WebNovels

Chapter 190 - [190] The Collapse of the Puppet

"What can you possibly achieve with a body in such a state?"

"And what price did you pay to block Ea?"

Nameless and Sakatsuki, two individuals with faces resembling brothers, stood facing each other. One held a moonlit spear, while the other gripped a crimson demonic lance.

Behind Nameless, the "All the World's Evil" let out an impatient growl, like the sound of a starting gun, prompting the two figures to dash forward, collide, and ignite a fierce spark.

Bang!

Spear tip against spear tip, black eyes against golden eyes, white hair against white hair—the two seemed like mortal enemies, each move and strike filled with bone-chilling killing intent.

Thrust, sweep, stab, flick.

Pierce, circle, slash, parry.

It was a breathtaking display of martial skill, as both combatants had reached the threshold of divine-level techniques. In their evenly matched battle, the result was a spectacle of intense and beautiful combat.

The "All the World's Evil," left idle on the side, was not captivated by this scene. It stirred restlessly, its chaotic gaze turning toward Saber and Assassin in the distance.

Even with only its beastly instincts remaining, it understood that Caster, under the assault of two Servants, would not last long. Instinctively, it wanted to rush to Caster's aid.

"Get back here!"

A diamond-shaped space opened, and a figure leaped out, gripping the "Gáe Dearg" with both hands, delivering a powerful sweep aimed at the head of the "All the World's Evil"!

Bang!

The formidable strike hit the arms of the "All the World's Evil," sending Sakatsuki's former body flying. However, this only enraged the instinct-driven creature. With an inhuman roar, the tattooed humanoid figure spread its arms, and countless black mud replaced its limbs, surging toward Sakatsuki in a wave of fury!

A pure platinum light erupted—not the simple colorless power of the Holy Grail, but the Third Magic, born from human wishes and resolve. Like an eraser, it wiped away the black mud, striking the "All the World's Evil" with unrelenting force. The intense pain twisted the creature's face, causing it to convulse as if electrocuted, temporarily incapacitating it.

Just as Saber, as a Heroic Spirit, was countered by Nameless's lesser Holy Grail and the black mud of the "All the World's Evil," the Third Magic, the origin of the Holy Grail system, firmly suppressed the corrupted black mud.

Sakatsuki's hidden trump card had now proven its effectiveness—if it were the true Angra Mainyu, it would never have confronted Sakatsuki, who wielded the Third Magic, head-on. It would have been far more troublesome.

But Angra Mainyu was sealed away, leaving only a beast driven by instinct. Only through pain could it understand what posed a threat.

"Even so, how long can that battered body of yours last?"

Nameless saw through Sakatsuki's predicament at a glance.

"Even if I don't use the Holy Grail and only rely on my spear skills, the first to fall will undoubtedly be you."

"Nameless, huh? Fine, let's call you Nameless. It helps distinguish us."

Satsuki snorted coldly.

"Even if my situation isn't great, how are you any better? Saber and Assassin will soon defeat Caster, and once the 'Ceremonial Reformation' is lifted, you'll face the combined assault of three Servants—don't deny it. My Third Magic, though incomplete, can still determine such things."

"Oh, really? Do you think that in the world of the Moon, numbers alone can create an advantage?"

Nameless sneered.

"In the face of absolute strength, everything else is meaningless."

"The Moon..."

Sakatsuki licked his lips, a glint of excitement in his eyes. He crouched low, like a leopard ready to pounce.

"Speaking of which, I've been meaning to ask—where did you get that spear? From that moon (Moon Cell)?"

"You'll find out soon enough.

Nameless said, shaking his spear. Suddenly, a mix of scorching and azure light erupted from his body.

"Including what 'absolute strength' truly means."

***

"Our mission has three objectives: first, reclaim the Holy Grail; second, purify the 'All the World's Evil'; and third, retrieve Miyu. I'll do my best to handle the first two, but the last one is up to you."

Even as the battle loomed, Sakatsuki casually joked.

"If the kid doesn't listen, just give her a good spanking."

"And what about you? Leaving the easy tasks to us while you take on the two strongest enemies? Can your body even handle it?"

"A man can't say he can't, Saber. Besides, I have more than just this one body."

The memory faded. Saber swung her holy sword, sending a crescent-shaped wave of starlight flying toward Miyu, who was mid-air, dodging bullets. The magical barrier around Miyu flickered, on the verge of collapse.

As one of the Church's highest-tier magical artifacts, the Sapphire provided an A-rank magical barrier, which was why Saber didn't have to worry about fatally injuring Miyu.

"Sorry, Caster. We're also racing against time. I'll knock you out with the flat of my sword—it'll hurt, but bear with it!"

With a surge of magical energy, Saber, strengthened by Sakatsuki's Command Spells, shattered the floor of Ryudou Temple with a single step, launching herself like a cannonball. Behind her, several Assassins aimed their submachine guns at Miyu, providing covering fire.

Ahead of Saber, Miyu, expressionless, stood up after being struck by the sword wave. The Sapphire staff in her hand had transformed into a massive axe-sword.

Class Card: Berserker.

Because they hadn't anticipated Miyu's betrayal, Sakatsuki hadn't had time to retrieve her Class Card.

This was why he insisted that Saber bring Miyu back.

"Prepare yourself!"

Saber shouted, swinging her sword toward the controlled Caster!

***

"The kingdom of heaven and hell, build my skyscraper, reveal the supreme light here, come, devour everything!"

Within the gradually unfolding golden theater, a swordsman wielding the original flame proudly declared.

"Take this, Laus Saint Claudius!"

With a slash accompanied by scorching flames, the surrounding world transformed into a dazzling golden theater. Sakatsuki raised a projected iron shield, controlling two giant swords in the sky to descend and form a sturdy barrier. Yet, the powerful strike of the Noble Phantasm shattered his defenses, sending him flying uncontrollably through the air, his body cracking and breaking apart!

"This is the first puppet!"

Nameless, holding the small Holy Grail, didn't need to worry about mana consumption. He maintained the golden theater with ease, but the rose-adorned swordsman beside him faded away, replaced by a fox shrine maiden clad in blue ritual robes.

"Next, she'll destroy your second puppet. Come out, Sakatsuki!"

"As you wish!"

A diamond-shaped space tore through the theater. Stepping over the remains of the puppet, a new Sakatsuki emerged, wielding Kanshou and Bakuya. The black and white blades were covered in dragon-scale-like clusters of iron!

"Triple-Linked Crane Wings!"

Sakatsuki hurled two pairs of swords in rapid succession. As Nameless blocked them with his moonlit spear, Sakatsuki leaped into the air, gathering magical energy to unleash a fierce slash!

"Blazing Sky!"

Yin-yang talismans swirled, spewing scorching flames toward Sakatsuki, but they only consumed an afterimage.

Suddenly appearing behind Caster Tamamo-no-Mae, Sakatsuki, clad in white robes with red accents, swung his twin blades, delivering the final strike of the "Triple-Linked Crane Wings"!

Cutting through water, ascending to the heavens, irreconcilable!

Slash!

Amidst a scream, Tamamo-no-Mae's form faded away.

Sakatsuki roared, discarding his twin blades. His left hand conjured the "Gáe Buidhe," thrusting it straight toward Nameless's back!

Thud!

The sound of a spear piercing flesh echoed.

Nameless slowly turned around, looking at Sakatsuki, who had been impaled by Gáe Bolg, and began counting down.

"That's the second one."

"Queen of the Land of Shadows, Scáthach..."

Sakatsuki gazed at the purple-haired, red-eyed figure exuding a demonic charm, forcing a pained smile.

"As expected of a god-slayer who has mastered divine techniques. I lost fairly."

Only one puppet remained.

Nameless stared into Sakatsuki's eyes but saw no trace of despair.

Sakatsuki endured the piercing pain, calmly calculating the time and possibilities.

By now, he had understood Nameless's ability—to summon Heroic Spirits related to the Moon Holy Grail War, either borrowing their powers or directly manifesting their phantoms. With the lesser Holy Grail in hand, Sakatsuki didn't need to worry about Nameless running out of mana.

The "All the World's Evil" could be destroyed, but with the performance of these puppets, there was no way to defeat Nameless, a bug who wielded the abilities of countless Heroic Spirits, let alone achieve victory.

So, it's up to you, Saber!

His thoughts ceased as the god-slayer's spear flung his corpse into the air, reducing it to pieces. In the bloody rain, even the golden theater, which sang of love, was stained with ominous crimson.

After destroying Sakatsuki's second puppet, Nameless didn't rest. Behind him, the figure of Nero Claudius reappeared, and the golden theater began to expand, attempting to draw both Saber and Assassin into the grand magecraft.

The reason Sakatsuki's two puppets had been so easily destroyed was because the Noble Phantasm "Laus Saint Claudius" created a battlefield advantageous to Nameless. When activated, it weakened enemies trapped within, significantly reducing their strength.

If Saber and Assassin were dragged into the theater, victory would undoubtedly belong to Nameless!

Clearly, Sakatsuki understood this as well. The displacement space opened once more, and Sakatsuki's final puppet stepped into the golden theater, entrusting the outcome to the weapon in his hand.

"Imaginary Arrow: Veil of Night!"

This time, the attack wasn't defensive. Imaginary particles surged at the tip of the arrow, not expanding to form a curtain but compressing, compressing, compressing—until they collapsed!

Thus, within the golden theater, a deep black hole suddenly appeared!

It was the collapse of matter that should not exist, and as such, it had to absorb surrounding matter to prove its "existence," devouring everything until nothing remained!

Amidst the groaning of the Noble Phantasm, the opulent golden theater shattered. Sakatsuki maintained his bow-drawing stance, his body stiff from overexertion, cracks appearing from the overload.

No matter what, hastily crafted puppets couldn't withstand such intense combat.

Nameless wouldn't miss this opportunity—though he, too, was momentarily stunned by the phantom's destruction, another piece remained on the battlefield.

"Kill him, All the World's Evil!"

The long-prepared "All the World's Evil" appeared like a ghost, its right hand forming a blade of black mud, thrusting straight toward Sakatsuki's heart!

Thud!

A dull sound echoed. What Sakatsuki saw was a figure clad in a silent black robe.

***

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