Chapter 108: The stars shine together! The Black King arrives!
Outside the ancient house, the continuous clash of swords wove a symphony of slaughter, even overpowering the increasingly urgent rain.
The crisp and dense clang of metal, accompanied by the flashing platinum sword shadow, composed a solemn and deadly movement.
Facing Arthur's tempestuous sword dance, Artoria was steadily pushed back, struggling to cope, and gradually showing signs of defeat.
Arthur's eyes were sharp, discerning the flow of battle, and even though he perceived the opponent's fighting spirit waning, his offensive never slackened for a moment.
Fourth Secret Sword: Mirage Wolf!
His figure flickered, five afterimages suddenly split, and each Holy Sword, imbued with elemental power, descended with the force of a thunderbolt!
Boom!
The mixed elemental magic burst forth violently, the impact sending shattered stones and dust flying, mixing with the heavy rain into mud that splattered down!
Arthur's sword moves were continuous and complementary; Artoria retreated with difficulty under the impenetrable curtain of swords, her expression changing several times, finally understanding her opponent's determination in this battle.
She had no time to ponder the inexplicable stir and bitterness in her heart; her gaze sharpened, and a glint of Edge appeared!
The solid wind pressure suddenly stalled, and layers of airwaves instantly exploded between the two!
In that instant, a sharp star-like gleam shattered the rain curtain, aiming directly for Arthur's face!
Such a swift surprise attack was blocked by another star-like gleam, erupting in a deafening roar!
Two knight's swords, both flowing with starlight, clashed fiercely, sparks flying, illuminating the expressions of the two confronting each other.
Arthur looked down from above, gazing at Artoria who was so close, a battle-ready smile curling his lips.
"Good, your sword is much heavier. But are you ready to receive this starlight?"
Artoria gritted her teeth, Arthur's face reflected in her emerald eyes, a complex, unspeakable emotion flashing through them as she asked in a deep voice.
"I don't feel your killing intent, but I also know you genuinely want to defeat me. Why?"
Arthur's smile did not diminish as he swiftly retreated, and after creating distance from Artoria, he deftly raised his hand to pull back his hood, revealing his true face.
"You are—!?
That familiar feeling surged again, and Artoria's heart trembled, a familiar name almost escaping her lips.
Though they were completely different, that lingering sense of familiarity unsettled her.
"An experimental subject who survived because of King Arthur."
Upon hearing this, Artoria's pupils contracted, and she instantly recalled the small knight who had once incited rebellion.
Arthur's face showed no ripples, his tone flat, as if he were narrating someone else's story.
"From the moment I gained self-awareness, the people around me constantly instilled in me that I was just a tool."
"But facing such an insignificant me, that King still chose to extend a helping hand, allowing me to live."
Hiss!
Arthur's body erupted with blood-red magic, his aura soaring, outlining the phantom of a crimson dragon spreading its wings behind him!
"So, as an existence on par with that Azure-Silver one, don't show me the posture of a stray dog!"
"Remember! The self when you drew your sword! That thrill when the starlight shone!"
"The self when I drew my sword...?"
Artoria murmured distractedly, staring blankly at the crimson dragon illusion that was so similar to her past self.
The swords met the next instant, and the past surged forth like a tide!
...
In the distance, the shouts of valiant cavalry were faintly audible, the clamor distant, and the area around the rock was empty and silent.
Artoria, dressed in simple linen, stepped forward and grasped the Holy Sword in the stone, surprised to find the hilt unexpectedly fitting her palm.
"Before you take it, you'd best consider carefully."
A strange silver-haired Magus appeared silently, his voice coming from behind her.
Artoria had actually seen him countless times in her dreams, but this was the first time they met in reality.
"I won't harm you, so don't do that."
His words contained a strange magic, revealing the future to Artoria in the form of an echo.
"Once you take that sword, until the very end, you will no longer be human. Not only that, you will be hated by everyone, and ultimately meet a tragic death."
This was not advice, but a prophecy.
Artoria's face twitched slightly with fear, and her sword-holding hand trembled uncontrollably.
She feared her future.
Should she abandon the idea of becoming King because of this?
Or, should she escape from this path now?
Artoria was silent for a moment, then raised her head, revealing a pure and fearless smile, and softly responded.
"In the future, many people are smiling. I believe that must not be wrong."
She decided to fight, no matter what awaited her.
The Holy Sword emerged in response.
Even if what lay ahead was an unavoidable, lonely destruction.
...
Clang!
The dazzling starlight on the two fiercely clashing Holy Swords suddenly surged!
Though only for an instant, Arthur and Artoria both caught certain intentions from the sudden burst of light, their gazes meeting, sparks flying.
Ethereal blue and scarlet magic violently collided within the vortex of light, yet distinctly crushed each other, stirring up streaks of dark lightning.
Crack!
A thunderous explosion echoed through the ruined street, countless shattered stones shot out from the dust, their speed far exceeding that of a fired bullet!
In a flash, Arthur and Artoria crossed paths in the swirling dust, standing on opposite sides.
With the barrier of the biting sword pressure gone, the torrential rain finally poured down, heavily striking the pitted ground, making a rushing sound.
The rain continued to wash over everything, and the dust lingering in the field quickly dispersed.
Artoria was pale, kneeling on one knee, supporting her body with great effort using her Holy Sword, breathing rapidly.
Her armor was already shattered, her slender body beneath the indigo dress was covered in mud, and her hands, feet, and shoulders were covered in charred burns.
Arthur, in contrast, calmly reined in the surging magic within him, his indigo cloak and skirt fluttering in the wind, showing no signs of disarray.
In an instant, the scarlet gauze-like garment on his body dissipated, the crimson dragon illusion behind him vanished, and his back remained as straight as a pine tree.
"Can't stand up already? It's rare to regain the starlight, why not try a thoroughly exhilarating reversal?"
Listening to Arthur's familiar teasing tone, Artoria, contrary to her usual demeanor, retorted with a hint of annoyance.
"You're so despicable, holding the same Holy Sword as me, yet always pretending to be a worshipper from later generations!"
Arthur chuckled indifferently, stepping before her and raising his Holy Sword high.
"King of Knights, remember, all's fair in war."
Illuminated by the starlight of the Holy Sword, Arthur's figure once again made Artoria lose herself for a moment, and she murmured.
"I've lost."
Arthur calmly nodded: "You've lost, rest in peace."
Just as he swung his sword to strike, a sharp whooshing sound suddenly arose from behind him!
An Origin Bullet, imbued with the property of qualitative change, whistled through the air, aimed directly at Arthur's head!
His expression unchanged, he twisted his wrist, and the thick sword spine accurately knocked away the Origin Bullet, his gaze like lightning, piercing through the rain curtain, shooting towards Kiritsugu Emiya who was swiftly fleeing in the distance.
"Is this guy trying to die?"
"Guh!?
Artoria suddenly cried out in pain, and viscous, ink-like black mud surged from beneath her feet, proliferating wildly!
Already exhausted, she knew something was wrong and struggled desperately, but her body was tightly bound by the black mud, her face filled with agony.
Lightning flashed!
Arthur was surrounded by crackling lightning, suddenly breaking through the black mud's restraints, forcefully pulling Artoria out of the mire, his expression grave as he looked towards the end of the street.
There, a dark figure, with a playful smile, quietly watched Artoria's hair change from brilliant gold to deathly platinum.
King Arthur Alter, descended!