Finally, in the narrow gap that spanned countless times and memories, what Novia saw was not Gaia or Alaya, but human reason.
No need to say more, just by looking at each other, Novia knew what Ren Li was asking of him:
For the sake of the world, please stop Alcides from erasing the concept of his own essence, Hercules, from the world.
In the silence, the silver-haired man stared quietly at the cross pendant on his chest and nodded slightly.
"I agreed."
So, the next moment, all the Servants participating in the Holy Grail War, including the Masters, as well as the magicians in the snowfield, although their bodies were still there, heard the sudden sound of waves in their ears.
It was like the sound of the waves crashing in the Mediterranean Sea, and it also seemed to bring about the revelation of the concept of death.
The coast is about to welcome the dawn, and the faint light that should illuminate the surroundings is instead tinged with a layer of deathly black.
Although everything extended infinitely to the left and right, the sea surface was shrouded in the black morning light and there was no end in sight.
A world covered by the black dawn? Or the sea level far away? Or nothing at all?
They couldn't help but close their eyes and listen to the sound of the waves, but apart from the sound of the waves, everything was quiet.
At the same time, whether it is the Sky Chain in the Age of Gods, the ancient Hero King, the Avengers who want to erase their own existence, the monsters whose fate is destined, or the gods who have descended into the present world.
Or, the ancestors of Western Europe after the Age of Gods, the embodiment of "plague", writers who created heroes, killers who did not know who they were, fanatics who learned the unique skills of their predecessors, people who tried to merge themselves into the shadow of the old man, special observers, and madmen who learned "illusion" from the Holy Spirit.
At this moment, everyone understood and realized one thing -
The sky was weeping, shedding blood rain. The tide was wailing, sobbing and rising and falling. The whole world, at that moment, was reduced to only one color.
The apocalypse of destruction came upon call, bringing destruction. In order to continue, in order to fight against destruction, he did not hesitate to fall from a high altitude...
Since that day, after the first century AD, human activities have continued to this day because of what happened on this coast.
There were no clouds in the sky, no wind on the ground, and the whole place was devastated.
Under the light that came from nowhere, the thick black fog was torn apart, revealing the broken walls and ruins covered with moss and dust.
As if it had been ravaged by a storm, traces of the battle still remain here, the accumulated footprints, or scars.
Those rocks that still existed bore traces of destruction, countless amounts of blood and flesh were left on the desolate land, and completely torn limbs were buried in the dust.
More often than not, there were torn claw marks and huge claw prints that covered most places, as if three ferocious beasts would gallop past here in the next second and completely destroy the precarious world.
The sounds of shouting and roaring seemed to be forever engraved in the air, as if I could hear them again by closing my eyes.
But everything has passed away, turning into this empty and lonely coast, and slowly you can see the green land and the blue ocean.
Just as the night passes, the sun rises, as it should.
No one remembers the past generations, and no one in the future generations will remember them.
Then, in the sea of light that was born in the sky above the coast, countless stars fell like rain.
At the end of the coast, a giant tree with seven branches was burning in the midst of hunting fire and thunder, and was shrouded in dark fog.
A silver-haired young man who seemed to be in an eternal world appeared at the edge of the seashore and opened his eyes as blue as the ocean to everyone.
"Life is unpredictable and disputes are hard to resolve, but a river that can swallow them all exists here. No matter how many years pass, the world will continue."
Just by looking at it like this, something like a flower will bloom in the magicians' hearts. It has neither color nor shape, but it is like a faint fragrance, an existence that makes people want to hug it.
“Even though what has been will be again, what has been done will be done again.”
As if in response to his words, a gentle breeze blew in from the distant mist, causing his silver hair to flutter slightly.
"There is nothing new under the sun, but therefore, you should also remember that—"
The man gazed at everything and smiled.
"Not even in the darkness."
In this world that could be mistaken for eternity, countless tiny lights suddenly rose into the sky, eventually causing this world to dissipate and covering the entire Snowfield City in the present world.
Just like that, the most terrifying declaration of war in the American Holy Grail War came to an end.
The reactions of the magicians in the town varied. Some sensed the danger and fled, while others held out hope for the miracle worker known as the legend, and now were planning whether they could seize power from their master.
To be honest, the weak magic power emanating from Snowfield City is so weak that even the local magicians in Snowfield City can hardly feel it.
However, the appearance of this mysterious scene can be observed even from distant foreign lands, from the clock tower of the Magician's Association's headquarters, and even from the Eternal City.
Although no one died in the end, the unexpected figure changed the minds of both the Magic Association, which had originally planned to observe the battle, and the Holy Church, which had planned to wait and see. This was by no means a joke that could be ignored.
Because it was an existence that was enough to silence the magic world, and it appeared on the land of Xueyuan City.
The first Pope Novia, who is privately known as the 'Holy Spirit' and is believed to have established the world order of magic from the 1st to the 5th century, appeared in the Holy Grail War.
174: The big melee before the war (4k5)
Before the final and most terrifying declaration of war between the true and false Holy Grail, a few hours before Novia showed everyone the time of his advent.
In the Great Valley in the north of Xueyuan City, the second round of the Holy Grail War between the Servants is taking place.
The heroic king Gilgamesh and Alcides who fell into the path of revenge.
"Oh, it's this guy."
When the archers who attacked the Hero King who had moved to the center of the city from here saw the golden ship arriving in front of them, they murmured quietly, and in addition to sighing, there was even a hint of self-mockery.
"Barbarian who launched a surprise attack, let me turn you into a rust remover for the treasures in the warehouse."
Gilgamesh, who was galloping, landed on the high ground from the bow. His words made the archer standing ten meters ahead slowly raise his head.
Alcides remained silent, calmly pulling the bowstring tight, and without hesitation released the arrow at the girl who was peeking from behind him as the King of Heroes spoke.
This is a girl named Tini, the chief of a clan that has lived in Snowfield City for a thousand years. Her purpose in participating in the Holy Grail War is not to obtain the Holy Grail, but to eliminate the magicians who ravaged her homeland and the Holy Grail War. She sincerely serves the Hero King Gilgamesh as his monarch.
The arrow that exceeded the speed of sound approached the girl's face, but was easily blocked by the protection of the King of Heroes. However, Alcides continued to shoot arrows in response to this. He simply wanted to provoke the King of Heroes named Gilgamesh.
Gilgamesh may not have noticed the provocation, or he may have noticed it, but he was annoyed because the other party ignored him and kept sniping at the girl who was his master. He continued with anger in his calm tone:
"I see. If you are obsessed with victory or want to take the path of easy victory, this is indeed the right choice. I might also play the same trick with you depending on the situation."
Then, the next moment──
"But that's why I can do those things! They are not actions that an ordinary person like you would allow!"
Gilgamesh proudly opened the door of the "King's Treasure" behind him and on the high ground, and shot countless Noble Phantasms at Alcides.
The entrance to the treasure house that surrounded Alcides from all sides began to twist like a tornado, and the slightly thin Alcides seemed vulnerable.
However, he swung the bow in his left hand and knocked down the Noble Phantasms that were being shot out like a rainstorm at a speed that was beyond the common sense of even a Heroic Spirit.
Finally, when everything calmed down, what appeared in the eyes of Gilgamesh and Tini was the archers who were unharmed and slapping the dust on the long cloth and the countless mountains of treasures piled up around them.
The silence between the Hero King and his servants temporarily dominated the high ground, but that silence was shattered by Alcides's suppressed laughter.
“Haha…hahahahaha…hahahaha…”
From under the long cloth covering Alcides' face came a laugh that was clearly sarcastic.
".....what's so funny."
Gilgamesh asked expressionlessly, and Alcides told him clearly.
"────You are too weak." He continued, "You can only throw weapons without thinking... It would be better to just throw sand at me... Those who can be solved by such a trifle are either extremely weak... or beasts who cannot maintain rationality."
"Oh?"
Gilgamesh did not get angry about this. On the contrary, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Alcides declared to this heroic king:
"Have you not heard the cry from the endless mad god who has already melted into the waves of the world?..."
".....What?!"
Instantly, Gilgamesh felt a surge of madness in his mind. Although he quickly suppressed it, on the battlefield, a single moment could decide life or death.
That’s why——
Alcides, who had already taken advantage of this gap to come up to him, was about to swing the longbow wrapped in strange magic at his neck, and muttered:
"How stupid."
Just as a tragic scene was about to happen, at that moment, the aura of twelve swords emitting thirty colors shook the earth.
This was not Alcides's devastating blow, nor was it the King of Heroes' counterattack, but an extremely young man who appeared from nowhere.
Tini had an impression of the young man who had suddenly arrived. He was the servant who was taken to the police station last night and appeared on TV. However, only when she saw him in person did she realize that this servant had more magical power than she who possessed the earth veins.
"If they are enemies, prepare to fight. If they are friendly forces, retreat immediately. Do you two want to try to withstand the King's Sword?"
After Charlemagne said this, Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes and said:
"That's what they mean by spoiling other people's fun... kid."
Judging from Gilgamesh's tone, Tini could tell that he was clearly in a bad mood.
After all, he was almost killed, so it was natural for him to be angry. If it were a normal scene, he should have said to Charlemagne:
I am the only true king hero in the world, and everyone else is just a bunch of bastards.
Moreover, Tini also saw a momentary frown on Gilgamesh's face at this moment. It seemed that in addition to being rescued, the Hero King also realized that the servant in front of him was most likely a swordsman, and an extremely troublesome guy.
"Haha, I feel the tip of the God-killing spear from your sword..."
"Oh, not bad, you actually know that." Charlemagne, who was sent here by the police chief, smiled after hearing what Alcides said, "This sword is Juvaius. I put the tip of Longinus' spear in the hilt."
Charlemagne nonchalantly stated the name of the sword he was holding, not caring at all about his real name being exposed. But that was normal, after all, when he first entered the police station, he told the police chief and his follower Dumas his identity frankly.
"Giuvayus? Holy Sword Jiuvayus, are you Emperor Karl?"
Tiny said.
"I do have that name." Charlemagne smiled, "But now that I'm in this youthful state, I prefer to call myself Charlemagne. This way I have a feeling that I'll become more and more handsome!"
In fact, the Hero King's eyes, which had faded from arrogance, had already seen through part of the nature of Charlemagne and Alcides.
However, because he is the King of Heroes, he naturally has to uphold his pride.
"How dare you call yourself the king? Well, I'll just laugh off this farce!"
The Hero King said this without any arrogance or carelessness.
On the other hand, Alcides' mouth, hidden under the monster fur, twisted viciously, and he drew the arrow on the bowstring with ominous magic power.
"What a good omen. After all, from the very beginning of the battle, we can slaughter two kings... My name is Alcides. Remember this name."
“Hahaha, oh, okay, in that case, I agree, I cheer for Charlemagne!” Charlemagne immediately merged the magic power wrapped around his body with the three-base magic furnace possessed by his body, and the purity of his magic power increased again, “Holy Guardians——”
At this moment, here are the ancestor of Western Europe wrapped in a sacred aura, the hero king wrapped in golden light, and the avenger whose body is permeated with magical power like dark mud.
"Okay, it's time to end it. No, everyone, you have to calm down. What if you bring out your trump card on the first day? I heard rumors that someone brought out their trump cards in the desert before the show even started! Haha!"
When the Heroic Spirits were about to take action,
The innocent voice of the girl resounded in the sky, and a huge fiery red cross appeared above the endless battlefield.
Charlemagne opened his eyes wide in confusion, Alcides narrowed his eyes slightly, and the Hero King scanned the surrounding scene with a look as if he had seen something suspicious.
The place where they were standing should be a large canyon with sparse vegetation.
However, the moment they heard the girl's voice, the entire vast bloody battlefield immediately buried their vision.
At this moment, the Hero King had already taken out the Blade of Original Sin, which was shining brightly, and was about to destroy the illusion.
"Haha, but in order to prevent your anger from directly devouring me and to prevent the 'egg' from failing to be born, I can only resort to the worst possible strategy. Let you have a good sleep first."
The girl's voice resounded throughout the land, and a scorching wave surged through the magical channel toward the three Servants and the only Master.
"Let me make the dedication! I will offer my blessings, thanks and sacrifice to this world that should have been destroyed long ago!"
"Thank you to my mother, Ate, for giving birth to me as the embodiment of madness!"
"Blessings to the 'Holy Spirit' of the world who taught me the crazy magic of humans!"
"Show me the extremely crazy savior, you are not wrong!"
"Dedicate! I will offer this sacrifice to all the human beings forgiven by this ruined world!"
As the girl shouted the blessing, the space around her began to distort, swallowing up the earth presented by the illusion.
Finally, he shouted out the name of his own Noble Phantasm, the Great Magecraft.
