It was undoubtedly midday. The sun hung high in the sky, its scorching, radiant light drowning out all other glows in the heavens.
This was a fact acknowledged by all.
Yet, at this moment, a light other than the sun appeared in the sky.
In a different location from the south—the north—at the White House battlefield in Washington, Aoko, looking somewhat disheveled and covered in wounds, was the first to recognize the source of the Red Moon that had suddenly appeared in the sky.
"That irresponsible family-abandoning bastard… finally back, huh?"
"Back?"
Ritsuka didn't immediately grasp the meaning of her words. But the next second, he understood, and his blood-and-dust-covered face almost instinctively showed an expression of relief.
Like him, Mash and Hinako quickly understood Aoko's meaning as well.
The savior who had been missing for over five months, who had sworn to help them but then abruptly left and didn't return, had now come back in the most conspicuous and dazzling way possible!
"Back…?"
The Mad King, leaning on Gae Bolg, was also drawn to the Red Moon. With a warrior's instinct alone, he could tell—extraordinary! At the place where the Red Moon fell, there was an extraordinary warrior!
"Interesting… Truly unexpected—someone like this can still appear at a time like this."
He wanted to laugh, to laugh at the fact that such an intriguing opponent had emerged.
But the Mad King couldn't laugh.
Because he was a "King" a "King" born from Medb's wish. He wasn't a "warrior" not "Cú Chulainn"—he was merely an "Evil King" named "Cú Chulainn."
"This level doesn't feel like enough—but I still have reserves."
As the Mad King's voice reached Ritsuka and the others' ears, a terrifying wave of Mana spread out. Looking back at the Mad King, Hinako's expression shifted slightly: "The Holy Grail—!"
Forcefully embedding the Holy Grail into his chest, the Mad King roared: "[O Holy Grail, the ultimate vessel that grants wishes]"
"[Manifest, recall, reverse]"
"[What descends here are the seventy-two Demon God Pillars]"
A Mana surge even more terrifying than before erupted. The light emitted by the Holy Grail quickly engulfed and consumed the Mad King's entire body, expanding and growing larger. Then—
Within that light, one, two… dozens of glowing red cross-shaped eyes opened in succession.
A "beast" clad entirely in black armor, covered in blazing red star-like eyes, and surrounded by an aura of death, appeared on the earth.
"[One of the seventy-two Demon Pillars, Halphas… No, it should be the Demon—Death Fang Devouring Beast (Curruid Coinchenn)!]"
"[All of you, die, Chaldea!]"
The Mad King made such a declaration.
In terms of Mana intensity, the Mad King was undoubtedly at the top tier of Servants, even slightly above that. Even if Mash, Hinako, Aoko, plus Rama and Nightingale from the other side surrounded him, they could only fight him to a stalemate.
And now, if this already overwhelmingly powerful Mad King was fused with a Demon God Pillar…
"What a disaster… I'm almost out of strength." Aoko said with a bitter smile. "Ritsuka, how about you? Can you still fight?"
"Hmm… I'm fine… Ugh…"
Ritsuka desperately wanted to say he was okay, but after arriving in this Singularity, he had used his Mana excessively. With magic circuits that had never been trained, continuing to fight by converting life energy into Mana would be extremely dangerous.
The others were in the same state. The war had dragged on so long that their stamina was long depleted. The only reason they could still fight was the spirit and determination propping up their bodies. But now, even their spirit and determination were nearing their limits.
The only one still capable of fighting was Hinako, but she alone couldn't possibly take on the Mad King in his current state.
*WHOOSH!*
The glowing red eyes on the Mad King's body rotated in unison, and a black mist formed from excessive Mana suddenly appeared around the group!
This was how the Demon God Pillars attacked!
(Defend—)
Mash instinctively raised her shield, attempting to deploy a barrier. But the black mist came from all directions, and one side couldn't block it all!
Too late!
*CRAAAAACK!*
But without warning, golden lightning seemed to teleport. In less than the blink of an eye, it shot from the direction of the fallen Red Moon to their side!
And then—
"Move."
Accompanied by words that sounded like a command, an immensely powerful tornado formed! The black mist enveloping the area was forcibly pulled into the tornado without a moment's delay and then launched entirely into the sky!
Standing in front of everyone, with his back to them, Naoki tilted his head slightly amidst the raging winds: "Looks like I arrived just in time—are you all okay?"
"Uh… Yeah! I'm fine! Department Head!"
Suppressing the emotions he wanted to pour out from his heart, Ritsuka nodded calmly. But the joyful expression on his face made it clear he was anything but calm.
(His emotional control is impressive… He's really grown while I was gone, and so has Mash.)
Raising his hand, under Aoko and Hinako's somewhat helpless gazes, Naoki ruffled Ritsuka and Mash's hair: "Sorry, you've all worked hard. Now, go rest for a bit—"
Mid-sentence, Naoki suddenly turned around, and before anyone could shout, he raised his hand and swiftly grabbed a black demonic spear aimed at his head!
With cold eyes staring at the Mad King, now dangerously close, Naoki said in a heavy voice: "You're really impatient. Can't you wait until I'm ready, Black Dog?"
"War doesn't give you that much time!"
"I figured as much—!"
*CRACK!*
The demonic spear shattered in Naoki's palm. Countless chains appeared from thin air, instantly binding the Mad King in layers upon layers of chains!
"Alright, Fujimaru, Mash, retreat now. You've fought enough to get this far. Leave the rest to me—I can't hold him for long before he breaks free."
"Department Head… Be careful! He's really strong!"
After a moment's hesitation, Ritsuka glanced at his own wounded body and those of his companions. Gritting his teeth, he gave a warning before leading Mash and the others to retreat from the area.
And just two or three seconds later—
*SMASH!*
The chains shattered in unison!
Back on the ground, the Mad King stared at the final enemy remaining on this battlefield.
"You're seeking a path to hell."
"Who knows?"