98 Fate and Victory

Clovis is dead, but this is far from over.

"Teacher!"

In fact, Artorius didn't need to shout; the purple beauty he had been waiting for had already approached from among the knights.

Thanks to Artorius's help, the spell that was supposed to take three months to complete appeared at his feet, completed ahead of schedule.

A dark purple, mysterious, and ominous light, like a living entity, entered Clovis's body, tugging at the concepts within the corpse.

Those were the concepts of the Franks, the fate of the inevitable rise of Germanic peoples, the very thing Artorius had been hoping for.

With this tugging, the atmosphere around them grew more ominous. The 'void' leading to the Throne of Heroes became clearer. It was the terrifying entity known as the Counter Force, starting to sense the changes in this world and preparing to dispatch its agents to punish those who tampered with fate.

"Teacher!"

"Rest assured!"

As Artorius watched the scene unfold, he anxiously urged her on, feeling a massive drain on his magical energy. This was likely what Scathach meant by 'enough on your plate' before as she continued to use vast amounts of magical energy from him to hasten the process of usurping fate.

Artorius's magical energy was used to maintain the giant bounded field that enveloped all of Central Europe to resist fate's influence, as well as handling previous battles, unleashing sword beams, and mass-producing tools on the rank of Noble Phantasm among other tasks.

Terrifying magical energy, enough to drain thousands, tens of thousands of dragons, was madly flowing away in just one day and night. If not for the infinite magical energy from the Third Magic, he would be dead long ago.

Finally, an unparalleled miracle descended upon this world.

The fate, originally anchored to Clovis, was captured by Artorius Pendragon. The world that was about to separate from proper human history stabilized once again and integrated back into it.

Simultaneously, the hole connecting to the Throne of Heroes vanished without a trace. The massive and terrifying will that had shrouded the battlefield receded. This meant that the Counter Force would no longer pursue this action. Artorius had finally reached the end of this tightrope.

"You did it..."

Scathach's tone was complex as she spoke to him.

"...No, we did it."

With Artorius's words, the enormous bounded field that covered all of Central Europe was lifted, and there was no longer any loss of magical energy, uplifting Artorius's spirits.

He then looked down, gazing at the body on the ground. Clovis's eyes were wide open, seemingly unable to believe that he, who had the blessing of fate, would die at Artorius's hands.

Artorius didn't want to look at him any longer. With a swing of his holy sword, the previously invulnerable neck was deftly severed.

The Dragon King raised his head, using magical amplification to ensure that his voice resounded throughout the entire battlefield:

"Clovis is dead!"

"Killed by me!"

"Germanic peoples, lay down your weapons and submit to me!"

"I am Artorius Pendragon, your new ruler!"

With resounding and heroic shouts echoing across the battlefield, with Clovis's death and the spread of this news, the remaining chaotic and fearful Germanic peoples completely lost their will to fight.

Most of the ordinary Germanic peoples who only wished to survive fell silent.

Those Germanic peoples at the periphery of the battlefield stood still, while those in the middle of the battlefield put down their weapons and awaited their fate obediently. Only a very few chose to flee. Even fewer were the fanatical loyalists of Clovis who continued to attack those around them, but they were quickly suppressed by the forces under Artorius's command, including the Germanic peoples who were originally allies.

In this era where the loyalty and faith of the vast majority rested on the individual and not the nation or ethnicity, Clovis's death was enough to ensure victory.

The war with the Germanic peoples had ended.

At least for now.

The fate of the Franks dissipated, replaced by the emergence of a new history for the 'British-Germanic' people.

Artorius Pendragon achieved victory.

As one of the Germanic peoples after another laid down their weapons, Artorius couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the bewildered, fearful, and hopeful expressions of the Germanic peoples.

The knights and cavalry from Britain, Rome, Anglo-Saxons, and other nations who had also stopped the slaughter and already pledged allegiance to the Dragon King felt a surge of intense emotion within them.

Ecstasy.

"Long live the King!"

In the west, the first knight raised his sword high and let out a triumphant cry, and soon, the resounding cheers of victory echoed along both banks of the Rhine River.

""Long live the King!!!""

On the anxious western bank, within the encampment of the Germanic Military Region, fear-stricken and surrendering tribesmen, even those who had just laid down their weapons and technically remained prisoners of war, were all infected by this inexplicable frenzy. They cheered loudly for Artorius, their new ruler who now held their fate.

Throughout the Germanic lands, nearly all the 'barbarians' joined in the celebration, rejoicing at the birth of their new common ruler, chosen by fate.

The fated Frost Dragon opened his arms wide, proudly welcoming the honor that belonged to him.

Meanwhile, the climate problem that had shrouded Europe for centuries little by little began to change. The weather was getting warmer, and the chaotic seasons and natural disasters decreased.

The Earth was about to transition from an old era to a new one, an era forged by Artorius, belonging to mortal men.

"Hahh... you really did it."

Watching this scene unfold and witnessing the people looking at Artorius with excitement and almost reverence, Scathach couldn't help but sigh. Until he approached her and took her hand.

"Thank you, Teacher."

He looked gently at Scathach, sincerely expressing his gratitude.

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have succeeded so quickly."

"..."

"Hmph."

After a momentary pause, Scathach snorted lightly, gazing at Artorius with amusement.

"Save those sweet words for the gullible little girls."

With that said, she withdrew her hand from Artorius's grasp and turned to leave. "That's it, my disciple. Don't forget our agreement."

Leaving behind a graceful figure, Scathach disappeared into the crowd.

"Haha..."

Finally, Artorius gave a fond look to the good woman. With a light chuckle, he refocused his attention on the present.

There was still much to do.

Subjugate these Germanic peoples, elevate their civilization, stabilize them, and strengthen their power.

Stabilize and train new armies.

And then, prepare for the upcoming wars and conquests.

Facing the rising sun, Artorius turned his gaze westward. There, the fertile soil of Gaul awaited his arrival.

It was also time for the Western Roman Empire to exit the stage of history once and for all.

"I'm coming, Lucius."