Super God: If I punch you, you will die

Despite this situation, Lin Yan spoke to Ruler with a calm expression.

"Please don't worry. I won't let you die, and I myself cannot be destroyed here either."

Ruler raised the holy flag he held in his right hand to the ground. Looking back, he saw the exhausted and weary "Black" Rider embracing Lin Yan tightly as if protecting him.

Under such circumstances, it would be impossible for the Master not to order him to escape the scene in spirit form. It's likely that Rider himself refused this request. Possessing the "Act Alone" skill, Rider can still maintain his existence for a certain period even when his mana supply is cut off.

However, not escaping under these circumstances would be incredibly reckless.

"Aren't you going to run away, 'Black' Rider?"

"No."

"but……"

Rider hugged Lin Yan and shook his head vigorously, saying:

"I said no, and that means no! I don't want to see him hurt anymore! I will absolutely not leave here!"

Despite being severely injured himself, Rider showed no intention of running away. He didn't have any countermeasures either; even if he protected Lin Yan like this, they would only perish together.

Meaningless... This is utterly pointless.

If we disregard the Noble Phantasm, "Black" Rider Esther is merely a second- or third-rate Heroic Spirit. Among the Twelve Charlemagne Champions, only Esther is known in legend for being "weak."

However, Estorff is still a hero.

"I don't want to..."

Despite trembling all over, Rider did not give up on protecting Lin Yan, nor did she feel the slightest fear. It's only natural for those born with strength to display courage, because they are inherently powerful. They are confident in their own strength and possess an indomitable fighting spirit that will not yield to any enemy.

However, Estorphe was different. This Servant was extremely weak, utterly incapable of defeating the enemy called fate. His power was insufficient to move mountains or pierce the sky. Despite this, Estorphe in life was recognized by everyone as a hero. Although weak, lacking in strength, and even experiencing defeat, Estorphe was still a courageous man, possessing the qualifications of a hero.

"Understood. Then please stay there and don't move. It could be dangerous if you move around."

If that is the Servant's will, then as the Ruler, I have no right to stop it.

Therefore, this was purely an act to protect Lin Yan. Although doing so might deviate somewhat from the duties of an adjudicator, she was solely responsible for making decisions on the battlefield.

It is neither a beast, nor a human, nor a monster, nor even a heroic spirit.

The enormous Servant, resembling a "curse god," finally unleashed its final blow upon the earth.

"Red" Berserker was filled with an intoxicating sense of happiness. The final blow would shatter all oppression and utterly destroy the symbols of power.

Of course, he had gone mad… even he knew he was mad. But he still couldn't stop. Because he was born with an inability to tolerate being subordinate to anyone.

No, that's not it. He felt pleasure from being scorned and hurt. The feeling of something settling inside him brought him boundless joy.

So he kept laughing. When this accumulation reached a critical point, Spartacus rebelled. As long as there are oppressors in the world, his own pleasure and anger will not cease.

Now, having gained a second life, he is unleashing the most powerful attack of his career. His vision is distorted, and the pain of his body being gradually replaced by something is tormenting his mind. But it's almost over. It wasn't just a simple, all-out attack. It was an ultimate destruction, achieved only by sacrificing everything within himself.

"Ah."

He even let out a sigh. He completely ignored how ugly his body had become. Having dedicated his entire life to the rebellious gladiator, he finally unleashed that attack.

The target is the Suppressor, the one with the highest power in this Holy Grail War… namely, Ruler, and also the fortress of Milenia behind him. It's a strike that could almost touch the moon and shoot down stars. Whether in life or in death, it's the greatest and strongest rebellious punch of his life. Can his fist and his sword truly reach the Suppressors?

He couldn't possibly know, nor did he intend to know. Having dedicated his entire life to the rebellious, ascetic gladiator, he ended his life with a smile.

Ruler, "Black" Rider, and Lin Yan were all in the straight line of that attack. There was absolutely no way to avoid it; no matter how strong the shield was, it could not completely prevent this life-or-death strike.

However... the one who bore the brunt of this blow was none other than Ruler, the absolute arbiter of the Holy Grail War.

"My God..."

Ruler gripped the sacred flag tightly with both hands and activated his true name.

The banner that Joan of Arc held in her hand as a substitute for a sword. This sacred banner, which brought countless encouragement and inspiration to the soldiers who followed her in battle, is said to have always protected the saint who was always fighting on the front lines.

"right here!"

If this flag is activated as a Noble Phantasm, it will convert Jeanne d'Arc's extraordinary magical resistance into a protective force against all physical or supernatural attacks.

Faced with the attack unleashed by the "Red" Berserker, which carried all hatred and joy, the Holy Banner completely blocked it... for Ruler, as well as for the "Black" Rider and Lin Yan behind her.

Ruler channeled power into his hands. They had now completely entrusted their lives to the holy banner in Ruler's hands. Suppressing his inner turmoil, he silently gazed ahead… Faced with the violent vortex of light, Ruler simply endured it silently.

Her figure... resembled someone who fought against all evil in the world.

It also resembles someone who is fighting against a falling planet.

It's very similar to everyone who, with their tiny, insignificant human bodies, is fighting against "that" in front of them.

Holding onto dignity, will, love, anger, or some other belief, even in the face of overwhelming violence capable of easily slaughtering tens of thousands, one still possesses the courage to rise up and fight against it, overcoming fear.

Lin Yan gazed at her small figure as she walked away, a wave of sorrow washing over him. Although he knew it was an arrogant thought, the painful legends surrounding her life made it impossible for him to relinquish this feeling.

0189 Hatred [Please Subscribe]

It's normal to have resentment, and it's understandable to have hatred. But to have neither hatred nor resentment, not even lingering affection, is something Lin Yan finds truly unbelievable.

"Black" Rider inadvertently recalled the myth of the old man parting the sea. The completely blocked light looked just like the parted seawater. Just as life has an end, so too does a life-or-death strike have an ending. "Red" Berserker's strike, imbued with all his power, destroyed half of the Milenia fortress, and simultaneously annihilated numerous golems, androids, and dragon tooth soldiers on the battlefield.

However, even such violence couldn't cause the three of them any harm. After the bright light disappeared, Ruler finally breathed a sigh of relief, turned around to look behind him... and then said with a bright, radiant smile:

"You're all alright, that's great."

This was less a strike and more a catastrophe. A malicious earthquake and tsunami at that. This attack, which transformed immense magical power into destruction, shook the entire earth and swept through the city of Milenia.

The magicians cried out in despair. Fortunately, their observation post was unaffected by the direct impact of the battle. However, just a few meters ahead lay a scene of utter carnage.

"W-What happened...? What just happened...?"

It's understandable that Gerd would let out such a nightmarish groan. It would be understandable if they had been directly attacked, but what they suffered was merely the aftershock.

Where is the 'red' Berserker?

In response to Fiore's question, Colles sighed and said:

"Disappeared... What about the other Servants?"

"Archer is still alive, but what about Rider?"

Sereniko nodded sullenly. She had told him countless times to "return here in spirit form immediately," but instead of coming back, he was desperately trying to protect the android. Considering this situation, perhaps it was time to make a decision.

"Rider is still alive, but what about Caster?"

Roche was heartbroken that the puppet he and Caster had painstakingly created had been smashed to pieces. However, he was still certain that Caster, whom he cared about most, was still alive.

"The teacher said everything is fine... About 80% of the puppets were destroyed, and only the puppets waiting in the fortress can still barely function."

"The Lord is also safe and sound, because his battle with 'Red' Lancer was forced to end in the chaos, and he was furious. But compared to that, the current situation is an emergency."

Danic, standing on the broken window frame, spoke in a slightly hoarse voice.

"An emergency... situation?"

How could there possibly be a more serious emergency than this...? Although Fiore thought this to herself, Danic's expression was unexpectedly grim.

"The Sky Garden is approaching."

After "Red" Saber detached from her spirit form, she immediately examined her surroundings.

In the forests on both sides of the grassland, countless trees had fallen. The horrific scene was as if they had been trampled by giants.

The puppets, androids, and dragon tooth soldiers were almost all wiped out. It was unavoidable; after all, it was an explosion caused by such a massive concentration of magical energy in an instant. Only a small number of androids survived, either waiting in the rear or fleeing early upon sensing the danger.

The Servants quickly fled the battlefield for safety. Anyone slow to react and caught in the crossfire would be considered below third-rate.

In other words, this was a deserted wasteland. That strange monster had annihilated the battlefield along with itself. Anger, helplessness, mockery... none of these actions seemed to apply to her current emotions. "Red" Saber remained in a daze for quite a while.

"Hey, Saber."

"Ah, Master. The current situation is just as you see it."

Hearing the call from behind, she turned around, shrugged, and said... The Master, Lion's Roar, glanced at the battlefield and sighed helplessly as well.

"So, please give me instructions on what to do next."

"You're asking me to... to start a chaotic battle where enemies and allies are mixed together in this desolate place? The result would definitely be terrible."

"So, are we retreating?"

Lion's Roar initially agreed to this, but after looking at the sky, he rejected the proposal.

"No, we cannot retreat. Look, Saber."

The place Shishikatsu refers to is the Hanging Gardens, a product of the Age of Gods. Having thoroughly investigated Semiramis, Shishikatsu is well aware that this is the Noble Phantasm of the "Red" Assassin.

The problem is that the aerial garden is approaching the half-collapsed city of Milenia.

"Hmph. Indeed, if we retreat now, we'll be seen as outsiders."

“Right? Let’s go, Saber.”

"Understood, Master. So, are you skilled at flying?"

"I'm just not very good at it. Although I don't really want to do it, it seems I'll have to rely on you."

Upon hearing Lion's hesitation, "Red" Saber couldn't help but chuckle. Indeed, in other words, it was now her signature skill, "Magic Release," to shine.

"I was initially thinking that destroying that fortress would take some effort, but now it's much easier. I thought the only way to solve this was with Lancer's Noble Phantasm..."

After saying this, the "Red" Assassin addressed the other Servants who had retreated:

"You've all worked hard. It seems your boiling blood hasn't calmed down yet... It's alright, just bear with it a little longer. We'll be fighting again soon."

Upon hearing this, "Red" Archer asked, puzzled:

"I don't mind that... but what are we supposed to do getting close to that stronghold now? Are we planning to just kill Master?"

"Is that even a question... Of course they should return the Greater Grail."

In an instant, all the Servants present fell silent. Rider and Archer exchanged bewildered glances, and even Lancer looked at Assassin with a surprised expression.

"You mean you want them to return it? No, come to think of it... how are they supposed to return it?"

"Red," Assassin said, pointing to the floor with a smile.

"The reason this rooftop garden floats in the air is entirely based on a concept called 'reverse'. Plants always grow downwards, and water always flows upwards."

The garden stopped above the city of Milenia. If the inhabitants of Torifas were to look up and see this vast garden, obscured even by moonlight, what would they think? They certainly wouldn't be able to maintain a normal mental state.

"Watch closely, you shallow magicians. This is the true realm of magic."

"Red" Assassin laughed loudly, spreading his hands to release the spell.

A thunderous roar... A fierce wind began to sweep across the base of the garden. The gust of air, resembling a tornado, seemed to connect to the fortress through some kind of conduit.

0190 A Magical Construction Like a Divine Realm [Please Subscribe]

"Could it be... that they really intend to take it?"

When Rider asked this question, Assassin nodded.

"Of course! Because this garden was designed for that! Alright, come out now, Greater Grail! Let me see your ugly yet beautiful form, constructed by divine magic!"

The soil began to crumble and was gradually absorbed. Two-thirds of the fortress had been destroyed, and the exposed rocky ground gradually crumbled and scattered, finally revealing the true form of the Greater Grail.

"That...is that the Greater Grail...?"

"Red," Archer muttered to herself, a stunned expression on her face. With her near-eagle-eye vision, she did indeed see the Greater Grail below. But that wasn't what truly shocked her.

Not only Archer, but Lancer, Rider, and Caster were all stunned. A vast, colorless, and transparent magical power, accumulated over sixty years, absolutely unchanging, was now swirling there.

"That's the Holy Grail...! Great! That's wonderful! Fantastic! Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic!! Even I can feel the overwhelming magic here! It makes me want to rush in and drown in it, even to become one with it! Despite that, the exposed human-like ugliness! It's true what they say, 'Clean is dirty, dirty is clean!'"

Caster let out a passionate cry of joy.

If it's the Greater Grail, as long as the wish isn't too large-scale, calling it an "omnipotent wish-granting machine" is indeed not an exaggeration. It's only natural that these Servants are so excited.

"Hmph, it's already completely integrated with the spiritual vein. It will take some time to separate it. But we can't just sit here idly. Here it comes, everyone."

Without even needing the "Red" Assassin's reminder, all the Servants present noticed the change. To prevent the Greater Grail from being forcibly taken, the "Black" Servants rushed over one after another.

"I must focus my power on the Greater Grail for now; the rest is in your hands. If we don't make it through this period, your wishes will be in vain. Please act prudently."

Upon hearing her words uttered with a mocking smile, "Red" Rider and Archer retorted without any attempt to conceal their hostility:

"I know that even if you don't tell me. But you absolutely mustn't fail."

"I will do what I'm supposed to do, but don't point fingers here. I know that even if you don't say it."