Chapter 107: Clearing the battlefield! Pointing to fate!
The next day, lead-grey clouds hung heavily in the sky, and the wind carried a biting, damp chill, signaling an impending downpour.
Arthur and Merlin stood side by side at the gate of Ryudoji Temple, their gazes fixed on the Fuyuki streets, which had become considerably desolate due to the approaching rain.
Merlin had meticulously confirmed every direction of the ley lines, his expression solemn, clearly understanding that this was no game.
"Preparations are complete, Master. I can begin at any time."
Arthur slowly exhaled a breath, his eyes sharp, as he channeled the surging magic within him into the vermilion crest on the back of his hand.
"In the name of the Command Spell, Merlin, clear the battlefield!"
The power of the Command Spell descended with a roar.
An unimaginable torrent of magic instantly erupted from Merlin's body, which he skillfully guided into the earth's ley lines, precisely controlling it.
A magnificent magic formation, invisible to mortal eyes, centered on Ryudoji Temple, instantly expanded to its limit!
A faint blue glow flashed and then encompassed the entire city!
Within Fuyuki City, those who had begun their daily commute in the early morning, whether hurried office workers or street vendors calling out their wares, all paused simultaneously.
As if receiving some invisible command, they collectively turned, and with perfectly synchronized movements, returned home to pack their belongings.
Then, either driving private cars or flocking to various stations, they evacuated Fuyuki City in the swiftest and most orderly manner possible.
A fine drizzle began to fall quietly, yet the massive crowd, like an army that had rehearsed countless times, silently and efficiently dispersed in all directions, without the slightest delay or panic.
At the same time, the other participants, hidden in various corners of Fuyuki City, all sensed this earth-shattering magical fluctuation without exception.
They all looked horrified, staring at the ground beneath their feet with suspicion and uncertainty.
Inside the guesthouse, Weber, as if struck by an invisible current, sprang up from the floor, his voice trembling with extreme shock.
"What… what exactly is going on?!"
"Who… who is channeling such a terrifying amount of magic?!"
"It is indeed an unimaginable amount of magic."
Iskandar abruptly stood up, his casual clothes instantly transforming into magnificent crimson armor, his voice deep.
"What exactly does this person intend to do? Manipulating magic of this scale, even a slight error would lead to self-destruction!"
On the other side, Kiritsugu Emiya and the others had just relocated their base from the Einzbern's European-style castle to a secluded Japan old house, and at this moment, they too looked at each other, their expressions varied.
Kiritsugu Emiya, who always planned his actions carefully, frowned deeply, rapidly integrating the limited information in his mind, attempting to analyze this sudden turn of events.
A single Magus could never possess such power. Could someone be secretly activating Fuyuki's ley lines entirely?
If so, who could it be?
In the early hours of the morning, Jiuyu Wumi had, as per his instructions, successfully blown up the Fuyuki Church.
Risei Kotomine, the Overseer, and his son, Kirei Kotomine, were now both of unknown fate.
The familiars responsible for monitoring the New Metropolitan Hall and Mount Enzou had not sent back any warnings, indicating that these two places were also safe and sound.
So, was it Tokiomi Tohsaka, the manager of this land's ley lines, who was acting?
However, Tokiomi Tohsaka, whom Kiritsugu Emiya had identified as the primary suspect,
was currently lying lifeless in a pool of blood in his own magic workshop, his usual elegance long gone.
Kirei Kotomine, who should have perished with Risei Kotomine in the church explosion, stood beside his corpse.
He clutched a blood-stained, sharp short blade in his hand, his face beaming with a morbid and twisted pleasure.
Afterward, he casually discarded the short blade, took two steps forward, and formally formed a Command Spell contract with Gilgamesh, who had been waiting for a long time, forming a new Master-Servant pair.
"It seems we're not the only ones who couldn't hold back."
Kirei Kotomine chuckled softly, his gaze directed at the massive magic still swirling outside the window.
"Hero King, can you discern who is secretly manipulating the ley lines?"
Gilgamesh snorted, arms crossed, his wine-red eyes filled with disdain and arrogance.
"It matters not. The ultimate winner of this Holy Grail War will only be this King."
Boom—boom—!
Two subtle yet long tremors, as if from the world's pulse, spread from deep within the earth's veins!
Following immediately was an undisguised magical message, broadcast to the entire city.
"Everyone, the troublesome spectators have all left the stage. It's time to host the latter half of the King's Feast!"
"Artoria Pendragon, come and fight me!"
Upon hearing this domineering message, the expressions of the various participating teams instantly became a kaleidoscope of emotions.
Some had burning eyes, their fighting spirit rising, while others curved their lips into a meaningful smile.
Artoria, however, furrowed her delicate brows even tighter. She looked at Kiritsugu Emiya and Irisviel, who were not far away, her eyes filled with struggle and confusion.
"Master, Madam, I…"
Kiritsugu Emiya did not answer immediately, his face so gloomy it seemed water could be wrung from it.
The direction of the Holy Grail War had completely escaped his control, which made him feel an unprecedented anxiety and unease.
Irisviel quickly stepped forward, gently taking Kiritsugu Emiya's arm, her voice soft and imbued with a calm, unwavering determination.
"We can't avoid it, can we, Kirisugu?"
Kiritsugu Emiya opened his mouth, but in the end, he only nodded, his expression dark, then turned to Artoria, who stood by, and gave his command.
"Saber, prepare for battle. For… for Irisviel, bring victory."
Upon hearing this, Artoria's expression became serious, the confusion in her eyes replaced by resolve, her tone regaining its former fearless solemnity.
"Yes, Master!"
Before her words finished, her figure moved like lightning, already rushing out of the courtyard, standing proudly in the center of the empty street, facing the drizzling rain.
In an instant, intense magical fluctuations erupted from Artoria's small body!
Amidst the flashing light, the Invisible Air dissipated, revealing the cold, gleaming steel armor beneath and the Holy Sword!
Almost at the same moment, the sound of rain in the sky suddenly became furious, and a figure tore through the rain curtain, descending from the sky with the force of ten thousand thunders!
Also clad in heavy steel armor, Arthur stood in mid-air, his face stern, looking down at the King of Knights below.
"Have you carefully considered your wish, Artoria?"
His voice was still calm, but within it lay a heavy, probing solemnity.
Artoria tightened her grip on the Holy Sword, her eyes flickering with pain and unwillingness, but ultimately transforming into a hint of stubbornness as she looked up, directly at Arthur.
"I failed to prevent the kingdom's downfall; I was an unworthy King. Therefore, the one who pulled the Sword in the Stone and became the King of Britain should not have been me."
Arthur listened expressionlessly, then made a grasping motion with his right hand.
In an instant, starlight converged and formed in his palm, and a Holy Sword, equally dazzling and shimmering with fine golden light, powerfully manifested!
"Then let's fight!" Arthur's voice was as cold as iron. "I will make you personally experience how ridiculous your wish truly is!"
Bang—!
A muffled sonic boom exploded beneath Arthur's feet, a blurred afterimage tearing through the wind and rain!
He charged directly at Artoria's face in the most primal, most violent manner, his Holy Sword, wielding the power to split mountains and shatter rocks, slashing down furiously!
Artoria, who was ready for battle, her pupils constricting, reacted instantly, blocking upwards with her gleaming Holy Sword!
Clang—!
The two peerless Holy Swords clashed with a roar, igniting dazzling sparks and a visible shockwave!
The ground beneath Artoria's feet cracked and caved in inch by inch, and a wild pressure swept outwards!
"Why do you say that!?"
Artoria struggled to maintain her stance under the immense force, her face flushed with urgency, the inexplicable emotions surging within her preventing her from maintaining her usual composure, as she pressed for an answer.
"What connection is there between you and me? Why do I…"
"Are you still dwelling on these trivial matters at a time like this? Get serious!"
Arthur roared, releasing the heavy pressure on his sword, and using the momentum, spun around, his backhanded swing of the Holy Sword already producing an ear-splitting thunder, a sonic boom ripping through the air, attacking fiercely once more!
…
Rumble—!
Amidst the lightning and thunder, the Gordius Wheel charged wildly through the storm-laden sky as if on solid ground, narrowly dodging the various Noble Phantasms that rained down from behind like a sudden downpour.
The luxurious Noble Phantasms that missed their target collided in mid-air, triggering a series of violent explosions and dazzling flashes of light, startling Weber, who was cowering in the carriage seat, into screaming with his hands over his head.
"What do we do, Rider?! This guy… this guy has no intention of letting us leave at all!"
Iskandar, gripping the reins, quickly glanced back, his thick, bushy eyebrows furrowed, his voice full of complaints and annoyance.
"Tsk, that Hero King, how can he still produce a flying mount of this caliber? His legend of 'collecting all treasures in the world' is truly too much of a cheat!"
Behind the Gordius Wheel, Gilgamesh stood proudly on his radiant vessel, "Vimana," constructed of gold and emeralds, roaring loudly, his voice echoing through the clouds.
"This King has long said that I would bring divine retribution upon you, traitor, who dared to covet this King's treasures!"
"Conqueror, accept this King's wrath with gratitude!"
Iskandar grunted in exasperation, then abruptly pulled the reins, turning the carriage directly towards the Fuyuki Grand Bridge, which spanned the Mion River not far away, crashing towards it at high speed!
"No choice now! It seems there's absolutely no way to escape without a good fight with this guy! Kid, hold on tight, we'll face him first!"