152 Chapter 151: The Final Victor
In reality, Shinji's concern was completely unnecessary. None of the people present would pay any attention to his seven-year-old appearance.
The mystical world had too many things that defied common sense. Saber herself was bound by the Sword in the Stone, which kept her physical age fixed. Emiya Kiritsugu and Irisviel's daughter, Illyasviel von Einzbern, also experienced severe physical development delays. At the age of eight, she looked like she was only three or four years old. It was perfectly normal to have a child whose appearance didn't match their mental age.
Noticing that the members of the Saber camp didn't look down on him because of his physical age, Shinji quickly calmed down and asked Scathach, "Sensei, are you suggesting that—"
"The Holy Grail no longer holds value for you, but it still holds value for us, as it represents the honor of a warrior. This is the Holy Grail War, a war with only one victor. Only the victor can claim the glory of destroying the Holy Grail."
At this moment, Scathach, devoid of her usual intellect, and her red eyes devoid of their serene wisdom, appeared as a blazing flame. She had ignited herself and everything around her completely for the sake of battle.
"This is the wish of a warrior. I believe you can understand, as well, Saber."
Saber, gripping her golden sword, remained silent. However, her resolute expression made it clear that she desired to test her strength against this legendary Queen of the Shadows.
"Do as you please."
Witnessing this scene, Shinji knew that it was futile to try to stop them. He could only force a bitter smile and turn to Kiritsugu and Irisviel.
"Please don't stop Saber either. Let them have a satisfying fight. Consider it a small repayment for all the battles we have fought so far."
Kiritsugu Emiya remained expressionless, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He simply said, "The mud is about to overflow from the altar."
"Don't worry." Scathach aimed both her guns at the ground. "By the time that happens, the victor will already be decided."
"Indeed." Saber stepped away from Irisviel. "Irisviel and Master, I promised you that I would obtain the Holy Grail. Now let me fulfill my promise."
"Saber, bring me victory," Irisviel said as she watched Saber's figure, feeling an inexplicable surge of emotions. It was the same phrase she had uttered on the night they arrived in Fuyuki City.
Saber responded with the same words, "Yes, I swear upon this sword that I will bring victory! Prepare yourself, Assassin!"
"The one who needs to prepare is you, Saber. I'll take your heart!"
A cold aura swirled around Scathach's body. With her dual spears at the center, magical energy formed a vortex, enveloping her in a cloak of flames.
Saber raised her sword and stared intently at Scathach. She knew her opponent was about to unleash her Noble Phantasm, and a sense of crisis surged within her.
"Thrust—"
Just like before, the moment Scathach uttered the first word, she pushed off with her left foot and instantly appeared before Saber, as if teleporting.
Her right-hand spear thrust towards Saber's feet.
That seemed like a very foolish move, with the spear tilted downward and attacking toward the feet. It was ineffective against Saber.
Just as Saber was leaping over the extended spear, intending to strike down Scathach as she stepped forward, she suddenly saw herself being impaled by the magical spear, piercing through her heart.
"Thrust—"
At the same time, the second word escaped from Scathach's lips, and the spear that was aimed downward suddenly changed its trajectory, thrusting toward Saber's left shoulder in an impossible shape.
"——!?"
Saber's body was sent flying by the spear, forming a large parabolic arc with her and the spear, heading towards the ground. No, she didn't touch the ground. Saber's body was fixed at the highest point of the arc.
Immediately after successfully landing the first spear, Scathach thrust the second spear. Her left arm bent, raising the spear over her shoulder. It was the standard throwing position, and naturally, the spearhead aimed at Saber, who was suspended in mid-air and unable to move.
"Gáe Bolg Alternative (Piercing Death Spear)!"
Scathach finally unleashed the true name of her Noble Phantasm. With powerful magical words, the magical spear in her left hand became like red lightning, tearing through the night sky.
Just like the previous spear, it aimed at an inconsequential place. However, in mid-air, the magical spear once again changed its trajectory, automatically locking onto Saber's heart. It was as if the outcome had already been determined, regardless of the process—it was certain to reach its target.
This is the terrifying aspect of Scathach's Noble Phantasm, Gáe Bolg Alternative—Causality Reversal.
Everything has a cause and a consequence, but the Piercing Death Spear completely subverts this notion. Before the magical spear thrusts, the results of "stabbing the shoulder" and "piercing the heart" are already determined. Once the outcome is established, the process naturally evolves towards the predetermined result. The fundamental change brought about by the magical spear is not the trajectory but the process of hitting the target.
This is a magical spear capable of breaking through all kinds of defenses.
It determines the fate of the enemy at the moment of attack. No matter what evasive measures the enemy takes, the cursed spear will always hit its mark once it is used.
Who can withstand such a ridiculous strike?
That's why it is an assured kill!
But—Saber blocked it.
The curse that was supposed to be a red lightning piercing through the heart was expelled by a golden light.
Just like the Shadowlands where Scathach resides, it is a radiance that does not belong to the present world. It is the radiance possessed by the most precious treasure of the Arthurian legend.
Before the cursed spear arrives, Saber unleashes her final trump card.
What scattered before her was the unique scabbard of the holy sword, the physical form of the legend that King Arthur would not be harmed.
Made of a mysterious material, the scabbard completely defended against the cursed spear.
No, it's not defense, it's interception!
Saber, protected by the scabbard of the holy sword, for that moment alone, severs all truths in this world.
The strongest protection in this world, beyond the reach of even the Five Great Magics, is an ultimate barrier that no one can violate.
"Avalon!"
Therefore, the name of the scabbard is "The Everdistant Utopia".
It is the ideal town that King Arthur could reach before his death, a place that other kings dream of but cannot reach.
The only means to unravel the reversal of causality is to make the "consequence" disappear.
Saber, protected by Avalon, is placed in another dimension, a space that the cursed spear can never reach.
With no outcome, the process that exists to prove the result naturally ceases to exist. The magical spear in mid-air trembles for a moment, then the spearhead turns and follows its original trajectory, automatically returning to the hands of Scathach, who is the "cause." Everything returns to the state before the second spear is thrust—unless Saber exists.
Before the cursed spear can return, the blue-clad figure flickers.
Saber's body lacked armor. She removed the armor that protected her, and the magical energy flowed into the sword in her hand.
"Ex— (Sword—)"
"Well done—"
Scathach's expression of admiration was right before her eyes.
"—calibur (— of Victory)!"
With a powerful strike, the holy sword cleaved through the Queen of the Shadows' body, destroying her spiritual core.
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