Chapter 59: The Blood of Every King Must End by the Sword
Splattering blood sprayed into the air as the wound-covered Gilgamesh was sent flying backward.
Because Gilgamesh had sustained a heavy blow, the Chains of Heaven binding Shirou slackened at that moment. Shirou manipulated the swords on the wasteland to directly snap the chains away and then landed upon the ground.
At this moment, Gilgamesh was struggling to push himself up, glaring at Shirou through gritted teeth.
"I must admit... for now, you are the stronger one!"
"If that's the case, then exit the stage!"
Shirou gave his opponent no more opportunities. He charged forward without hesitation, swinging his sword to cut down Gilgamesh.
At this stage, the speed of projectile fire from the "Gate of Babylon" was no longer fast enough to intervene. Gilgamesh could only reach out and pull a longsword directly into his hand.
Clang!
In another clash, the single-handedly sword-wielding Gilgamesh immediately felt the weight of the blow from Shirou's blade. The force numbed his arm, forcing him to grip the sword with both hands just to barely hold his ground.
"If I had encountered a Servant specializing in close-quarters combat, I probably wouldn't have even had the chance to use a Reality Marble. But since it's you—and since I prepared these swords beforehand—I can seize the initiative!"
Hearing Shirou's words spoken during the gap in their confrontation, Gilgamesh's face contorted with rage.
"Curse you! Curse you! Curse you! Curse you!!!"
The King of Heroes swung his sword wildly, launching a barrage of slashes at Shirou.
But in terms of close combat, Gilgamesh—in the Archer class—was simply not Shirou's match. On only the second strike of the exchange, Shirou found an opening and directly sent Gilgamesh's weapon flying!
In the next instant, during the moment Gilgamesh's body briefly lost balance, the black sword pierced through him.
"To think... I would actually be... by a mongrel..."
In that same moment, the scenery of the infinite wasteland vanished. The world fell apart, and the space abruptly shattered.
the gentle breeze unique to the night brushed against Shirou's cheeks once more, messing up his red hair. Gilgamesh, meanwhile, had already begun to dissipate into points of light before Shirou's eyes.
"Phew... it's finally over."
With the exit of the King of Heroes, Shirou lay back on the grass, somewhat drained of strength. He gazed up at the starry sky that had remained silent throughout the ordeal; the sky was filled with countless stars blinking with brilliant light.
His teenage form also vanished at this moment because the magical energy in his body had been depleted to the last drop by the horrific consumption of Unlimited Blade Works.
Shirou, who didn't even want to move a muscle, suddenly heard Saber's panicked cry.
"Irisviel!"
Shirou sat up and turned his gaze toward Saber. It turned out that by accepting another Servant's soul, Irisviel's body had become nearly unable to bear the burden. Even though "Avalon" was inside her, constantly healing her body, Avalon ultimately only displays its maximum power when in Saber's possession.
Unable to hold out any longer, Irisviel collapsed into Saber's arms. However, she had not lost consciousness and had not yet fallen into a deep slumber.
Shirou approached the two. Saber's expression was anxious and panicked, wanting to help Irisviel but not knowing how. Shirou spoke to her:
"Her body is the Lesser Grail. She was created by the Einzberns specifically to draw out the Greater Grail. Now, it only requires one or two more Servant souls to be fully activated."
Upon hearing Shirou's words, a look of profound sorrow emerged on Saber's face.
"How can this be... No, Irisviel... I..."
For Saber, her best friend in this modern era was Irisviel. To lose her now because of the Holy Grail was a situation Saber found difficult to accept. If she wanted to obtain the Grail, she had to defeat the other Servants, but doing so meant Irisviel would inevitably fade away.
To watch the person she wanted to protect move toward the end of her life bit by bit—this tragedy was repeating itself yet again.
"I... I can do nothing..."
Saber gripped Excalibur tightly. The holy sword seemed to feel its master's sorrow, as even its golden light dimmed slightly. Looking at the downcast Saber, Shirou sighed softly and said to her:
"Actually... there is a way."
Hearing this, Saber immediately turned her gaze toward Shirou.
"Is it true!?"
Shirou nodded and continued.
"Magecraft involving the soul is generally considered a taboo; basically, no magus family would reveal such secrets. However, the 'Clock Tower,' which can be called the world's pinnacle of magecraft research, might just possess such magic."
Of course, such magecraft would inevitably be sealed away along with a bunch of magi labeled as "heretics" and placed under "Sealing Designation." In a world where humans turn into souls after death, the existence of such secret arts was not that strange.
"The Clock Tower... I understand. As long as I can save Irisviel, I am willing to charge into any place, no matter how dangerous."
"...From the perspective of human magecraft levels, the appearance of a Heroic Spirit should be a dimensional strike. It should be fine," Shirou comforted her.
That was assuming those "old monsters" didn't come out to make trouble. Aside from the Magicians, the Clock Tower didn't have many characters that were particularly powerful—at least, that was how he thought when viewing things from a Heroic Spirit's perspective. From the viewpoint of a modern magus, the Clock Tower was still incredibly intimidating.
While Shirou was recalling data related to the Clock Tower, Irisviel, lying in Saber's arms, suddenly spoke.
"Orihara... may I ask a favor of you...?"
"What is it?" Shirou was taken aback.
Irisviel looked at Shirou, her gaze sincere as she pleaded:
"Please become Saber's Master!"
"Huh?"
This sudden request caused Shirou's expression to freeze. Saber also hadn't expected Irisviel to do this and was momentarily stunned.
Seeing this, Irisviel continued:
"I am no longer able to move. So, may I ask you to help Saber?"
"..."
Shirou hesitated. Seeing his hesitant expression, Irisviel felt there was hope, so she struck while the iron was hot.
"Of course, as a reward, I can give you all the magecraft I possess. Additionally, there is some money—though it's not much, only about twenty million..."
Irisviel's addition of a reward to her request left Shirou completely speechless.
Because he had personally killed this gentle woman's husband, Shirou still felt a bit of unease. But... that wasn't guilt.
Whether it was Emiya Kiritsugu or Shirou himself, they had both made their resolve when they stepped into the Holy Grail War.
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I'm happy to announce a new Fanfiction!
Danmachi - Emiya becomes the protagonist
Shirou Emiya awakens on the 18th floor of the Dungeon and is brought back to Orario by the Loki Familia.
Can Shirou becomes a Hero in this World? (No Bell)
Read ahead (40 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting