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Chapter 121 - Chapter 116: The Whereabouts of the End

"This chaos and torment… It seems only I, the true Ruler, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, can set it right!"

The Whereabouts of the End

"Summoning circle established. Leyline secured. Complete."

On the island, the leyline and summoning lines are set, ensuring a seamless connection.

"Some kind of spell? Good luck charm?"

"It's a system to connect to Chaldea and summon personnel smoothly, Big Sis."

"Huh… Living in the future, eh?"

"Haha, we are from the future!"

"Yes. And now… Oh, the King of Heroes is off again…"

"Huh? Where'd the Governor go?"

"Gil wanders off whenever we set leyline points."

"Up to something shady, maybe? He's a guy, after all."

"I still love Gil!"

"Senpai!?"

"It's lively over there, Gil."

"No harm in it. Let them be."

Pinpointing the leyline's nexus, the King embeds a Holy Grail with precision.

"There. This Grail will reek of the sea, but no complaints."

Installing the vessel to absorb this era entirely. At the Singularity's resolution, this Grail will capture all its essence.

France, Rome, and here. If successful, three 'worlds' will be claimed—a World Grail, brimming with the heavens, earth, and heroic souls.

Its use is unclear, but I'll stockpile it.

…Perhaps for fully activating 'that' treasure I found. To unleash its true power, about six World Grails might be needed…

"Seeing a Grail reminds me… of the day you saved me."

Olga Marie murmurs softly.

I could never forget. In Fuyuki, I entrusted her with a Grail, and she survived.

"I thought miracles were beyond me… but what you gave me is my greatest treasure."

Her gratitude resonates.

"Let me say it again and again. Thank you, Gil…"

"Hmph. Where's that tantrum from back then? Honesty and virtue suit you better, Olga Marie."

"I-I'm honored!"

"What's this, a love affair? Consult me, and I'll solve it instantly!"

A commanding, steely voice— Iskandar, the Conqueror King.

"Fool, trampling everything isn't mediation."

"Haha! Embrace it, and the world changes! I'm the king who's mastered every pleasure's limit!"

"Hmph. Your romantic notions are endangered species. Before preaching, try clearing one of those dating sims piling up."

"As if I could! 'I don't hate you, but rumors embarrass me'? That fickle mindset dares stand beside this Conqueror King? I'd reject you first!"

"Flag management's not your forte. Nor mine. Heroines who lash out for no reason make me want to crush their skulls."

Are there games like that? Never knew.

I'd love to try a cozy game—interacting with animals or running a farm sounds nice.

"Enough of that. Conqueror King, any thoughts on this Singularity?"

"?"

"No land here. Just sea, with nowhere to arrive. Ring any bells? Something you sought?"

The Conqueror King's desire?

"Oceanus, the Sea at the World's End… A fitting name, no?"

"...Yeah, that's it."

Oceanus? Never heard that name.

"Oceanus… In an era when the world wasn't known to be round, it was the legendary sea at the world's edge. Nothing exists there but the sound of waves."

"He set out east for it, conquering the world along the way. A merry king living for dreams and hegemony."

Even this Conqueror King, who grasped everything, had something he sought…

"Mmph, it stirs thoughts. An endless sea… It might truly be Oceanus."

"Then what? Claim your dream fulfilled and vanish from the Throne?"

Vanish from the Throne?

"Is that… possible?"

"It is. Heroes are ghosts clinging to regrets, etched into the world. They're summoned by unfulfilled desires or pride."

Recorded eternally in the Throne of Heroes, right?

"As ghosts bound by regrets, those desires remain unfulfilled. Naturally—without regrets, who'd become a hero? Thus, in a second life as a Servant, when all regrets and unfinished business are settled—"

The hero—

"—reaches 'nothingness.' A flawless, perfect 'vanishing' no one's ever achieved."

When regrets and pride are fulfilled, a hero reaches nothingness.

Heroes exist in the world, bound by their regrets and pride.

I understand why the King of Heroes remains in the Throne—to judge all until time's end.

Does that mean… one day, when he's done, he'll vanish too?

My chest aches. What is this feeling?

Will he… be alone until that moment?

"What nonsense! I don't buy such drivel!"

Iskandar's booming laugh blares through the speaker.

"I just don't like that someone set up this sea as my goal! As if this Conqueror King, Iskandar, could be sated by a pre-made finish line!"

"Hmph, true. You'd crush such a thing."

"Exactly! My conquest is boundless, not for anyone's approval or praise! It's a march to the end we choose! A sea with the same name can't stop me!"

He roars with laughter.

"Only one thing halts my steps—my own heart's fervor!!"

That's his hegemony. Iskandar's boundless march…

"Then you've no issue if I filter and claim this trivial sea?"

"None! …But, King of Heroes."

"Hm?"

"Let me take the head of this Singularity's culprit. I don't know who they are, but…"

His aura sends shivers, overwhelming a mortal soul with sheer dominance.

"They insulted my dream. They'll pay with their life."

I'm spared by the King of Heroes' protection. A mere mortal soul would've shattered under that Conqueror's wrath.

Fear wells up. This is the aura of a king who ravaged the world…

But I believe the king I trust most is no less. Kings shouldn't be compared—their eras, reigns, and histories differ entirely.

"Your thoughts don't matter, but don't knock Olga Marie out. She's foaming at the mouth."

"Oh, sorry, sorry! Snap out of it! Haha, feels like we've had this talk before!"

Poor Olga Marie…

"Fine. I'll pass your request to Master. Frankly, that lump of flesh? Doesn't matter who kills it."

"Haha, you're reasonable! I'd love to debate you now!"

"That debate's a circus of outsiders. Know it's a topic amateurs can't handle."

As the two kings banter—

A disturbance strikes.

The earth trembles. The world itself quakes.

"An earthquake?"

I stay calm because the King's unfazed, but it's terrifying! Shaking! Instinctual fear grips me!

"Gil! —, —!"

"I can't see you—!"

Olga Marie and Iskandar's voices fade as the connection weakens.

"A glitch? Blocking Chaldea's tech isn't a mere malfunction."

Arms crossed, the King glares at the sky.

"Seems a new storm's brewing."

The shaking ground is scary…

"Distribute and create?"

"Yes. Make your intense mapo and another following the steps and tips from the club and others. One dish, two flavors. They'll love it."

"I see… Ignoring their advice would be rude! Got it! I'll make my mapo and one using Emiya-san, Cat-san, and everyone's tips!"

"Good. I know who advised what, so we'll repay accordingly. Those who suggested spicy seasonings for laughs will face consequences. Karma's the club's lesson, after all."

"?? No way, Amakusa-san! No one in this world would scheme like that! The club's all good people! They gave sincere advice and supplies to a cooking novice like me! I see the Lord's mercy in their actions—selfless love wishing for another's success! The goodness of humanity! In Jeanne d'Arc's name, I, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, won't allow harm to our wonderful club members! I'll hallelujah them!"

"…Right. Your speech is punishment enough."

"? Alright! I'll cook! For the King of Heroes! For everyone! Double the effort!"

"One man's sacrifice to save all. That's the Scales' Guardian, Justice's Ally quality…"

"To the mapo-loving club members"

"To the mapo-loving heroes"

"Let's do this!!"

"The text—!!!"

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