Chapter 14: Final of Age of the Gods (3)

[3rd POV]

It was over, but who won and who lost?

They all wanted to know the answer, but the dragon silhouette and the beam of light in the sky had both disappeared, and Kyouya stood alone under the Holy Tree as a lone gatekeeper. 

Who could step forward to check what happened?

[The Holy Tree began to wither, signaling the end of the war, and the blessing upon you gradually faded.]

"I'm sorry, I let you down."

The falling leaves brought the message. 

It was Vortigern's final words.

"I thought you were going to blame me for not killing him back then."

"You couldn't kill him."

Vortigern naturally didn't believe that he had a chance to kill King Arthur. 

After all, Merlin, that despicable bastard, was not only deceitful but also skilled with the sword. 

He could use illusionary tricks and run away if he couldn't win. 

"All the failure is my fault, but Lloyd..."

Vortigern's voice grew weaker. He had been full of confidence but never expected to lose. 

That "puppet" had found its own belief and emitted such a brilliant light.

"I hope you can continue to buy time. Although the Holy Tree is destroyed, it has still opened the Reverse Side of the World. Even if our families can't bathe in the divine light, let some Phantasmal Species beings gain a bit of life."

Vortigern's voice faded away, and the blessing on him also vanished without a trace.

The large hole left by the Holy Tree led directly to the Reverse Side of the World, and it would take a considerable amount of time to repair. 

This is enough time for some of the magical beasts to find a glimmer of hope for survival.

However, what did the magical beasts have to do with him?

He had to fight these knights without the blessing, and one of them was three times strong, Gawain.

"It's my way of repaying the trust you have in me." 

He raised his sword at the seemingly hopeless situation. 

[The remaining path is the end. The army's defeat is like a collapsing mountain. You know you have nowhere else to go or a way to turn back, but you still refuse to retreat or surrender in this situation.]

"The tide has turned. You still refuse to surrender, Lloyd?"

The field of the Holy Tree dissipated, which not only meant the blessing on Kyouya had faded but also Gawain's power under the blazing sun had reached its peak.

"When did the Knight of the Sun become so whiny? I'll tell you what's right and wrong under the sword."

He continued his attack, but his strength was no longer near as before.

Nevertheless, he kept fighting, and his sword was steady without shaking or hesitation. 

The knights' expressions grew more serious.

They wouldn't be surprised if he had fled or knelt to beg for mercy. After all, Kyouya was someone even more shameless than Agravain in their minds.

However, the situation was beyond expectations. Kyouya's power had weakened, yet the will in his sword only grew stronger.

It was a determination to face certain death, a will to never retreat, a pure courage...

The current Kyouya was too strong for anyone to underestimate. 

The knights understood that even though he had weakened, a strong person was still a strong person.

[Your sword is blocked by Lancelot.]

[Your throwing knives are knocked away by Agravain]

[Your steps are delayed by Kay and Bedivere.]

[Your armor is torn by Gawain.]

[Your body is pierced by Tristan.]

...

He had no interest in looking at the words on the simulator. 

He couldn't afford to be distracted right now. He was having difficulty dealing with all of these strong opponents by himself.

It felt as if he were walking on the edge of a cliff, where any wrong decision could lead to his instant death.

This was troublesome—too troublesome.

This was the most accurate thought in the knights' hearts. 

Even though they held the advantage, the occasional drops of water kept giving them new wounds. 

They had to admit that even without the blessing of the Holy Tree, the person in front of them was still a powerful force not to be ignored.

"It's a pity, but everything has come to an end. How sad."

Tristan had always stayed on the sideline, waiting for the right moment to draw his bow and strike him with a devastating blow.

There was no longer any talk of knightly honor. At this moment, they only understood one thing.

The best way to show respect for an enemy like Kyouya was to use their full strength and send him straight to hell.

"The sound of pain...the tune of sorrow. Know that my sadness will rend your flesh... Failnaught... Farewell."

An arrow made of thread shot out, reaching him in an instant he could not evade.

"Boom~"

A massive roar echoed as the arrow pierced his chest, leaving a huge hole. He could only stagger, propping himself up with his sword to barely keep his balance.

They won.

Even though the odds were overwhelmingly in their favor, the knights couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when they saw that this troublesome enemy was finally dead.

At that moment, Artorius returned.

"Lloyd."

Looking at Kyouya, who had a huge hole in his chest, it was clear he was beyond saving, but unfortunately, it was still too late.

'Am I going to die?'

[You have been struck by Tristan's arrow, and with this fatal wound, your life can now only be measured in seconds.]

'However, I don't want to die yet. The promise hasn't been fulfilled.'

[You unleash a strong will to survive, but does it matter?]

It's not a matter of whether it works or not because it's something I must do.

Kyouya felt his blood draining from his body as he grew weaker, but Vortigern's wish still hadn't been fulfilled. 

He had no chance against these people without the Holy Tree's blessing.

The blessing...

"Boom~"

Suddenly, the sun was blocked by dark clouds, like a night with light raindrops, accompanied by the rumble of thunder in the sky as if the entire era itself was weeping. 

"It's raining? No, wait, be careful, this rain might be dangerous."

Gawain was the first to notice the problem with his blessing was triggered at a specific time.

As soon as Gawain finished speaking, a lot of raindrops hit the knights like sharp swords and injured them.

"The Holy Tree... How is this possible?"

Lancelot looked in disbelief at the withered Holy Tree began to overflow with golden light once again as if it were experiencing a final burst of vitality.

"No, this isn't the original Holy Tree."

"Artorius" immediately sensed something was wrong. 

The Holy Lance, which was the core of the Holy Tree, had already fallen into his hands, and this tree was just an empty shell. 

It should not have regained vitality.

They all turned their gaze toward Kyouya, the enemy who was about to die.

[Your determination, belief, and perseverance still persist. Even though your body is on the brink of death, your will remains persistent. Bounded Field "Rhongomyniad: Rainy Night" is activated.]

"I told you..."

Kyouya wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Under the Holy Tree, I am invincible."

The Holy Tree's light still shined brightly, and the rain concealed hidden dangers. 

The knights were badly wounded, but they were still unbeatable.

To be continued...

...

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