"What…?"
Archer stared in disbelief at the Sword of Rupture now in Shichen's hand. He jerked his head down—his own hand was empty. The weapon had vanished.
"So this is the Sword of Rupture? Not bad at all." Shichen turned it over, clearly intrigued.
The shape was strange, sure, but the raw, mysterious power radiating from it was undeniable. For a mont, he felt like he could do anything.
The connection between him and the blade was instant—like sensing his own limbs. The Sword of Rupture was his now, completely.
But the sword was just a bonus. What Shichen really wanted was the Gate of Babylon. A portable vault, filled with endless treasures, inexhaustible riches… from now on, wherever he went, he'd never have to worry about possessions again.
"What—what did you do?!" Archer demanded, his voice loud and rough.
The smug, carefree mask he'd always worn had cracked—panic showing through. And why wouldn't he panic? Apart from the golden armor on his body, he had nothing left. How was he supposed to fight like this?
"Can't you tell? I just took back what's mine," Shichen said, chuckling at Archer's distress.
He stowed the Sword of Rupture inside the Gate of Babylon—now his Gate of Babylon—and closed it, looking at Archer like the whole thing was a joke.
Taking down Archer had been simple before. Now, with him stripped bare, it would be laughably easy—Shichen wouldn't even need to use Archer's own weapons. As for that flashy gold armor? He didn't want it. Too gaudy. And besides, you shouldn't strip soone of everything—best to leave them one thing.
"You dare call my property yours? Spouting nonsense, you—"
Boom!
Before Archer could finish, a tidal wave of magic erupted from Shichen, cutting him off mid-insult. The sheer pressure forced his jaw shut.
A piercing cry rang out. Magic burst around Shichen, swirling upward in rainbow currents before condensing into the massive, radiant form of a great bird.
"That… that's—" Archer's eyes widened at the sight of Ho-Oh.
"This is my true power, Gilgash. Tell —do you think you can handle it? Even with your Gate of Babylon?"
"A solidified mass of mana… impossible!" Archer growled. He recognized the creature instantly. The Gate of Babylon might not be enough to beat it—but the Sword of Rupture could have. Except now, all he had left was his armor.
Saber tilted her head back, eyes widening in awe as the divine bird circled above, trailing shimring arcs of rainbow light. Beautiful. Holy.
So this was Shichen's real strength. Just the mana alone could drain a Heroic Spirit to nothing—never mind what else it might be capable of.
"Gilgash, want to know what it can do?" Shichen asked with a smirk.
"Bastard… give back my sword!" Archer roared.
"Why would I return what's mine?" Shichen shot back.
"You thiev—"
"Oh? Still cursing at a ti like this? Looks like there's no point talking."
Shichen's gaze chilled, cutting him off. He waved a hand. "Ho-Oh—Holy Fire."
The divine bird's wings flared wide. With another piercing cry, it loosed a torrent of rainbow flas toward Archer.
"What?!" Archer's face tightened; he couldn't take that head-on. He vaulted aside—but the fire curved in midair, homing in like it had a mind of its own.
Without his treasures, Archer had no defense. The flas swallowed him whole.
The rainbow fire clung to him like molten silk, wrapping his body and burning everything it touched.
"Aaaah—!"
In seconds, the golden armor disintegrated, and the fire began eating into his flesh.
"Don't look. Not for kids," Shichen said casually, stepping in front of Saber and covering her eyes.
"I wasn't looking! And I didn't see anything to begin with!" Saber huffed, exasperated.
She wasn't wrong—the fire sheathed Archer completely. Unless you knew him, you couldn't even tell who it was under there.
Shichen could, though. He saw everything. And as expected of the oldest king, the man had… well, more than a little pride in his "assets." Not that Shichen cared to look. His gaze went straight to Archer's head.
By now Archer's skin was blackening, his hair gone—his scalp bare and gleaming. His screams tore at the air, but no one was coming. No one could. Shichen's barrier made sure of that.
He'd always had mixed feelings about Archer—respect for him as a king, even admiration at tis—but also deep dislike. And like so many kings, Archer could be foolish.
No point overthinking it. If he was already this annoying, might as well finish him off. He was only a Heroic Spirit, after all.
Just as Shichen was wondering how to end it, Archer suddenly shouted, "Kirei! What are you doing? Save your king!"
"…Hm?"
In the blink of an eye, Archer vanished right before Shichen's eyes—leaving only the burning rainbow flas hanging in the air.
"That… was Command Seal power?" Saber guessed.
"Yeah. Had to be," Shichen nodded.
Command Seals were indeed sothing—enough for a Master to summon their Servant instantly, no matter the distance. He hadn't expected them to shake off Ho-Oh's fire, though.
Still, it didn't matter. Archer was finished. Let him crawl along for now. If they crossed paths again, Shichen would kill him then. If not, he could keep living—if you could call it that. Survival itself would be punishnt.
What caught his interest was Archer calling for Kirei. So they were in league now. Which ant Tohsaka Tokiomi was probably dead.
Everything that needed to happen had happened. It was nearly ti to end this Holy Grail War. Winning outright didn't matter much.
The only question was whether Saber could accept that.
He glanced at her.
"What is it?" she asked, noticing his look.
"Nothing." He shook his head and took her hand. "Let's go back. We haven't finished our camping trip."
"What about Archer?" she pressed.
"He's not important anymore. But I do need to tell you sothing—and you should be ready for it."
"What is it?" she asked, puzzled.
"I'll tell you when we're back."
Back at camp, Alice and the others were still awake.
"Dad!"
"Onii-chan!"
Two small figures ran at him the mont they saw him. Shichen let go of Saber's hand and happily caught them both in a hug.
"Shichen, Saber—you're both okay?" Alice asked, relief in her voice.
"Of course," Shichen said with a smile.
"Good." She let out a breath and smiled faintly.
"Well, I'm going to bed then… haaa~" Frieren yawned and wandered into her tent.
Shichen shook his head, amused, and sent Illya and Shiying back to their tent, asking Alice to sleep with them. Then he returned to Saber's tent with her.
Alice clearly understood they wanted privacy.
Inside, Shichen flopped down on the bedding, breathing in deeply. Saber, used to his quirks by now, changed back into her white blouse, took off her coat, and sat beside him.
"So, what did you want to tell ?"
"Straight to the point? No warm-up?"
"…What?" She didn't get what he ant.
"Never mind. Just lie down next to ," he said, patting the empty spot beside him.
Saber pressed her lips together, then lay down facing him.
"You're so cute," Shichen said suddenly, staring at her.
"That's what you wanted to say?" She frowned, cheeks pink.
"Couldn't help it."
"Stop stalling."
"Alright… Saber, you know what the Grail can do, right?"
"Yes. A wish-granting device that can realize any desire," she said seriously.
"Do you still plan to use it for that wish?"
"Yes," she answered firmly.
"Why bother? It's not worth it." He sighed.
"I know what you an. But I have no other wish."
"And what if… that wish can't be granted?"
"Huh?"
~~~
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