Chapter 600: The Light and Shadow of Sherwood
As time passed, more and more Masters found themselves blocked outside the coliseum gates. When our Emperor Nero finally arrived late, she was greeted by the astonishing sight of a massive crowd that seemed to empty the entire city.
"Mmm... what's going on here?" Nero mumbled around a piece of freshly toasted bread still in her mouth, her signature ahoge curling into a question mark as she tried asking those around her. Suddenly, the crowd automatically parted, clearing a large space for a striking figure with red twin-tails.
"Let's go, Lancer!"
As if she'd been preparing for this moment, Rin Tohsaka stood within a magic circle constructed of gemstones, her azure eyes burning with fury. With a loud shout, she thrust her hand forward as countless gems transformed into waves of pure magical energy, crashing alongside a crimson blur that followed her every move—both striking violently against the violet barrier.
Zzzzt—
The sound resembled a rotten bow scraping across violin strings, raising goosebumps on everyone's skin. When the auditory torment finally ceased, the towering violet barrier—scaled like dragon hide—remained completely unscathed, utterly ignoring both the A-rank destructive force of the gemstone beam and the Servant's full-power strike.
"Not gonna work, Rin. Have you gotten weaker since we last met?"
"Shut up! If you're so great, you try!"
"Fine, I will! Bros, let's do this!"
"OK, I'll form the head!"
"I'll handle the legs and feet!"
"Torso and arms here!"
What appeared to be triplet magi shouted in unison as their one- and two-star Servants charged forward—only for their attacks to be reflected—leaving them severely wounded on the ground.
"Daa—riuuuuus!"
"What's wrong, great hero? Hang in there!"
"Dammit, everyone, don't stop now! (sobbing)"
The comedic trio retreated tearfully, and by then, Nero had finally grasped the situation. "So Sakatsuki used a barrier to block us out so he could fight his opponent early?"
"Yeah, seems he used another precious item—that damn whale," the Master explaining to Nero grumbled resentfully. "No idea where he gets all that money. Who'd waste QP on something like this?"
Rich, and frequently spending on unnecessary things...
Nero fell into thought, only to be startled by sudden exclamations from ahead. She instinctively looked up to see the young King of Knights and his knight stepping forward through the crowd, calmly taking their position at the challenge platform.
"Even Leo's here?"
"Will they succeed?"
"Hard to say, none of the other attacks worked..."
Leo paid no heed to the murmurs. He simply raised his hand and issued a calm command: "Gawain, you are permitted to deploy your Noble Phantasm."
"As you command, my liege."
Amidst the astonished murmurs of the crowd, the knight who resembled a fairytale prince bowed gracefully. When he straightened, the legendary holy sword already rested in his grip—and in the next moment, the mythical Noble Phantasm erupted with radiant light.
"This sword is the sibling of the sun. The purifying flame of dawn that incinerates all impurity—Excalibur Galatine!"
Like a solar flare erupting, the flash of the sword stole everyone's vision, bringing involuntary tears to their eyes. When the destructive light faded, even the indestructible purple barrier had been breached, an unknown fluid dripping from the edges before dissipating into the void.
The Imaginary Number Barrier—had been destroyed!
The path to the arena was now open, yet no one took a step forward. Everyone was awestruck by the might of Gawain's Noble Phantasm and Leo's decisiveness, leaving the scene in prolonged silence.
That was a Noble Phantasm—and not just any, but one of the most threatening beam-type Noble Phantasms!
And Leo had simply revealed it so casually?
A Noble Phantasm was a Servant's trump card, the most crucial factor in determining victory in this Holy Grail War. Generally speaking, finding a way to counter an enemy's Noble Phantasm significantly increased one's chances of winning.
For Leo to make such a "reckless" move, there could only be one possible explanation—
"To be so confident that even after revealing his Noble Phantasm and its true name, he can still defeat his enemies," Rin murmured. "Such arrogance... truly befitting a young master of the Western European conglomerates."
Suppressing their wariness toward Leo and Gawain, the Masters exchanged glances before stepping into the arena.
No matter what, their battle had to continue.
Yet, as the Masters swarmed into the arena, only a handful remained unmoved. Among them were Leo and Gawain.
"My lord, shall we not enter to train?"
"No need, Gawain." Leo reached out, touching the gradually dissolving Imaginary Number Barrier, his gaze solemn. "I've already gathered the intelligence I sought."
"???" Gawain was puzzled, but Leo continued softly, as if speaking to himself, "There are no defensive barriers of this attribute available in the concession stands... So, how was this barrier constructed—one that could withstand nearly all attacks, even a Noble Phantasm?"
"Wait, you mean—?!" The handsome knight suddenly realized, his expression turning grave.
"Yes, Gawain. This is the enemy we are destined to face." Leo withdrew his hand and turned to leave.
"A formidable opponent who, with magecraft alone, can shut out most Masters."
Leo and Gawain departed, while Nero, who had overheard the entire conversation, blinked in surprise and muttered to herself.
"Sakatsuki... is really that strong?"
———
"It seems the Imaginary Number Barrier has been breached." The moment the blockade was lifted, Sakatsuki, as the caster, received the signal. "But before that, the outcome was already decided."
The black blade twisted, tracing a fluid arc that sent Robin Hood's dagger flying. The white blade thrust forward, unstoppable as a spear.
The final strike toppled the enemy, the moment drawn out like a slow-motion scene—solemn yet swift—as the blade pierced Robin Hood's chest.
"Guh—!" Blood stained his clothes, flowing down the pale blade. Sakatsuki withdrew the sword and stepped back, while Robin Hood knelt on one knee, struggling not to collapse.
This was the last dignity of the hero. Once Sakatsuki displayed his divine martial prowess, the victor had long been decided.
"Ha... I really... am not cut out... for head-on battles..."
Robin Hood gasped, forcing a faint smile. This time, Sakatsuki didn't mock him but nodded seriously in response.
"Your smile proves the longing in your heart. Rejoice, Robin Hood. The you of now is exactly the gallant knight your former self aspired to be."
"Hah, is that so."
Only after hearing Sakatsuki's praise did Robin Hood close his eyes, leaning against a large tree in relief. Steady footsteps approached, and before he realized it, the old knight Dan Blackmore had come to sit beside him. His face bore neither the bitterness of defeat nor forced consolation—only tranquility, like the boundless sea.
"Forgive me, Archer, for my selfishness."
"No, my lord, this is fine." Shedding his mantle as the King of May, Robin Hood now smiled faintly like an ordinary young man. "Even just once, I wanted to play the hero. After all, I never had the chance in life."
"Looking back, in my lifetime, I gained many things—wealth, fame, friendship, peace—but this was the one thing I could never obtain. So... this is enough."
"In the end, you've given me what I could never have had."
His fading profile showed no regret. The youth who had once donned the mantle of a hero to protect his village, who had willingly buried himself in the depths of the forest for the sake of victory alone—the one who fought like a knight yet was never praised by the villagers—now whispered contentedly as he scattered into stardust.
Watching his Servant's departure with solemnity, Dan Blackmore turned his gaze toward Hakuno Kishinami as if beholding a revelation.
"...Well, though I showed such an unsightly display at the end, defeat doesn't feel so bad after all."
Was this truly his heartfelt sentiment, or merely a lie to comfort the girl? Regardless, the old knight curled his lips into a smile.
"It was a meaningful battle indeed. This is the first time I've become the foundation for a young person with a future."
No longer stern as in the past, Dan Blackmore's expression was now filled with serenity, as though gazing upon his own granddaughter.
"Hakuno, at the end, indulge this old man's ramblings one last time."
"From now on, no matter what enemies you face, no matter what opponents you defeat, you must accept the outcome. Whether you waver or regret, if those feelings remain, let them be—but never resist the result."
"Take it all as nourishment and move forward. That is what resolve means."
A Master who had lost their contracted Servant was deemed meaningless by the Moon Cell. With the old knight's will offering no resistance, his body too began dissolving into the Sea of Imaginary Numbers.
"Fight for something. Find the reason you must never lose—discover your own answer. Until the very end, fulfill the duty of continuous victory."
"Do you understand, young one with a future? This alone... you must never forget."
Having spoken his final counsel, the old knight closed his eyes in his final moments. In his fading consciousness, a figure from his memories seemed to approach him step by step.
"Good... It seems we can finally meet. What a long time it's been... Anne."
Whispering the name of his deceased wife, the old knight embraced a death free of regrets. Meanwhile, Hakuno Kishinami, who had received his many kindnesses and been instilled with conviction, pressed a hand to her chest and silently mourned for him.
"Lord Dan, from you I learned the form I ought to take."
—The battles to come.
Yes, after this, there would still be the third round, and beyond.
Since she had no choice but to fight...
"Then at the very least, I must be worthy of the opponents whose lives I took in past battles."
Holding fast to this resolve, Hakuno Kishinami left the Second Moon Cell Sea at Sakatsuki's call. After their departure, a brilliant white-gold light suddenly rose within the coliseum.
The light coalesced and took shape, forming a tall, slender figure. A young man with silver-white short hair and golden vertical pupils floated in midair, gazing at the desolate forest.
An enigmatic tome floated up from his hands, its pages rustling as they turned.
"The day of fate has arrived. With this, all things return."
As he murmured these words, two souls rose up, transforming into records that flowed into the book. Closing the tome, the handsome figure looked into the distance, a thoughtful smile crossing his face before he vanished without a trace.
————
Stepping out of the coliseum, Hakuno let out a sigh of relief. Just as she mustered the courage to invite Sakatsuki to eat, she noticed a girl in gold-and-red dance attire not far away. Their eyes met in surprise before the girl's face lit up with joy.
Wait, this girl... wasn't she the one who had eaten with Sakatsuki last time...?
Yes, that's definitely her, right!?
Instinctively turning to look at Sakatsuki, she saw that he had clearly noticed Nero's presence as well. A faint look of surprise crossed his face as he waved in her direction.
What was this girl here for? To take Sakatsuki out to eat? Oh, right—the second round was over, so Sakatsuki would be leaving the team. Could she be his next partner...?
Countless thoughts raced through Hakuno's mind, and her mood inevitably darkened. She watched as the girl ran toward them with unbridled enthusiasm, taking a step back to avoid intruding on their reunion.
But just as she was feeling a pang of jealousy, Nero unexpectedly bypassed Sakatsuki and tackled Hakuno—who was caught completely off guard—to the ground. With Sakatsuki staring in astonishment, Nero pressed close to Hakuno, sniffed, then beamed with delight, the stray lock of hair on her head swaying happily as her stunning face broke into a smile.
"At last, I've found you, my Master!"
"...Huh!?"