IBHJ 1045

Laevateinn struck the pillar with a clang, but the mineral remained unmoved.

The cocoon seemed to possess some kind of consciousness. Seeing Shirou blocked, it sprouted another wooden dragon, which wrapped around the core and tried to fly towards Sanctuary.

At that moment, several crystal-clear mineral pillars grew from Saturn's base, intersecting to trap Uranus's dragon against its underside.

The dragon roared and struggled, its authority raging, but it couldn't break free from Saturn's grasp.

Shirou raised an eyebrow. What did this mean? Had Tethys convinced Saturn to help? Just as he wondered this, a voice boomed from the massive, cross-shaped island.

"Are you the Fujimaru that Tethys spoke of?"

"Yes," he nodded.

Light flashed at Saturn's body, gathering misty clouds that formed into a humanoid shape. This was undoubtedly Saturn's personification.

Shirou frowned, feeling a sense of caution. Tethys had told him that Saturn was the leader of the UOs, the strongest in combat power, destructive force, and leadership.

Saturn stared at him, then asked, "What's so special about you that Tethys would place such a big bet on you?"

"There's nothing special about me," he answered calmly, showing no fear even in the presence of the strongest UO. "I believe in Tethys, and she believes in me."

"I see," Saturn said. "Tethys wants to make a bet with me, and you're the key to that wager."

"And you refused?" he asked.

"I did, at first. But seeing that sword, your mud, the Heroic Spirit you summoned from that past plane Tethys showed me... I'm reconsidering. I will present this wager to our siblings for a council decision. Until then, I will suspend final judgment. Until next time, Fujimaru Shirou."

Saturn's human form slowly dispersed, and its massive body ascended into the sky with Uranus's dragon still trapped beneath it. But just as it was about to disappear completely, it added hesitantly, "Take care of the God's Brain..."

Shirou frowned.

When Pluto saw Saturn depart with Uranus, she scowled, "Saturn, what are you doing?"

Suddenly, a sword thrust towards her from behind. Pluto dodged, but a few strands of her hair were severed.

Mordred sneered. "That's all the power a UO has?"

Pluto's face darkened. "You insolent child. Have you forgotten what I'm capable of?"

She raised her scythe, ready to strike Mordred down, but then she saw Shirou descending rapidly from the sky. She knew her underworld powers were weak against him, and without Uranus or Venus to support her, Shirou could likely kill her. She turned and fled.

"Hey! Running away already? All that talk, and that's it?" Mordred taunted.

Pluto felt a surge of anger but didn't let it cloud her judgment. She just ran faster.

Mordred watched Pluto's shadow disappear, then glanced at Shirou as he landed. "She's quick on her feet."

"She's completely outmatched against me, especially since she can't use her true form. Of course she ran; staying would be suicide," he said.

Mordred clicked her tongue in frustration as Pluto escaped.

...

The black mist still shrouded the sky, the ground remained barren, and the evil spirits Uranus had summoned surged towards Sanctuary like a sea of bones.

These spirits were far more terrifying than the monsters they faced before. Weapons and spells were useless against them; even the most powerful attacks from level 9 adventurers had no effect.

Bodies piled up, blood flowed freely.

Desolation spread across the land.

"What are these things?!"

"The tree is gone, the Bosses are gone, why are they still attacking?"

People cried out in fear.

Mordred stood on the cliff near Uranus's fallen tree. She looked out at the endless field of bones, then turned to Shirou with a questioning look. "Why haven't they stopped?"

Shirou frowned and shook his head. "I don't know."

But they both knew the situation was dire. If they didn't stop this tide of bones, Sanctuary would surely fall.

Just as Mordred was about to act, the earth buckled beneath their feet. Sanctuary's massive walls shuddered, and then something impossible happened - the white giants carved into them began to move. Stone cracked and fell away as their massive forms pulled free from the walls they'd been part of for so long.

"What are those things?"

Everyone stared in disbelief as the white giants emerged from the city walls. They had always thought those figures were just decorations, but now, these giants were moving.

With a roar, the giants charged toward the oncoming sea of bones. They crashed into the skeletal army, sending skeletons flying like leaves in a storm.

Adventurers, magical beasts, evil spirits, skeletons, and white giants clashed in a chaotic melee. Spells blazed, and flashes of light filled the battlefield.

"Those giants are trouble, old man," Mordred turned to Shirou, crossing her arms as he watched the chaotic battle from the cliff.

"I know," he replied, nodding grimly. It was obvious to anyone.

The white giants emitted a strange light that withered everything in its path. Magical beasts, adventurers, even buildings—all were affected. Whatever it touched decayed, crumbled into dust, and vanished.

The only things unaffected by the light were the evil spirits possessing the corpses.

Shirou frowned. "Just like Altera..."

"It is similar." Mordred nodded, then looked at him. "Sanctuary has those giants to handle things. We don't need to worry. You've used a lot of mana; let's go back and rest."

He looked at her in surprise. "Is the sun rising in the west today? Are you actually concerned about me?"

She rolled her eyes. "Who cares about you? I'm worried that Beast will hurt Mother. You're so narcissistic."

He smiled but didn't reply.

After devouring Níðhöggr, Shirou's magical energy output had become immense, comparable to a mana reactor. Combined with Evil Blossom's mana absorption, he was essentially a perpetual motion machine, finally able to sustain the cost of Eternal King. That's why he could now unleash his ultimate moves repeatedly without worrying about the cost.

However, the strain of using those moves consecutively, constructing Eternal Emperor based on the Moon Emperor, and then subduing Uranus had taken its toll. Though Shirou still had plenty of magical energy, his spirit was exhausted.

After all, confronting Beast III, Beast VI, Saturn, Venus, Pluto, and Uranus in quick succession would tire anyone out. And with Beast V lurking in the shadows, he couldn't afford to exhaust himself completely. Resting was a good idea.

Using Mordred's Grail, they returned to Sanctuary to meet with Artoria and the others. Seeing Shirou and Mordred safe and sound, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

They had been worried about them when the evil spirits appeared, and now that father and daughter had returned safely, their anxiety faded.

"She hasn't caused any trouble?" Shirou asked, gesturing towards Daji, who was surrounded by the others.

"No," Morrigan said, shaking her head. "She's been surprisingly well-behaved."

Shirou was taken aback. He had been prepared for a confrontation with Daji, but she was unexpectedly docile.

"I can hardly misbehave with a certain someone watching me so intently." Daji stretched languidly, her demeanor seductive. Her eyes met Shirou's with a bewitching gaze, like a captivating enchantress, capable of stirring any man's desires.

Morrigan scowled at Daji. "You! Stop seducing Shirou!"

"Seduce? What are you talking about, Morgan le Fay?" Daji leaned back in her chair, her white legs exposed. "I haven't done anything."

Shirou glanced at her. "Put your fox legs away, Lady Daji. Your charm spell won't work on me."

Not to mention his Indomitable Will, the screening of his black mud alone would prevent Daji's charm from affecting him.

Daji muttered a complaint about his lack of romance. Seeing Morrigan and Mordred glaring at her, and noticing Artoria's disapproving expression, she quickly sat up straight.

She had achieved her goal; there was no need to keep provoking them and get beaten up by everyone.