the explosions and sent a powerful gale toward her.
  • Kama was stunned that the King of Magecraft had defeated her attack with a punch and faced Solomon as he raised his fist again.
  • Francesca summoned Ramesses II aboard his Divine Ship and showed him the battle, prompting him to recognize Solomon as his dearest friend's successor.
  • Francesca explained that Solomon was fundamentally different from Moses, then watched his ten rings and confidently said she would win.

Ch. 277The Goddess in the Palm of His Hand

Solomon defeated Kama, who escaped but was left gravely wounded, while Roland and Sajyou Manaka waited for her to become a Beast’s Vessel. When Rin Tohsaka offered Kama a ruby necklace to ease her suffering, Kama’s desire to reject that kindness awakened her potential—only for Roland to seize her divine core and declare her a genuine Beast’s Vessel.

  • Solomon overwhelmed Kama with Jacob’s Wrestlers and drove her to the brink of death, but Kama used her Noble Phantasm to escape.
  • Roland refused Solomon’s offer to stop Kama, explaining that her apparent defeat fit his plan to cultivate her into an infant Beast.
  • Rin Tohsaka woke beside Sakura Matou, regretted how she had treated her sister, and went to investigate a crash outside.
  • Kama arrived gravely wounded and near disappearance, and Rin gave her a ruby necklace containing enough magical energy for a healing spell.
  • Rin’s kindness made Kama unwilling to die and stirred her desire to seize the love she had rejected, causing black primordial mud to spread over her body.
  • Roland struck Kama and took her divine core, then declared that she had become a genuine Beast’s Vessel.
Arc 11 of 26