Chapter Ninety-Eight: It’s You Who’s Peering at Me!

With Archer’s declaration, the Death Star in orbit around the satellite began to fill, forming arrows that shot toward the ground.

The arrows vanished midair as a massive magic circle unfolded. The space shattered like a mirror, and a tsunami—the prototype of the Noah’s Flood legend, the great wave of Nabistain described in the Epic of Gilgamesh—swept toward Fuyuki City.

“This is what they call the end of the world!”

Though Gilgamesh had expended all his magical power and was soon to be immobilized, he laughed heartily as if fulfilling the duty of a victor.

“Wretched bastards! Gods from another world! Curse your foolishness for not killing me instantly!”

The surging torrents descended from the sky, threatening to engulf everything.

From the very onset, this sword unleashed a torrent powerful enough to easily submerge a city—and it was only the beginning. With each passing day, the currents would grow stronger. By the seventh day, it would become a colossal tsunami, the very wave that once swept Nabistain—a devastation capable of severely damaging human civilization.

Yet this persistence was not its weakness. Though it reached peak power only on the seventh day, the torrent alone was enough to drown a city. Unlike the Divergence Sword, confronting it would prove far more troublesome.

“A Heroic King serious about his fight is no easy foe… Even realizing this disaster will affect me, and that it might erase him outright, this calamity cannot be undone. Remaining in a world after its destruction is meaningless. I suppose that’s the calculation he’s making.”

Roland silently admired the magnificent scene before him, yet felt no fear. Though he knew that beneath this flood, even if he himself would not perish, the Greater Grail and Fuyuki City would scarcely survive.

Gilgamesh’s bellowing continued: “But take pride! To drive me into such despair, to embrace death with resolve and perish together—before we meet again, you may boast of this all you like!”

“It’s far too soon to celebrate victory, Heroic King.”

Roland showed none of the expression Gilgamesh wished to see. He stepped back slightly, handing the spotlight to the Saber beside him.

“From the start, you’ve been trapped in an unsolvable loop. To defeat my vessel, you must destroy the world; but destroying the world triggers Saber’s special attack.”

Roland feigned a sigh, though it was sincere.

“Among the wisdom worn thin by time, there is one truth I wholeheartedly agree with—

Special attacks trump all.”

Amid the raging currents, a golden light cleaved the sea.

The thirteen bindings that formed the sword’s scabbard rang out as they were released. Saber gripped his sword with both hands, feeling a declaration long silent awaken once more.

This was no longer a battle. At this moment, Archer was unleashing atrocities for his own desires.

He recalled Lancelot’s words—the counsel of that reliable knight, who, though not the one he knew, left a lasting admonition.

Though Roland, his new Master, had given him guidance to protect the present, Saber harbored unease.

But as he watched the disaster unfold again, he instinctively grasped the holy sword and released its bindings.

Saber realized that even before his heart had fully awakened, he had already made his choice.

This land was not his kingdom, and its people were not his subjects. Yet still, he raised the holy sword high.

“Release the thirteen seals! The Round Table Knights’ resolution begins!”

Even bound, releasing this holy sword could unleash its power against city treasures—but that alone did not explain why even Archer set aside his pride and addressed Saber as the Sword Saint.

This strongest sword could sever foes beyond the stars; it was meant to save the world. Its power was too great for a mere individual, so strict laws bound it.

Unlike Avalon, the second scabbard binding the blade could only be undone by achieving multiple glories and accomplishments. Though the kings and knights once sworn had long perished, the seal remained. When the Sword Saint sought to save the world, the Round Table’s resolution would activate.

A familiar female voice echoed in Saber’s ear—the mark left by the mage named Merry.

“───Acknowledgment:

Bedivere—this battle is a struggle against a mightier foe.

Gareth—this battle does not betray humanity.

Lancelot—this battle is not a conflict against elves.

Mordred—this battle is a fight against evil.

Galahad—this battle is free from selfish desires.

‘Arthur’.”

With that familiar call, Saber spoke in a solemn tone never before heard.

“This battle— is the fight to save the world!”

From the distant land, Saber cast the gaze of a king, disdainful of all beings.

“Ex—calibur!”

Surging magical power gathered along the blade, transforming the holy sword into a radiant beam of light.

The light contracted and accelerated, draining all color around it, holy and brilliant, as if bearing a sacred mission to cleanse all chaos from the world.

This was the light of remembrance, the light of prayer, once forged by the Lady of the Lake in the Starry Inland Sea, proof of divine craftsmanship.

Saber felt as if someone grasped the hilt alongside him, lightening the weight and quieting his troubled heart.

Though only six of the thirteen seals were released—insufficient to fully reveal the sword’s true name—the dazzling pillar of light became an unparalleled golden slash, striking straight ahead and piercing the very fabric of space.

The magical power emanating from the blade churned the atmosphere, causing it to retreat and shatter into waves of fragmented air. The void left behind was filled with countless particles of light.

“Saber!”

Gilgamesh’s expression changed. Though he understood the weight of the sword, and knew its significance, even he had never faced such radiance before.

Among his treasury, the original text of the Broken King’s Selection Sword remained, but this sword was an exception.

Gilgamesh abandoned all resistance, pouring his strength into intensifying the flood’s torrent. Yet ultimately, he was struck first by the flood of light.

Unable to evade or resist, few could withstand the over-limit release of the holy sword.

At the moment it struck the flood, the sacred light of faith expanded endlessly, like a pillar connecting heaven and earth, completely evaporating the advancing waters.

As the shadow that cloaked the sky dissipated, the only thing left was Gilgamesh—his body half vanished, disintegrating into golden spiritual particles as he plummeted swiftly.

As his form crumbled and fell, Gilgamesh calmly accepted defeat.

With crimson eyes, he gazed at Saber, then shifted his sight beyond him to Roland.

“How detestable… I never imagined the day would come when I, the King, would suffer such humiliation. Gods from another world, this world, my most precious garden, I entrust it to your care for now.”

“When next we meet, I shall show no more leniency. Farewell, Roland. Though I hate to admit it, this reigning world was somewhat entertaining.”

With the end of his arrogant voice, Gilgamesh’s figure vanished completely.

“The fourth is achieved. Now, it is time to make a wish.”

Roland glanced around and clapped his hands.

Upon hearing this declaration, all present turned their gaze to him.

Though they once had dreams, Saber and Caster had abandoned their wishes. Thus, even with only four Servants’ souls, it was enough to fulfill a conventional wish.

“Lord Roland, shall we summon the Greater Grail now?”

“Not yet. We must endure one final battle before making a wish.”

“Are there other Servants?”

Saber asked with some perplexity. “Only Assassin remains…”

“Do not worry about Assassin. The opponent I refer to is the Greater Grail itself.”

Roland smiled mysteriously, looking down at Mt. Enzou.

“My dear allies, I believe you have already sensed this firsthand.”

—

After receiving Roland’s message, Zouken Matou had already departed.

Now he walked through the vast cavern beneath Ryuudou Temple—dark and damp as ever, but Zouken was oblivious.

His heart brimmed with fervor at the imminent fulfillment of his long-held desire.

Soon, he reached the altar raised in the center. Around it, the central magic circle spread over three kilometers.

Compared to the initial position they had occupied, it was a world apart. Over centuries, this realm had slowly grown.

At the heart of this dark garden writhed an invisible chaos, as if a form spontaneously grown to bear the souls of heroic spirits.

“Roland was right…”

Zouken muttered. At first, when Roland said the Lesser Grail wasn’t needed, he thought the man was mad. But the reality before him left no room for doubt.

Though twisted in shape like a writhing mass of flesh or a black embryo, Zouken could still sense the intense desire and will concentrated within.

—This was the physical Greater Grail.

Or rather, a pseudo-Grail, containing the souls of Servants and vast magical energy. Moreover, Zouken noticed an unexpected presence.

“Danik…”

The figure clung like a parasite to the pseudo-Grail’s exterior. Upon closer observation, Zouken understood his intention.

Using the power of charms and twisted Servant souls, he sought to enter the Greater Grail. When someone made a wish or the Grail War ended and Servant souls returned, he would capture part of their corporeal power, forming a new shape.

Though incomplete compared to true Servants, this form was a remarkable achievement for a mage.

Zouken hesitated but abandoned plans to strike. The Grail’s mutation was too strange, and interfering might disrupt his own plans.

Roland must make the wish—after all, the Dragon’s charm was still in his hands.

Once that divine power was unleashed, Zouken’s progress would rival Danik’s.

With this thought, Zouken’s body began to swell.

Countless wailing soul fragments poured from his form—accumulated over five centuries.

Upon reaching the minimum of four Servants, the Greater Grail could operate. Though it was set to awaken automatically at five, this was not a rigid rule—cunning could suffice.

Human souls, though inferior to Servants’, were far easier to gather. Once a certain quantity was reached, the Grail could be tricked into awakening prematurely.

As Zouken’s collected souls were devoured by the pseudo-Grail at the center, the magic circles throughout the cavern began to glow.

—

When the light spread, the underground darkness trembled, emitting a heartbeat-like throb.

Wait—a heartbeat?

“What is happening?”

The Greater Grail was supposed to be a mere system. Even with added functions, it shouldn’t exhibit signs of life.

Zouken, one of the system’s founders, watched the awakened Grail warily. As he prepared to retreat, the nameless darkness shredded his body.

The Greater Grail had come alive?

In his final moment before losing consciousness, he saw the surrounding darkness shatter like eggshells, the corporeal Grail writhing with flesh, its eyes lighting up.

Then the central magic circles throughout the cavern began to tremble. Black mud surged upward, and outside these precious, bone-like circles, real flesh began to form.

The entire cavern shook violently, as if the beast locked inside Mt. Enzou was awakening, eager to move once more.

—

“Strictly speaking, this Greater Grail cannot grant wishes.”

Roland calmly revealed the harsh truth to the ignorant crowd.

“Since the last Grail War, when the one who falsely claimed the name Angra Mainyu—whose very name was erased—was sacrificed and merged into the Greater Grail as a demon, the wishes inside have been corrupted. No matter what is wished for, it is twisted into malice.”

“Then why summon it, Master?”

Saber frowned at the earth-shattering news.

“Rest assured, haven’t I told you? I stand on the side of justice, and will not make a wish to destroy the world. Though my wish is personal, do not worry—I have my own plans and am prepared.”

Saber nodded expressionlessly, accepting this.

Not out of blind faith in Roland’s character, but because he couldn’t believe someone capable of manipulating Archer so effortlessly would go to his death without a plan.

“I see. Our enemy now is the absolute evil concealed within the Grail.”

“We just need to destroy it after Master makes his wish, right? Even if it’s a great disaster, it’s still in its infancy.”

“Indeed. Under normal circumstances, Saber would release his holy sword and shatter it, ending everything.”

Roland sneered, then shifted tone after revealing the truth.

“But unfortunately, due to an external factor, it has gained outside assistance. So, when summoned, the so-called Greater Grail truly came alive.”

“Perhaps even now, it’s observing us through the Grail system…”

A wicked smile crept across Roland’s lips, his crimson eyes gleaming like radiant rubies tinged with blood.

“This feeling…”

Suddenly, he covered his face with his hand, turning his head. His pupils dilated with excitement, like a hunter’s prelude.

“You’re spying on me, aren’t you, Angra Mainyu!”

After Roland pointed out the surveillance, Saber shuddered, as if chilled by a sudden wind. He swung a fierce slash toward Roland’s direction, but only stirred dust.

“Angra Mainyu is not here; he’s merely watching us through the Grail system.”

Roland said calmly, unsurprised.

“However, this is the best proof that he has awakened. I fear the cavern beneath Ryuudou Temple has become his domain for releasing power—an obvious trap. He replaced the Lesser Grail’s function with himself precisely for this.”

If a surviving Master wished to make a wish, they would have to enter this cavern—his own body. In this home turf, even Servants could be slaughtered at will, let alone ordinary Masters.

“What a grim and humorless conspiracy…”

Even Medea was taken aback.

“Though it possesses the power to grant wishes, once it gains a personality, it won’t easily surrender that right.”

“This Greater Grail simply does not want to be wished upon. It isolates itself, waiting to be born. Once fully alive, it will likely use this base to spread its malice.”

Roland smiled, revealing the anxiety of having victory so close yet unattainable.

“Even so, whether to pursue or destroy the Grail, we must venture underground—into the lion’s den.”

Saber looked at Roland solemnly.

“Indeed. But I have an even better idea.”

Roland narrowed his eyes, his smile growing more joyful.

“Why chase the Grail? We can just let it come to us… Since it’s a rat hiding underground, we’ll smash its lair to pieces. Then it’ll have no choice but to face us openly.”

Roland snapped his fingers, summoning the nearby Ishtar.

“Venus goddess, it’s time to work.”

(End of chapter)