You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

boom!

As the light fell, Iori was knocked away once again.

"call……"

Just as Ritsuka breathed a sigh of relief and was about to break free of her chains, her expression changed—

From the four corners on the left, Iori's figure appeared as if she had teleported. Her nimble footsteps were already close in as soon as she noticed her, but she was not holding a longsword but a curved, glass-colored short blade.

[A talisman that can break all laws!]

puff!

The short blade pierced Fujimaru Ritsuka's chest. The orange-haired girl's eyes widened instantly, glaring fiercely at Iori, before she closed them again in despair.

"You thought this was the end?"

She calmly opened her eyes, her gaze as cold and unchanging as an ancient glacier, reflecting Iori's stern face.

Bang!

Without any warning, and not some kind of Noble Phantasm, a strange power acted on Iori, even ignoring the defense of the Crimson Dragon Armor. A bloody wound suddenly appeared on the inside of her chest, and then a flash of light sent her flying.

call out!call out!call out!

Three cards materialized from within Iori's body and flew out, which he caught in his hand. They were the three blank spirit origins: [Assassin], [Caster], and [Lancer].

Of course, they are now connected to the Throne of Heroes' data and have a fixed summoning target. Iori was able to successfully create the opportunity to ambush the enemy precisely because she used their abilities and Noble Phantasms.

only……

"The contract has been terminated?"

"Hassan the Hundred Faces clone, Enkidu's Chains of Heaven, Medea's Noble Phantasm... I understand why it was you, and not any other Heroic Spirit, who challenged me."

Fujimaru Ritsuka's expression and demeanor were quite different from before. Her tone was almost emotionless, and she was no longer as easily agitated as before... Iori gave her a deep look, and her bad premonition grew stronger.

He knew that the enemy before him was definitely not Fujimaru Ritsuka himself, but judging from the reactions of the many Grand Servants and [Beasts] in Chaldea, it must be closely related to Ritsuka, which made them unwilling to take direct action... It was very likely that he was possessed!

Iori used Medea's broken seal in an attempt to sever the connection between the enemy and Ritsuka... It was not unexpected that she failed, but the "counterattack" she was given was something Iori did not anticipate.

"You are different from ordinary Servants. You are not a hero registered on the Throne of Heroes, but rather more like a Demi-Servant."

Unlike regular Demi-Servants, you are not only highly compatible with a single hero, but can adapt to and use the abilities and Noble Phantasms of most Heroic Spirits.

While connecting with multiple Heroic Spirits, his self-awareness can still maintain absolute dominance—he's practically a born king.

At this critical juncture, Chaldea summoned not a savior like Arthur Pendragon, but you, whose true identity is unknown and whose origins are shrouded in mystery. Perhaps it is precisely because of this unparalleled adaptability and versatility.

With a wave of her hand, the chains binding her lost their divinity and dimmed. The orange-haired girl broke free of her restraints and stepped out, gazing calmly at Iori with a faint smile on her lips.

“Beautiful tactics. If it were a normal battle, you would have won... Well, it’s not your fault that you lost now.”

"It's a good thing you didn't blindly choose a powerful anti-dimensional Noble Phantasm... If you had, you'd be a corpse by now."

"..."

Iori didn't respond. He subconsciously touched his chest. Although he couldn't see it through the armor, the wound was slowly healing.

He was certain that he had not been attacked from the outside, and the location and shape of the wound were very similar to the one he had stabbed Ritsuka, only a little deeper.

Damage doubled... No!

Judging from the fact that the card's contract was forcibly terminated, the Noble Phantasm effect was also returned, which is the severing of the magic contract!

This shameless ability to "hit me is the same as hitting yourself" definitely exists in Type-Moon...

Iori turned her gaze back to the temple, calmly scanning the pillars and taking in the many reliefs.

"It seems you've already confirmed my real name."

The orange-haired girl said calmly, "If that's the case, do you still want to continue fighting?"

"It takes a lot of courage to make that decision."

Iori summoned the Ama-no-Murakumo sword again, and only after holding it in her hand did she calmly ask, "Before that, can I ask a question?"

"Ok?"

"Are you... a fake, or the real thing?"

Iori's expression was extremely serious. "To be honest, I hope it's a fake. When I was guessing before, I also tended to think that it wasn't the real thing, but some kind of incarnation or something."

After all, the idea of ​​the real body descending would be too terrifying—Iori was already internally complaining.

He previously thought that at best, the highest level was just a slightly more powerful incarnation, or at most, a great god who had adopted a disguise, like Odin and Cú Chulainn, or the relationship between the enlightened one and the monk Sanzang.

After all, there's already a "fake" in Type-Moon, so as is customary, there won't be much screen time for the original.

But something seems off!

"An interesting question, but it's difficult for me to answer, because when it comes to true evil, whether it's the records in mythological texts or the imagination in the human mind, it's all one-sided and specific."

Evil has no thoughts, personality, or image; it simply exists objectively. It is one of the cornerstones of the primitive world, and it didn't even originally have the name "evil."

After the birth of humankind, they explored and defined all things in the world using their own understanding, giving names and attributes to concepts that originally had no names.

However, this is ultimately just wishful thinking on human part, and the laws governing the world will not change as a result.

However, as the human race prospered, and especially after the emergence of the collective unconscious of humanity—what you call the "Alaya"—many things changed...

Myths are written in words and language, and depicted in the images of humans and beasts. As a result, specific 'gods' are born... Some are spirits born of nature, some are intelligent beings from outer space, and some are leaders born by humans themselves, but without exception, they are all influenced by myths.

—Me too.

I have a name and image in many myths, so it's difficult for me to answer you, since I don't know which one you consider 'true'.

"...So it really is the worst possible outcome."

Iori gave a relieved smile: "To be honest, that 'imposter' in Chaldea is much more harmless than you. I still prefer him, even though he's a bit sharp-tongued."

"The person you mentioned can actually be seen as a side of me, undoubtedly a part of [evil]. Although his true form is just an ordinary person, he is regarded as my 'replacement' curse, and therefore possesses the same properties as me."

Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled slightly: "Have you made up your mind now?"

"Yes... even though there's no chance of winning, the things that need to be done still need to be done."

Even if the opponent is the Demon King, the Great Lord of Darkness and Death—

【Angra Mainyu】

"!"

"Human warriors always bring me heartfelt joy... Here's a little reward for you."

With a snap of his fingers, darkness was brought to life in an area of ​​thousands, tens of thousands, or even more. One after another, demons as large as mountains struggled and emerged from the night sky as if tearing through their membranes. Iori was instantly surrounded by countless demons!

"—!"

A continuous stream of magic was poured into the armor, the phantom of the red dragon roared wildly, and Iori transformed into a meteor, carving out a fiery passage in the sea of ​​demons, piercing through countless darkness.

The performance of the Mythical Mystic Code was pushed to its limit, and the Kusanagi Sword in his hand emitted a restless tremor.

The swordsman's heroic spirit card flew out automatically and entered Iori's body. The next moment, golden flames erupted from his body, and the demonic sword in his hand was also coated with holy light!

"This is the way to save the world—"

"The Holy Sword of Stars? A magnificent weapon, its maximum power could even kill the Demon King who destroyed the gods, but this sword cannot defeat me."

Because evil is neither the enemy of the world nor the enemy of humanity, but rather the objectively existing dark side of both. How could the Star Sword possibly pose a threat to the 'world' itself?

In the instant that the radiance engulfed her, Ritsuka summoned an ordinary-looking ancient book, "All Evils of the World," which smiled at Iori.

"By imperial decree, record and recount everything, [Avesta]!"

Just like before, a dazzling golden light shone on Iori, then it was as if he had been crushed by some enormous creature, his skin splitting open all over his body, blood splattering across the night sky. Ritsuka himself, however, remained unharmed, appearing like a phantom, seemingly oblivious to the brilliance of the holy sword.

"I've warned you, yet you still continue to be my enemy. Though brave, you lack a bit of wisdom... Hmm?!"

laugh!

The demonic sword pierced through Ritsuka's body. She suddenly opened her eyes wide, staring incredulously at Iori, who had suddenly appeared in front of her.

"The Noble Phantasm just now... I see! You deliberately chose the Star Sword, and didn't even try to unseal it?!"

Angolan Manuel realized his earlier oversight:

Even the imposter Xiao An would "reflect damage," so how could Iori rashly use the Star Holy Sword on her, the true "all evil of this world," without being certain of success?

The answer is that Iori never entrusted the thirteen seals to the Holy Sword in the first place, and the unsealed Broken Steel Holy Sword was just a peak-level anti-city Noble Phantasm. Even if it was damaged by the backlash, he could withstand it with his current spiritual foundation strength.

So what looked like a tragic scene was just a "superficial injury" and healed almost instantly.

But that still doesn't make sense!

Given her skill level, the probability of her being caught off guard and attacked is extremely low!

"Could it be... the [Rider] card... Star Pioneer?!"

Ritsuka glared at Iori with a mixture of excitement and anger, using her "Clairvoyance" to see the spirit origin attached to Iori... Just as she expected, it was a Heroic Spirit with the title "Star Pioneer"!

Turning the impossible into the possible, transcending the distinction between good and evil, maximizing the "possibilities" inherent in the human species—

"I take back what I said earlier. You really are a very cunning opponent..."

But you're still a bit lacking when it comes to outsmarting me, the Avenger!

Angolan Manuel, holding the Zoroastrian classic Avesta, closed the book and smashed it horizontally onto Iori's forehead.

Caught off guard, the young man was thrown away by the tremendous force, his face filled with disbelief and astonishment.

Is this the power of knowledge?!

~~~~~

Chapter 303 The Power of the Triad Gods & Mistiltein!

I only glanced at it at first.

Although he is a malevolent god worshipped by people, Angolan Maneu does not have a precise image, and his sense of personality is very weak. He never does anything on his own initiative, but simply records everything instinctively according to certain rules.

Wild animals lack a sense of good and evil; this concept was originally established by the "primates" of this planet after they gained intelligence, defining it according to their own standards. And this dividing line between good and evil has shifted several times throughout the development of civilization.

Different regions, different time periods, different races and cultures... human cognition is constantly changing with the development of wisdom and technology.

In the past, killing the elderly, the sick, prisoners, and criminals was considered perfectly normal;

In the past, when resources were scarce, it was right to use one's own kind as food;

In the past, it was considered a good deed to kill a man, take his wife, and steal his children;

All these behaviors will be seen as "evil" after a period of time, but from God's perspective, there is no difference between them.

Even the moral standards recognized in the 21st century may be seen as insane in the future.

Angolan Mainyu did not have any affection or aversion towards humanity because of this; if he disliked anything, it was only those who took away part of his power. [666]

He merely observed the world from the other side of the realm, and then recorded all that was considered "evil" by humankind in the Asveda.

Even when the "human reason burns" occurs, he does not intend to interfere. Whatever Goetia or other beasts want to do is none of his business as a mere bystander.

But naturally, the subjects he recorded changed after that:

After the burning of humanity, only a small number of humans from Chaldea and certain secret realms survived, so his attention was focused on this place.

Fuyuki burned to ashes, France ravaged by evil dragons, London shrouded in demonic mist, Jerusalem where the goddess descended…

From the Seven Singularities to the Temple of the Beast of Mercy, from the blank canvas of the land to other timelines that have become Lostbelts, from the snow-covered apocalypse to the Cretaceous period that resembles a paradise...

Gradually, he became interested in the object of his long-standing observation—a rare occurrence in the long history of the world.

He watched as an ordinary high school student named Fujimaru Ritsuka transformed from an innocent and clueless girl into a determined fighter against fate, feeling powerless amidst repeated failures and despair, and reaffirming her choices in the face of human dilemmas...

Chaldea is by no means a just entity!

Masters are not "all-good" saviors!

The concepts of good and evil change with time and perspective. What is absolute justice in the eyes of Pan-Human History and Chaldea is absolute evil in the eyes of other worlds!

The girl was fully aware that she was "a person who does all evil in the world," but she was still able to stick to her beliefs until the very last moment... and then she fell to her death in the collapsing world!

Failure, failure, failure, failure... She tried again and again to save her world, but in the end, all she got was failure.

How pathetic and ugly are humans, unwilling to accept "the ending of the story" even at this point.

...But for some reason, Angra Mainyu began to feel sorry for Fujimaru Ritsuka.