Just as Artoria had said, Shiomi truly could withstand the burden of releasing "Avalon: The Everdistant Utopia."
Gilgash hadn't anticipated this. He had no idea Artoria still concealed such a Noble Phantasm.
The blow from the Sword of Rupture was not only entirely neutralized, but even reflected back—its force combined with the brilliance of the Holy Sword, slicing toward Gilgash.
With no ti to dodge at such close range, Gilgash summoned the Shield of the Gods in defense.
"Don't even think about it!"
Returning the borrowed Noble Phantasm to Artoria, Shiomi leapt up from beside the King of Knights and gripped his summoned crimson spear once more.
"Then let's give you the ultimate test!"
The opened Gate of Babylon fired again.
Now outside the range of the Holy Sword's protection, Shiomi beca the focus of every weapon.
But Gilgash wasn't the only one attacking. Iskandar raised his hand and brought it down with a commanding sweep.
The soldiers who had been standing by sprang into action, hurling their weapons with full force. They clashed with Gilgash's incoming Noble Phantasms, erupting in a series of explosions.
Though their weapons didn't match the might of Gilgash's treasures, they were enough to disrupt his attack on Shiomi.
Dodging the barrage of deadly projectiles, Shiomi surged toward the King of Heroes, aiming for the sky.
Spotting a gap in the Shield of the Gods, he lunged forward with his crimson spear.
But the strike that should have pierced Gilgash's vitals halted just a hair's breadth away.
Chains shot from the gates of the vault, wrapping tightly around Tenkei Shiomi.
Enkidu—the Chains of Heaven.
Originally ant to restrain those with divinity, they still possessed overwhelming strength even when used as ordinary chains.
"Feel honored. You've forced
to subdue you with this Noble Phantasm," Gilgash said, raising the Sword of Rupture to finish the job.
"Don't jump to conclusions. Who ever said a Magus has to fight alone?" Shiomi grinned.
His body suddenly dispersed.
In the blink of an eye, five versions of Tenkei Shiomi appeared, surrounding Gilgash from different angles.
"What?!"
"You want to pick up a few spells from ? My husband really is insatiable. Isn't what you learned in the Land of Shadows enough?"
Even with Morgan's teasing, she didn't hesitate to teach Shiomi one of her most formidable spells.
He'd kept it a secret—so much so that not even the strategy eting had ntioned it.
Following his will, the magic spear in Shiomi's hand transford into various weapons.
A bow and arrow, a longsword, a greatsword, a massive hamr.
Together with his original form, five distinct attacks streaked across the air in rapid succession.
Empowered by the Primordial Runes, they easily tore through Gilgash's golden armor. But the final magic spear stopped just short of piercing his chestplate.
Gilgash let out a cold laugh. He moved to activate his Noble Phantasm again—but found himself completely frozen. The space around him had been sealed tight.
"Never rely on just one spear in battle. There will always be foes a single lance can't defeat. Pin them down with the first—then skewer them with the second. I'll only show you once. If you don't learn it... you know the consequences."
His master's voice still echoed in his mind.
"Soaring Spear of Piercing Death—Gae Bolg Alternative!"
Summoning the second, hidden crimson spear, Shiomi unleashed its true na.
The Spirit Core of the Golden King was struck clean through.
Blood spilled from Gilgash's lips.
"So this is the God-Slaying Spear… That woman had no idea who she was teaching," Gilgash said flatly.
His golden armor faded, blood still flowing as the tangible presence of the King of Heroes slowly began to dissolve.
"What are you talking about?" Shiomi asked, puzzled.
"It's your victory. Take it with pride," Gilgash said, eyes fixed on Shiomi. "Prepare yourself, God-Slayer. Once you set foot on the path of salvation, there's no turning back."
His words were full of implication, leaving Shiomi no choice but to press further. "What do you an by that?"
"I owe you no explanation. Go ahead—walk your path of no return. Hahaha…"
But Gilgash clearly had no intention of saying more. With that, his body faded rapidly, vanishing completely along with his Noble Phantasms.
Though victorious, Shiomi could only descend with a storm of questions weighing on his heart.
Gilgash's words had stirred sothing deep within him.
Who was he, really? Where had he co from?
What were the mories he had lost?
And where should his path lead?
Eyes closed, lost in thought, Shiomi let himself fall.
"Just begin your journey. Don't cling to this place. When the ti is right, we'll et again—master and student. Let's agree to reunite then."
Her parting words echoed in his mind—his master's final ssage before he left the Land of Shadows.
Back then, overwheld with the bittersweet feeling of parting, he hadn't reflected deeply. Now, that mont returned with new weight.
If this journey truly held a unique purpose...
"Shiomi!"
Artoria, who had already landed, noticed his unguarded fall and rushed to catch him, sensing sothing was wrong.
Snapping back to awareness, Shiomi realized his oversight—he'd nearly put himself in danger.
"Sorry to trouble you," he said, signaling Artoria to let him down and regaining his footing.
"That was an incredible counterattack."
Iskandar rode up in his ox cart, the cheers of the still-standing soldiers behind him celebrating their hard-won and extraordinary victory.
"Not at all. It was only thanks to both of you that it all ca together," Shiomi said, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
"The King of Heroes who stood in our way is gone. Now, only one task remains," Artoria said, clenching her left hand.
The long-lost sword sheath had returned to her, but she knew she'd never need to set foot on such a battlefield again.
Perhaps that was why it had been lost to begin with.
Perhaps even then, fate had tried to tell Artoria Pendragon to let go—she just hadn't noticed, brushing it off as a trivial setback.
"Then let us, as kings, witness the conclusion of this Holy Grail War," Iskandar said. "Though there were regrets, this expedition was satisfying."
He raised a hand, and as the soldiers saluted, the Reality Marble slowly dissolved.
Before them stood Ryuudou Temple, still glowing with an ominous phosphorescence.
"Yes… she's still waiting for ."
Shiomi turned and began walking toward the rear of the temple.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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