Aozaki Aoko Case File [155]

Credits: pheonix rampant

For the King of Knights, the Son of the Sun God was undoubtedly a worthy opponent. She had previously inquired about the lives and deeds of the Servants in this Holy Grail War through Touko and Aoko. Among all of them, Karna was undeniably the most flawless saint.

Faced with such a person, Artoria resolved to fight with her full strength.

She gripped the Excalibur with both hands in a middle guard stance. Golden radiance poured into the blade from the planet's leylines—this was the lament of countless warriors who had perished on the battlefield throughout history.

"Release the Thirteen Restraints. Round Table Decision begins!"

"… This is a battle to save the world! (Referring to helping her Master, Touko Aozaki, achieve the Third Magic)—Arthur, acknowledged!"

Although not all thirteen seals were released, Aoko noticed that Artoria had forcibly unlocked an additional seal using her authority. This attack was likely the King of Knights' strongest strike in this Holy Grail War.

"Vasavi Shakti!"

"Excalibur!!!"

The two top-tier beam-type Noble Phantasms clashed with full force in midair. The forest, the land, and the rocks were all pulverized into dust, obliterated by the explosive energy.

Karna gritted his teeth, pouring everything he had at that moment—including his very life—into the god-slaying spear bestowed upon him by his divine father. His eyes were fixed solely on his opponent, defeating her being the sole purpose of his existence.

Sensing her opponent's resolve, Artoria's eyes widened before the corners of her mouth curved into a determined smile. She gripped her sword even tighter, and the Dragon Reactor Core in her chest greedily drew in all the surrounding mana, converting it into a torrent of light, determined to crush the Son of Surya.

Although the clash lasted only seconds, both combatants felt as though years had passed.

Waver Velvet frantically activated enhancement magecraft. His defensive barrier was undoubtedly powerful, but it was still insufficient to withstand the energy shockwaves from the collision between the god-slaying spear and the Excalibur.

He even deployed the Unreturning Formation, but the battlefield formation trembled continuously under the impact. A single moment of negligence from its caster would lead to its collapse.

The dazzling golden light illuminated the night sky as if it were daytime. The battlefield was littered with golden ether crystals, even on the ground and tree trunks. This clash was undoubtedly a reenactment of the divine age's lingering radiance.

Aoko summoned a breeze, dispersing the smoke and dust that shrouded the battlefield. Artoria stood midair, gazing directly at her enemy.

Surprisingly, Karna's body showed no obvious wounds, but Aoko's intuition told her that Artoria had won this battle.

Karna turned to look at Kenneth, who had stepped out of the Mercury's protective barrier and gave a faint, wry smile.

"I'm sorry, Master," Karna said. "I have failed."

"No," Kayneth shook his head in denial. "You have done well, Lancer. You are undoubtedly the finest Servant I, Kayneth, could ever have."

"Is that so?" Karna's smile grew serene. "That's good to hear. I hope that next time…"

The voice of the Hero of Charity gradually weakened, but his figure remained upright.

Under everyone's gaze, Karna's body turned into golden dust and vanished from this world.

Lancer's end came after he sacrificed everything he had, including his spiritual core, to unleash the god-slaying spear's ultimate strike.

At such a great cost, Karna achieved the ability to contend equally with the Excalibur, which had seven seals released. Ultimately, the battle ended in a draw.

If Karna had still possessed his golden armor, perhaps he could have overwhelmed Artoria, who was unable to fully release her Noble Phantasm. However, Artoria, who held Avalon, would undoubtedly not lose either.

But there are no ifs. In this Holy Grail War, the final Servant soul required to activate the Greater Grail had been gathered. The appointed moment had arrived.

"If you wish, come along," Aoko said. "The moment to witness everything has come."

With that, Aoko and Artoria ascended, their figures tracing an arc in the air as they headed toward the Great Temple above Ryuudou Temple, leaving Kayneth and Waver behind.

...

...

...

"What's the state of the Lesser Grail?" Aoko asked Touko as she landed. "Although we're short one Servant's soul, the energy required to open the outer pathway should be sufficient."

"It's in excellent condition," Touko replied, nodding as she gazed in fascination at the golden-glowing Lesser Grail floating in her hand. "Then let's begin!"

Marisbury Animusphere and Kirschtaria Wodime stood silently nearby, awaiting the miracle of magic to be born. They were unbothered by the possibility of Aoko going back on her word, as the contract's terms ensured that each side sought something different.

Even if Fuyuki's Greater Grail proved capable of opening a pathway to the Root, this method suited only a select few.

Or rather, Marisbury had his plans. As the Lord of the Animusphere family, reaching the Root on his terms was the only meaningful goal. Therefore, the vast magical energy accumulated in the Greater Grail over decades was more valuable to Marisbury in monetary terms.

Aoko, Touko, and Artoria ascended the luminous staircase step by step, approaching the pure white sphere.

The Greater Grail had opened its gates. A crack appeared on the sphere's surface, revealing a pure white statue of a beautiful woman inside.

The reason the three of them entered together was that Touko had tampered with the Holy Grail War system, allowing both sisters to become Saber Artoria's Masters simultaneously.

As a result, after Aoko and Artoria won the Holy Grail War, there were three victors.

The Aozaki sisters and Artoria paused briefly in front of the Greater Grail's entrance.

Aoko and Touko exchanged glances and, as if by mutual understanding, smiled in relief. This made Artoria, standing nearby, thoughtful.

"Well, this is all that magic amounts to," Aoko teased. "Doesn't it make you feel foolish for what you used to think?"

"Hmph… Say whatever you like," Touko sighed like a grown-up. "Once I become a Magician, we'll fight again!"

"Let's not," Aoko sighed. "One sisterly war is enough."

Touko understood Aoko's meaning and said no more. The two sisters took Artoria's hands and entered the Greater Grail together.