[185] The Reason for Seeking the Holy Grail

[Fate Compendium Updated.]

[017: Gilgamesh (Archer)]

[Character Information: A character based on the prototype of the world's first legendary epic, the Epic of Gilgamesh, from ancient Sumerian civilization...]

[Hidden Information: He is often very candid about his own desires, but seems to have a tsundere-like mentality when it comes to "admitting he likes humans," freezing up when exposed by Hakuno Kishinami.]

[Record Conditions 4/5]:

[•Gain Gilgamesh's recognition. (Completed)]

[•Kill/Defeat Gilgamesh. (Completed)]

[•Successfully counter the Noble Phantasm "Enuma Elish." (Completed)]

[•Engage and defeat Gilgamesh without close combat. (Completed)]*

[•Become Gilgamesh's friend. (Failed)]*

[Unlocked Hidden Information due to over 80% completion of record conditions.]

[Condition 2 Reward: Golden Rule C!]

[Condition 3 Reward: Full Projection of 'Enuma Elish' (1/1)!]

"I never expected the hidden condition to be this..."

Looking at the record that ultimately couldn't be fulfilled, although not filled with regret, Sakatsuki couldn't help but sigh lightly.

"Becoming the King of Heroes' friend, really, the difficulty should have some limits, I'm not Hakuno, how could I possibly achieve that."

In front of him, the intertwined Ig-Alima and Sul-sagana were covered in cracks, even eroded by the devastating force into holes, through which Sakatsuki's entire body was visible.

Further ahead, in front of the two divine swords, the collapsed magic circle, projected weapons turned to magical particles and completely disappeared by the force of the divine weapon... Even with so many defenses in place, the King of Heroes' full-powered strike, fueled by his spirit core, still broke through effortlessly, even distorting the Shadow Border with the power to create worlds, losing the ability to evade.

If Sakatsuki hadn't used the reward obtained from Saber at the last moment, fully projecting Excalibur to counter, he might have really been overturned by Archer's vengeful strike.

"To go so far as to sacrifice your spirit core for a heavy blow, fine, I'll remember this grudge, don't let me see you again, Goldie..."

Although compensated with the full projection of Ea, using one reward to consume another still doesn't make one happy.

But another reward successfully turned Sakatsuki's mood from gloomy to sunny.

[Golden Rule: C]

[As the skill superficially describes, the so-called Golden Rule is the fate of being surrounded by wealth throughout one's life. Although not very useful in combat, life is not just endless slaughter. Besides fighting, there is a beautiful life waiting in the future, especially for Sakatsuki.]

Although not as high as Gilgamesh's A rank, he is already very satisfied.

Under the moonlight, Sakatsuki's white hair shimmered with a faint fluorescence, his golden pupils reflecting the hair color of the knight ahead.

Now, Lancer, Berserker, Rider, and Archer have all left the stage. The remaining servants, although three in number, Caster and Assassin are loyal to Sakatsuki. In other words, it's now the final showdown between the last two factions.

Assassin is useless in frontal combat, and Saber's strong resistance to magic makes it hard for Miyu to act. Not appearing actually makes Saber more vigilant. After all, my command spells are still on the back of my hand, ready to summon a servant at any time.

Even putting aside these plans...

The crimson spear cut through the night sky, Sakatsuki casually twirled the spear, his gaze burning as he looked at Saber, not hiding his fighting spirit.

As a warrior, as a Knight of the Round Table, I also want to have a fair and square duel with the undefeated King of Knights, King Arthur!

"Come on, Saber!"

Facing Sakatsuki's challenge, Saber responded with a heroic smile.

"I'll keep you company to the end!"

The thought of rest was thrown out of mind, the feeling of fatigue burned away by fighting spirit, the two knights who had each used their means to block an Ea swung their spears and swords, stepping forward again.

"Sword Barrel Full Open!"

"Strike Air!"

The first round of confrontation arrived in an instant, the cold silvery light of the weapons tore through the wind field, carrying the storm towards the high sky, at the same time, golden light and crimson light crisscrossed, weaving a death curtain that kept the living away.

That was the spear tip, like an extreme shadow.

The crimson spear thrust out to pierce the heart.

This is not an attack that humans can dodge.

Since it is an extreme shadow, it is not something human eyes can catch.

But, the trailing crimson shadow was deflected by a dazzling light, the brilliant golden light seemed to condense people's wishes, gently and grandly rejecting the thrust.

Clang!

With the crisp sound of steel colliding, the two figures separated at a touch, then stuck together like honeymooning lovers, their movements and banter filled with cold killing intent.

"To be able to keep up with an attack enhanced by magic, truly worthy of the title of the King of Knights."

"Likewise, my intuition hasn't been this thrilled in a long time."

"Why pursue the Holy Grail? You shouldn't have a reason to seek a wish, right?"

"Trying to crush me in willpower? My knight?"

Raising her hand, swinging the sword, even such a simple action, when performed by Saber, was incredibly pleasing to the eye.

"I have already sworn allegiance to Irisviel, since Irisviel is the Lesser Grail, then I am also the guardian of the Holy Grail—if you want to obtain the Holy Grail, first win my recognition!"

"Really cunning, Saber."

"Just a test, if you can do it, then come at me—but you were the first to know there was a problem with the Holy Grail, so why go to such lengths to obtain it?"

"Because, I need it to save my life, Saber."

"What—!"

In battle, shock and flaw are synonymous, Saber, caught in a moment of mental turmoil, was seized by Sakatsuki, who swept away Excalibur with a spear, then grasped his twin blades, closing in on Saber.

"Know this, Saber, the body I possess is like a servant's, a mere tool made of magical energy, once the magical energy inside is exhausted, my 'life' will come to an end!"

"So the reason you seek the Holy Grail is..."

"Yes, to extend my life—in a manner similar to incarnation."

Now, Sakatsuki could finally speak his purpose without hesitation.

"The black mud contained in the Holy Grail is a degraded copy of the 'Primordial Sea,' but even as an inferior existence, it can fill my void, giving my soul a form again."

"But you said the black mud is a product tainted by 'All the World's Evils'!"

"Yes, so I've long had a way to deal with it."

The black and white twin blades drew arcs, cutting down Saber's shoulder armor and scattering her hair bun. As Saber's beautiful hair fell, Sakatsuki's eyes lit up with a white-gold light.

"The Third Magic—Materialization of the Soul."

The Holy Grail War system was originally combined with the incomplete Third Magic of the Einzbern family, the black mud born from the Holy Grail system could naturally be purified by the light of the Third Magic.

"Therefore, I have an unyielding reason, Saber—fall, Ig-Alima, Sul-sagana!"

The starlight dimmed, the heavy emerald greatsword and the flaming giant sword of fire descended with a crash, about to crush Saber's foothold!

Her golden hair disheveled, less heroic, more delicate, Saber looked up, a hint of helplessness in her saintly blue eyes.

"Avalon!"

Shouting the name of the unreachable utopia, the blue-gold scabbard that could block all the laws of the world reappeared, blocking the fierce divine swords, but the next moment, countless magical patterns appeared under Saber's feet, running, converging, outlining large magical circles harboring terrifying power.

"Avalon's defense is indeed strong, but so-called utopias are always as fragile as a bubble, and those who awaken must face the ravages of reality—just like how you, once you release your Noble Phantasm, will suffer countless fatal blows."

Sakatsuki, who had trapped Saber in a cage, smiled slightly, his smile full of the joy of victory.

"So, I win, Artoria—"

Schlk!

With the sound of flesh being pierced, the magical circles surrounding Saber crumbled, but Saber, whose crisis was resolved, did not act immediately. Instead, she stared blankly at the scene before her, as if what was presented before her eyes was incomprehensible.

Under the moonlight, the azure magical girl held a magic spear, piercing the young man's heart.

***

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