It was a great hollowness within the earth, lying under Mt. Enzo.
The people and spirits standing there looked like ants — glorious ants.
On one side, above a cliff, were the ones who were here to end the Greater Grail before Angra Mainyu could incarnate. They were those who wanted to save the world. They were those who were backed by the Counter Force. They were — fighting for humanity.
Led by two Ruler-Class Servants, Enkidu and Jeanne d'Arc, were the original Servants summoned for the fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War — Saber, Archer, Assassin, Berserker, Rider, and Caster. Their Masters, Betty, Rin, Shirou, and Black were standing tall as well.
On the other side, far into the blackness, were the ones who stood for evil. They were those who wanted the end of humanity by birthing All The World's Evil.
Saber Alter stood majestically like the vile knight she was in the front. A step behind her was Kirei Kotomine, black tendrils lashing out from his heart, elevating his strength.
Above the two hovered Gilgamesh and Ainz Ooal Gown.
Gilgamesh was donning his golden armor, a smile blooming on his face as his gaze met Enkidu's.
Ainz Ooal Gown was simply standing, holding the Staff of Ainz, multicolored light shimmering around its gems.
At a glance, the evil seemed feeble.
There was such a gap in numbers and disparity in strength between the two groups that any random person would instantly bet upon Enkidu's group to win.
Yet… it was the Masters and Servants behind Enkidu who were filling the chill in the air the most.
"Ms. Rin…"
All heads snapped toward Kirei Kotomine.
Rin stepped forward and eyed the Overseer of the Holy Grail War, who shouldn't even be a part of this War, to begin with.
Kirei looked up at the girl and nudged his chin to his back. "You can go. She's waiting for you…"
Black's eyes narrowed, and he and Betty shared a shaky, unnerved glance.
In the Heaven's Feel route, the same had happened. Rin had been allowed to go alone past Saber Alter and face Dark Sakura. Then, using the Jeweled Sword, Rin had won against The Shadow's almighty powers, despite the latter possessing full control over the Imaginary Element.
The thing was, if Black knew this, the Evil Betty knew of it, too.
So, it made the least sense that he would let the same scenario play out.
"It's a trap, Rin," Archer said, stepping in front of her. "Don't listen to him. I…"
"No." Rin shook her head, remembering her sister's words from an hour ago. "You don't understand, Archer. No one interferes in what is to come. This is between me and her."
I see… Black nodded within. It isn't like Evil Betty didn't warn Dark Sakura. But she willingly ignored that warning. An event must have played out between Rin and Sakura, unknown to me. Hmmm…
Next to him, Betty Shaw frowned, still not understanding.
Without something like Ad Infinitum, which could analyze thousands of possibilities to filter the most logical ones, it was hard to figure out concrete reasons.
So, as Rin said Good Luck to Archer, Assassin, Saber, and Shirou, Betty stepped forward to hold her back, only stopping when Black shook his head at him.
A silence persisted between the two groups — like death seated on its haunches, watching them — as Rin passed by Saber Alter and others before disappearing into the darkness.
And who better to break that deathly silence than the Elder Lich?
"The Greater Grail Chamber behind me has been permanently cut off from the outside," Ainz Ooal Gown stated, his hollow eyes holding the black cruciforms. "The Bounded Field is fueled by our combined Mana. As long as even one of us lives, no one can enter the Greater Grail Chamber without our will."
Standing on the cliff, Black's eyes narrowed again.
Why didn't the Overlord disappear with Rin, then? If he were truly after the Jeweled Sword, then he wouldn't get a better time to finish the job, right? Moreover, Black had already accepted the deal between them by letting the Jeweled Sword manifest through Shirou. Then what was stopping the Lich?!
It can't be because he's waiting for the storyline events to play out, Black calculated. That's needed when one's waiting for the Storyline Artifact to become an Item. Ainz is not a Contestant, so… Unless… Haha!!!
The only possibility that made the best sense to Black was that Ainz Ooal Gown wanted Rin to destroy the Greater Grail. Which meant the Lich wasn't as evil as he had shown himself to be.
That was quite an amusing finding, Black observed.
But not the one that would change much in the coming fight.
Unlike Black's thoughts, the others weren't feeling any amusement in Lich's words.
It was already hard to take down a few of the enemies, they believed. Now, just to go to the Greater Grail, they needed to take down all of them?!!
"That's a sorry group you have gathered, Enkidu!" Gilgamesh roared, laughing. "Look at you! Having fun playing a Shepherd?!!"
Medea tsked. "You dare call us Heroic Spirits animals…"
"Shut your mouth, you mongrel," Gilgamesh's mouth flattened into a thin line. "Sheep are sheep… You might be a stronger sheep, but still a sheep. Next time you interrupt me, I will flay you alive!"
Medea took a step forward, grinding her teeth.
Enkidu raised his hand. "Are you waiting for me to make the first move, Gil?"
Gilgamesh grinned. "I knew you would…"
"Age of Babylon…" Enkidu said, interrupting Gilgamesh. "It's not just about spears, swords, and weapons of ancient times. It allows me to create Weapons of Humanity — till an era to which I am summoned."
A green-golden aura bloomed out of the Ruler-Class Servant, sending a chill running down all spines.
Three, over 30 ft long, missiles came into being over Enkidu's head.
Time seemed to have stopped.
Archer and Assassin rushed to Shirou, Medea and Rider hissed toward Black, Berserker shot himself forward toward Saber Alter, and Jeanne grabbed Betty.
On the other side, Ainz lifted his hand. Gilgamesh's eyes had widened so much that he looked inhumane. Kirei Kotomine, with a crestfallen face, tried to near Saber Alter, who was lifting her head.
And yet, despite all these hurried movements, they were all too slow.
"Always wanted to try this, Gil…" Enkidu smiled mercifully. "… To be honest, feeling a bit… crowded and claustrophobic…"
And the Nuclear Missiles went supersonic instantly, appearing between the two groups before…
… exploding together — annihilating all and everything — fire reaching to the hell and heavens!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
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