Aozaki Aoko Case File [139] 

Credits: skel

Looking at Aoko Aozaki, who was spreading death across the entire battlefield while bearing the brunt of Waver's Noble Phantasm, the King of Conquerors let out a bitter smile.

"Ah, I didn't expect to encounter a magus of this caliber in this era," the King of Conquerors remarked.

"It seems winning today is going to be quite difficult."

"She's not just a magus, My King," Waver corrected, struggling to maintain the Unreturning Formation. "You once said your dream was to reach 'the ends of the world, the shores beyond the horizon.' Miss Aoko Aozaki is someone from beyond that 'far shore.' Magicians of her kind, true Magician, exist beyond the rules of this world."

"Hahahaha! The way you put it makes my blood boil!" The King of Conquerors bellowed with laughter. "This is truly magnificent! An enemy from beyond the shores of the world—this is exactly the kind of opponent I've always longed for!"

"Waver, let me ask you one more time." As the King of Conquerors maneuvered his divine chariot in a charge against Artoria, he asked, "This battle might well be the climax of this Holy Grail War. Are you still willing to stand by me and face this 'enemy from beyond the sea'?"

"My King, this isn't the first time you've asked me this question," Waver replied with a resolute smile. "Do you remember my answer last time? It was: until the ends of the world!"

As the master and servant shared this heartfelt exchange, Artoria grew increasingly impatient with the relentless attacks of the finely-trained soldiers. Clenching her legs around Dun Stallion, she shifted her grip on her sword from one-handed to two-handed and began the process of unleashing the full power of the Sword of Promised Victory.

"Ex—Calibur!!!"

Once again, the merciless radiance engulfed the King of Conquerors' army. This time, even the Reality Marble itself could not withstand the tremendous force. Cracks spread across the sky like fractured glass, as though the entire world was about to shatter.

The once-mighty army of tens of thousands was now reduced to a scant few thousand, though those that remained were undoubtedly the King of Conquerors' most loyal and elite warriors—the comrades he had forged unbreakable bonds with throughout his life of conquest.

Meanwhile, Aoko, who had been battling in the skies, descended to the ground. With her reinforced magic and the might of countless arcane techniques, she displayed astonishing destructive power in close combat. Each punch and kick sent magical projectiles flying, and few of the King of Conquerors' soldiers could withstand even a single blow from her.

One had to admit that the King of Conquerors' soldiers provided the perfect opponents for Aoko's rampage. They weren't too weak, nor overly strong, and their sheer numbers allowed Aoko—who thrived on infinite stamina and increasing strength as battles dragged on—to showcase her full potential.

"No wonder the Mage's Association privately calls her the Witch of Destruction," Waver muttered, watching one of his fire spells get obliterated by a single punch from Aoko. "Truly unreasonable."

"Technique Amplification—Satellite Valve Connection!" Aoko raised her right fist, pulling it back to charge. Magical arrays spiraled around her arm, spinning at an incredible speed and emitting the dense sound of a motor running at full power. "Reactor, activate!"

"Earthlight Starbow!"

Aoko unleashed a devastating ultimate move she had inherited from a future version of herself. Unlike those other versions, however, she didn't require lengthy preparations to use it. For her, it was more akin to a charged heavy attack, easily deployed at will.

Unlike Artoria's golden beam of light, Aoko's supercharged magic projectile glowed a bluish-white, resembling the starlight in the night sky.

Under the assault of this pure destructive light, the King of Conquerors' Reality Marble finally collapsed. With a series of shattering sounds, it disappeared completely.

The disappearance of the Reality Marble also marked the end of the King of Conquerors' army. Aoko's serious punch obliterated them utterly, leaving no room for evasion—even with Waver's attempts to mitigate the damage using the Unreturning Formation. Against such overwhelmingly destructive power, all resistance was futile.

In the critical moment, the King of Conquerors grabbed Waver by the collar and leaped from his divine chariot, which, along with the remaining divine bull, was reduced to ashes.

Having strained himself to maintain the army's reinforcement and protection while also upholding the Unreturning Formation, Waver naturally succumbed to exhaustion and collapsed after enduring Aoko's magical onslaught.

The battlefield reverted to the Fuyuki Bridge. Aoko dusted off her coat, standing completely unscathed. Artoria, protected by Avalon, also showed no signs of injury.

"Impressive," Iskandar, the King of Conquerors, remarked, gripping his sword in one hand and gently placing Waver down with the other. "You truly live up to the title of the King of Magicians. I've seen it with my own eyes today."

"I wouldn't call myself the King of Magicians," Aoko replied casually. "That title is probably more suited for that old man. He loves being called the Grand Wizard, after all."

"Is that so?" the King of Conquerors replied. "Can you spare this boy's life?"

"I have no intention of killing Mr. Velvet," Aoko said. "After all, my goal is just the Holy Grail. Killing you is enough."

"I see." The King of Conquerors nodded in understanding. He adjusted his battle-worn outfit, tightened his grip on his weapon, and locked his gaze on Aoko and Artoria. His eyes burned with unyielding determination. "As long as I have ambition for the distant horizon, the Great Conquest will never end!"

With those words, the towering man, standing over two meters tall and built like an iron fortress, charged at Aoko for his final attack.

In response, Aoko simply raised her right hand, forming the shape of a gun with her fingers, and pointed at Iskandar.

"Dissolution Spell."

A thin green beam shot out instantly, striking Iskandar square in the chest and burning a massive hole through him. The spell unequivocally destroyed his spiritual core, sealing his fate.

The attack was unavoidable at such close range, moving at nearly the speed of light.

"You... truly know some bizarre and outrageous magic, King of Magicians..." Iskandar murmured, gazing at the gaping hole in his chest. The Sword of Cypriot slipped from his grasp and vanished. "This expedition... has been fulfilling for me..."

With those final words, the King of Conquerors' body dissolved into golden light. Even in death, he stood tall and unwavering, a king to the very end.

..

..

Roughly 700–800 meters away, on the rooftop of a nearby building, Maiya Hisau held a sniper rifle modified by Kiritsugu Emiya's magecraft. Through the scope, she watched Aoko Aozaki's back.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Maiya thought. Could a single bullet, infused with Hydra venom, kill an unguarded magician?