Chapter 15: Final of Age of the Gods (4)
[3rd POV]
[Bounded Field "Rhongomyniad: Rainy Night" is a powerful magical ability that creates a space shaped by the knight Lloyd's inner resolve and will.
Under the Holy Tree, Lloyd beneath receives the blessing of an era.]
On a rainy night beneath the Holy Tree, blood splattered as water birds flew through the air.
Kyouya's sword moves easily through the rain, with the raindrops turning into flying birds created by the Holy Sword.
Their wings cut through the knights' armor and drink their blood.
"So, it's actually a Bounded Field."
Merlin, isolated outside the Bounded Field, was utterly powerless.
He could see the scene inside thanks to his Clairvoyance, but breaking through the Bounded Field from the outside would take a long time.
This is a very strong and dangerous type of magic, a crystallization of magic so close to being called a "miracle."
"Luckily, Avalon is there."
At this moment, all Merlin could do was sigh in relief.
In such a deadly and dangerous Bounded Field, Artoria would be safe thanks to the protection of Avalon, but not sure as for the other knights.
...
"Bang~"
Kyouya landed on the ground from above, and the splash of water mixed with his magical energy turned into deadly blades.
The rain flowed along his sword, and another water bird soared into the air.
The wind howled across the wilderness while heaven and earth echoed with the cries of birds.
The closer one died, the sharper and more piercing the birds' cries became as if all of existence was being laid bare in this single moment.
The killing intent on the sword and the danger in the rain merged into one.
The moment a leaf fell, the water blade seemed ready to split the world apart.
A massive waterspout exploded, spreading magic, water, and the sword's deadly strikes throughout the Bounded Field.
There was no escape, with knights being thrown from their horses and seriously injured.
The ground was full of blood from Kyouya and his enemies.
"So strong."
At this moment, aside from Kyouya and "Artorius," who was protected by Avalon, Lancelot was barely conscious but wouldn't last much longer.
This time, Lancelot was defeated and fully convinced of Kyouya's strength.
"Thud~"
Lancelot finally collapsed into unconsciousness.
Now, inside the Bounded Field, only these two long-standing rivals remained.
"Artorius, can you feel it? My sword, my determination."
Kyouya asked.
Even though his remaining lifespan could now be measured in mere seconds, Kyouya still sought an answer from the person before him.
"I feel it."
Artorius replied, "The courage it took to make your choice, the determination to abandon everything in order to protect you love. You had already made that decision the moment you joined Vortigern, didn't you?
Artorius stood in the rare calm of the rain with no killing intent where only the exchange between old friends.
"You asked me to choose, and so I made my choice."
Artorius stepped forward, his holy sword cutting through the rain. This blow was meant to free an old friend from his suffering.
"I can feel it too."
"'All' truly reflects human greed. Let's see if you have the courage to match such ambition."
As the cries of water birds echoed, the two swords clashed.
Kyouya silently calculated his remaining time.
One hundred and eighty seconds were enough—enough to express his beliefs, enough to perform the most beautiful sword dance.
"Clang~"
The instant their swords met, Artorius's armor rang multiple times from the impacts.
Without the protection of Avalon, the fight might have already been decided.
Kyouya said nothing.
It all came down to skills in a battle of life and death because fairness had no place in such a fight.
If there was anything unfair to speak of, it would be his "Dragon Slayer" and "Vortigern's Blade," which maximized his special attacks.
He still couldn't break through this defense.
He remembered what Vortigern's final consciousness had mentioned this layer of defense—the sheath known as Avalon.
This was an absolute defense that completely shields the user to a higher domain, a domain that could not be reached by mere physical means.
If physical attacks couldn't reach it, what about the power of the spirit?
It was worth a try.
With that thought, Kyouya focused his mind, and the rain responded instantly, with Ryūka transformed into a massive drill, aiming straight for Artorius's chest.
Despite the overwhelming force of the attack, it stopped one meter in front of Artorius and couldn't go any further.
The Ryūka grew stronger as it gathered more power, yet even so, it couldn't pierce this defense… could it?
"How is this even possible..."
Artorius watched as the water vortex slowly closed in.
However, the advance was slow, it was undeniably advancing particularly after Kyouya's blood mixed with the swirling waters.
The blood carried Kyouya's willpower, pushing the attack steadily toward Artorius.
The immense pressure was overwhelming. Despite Avalon's protection, Artorius could feel the force of Kyouya's determination.
The overwhelming force of the strike pushed him back, step by step... until Artorius was pressed against the Holy Tree by the power of the sword.
This was Kyouya's final will, but his life had reached its limit...
The Ryūka exploded in full force, and the once-dominant vortex or waterspout dissipated, leaving only a single drop of blood to fall onto Artorius's chestplate.
"Thud~"
A single drop of blood landed on Artorius's chest, but it hit with the force of a battering ram.
It was not a physical force but the resolve of a person at the edge of death.
"Goodbye, Lloyd."
Artorius watched as the one who had burned everything vanished before him.
The Ryūka fell into the mud and rain while its master turned to ash and dissipated into the world.
The Bounded Field faded, and the once-vibrant Holy Tree now appeared withered and dead.
A single leaf fell, carrying with it... a message.
...
[You are dead.]
[You have completed the ending "Rhongomyniad: Rainy Night." You may select one of the basic three skills.]
[Please wait while the selection process begins... Selection complete.]
[You have gained the personal skill "Divinity."]
"I'm back."
Kyouya snapped back to reality when realizing he was still on his way home.
The life he had lived as Lloyd seemed vivid in his mind as if it had truly happened.
Was it real? Was it fake?
He couldn't tell, but if it had all truly happened... then...
He started walking, and it felt like his body had no weight at all with each step.
This was the first time he felt "magic" as Fujimaru Kyoya.
"This is magic, but it's different from before... Does that mean this isn't the Age of Gods anymore?"
He was sure the simulator was real, but he wasn't sure if Lloyd's life had truly existed.
"I'll ask Shinji tomorrow."
He remembered that Shinji Matou was not only a top student but also had a keen interest in sorcery.
If anyone could know something, it would be him.
...
In place of the Throne of Heroes, a knight rested against the Holy Tree, leaning on his sword.
He appeared lifeless but could awaken at any moment, just waiting for the fallen leaf to bring its message.
To be continued...
...
Thank you for taking the time to read my work! If you're enjoying it, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could drop some powerstones and share your honest review to show your support. Thank you so much!