Chapter 68. Hero Emiya, Use Your Invincible [Holy Sword of the Stars] to Think of Something!
Orario, West Gate Ruins.
This could no longer be called a "battlefield." It was more like a disaster scene from a tokusatsu movie where a meteor had struck or Godzilla had trampled through. Amidst the broken walls and debris, a suffocating dust lingered alongside... a thick, burnt stench, like an ancient pot of stew that had boiled dry (the toxic gas brought by Zard's skills).
Gulp, crunch, munch.
That massive silhouette still sat atop the pile of ruins. [Gluttony]—Zard. He held half a section of a city wall in his hands (yes, you read that right—a literal physical wall, rebar and all), munching on it with a rhythmic crunching sound like he was eating wafers. With every bite, the hard rock fell from the corners of his mouth like crispy biscuit crumbs.
"Are they here?" Zard stopped eating. His clouded eyes, filled with wild instinct, looked forward.
At the entrance to the ruins, a vividly colored (referring to hair colors and gear) and high-spirited "magical girl" squad marched forward with synchronized steps. The red-haired girl leading them (Alise) pointed her sword forward. The members behind her each possessed a sharp gaze; even the Supporter, who usually looked the least like a combatant, radiated a death-defying aura. At the very back followed a helpless-looking red-haired boy, carrying bags and bundles (all spare weapons and emergency rations).
This composition was practically the textbook definition of a "Hero's Party challenging the Final Hidden Demon King."
"The Astraea Familia, eh..." Zard tossed aside the brick in his hand and clapped the dust off his palms. His movements were as casual as a foreman who had just finished a shift hauling bricks. "And the brat who's good at cooking."
He slowly stood up. With just that one movement, the surrounding air seemed to freeze. The pressure of a Lv. 7 acted like a literal gravity field, pressing heavily on everyone's hearts. The pebbles on the ground trembled slightly, as if fearing the very existence of this man.
"Ugh!" Lyra let out a muffled groan, raising her shield before her chest. Her legs felt a bit weak. "This feeling... it's more exaggerated than facing a Floor Boss! Is this guy really human?! Is he the illegitimate son of some Titan?!"
"Don't be overwhelmed by his presence!" Alise shouted. Her [Guren no Ken] erupted with dazzling fire, forcibly dispelling the surrounding fear. "We've eaten 'God-tier' cuisine! Right now, we are invincible (for a 3-hour limit)! Even if it's a God, we'll cut Him down for you to see!"
"Oh?" Zard narrowed his eyes. As a veteran powerhouse, he keenly sensed the abnormality in these girls. Mana flow, muscle activity, mental state... they were all in a bizarre state of "hyper-
excitation." It was as if everyone had injected themselves with adrenaline plus a full set of top-tier buffs. It was as if... the entire party had been forcibly raised by one level?
"Is this the effect of that meal?" Zard looked at Shirou hiding in the back, a savage smile curling his lips. "Interesting. Making the ingredients (you all) more delicious before delivering yourselves to the door? What a thoughtful chef. This makes me want to crunch you down, bones and all, even more."
"Stop talking!" Kaguya drew [Gokou], lowering her stance into a quick-draw position. "That big guy... I'm going to slice him into sashimi! Even if the meat looks quite tough!"
"Operation start!" At Alise's command, the Astraea Familia charged!
"BOOM!"
There was no probing. Alise took the lead, her [Guren no Ken] dragging a long tail of fire as she executed a jumping slash. "[Fire Buster]!!"
Kaguya turned into a silver stream of light, cutting into the flank. Her katana unsheathed, bringing with it a vacuum wave barely visible to the naked eye. Ryuu drew her bow in the distance (though not Alvitr, it had been reinforced by Shirou); an arrow of wind gathered power, aimed at Zard's joints. Lyra used bombs and traps to seal Zard's retreat while scattering various support dusts over her teammates.
It was a perfect link-up. Combined with the attribute surge from [Pseudo-Rank Up], the power of this round of attacks was enough to instant-kill any Lv. 5 monster and even pose a threat to a Lv. 6.
However, the opponent was Zard. He was the monster who had once eaten "Behemoth." He was one of the peaks of the old era.
"Too light."
Zard didn't even draw the cleaver from his back. He simply raised his massive hand, covered in thick calluses, and gave a casual swipe.
"BANG!!!"
Alise's flaming sword qi was swatted away by hand, like snuffing out a match. Kaguya's katana was caught between two fingers, letting out a groan of overstrain. Ryuu's arrow was blown away by a single breath he exhaled (laced with toxic mist), unable to even get close.
"What?!" The girls turned pale with shock. This was Lv. 7?! Isn't this kind of stat-monster a bit too unreasonable?! He's definitely using an invincibility cheat!
"Get lost." Zard flicked his wrist. Kaguya and her blade were sent flying, spinning three times in the air before landing. Immediately after, he stomped the ground. "[War Stomp]!!"
Rumble! The ground split open. The shockwave sent Alise and Lyra flying simultaneously. "Cough cough..." Alise flipped in the air and landed steadily, but a trace of blood still leaked
from her mouth. "So hard... it's like cutting through an Orichalcum mountain range! My hands are about to vibrate off!"
"Don't stop! Keep attacking!" Shirou's voice came from the rear, clearly transmitted to everyone through amplification magic.
"His movements have a delay! That's the stiffness brought by his 'illness'! Attack his joints and the gaps in his breathing! Don't confront him head-on; use hit-and-run tactics!"
As the off-field commentator and commander possessing [Mind's Eye (True)], Shirou saw through Zard's weakness at a glance. Although his stats were invincible, the interior of this man's body was already riddled with holes. He was like a rusted machine of destruction; every movement overextended his lifespan.
"Understood!" The girls regrouped and charged again. This time, they stopped clashing directly and used speed and technique for hit-and-run warfare. Alise focused on drawing aggro, Kaguya searched for openings, Ryuu provided long-range harassment, and Lyra set traps.
"Annoying flies." Zard frowned. Although these little bugs couldn't hurt him, the constant buzzing in his ear was truly irritating. He wanted to settle this quickly. His right hand reached behind him and gripped the massive cleaver—[Ogre Killer].
"Since you like jumping around so much..." A flash of tyranny crossed Zard's eyes. "Then all of you, stay down!"
Boom! The giant blade was unsheathed. That wasn't a slash. It was a storm. Gray toxic gas wrapped around the blade, dispersing as he swung to form a massive fan-shaped AOE zone. [Ambrosia]—Spring Wind Fan.
"Not good! It's poison gas!" Lyra screamed in terror. "That's a deadly poison that can corrode lungs! One breath will paralyze you!"
The range was too large. There was no way to dodge. The toxic gas surged forward like a tsunami, about to swallow everyone.
"Trace \cdot On!"
A red figure suddenly flashed to the very front of the squad. Shirou Emiya.
He pressed both hands to the ground, the magic circuits in his body operating frantically. Against this kind of large-scale poison gas attack, conventional defensive measures were useless. He had to use that—
"[Rho Aias]—Wind King Mode!"
Hum! It wasn't the usual purple light shield. This time, Shirou had forcibly stuffed the concept of Ais's [Ariel] into the shield's concept (though he only mimicked the principle, borrowing the fluidity of wind).
A massive shield composed of rotating air currents appeared out of thin air. It wasn't just blocking; it was "breathing." The toxic mist slammed into the gale shield and was forcibly scattered by the powerful centrifugal force, rolling back toward the sides and even obscuring Zard's vision in reverse.
"Cough, cough... that was close!" Shirou was pale, kneeling on one knee. This magically modified projection's mana consumption was exponential. A single defense made him feel half-hollowed out.
"Oh?" Zard looked at the boy who had blown away the toxic mist, surprise flashing in his eyes. "Not only can you cook, but you can do tricks like this? It seems there was a reason Alfia didn't kill you."
"Emiya!" Alise took advantage of the moment the mist cleared and Zard's vision was blocked, rushing in front of him. "Thanks! This strike... I'll return it to him for you! Kaguya! Ryuu! Lyra! Prepare your Ultimates!"
"Understood!"
The four girls' figures interlaced in the air. Mana resonance. This was a bond-skill forged in countless life-and-death struggles—the ultimate secret technique of the Astraea Familia. Kaguya's blade-light became a cage to seal movement: "[Gokou—Barrier Slash]!" Lyra's bombs destroyed balance: "[Special—Gravity Mine]!" Ryuu's wind arrows precisely struck the joints: "[Luminous Wind—Concerto]!" And finally...
Alise's [Guren no Ken] burned to the absolute limit, her entire being turning into a red meteor.
[Astraea Burst]!
"HRAAAAAH!!!"
This strike gathered the strength of the entire party. Its power even surpassed the boundaries of Lv. 6. The red sword-light, like the first light of dawn, slashed violently toward Zard's chest.
Zard looked at the incoming red radiance. Not only did he not dodge, but he... smiled. "Not bad. Now this is more like it."
He raised his cleaver, used no skills, and simply, powerfully... chopped down.
"BOOM!!!"
The red meteor collided with the gray mountain. In that instant, it was as if a nuclear bomb had detonated in the ruins. Blinding light swallowed everything. The shockwave leveled the surrounding ruins once again.
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A long time passed. The dust settled.
Alise was half-kneeling on the ground, the sword in her hand broken into two pieces. The other girls also lay scattered around; though not in mortal danger, they were all exhausted.
Opposite them, Zard was still standing. His trench coat was shredded, revealing a chest covered in scars. On his chest, there was a wound deep enough to see bone, which was currently bleeding.
He was injured. He had been wounded by a group of "brats."
"...Impressive." Zard looked down at the wound on his chest, reached out to touch a bit of blood, and put it in his mouth to taste. "It's been a long time since I tasted... this flavor of 'pain'."
"But..." His eyes instantly turned cold, like the freezing wind of hell. "If this is all you have... it won't kill me yet.
The game is over."
Zard raised his cleaver. Terrifying mana began to gather. This time, he was going to get serious.
"Run..." Alise struggled to stand, but her body wouldn't listen. "Everyone... run..."
Despair. True despair. Was this the power of the peak of the old era? Even with everyone "cheating," even with all their effort, they could only leave one wound? This sense of powerlessness was even stronger than facing a Floor Boss.
"Giving up already?"
A voice suddenly rang in Alise's ear. It was very light, very gentle, yet carried a reassuring power.
Shirou Emiya walked in front of Alise. He untied his apron and tossed it aside, revealing the black skin-tight suit (though it was tattered) underneath.
"Emiya...?"
"Take a rest, Captain." Shirou rolled his neck, making a cracking sound. "Next... it's the chef's cleanup time."
He looked at Zard, the man like a Demon God.
"Zard," Shirou spoke. "You said just now... you weren't full yet, right?"
"Ah?" Zard raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to offer yourself up?"
"No." Shirou shook his head. He slowly raised both hands, palms facing each other. The magic circuits within his body let out an unprecedented roar, like an engine redlining.
"I wanted to ask you... if every sword you've ever eaten in your life turned into 'thorns' and stabbed back at you...
Could your stomach... take it?"
"Trace—On."
The surrounding air began to distort. On the ground, countless red light-motes surfaced. The broken swords in the ruins, the scrap iron, even the "concept" of the cleaver in Zard's hand... all were analyzed and restructured.
"I am the bone of my sword."
Incantation chant. It wasn't to deploy that mental landscape. His current mana was insufficient to support a full [Unlimited Blade Works]. However... if it were merely manifesting the concept of "swords" as "projectiles"...
"Sword Barrel—Limit Release!"
Hum! Hum! Hum!
Behind Shirou Emiya, the void shattered. Hundreds, thousands of Noble Phantasms (fakes) of various forms emerged like a peacock's tail. The scene was practically a poor man's replica of "Gilgamesh," but the killing intent was the real deal.
"This is..." Zard's pupils constricted violently. He had never seen this kind of magic. This was no longer a matter of quantity; it was... absolute dominion over the concept of "weaponry."
"Take this, Devourer!" Shirou waved his hand.
"Unlimited Blade Works: Saturation Bombardment!!"
Swish swish swish swish swish!!
A rain of swords fell. Like a waterfall of steel, like meteors of judgment. Every sword carried various attributes—explosion, freezing, burning, corrosion. It was a "total attack" of every weapon Shirou had ever analyzed in this world.
"UOOOOOH!!"
Zard roared, swinging his cleaver to try and parry. But there were simply too many swords. One would be smashed, ten would take its place. Ten would be deflected, a hundred would stab forward.
Boom boom boom boom boom!
Violent explosions instantly swallowed Zard's massive frame. Fire soared. The earth was plowed over and over again.
"N-No way..." Alise was dazed. "This is... Shirou's full power? That nice guy who usually only cooks... was hiding a move like this?!"
"No, this isn't just a big move." Ryuu looked at Shirou's bleeding arms, her eyes full of heartache. "He is... burning his life."
Indeed. This scale of projection was too great a burden for the current Shirou. His skin was splitting, his veins bursting. But he didn't stop.
"Not done yet! Not done yet!" Shirou roared, a fanatical fire burning in his eyes. "CHOKE... ON THIS!!!"
Boom! From the smoke, a massive hand reached out, crushing a dozen flying swords. Zard charged out. He was covered in blood, riddled with broken swords like a hedgehog. But he still hadn't fallen.
"Good! It hurts! But... not enough!" Zard roared, charging toward Shirou like a runaway tank. "I'm going to eat you!"
"Eat me? Careful you don't break your teeth!"
Shirou retreated sharply, his hands cupped as if holding something. He was going to use his final move. The taboo from "another world" that he had always been afraid to use lightly.
"Trace—Excalibur Proto!"
No, it won't work! Reason warned him. His current body simply couldn't withstand the projection of the Holy Sword. Even a partial release would instantly turn him to ash.
In that case... use that!
An image of a sword flashed through Shirou's mind. It wasn't the Holy Sword of Salvation. It was... the Sword of Selection. It was the first sword King Arthur pulled, the proof of kingship named the "Golden Sword of Assured Victory (Caliburn)."
"Projecting—Caliburn!"
Hum! A magnificent golden sword appeared in his hand. Although its rank was inferior to Excalibur, its instantaneous explosive power was equally staggering.
"Zard! This strike is for all the lives you've devoured!"
Shirou held Caliburn high. A blinding golden light erupted from the blade.
"Broken Phantasm——!!"
He didn't swing the sword. Instead, he simply... threw it. Like a javelin, he hurled it toward the charging Zard.
"What?!" Zard was stunned. Throwing the sword? What kind of fighting style was this?
"DETONATE!!"
"BOOM!!!"
Caliburn exploded on Zard's chest. It wasn't a normal explosion. It was the martyr-explosion of "King's Light." The golden radiance swallowed Zard instantly and illuminated the entire night sky.
"AAAAAAAAAAAGH——!!!"
Zard let out a tragic scream. His [Gluttony] could devour mana and matter. But he could not devour this pure "Light." It was the concept of "Justice" and "Kingship," the very thing a fallen hero of the old era turned monster feared most.
The massive shockwave sent Shirou flying as well.
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A long time passed. The smoke cleared.
Shirou Emiya knelt on the ground, coughing up blood. His mana was completely depleted. He didn't even have the strength to move a finger.
"Did we... did we win?" Lyra poked her head out, looking into the deep crater.
At the bottom, Zard was still standing. But he was no longer that unshakable mountain. He was charred all over, like a piece of burnt charcoal. The cleaver had broken into two pieces and fallen to the ground.
"...Cough, cough..." Zard spat out a large mouthful of black blood (internal organ fragments). He stumbled two steps, and then... thud, he knelt on one knee.
"Ha... haha..." He laughed. Though the laughter was weak, it was full of satisfaction.
"So... so full... This meal... was damn... invigorating. Is this... the taste of light?"
He lifted his head, looking at the dying youth in the distance. In his eyes, there was no hatred, only a sense of relief from seeing "hope."
"Hey, brat," Zard called out with his final strength.
"..."
"Whether it's justice... or sin... as long as it's to protect... swallow it down for me."
With that, this once strongest glutton slowly closed his eyes. His body began to dissipate, turning into a sky full of light-motes. It was the end of a hero's path. It was the conclusion of the old era.
"Yeah... I'll remember." Shirou looked at where Zard vanished, a tragic smile curling his lips. Then, his vision went black, and he fell backward.
"Shirou!" Alise and Ryuu rushed over simultaneously, catching him.
"Stupid... truly... a massive idiot." Ryuu held Shirou, her tears flowing uncontrollably.
In the shadows of the ruins in the distance, a Boaz warrior covered in bandages (Ottar) silently watched this scene. He had originally intended to deliver the finishing blow or collect the body, but now, it seemed neither was necessary.
He clenched his fist and bowed deeply toward the direction where Zard had vanished.
"Farewell, Senpai. Your position... I shall inherit."
The West Gate battlefield of the Great Feud ended in a way no one expected. But the battle in the North... that despair named Alfia still awaited the final challenger.
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