The infinite sword system has been mastered, and you say this is the dragon clan?

Chapter 372 Did You Protect the World? Emperor Karl, You Are So Gentle
A torrential rain of meteors, burning with crimson starlight, fell from the sky.

This was undoubtedly a terrible natural disaster affecting the entire Western Hemisphere.

In fact, ordinary meteorite fragments are not dangerous. Most of them will lose a lot of volume due to the intense friction with the atmosphere. However, the meteorite fragments at this moment are essentially fragments of divine artifacts, containing a high concentration of magic power and divinity that is disproportionate to their size.

Such a falling object would undoubtedly defy atmospheric resistance, unleashing its boundless energy into innocent soil or water bodies. This would be an unprecedented and unavoidable catastrophe for the Earth and for human history.

The burning crimson light first caused a small portion to fall into the sea, creating a high-temperature explosion that evaporated countless amounts of water and stirred up steam and water droplets that reached heights of over ten kilometers. In the center of the Atlantic Ocean, a violent tsunami was stirred up, forming a water wall hundreds of meters high that surged toward several isolated islands and peninsulas, including Portugal, Ireland, and Iceland.

Another significant portion crossed Europe, plunging into the vast expanse of Siberia like a massive firestorm, creating a spectacle hundreds of times larger than the Tunguska event. The blinding flames illuminated the night sky, turning the desolate northern wilderness into a blinding day.

Naturally, this scene was witnessed by many survivors. Even from a great distance, large numbers of Orthodox Christians knelt in fervent prayer and began frantically planning and spreading rumors of the end of the world in Russia.

The remaining fragments flew towards Central Asia and the Americas, causing the destruction of hundreds of cities or tribes in the Timurid Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Mamluk Sultanate, the Aztec Empire, the Maya, and other countries.

Witnesses within the country trembled and knelt in sincere prayer according to local beliefs, while neighboring countries that were fortunate enough to escape the disaster were gloating, excitedly believing that their own gods had protected them from the calamity, and even thinking that they had been blessed by heaven and should take the opportunity to launch a military campaign against the affected countries.

In fact, they should thank Emiya and Chaldea.

The fact that only a small number of countries were affected was already a result of Emiya's efforts to reduce and disperse the power of Michael's Red Cross Sword, followed by the Shadow Border dispatched by Chaldea to intercept it with aerial artillery fire.

If he hadn't come up with the timely idea of ​​using all his remaining strength to create the Spear of Longinus and turn the tide, the destruction caused by Emperor Charlemagne would have been even more severe.

Michael's sword strike, capable of subjugating all nations on Earth, was no joke. Emiya had no doubt that the massive, multi-kilometer-long cross sword, once it fell, would cause the sixth mass extinction in history.

"Oh dear, how scary, how scary."

Somewhere in Western Europe, Koyanskaya, wearing a heart-shaped wide-brimmed felt hat and a European noblewoman's dress, witnessed the entire streak of light piercing the sky, flying in all directions and bursting into flames upon landing. She felt a deep sense of awe. Her ears, which she had been trying to hide, and her tail were practically standing on end.

"These days, being a merchant is really a case of making money but not living to enjoy it. Now, even picking up goods carries the risk of death. If that Godslayer accidentally drops something and it falls down, I'll be dead."

Miss Pink Fox sighed softly, deeply feeling the hardships of being a merchant.

In order to complete the order from the alien god's employer, she had to choose the right time to come and collect Emperor Karl's relics, while trying to avoid being discovered by Chaldea.

"Hmm, putting aside the issue of your life and safety, I am curious why you can change your clothes so frequently every time you appear? ...If I am not mistaken, what you are wearing is a kind of 'spirit garment' similar to the attire of a Heroic Spirit, right?"

A figure emerged from the shadows of the corner, dressed like a monk from the Heian period who practiced asceticism with his hair still intact, yet possessing a somewhat dissolute and wicked air. It was Ashiya Dōman.

The spirit garment he mentioned naturally refers to the physical attire that the servant wears.

For example, during the Holy Grail War, which usually takes place in modern society, Servants typically wear everyday clothes with no special abilities when they want to go out and play in human society during the daytime, outside of combat. They only transform into their built-in Spirit Clothes when they encounter battle.

In the FGO game, the Spirit Dress is considered a unique type of "skin".

"Sector D! ...Excuse me, Lord Limbo's opening remarks are always less than flattering. There are probably very few people in the world who can say 'life and safety' as 'not to mention,' right? Or has it been since the last Tokyo incident that the sorcerer has finally decided to turn himself into a twisted paper doll?"

Koyanskaya makes no secret of her disgust for Ashiya Doman, even though she works for the alien god and is now nominally Ashiya Doman's colleague, and they even had a brief encounter in the Tokyo Singularity.

However, after realizing the true nature of this Servant who was hopelessly entrenched in evil ways, she began to feel physically uncomfortable. Therefore, Koyanskaya refused to discuss her clothing aesthetics with this guy.

"Hehehehe, Lady Koyanskaya's reactions are always very sharp, including when she faced the sword light of that god-slayer last time."

Ashiya Michimitsu gave a curt, indifferent reply with a forced smile.

"I guess Mr. Limbo went to Aachen to see Emperor Karl's 'Assimilation of Heaven' spell? Looks like he arrived too late... and missed him."

Koyanskaya looked back into the distance with a mocking expression.

The empty, super-deep crater lay there.

That was only natural. After the entire city of Aachen was transformed into a mobile holy city by Emperor Karl, it was used as a Noble Phantasm and flew away on the spot. She imagined Ashiya Michimitsu groping in vain, covered in mud, in the giant crater, and couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh dear, then there's no need for Lady Koyanskaya to worry."

Ashiya Michimitsu gave a forced smile. "In fact, this humble monk just happened to pick the right time to come and search. Although the 'Heavenly Voice' technique is indeed what this humble monk seeks, I dare not come here before Aachen flies away. It would be terrible if I were accidentally 'assimilated' by that great emperor."

"Wow, you know there's nothing left here, yet you still explore. That's even more foolish than a monkey trying to catch the moon."

"Hehehehe, Miss Koyanskaya, do you think this humble monk would be interested in the core techniques of that emperor's manipulation of people's minds? No, no, no, what's truly valuable about that emperor is the entire colossal system he uses to control his vast territory!"

A glint of fanaticism flashed in Ashiya Doman's eyes. "Even with the Holy Grail's assistance, which eliminates a large number of tedious projects and spells, such a vast system will still leave traces underground in the form of circuits. If we can make reasonable use of and study such a powerful central hub, hehe, hehehehe..."

Perhaps recalling the world-destroying power in the outer space just now, Ashiya Doman let out a sinister laugh.

“Yue…” Koyanskaya turned her head and pretended to vomit.

"Oh dear, Lady Koyanskaya, my research is complete. You seem to have been given a task by my lord (the alien god), right? It would be best not to be passive or negligent."

"Heh, I don't need a dishonest merchant like you to remind me," Koyanskaya said irritably. "Isn't it just collecting the true remains of the 'Mobile Metropolis'? We've already collected and shipped more than half of them."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Lost.

When even the strongest messenger was defeated head-on by the Chaldean god-slayer, Emperor Karl knew that defeat in this battle was inevitable.

With the enemy wielding a god-slaying spear, sending more divine angels would only result in more easy prey.

The magnificent and glorious face of heaven was finally fully revealed at this moment.

Emiya and Astolfo remained vigilant, still in their Susanoo form, scrutinizing their surroundings. Meanwhile, Emperor Karl, who had been manipulating the "Heavenly Army" from behind the scenes, unexpectedly stepped out openly and brazenly.

To Emiya's surprise, the emperor who was supposed to ascend to become the embodiment of human love was not in good condition, even worse than the previously imposing, golden-armored servant. His body had become thin and weak, his hair and beard were withered and brittle, and his golden heavy armor was dull and lifeless. Although he was still surrounded by most of the faith power in the Frankish kingdom, his body's magical energy was irreversibly declining.

Is this... the backlash from failing to advance within a certain timeframe? Has Emperor Karl reached the limit of his Spirit Origin as an ordinary Servant?

Emiya was making a series of guesses in his mind, but he never expected that Emperor Karl would take the initiative to explain the reason:

“You have won, Spear of Longinus, piercing the chest of the godlike one, which proves my defeat.”

"Ok?"

"Our struggle is, in essence, a struggle of wills among all the people on earth."

Emperor Karl pointed to the crimson holy spear in Emiya's hand, and of course, to Juvayus in Astolfo's arms. The holy sword given to them by Charlemagne was still entwined with the faith that had been taken from Emperor Karl, but upon closer inspection, one could see that these wills of faith seemed to be more active than those on Emperor Karl's side.

"You took away a small portion and possess the power to kill gods, while I have the larger portion. We should have been evenly matched, but the Longinus you condensed overwhelmed the godlike figure who wielded divine authority. This shows that, although it was only a portion, the spirit of the people truly responded to your will to resist the gods... It seems that guy (Charlemagne) made the right move; not everyone is willing to grovel and become the lamb of the gods."

Emperor Karl's words surprised Emiya.

But he quickly realized that he himself was a god-slayer, both in terms of the nature of his power and in his fighting spirit against Michael, he symbolized the spirit of "god-slayer".

Therefore, Longinus is not simply a forgery created by his personal projection and then blessed by the spiritual faith of the masses.

Rather, it is a god-slaying spear forged from the very foundation of millions of Christian spiritual beliefs, and is no different from mythology.
Thinking of this, Emiya's expression became even stranger.

He fought the paladins and acquired a bunch of holy swords. Then Charlemagne gave him a Govayus for free.

Fighting Karl the Great again would be like receiving the Holy Lance as a bonus.

Are you Franks guys just collectively handing out equipment?

If it weren't for the somewhat inappropriate occasion, Emiya would have couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, the drop rate is really high!"

Karl the Great continued:
“I have failed, so I give up the fight. If the people of the earth are destined to never be embraced by God, then I will let them return to the earth and to their daily lives.”

Emiya frowned this time. Although it was a gesture of defeat and surrender, looking at the current state of the disaster on Earth, he realized that the impact of the singularity was not limited to Europe, but had spread to half of the Earth. Wherever the fragments of Michael's cross sword fell, there was devastation and death.

To suggest that people should return to their daily lives in this way is nothing short of a ridiculous joke.

"Karma, if your words are just empty talk, then forget about it."

"No, what I said is true, and I will always keep my word."

Emperor Karl waved his hand, and under the tense gaze of Emiya, shattered the heavenly scene behind him.

The glorious and harmonious world vanished, turning back into blue particles.

"My subjects, go home."

The vast expanse of blue particles, resembling a galaxy, fell from the heavens once more. Even a large number of spiritual followers surrounding Juvayus flew out and joined the procession home amidst Afu's exclamations.

Emiya stopped Astolfo from recalling, then suddenly paused, "BB, what happened on Earth?"

He sensed an urgent connection.

[Senior! Starting a few minutes ago, the affected areas on the ground have been disappearing one after another!]

"Disappear...what does that mean?"

Emiya's first reaction was to observe Emperor Karl's actions.

[...It's quite complicated to explain in detail, but the most obvious manifestation is that the meteorite crater that was created by the impact simply vanished! It returned to its original state before the impact! Also, tsunamis, floods, volcanic eruptions, and all sorts of direct and secondary disasters worldwide disappeared...as if they had never happened at all!]

It has never happened...

Emiya stared at Emperor Karl, dumbfounded. This already involved a wide range of cause and effect, fate, and even the manipulation of events? You haven't actually advanced to the level of human love, have you?

"Cough cough..."

The figure of Karl the Great has begun to fade away.

"I did almost complete that final step while fighting you, but unfortunately, I failed at the last hurdle. If I had succeeded... the entire earth would have been my heaven, and my dream would have been completely intertwined with the reality of the planet, becoming one."

"However, although I failed to complete it, I was essentially unable to grow into a fully-fledged human being in the 'infant' form. It is not impossible for me to consume my essence to manipulate power and eliminate the disaster caused by our battle, turning it into a dream."

"Since I have admitted defeat, I will naturally bear all the consequences, even if my dream of human love also vanishes into nothingness."

After speaking, Emperor Karl sighed, "In the end, why are the people unwilling to continue indulging in the beautiful dream of divine grace?"

Emiya shook his head. "Because a dream is just a dream, and we must always wake up from our slumber."

Afu was moved by his former master's decisive act of self-sacrifice.

So in the end, you still protected the world? Your Majesty, you are so gentle.

(The gentle trope is referenced from "Baki" ↑)

(End of this chapter)