79 Farewell...

The light was spreading, and the True Ether was overflowing. The fluctuations were greater, more intense, and more dazzling than before.

"It's Sir Galahad."

"Sir Galahad?!"

Such radiance, such brilliance, marked Galahad's unparalleled determination and unwavering will, stronger than steel.

'...it is indeed a trap.'

'But the flaw of the one setting the trap lies in the fact that, in order to make the trap appear more authentic, they used the real one!'

'This Holy Grail is real—'

'Which means—'

'I can do it! For His Highness! For our dreams!'

As Galahad held the Holy Grail in his hands, he experienced the power firsthand—two powers in total. One originated from a transcended savior beyond the world, and the other came from this world.

Earth-Moon—this was the name revealed to him by his lord, His Highness Artorius, to whom he pledged his loyalty.

Counter Force—This is the term used to refer to the power that sustains this 'World'.

Gaia—This is the consciousness, the will generated by the planet—the earth, the role that could cull or rule humanity.

'How could I...'

'How could I lose to such existence—!!!'

Galahad roared in anger.

"AHHHHHHHH!"

—In Rome, in Britain, in the Black Forest of Germania—and even in more distant regions, along the Red Sea, in Thessaly, the Mongolian plains, the Central Plains, and many more...

All the heroes and champions of this world, mages with sufficient power and perception, and even remnants of Phantasmal Species hidden in the world's surface, as well as Dead Apostles and True Ancestors.

Everyone sensed this power. This power that transcended the limits of the world—held in the hands of a young knight named Galahad in Europe, Gaul, Burgundy, and the nameless wilderness by the Seine.

"It's been lifted!"

"Sir Galahad has lifted the Holy Grail!"

"AAAHHHHH!" The young knight roared, raising the Holy Grail high.

Witnessing this scene, the Knights of the Round Table couldn't contain their excitement and enthusiastically shouted at Galahad.

"Sir Galahad!"

"Sir Galahad!"

"Sir Galahad!"

The holy light descended from the sky, illuminating Galahad.

The harp and trumpet sound from above welcomed him like angels, and the gates of heaven were now open!

"My dreams and His Highness's, are about to be fulfilled!"

Intense joy caused Galahad to ignore the excruciating pain throughout his body. At the same time, Percival, one of the Knights of the Round Table, shouted in fear, "What is that?! What's happening?!"

Galahad's body began to disintegrate.

It seemed that the fundamental particles composing his body were dispersing like golden sand.

"—!"

"Sir Galahad?!"

"Sir Galahad!"

The knights rushed forward, wanting to help Galahad. At the same time, Artoria and the other Knights of the Round Table who had received the news felt it too and immediately rushed to the source of the power as soon as possible, while the knights on the scene tried to approach and help Galahad—

But it was futile.

A powerful and intangible barrier separated the knights from Galahad—this power surpassed ordinary comprehension.

The knights wondered—was this Galahad's personal trial?

And it seemed that Galahad was about to fail! His body started to disappear, starting from his feet. The hands gripping the Holy Grail trembled slightly.

'Is it still not enough?'

His will and spirit were already formidable.

But the strength of his body was insufficient. Although he had lifted the Holy Grail, he lacked enough power to resist the aftermath left by the Counter Force!

'No, I won't give up! The opportunity is right in front of me. How can I—Your Highness?!'

Then, another shocking event unfolded, frightening Galahad and the knights once again.

It was Artorius, who pulled out Clarent and swung his sword with all his might at the Holy Grail.

'Is this it?! Is Galahad also going to the Throne of Heroes like in original history?!'

'Is this the only way?!'

'Our dreams, our dreams, our dreams—Galahad, you fool! I merely spoke some flowery words before, deceiving people to lay down their lives for me! I never had any dreams of saving the world. All I had was ambition! I only wanted to satisfy my own desires!'

Artorius felt his heart tighten.

Even though he had already considered and convinced himself to sacrifice Galahad to save his mother if there was no other way, when it actually happened, he realized something. He wasn't as 'determined' as he had thought.

Wasn't this what he wanted? Now Artoria will be safe, right? But why did he feel unwilling?

However, it was already too late to cry over spilled milk.

He seemed to understand what Scathach meant when she said—'You're not ready yet.'

'Teacher, are you saying that I lack the determination to risk my life for my goal?!'

That's right, not even once did he consider himself to be the one trying to lift the Holy Grail, as he knew that if he did, there was a big chance he would die.

'...You're right. I have other plans for backup. I once thought that if the plan failed, I would simply give up. Surrender to the Counter Force and repent later. I never thought of risking my life for the liberation of humanity. Freeing humanity from the controls of the Counter Force? What a joke, I'm just an opportunist and ambitious person, a schemer. I'm not a hero or a savior!'

'Galahad, why do you believe in me so much? Why are you willing to sacrifice your life for me?'

Shock, anger, and sadness filled Artorius's heart. And in the quickest of moments, he had a series of questions and answers in his mind:

—Not willing to sacrifice for Britain?

Ahh, perhaps.

—But what about the others in Europe?

They have no connection to me, why should I risk my life for them?

—Then what about the people in other parts of the world, or more broadly, the entire world? Would you be willing to risk your life for the sake of all humanity?

—And...

—What about other worlds? Do you know parallel worlds exist? If you bear the responsibility not for just one world, but for many, would you be willing to fight and sacrifice for the happiness of all humans throughout history and across parallel worlds?

With these questions in his heart, Artorius recalled his life after being reincarnated into this messed-up world, from infancy until today. He recalled the earlier talk with Galahad. His dreams, his determination, his loyalty...

Artorius tightened his grip on the handle of Clarent. From the depths of his heart, he arrived at a conclusion.

Yes.

His answer was yes.

He would.

Although he was just an ordinary person by moral standards, when it came to the sake of humanity, he was willing to make sacrifices, fight relentlessly, and strive for it.

Why was this the case? Wasn't he someone who only cared about himself and his own people?

Could it be that he wasn't what he thought he was? Had he unknowingly changed? Or was he always like this, only realizing it now?

Was it because his mindset changed unknowingly after living in this world by always being surrounded by his righteous mother, his kind nominal mother, his fellow chivalrous knights, and... his best friend?

Did Galahad understand this? Was that why he was so resolute to sacrifice himself for him?

'Haha, you understand me better than I understand myself, Galahad... so, I am actually a hero at heart... screw this!'

With that in mind, Artorius swung his sword toward the Holy Grail.

His mindset underwent a subtle change.

The buried sense of justice in his deepest heart was ignited, making his soul shine brightly.

Desire, lust, greed, ambition—all remained, but the awakened justice stood above everything else!

'First, let's start with Galahad—saving him from the shitty Grail!'

Radiance gathered and power converged. The raised Clarent was enveloped in a pure frosty glow. Then it crashed into the barrier that separated him from Galahad.

*BOOOM!*

But it wasn't enough. Even the attack of an 'A+ Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm' couldn't break through. Even with Artorius's Frost Dragon's magical energy, it was insufficient.

"Give it to me."

"Are you sure? If you use it here, our future plans will be ruined."

Despite saying that, Morgan still brought out the ethereal Holy Grail composed purely of magical energy that she gathered before, and handed it to Artorius.

Power, power was growing, rapidly increasing. In an instant, Artorius had enough power to unleash an attack close to that of a god!

"Don't worry."

The frost-blue glow in his eyes almost overflowed as Artorius was filled with magical energy.

"I still have a backup plan."

Speaking these words, the frost-blue sword beam once again blasted toward the Holy Grail in Galahad's hands.

*BOOOM!* *CRACK!*

The beam broke through the barrier that separated them and reached Galahad.

"Your Highness..."

However, Galahad refused.

"I'm truly sorry...."

Meeting Artorius's gaze, Galahad made him understand his intentions.

He could certainly be saved now, but he didn't want that.

"Instead of that, it's better to at least... let Your Highness gain power."

Guided by Galahad, the power of the Holy Grail flowed into Artorius's body through the breach he had created.

Instantly, a greater magical energy than the ethereal Holy Grail Morgan had handed him surged into Artorius's body. But this time, it wasn't a mere influx and saturation; it was a transformation—a transformation of his body and, more importantly, a transformation of his soul.

"Galahad—!!!"

At the same time, Galahad's body began to disappear at an accelerated rate.

In Artorius's scream, Galahad showed a gentle smile.

"It's not the best ending..."

Galahad said to Artorius gently with his pure eyes.

"But it's not bad, Your Highness..."

The disappearance reached below the neck.

"At least I helped Your Highness obtain the 'power' capable of changing the world."

"Please make good use of it."

"Farewell, Your Highness. Please be happy, and know that I will forever remain loyal to you..."

After uttering these words, Galahad finally disappeared with a sincere smile on his face. With the golden light accompanying the Holy Grail flying higher and higher, it eventually vanished behind the gate to Heaven.

All the irregularities disappeared completely. Everything returned to normal. There were no problems or irregularities anymore, only that... Galahad was no longer there.

"..."

At that moment, Artorius felt a sense of melancholy. He kneeled and gazed at the now-empty place.

It was the intense pain and sorrow that arose from the departure of a dear friend. He was not heartless after all, even the reasoning of 'he only went to the Throne of Heroes and will reappear in a thousand or so years with a different vessel as the 'pink short-haired girl' couldn't alleviate one-thousandth of the pain and sorrow in his heart.

Now he understood what it meant by—'You don't know what you've got until it's gone.'

As they watched the prince kneeling on the ground, immersed in silence, the Knights of the Round Table, whether those who were already present or those who arrived later, also fell into silence.

Finally, it was Artoria, who had just arrived, that stepped forward.

"Artorius..."

She placed her hand on Artorius's shoulder, wanting to say something comforting.

"Sir Galahad, he—"

"He made this choice of his own will, to save the world."

Before Artoria could find the right words, Artorius spoke.

"I don't have time to mourn, Father. I must continue my grand plan."

He stood up, raised his head, and looked at Artoria seriously.

"Please pass the throne of Britain to me."

===

Author's note:

The best friend had temporarily left the scene. Leaving behind a dying remark. Galahad's cry for justice ignited Artorius's sense of justice. The Dragon Prince obtained a super-powerful buff.