267 Unexpected Event

An endless surge of scorching flames erupted, akin to a burning cloud, rising with a heat rivaling the sun itself. It seemed as though it aimed to engulf the entire world, instantly colliding with the approaching storm of magical energy.

The clash was like a meeting of unstoppable forces, a collision of heat and power that held the promise of reshaping the very fabric of reality.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment, and then—

*BOOOOOOM—!!!*

A terrifying sound, deafening and earth-shattering, erupted into the sky. It felt as if the entire heavens and earth were trembling.

In the center of the clash of two powers, a strange anomaly formed. The immense magical energy fluctuations crazily swept in all directions, mercilessly crushing everything around.

*Rumble—!!!*

Feeling the overwhelming and exaggerated power, Iskandar and Artoria, who were watching nearby, both changed their expressions at once, quickly retreating.

At the same time, the four mages engaged in battle at the summit of Mount Enzou were also daunted by this overwhelming power. Unconsciously, they stopped their actions and turned their gaze to the center of Ryuudou Temple.

"These two... Are they planning to completely destroy this place?"

It wasn't until Iskandar had retreated five hundred meters away that he finally stopped and remarked speechlessly. Turning to look at the land before him, riddled with holes from the magical energy storm, he trembled with fear.

Just the aftereffect of the magical energy could cause such a scene. It was hard to imagine what kind of spectacle was unfolding in the center of it all.

Beside him, Artoria lightly pursed her thin lips, her gaze involuntarily falling on the black holy sword in her hand. If only she could unlock the restraint on the sword.

"Damn it!"

Gilgamesh roared angrily, fury boiling in his eyes. Someone could actually confront Ea head-on?! Outrageous! He absolutely couldn't accept such a thing!

The scattered Noble Phantasms of Gilgamesh that were stuck to the ground evaporated like a tide.

Ea, once again, radiated brightly, its power reaching new heights.

*Buzz—!*

A crimson magical pillar pressed against the tide of fire, surging towards Arkhan.

Watching the approaching crimson magical pillar, Arkhan's deep black dragon pupils showed no ripples. With a thought, the three magical energy reactors stored inside the alternate space transmitted a large amount of magical energy, continuously pouring into the Might of An-Utu.

Before coming, he and Kayneth had prepared a total of five magical energy reactors. Excluding the one already used and the one currently with Kayneth, the remaining three were all carried by him.

Three magical energy reactors—a magical energy reserve of a full fifteen years, boosted by such immense magical energy, the power of Might of An-Utu instantly soared to its peak.

The blazing greatsword, carrying temperatures capable of incinerating the planet, crushed and destroyed the crimson magical pillar, then continued to rush towards Gilgamesh without stopping.

"Y-You—"

*Whoosh—!*

Gilgamesh's words were cut off as a surge of flames engulfed him completely.

His golden armor melted into nothingness in an instant, his dazzling golden hair incinerated to ashes, and every inch of his flesh turned into charred black under the scorching heat.

Enduring the agonizing pain, Gilgamesh tried to focus and opened the Gate of Babylon. Several precious healing potions poured down, restoring his damaged body. Yet, even so, his vitality remained severely diminished, a sense of withering exhaustion creeping over him.

The Might of An-Utu not only inflicted severe damage to his body but also caused significant harm to his Saint Graph. Even if Arkhan spared him today, he would vanish without a trace within a day.

"Lose... It can't be?"

"Defeated?"

Watching this spectacle, both Kirei and Kiritsugu expressed evident astonishment.

Despite facing both Archer and Berserker simultaneously, Lancer still achieved victory and proved to be overwhelmingly superior.

Even Kayneth couldn't help but feel a moment of bewilderment in his eyes. Although he had full confidence in his Servant, he had to admit to being deeply impressed by his Servant's performance.

"How is this possible..." Tokiomi tightly gripped the ruby scepter in his hand. The once graceful and composed demeanor on his face was replaced by a murky, water-like gloom.

In his lake-like azure eyes, something otherworldly seemed to be wildly pulsating, as if it could break free at any moment.

As if feeling something, Kirei furrowed his brow slightly, stepping away from Tokiomi.

"Master, we should retreat for now." Kirei suggested in a low voice.

The current situation was unfavorable for them. With both Archer and Berserker defeated and their inability to deal with Kayneth, facing Lancer when he turned their way would be an inescapable disaster.

"Kirei..." Tokiomi's voice suddenly calmed, so serene it sent shivers down the spine. "Do you remember what I told you back then?"

"What are—Ugh!" Kirei was momentarily surprised, then suddenly felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. In disbelief, he lowered his head to see a jade-inlaid mercury dagger thrust into his belly. The one holding the dagger was none other than his mentor, Tokiomi!

"Now, it's time for you to devote yourself to the Tohsaka family." Tokiomi's lips curled into a cold, emotionless smile, madness and malice oozing from his eyes.

Not far away, Kayneth and Kiritsugu couldn't help but show a hint of bewilderment in their eyes as they witnessed this sudden and absurd occurrence.

They were just fighting side by side moments ago, but now, the master just killed his own disciple. What kind of plot twist was this?

"AAAAAAARGHHH—!"

In the Ryuudou Temple, Cu Chulainn, who had been silent since a while ago, suddenly let out a chilling roar. His body disintegrated inch by inch into light particles, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

"Berserker... vanished?"

Seeing Cu Chulainn vanishing, the remaining Servants on the scene couldn't help but show surprise in their eyes.

Tokiomi pulled the dagger out, and Kirei's body soon fell forward. His eyes were dim, with no sign of life.

"Tohsaka Tokiomi, what exactly are you up to?" Kayneth asked in a low tone with furrowed brows.

"What am I up to...?"

Tokiomi's face suddenly twisted into a demonic and insane expression, his eyes filled with obvious madness. He opened his arms towards the sky and laughed manically.

"Kukuku... Hahahaha! Of course, I seek the ultimate power!"

He raised his right hand high, and with a malicious whisper, the final command spell on the back of his hand burst into a bright light.

"Kill yourself, Archer..."

Gilgamesh's body suddenly stiffened, his arm involuntarily lifted, a golden ripple appeared, and a sharp sword aimed at his own heart.

"Tokiomi—!!!"

Gilgamesh, who understood everything, turned his head abruptly towards the top of Mount Enzou, his crimson vertical pupils boiling with immense anger.

"You've got some nerve!"

"Farewell, King of Heroes." Tokiomi coldly smiled, his eyes devoid of any warmth.

*Splurt!*

The sword darted out of the ripple, instantly piercing Gilgamesh's heart. If he was in his peak condition, he could resist the command with his 'Independent Action', but with depleted magical energy and a damaged Saint Graph, he was powerless.

Crimson blood flowed from the corner of his mouth as Gilgamesh's Saint Graph was completely pierced. With deep resentment and anger, the King of Heroes exited the stage.

Looking at Tokiomi before him, Kayneth couldn't help but show a hint of solemnity in his eyes. Abandoning two powerful Servants without mercy, what exactly was this man's goal?

"Right now, I bet you all have a lot of questions."

Tokiomi turned to Kayneth and Kiritsugu, his eyes filled with undisguised malice and madness.

"Don't worry... Soon, you'll know everything."

*Rumble—!!!*

Suddenly, the entire Mount Enzou started violently shaking, a massive surge of magical energy surging, its terrifying power causing even Kayneth's expression to change.

"Such immense magical energy..." Kayneth muttered in astonishment.

"Hahahahahaha!" Tokiomi laughed maniacally with no trace of elegance or composure from his former self. "Do you know why I chose this place as the battlefield? It's because here lies the most powerful ley lines in the entire Fuyuki and where the Greater Grail is!"

Hearing that, Kayneth frowned slightly. He already learned most of the truth about the Holy Grail War from Lancer. He naturally understood what the so-called Greater Grail was.

Why did Tokiomi suddenly bring up that contaminated cup at this moment? 

"Originally, according to the Holy Grail War's design, at least four or more Servants need to be eliminated for the Lesser Grail to descend, thereby connecting to the Greater Grail. I planned to have Archer and Berserker defeat Lancer, and then have them suicide, fulfilling the necessary conditions for the Lesser Grail to descend."

"Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. Lancer's strength far exceeded my expectations. He couldn't be defeated even with Archer and Berserker joining force."

"But fortunately, I had already considered such a scenario and prepared in advance. The souls of three Servants are enough to awaken the Greater Grail... Next..."

Tokiomi casually tossed aside his ruby scepter, a creation of his half-a-lifetime effort, like trash. He took out a pitch-black book from his pocket, with numerous indescribable images on the cover. Just a glance made people dizzy and nauseous.

*Whoosh—*

He opened the book, and a vast surge of pitch-black magical energy instantly gushed out, with a reservoir so immense that it even surpassed Prelati's Spellbook of Gilles.

This magical energy gathered together, constructing a mysterious and inexplicable magic circle in the sky.

"O Holy Grail, we seek in the name of R'lyeh, descend upon us!"