Failure naturally breeds resentment, but rather than questioning his opponent, Achilles preferred to find the reason himself. Moreover, it wasn't a particularly difficult question—the answer lay in the gradually healing wounds on Sakatsuki's body.
A superhuman regenerative ability (the Third Magic), subtle yet extraordinarily effective.
The black robe concealed the bloodstains—not just the Cloak of Hades. From the very beginning of the war, Sakatsuki had meticulously woven a new shroud of mystery, wrapping himself in it to prevent anyone from touching him. Few could breach the barrier and uncover the essence of this young man. Besides, the intensity of the battle left Achilles no time to notice. Had he known of this trait earlier, he wouldn't have opted for rapid successive strikes but would have pursued a more decisive, lethal blow.
In the end, it was a matter of Achilles' strategic choice, so he wouldn't blame anyone.
Thus, only one question remained for him:
"Tell me, Sakatsuki, what is your wish?"
This time, Sakatsuki had no intention of hiding it.
Facing the fall of a hero, as both enemy and friend, he felt compelled to offer something in tribute—even if that answer embodied the assassin's entire life.
After quietly listening to the young man's explanation, the dying hero curled his lips and finally revealed a carefree smile:
"I see. What a mad and daring ideal. I have nothing more to say. Let me, with all due respect, curse you until the end of this war."
Sakatsuki watched as the hero, his eyes already losing their light, was slowly claimed by death. Solemnly, he nodded.
"Then let me defy it with my actions."
By the time Chiron sensed his disciple's peril and arrived with the others in haste, Sakatsuki had already laid Achilles on the ground. Casting a calm glance at the furious group, he stepped backward and vanished into a diamond-shaped space.
"We're withdrawing, Saber, my king."
As twilight faded, the white-haired dragonslayer sheathed his sword and emerged slowly from the flames. Karna stood still, making no move to stop him—the flames that once bathed him now bore the dull hue of dusk. A storm raged as Artoria swung her holy spear, catching the black holy sword in her hand. Glancing at the exhausted Mordred, she smirked faintly before turning away.
"Fa… ther."
With a thud, the rebellious knight collapsed, unconscious. Blood gushed forth, winding its way to the edge of the broken wall, merging with another crimson stream.
"Hah… hah… cough, cough…"
Her verdant, nature-like attire in tatters, Atalanta clutched her pierced right arm, breathing heavily. Her beautiful face was smeared with blood and ash. Following the pale outline traced by the sunlight, she slumped to the ground.
"So this… is the King of Knights."
Jack and Reika Rikudou had long since retreated. Artoria Alter and Siegfried gathered around Sakatsuki as a teleportation circle activated. Amid the billowing black robes, Sakatsuki surveyed the red and black factions, as well as the golden saint standing at the forefront, her holy banner unfurled. Coldly, he declared:
"Red Rider, Achilles, has fallen. Out of respect for the warrior, the Blue faction will temporarily cease hostilities."
Three figures slowly dissipated amidst the glow of magecraft, leaving only the young man's final words echoing through the silent Hanging Gardens.
"On this night, only the victor shall have the right to raise the Holy Grail high."
The Blue faction retreated, while both Red and Black lacked the strength to pursue—
On the battlefield restraining Artoria Alter, Red Saber Mordred was exhausted and Red Archer Atalanta severely wounded, both rendered combat ineffective.
At the site of the giant Adam's defeat, Red Assassin Semiramis had depleted her magical energy, Black Rider Astolfo suffered critical injuries from a Noble Phantasm, and Chiron had used his once-per-day Noble Phantasm, leaving him unable to act again before nightfall.
In the duel against Siegfried, Karna took a direct hit from the demonic sword while assisting in Adam's destruction, leaving him far from peak condition.
But the most devastating was the battlefield restraining the Blue faction's leader, the assassin Sakatsuki. To prevent Sakatsuki from causing greater havoc, the top-tier servant Red Rider Achilles fell to Sakatsuki's demonic fists, his spiritual core pierced, signaling his defeat.
Were it not for Ruler Jeanne d'Arc and the Masters still possessing their miraculous Command Spells, along with Adam's destruction, Sakatsuki likely wouldn't have retreated so easily.
Or perhaps—was it genuine respect for a worthy opponent's honorable death?
For Chiron, such considerations no longer mattered. The moment Sakatsuki departed, he rushed to Achilles' side, lifting his disciple with strong, steady arms.
"This familiar feeling... it's you, Teacher." Achilles lacked even the strength to stand, lying motionless as he gazed at the clear sky, savoring long-missed warmth.
"Achilles..." Chiron's voice trembled with grief. Sensing his mentor's sorrow, Achilles strained his facial muscles into an awkward smile.
"Tell me, Teacher... did my second life still blaze like a shooting star across your hearts?"
The madness in his eyes had faded. As he spoke, Achilles' face radiated childlike innocence—that serene expression which naturally appears when sheltered in warmth, no matter the hardships endured or failures suffered.
Between Chiron and Achilles, their bond transcended ordinary teacher-disciple ties. The centaur sage Chiron had witnessed Achilles' growth, and until his final breath, the undefeated hero Achilles cherished Chiron as his most important person.
"Of course, my beloved disciple." Chiron fought to keep his voice steady, tenderly caressing his disciple's cheek as they'd done countless times before. "You've grown into a man of true stature."
With his teacher's approval, Achilles exhaled contentedly. His smile froze—in his final moments, the warrior saw a green meteor streak across the azure sky, its vivid trail mirroring that millennia past, guiding this pure and heroic soul back to distant Olympus.
Red Rider·Achilles, eliminated.
This was the first casualty to appear on the day of the end.
————
The Blue faction's base was in Sighișoara, an empty house secretly purchased long ago. With Sakatsuki's spatial displacement magecraft, they had no concerns about mobility.
After confirming their safety, Artoria Alter retreated to her room to stand by. Little Jack was sulking over her failed assassination attempt, so Reika Rikudou went to comfort her. Meanwhile, Sakatsuki and Siegfried made a quick trip to the supermarket to restock on daily necessities before walking side by side down the quiet mansion hallway.
Tap, tap, tap.
In the silence where only the passage of time could be felt, Sakatsuki suddenly spoke:
"You held back, didn't you, Siegfried?"
The pressure of a hero-slayer instantly filled the corridor. Faced with his Master's abrupt accusation, Siegfried lowered his gaze before finally responding:
"Yes."
"Your mercy gave Karna the perfect opening. That strike cleanly destroyed the golem's core, leading to an unexpected loss on our side—if I hadn't succeeded in killing Achilles, the situation wouldn't be nearly as favorable as it is now."
Stopping in front of the meeting room door, even when confronting the famed Dragonslayer, the great hero of the Netherlands, Sakatsuki pressed forward relentlessly, his tone calm yet laced with lethal intent:
"Before tonight's decisive battle—no, right now—I need an explanation from you, Saber."
"Or don't blame me for using a Command Spell."