[FMMIKA] Chapter 218: The Final Battle (II)

Meanwhile, the battle between Artorius and Ex continued relentlessly.

"Very good!" Artorius exclaimed with excitement.

Similar to facing Z, but in a different way, Ex didn't get stronger the more they fought, as her stamina was limitless, thanks to her 'Infinite Black Bean Paste', allowing her to engage in high-intensity combat continuously.

This kind of high-intensity combat, without worrying about the opponent resorting to cheap tricks, was truly satisfying.

The earth cracked, and the clouds in the sky were torn apart. The entire battlefield, after this devastation, had become akin to hell.

After the crust had peeled away, what was revealed, besides 'lava', was a chaotic surge of magical energy. It was proof of Gaia's injuries.

Even the bounded field of Artoria Species couldn't completely suppress these two monsters with their firepower fully unleashed and infinite energy.

"It hurts so much, Artorius, please, please don't—"

Gaia cried out without dignity, hoping that Artorius could help.

If it were visible, there should be a pitiful, broken little girl in front of Artorius right now, crying and pleading for help.

Unfortunately, even if it were true, there was nothing the current Artorius could do.

"Shut up! Hold it in!" Artorius roared without hesitation. "Remember this, if I lose, you'll have nothing left! Or do you want me to deliberately give up and let Earth fall into the hands of the Foreigners?"

Upon hearing that, Gaia, though still sobbing miserably, dared not utter a word. Even though she was slightly smarter and should have known that Artorius was giving his everything, she didn't dare to test that theory.

"That's right, Artorius, that's right."

Nonchalantly dismissing the pathetic Gaia, Artorius continued, pouring all of his energy into the decisive battle with Ex.

At the same time, Ex was smiling.

Ex, who had always been emotionally detached, seemingly incapable of crying or smiling, revealed a joyful and breathtaking smile.

"I'm fighting with you..."

"I'm fighting with you, Artorius—I love you to death."

Her tone remained calm, but beneath that restraint was her fiery heart.

"I love you so much I could almost kill you..."

In the next moment, Artorius suffered a minor setback.

Avalon, damaged severely in the previous battles, couldn't provide sufficient defense, resulting in a small gash on his abdomen from Ex's sword slash.

A faint sense of pain washed over him, causing Artorius's lips to curl upwards in a joyful smile.

"So be it." He responded, "Let's love and fight each other to death, my dearest mother!"

The wound increased.

Throughout the following battle, Artorius's wounds continued to climb—of course, not just him, but Ex's too.

Leaving his marks on the cute and petite girl's body as if claiming her as his own gave Artorius a strange sense of pleasure. It was as if, with these marks, she had become something that belonged to him.

Of course, looking at Ex's golden eyes sparkling with delight, Artorius knew that Ex probably felt the same way.

So happy—they felt really happy.

Engaging in such an intense duel with the one they loved was genuine happiness.

"Hahaha, hahahaha~"

Finally, Ex couldn't help but burst into joyous laughter.

"Just as I thought."

"Artorius is so adorable."

"So soft."

"Such a handsome face."

"And so skilled in combat."

"Definitely my child, my son."

"Artorius is the best, after all."

"I love Artorius."

Just like what Artorius did to Z before, Ex declared her love during the battle. While she confessed to him, her movements didn't slow down.

In an instant, several wounds appeared on her side, arm, and chest.

Of course, these wounds looked gruesome, as if straight out of a horror show, but they were just for show. They didn't hinder the fight for either Artorius or Ex.

Fortunately, the video communication had already broken down. Otherwise, based solely on their current conversation, the Artoria Species waiting anxiously outside for the battle's outcome might have reconsidered and contemplated whether they should intervene and eliminate Ex.

"I also love you very much, Mother."

"—Don't call me mother."

After Artorius responded to Ex's confession, rather than looking happy, Ex suddenly wore a stern expression, appearing somewhat angry, which left him feeling a bit puzzled.

But soon, he understood.

"Whether it's X Alter or Ex, or anything else, I want an exclusive name for myself, not some 'Mother' or 'Father'"

Ex responded to Artorius with a hint of stubbornness in her tone. It was evident that she desired to be the one and only, a unique presence, even though she already was.

But the two were distinct.

What she aimed to become was the one and only in Artorius's heart.

"I understand, Ex."

"Umu."

Though they were clearly in the midst of battle, their eyes sparkled with determination. Yet, there was a love between them that was as fierce as the battle itself.

"Then let's continue this fight!" Ex, momentarily satisfied, exclaimed joyfully.

"I will defeat you and make you become mine!" Artorius responded without hesitation.

At this moment, their fighting style had shifted slightly from the initial exchange of firing sword beams and powerful strikes into close combat that featured traditional dueling techniques with pure footwork and swordplay.

The distance between them had shortened significantly. It was almost as if Artorius could feel Ex's breath, the intoxicating blend of sweat, and the unique fragrance of a girl.

That scent only fueled Artorius's passion and adoration for Ex.

"From the very beginning, I liked you a lot—I've always liked you, I liked you the most, Ex!"

With these words, Artorius unleashed a blow that nearly shattered Ex's guard.

"Opening!" exclaimed Artorius.

Of course, for a veteran like Ex, such an attack had minimal effect. She easily blocked Artorius's strikes.

However, after blocking the attack, Artorius didn't immediately withdraw, as he had done before. Instead, he chose to press on with sheer force.

"Do you want to test my strength? I won't lose to you in this!"

Ex, stirred by Artorius's challenge, enthusiastically shouted and exerted her own strength to push his sword back.

Both sides were now locked in a strength contest.

In this situation, it was dangerous. If one of them suddenly changed tactics or withdrew, they could seize the advantage.

However, Ex seemed to consider her battle with Artorius as a form of 'flirting'. She took it very seriously, almost fanatically, pouring all her strength into the struggle.

'This is the final showdown.'

'This is the final battle that belongs only to me and Artorius!'

'I'm so happy, so happy, so happy!'

'We are in love, and Artorius is my one and only. That's why, I must become Artorius's one and only!'

'I have to win this battle!'

Ex shouted fervently inside her mind and her emotions reached a fever pitch.

"I love you, Artorius!" With her exclamation, Ex's power surged to its maximum. "Continuing like this is too boring, let's settle this with our most powerful move! Use your strongest attack!"

Both possessing limitless energy, determining a clear winner was incredibly challenging.

Ex's decision couldn't be called incorrect, and, more importantly, it aligned with Artorius's intentions.

"Alright!" Artorius agreed without hesitation.

This wasn't just because Artorius also wanted to end the battle quickly; it was because he had already thought of a way to do so.

And that was moving forward and releasing his grip on his sword. Much to Ex's surprised gaze, he wrapped his arm around her waist.

"?!"

"W-What?!"

Artorius's action momentarily threw Ex's thoughts into disarray.

No more strength or tactics to compete with.

Without hesitation, Artorius let Excalibur fall to the ground. A true knight ultimately chose hand-to-hand combat to end the fight.

'Is this your plan? Is that why you kept closing the distance between us?! Damn it!'

Thinking like that, Ex gritted her teeth and released her grip on her sword. In this close-quarters brawl, a long sword had become useless.

Relying on positional and strength advantages, Artorius tightly embraced Ex, completely overpowering her.

"!"

"!!"

"!!!"

'No, I can't!'

'If it goes like this, I'll lose?!'

'Lose to Artorius?!'

At this point, Ex's mood soured immensely. What was worse, Artorius was still teasing her.

"I win, Ex!" Artorius whispered in Ex's ear, saying things that left her feeling flustered.

"!!!"

"No! It won't end like this!"

Ex responded while struggling even more intensely. The ground behind her, where Artorius had her pinned, shattered due to her movements. But even so, he showed no intention of letting her go.

"I'll never let you go, Ex."

Speaking such affectionate words in this situation almost made Ex feel like crying.

"You're bullying me."

Saying these words with tears in her eyes, Ex bit hard into Artorius's shoulder.