Fate: I Heard After Death, You Can Ascend to the Throne of Heroes?

When Promise declared war in the Holy Grail War against Enkidu, the synthetic beast, the white wolf, couldn't help but freeze for a moment.

Its tail stopped wagging, and it nervously glanced at the two, fearing they might start fighting at any second.

Although Enkidu was somewhat surprised, the smile on her face did not waver.

After all, for her, the so-called Holy Grail that could grant any wish held no real appeal.

The reason she participated in this Holy Grail War was solely to respond to her current Master's desire to live.

Thus, even if she were to be eliminated by Promise, she could accept it, perhaps even feel relieved.

Much like the little girl Tsubaki Kuruoka, who had come along with them, Enkidu knew very well that Promise would surely take good care of the synthetic wolf in her place.

"So, are you planning to participate?"

Enkidu asked, her emerald-green eyes filled with curiosity as she looked at Promise.

"Hmm… something like that,"

As he spoke, Promise tilted his head slightly and instinctively glanced at Jeanne d'Arc, who stood nearby.

Time rewinds to a short while earlier.

When Promise asked Jeanne whether she had used him to sneak into the Holy Grail War in order to fulfill her duty as a Ruler and protect the concept of the "Holy Grail War," Jeanne smiled and given him an unexpected answer.

"No, I came here to help you win this Holy Grail War."

Seeing that, Jeanne could be summoned by him surprised Promise, though it also felt natural.

Considering his relationship with Themis, the goddess of justice, he was undoubtedly the perfect medium.

Not to mention, this unique Holy Grail War was constantly under the scrutiny of the Counter Force.

However, Jeanne's response was undoubtedly beyond Promise's initial expectations.

"Besides, with you here, this Holy Grail War doesn't really need me. After all, is there anyone more suited to be its arbiter than you?"

Seeing Promise's surprised expression, Jeanne smiled and said:

"The reason I responded to the call of this Holy Grail War this time stems from my own wish… I saw what you did for that girl, the choices you made, and the judgment you passed on the Pale Rider. Because of that, I am willing to offer you my strength!"

When Promise heard Jeanne d'Arc say this, he couldn't help but give her an odd look, studying her carefully.

"To be honest, your reaction... isn't quite what I imagined."

Promise didn't have any dislike for Jeanne.

On the contrary, he had a rather favorable impression of her.

Setting everything else aside, the words she spoke during the final chapter of her story alone made it hard for Promise to harbor any ill will toward her.

However, as a transmigrator, Promise also knew about the nickname "Jeanne the Fair" that Jeanne had earned while serving as a Ruler, which reflected her impartiality but also her tendency to take extreme actions in order to uphold the Holy Grail War.

"Hmm... What kind of person did you imagine me to be?" Jeanne asked with curiousity.

However, there was even a hint of nervousness in her gaze as she looked at Promise.

It was obvious, she cared a great deal about his answer.

In fact, Promise underestimated himself a little.

Jeanne didn't merely view him as a friend but as someone she deeply respected.

After all, he was the only person in the world whom Themis, the goddess of justice, had elevated to tip the scales of judgment.

Hearing Jeanne's question, Promise looked at the golden-haired, blue-eyed saint before him.

After a moment's thought, he smiled and said, "Honestly, compared to you, I prefer the Witch of Vengeance."

The Witch of Vengeance—better known as Black Jeanne!

Yes, Promise actually liked Black Jeanne more than the original Jeanne d'Arc.

Well...it was probably because Black Jeanne had a bit of a tsundere personality?

Jeanne, however, looked utterly confused as she didn't understand the meaning behind Promise's words.

The latter also didn't bother to explain further.

After finishing his conversation with her, he accompanied her and the others to where Enkidu was.

It was there that he declared his intention to participate in the Holy Grail War!

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At this moment, in the forest on the western outskirts of the city where the Holy Grail War broke out, Enkidu remained silent for a moment upon learning that Promise had decided to participate.

Then, out of curiosity, she asked him once more, "Can I ask what your reason is?"

When they had met just a couple of days ago, Enkidu was certain that Promise genuinely only wanted to be an observer...well at most, he would paint a few drawings on the sidelines.

Yet now, in just a day or two, Promise had not only decided to participate but had also clearly made up his mind, so, naturally, Enkidu couldn't help but be curious.

Moreover, this was her way of showing concern for a friend she had come to acknowledge.

"...Actually, this is a question I once discussed with my teacher, Chiron,"

The ancient Greek centaur sage, Chiron? Enkidu thought to herself.

"If one day, after everything is over, I meet Jason, Heracles, and the others again, and they find that I am nothing like who I once was—will they still consider me their friend?"

When Promise said this, Jason, who was standing nearby, instinctively furrowed his brows.

Promise noticed but didn't look back at him.

Instead, he continued his response to Enkidu:

"At that time, Teacher Chiron smiled and told me I didn't need to worry about such things at all. …The truth is, I always felt like I was playing a role—a role of someone fearless in the face of death, someone who longed to be a hero.

But deep down, I've always thought I was a coward who clings to life.

For the longest time, I didn't even want to think about whether my old friends would feel disappointed in me if they saw my true self."

What nonsense are you spouting?!

Jason's gaze turned fiery as he looked at Promise in anger, clearly upset.

"I came to this Holy Grail War because I knew my old friends would be here. Wisdom and fate continue to guide me as always. Yet… I've secretly resented them in my heart. If they are still guiding me, why won't they just tell me outright what I'm supposed to do?"

Why not deliver an oracle directly as before?

Hearing this, Enkidu chuckled softly and replied to Promise in a gentle tone:

"The so-called Oracles and revelations are great signs from the gods, meant to guide the lost children toward the right path. But… Promise, you've never truly been lost.

You're simply worried."

Just afraid.

Promise fell silent for a moment upon hearing those words.

Then he turned his head to look back at Jason, noticing that in the latter's eyes, there was a mixture of anger and something more—concern, perhaps?

Promise realized that this was probably the first time he had ever seen Jason so furious.

At that thought, Promise couldn't help but smile.

Then he turned his head to look at Enkidu and said frankly, "Yes, that's right. So when I saw Jason respond to the call of the Holy Grail, and when I saw him embark on a journey to find me—I finally understood."

After all, even that "village girl saint" could see that I would bring this Holy Grail War to an end and she even came here specifically to help me.

"To be honest, even without the guidance of fate and wisdom, I would have come here regardless. Because… I am Promise. How could I not?"

When Promise said this, Enkidu laughed, a bright and genuine laugh.

She was happy for her friend, even if this friend was someone she had only known for barely two or three days.

"I see."

She said softly, then slowly closed her eyes.

At that moment, the forest began to stir despite the lack of wind.

The trees and the earth responded to Enkidu's call as the magical energy of the land flowed into her.

And how could such a powerful surge of magical energy possibly go unnoticed by the Masters and Servants participating in the Holy Grail War in the city.

On the tallest spire in the city, Gilgamesh suddenly stood up and looked in the direction of Enkidu with a hint of disbelief in his eyes.

"She's fighting—and seriously. Who is it?!"

Meanwhile, François Prelati, a mage from the same era as Jeanne d'Arc, gazed into his magical scrying mirror with a twisted, obsessive expression.

Her sickly face was alight with crazed fervor, utterly ignoring the imminent battle between Enkidu and Promise. Instead, she fixated on Jeanne, screaming like a madman:

"Jeanne! Jeanne! Jeanne! You're here! You're really here!"

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"Jason, I'll leave Tsubaki and the wolf in your care,"

As he said, Promise gestured for the little girl to stay by Jason's side while gently patting the white wolf's head.

The wolf hesitated, looking back and forth between Promise and Enkidu.

Though merely a synthetic beast, it seemed exceptionally perceptive.

Even though it let out low growls of worry, it eventually turned and walked toward Jason and Jeanne.

"...If only Atalanta were here," Jason muttered suddenly, curling his lip as he glanced at Promise and said,

"It's just me who showed up.

If it were her, after what you just said, she'd probably have her bow drawn and be shooting arrows at you across the world. Do you even realize? What you said wasn't just belittling yourself—it was belittling all of us!"

Promise listened quietly to Jason's scolding. Seeing Jason's anger, he bowed his head and answered sincerely, "I'm sorry, Jason. It won't happen again."

Jason, caught off guard by such a sincere response from Promise, was momentarily speechless.

He opened and closed his mouth a few times, struggling to find words, before finally muttering under his breath, "You'd better make sure of it!"

Seeing this, Jeanne d'Arc, who had been quietly observing from the side, couldn't help but stifle a laugh, covering her mouth as she did.

At the same time, heart grew even more certain that she had made the right choice.

It was Themis, the goddess of justice, who had drawn her attention to Promise.

Then, due to the incident with the Pale Rider, she had willingly allowed herself to be summoned to this place.

The truth was that manifesting as a Ruler to ensure someone's victory in the Holy Grail War was undoubtedly a violation of the rules—essentially cheating.

Yet, even Alaya, the Counter Force itself, which had the authority to intervene and nullify such transgressions, had done nothing to stop it.

To be precise, if things could go so smoothly, how could she not have contributed to it?

After sincerely apologizing to Jason, Promise turned back to face the Chain of Heaven, which shimmered with the gathered magical energy of the earth itself.

This legendary artifact from Sumerian mythology was the chain that linked heaven and earth.

"Let's create something extraordinary together, Enkidu," Promise said with a smile and once again, he raised his hand as a golden Servant Class Card appeared in his hand.

The card radiated a golden glow as luminous rings of light spread outward, gradually forming a portal—a void-like gate visible only to Promise.

With a single step, he passed through the gate.

When Promise emerged on the other side, his appearance had changed completely.

He now wore a flawless, pure white garment that seemed untouched by the impurities of the world—a divine robe woven for him personally by Athena in their final moments together.

The garment bore an eternal brilliance, like Athena's own immaculate white attire that would never be tainted by the dust of the mortal world.

His once dark hair now carried a single silver strand, neatly tied, giving him an air of divine authority and purpose.

Jason stood there, stunned, staring at the figure before him—a figure so familiar it couldn't possibly be anyone else.

It was the very back he had sought as he once again commanded the Argo on its endless journey, always chasing that image.

That figure whose presence alone inspired unshakable confidence, making everyone believe that even if the sky were to collapse, he would lift it back up.

A being embodying wisdom, fate, judgment, and the favor of the gods.

"...Hey, did you all see that?"

Jason began to laugh, a hearty, boisterous laugh as his eyes glistened with the sheen of unfallen tears.

In the instant he saw that back, Jason finally felt it—truly felt it.

The Argo he had been steering had finally reached the shore.

The twilight of despair and the endless night had given way once more to the dawn of a new day.

[The Glorious Ship of the Long Voyage Has Reached Its End.]

The treasure unfolded .

Dazzling light radiated outward, illuminating the entire forest in an explosion of brilliance that rivaled the midday sun.

Even Jeanne d'Arc instinctively closed her eyes and raised her hand, trying to shield herself from the divine-like glow, reminiscent of Apollo, the god of light, himself.

Afterwards, when the light finally began to fade, Jason stood at the forefront, clad in resplendent golden armor, standing at the front with great vigor and vitality.

Behind him stood the shimmering shadows of many figures:

Atalanta holding the bow of the sky, Medea wielding the wand of Goddess Hecate, Meleager the red-haired hero, and the great stag Actaeon.

Even Chiron, the centaur sage, stood in the ranks of the phantasmal silhouettes, with a smile on his face.

At the moment, Promise reached into the air and retrieved the divine paintbrush forged for him by Hephaestus, the craftsman god himself, a tool created with the heavens as its canvas.

The world spread out before him, transforming into a blank sheet of paper, a canvas waiting to be painted. Holding the brush, Promise prepared to leave his mark, to create a masterpiece.

"Let's create something extraordinary together, Enkidu."

Promise raised his head, smiling at Enkidu once more. "I have a feeling this will turn out to be a truly beautiful painting."

"It will be my honor,"

The latter replied, placing her hand elegantly over her chest and bowing slightly to Promise.

Then, just as she straightened, ready to speak again, she suddenly noticed Promise's body stiffening slightly.

His expression shifted to one of subtle awkwardness, tinged with a faint trace of panic.

Turning her gaze, Enkidu quickly understood the reason.

Behind Promise, thanks to Jason's Noble Phantasm, the hero shadows had taken on vivid forms.

Some were readying their bows, others raising magical wands.

Enkidu's sharp mind pieced it together almost instantly.

And the...

"Promise, aren't you going to look back?" Such an interesting scene made Enkidu, who was smiling, couldn't help but laugh even more playfully.

Promise, deadpan, glanced at her wordlessly before casually pulling out his Book of Grudges.

Ah… so this is how it ends for me?

I haven't even finished watching Gil's story, and now it's my turn?

Promise really is just like the rumors, isn't he?

Enkidu was momentarily stunned. Just as she smiled and was about to speak again:

[Speech]

Promise's paintbrush swept through the air, and in that instant, he stripped Enkidu of her ability to speak.

He's angry… Enkidu couldn't help but think so in her mind.

[Hearing]

Before she could fully process the first move, Promise's paintbrush moved again, erasing her sense of hearing.

Speech and hearing vanished simultaneously, leaving Enkidu in a silent void.

She quickly realized just how troublesome Promise could be.

At that moment, the Chain of Heaven surged forth, shooting toward Promise with deadly precision.

However, Promise didn't even glance at it.

He allowed the chain to wrap around him, binding him completely.

The Chain of Heaven was a Noble Phantasm specifically designed to target divinity—the higher the divinity of its target, the stronger its binding force.

Though Promise, after his death, held the position of the ancient Greek god of painting, his Servant Class Card bestowed him with no inherent divinity.

Unless he wielded the Sword of Judgment or called upon the divine thunder bestowed by Zeus, he remained unaffected by the chain's divine-binding properties.

Not only did Promise ignore the Chain of Heaven's restraint, but as it wrapped around him, he smiled faintly.

The next second, with a simple stroke of his paintbrush, he drew the Chain of Heaven onto his canvas.

Under Enkidu's astonished gaze, the unfolded canvas absorbed the Chain of Heaven entirely.

A moment later, it disappeared into the sky.

"Let me borrow it for a bit."

Promise finally smiled at Enkidu again, speaking cheerfully. "Don't worry, I'll return it to you."

Enkidu, forced to rely on lip-reading, deciphered his words and was left utterly speechless.

Actually, she couldn't speak even if she wanted to—Promise had silenced her from the start!

For a brief moment, even someone as composed as Enkidu felt both irritated and amused.

Meanwhile, near Jason, the heroes manifested by his Noble Phantasm chuckled warmly at the scene.

This was the price one inevitably paid for appearing in The Book of Grudges.

The lesson was clear—never provoke Promise, or your name might just end up in his little black book.

Jeanne d'Arc found the scene amusing as well.

She instinctively hid her banner behind her, but as she did so, she noticed a stunningly beautiful Pegasus grazing contentedly near Jason.

It had appeared out of nowhere, standing naturally by his side, munching on grass as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Meanwhile, Enkidu, perhaps harboring a touch of revenge in her mind, suddenly slammed her hand onto the ground as weapons of all kinds began to emerge, extending from the earth and flying toward Promise.

Noble Phantasm – The Wisdom of the People!

This was Enkidu's second Noble Phantasm, a counterpart to Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon.

It drew upon the memory of the stars, conjuring various items from the earth, replicating countless weapons from human history, even including modern firearms!

Seeing this, Promise dropped his canvas and reached into the light, pulling forth a radiant bow.

"Let us offer an arrow of prayer to the great god of light, Apollo!"

With these words, he nocked the bowstring, aiming at the sky.

As the light coalesced, a luminous arrow formed, its brilliance outshining the sun.

Promise loosed the arrow, sending it hurtling into the heavens.

The arrow transformed into a rain of radiant light, cascading down and obliterating the weapons flying toward Promise.

The shards of magical constructs dissipated into dust, returning to the earth.

"...Amazing,"

Tsubaki, the little girl hiding behind Jason, whispered as her eyes widened with wonder.

"This is nothing," Jason said with a dismissive wave, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "They're just playing around. If you don't believe me, look around you—none of the trees have even been scratched!"

Hearing his words, Tsubaki blinked in surprise, then glanced around making her eyes widen further as she realized he was right.

Despite the fierce battle unfolding in the forest, not a single leaf had fallen.

Instead, the light rain seemed to have nourished the forest, leaving it more vibrant than before.

"It's like… a painting,"

At the same time, Jeanne beside her also expressed her thoughts at this moment.

Indeed, the scenery reflected in her sky-blue eyes was indeed like a painting.

The earth responded to Enkidu's call as her green hair flowed like a river of stars.

The plants extending from the ground lifted her into the air, making her appear like a blossoming celestial flower.

In contrast to her, Promise stood clad in his immaculate white robes, holding his paintbrush.

Bathed in sunlight, his emerald eyes shone like stars, radiating elegance and an air of artistic romance.

"That's because he is painting,"

Jason said with a knowing grin.

"His invitation to that Servant was always about creating a beautiful masterpiece…