Chapter 53: The Filial Strike! Ea vs. Excalibur

Fuyuki City.

Dock Warehouse.

Jeanne d'Arc also fell into a prolonged silence.

The Masters and Servants had received memories of their future selves.

But what she received were the memories of the entire city.

"Death, terror, panic."

"Black mud gushed out from the Holy Grail, only to be severed by the radiance of a golden holy sword."

"However, even so, the overflowing black mud caused immense destruction."

"So, the reason the Holy Grail summoned me was to prevent the city from being destroyed?"

"Wait."

"Besides the memories of this Holy Grail War, I also have... memories of the next Holy Grail War?"

"Gas leaks, gas explosions, and even gas truck explosions."

"Why is it all about gas? Is gas Fuyuki City's specialty?" The saint Jeanne couldn't help but. complain.

Memories flooded in relentlessly.

At the end of receiving the city's memories, Jeanne was given a command.

A command directly issued by Alaya.

As she read the command, Jeanne's spiritual body began to solidify.

"My... real body has been summoned!?"

What the hell?

This was the first time Jeanne had encountered such a situation.

"Moreover, the task given by Alaya has changed."

"The command: Gather all Servants and eliminate the world invader... a higher-dimensional demon... Lucien?"

Lucien? Who is Lucien?

Just as Jeanne was pondering who Lucien was, suddenly, her clear blue eyes were covered by a golden light.

"Revelation!"

A divine revelation entered her mind, and Jeanne saw a vision.

[In the seventh heaven, seven spheres of light were radiating sacred brilliance.]

[She was within one of these spheres, her belly slightly swollen, nurturing a golden sphere of light.]

[The sphere of light flew out from her belly, and the seven spheres converged in the air.]

[Then... under the gaze of a young man, a golden-haired girl with an intense sacred aura began to take form.]

[The Lord... was born.]

Although the golden-haired girl didn't resemble the Lord she knew, Jeanne was certain that it was the Lord.

The girl's status—undoubtedly, she was the deity from the Bible, her Lord.

The Lord is omnipotent.

Having a female form was entirely normal.

When Jeanne snapped out of the "Lord's Nativity" vision, she pursed her lips.

"From the content of this revelation... the Lord wants me to bear a child?"

"Huh?"

A faint blush appeared on Jeanne's beautiful face.

"If I'm not mistaken, the young man waiting beside me... he... should be the father of the child?"

Jeanne was a saint who had devoted everything to the Lord, and she had never even been in love.

Who would have thought that she, who had never experienced love, would be tasked with bearing a child so soon?

Though she was shocked.

Jeanne didn't resist.

As a Christian saint (or holy maiden), being chosen by the "Lord" to bear His child was the highest honor.

"Everything follows the Lord's guidance."

This time, the Lord's revelation didn't conflict with Alaya's command, and Jeanne was pleased.

Until she saw the young man from the "revelation" who was supposed to be the father of her child and learned that his name was Lucien.

Only then did she realize.

The man chosen by the Lord to be the father of her child and the enemy designated by Alaya were the same person!?

The lack of conflict was just her wishful thinking!

...

On the docks.

Saber and Lancer didn't continue their fight.

They each returned to their respective homes.

Both Saber and Lancer, after gaining additional memories, had things they needed to discuss with their Masters.

"Iri, how are you holding up?" After the battle, Saber immediately rushed to Irisviel's side.

Irisviel looked at Saber, her beautiful face filled with sorrow.

"Saber, Kiritsugu's goal was wrong from the start."

"The Holy Grail is no longer the wish-granting Holy Grail we knew."

"It has been corrupted, becoming a vessel for the 'Evil of this World.' No matter what wish is made, it will be granted in the most 'evil' way possible."

"This Holy Grail is not the one Kiritsugu desires."

"Yes, I know."

Saber gently comforted her.

From the additional memories, she had already destroyed the Holy Grail twice.

The first time, she was forced by Kiritsugu to destroy it.

The second time, she voluntarily helped Rin Tohsaka destroy it.

Now, Saber was half-ascended, just one step away from complete ascension.

As for why she was still one step short.

Because, due to the altered timeline, Saber hadn't met Shirou Emiya and hadn't awakened the "feminine" side within her.

...

Tonight was destined to be a night that all Masters and Servants would never forget.

Because, when faced with the choice between handling external matters or internal ones, almost every pair chose to deal with internal matters first!

Kariya Matou, having received memories of himself killing Aoi Tohsaka, was on the verge of madness.

Kiritsugu Emiya, having learned that the Holy Grail was a corrupted vessel that couldn't grant wishes, was utterly despondent.

Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, having received memories of not only losing his fiancée but also his own death, was contemplating whether to have his Servant commit suicide to withdraw from the Holy Grail War.

The most intense situations were those of Kirei Kotomine and Tokiomi Tohsaka.

Tokiomi Tohsaka made a difficult decision and immediately ordered Gilgamesh to commit suicide.

However, Gilgamesh preempted him by severing his contract with Tokiomi.

Soon, Gilgamesh broke free from Lancelot and rushed to the Tohsaka residence.

At that moment, he coincidentally ran into Kirei Kotomine, who had also just arrived.

The two hit it off immediately.

"King of Heroes, what brings you here? Surely you don't intend to harm my teacher, do you?" Kirei asked righteously.

Seeing Kirei's righteous demeanor, Gilgamesh couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"No, no, I would never do something so vile."

"I'm just here to congratulate the young priest who has awakened to his beliefs and to watch a good show."

A golden sword fell from a golden ripple.

"This sword is one of the prototype weapons from the myth of patricide."

"I thought you might need such a sword."

Ding~

With a soft sound, the "Filial Piety Sword" fell to the ground.

Kirei picked up the golden sword, a slight smile curling on his lips.

"King of Heroes, indeed... you are the Servant who understands me best."

He had already gained Cu Chulainn's power and no longer needed Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasm support.

However.

Since it was a patricide weapon with such symbolic significance, he accepted it with gratitude!

"Kirei, though you are nothing special in the age of myths, in this era, you are quite the remarkable figure." Gilgamesh was more than happy to praise the jester who amused him.

"Since the King of Heroes has such high expectations, I should not disappoint."

Boom!~

Kirei kicked open the Tohsaka residence's door and charged in with his sword.

If possible, he wanted to kill Tokiomi Tohsaka without him noticing.

But unfortunately, Tokiomi had likely also received memories of the future.

If assassination wasn't an option, then he would have to resort to a direct attack!

Killing his master, Tokiomi Tohsaka.

Assassinating his father, Risei Kotomine.

What a beautiful script!

...

Just as Kirei entered the Tohsaka residence.

Within a minute, the Tohsaka residence welcomed a new visitor.

A girl in a red top and black skirt rushed in frantically.

Her well-developed thighs moved swiftly as she ran, her twin tails bouncing energetically behind her.

The girl's name was Rin Tohsaka.

Like her sister Sakura, her consciousness had also returned to her younger self.

Realizing she had traveled back ten years, Rin didn't waste any time and immediately rushed home!

She didn't care about the butterfly effect.

Even if her future self would disappear, it didn't matter!

She was determined to save her father and mother, who had died in the Holy Grail War!

...

Unfortunately.

She was too late.

In the courtyard, in front of Tokiomi's mansion, golden particles began to condense, blocking her path.

"Halt, no entry beyond this point." Gilgamesh crossed his arms, stopping the intruder.

"Damn you, Goldie! Get out of my way!"

The golden King of Knights' phantom merged into Rin's body.

In the next moment, a gust of wind surged, and Rin raised the holy sword hidden within the Invisible Air.

"Haaa!!~"

[Strike Air!]

"You two, could you at least let me finish speaking before attacking!?"

Gilgamesh cursed, hastily dodging the attack.

He hated these brutes who attacked without letting him finish his speech!

Didn't they know to wait for the King to finish speaking before acting?

This was why modern people were inferior to those of ancient times!

After barely dodging the Strike Air, Gilgamesh extended his hand, and a golden ripple appeared.

A bizarre, cylindrical sword-like Noble Phantasm was drawn from it.

Since Rin had merged with Saber's power, he had to take her seriously.

"Rin, Kirei's disciple."

"Ten years from now, you and Saber will defeat me."

"But now that I know I was defeated due to carelessness... you stand no chance of winning!"

Boom!!~

With just a slight rotation of Ea, a powerful gust of wind pressure crushed the ground where Rin stood!

"Tch!"

Rin activated her "Instinct" and swiftly dodged.

Now, she was Rin Tohsaka, wielding the power of the legendary King of Knights!

"If only Avalon were here, with it, I could defeat Gilgamesh."

"Right now, Avalon should be with... Illya's father, Kiritsugu Emiya."

...

"Goldie! Take this!"

Rin raised Excalibur, pretending to charge it.

"Saber's holy sword!"

Gilgamesh braced himself, gripping Ea tightly, causing its cylindrical blade to accelerate rapidly!

If she was going to use Excalibur, he had no choice but to respond with Ea!

As the King of Heroes exerted his power, the sword of rupture in his hand unleashed streams of light that could sever the world!

This was—the scene of the world's creation!

[The primordial elements, the severing of heaven and earth.]

[The gospel of the void's creation...]

[The sword that split the world is my Ea!—]

[Weaving the myriad phenomena, gathering the stars! The so-called "heavenly hell" is the end of the world's creation!]

[Silently accept death, for that is enough!]

[Enuma Elish!]

Before Gilgamesh could finish chanting the true name release of his Noble Phantasm, an unexpected change occurred.

To Gilgamesh's utter disbelief, Rin unleashed a "Strike Air" directly at him!

Using Excalibur was just a feint.

What Rin had intended to use from the start was the quickly activated Strike Air!

Boom!~

Gilgamesh was sent flying by the gust of wind, and the activation of Ea became uncontrollable.

The powerful wind pressure soon reduced the Tohsaka residence to rubble!

Just before the Tohsaka residence was completely destroyed, a young man in priestly robes leaped out.

Kirei Kotomine!

He had keenly sensed the change and finished his task before the wind pressure arrived, successfully escaping.

...

"Rin, do you know what this is?"

Kirei raised a red object in his right hand, a deeply pleased smile on his face.

This was a souvenir he had just taken from Tokiomi Tohsaka's body.

For certain special individuals, this was the ultimate nourishment.

It was... a magus's heart!

The heart of his mentor, Tokiomi Tohsaka!

...

"Kirei Kotomine!!!!!~"

Rin's eyes were filled with rage.

She had failed to protect them.

Once again, she had failed to protect them.

But then again.

If she had gained the power of her future Servant, it stood to reason that Kirei, also a Master from ten years later, would have gained his Servant's power as well!

"Rin!"

"Though in this timeline I haven't yet taken you as my disciple, becoming your teacher brings me great joy!"

In Kirei's hand, a crimson spear materialized, its powerful red mana gathering rapidly!

"Not good! That's!"

[Gáe Bolg!]

The spear of certain death shot forward, its powerful wind pressure crushing the already devastated ground once more.

"This is a spear that will always pierce the heart. I must dodge it!"

Using Saber's powerful Instinct, Rin desperately tried to evade Gáe Bolg.

In the end, she met the same fate as Saber.

Though not fatally wounded, her injuries were still severe.

"There's no other choice! I have to retreat!"

Rin's eyes sharpened, and she instantly disappeared from the spot.

Having failed to save Tokiomi, there was no reason for her to stay.

...

"King of Heroes, how did she disappear just now?" Kirei asked, puzzled.

"I don't know."

"It wasn't spirit form, nor was it a Command Seal teleportation."

"But before she moved, her power seemed to surge for a moment, and there was an additional presence."

"I think... she might have used her connection with Saber to teleport herself to Saber's side." Gilgamesh speculated.

...

Gilgamesh's speculation was entirely correct.

Rin had used her connection with Saber to teleport to her side.

In the Einzbern Castle, Rin's figure materialized.

"Hmm?"

Saber frowned in confusion, slowly turning to look behind her.

Seeing a familiar yet unfamiliar girl, Saber gradually lowered her guard.

"Rin."

"So you've come too."

"Earlier, I sensed a very familiar presence in the city."

Familiar? Extremely familiar.

After all, Rin was wielding her power.

"Saber, to defeat Gilgamesh, let's go retrieve your sheath!"

Rin cut straight to the point, immediately laying out the main quest.

However.

As soon as she finished speaking, her body began to shrink.

To recover her mana and heal her wounds, she reverted to her younger self.