290 [290] Wishes
What is the strongest strategy in the Holy Grail War?
The answer is to play it safe!
It seems like that's exactly what the current Kazuya are doing.
The two Lancers are engaged in a fierce battle, and the only one left playing it safe is Caster... However, it's not like he has no abilities at all.
At the very least, his ability to stay alive is quite strong.
At the other side of the battlefield, Alucard and Enkidu have abandoned their weapons and are now engaged in hand-to-hand combat.
Fists and kicks are the primary methods of fighting at this point. Currently, it seems that Enkidu has an absolute advantage. He repeatedly knocks down Alucard and crushes his heart each time.
At this rate, Alucard won't last much longer. How many lives does Alucard have left?
Ten times? Eight times...
Probably only that much.
However, Enkidu is not in a good condition either. His body functions are deteriorating rapidly, and his injuries are accumulating. His vision is becoming a bit blurry.
Bang!
Alucard throws a powerful punch, sending Enkidu flying. Watching Enkidu tremble as he gets up from the ground, Alucard laughs, "What's the matter? Has your weapon become useless? Can you still stand? Or are you going to die?"
"Of course... I can still fight—until I defeat you," Enkidu says with determination.
"Ahaha!" Alucard laughs loudly. "Exactly! Keep going! Keep standing up and attacking me! Let me tell you some good news. My lives have already been thoroughly killed by you. Now, in front of you, there is only one. As long as you pierce my heart, as long as you crush my heart, you will be the winner. But..."
"How much longer can you endure with those trembling steps of yours? Five minutes? One minute? Or just a few seconds?"
Alucard speaks, and then falls into a brief silence. "What is driving your fighting spirit? Even if you return to the Throne of Heroes, it doesn't matter, right? Or are you worried about what wish I might make with the Holy Grail?"
"Nothing... I just simply think I can win," Enkidu exhales and resumes his breathing, completely standing up, smiling, "Ah, that's right... I can win."
Bang!
Alucard rushes towards Enkidu. "Win? Let me see what you have to win with!"
Splash!
In an instant, the outcome is decided. Both of their arms pierce through each other's chests.
Alucard shatters Enkidu's spiritual core.
Enkidu pierces Akado's heart.
"What—?" Alucard pupils slightly contract, then he smiles. "Beautiful. You didn't hesitate to use your own body as bait."
"Yes, that's right. So, did I win?" Enkidu says, exhaling. "Ah, yes... I won."
Bang!
Alucard directly charges at Enkidu. "You won? Let me see what you have to win with!"
Plop!
In an instant, the victory is decided. Both of their arms pierce through each other's chests.
Alucard shatters Enkidu's spiritual core.
Enkidu pierces Akado's heart.
"What—?" Alucard's pupils slightly contracted, then he smiled, "Impressive, using your own body as bait without hesitation."
"Yes, so with that, I've won, right?"
"Ah... yes, you've won," Alucard chuckled, "So, the prophecy of that King has actually come true... But, you understand now, don't you? Are you human? Or a weapon..."
"?"
"Weapons can't defeat monsters; only humans can!"
"Am I... human?" Enkidu was momentarily stunned, then he smiled, "Well, let's just say I am. Goodbye, I enjoyed our battle. I wonder if there'll be a chance like this again in the future."
As he spoke, Enkidu's body gradually transformed into light, and just before disappearing, he looked around, noticing Alucard also fading away.
Starting from his legs, bit by bit, he turned into ashes and vanished.
"Goodbye, My Master... I had a great time this time."
"Is it over like this..."
Kazuya reaches out his hand to try to grab the ashes, but naturally, he doesn't catch anything.
So.
Now, almost all the Servants have exited the stage, and the Masters as well. There is only one Master left standing...
The Master who has been leisurely all along and his Servant, who has also been lounging.
Only these two are still alive and intact.
"Oh my, it seems to be over. Does that mean—I am the final winner?" Shakespeare looks at the distance in surprise. "So, can I make a wish now? A wish! Oops—I didn't think I could win, and I forgot what wish to make!"
Whoosh, whoosh!
There's a sound of something stepping on the water surface.
Barthomeloi Lorelei turns his head and looks at Kazuya who have approached. "What? Coming at this time, do you want to snatch the Holy Grail? Ah... that's right, if you really can resurrect infinitely, there is a possibility."
"No, I don't have that idea at all." Emerging from the water surface, Kazuya says as he looks at the people around, "I just want to take a look, just see what wish the Holy Grail will fulfill in the end and what conclusion it will bring. That's all."
"Is that so..."
Barthomeloi Lorelei shrugs indifferently and nods at the other magus. "Is it you who won? Come on, make a wish, let the leyline continue."
"Yes, I understand." Carlos Copperfield nods, performs a salute, bends down in front of the Holy Grail, and says, "What should I wish for? I know now."
Yes... that's right, with this, he can fulfill his wish.
Continue the leyline?
What does that have to do with him!
The next thing...
"Ah huh?"
The world spins.
Before the magus could figure out what was going on, his body had already turned into countless particles.
"Master—?" Shakespeare exclaims in surprise.
"Too bad, this time in the Holy Grail War... all of our magus were wiped out. Not a single one left. Together with the people from the Holy Church, all gone, only me left."
Saying that, Barthomeloi Lorelei looks at the one man still here.
Kurokawa Kazuya...
If it weren't for his immortality, she would have killed Kurokawa Kazuya along with everyone else just now.
But now...
Although, even if she said it, it wouldn't matter. Whether anyone believed it or not, even if someone believed it, what could they do? The mystical world is like this, she is Barthomeloi!
She is the Lord of the Clock Tower, and she doesn't care if she's judged.
Kazuya's mouth twitches slightly. "I didn't see anything... alright, alright, make your wish. Let me see how the Holy Grail fulfills wishes."
"Yes, I also want to see it, see how the Holy Grail fulfills wishes!"
Barthomeloi Lorelei frowns slightly, says nothing, puts her hand on the Holy Grail filled with magic, and then says, "So... start making your wish—"
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