The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

Kiana said coldly.

"Looks like you saw through me..."

The will of the Holy Grail did not dwell on it, but instead readily admitted it.

Its behavior was so abnormal that Kiana couldn't understand why it would so readily admit it.

Could it be that it actually knows me very well?

"Don't overthink it, I know you doubt me." The Holy Grail's will interrupted Kiana's thoughts.

It remained silent for a while, then slowly continued:

“From the very beginning, I had little confidence in my persuasive abilities. I started paying attention to you as soon as you defeated Gilgamesh.”

"You're not from this world, are you?"

"I didn't expect you to be able to guess that?" Kiana gripped the King's Sword tightly, her eyes revealing coldness and decisiveness.

Now that things have come to this, the Holy Grail can no longer be kept.

Judging from its tone, it seems it's already preparing to retaliate?

It was as if to confirm Kiana's guess.

The Holy Grail's will began to utter wild words:

“What’s so hard to guess? You remind me of that man, but you’re different from him. So I’m sure you won’t do anything that would sacrifice a few people or those around you.”

"You guessed right, the will of the Holy Grail," Kiana readily admitted.

"Therefore, your existence is the greatest threat to me."

As the Holy Grail's will was proclaimed, Kiana suddenly felt a sense of relief on her back.

She reached out and touched it, clearly feeling the Command Seals imbued on her back...

Disappeared?

I will do everything in my power to destroy you!

Along with the will of the Holy Grail came the system's mission notification sound.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have triggered the main quest: The Road to Destruction.]

[Mission Completion Method: Defeat Gilgamesh, who has been resurrected by the will of the Holy Grail, break through the internal space of the Holy Grail's consciousness to reach the real world, and destroy the Holy Grail.]

[Mission completion reward: 30000 Herrscher Points.]

"That long-lost voice has been heard again?"

After muttering to herself, Kiana raised her sword without saying another word.

As the Holy Grail's will ended, the space in front of her suddenly rippled.

Then came a series of crisp 'snap!' sounds.

The glass-like space slowly shattered, and then a man completely encased in golden armor reappeared.

"hehe..."

Gilgamesh slowly raised his head and looked at Kiana with disdain.

"Long time no see, Arbiter. Oh, you are no longer the same, Traveler!"

"...The Holy Grail would rather resurrect you than help the contestants fulfill their wishes? What a hypocrite."

Kiana replied coldly.

Gilgamesh's explanation, however, sounded exceptionally harsh.

"Heh, who knows? Maybe it's because he knows that our goals are quite aligned?"

Gilgamesh did not seem to have any intention of pursuing past disputes.

After regaining a physical body, his strength has been greatly restored.

Now, with the help of the Holy Grail, they can be said to be in a completely advantageous position.

Therefore, he was still able to maintain his elegance when facing Kiana.

Of course, such elegance...

It was nothing more than a cover-up for the horrific nature of the killing!

"Well then, since things have come to this, die!"

With Gilgamesh's roar, countless Noble Phantasms shot out from the Royal Treasury, each gleaming with a deadly luster.

For Kiana, this behavior was completely natural, but she felt it was in line with his usual style.

"I'll make you pay."

Kiana said coldly.

"Heh, you should wait until you can defeat me before saying such things," Gilgamesh shook his head slightly.

"drink!"

Without saying anything more, Kiana suddenly drew her longsword and slashed forward.

"clang!"

The swords clashed, sparks flying everywhere.

Gilgamesh's defense was astonishing; even after being slashed and wounded, he remained completely unaffected.

Kiana stumbled back several steps and nearly fell to the ground.

A solemn expression appeared on her face as she looked at Gilgamesh in front of her, feeling an intense pressure in her heart.

The opponent's defense was far stronger than she had expected!

"You are stronger than before."

Kiana calmly asked, "What kind of extraordinary encounter did you have?"

"A fortuitous encounter? Heh heh heh heh, it's just that I've gained new power." Gilgamesh's eyes gleamed with greed.

His power stemmed from this very power, which greatly enhanced his physical abilities, making him a match even for the Holy Grail's will.

"I don't know how to describe that power, but I felt it was dangerous."

"Hehehe, are you talking about yourself? I think you already know you can't beat me, and you've already lost!"

"Don't joke around, give up the fight? Don't even think about it!"

Kiana charged forward again.

Gilgamesh's power made her wary.

She wants to defeat her opponent in a short time and must gain hope of victory as soon as possible.

In battle, constantly improving one's own strength is the best choice.

Therefore, when Kiana faced Gilgamesh, she did not choose to use any weapons of mass destruction. Instead, she relied on her speed and strength to move around the battlefield, searching for Gilgamesh's weaknesses.

Gilgamesh completely disregarded Kiana's attacks.

"You think you can kill me with an attack of this magnitude?"

"You overestimate yourself."

"This is the confidence of a king!"

"you..."

Kiana was speechless for a moment after being choked by Gilgamesh's words.

This man... really hasn't changed his old habits!

The next second, Kiana suddenly flew up and then slashed out with her sword. The scorching King's Sword seemed capable of melting everything.

Gilgamesh intended to dodge easily, but unexpectedly he suddenly felt a sharp pain on the top of his head, as if he had been hit hard by a giant hammer. His head was buzzing, and then a wave of dizziness hit him.

His body swayed twice.

It's now!

Kiana seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and unleashed a powerful sword strike.

This ended the life of the newly born Heroic Spirit.

"Do not!!!"

Accompanied by the near-mad roar of the Holy Grail's will, Kiana's consciousness gradually faded away.

She knew that after leaving this world, she would have to begin working on destroying the Holy Grail...

---

"The Holy Grail...my Holy Grail..."

Artoria stepped into the vast theater, where the Holy Grail, which she had always dreamed of, was now suspended in mid-air.

Just a little closer... just a little closer...

Artoria inevitably headed towards the Holy Grail.

However, a male voice that was extremely familiar to her rang out.

What should have been an extremely beautiful scene has turned into the most terrifying hell!

"In the name of the Command Spell, unleash the Noble Phantasm to destroy the Holy Grail! Saber!"

"What?" Before the words were even finished, the holy sword in Saber's hand suddenly burst forth with a dazzling light.

Unable to believe what she was seeing, she spoke almost with tears in her eyes:

"Why! Why you—!"

"By the name of the Command Spell, you must destroy the Holy Grail! Saber!"

With Kiritsugu's final declaration, the two Command Seals that symbolized his Master status disappeared.

As the Command Seals disappeared, an incredibly powerful magical force flowed through Saber's body!

"No!!!"