"Agreed!"
Qin Shi Huang nodded in approval.
The next second.
The entirety of China mobilized at full capacity.
Zhuge Liang instantly connected every region of China, broadcasting the live footage to every corner of the nation.
Under the gaze of two billion Chinese people.
Qin Shi Huang addressed the populace: "In the name of Qin Shi Huang, I declare to all of China!"
The people, who had been mired in anxiety, panic, and boundless despair.
Fell silent in that very moment.
This was Qin Shi Huang of China, who had safeguarded the nation for over two thousand years.
And who had descended as a Heroic Spirit, rescuing China from endless calamities to forge a land of peace.
"I have long forewarned you all—the enemy that would annihilate our civilization is coming. Yet you still place your trust in me, in Sir Souma, and in all the Heroic Spirits who protect the people!"
Qin Shi Huang spread his arms as if embracing all of China. "I seek to create a China of eternal peace, happiness, and infinite possibilities."
"Now, this ultimate trial is the moment we truly face the enemy of civilization's destruction—the moment we forge humanity's boundless future!"
"Hear me, my proudest subjects! This is a battle for the survival of China—no, of all human civilization!"
"Entrust your lives, your souls, everything you have—to me and to Sir Souma!"
His voice resounded across all of China.
Two billion Chinese people burned with fervor in that instant.
His voice also echoed throughout the world.
Countless people across the globe who witnessed it trembled with excitement.
"Even if we fight until only one life remains, we shall pass on the flame of hope for human civilization!"
"My people, rage!"
"My people, roar!"
"My people, fight!"
Under Qin Shi Huang's impassioned speech.
The [Alaya's Dragon], previously suppressed by the Umbral Star's Vanguard, erupted in dazzling radiance.
Across the land of China.
Countless voices roared in exhilaration—
"Fight!!!"
"Fight!!!"
"Fight!!!"
...
Amidst this tsunami of cheers.
The golden dragon scales scattered, transforming into numerous smaller dragons that roamed across the vast lands of China.
They connected with the mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas of China, intertwining with all its people.
Illusory bronze cauldrons emerged one after another.
From the ancient legend of Yu the Great establishing the Nine Cauldrons, they stood alongside the golden dragon, shielding all of China.
Qin Shi Huang once again unleashed his ultimate Noble Phantasm—
[Qin Shi Huang!]
At this moment, he drew all of China back under his protection.
As long as Qin Shi Huang lived, no Chinese would fall to the hands of the Alien God's envoys!
To destroy China, one would have to step over Qin Shi Huang's corpse!
At this moment,
Qin Shi Huang perfectly displayed the EX-ranked [Charisma] from the Lostbelt, compelling countless people to willingly dedicate everything they had to him.
Fear and despair were cast aside, replaced only by boundless fighting spirit.
Even if the enemy was a destroyer of civilizations, they could never force the people of China to surrender—
[We offer our lives to His Majesty! Even if we fight to the last man, we will never yield!]
[Our civilization has endured for six thousand years—how could mere Alien God envoys destroy us?]
[Long live His Majesty! Long live Nameless! Long live China! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight to the last man!]
[The land of China buries its people, hides their souls, and safeguards peace for all eternity!]
[Even if the heavens collapse, the earth crumbles, or floods rage, they will never conquer us! We fight until our last breath!]
...
The cheers of countless Chinese amplified Qin Shi Huang's Noble Phantasm even further.
His Noble Phantasm was, after all, born from the collective strength of China's people.
The firmer their resolve, the greater the power it held.
Souma watched him with deep satisfaction.
His efforts in the Lostbelt—defeating Qin Shi Huang at all costs, turning him from a ruthless Lostbelt King back into the Ancestral Dragon who protected China—had not been in vain.
In the Lostbelt, Qin Shi Huang had also guarded the Great Qin, but he had treated its people as livestock to be controlled.
Here, however, he regarded everyone as equals, willing to sacrifice everything to protect them.
This was the true Ancestral Dragon, revered by all!
Qin Shi Huang smiled. "Sir, you may now fight without restraint!"
The Alien God's envoys, as destroyers of civilizations, wielded the most terrifying large-scale attacks.
They were capable of annihilating entire nations—even the planet itself.
Thus, when fighting them, Souma had to prioritize protecting humanity at all costs, unable to unleash his full strength.
A single misplaced attack could claim millions of lives.
If he recklessly sought victory, countless innocents would perish in the crossfire.
And then, the grieving families and friends of the fallen would demand—
"What exactly were you protecting?"
He was no hero who would sacrifice the few to save the many.
All suffering in this world stemmed from a lack of power.
Only the weak were forced to choose.
As a righteous ally defending human history, his choice was—
I will save them all!
The barrier shielding all of China was now fully erected.
The true final battle had begun.
A lovely girl accompanied by a small white beast appeared beside Souma, smiling. "Senpai, Fou and I are here."
The white beast let out a soft cry—
"Fou… Fou!" (I'm here to help! Hurry up and thank Fou!)
The newcomers were Mash and Fou.
During her previous battle against the Almighty Deity, she had unhesitatingly chosen to inherit Noah's Saint Graph.
Teaming up with Fou, she became a Grand Rider.
After their alliance was formed,
under the authority of Fou's [Comparison],
no matter how strong your attack was, her defense would always surpass it!
If your attack power was 9999 points, then her defense would be 10,000 points—always one step ahead!
This granted Mash an absurdly formidable defensive capability, allowing her to stand side by side with him in battle.
Many had already speculated whether this overwhelmingly powerful defense could withstand the equally monstrous might of the Grand Assassin, King Hassan.
The strongest spear versus the strongest shield!
Now, there was no need for two Grand Servants to clash.
All that was required was a direct confrontation with the Umbral Star's Herald to witness the terrifying defensive power she possessed.
Gilgamesh appeared beside her as well, chuckling lightly. "The last time we fought together like this was against the Primordial Mother Goddess."
Against an enemy of such extraordinary magnitude, only by joining forces could they demonstrate the future of human civilization.
This was a righteous gang-up!
Faced with the gathering of numerous Heroic Spirits, the Giant Altera responded coldly, "Useless, useless! All your struggles are utterly useless!"
As the enemy of civilization's destruction, not even the combined might of the gods could defeat her.
Let alone a group of humans!
Without hesitation, Giant Altera swung the [Sword of Mars], unleashing a dazzling rainbow-hued slash aimed at annihilating them all in one strike.
Under such a terrifying assault...
Mash raised her shield without hesitation: "True Name Revealed—I shall stand upon the seat of calamity!"
"That is the homeland that heals all wounds and all resentment!"
"Manifest—"
[Lord Camelot!]
On her shoulder.
Fou also erupted with immense magical energy.
The Authority of [Comparison] empowered the shield, granting it unparalleled defensive might.
A magnificent pure-white fortress instantly enclosed everyone within its walls.
At the same time.
King Arthur, Artoria, swung her holy spear: "By my name as the King of Knights, I bestow upon you the oath of chivalry—the Round Table Knights stand with you!"
The pristine walls of Camelot were themselves the symbol of the Knights of the Round Table resisting all disasters and protecting the people.
And the shield in Mash's hands represented the equality and freedom of the Round Table.
With such an oath from King Arthur herself, Mash gained an even stronger will of the knights.
Boom!
A dazzling rainbow-colored light crashed violently against the white walls of Camelot.
Under this impact.
The Grand Rider and the Beast of Humanity joined forces, with King Arthur and her knights lending their full support, directly confronting the terrifying assault of the Titan Altera!
They blocked it!
The devastating explosive attack was withstood by the combined efforts of numerous heroic spirits.
However.
The Titan Altera sneered, "Is that all?"