[FDJ]Chapter 124: Sincere Praise

Writing the subsequent four pages didn't take long. Suzuki, by constantly recalling the relevant memories and not delving into the perspectives of those memories, managed to fill in the remaining parts almost like copying. Even though the additions were in English, they matched his recollections nearly perfectly.

"Finished?" Aphaf asked in astonishment, standing beside him with a hint of disbelief. With her knowledge of Latin, she could understand the general content of what Suzuki had written by silently reading the corresponding sections. At a glance, it seemed to align with the absurdity her Servant Don Quixote claimed, even to an overly absurd degree.

It took Suzuki more than ten seconds to fully pull his thoughts back. He couldn't remember when Aphaf had returned. Once he focused on his memories, he paid no attention to his surroundings. It felt like he was sitting in Chaldea's data room, with an English book by his side, copying it.

"Yeah, finished. Check if it can be used to restore your Servant."

He solemnly handed the book back to Aphaf. Suzuki noticed her hand extending from under her robe, with only one Command Spell left. Whether the magic of a single Command Spell could bridge the gap between Spanish and English was uncertain, but Suzuki ensured that the English part he wrote on the blank pages matched the future English translation perfectly.

Aphaf felt an indescribable joy just by touching the book she had risked her life to retrieve, the joy that seemed to emanate from the book itself and infect her.

"It will work."

Aphaf grasped the seven pages Suzuki had written with one hand and raised the other above her head. Under the influence of magic, the book was completely infused with Aphaf's magical power, emitting a halo of light similar to hers.

"Step back."

Before using the Command Spell, Aphaf reminded her ally, who was mesmerized by the magic. If possible, she would be happy to help Suzuki restore the vitality of his magic circuits after the Holy Grail War. In her view, only such a gesture could repay the assistance he had provided in the past few days. It was a pity for a magi with excellent magic circuits to be unable to use magecraft.

After ensuring that Suzuki and the people around her had retreated at least five meters away, Aphaf eagerly used her last Command Spell.

"By the order of the Command Spell, Don Quixote de Vivar, awaken and continue to serve me!"

The remaining Command Spell dissipated with a thud, and the book gradually faded, becoming ethereal. The seven pages Aphaf held flashed with a silvery light before disappearing along with the book.

Illusion returned to reality.

After the book completely vanished, the elderly knight Alterego Don Quixote materialized from the magical halo.

Aphaf's magic distorted the perception of those around her. They blindly obeyed the command to retreat and only saw an unusual light. Only Suzuki witnessed the wondrous moment when illusion overlapped with reality.

The Noble Phantasm "Joust Legend," rated as an exceptional EX-class, could not be understood through mere description. Now Suzuki understood its essence. It not only granted Don Quixote the forms of both youth and old age but also allowed for the conceptual interference between illusion and reality through the book "Don Quixote," serving as a medium. Apart from self-destructive Noble Phantasms, Suzuki had never encountered such a unique one.

Even after enduring a fatal attack, Alterego Don Quixote could transform into a book and consume its pages as a substitute, gaining a chance to recover and fight again in the future. Though lacking explicit offensive capabilities, it involved the interference between illusion and reality. Delving into its mysterious origins might uncover some clues about magic.

"I originally thought I wouldn't have the chance to continue this Holy Grail War," the elderly knight expressed his gratitude to both his Master and Suzuki in turn. "Remarkable, Milady and young man."

Aphaf lowered her right hand, now devoid of all Command Spells, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond to her Servant. She had already lost the desire to continue the Holy Grail War. Seeing the vibrant colors of this world, her wish had been fulfilled prematurely, and she didn't want to rely on the Grail to fulfill her other desires.

"Master, survival is the best outcome for both of us. Your Mystic Eyes seem different, and the overall feeling you give me has changed as well. A talented child can indeed attract the favor of the gods..." Don Quixote was not unaware of what had happened during his time as a book. Now, seeing his young Master in person, who gave him a different feeling, he felt sincerely gratified and a little envious.

Aphaf retracted the full release of her Mystic Eyes, which had been due to the magical ritual. She used to deliberately control the display of her magic, making herself appear less outstanding. But now she understood that there was no need to hide anymore. Although she was only 15 years old, since she possessed the powerful magical abilities she claimed, it was more appropriate to reveal the "beauty" of herself and her magecraft to others.

At this moment, she might be at a point that some magus could never reach in their lifetime, but it was merely a new beginning for her young self.

"I saw it: the white beard, brown skin, silver armor, and you're worn, blackened sword sheath," she said, blinking her Mystic Eyes. All the halos generated by magic vanished in an instant as she finished speaking and pointed to the sword at her Servant's waist.

"Master, you should look more at the beautiful and vibrant flowers, plants, and natural scenery of this world, rather than focusing on an old man," Don Quixote said with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. He could feel that his Master no longer needed different magecraft to distinguish colors; she could see the colorful world as normal people did and truly appreciate its beauty. However, the Holy Grail War was not over, and the enemies threatening this era were still strong.

Aphaf, however, shook her head at this moment. She wasn't just responding to her Servant; she also removed her veil and gave Suzuki a slight smile. "Isn't every hero's figure, the colors they present, worth stopping to admire?"

In her golden eyes, there were not only special magical marks but also the image of someone etched within.

Suzuki merely nodded in agreement. In his eyes, only the heroes from different regions, different myths, and historical records brought him a unique attraction. Unfortunately, Aphafhadn't left a trace in human history to become a Heroic Spirit recorded in the Throne of Heroes.

He didn't understand why he felt regret at this moment. Aside from everything related to the Holy Grail War, Suzuki's heart was filled with nothing but a hollow "void."

...

"Mother, you shouldn't come to see me alone before everything is over. We are, after all, nominally enemies," said Richard, who dismounted near the chariot outside the city of Tiberias. He saluted the Rider Eleanor standing atop the chariot. "Soon, in just a few days, everything will be over. All efforts will be rewarded."

"Richard, my child, although it's somewhat inappropriate to say this now, I still want to tell you. An ideal is, after all, just an ideal. It may not even be your ideal. I am sincerely happy for your success, but I cannot be sure if you are happy. Is the result you are about to achieve really what you expected?"

Eleanor, on the chariot, appeared deeply worried. She saw the grand figure of her son about to reach success, standing right in front of her.

"Mother, why are you in such a hurry to ask such an obvious question? I thought you had more important things to discuss. Everything I am doing now is, of course, for my ideal: to restore the absolute status of the Lord, to turn the entire continent into God's kingdom on earth, where all people will forever and ever believe in the great Lord, and the Lord's glory will eternally illuminate all darkness, misfortune, and suffering..."

Richard's eyes were steadfast and unwavering. As he slowly stood up, he exerted a certain pressure on Eleanor.

Eleanor understood this feeling. Although Richard appeared to be only 20 years old, he already possessed the kingly demeanor that she did not see even at 40 years old in her memory—an undeniable overlord.

"All efforts are for that moment to come. All sacrifices will be redefined, and all good and evil will be judged by angels. Mother, you just need to wait for that moment and then make your decision. The Master who summoned you may have special traits, but unfortunately for him, he encountered me. I am a hundred times better than him, supported by the most legitimate power. I respect your choice and will always wait for you to return to my side."

Richard wasn't just a king; he had the ambition to become a savior. At the age of 12, he had already expressed disdain for the mere crown of England. Eleanor should have realized long ago that her son had been consumed by ambition far beyond what normal people could bear.

"Mother just wants to see you happy. As long as you are happy, that's enough..."

Eleanor's struggling gaze couldn't move the current Richard in the slightest. He interrupted her sincere words. "One person's happiness? Wouldn't it be better if I realized everyone's happiness? Including you, Mother, all devout believers, brave soldiers, my loyal knights, and even that useless old father, those ineffectual brothers, and all the fools who survive by gnawing on taxes and fat... Everyone, regardless of wealth or status, as long as they believe in our Lord, can find true happiness in this kingdom."

Such highly inflammatory words could not move a mother, for there was no need to move her at all. A mother would do anything for her cherished child.

After a moment of silence, Eleanor threw a piece of cloth-wrapped wood toward Richard. When Richard caught it, he immediately felt the sacred power hidden beneath the shroud. He quickly unwrapped the cloth to reveal the treasure inside.

"This is... a fragment of the Ark of the Covenant?" Richard exclaimed. He had previously gone into Saladin's camp to search for the source of the suspected holy artifact's aura. He never expected that a fragment of the legendary relic supposedly destroyed a thousand years ago during wars, would fall into his hands. Offering it to the angels would surely bring rich rewards.

"Did Saladin give this to you?" Richard was not so overwhelmed by joy that he lost his clarity. He quickly deduced the artifact's source.

"Yes, he said he was willing to offer the holy artifact in exchange for your mercy. He must fight you, even though he knows it's an act of futility, but he hopes to please you with this artifact and have you promise not to massacre after your victory," Eleanor relayed Saladin's request verbatim, ignoring his flattering praises.

"Hmph, interesting. If it's a battle he wants, a battle he shall have. He probably seeks to appease his noble ministers as well. I will grant his request. Mother, please tell Saladin that I agree to his terms and vow to ensure his safety. Additionally, in consideration of the Ark of the Covenant fragment, I will commend his piety before the arriving angel."