Fate in Bleach: Unlimited Blade Works!-Chapter 458: The King of Knights with the Scabbard

"Saber, please, hear me out…"

Because Ailin had killed Iskandar the night before and absorbed his soul, Irisviel had lost most of her human functions.

Now, Irisviel only retained her five senses.

Speaking those words seemed to have exhausted a great deal of Irisviel's strength.

"Irisviel…"

Seeing Irisviel in this state, Artoria's face showed a look of sorrow, and she came to Irisviel's side.

"Irisviel, speak. I'm listening."

"Saber…"

"Avalon… is a relic we Einzberns found at the ruins of the fairy lake. It was with this relic that we were able to successfully summon you."

Because Artoria was closer, Irisviel didn't have to speak as loudly, which greatly relieved her condition, allowing her to speak more fluently.

"As for why I've become like this…"

Irisviel then explained to Artoria the existence of the Einzbern family, and the fact that she was a homunculus, and also the vessel for the Grail to descend in this generation.

"How could this be…"

After hearing Irisviel's explanation, Artoria was in disbelief.

She never imagined that Irisviel, who had such hope for life and lived so happily every day, was destined to die in this Holy Grail War.

No matter who obtained the Grail, as the Grail's vessel, Irisviel's transformation was irreversible.

As long as she absorbed enough Servants' souls, the Grail's will would manifest in Irisviel, to fulfill the wish of the one who obtained the Grail.

"As for what Kiritsugu did last night…"

When Irisviel was well, she was the lubricant between Artoria and Kiritsugu Emiya. She could clearly explain the intentions and thoughts behind everything Kiritsugu Emiya did to Artoria, so that Artoria wouldn't be disgusted by the methods Kiritsugu Emiya employed.

But now, Irisviel's own physical functions were insufficient to allow her to even move. Perhaps this would be the last time Irisviel would explain Kiritsugu Emiya's actions to Artoria.

"Saber, you've seen the power of Archer and Berserker, haven't you? With the strength they've shown, if Kiritsugu didn't do something, we would have no chance of winning this Holy Grail War."

Hearing Irisviel say this, Artoria clenched her fists.

However, she couldn't refute this statement.

Because it was the truth.

Even with all her confidence in herself, Artoria didn't believe that, without Avalon, she could contend with Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, and that Berserker from another world.

In such a situation, for Kiritsugu Emiya to choose to assassinate Archer's Master to gain victory was not unacceptable.

Although Artoria upheld chivalry, she was also a "King."

As King Arthur, she also knew that all actions taken in war were justified.

"Therefore, Kiritsugu infiltrated Archer's Master's residence this time, wanting to ally with Archer's Master to first defeat the greatest threat, Berserker."

"However, before Kiritsugu could even begin to discuss it with Archer's Master, he saw Archer's Master being killed by Kirei Kotomine."

"And Archer, shockingly, was standing with Kirei Kotomine. Last night, not only did Saber not keep her appointment, but Archer also didn't attend."

"However, from the soul of Rider that has entered my body, it seems that because neither of you attended last night, Rider and Berserker engaged in a battle."

"The final result was Berserker's victory. Saber, the only Servants remaining now are you, Archer, and Berserker. I hope, Saber, that in the coming time, you and Kiritsugu can communicate well… If you two work together…"

"Indeed, if Saber and Kiritsugu Emiya work together, perhaps this Holy Grail War wouldn't have anything to do with me and Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes."

A brilliant light flashed, and Ailin's figure appeared beside Irisviel, placing his index and middle fingers on her forehead.

"Berserker?"

Whoosh!

Seeing Ailin appear, Kiritsugu Emiya quickly retreated, drawing the pistol at his waist and attacking Ailin.

Bang, bang, bang, bang…

Facing the bullets fired by Kiritsugu Emiya, Ailin raised his left hand.

"Bakudō Number Eight: Seki!"

Thud, thud, thud, thud…

A transparent barrier of light condensed in front of Ailin. Kiritsugu Emiya's bullets struck this transparent barrier, causing ripples like water.

However, not a single bullet could penetrate this barrier.

"What do you want, Berserker!"

On the other side, Artoria waved her hand. Instantly, her magical energy formed blue armor that covered her body. At the same time, both her hands gripped the Sword of Promised Victory, concealed by the Boundary Field of the Wind King, pointing it at Ailin.

Violent winds swirled around Artoria, tearing apart everything around her.

"Leave Irisviel's side immediately, or I will attack you at once!"

"Rest assured, King of Knights, I won't harm Lady Irisviel."

After saying this to Artoria, Ailin began to focus his attention on Irisviel.

"Synchronization—begin!"

Reddish-black spiritual pressure emanated from Ailin's index and middle fingers, forming lines that spread from Irisviel's forehead, gradually extending across her entire body.

If Irisviel were still considered "human," this method of Ailin's would naturally be ineffective on her.

But now, compared to a "human," Irisviel was more like a "tool."

Therefore, Ailin's ability attached to Unlimited Blade Works, "Synchronization," allowed Ailin to read all the information of this tool called "Irisviel."

This included the homunculus technology used by the Einzbern family to create Irisviel, and Irisviel's current characteristics, gradually transforming into the "Holy Grail."

"There's no Avalon?"

After completely synchronizing with Irisviel and analyzing her, Ailin discovered that there was no Avalon within Irisviel's body.

Had Kiritsugu Emiya not yet transplanted this conceptual weapon into Irisviel's body?

But Ailin had clearly heard them mention Avalon just now.

Withdrawing his fingers, Ailin sighed.

BOOM!

After Ailin withdrew his fingers, seizing the opportunity, Artoria thrust the invisible sword in her hand forward.

"Strike Air: Hammer of the Wind King!"

The wind surrounding the Sword of Promised Victory was concentrated by Artoria, forming a powerful shockwave of wind that struck towards Ailin.

Whoosh!

Ailin's figure flashed, dodging Artoria's attack.

Then, Artoria stepped forward, blocking Ailin's path to Irisviel.

"Kiritsugu, I'll hold this guy off. You take Irisviel to safety first."

Holding the golden sword in both hands, Artoria spoke to Kiritsugu Emiya.

Although she didn't approve of the actions Kiritsugu Emiya took, regarding Irisviel, Artoria also wanted to ensure that Irisviel wouldn't suffer any further harm before her life ended.

"Berserker, if you want to take Irisviel, you'll have to get past my sword first!"

"Take Irisviel?"

Hearing Artoria's words, Ailin smiled.

"King of Knights, are you underestimating me? If I wanted to obtain the Grail, I wouldn't need to resort to taking Irisviel. Just by defeating you and Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, the descended Grail would have no one to contend with me for. I have absolutely no need to come and seize Irisviel."

Artoria's expression was serious.

Although she didn't want to admit it, Berserker indeed possessed such strength and confidence.

Artoria, who had fought against Berserker, deeply understood the vast disparity in strength between herself and Berserker.

However, this wasn't a reason for Artoria to simply surrender!

"Berserker, if you're not here to seize Irisviel, then why are you here?"

Seeing Kiritsugu Emiya taking Irisviel away, and Berserker not stopping them, Artoria also knew that what Berserker said was true.

"King of Knights, haven't I told you before? My dream is to become a 'god' capable of creating worlds, and then to save the world I came from."

"And your scabbard, Avalon, can unfold a powerful barrier that isolates from the world. This ability, related to 'creation,' is what I'm pursuing. Therefore, I came this time to seize your scabbard, Avalon."

"I originally thought that that man named Kiritsugu Emiya would transplant Avalon into Irisviel's body to alleviate Irisviel's pain. But, I didn't sense Avalon's presence on Irisviel before."

"King of Knights, can you tell me where Avalon is? If you give me Avalon, I can put our battle last, allowing you to be the last one to fight me for the Grail."

"Berserker, although I admire your dream, Avalon is my strongest Noble Phantasm. Do you think I would give it to you?"

"Oh?"

Hearing Artoria's words, Ailin raised an eyebrow.

"Could it be that that selfish man actually gave Avalon to you?"

If that were truly the case, it would be troublesome.

Artoria with Avalon and Artoria without Avalon were two entirely different concepts.

"That's right, Berserker, prepare yourself!"

Raising the Sword of Promised Victory high in her hand, golden light gathered around Artoria.

Extremely dazzling golden light, like a blazing sun, pierced the clouds.

Then, Artoria slashed down with this massive golden sword of light towards Ailin.

"Ex—"

"Calibur!"

BOOM!

An immensely powerful torrent of light was unleashed by Artoria, striking towards Ailin.

Artoria deeply understood that in terms of swordsmanship, she was no match for Berserker.

If she wanted to achieve victory, she could only rely on the power of her Noble Phantasm.

Therefore, Artoria started with a full-powered Excalibur.

"That's quite a grand welcome ceremony…"

Looking at the oncoming torrent of light, Ailin took a deep breath and extended his right hand.

Reddish-black spiritual pressure condensed at the tip of Ailin's index finger.

"Gran Rey Cero!"

BOOM!

Immense magical power erupted from Ailin's fingertip.

A torrent of blackish-red spiritual pressure collided with the golden torrent of light in the Einzbern castle.

A mushroom cloud hundreds of meters high rose from the castle.

The evening sky was illuminated by this golden and blackish-red light.

Two powerful torrents of magical energy clashed, exploded, and compressed, then released from the sky.

Seconds later, a dazzling cross appeared in the sky, and then the powerful shockwaves began to erupt.

BOOM!

Flames and shockwaves swept out. The Einzbern castle, under this powerful shockwave, was as if an invisible giant hand had erased these castles.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!…

Such a shockwave, for others, might be a fatal crisis. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

But for Ailin and Artoria, it was nothing.

Stones, wind, and flames struck Ailin's body, unable to even break through his "Hierro."

And these things, after leaving wounds on Artoria's body, the wounds would instantly heal.

This was Avalon's power.

Even without unleashing Avalon, as long as Avalon was worn on her body, Artoria's body would always remain in peak condition, ageless and immortal!

"Troublesome!"

Ailin narrowed his eyes.

He had originally thought that Artoria was deceiving him.

But it seemed that Kiritsugu Emiya had indeed given Avalon to Artoria.

Otherwise, Artoria's injuries wouldn't have healed so quickly.

It seemed that defeating Artoria in this state was basically impossible.

As long as Avalon was unleashed, even if Ailin destroyed the entire city of Fuyuki, he wouldn't be able to harm Artoria in the slightest.

The only thing that restricted Artoria was probably Kiritsugu Emiya's magical power, right?

However, if Avalon could also lock Artoria's own magical power in a peak state, even if Kiritsugu Emiya's provided magical power was insufficient, it seemed to have little impact on Artoria.

Unless Kiritsugu Emiya was completely killed, severing his magical connection with Artoria.

Without a Master, even Artoria with Avalon would have to withdraw from the Holy Grail War, right?

However, this thought had only just flashed through Ailin's mind when he dismissed it.