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...
"Back here again!"
As far as the eye could see, there was only yellow sand.
Looking at the soldiers faintly visible in the distance, a faint smile played on Mika's lips.
"Are you sure about this, Mika?"
Floating around Mika, Gabriel asked worriedly.
Although she knew Mika still had a so-called "trump card" hidden, she knew nothing about the specifics of this technique.
Therefore, she found it hard to understand Mika's confidence.
"If it really doesn't work, Mika, just use Gilgamesh's Ea," Gabriel suggested, looking at the confident Mika. "With that sword, Iskandar's Reality Marble will be instantly destroyed."
"No, I don't intend to use the King of Heroes' Ea until we reach the most critical moment," Mika said calmly, putting on the mask attached to the inside of his helmet. His entire body was encased in armor, leaving only his eyes visible.
"If I use Ea, then it wouldn't be me who defeated Iskandar, but the deceased King of Heroes, Gilgamesh."
"Against this great king, I want to win with my own strength."
Hearing the determination in Mika's voice, Gabriel stopped persuading him.
"I understand. In that case, I'll provide you with all the magical energy I can," she said.
"Ah, I'll leave it to you."
Looking at the army that had completely assembled in the distance, Mika said seriously, "I'm going to use a lot of magical energy today!"
As Mika spoke, two gauntlets, each gripping a Noble Phantasm, floated beside him, awaiting the start of the battle.
...
"He's not using 'that'?"
Looking at the fully prepared Mika, Iskandar, who had been silent for a moment, couldn't help but laugh.
"What's 'that'?" Waver asked curiously.
"That? It's that strange sword of 'Golden Sparkles'," Iskandar replied.
"Huh? That one?" Waver exclaimed, recalling the moment Mika had snatched the sword in front of them all.
"But didn't you say that the sword might have been taken back?"
When the explosion erupted in the center of Fuyuki City, Iskandar had speculated that Gilgamesh might have retrieved his sword, otherwise, the two wouldn't have caused such a massive explosion. Iskandar couldn't believe that Gilgamesh could possess two Noble Phantasms like Ea.
"But it's highly likely he has it again," Iskandar said, his gaze serious.
"Mika once said their goal wasn't the Holy Grail, but something else."
"Judging from the fact that he can claim a Servant's Noble Phantasm as his own, his goal should be to collect Servants' weapons, just like how he asked me for the Gordius Wheel earlier."
"Therefore, it's highly likely that he obtained that strange sword from Gilgamesh after defeating him."
After listening to Iskandar's reasoning, Waver's eyes widened in horror.
They had all witnessed the immense power of Gilgamesh's Ea.
It was an Anti-World Noble Phantasm capable of instantly destroying Iskandar's Reality Marble.
But Waver quickly recovered from his shock.
"Although Mika isn't using that sword now, it doesn't mean he doesn't have it. Maybe he just doesn't plan to use it," Waver said cautiously.
"So we must be on guard."
"Don't worry, I know!"
Laughing heartily, Iskandar patted Waver on the back and then shouted to his soldiers, "My men!"
"We are facing a hero comparable to those from myths and legends! He defeated that overwhelmingly powerful King of Heroes with his human body!"
"Facing such a brave warrior, your blood must be boiling with excitement, right?"
"Indeed!"
"Indeed!"
"Indeed!"
Tens of thousands of soldiers roared in unison, responding to Iskandar's call.
For a moment, their shouts filled the entire desert.
"Then charge!"
"Let us vanquish the formidable foe before us!"
"Charge!"
Amidst Iskandar's thunderous roar, tens of thousands of soldiers charged towards Mika.
Leading the charge at the forefront were Iskandar and Waver in their chariot.
"Has it begun?"
"Then I shall begin as well!"
Mika smiled faintly, and the gauntlets beside him sprang into action.
This time, they didn't enlarge directly.
Instead, they flew towards Mika and encased his outstretched hands.
The next moment, violent auras wrapped around Mika's armor.
"Let's begin!"
"Jingu Bang!"
With Mika's soft murmur, the armor he wore began to rapidly expand.
In the blink of an eye, the armor, initially less than two meters tall, grew to over fifty meters, increasing in size by almost thirty times.
His spear and shield also underwent the same magnification.
Inside the armor, Mika sat cross-legged on a platform formed by the interlocked gauntlets, focusing all his mental energy on controlling the colossal iron giant.
This was the ultimate technique of Mika's Nen ability, Calamity's Wings.
The iron giant stood tall on the earth.
This was the ultimate technique Mika had designed for his future self, as the amount of aura it required was incredibly vast.
As long as there was sufficient aura, the giant's size could increase infinitely.
Although it was generated from armor, the influx of aura made its internal structure incredibly solid.
The giant standing on the earth was no mere empty shell.
"What is that?!"
Whether it was Iskandar, Waver, or the charging warriors on the ground, they all felt a wave of despair wash over them as they gazed at the fifty-meter-tall iron giant in the distance.
They understood.
This iron colossus was beyond human comprehension.
As they watched in horror, the iron giant moved.
It swung its massive shield with tremendous force.
The next moment, a violent windstorm swept across the battlefield, sending countless soldiers flying through the air.
The sky and the ground were filled with tumbling bodies.
"Don't panic!" Iskandar's voice boomed across the battlefield.
"Didn't I tell you before the battle? Our opponent is a hero comparable to those from myths and legends! It's only natural for him to employ such extraordinary means."
"Don't forget the last time! Compared to that golden king's sword, this is nothing!"
Iskandar's roar instantly dispelled the fear that had gripped his army.
This was the army that Iskandar, the King of Conquerors, took great pride in.
As long as Iskandar hadn't given up hope, they wouldn't either.
"So resilient, are they?"
Mika, who could see everything through En, smiled faintly.
The next moment, he controlled the iron giant to leap into the air.
He soared high above the battlefield.
And beneath him was Iskandar's army.
---
"Saber, why are you alone? Where's Irisviel?"
Upon seeing Artoria's solitary figure from the high-rise building, Kiritsugu Emiya knew something was amiss.
He swiftly departed, entrusting the cleanup operation to Maiya Hisau, and made his way to the vicinity of the Matou residence, awaiting Artoria's return.
Soon, Artoria appeared before him, her expression grim, indicating her search had been fruitless.
Thus, the Master and Servant were reunited.
"Irisviel... she was taken by Merlin!" Artoria said through gritted teeth.
Merlin's actions were deeply unsettling to Artoria.
He knew Irisviel wasn't her true Master, yet he had still abducted her.
What was his motive?
Artoria had no clue.
"Merlin?" Kiritsugu was stunned.
"What exactly happened?!" He demanded a detailed explanation.
Artoria recounted the events that had transpired.
"Let's go to Mount Enzou!" Kiritsugu declared.
He knew that with Caster's power and cunning, if they claimed they would end the Holy Grail War tonight, they must have a meticulously crafted plan.
As one of the four major leyline convergence points in Fuyuki City and the location of the Greater Grail, Mount Enzou was indeed a suitable location for the Grail's descent.
And Irisviel's role was to facilitate the Grail's manifestation.
This was something Artoria was unaware of.
"With Caster's strength and strategic mind, Mount Enzou is likely heavily fortified by now."
"Saber, we'll move together this time."
Kiritsugu knew that a unique Bounded Field surrounded Mount Enzou.
This Bounded Field restricted all spiritual bodies to using the main road to reach the summit, preventing any other means of infiltration.
Therefore, Saber had no choice but to take the main road.
However, Mount Enzou was likely transformed into Merlin's magical territory by now. In such a situation, even Kiritsugu wouldn't dare to venture in alone.
It would be suicide.
Therefore, he had to accompany Artoria and enter Mount Enzou via the main road.
"Understood!" Artoria nodded.
However, she couldn't help but voice her confusion.
"Kiritsugu, do you know why Merlin took Irisviel? Given his personality, he wouldn't act without a purpose."
"But I can't fathom what use Irisviel could possibly be to him."
Kiritsugu was momentarily taken aback by Artoria's question.
He quickly regained his composure.
"Let's go. I'll explain everything on the way."
Kiritsugu led the way, heading towards Mount Enzou.
...
Within the Ryuudou Temple atop Mount Enzou.
The only occupants were Merlin and his companions.
The monks who resided there had been subtly influenced by Merlin's suggestion magic to leave the temple and seek refuge in Fuyuki City.
And now, within Merlin's meticulously constructed magical territory.
Atop the central altar, a slightly translucent chalice floated in mid-air, emanating an alluring aura.
This was the Lesser Grail provided by the Einzbern family.
Using specialized techniques, Merlin had extracted it from Irisviel's body.
"Merlin, Ms. Irisviel has mostly recovered. She should be out of danger now."
"Ah, Mellie!"
Turning around, Merlin greeted her with a cheerful smile. "Are you here to inform me of her condition?"
"Yes!"
"I noticed you seemed quite concerned about her. After extracting the Lesser Grail, you not only healed her body and extended her lifespan but also returned Avalon to her."
"So, I came to inform you once she was stable."
"I see. Thank you for letting me know, Mellie!"
Merlin chuckled and continued. "I did all that simply to spare Artoria further heartache. Their bond is so strong."
"If she's destined to face the crushing blow of an unfulfilled wish, then any emotional distress that can be avoided should be avoided."
"In this Holy Grail War, that's all I can do for her."
Mellie paused for a moment before smiling warmly.
"While you might have some shortcomings as a person, as a mentor, Merlin, you are truly trustworthy."
"Well, there's nothing I can do about it. Although we are essentially the same person, I am a half-incubus, half-human hybrid, born with a naturally detached nature."
"Unlike you, a half-elf raised in human society. When it comes to understanding human emotions, I naturally fall short."
"Sometimes, I truly envy you, Mellie!" Merlin said with a sigh, shaking his head.
Perhaps wishing to change the subject, he suddenly asked, "By the way, is Airmid still with Irisviel?"
"Yes, she said she wanted to study that scabbard."
"Avalon... Since my Master said he couldn't analyze it, I didn't pay much attention to it."
"If Airmid can glean anything from it, it would be a significant discovery."
After a moment of contemplation, just as Merlin was about to speak again, a unique magical fluctuation resonated within his mind.
Turning towards the Lesser Grail, he said with a knowing smile, "It seems our guests have arrived."
...
Within the Ionian Hetairoi.
A shadow fell upon Iskandar's vast army.
Looking up, Iskandar's face hardened as he saw the colossal iron giant that blotted out the sun.
"It seems he intends to utterly obliterate my army."
"Hold on tight, Waver!"
"Don't fall off, or you'll be crushed!"
Steering his chariot, Iskandar swiftly retreated from the battlefield, ascending towards the sky.
He knew he couldn't remain on the ground.
The iron giant above would annihilate everything in its path.
"Aah!"
"Get out of the way!"
"Evade! Evade!"
Amidst the chaotic cries, the iron giant, piloted by Mika, crashed down upon the heart of Iskandar's army.
The next moment, a violent tempest erupted, sweeping outwards in all directions.
Countless soldiers were flung into the air or buried beneath the earth.
A natural disaster had descended upon the Ionian Hetairoi, as if a comet had struck the very ground. A mushroom cloud slowly rose from the point of impact.
"Hold on to me!"
Even in the sky, Iskandar struggled to maintain control of his chariot as the fierce winds buffeted them.
Behind him, Waver, clinging tightly to Iskandar, stared in horror at the iron giant below.
"What kind of monster is that?!"
...
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