62 [62] Father
The dragon scales fade away.
The wings fall off.
The grotesque flesh and eyeballs all retract back into that body.
On this burning battlefield, akin to a pillar that supports the heavens.
The silver-haired witch embraces the dark knight, tears welling up in her eyes like broken pearl curtains.
The Grand Servants, entranced, gaze at this scene.
The biting cold wind, the pouring rain.
Yet, whether it's the sound of the wind or the rain, it seems to dissipate in this silence.
Alvin Pendragon.
He has transformed from BEAST... into a human.
"But... how is this possible?"
Romulus gazes incredulously at the scene.
He is the founding emperor of Rome, revered as the ancestor of the gods, his life magnificent and glorious, admired and worshipped by countless people.
But even as a god ancestor, he has never seen such a scene...
"He...he has completely turned into BEAST."
Such a thing completely subverts all his knowledge up to now.
"Why... why can this abnormality be reversed..."
"...Because... of 'love.'"
The silver-haired youth bows to the sky, tears of emotion filling his eyes as he prays for the meeting of his beloved and wishes them true blessings.
The so-called 'evil of humanity' is also the 'love of humanity.'
The beastified Alvin has forgotten everything, only the desire for 'existence' and power remains, but... he still remembers her face.
At this moment...
"She is his 'salvation.'"
Noah clasps his hands tightly together, as if in prayer.
The pouring rain in the sky gradually diminishes like a waterfall, and the spiral of strange clouds also cracks slightly, allowing the enchanting clear sunlight to shine through, gently caressing the bodies of the lovers like a warm veil.
"Truly, thank you! Thank you for allowing me to witness such pure love, to witness such a miraculous salvation!"
The silver-haired youth sheds tears of excitement, his sincere prayers echoing on the battlefield.
Watching the lovers embracing before the throne, as if at this moment, they only have each other's true intentions.
The greatest hunter of Greece, Orion, gazes blankly.
"Love."
What a glaring word.
Enduring the love of Artemis, he seems to glimpse the figure of the moon goddess from the silver-haired witch.
Watching the silver-haired youth on the field.
Orion holds his trembling hands.
Because he sees himself in it too.
He was deprived of life because of love, separated from Artemis, and now he has to let Alvin... endure the same fate.
Taigong Wang and King Hassan exchange a glance, both letting out a sigh of relief.
Although he cannot see the expression under First Hassan's skull mask, Taigong Wang knows that the other party must feel relieved too.
Their duty is to subdue BEAST, indeed, but they don't want to kill Alvin.
This time, they came to here with a mission.
Compared to subduing Alvin.
They actually want to recruit him.
The appearance of both of them at the same time is also a game between the forces behind them.
Leaving aside the content of the mission for the time being, their own thoughts are like this.
...Such determination, such temperament, this person's will moves every Grand Servant present, and when it comes time to kill him, even Taigong Wang's hand holding the spell is trembling.
Just wanting to live quietly, what's wrong with that?
Such a small wish is also suppressed by the Counter Force.
Taigong Wang's heart cannot help but be filled with indignation.
The counter force is actually a cage in reality.
In order to avoid the destruction caused by being cut, following the fixed path of quantum time-lock is the most stable way.
So in this world, it tends to reject all changes.
Not only the forces behind Taigong Wang and the Old Man of the Mountain are playing against each other.
Even the consciousness of the human race on this planet is constantly playing against the living primates on it.
Alaya. This is the collective unconsciousness of humanity, tending to avoid the destruction of humanity.
Gaia. This is the subconsciousness of the planet, trying its best to maintain the survival of the planet.
Both are collectively referred to as Counter Force.
The game between these two sides leads to the anchoring of human history.
Because following the fixed path of quantum time-lock will indeed allow human society and this planet to pass through a long and peaceful time together.
But, at the same time, it also seals the upper limits of both sides.
The gradually intensifying, irreversible contradictions will eventually lead to a desperate end.
Humanity needs 'variables.'
However, the Grand Servants are pushed by the Counter Force to strangle the 'variables.'
This is the tragedy of humanity, and more so, the tragedy of this planet.
Taigong Wang sighs at such a situation, and more than that, he feels emotional about Alvin's determination.
Even in his beastified state, he has not forgotten his love.
"To turn from BEAST into a human is a great good. Alvin Pendragon, you are truly a miracle in human history."
The frozen moment of the Grand Servants.
The figure of the golden-haired man suddenly appeared in the center of the battlefield.
Standing between the two, facing the five Grand Servants, he tilted his head slightly, and there was a crisp crack as he adjusted his neck.
"Today."
He dropped the crushed sunglasses from his hand, and the azure pupils seemed to emit smoke.
"No one touches this kid."
The expression of the golden-haired man was calm.
His tone was even.
However, his arrogant words caused a sudden silence in the atmosphere on the battlefield.
Not for any other reason.
Simply because Tezcatlipoca, was undoubtedly the strongest presence here.
He was the one who dominated over all other Grand Servants present.
As the most powerful god in Aztec mythology.
Tezcatlipoca was the god of war and magic, the god of beauty and disharmony, the god of night and dominion, the god of storms and diseases, the god of crime and order...
What he controlled were the two opposing sides under the will of heaven, and he, a person, was the embodiment of all the contradictions and oppositions.
So to speak.
This kid Alvin really fits his taste...
This battlefield fits his taste...
The style of fighting fits his taste...
His unwavering fighting spirit fits his taste...
The endless spiral of conflicting conflicts is even more to his taste!
Survival is indeed a battle.
Alvin, if only you were a woman!
Tsk, well, maybe it doesn't matter...
Anyway, Tezcatlipoca thought he could become a woman himself, as his incarnations were numerous.
Although it was only a superficial connection.
But Tezcatlipoca already regarded this kid behind him as his soulmate.
"Screw the counter force."
The golden-haired man flipped off the sky.
Alvin was no longer BEAST, so there was no reason for Tezcatlipoca to lay a hand on him.
How could he, the elusive Soul Mate, not come to protect him!
"Pssshh~"
The golden-haired man opened his mouth and exhaled a misty breath.
This mist enveloped his whole body, instantly transforming his shabby windbreaker and jeans into a tight-fitting armor.
The leopard tail extending from his spine swayed behind him, and the shattered and reassembled limbs symbolized the collapse and destruction of the world, making the solemn expression on the faces of the Grand Servants even more palpable.
Tezcatlipoca, he switched to combat mode, and he was actually serious.
What about the saint graph of the grand servants?
The power that Tezcatlipoca could exert with the body of a grand servant was beyond the reach of these people... he alone could suppress the entire field.
"Tezcatlipoca, you have to protect him... but what about the return of the age of gods?"
Romulus looked solemn.
"We have half an hour left until our descent, and Vortigern is about to project the Holy Lance... he only needs a few minutes!"
"What do I care? If there's a problem, the damn counter force should take back my saint graph!"
As soon as the words fell.
As if following Tezcatlipoca's words.
A counter-summoning magic circle suddenly lit up under Tezcatlipoca's feet.
He stomped hard, immediately crushing the thing.
"Good! Good, good, good! Are you really going all out?"
Tezcatlipoca looked up at the sky, a slightly ferocious smile appearing on his face.
"If a god-class figure is summoned to descend as a Servant, their existence in this world can form a massive singularity."
"Goetia and his seventy-two pillars can mess you up big time, believe it or not, I can make your people bloom all over the place!"
To protect one person, he's going against the counter force...
The faces of the grand servants changed.
No one responded to the golden-haired man.
But everyone knew that Tezcatlipoca was speaking directly to the counter force.
Click.
Above the throne, the blood-red crystal that enveloped the upper body of the silver-haired old man suddenly cracked open.
The old man's fingers seemed to twitch slightly.
Vortigern... is about to awaken.
The return of the age of gods, ensuring the survival of the races... this was the last will of the dragon, the final will of the British Isles.
If he breaks free from the thirteen restraints, pulls out the Holy Lance, and the Anchor of the Planet falls with it, human history will be thoroughly overturned.
No one hopes to have the chance to persuade this dragon to stop. They all know what kind of figure Vortigern is.
Like father, like son, seeing Alvin's determination, they know that Vortigern is even more unshakeable.
Moreover, the grand servants have no other solution, and the people on the island are destined to die.
"Step aside, Tezcatlipoca. We have no objections to you protecting this kid, but Vortigern must die!"
The grand servants dare not let Vortigern wake up.
Because they only descended as grand servant spirits, while the Vortigern here is an entity.
In this Britannia, there is no protection from the Roman gods, and others ....
The vile king Vortigern standing on the island carries the blessing of the entire British Isles. Before his Britannic body, the Grand Servants will be deprived of their fame bonuses.
However, as Romulus finished speaking.
The silver-haired youth kneeling on the ground, staring blankly at the witch, slowly turned his gaze.
His consciousness seemed somewhat hazy, but his hand subconsciously gripped the Firelink Greatsword.
Tezcatlipoca turned his head to glance at the kid, feeling somewhat emotional.
His subconscious urge to protect his family had almost become ingrained.
There was no doubt.
He would definitely resist all attacks against Vortigern.
A dilemma...
Even as an Aztec god, Tezcatlipoca's face also showed a difficult expression.
The grand servants remained silent, simply raising their weapons.
The atmosphere on the battlefield gradually became tense once again.
In this almost stagnant atmosphere.
Suddenly, the faint and ethereal voice of the witch rang out.
"There is a way..."
Instantly.
Everyone present looked at her.
Embracing the face of the silver-haired youth tightly, she gently pulled him into her embrace.
The witch of Britannia spoke softly.
"...There is a way to persuade Vortigern."
For a moment.
The expressions of the grand servants were filled with disbelief.
In this hopeless situation, there was still hope?
"What way?"
"The decline of the age of gods will cause all prosperity on the British Isles to gradually disappear, and the land will become barren..."
"Vortigern... He only wants to resist the decline of the age of gods to ensure that the people on the island can survive as much as possible."
"And Alvin, for the sake of this goal, has been conducting research for almost ten years."
Holding her beloved.
The witch of Britannia continued speaking in a soft, ethereal voice before the throne.
Her words made the grand servants ponder.
And it made the knights standing on the edge of the battlefield below, their expressions almost frozen.
"Morgan Le Fay... Is she saying what..."
"King Vortigern... He wants to let the people on the island survive?!"
"Nonsense... It's nonsense! If that's the case, why did he introduce outsiders?! Why not reveal this truth to everyone?!"
This answer, which almost subverted their understanding, left the Knights of the Round Table incredulous.
Or rather, they couldn't believe it.
If that's the case...
Then what is the reason for holding onto their swords?
Hasn't the goal of slaying the dragon become a joke from the beginning to the end?
"Because..."
Morgan spoke softly.
"If he told you, it would only hasten the decline of the age of gods."
"I see..."
Tezcatlipoca instantly understood.
"Because the Celts are the remnants of the age of gods, their beliefs will also affect this island..."
His Aztec civilization had also experienced such destruction many times, eventually written into the epic of the Five Suns.
The golden-haired man turned his gaze away, his azure eyes lowered, looking at the knights below the battlefield.
"Don't understand?"
He smiled.
"The world wants you all to die..."
Silence.
Dead silence.
The battlefield fell silent, not a sound could be heard.
The Knights of the Round Table, their eyes downcast, looked at the swords in their hands.
Their wrists trembled.
Morgan raised her head and met the slightly dazed eyes of the silver-haired youth in front of her, gently pressed her forehead against his, and kissed his lips.
"Alvin's research has succeeded on the algae..."
"He has found the microalgae that can serve as a last resort food."
"Give him ten years, transform the ecology of this island... Even after the decline of the age of gods, most people can barely survive and gradually adapt to the changes in the environment."
"Microalgae..."
Noah murmured the word.
On his ark of salvation, he had gathered almost all species, making him almost familiar with all the animals and plants.
"Yes, this is an answer."
"And a superb one!"
"Alvin has definitely put in countless efforts..."
"...The smallest creature can break through the most formidable fate."
As the words fell silent.
The expressions of the grand servants became quite complicated.
They had tried their best to try to kill Vortigern.
However, that person was not only doing his best to protect his father, but also doing his best to protect this island.
At this final moment.
All the truths were revealed.
All the silent secrets were no longer buried.
Kay stood at the edge of the great hall, he had chased Lily up here, but his hands were trembling at this moment.
"Alvin... You rascal..."
"You've been keeping everything to yourself."
Beside his brother.
Artoria's expression was dazed and stagnant.
The decline of the age of gods would cause people to die, she had known such things for a long time, but she couldn't say it.
Because if she did, the entire Kingdom would quickly collapse and fall apart.
If Alvin wanted to destroy her country, it would be very simple, he just needed to reveal the truth.
But, he carried it all by himself.
This was the unspoken secret between them.
She and that person had a telepathic connection.
She always held the same unspoken understanding with him.
But what she didn't know was...
...It wasn't just verbal oaths, he was actually trying to save this land all along.
He had been stepping on that dark and lightless road with his footprints and sweat, step by step.
He had never, ever stopped his own steps.
Artoria faintly recalled the first time she met him, in that wheat field.
"Because there are research topics I want to study."
Ah...
So it started from that time.
But all her attention was focused on sword practice and on him.
A sense of loss.
As if her soul had been drawn away.
Agony.
Artoria felt as if her heart was being twisted in pain.
Yes.
She had actually overlooked... such an important matter.
Actually, she didn't really understand him, did she?
She... hadn't paid attention to anything.
Because she had never truly believed in him... believed that he could save this island.
Just as he had described...
What she held onto... was nothing but a ridiculous desire to sacrifice.
The world and everything in it didn't matter.
She just wanted... to save him alone, by seemingly sacrificing herself, in order to prove her love.
As her worldview collapsed.
Artoria finally realized... that everything she had done was... pulling him away.
Pulling him...
Hoping for him...
...Hoping that he could selfishly, stay by her side like that.
Ah... that's right...
Why was she pushed away?
Why couldn't she save Alvin, unable to bring him back to sanity?
Because ah.
She...
...Was never as good as her sister.
Boom.
Artoria collapsed weakly to the ground, covering her face, making a sound that seemed like a sob, like crying.
In the end.
She... still couldn't do anything...
In the center of the ruined hall.
The grand servants stared blankly at the silver-haired youth half-kneeling in front of the throne.
Taigong Wang sighed deeply.
"Alvin... His perseverance, his determination, his enlightenment, allowed him to grasp this only lifeline."
Really.
The more you look at him, the more likable this kid becomes.
Taigong Wang secretly glanced at the old man in the mountains beside him and found that the blue fire in his eye sockets was also glancing at him.
"This child is fated with our Majesty..." First Hassan hummed.
"Fuck off."
"He is a Briton, bathed in our Majesty since birth."
"He is not of this world, how dare you assume his beliefs, Old Man."
"Fisherman, you reject the truth of reality too much."
"Huh, fuck that reality."
That's right, each to their own.
The situation seemed to have cleared up.
Something called hope seemed to be taking root and sprouting.
Yes... if that's the case...
"Morgan..." Romulus said solemnly, "Are you confident you can persuade Vortigern?"
Although the counter force command was to kill Vortigern, yes.
But, out there, fate is not always under control. Do you understand this concept of counter force?
The situation on the battlefield was ever-changing.
To kill or not to kill, it's not for us grand servant to decide.
If Vortigern can be persuaded to abandon the age of gods and return, then the grand servants actually don't need to subjugate him.
This is a perfect ending.
This is the glimmer of hope that Alvin Pendragon, with his perseverance day after day, has finally pursued... a glimpse of perfection.
Hearing Romulus's question.
Morgan's expression was slightly dazed.
In fact, beside the Anchor of the Planet, she had already asked Vortigern this question.
With the hope now finally dawning after hearing all about Alvin's efforts, the eyes of the silver-haired old man drooped slightly, seeming sorrowful and sighing.
"Morgan, sorry... I dare not gamble."
Yes, Vortigern dared not gamble.
The Holy Lance was right in front of him, and Vortigern dared not gamble on what would happen in the next ten years.
Alvin's research was indeed hopeful, but it was just hope. What if this hope were shattered?
The Holy Lance setting sail was a hundred percent certain answer.
And... the success rate of ecological transformation was still unknown.
Vortigern was the embodiment of the island's will, and everything he did was for the sake of the island's continuation. He was reluctant to go against this will.
"So... I am not confident."
The witch confessed softly.
She knew that in front of these people... any lies, disguises, and pretenses were meaningless.
"But..."
The witch lifted her gaze, fearlessly locking eyes with every renowned hero present.
"Alvin definitely can."
She said with conviction.
"... If it's Alvin, he can definitely persuade his father."
"My... dear...?"
The silver-haired youth lifted his gaze.
That dazed look seemed to gradually regain its luster.
And the witch's answer.
It made Tezcatlipoca's face suddenly burst into a brilliant smile.
Yes, if it's this kid...
He can definitely do it.
"I believe in this kid."
Tezcatlipoca took out a new pair of sunglasses from his pocket and put them on with a smile.
His tight armor had somehow changed back into that flashy coat and jeans.
The gaze under those sunglasses swept over the grand servants with determination.
"Come on, show some attitude."
After a moment of silence.
Grand Lancer, Romulus, lowered his eyelids, sighed, and folded his golden wings, slowly descending to the ground.
"It's something that..."
"...can't be doubted."
Grand Archer, Orion, the burly man, like a bear, slowly relaxed the tension in his hands, and the warm sunlight draped over him like a cool moonbeam.
"I don't want to... ruin such a beautiful love anymore."
Grand Rider, Noah, clasped his hands together, his face adorned with a devout and serene smile. The snow-white doves chirped softly and settled peacefully on his shoulders.
"Ah... this must be the true will."
"Even after the flood of destruction, the earth will surely welcome the sunshine."
Grand Caster, Taigong Wang.
Facing everyone's gaze, the man with long black hair draped in a black cloud cape waved his hand.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"I'm the most useless one here, so let's finish early and have a meal."
Grand Assassin, the Old Man of the Mountain, First Hassan, Hassan-i Sabbah.
From under the skull mask, the assassin's dull buzzing sounded.
"Have you heard?"
"The evening bell hasn't sounded yet..."
The five grand servants all expressed their stance.
"Hey hey, consensus reached!"
Tezcatlipoca clapped his hands with a smile.
The tense atmosphere seemed to dissipate suddenly.
"Well, there's still half an hour left. What if Vortigern wakes up?"
"If he wants to set sail with the Holy Lance, we'll just keep beating this old man with Alvin until he dares not to!"
As if the suppressed breath in their hearts could finally be exhaled.
The anxious atmosphere on the battlefield suddenly became lively and enthusiastic.
The grand servants gathered together, starting to chat about various mundane things.
Seeing this scene, Ritsuka and Mash finally breathed a sigh of relief after exchanging glances.
"Great! Mash..."
Although they didn't do anything.
But, as humanity's last masters, Ritsuka was present to witness this tense and vast battle!
The grand scene of seven Grand Servants fighting BEAST, I, Fujimaru Ritsuka, was there!
Wait, it seems like there's one grand servant missing?
Oh well, it doesn't matter.
Now that the dust has settled, Ritsuka finally felt genuinely joyful and relaxed.
"It seems that things have been resolved satisfactorily..."
That's right.
They had already seen it, the knot in King Arthur's heart...
The person she wanted to trim the world for... the one she sought to save was none other than Alvin Pendragon.
Now, since Alvin hasn't perished.
Then, that noble King Arthur naturally wouldn't think of destroying the world in the future.
This time, coming to Britannia, along with resolving the singularity in Jerusalem, the red-haired girl couldn't help but marvel at how everything had been a win-win situation...
If every singularity could be resolved so satisfactorily, wouldn't that be great?
The two hurried towards the center of the battlefield.
As the last masters of humanity, Ritsuka had a bunch of command seals in hand, all of which were pure magical sources.
If they could help heal Alvin, it couldn't be better.
...
Standing alone in the corner of the city wall, listening to all the commotion below.
The Magus of Flowers's expression looked lost and bewildered.
He paced on the city wall with a dazed expression, as if he had lost his soul.
Why... why did it turn out like this?
No... this is wrong...
Shouldn't it be, Vortigern being targeted by the grand servants, Alvin falling into becoming BEAST, and then being relentlessly killed by the grand servants, leading to such a tragic ending?
There must be... something wrong with this...
"Ha... hahaha..."
In people's hearts, tranquility and joy surged.
Savoring such emotions.
The Magus of Flowers couldn't help but laugh.
His lips split, revealing a chilling smile on his face.
So... he was wrong.
Everything he has done, all the careful planning, is just clownish behavior.
It's worthless.
It's meaningless.
Even this world has abandoned him.
The people's happiness piled up in the Magus of Flowers's heart, like the most intense mockery.
Alvin Pendragon has come to a satisfactory conclusion.
Emptiness.
Loss.
As if his soul had been sucked away.
Dust settled.
He didn't matter at all.
"Haha! Hahaha!"
The Magus of Flowers let out a hoarse, beast-like laughter.
The view dimmed suddenly, and the whole person fell from the sky to the ground...
He had gone mad.
...
The swirling clouds above began to converge more intensely, flowing faster and faster, like a mesmerizing vortex.
On Vortigern's throne, the old man's body was constantly collapsing and crumbling, the crimson crystals all over him.
The vile king was about to awaken.
The grand servants also held their breaths at this last moment.
Artoria stepped forward in a daze, gazing at the silver-haired youth embraced by the witch.
Ritsuka's command seals were activating, infusing him with pure magical energy.
His consciousness was becoming clearer and clearer.
The witch gently embraced her husband with eyes only for him, stroking his face.
In a moment of confusion, there seemed to be a realization.
That person, he slightly raised his gaze and looked over here.
"Ar... Artoria?"
He recognized her.
But there were still lingering tears in her eyes.
How could she not present her best self in front of him?
Her soft golden hair fluttered in the fiery wind of Londinium.
Artoria struggled to force a smile from the corner of her mouth.
He doesn't love her, and that's okay.
Artoria felt relieved.
Just being able to look at him was enough.
"Alvin..."
Such a settled encounter.
Time seemed to freeze at this moment.
At the center of the citadel city, amidst the Eternal Night Spiral.
That pitch-black void, like a cold and indifferent pupil, overlooked all the beauty in this world.
Everything...
Everything.
All for this moment.
All the attention of the grand servants focused on Vortigern.
Meanwhile, Morgan and Ritsuka were focused on Alvin.
And so, at that moment.
Except for Kay, no one noticed... the blonde girl's hand quietly grasped the hilt of the holy sword... Excalibur.
Everything.
Every scene seemed to slow down.
"Lily!"
Kay shouted in horror, his lips barely opening.
Hum.
The emblem on the silver arm suddenly lit up.
Ritsuka was slightly stunned.
All the command seals.
Without her permission.
In an instant, they were all activated by the emblem on the silver arm.
Tezcatlipoca, the most sensitive in the field slowly, slowly turned his gaze.
He slowly raised his hand, and a deep black hole began to form in his palm.
But it was too late.
The emblem on the silver arm, at such a close distance.
Completely awakened the Sword of Promised Victory.
Boom!
An immensely fierce, endless beam of light suddenly burst from the blonde girl's body.
Her body floated in the air, a blazing white halo appearing behind her head, her golden hair slowly floating up, each strand shining with brilliant light.
Forged from within the planets, the divine construct known as Excalibur.
Under the full power of Gaia's will...
All the seals were instantly broken.
All the restraints were cast off in an instant.
All thirteen restraints, completely released.
The Sword of Promised Victory, fully unleashed...
In that moment.
She was no longer Artoria.
But, The Original Saber.
The will of the Sword of Promised Victory completely occupied Artoria's body.
"This is the battle to save the world."
Amidst the incredulous, astonished, and shocked expressions of everyone present.
The Sword of Promised Victory's strike targeted Vortigern Pendragon.
"No... Don't- Ah!!!"
In the girl's wailing.
The sword swung down...
Boom!
Light.
Seemingly endless, boundless, ceaseless light.
Like the exhalation of a planet, an unstoppable force of nature.
The brilliant radiance pouring forth from the Sword of Promised Victory pierced through Vortigern's throne.
Trap.
This was a trap.
At the closest distance.
At the most relaxed moment of vigilance.
By the most unexpected person.
Was launched the most difficult-to-defend ultimate attack.
Conter Force...
In the blink of an eye.
Realizing this fact, the expressions on the grand servants' faces twisted with anger and disbelief.
All Noble Phantasms were instantly activated, all available enhancements were instantly applied.
To protect the White Dragon of Britain.
The heroes wagered everything they had.
However...
Bang!
The entire armor shattered, Romulus's golden wings on his back were destroyed and fell off.
Bang!
The bowstring completely snapped, Orion's chest was pierced and burned through.
Bang!
Attempting to transfer Vortigern, but the radiance had already firmly locked onto its target, the oars broke in his hands, and Noah Ark overturned in that sea of light.
A huge golden whip descended from the sky, but it was intercepted by the light with a single blow, and Taigong Wang looked at the burnt whip in his hand, his face dark and difficult to look at.
Attempting to cut through the beam, Azrael emitted an unbearable buzzing and suddenly cracked apart.
The black hole gathering in his hand was completely engulfed, the sunglasses on Tezcatlipoca's face suddenly shattered, and one hand of his body was completely obliterated in that starlight.
Layers of legendary defenses were pierced through.
Under the full power release of the Sword of Promised Victory, which could defeat The White Death, even the defenses of the grand servants were nothing but a drop in the bucket.
Amidst the raging and noisy wind.
The beam surged towards the throne.
Morgan looked blankly as the silver-haired youth gently touched his own face.
"I love you."
A majestic shadow spread out, pushing the witch's figure away.
Alvin gripped the twisted Firelink Greatsword.
The deep green lake surged.
The radiant face of the blonde girl was filled with holiness and divinity, but in her deep green eyes, there was only utter despair.
That person.
The one in front of the throne, he stood up.
He was his own, the final line of defense.
Alvin Pendragon.
Boundless, endless, ceaseless light.
Completely engulfed his figure...
Hiss...
Like burning the soul.
A harsh, corrosive sound emanated from all over his body.
Unspeakable agony.
His body seemed to be crushed in an instant.
His mind seemed to be tortured and tormented.
However... Alvin resisted...
Boundless darkness emanated from his entire body, Firelink Greatsword in his hand twisted and rotated, desperately resisting the brilliance of the holy sword.
The stored souls inside it burned to the maximum, consuming...
His body was constantly annihilated by the light, yet constantly repaired.
However...
Having burned through all the souls stored in the sword, it finally burned out completely.
Crack.
The Firelink Greatsword... suddenly cracked open.
The light completely engulfed the knight's body...
A brilliant lightning bolt descended from the sky, thundering, as if the sky was screaming.
On the throne.
The White Dragon of Britain, engulfed in light, suddenly opened its eyes.
In an instant.
A spiral-shaped holy lance formed in Vortigern's hand.
The vile king suddenly stood up, his body covered in shattered crimson crystals, he raised his hand and thrust the holy lance, Rhongomyniad.
"Breath of Vortigern!"
Throughout the entire island of Britain, under the blessing of the holy lance.
The White Dragon of Britain, engulfed in light, unleashed a breath of light devouring.
Boom!
Endless, boundless, ceaseless darkness burst forth from the tip of the holy lance, completely annihilating the fading brilliance of the holy sword, triggering a violent explosion.
Dust.
Dust dispersed on the battlefield...
A knight, completely black, stood amidst the ruins, still standing tall amidst the dust.
On the battlefield of ruins, everyone stared blankly at the figure.
The radiance of the sword in his hand dimmed completely.
The fallen blonde girl and the silver-haired witch, as if mad, desperately ran towards that figure.
Suddenly.
Artoria stopped in her tracks.
She stood bewildered amidst the dust, like a puppet whose winding had stopped.
Morgan continued to run madly, stumbling over rubble, her face covered in dust, she immediately got up and continued running.
The dust gradually thinned under the pressure of the wind.
The figure also gradually became clear.
However, the clearer it became, the more despairing it seemed...
The soft silver hair fluttered in the wind.
The black knight stood in front of the throne, his left hand, along with most of his chest, completely engulfed by the brilliance of the holy sword.
In his right palm, the coiled sword was riddled with cracks.
His whole body, covered in cracks.
The colorful, never-ending flames of the stars continued to burn his body.
Through the gap in his chest, you could see the remaining half of his heart, still weakly pulsating.
Morgan stood blankly on the battlefield of ruins.
She stood bewildered in front of him, unable to say a word.
"What... happened, my dear?"
The silver-haired youth with cracks on his face tremblingly held her hand, placed her palm on his face, and smiled so hard.
"...Your hand... why is it still so cold."
Click.
A piece of facial skin cracked and fell to the ground, turning into black dust.
His body had already been incinerated by the Sword of Promised Victory.
At this moment, his consciousness was just a dying flicker.
No skills, no Noble Phantasms could save him.
The silver-haired youth's head hung low.
He still stood.
But his head hung low.
Thud.
Artoria fell to her knees, her hair disheveled.
She looked at the Sword of Promised Victory in her hand.
Using all her remaining strength, she forcefully threw it away, emitting a piercing, tearful scream as if torn from her throat.
Looking at the indomitable Alvin.
The grand servants, all wounded, surrounded him with pity, silently.
In front of the intact throne.
King Vortigern stood expressionless.
The silver-haired old man, wielding the holy lance Rhongomyniad, exuded an unprecedented majestic aura, so oppressive that it left one breathless.
Standing on the land of Britannia, as the will of the island, he was invincible.
"Failed."
"Utter failure..."
A bitter smile appeared on caster's face, as he looked at his fellow grand servants, all silent and bitter.
"The counter force... betrayed us all."
The Sword of Promised Victory, Excalibur, a divine construct that even the Vanguard of the Umbral Star could penetrate.
It was dissatisfied with the arrogance of the grand servants.
It so desperately wanted to kill Vortigern.
Its plan was flawless.
But it couldn't anticipate the 'variables'.
However, the ambush it created at the perfect moment was thwarted by Alvin's desperate efforts, delaying it for a few seconds.
This allowed Vortigern to project his holy lance, and no one in the field could stop him.
In this situation...
Killing the opponent's son.
How could they persuade this dragon?
Ritsuka, kneeling on the ground, his face covered in blood, stared blankly at the emblem on the back of his hand.
"Ma... Mash..".
"Is this... the justice of humanity..."
"Why should we... save."
Looking at the silver-haired youth, whose body was like a withered tree about to decay.
Vortigern's aura suddenly erupted, overwhelming everyone except for Morgan.
Boom!
The spiral restraint on the holy lance Rhongomyniad shattered layer by layer, breaking through twelve restraints in an instant.
"The holy lance is about to be uprooted..."
Bathed in the aura of this dragon.
The grand servants, except for Tezcatlipoca, trembled as they raised their weapons.
However, after a sigh, they all lowered them again.
The golden-haired man, missing his right hand, looked at Alvin's half-heart, his head hung low, with a grimace on his face.
"I don't want to save the world anymore, Vortigern."
Tezcatlipoca pulled out the remnants of his own arm and threw them to the ground.
"For your son, to hell with this damn world..."
Thunder roared.
Torrential rain poured.
In the gloomy sky, the eyeball formed by the gathering spiral clouds began to slowly take shape, staring at King Vortigern on the ground.
At the same time.
In the depths of the Inner Seas of the Planet across the world, the remaining nineteen anchors of the planet suddenly trembled.
Hum.
The anchors of the planet began to resonate with each other, and the projected holy lance Rhongomyniad also resonated at the same time, as if trying to break free from Vortigern's grasp.
Layer by layer, the spiral restraints reappeared on the tip of the holy spear.
These were restraints forcibly imposed by the resonance of the anchors of the planet, aiming to restrain the holy lance once again.
Breaking free from these restraints would unleash the power of the holy lance, but as long as the thirteen restraints were not completely broken, the anchors of the planet would not fall off, and the laws of the Age of Gods would not be restored.
Under Vortigern's power.
The spiral restraints continued to shatter and reform on the tip of the spear.
Twelve restraints had already been broken.
However, the last restraint resisted Vortigern's power.
"Just one step left..."
All the grand servants present looked at Vortigern and the struggle between him and the world, grimacing.
Clearly possessing the power to protect human history.
At this moment, they all desperately hoped that Vortigern would win.
"The holy lance Rhongomyniad is the anchor of the Age of Gods in Britannia..."
The witch's voice, trembling and ghostly, resounded on the battlefield.
"The thing with the densest Age of Gods aura must be used to break the final seal of the holy lance."
"As someone who has merged with Vivian, I am the 'Great Mother' of Avalon."
"Vortigern! Come! Sacrifice me! Then, pierce through this world..."
The thing with the densest Age of Gods aura...
The silver-haired old man seemed to tremble slightly.
"Come on! Vortigern!!!"
The witch pounced in front of Vortigern, grabbing his collar, roaring and shouting.
Then, she was pushed away by the old man.
"No, Morgan."
Vortigern said softly.
"It shouldn't be you. You need to live, your power is useful."
"The most suitable one on the field undoubtedly is..."
The thing with the densest Age of Gods aura.
Under the shocked and horrified gaze of everyone.
Splurt.
The silver-haired youth's body trembled.
The tip of the holy spear pierced through the black knight, his broken and drifting heart.
The dying are the most suitable.
"Vortigern..."
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER!!!"
Tezcatlipoca's eyes wide in fury, rushed forward to fight the dragon but was thrown away by Vortigern and slumped into the ruins.
Ugh...
He vomited out a puddle of black blood, like charcoal.
Stimulated by the final pain, Alvin raised his gaze blankly.
His eyes struggled to lift up.
He looked at the burly silver-haired old man in front of him, his expressionless face.
So that's how it is...
Ah... I see now.
He wasn't surprised.
Rather, he had foreseen this outcome long ago, hadn't he?
The vile... king.
The light-devouring... dragon.
The will of this island, which resorted to any means necessary, now gasping its last breath.
Cough... Cough...
Coughing blood from his shattered lungs.
The silver-haired youth smiled laboriously.
"Old man... You did well."
"Take my share and... defeat that damn..."
"...Alvin."
Amidst such thunder and lightning.
In such torrential rain.
Vortigern lifted his head and looked at the entire world that wanted him dead, vaguely recalling the afternoon many years ago when his father had him drink dragon's blood.
"Vortigern, you must protect this island, protect Britannia."
No... I'm sorry, Father, I didn't protect Britannia.
Because I had to protect my son.
The Holy Lance is a divine construct that connects the inside and outside of the world.
Therefore, it can also connect... the blood of me and my son.
Faces cracking.
Bodies collapsing.
The consciousness of a human being extinguishing.
The figure of the silver-haired old man began to dissipate from the earth, under the influence of the Holy Lance, everything about him began to be sacrificed, all his magic and vitality continuously poured into the body of the silver-haired youth.
The flame was also being suppressed under the majestic will of the dragon, dimming and wavering.
At this final, one-step-away moment, as long as he pierced Alvin's heart and sacrificed his own son, he could pierce through this world.
However, he gave up.
He gave up.
Because he had grown soft-hearted.
Vortigern Pendragon.
Not the vile king, not the light-devouring dragon, not the incarnation of the island's last will.
At this moment.
Just... a father.
"Don't be soft-hearted, Alvin."
"This is my final advice to you..."
"Live well..."
With a gesture, the old man reached out and ruffled his son's silver hair as usual, his face showing the usual gentle and kind smile.
"My son."
His figure dissipated into the spiral of light.
