Fate: Hero Simulator

[3rd POV]

Strong, very strong. 

This was the strongest opponent Artoria had ever faced. If not for the protection of Avalon, she would have been defeated by now.

"An interesting shield. It has brought you to a higher dimension with flawless defense. I admit, I can't break through your defense."

Vortigern's body was as mighty as a small mountain. 

Although he was unable to break through Artoria's defense, he didn't show any signs of discouragement.

The reason was simple—time was on his side.

"Even if you don't lose, you won't win. The roots of the Holy Tree have already begun to reach the Reverse Side of the World. You have lost."

Lost?

Artoria heard sharp words echoing in her head. 

"No, we both know we can't decide the winner until the final blow. You have not won until you reach the Reverse Side of the World."

"The final blow? Can you really do it?"

Vortigern naturally understood what this so-called "final blow" meant—it was the Holy Sword in her hand, the legendary Excalibur that had once saved Earth.

It could completely change the battle once the thirteen restraints on it were broken.

"Why do you think you can wield that Holy Sword? An empty puppet and ideal from others..."

"Even if it's a borrowed ideal, as long as it is carried through to the end, it's... my ideal."

The pure light shone from Artoria's hand, drawing Vortigern's gaze.

"The moment Lloyd defeated you, you should have gained the ability to think for yourself, and even if the future you choose is destined to be a tragedy, do you still walk that path with determination?"

Vortigern could feel it that wasn't the will of a puppet. However, why would someone capable of thinking for themselves choose a tragedy?

"I want both the 'present' and the' future.' I will ensure that the era transitions smoothly into the future and minimize the losses."

"Do you have a solution?"

He couldn't believe it. He had pondered for so long without finding an answer.

"No."

Artoria responded confidently, and even he was taken aback by her shamelessness.

Lloyd, you're truly a disaster.

"However, I have already come to a realization..."

She raised the Holy Sword, and there was no trace of confusion in her eyes. She would use the sword in her hand to light the way forward.

"It is to carve a path forward in the pitch-black wilderness!"

The Round Table vote began.

This was the seal placed by Avalon upon the Holy Sword, a glory that only revealed itself under the watchful eyes of the noble knights.

This is a battle for survival;

This is a one-on-one battle;

This is a battle for truth;

This is a battle against evil;

This is a battle for glory;

This is a battle against someone stronger than themselves.

...

Half of the thirteen restraints were broken, and the brilliance of the Holy Sword descended upon the world once again. 

This was the Holy Sword's acknowledgment, recognizing that its wielder was not a puppet but a worthy king.

"This is... the battle to save the world."

A golden pillar of light rose from the ground to the sky, sweeping through the clouds and shattering the mighty presence of the Holy Tree.

"Saving the world? When have I not been saving the world?"

Vortigern looked at the brilliance of the Holy Sword and it was no longer a power that his physical body could resist.

Suddenly, a lance shoots out of the ground under his feet. 

The Holy Lance, Rhongomyniad.

"Let me see your realization."

Vortigern raised the Holy Sword and walked toward Artoria. 

He was close to victory and couldn't give up now.

...

[You are bathed in the light of the Holy Tree, and as the tree's roots draw closer to the Reverse Side of the World, your strength grows even stronger.]

Even without saying it, Kyouya could feel that the knights before him were struggling under his sword.

These included strong-willed individuals like Bedivere, powerful figures like Gawain and Lancelot, and individuals like his friend Kay.

Yet, at this moment, Kyouya showed no mercy. He would have already killed one of them if it weren't for their large numbers.

"Can one person really be this strong?"

Kay couldn't believe that Lloyd had become so powerful. 

He was someone who had lost countless times to Artoria in the past, and even if he had grown stronger, it shouldn't have been to such an extent.

"It's the blessing. He has the blessing under this Holy Tree."

Gawain understood that at this moment, Kyouya was not in a normal state right now. 

He was an example—even with the blessing, Gawain had never been defeated while under the blessing of Saint.

"What a troublesome blessing."

If it were under normal circumstances, Agravain wouldn't care about such blessings. He could just easily bypass them but now they had no choice but to fight.

Vortigern was already incredibly strong. If they allowed Kyouya to help him, King Arthur would surely lose.

This situation could not be allowed to happen.

"Do you still fight even in a hopeless situation? However, isn't that the way people are in this era? Your qualities are not rare."

If it were the future, Kyouya might admire such courage, but in this era, he fought with the resolve to face certain defeat.

"Hopeless? If Vortigern loses and the blessing of the Holy Tree is no longer there, how much fighting strength do you still have left?"

"It's enough to defeat you all."

Just as Kyouya launched another attack, a towering beam of light shot up into the sky, and a huge pressure filled the air, giving off an uneasy feeling.

[A golden light radiated from the direction of the Holy Tree. It wasn't the light of the Holy Tree, but a different kind of energy that felt familiar to you.]

[You could feel the immense power within the Holy Sword. It's even stronger than the Vortigern you remember. You realize this is King Arthur's trump card.]

[At the same time, a dragon's roar echoed from the direction of the Holy Tree. A huge white dragon shape flew toward the sky and charged straight at the golden beam of light.]

...

It was almost time for everything to settle.

For a moment, everyone present stopped and turned their attention to the towering golden beam of light and the dragon silhouette. 

After the battle over there was over, the fight here would also come to an end.

The white dragon silhouette crashed into the golden beam of light, and the golden light fell upon the dragon shape. 

After this clash, when the sky seemed to fall and the earth cracked, everything... ended.

To be continued...

...

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