In the world of Type-Moon, start by becoming Morgan's husband!

Human understanding is limited.

To grasp anything, one must experience it.

Fire is known through light and heat.

Wind is known through coolness and touch.

Things beyond comprehension cannot manifest before humans in a tangible form.

But for Artoria—

Things were different.

She was, undeniably, human.

But at the same time—

She was a child of Camelot, conceived through a miracle,

A being born with a dragon's heart.

Thus—

Artoria could touch that which humans could not.

This was an ability dictated by her "dragon" nature.

Yet—

Her human side could never be erased.

Thus, everything she touched collapsed into concepts that humans could understand.

The two aspects—

Human and Dragon—

Intertwined.

And in the end—

That culmination took form as Rhongomyniad.

A conceptual weapon, summoned forth by the King's will.

Though called a "spear,"

Its true nature was far deeper—

It was "The Tower That Connects the Two Sides of the World."

It took the shape of a spear—

Only so that Artoria's human side could perceive it.

But for Vortigern—who also possessed the nature of a dragon—

It was something entirely different.

For him, the weapon in Artoria's hands was—

The Holy Spear that he had desperately sought after.

The key to reviving the Age of Gods.

"WHY?!"

The White Dragon howled in rage and despair.

A storm of fury swept across the battlefield.

"Why was it given to a hollow shell like you, with nothing to protect?!"

"Why wasn't it given to me?!"

"If I had that weapon—Britain would once again belong to the Age of Gods!"

"Yes."

Artoria grasped the Holy Spear as it solidified within the golden pillar of light.

Her expression was both resolute and sorrowful.

"Why did it choose me?"

"Even now, I have no answer."

"But—"

The King of Knights wiped away the remaining stardust from the spear.

"Vortigern—"

"If it has chosen me—"

"That means you were never what Britain needed."

"And here—"

"I will fulfill my destiny and end you."

"Sleep forever."

[Rhongomyniad Held Enough Power to Annihilate the Great White Dragon in a Single Blow.]

For the first time—

Vortigern felt fear.

True, undeniable fear.

"NO! I WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS!"

But his defiance was meaningless.

With graceful precision,

The King cast the Spear of Endings to the sky.

A golden arc cut through the heavens.

[The White Dragon, Desperate to Live, Swung Its Claws—Trying to Shatter the Spear.]

But—

The moment it touched the weapon, it realized—

That was impossible.

Because embedded within Rhongomyniad was no longer just Artoria's will.

It carried a higher concept.

It did not bring "death"—

It declared "the end."

Shhhkk!

The spear pierced through the White Dragon's palm—

Then its chest—

Then the muscles beneath the skin—

And finally, its heart.

"NO—!!!"

Blood erupted from the dragon's body, drenching the land in crimson.

Its massive form began to collapse, dissolving into countless particles of light that slowly rose toward the sky.

Amidst the silence of his own downfall,

Vortigern's body shrank, reverting to his human form.

No.

Not quite.

He was no longer as he once was.

A gaping hole remained in his chest.

But more than the physical wound—

It was the utter annihilation of his spirit that destroyed him.

"Why…?"

"Why did the people of Britain not choose me?"

"I have to kill you…"

"I HAVE TO KILL YOU ALL!!!"

THUD.

Vortigern collapsed upon the great stone.

His body lay motionless,

Silently proclaiming his death.

[The White Dragon Was Dead.]

[And Rhongomyniad Began to Fall.]

The moment it struck the earth—

A wave of golden light erupted outward, rippling across the land.

[A Shockwave Strong Enough to Shake All of Britain.]

[Even Those Outside the Battlefield Felt It.]

[Even Those Who Had Not Witnessed the Battle Knew—Something Monumental Had Occurred.]

The Streets.

Sir Kay was reviewing military expenses, carefully studying the parchment in his hands.

Just as he had been years ago, he scrutinized every detail, earning him the nickname "The Stingy Knight."

But only Kay himself knew—

Everything Artoria had was borrowed.

So, not a single coin could be wasted.

When the shockwave of the Holy Spear rippled through Britain,

He looked up, staring into the distance.

"Artoria… don't tell me you caused more trouble again?"

Though his words were teasing—

His heart was filled with worry for his sister.

The City Walls.

Agravain stood upon the ramparts, gazing at the distant horizon.

The moment the wave of energy reached him—

He felt it.

He whispered to himself, in a voice only he could hear—

"Father… did you succeed?"

The Royal Palace.

Bedivere was buried in paperwork—

As Camelot's Steward, assigned by King Arthur, he worked diligently every day.

The moment the shockwave passed through,

His pen stopped.

Through a small window, he gazed upon the endless golden fields of wheat.

But his eyes—

Held no joy.

Only worry.

"My king…"

"Are you paying the price for Britain with your own life?"

[This Was a Tremendous Change.]

[Every Knight of the Round Table Felt It Differently.]

[You Knew Nothing of This.]

[Because You and Lancelot—being closest to the impact—were the most affected.]

[You Both Lost Consciousness.]

[Gift of the Red Dragon+ Has Activated.]

The blood of the Crimson Dragon flowed within you—

Providing you with Artoria's protection.

[You Awoke Before Lancelot.]

And immediately—

You knew something was wrong.

[Rhongomyniad Had Slain Vortigern—It Should Have Been a Time for Celebration.]

But—

Rei could feel it.

Something wasn't right.

The mana flowing through his body whispered to him—

Something was happening at the site where the spear had landed.

What was causing this?

Rei's eyes scanned the surroundings.

The first thing he saw—

Were the three Holy Swords of the Lake.

They had been scattered across the battlefield.

But—

He immediately ruled them out.

His Excalibur Galatine showed no abnormalities.

And if his sword was fine—

Then Arondight and Excalibur should be as well.

Then what—

He looked ahead.

There—

Artoria stood before Rhongomyniad.

The conceptual weapon that had answered her will—

Now pulsed with an indescribable radiance.

It had to be the spear.

Rei gritted his teeth, planting a trembling hand on the ground.

Slowly, painfully—

He forced himself to stand.

Even the aftershocks of Rhongomyniad's descent were enough to crush an ordinary person.

If he hadn't drawn so much mana from Artoria,

He would have collapsed into a coma, just like Lancelot.

Though—

Even now, he wasn't much better off.

Every step forward—

He could feel his bones screaming.

[It Was Only a Short Distance—But It Felt Like an Eternity.]

You struggled through unbearable pain—

Until at last—

You reached her.

You called her name.

"Artoria."

[Any Other Day—She Would Have Turned Instantly, Smiling—]

[Like a nimble little rabbit, she would have leapt into your arms.]

[And buried her face in your chest.]

But now—

She did not react.

"..."

Rei couldn't believe it.

"Did she not hear me?"

"Artoria?"

He called again.

This time—

Louder.

Still—

No response.

Rei felt a deep unease.

He reached out, attempting to touch her shoulder.

But the moment his fingers made contact—

A powerful force repelled him.

[This Had Never Happened Before.]

But—

[You Did Not Panic.]

Because—

[You Knew There Had To Be A Reason.]

You quickly analyzed the situation.

You and Artoria had not changed.

The only new factor—

Was Rhongomyniad.

You realized—

[She Was Forming a Contract With the Spear.]

But what kind of contract?

You couldn't guess.

Because—

Neither Artoria, nor the Spear—

Were things you could fully understand.

But—

Looking at her motionless back—

You felt certain—

It was not something good.

[Even If It Meant Risking Everything—You Had To Find Out.]

Rei took a deep breath.

And once more—

He reached for her.

[You Resisted the Power Repelling You.]

[Your Body Screamed in Pain.]

[Blood Dripped from Your Lips, Bones Cracked.]

[But You Did Not Let Go.]

Because—

[You Had To Understand.]

[It Was Your Duty.]

[Like Fate Itself Had Decreed—]

[You Broke Through The Barrier.]

And—

You Witnessed A Sacrifice.

Nothing Comes Without A Price.

[Rhongomyniad Had Not Descended For Free.]

To wield a weapon beyond mortal understanding—

A King must pay the price.

And Artoria—

Had chosen to sacrifice 

her humanity.

She had offered all that made her "human" to the Holy Spear—

To repay the cost in full.

She would lose all ties to human existence.

She would no longer think as a person.

And with time—

She would become a wandering, immortal wraith.

All for the return of the Age of Gods.

"..."

How could this be allowed?!

xx

[The Price of Vortigern's Defeat—Was the Sacrifice of Artoria's Humanity?]

Why?

Why was this the cost?

No.

Absolutely not!

This was not the ending she deserved!

Right.

Then he would be the sacrifice instead!

Rei looked down at his hands.

He did not hesitate.

He had been a bastard for too long.

This time—

He wanted to be the one to save her.

[You Have Lost Gift of the Crimson Dragon+]

—Even the blood of the Crimson Dragon cannot protect you from forcibly interfering with this contract.

[You Have Lost Blessing of the Solar Blade++]

—The Sun's blessing no longer shelters you. You can never wield Excalibur Galatine again.

[You Have Lost Shadow of the King+]

—Your existence is fading. No one will ever call you the King's shadow again.

[You Have Lost Eternal Knight+]

—The Holy Spear's interference has erased your name from history as a knight, but the Round Table shall endure.

[You Have Lost Battle Continuation+]

—You have transcended "death." There is no avoiding this.

[You Have Lost The Girl's Awakening]

—Stripped of your humanity, you can no longer be the vessel for Artoria's emotions.

"Artoria."

With the last of his strength,

Rei gently touched her cheek.

"At last… I can return it to you."

He kissed her.

Returning to her—

The last of her emotions.

"I am nothing but a despicable bastard… I don't deserve your feelings."

"From now on—"

"Live as you wish."

"Your fate should never belong to anyone but yourself."

[You Have Lost the Right to Be "Human."]

[Princess's Curse+++ Has Been Strengthened to Princess's Curse EX.]

—Without any divine protection, Morgan's curse has completely consumed you. You are no longer "human"—but something else entirely.

[But Even in This State—]

[There Remains One More Person You Must Kill for Artoria.]

[You Must Sever the Chains of Fate That Bind Her.]