Crimson lightning flickered as a colossal tree of lightning stood tall over the yellow sands, its roots sprawling across dozens, if not hundreds, of meters. In an instant, the tree of lightning shot up from the ground, covering most of the deadly iron stakes conjured by the Noble Phantasm, Kazikli Bey.
Even Alaric himself was no exception.
The atmosphere plunged into silence as the brilliant tree of lightning quietly bloomed. There was no thunderous roar. The moment the tree of lightning appeared, a soundless wave of heat radiated outward. Countless iron stakes melted, and the yellow sand beneath Alaric's feet turned liquid, slowly sinking!
In a fleeting moment, everything within Alaric's line of sight was engulfed in a sea of crimson, as though he were standing in the middle of a vast red ocean. The searing molten sand surged past Alaric's limbs, rushing outward in all directions, causing his body to slowly sink. As the iron stakes that had pierced Alaric disintegrated and melted away, the blood that should have flowed from his wounds evaporated before it could spill.
Even Alaric could not ignore the destructive heat brought by the lightning tree. This indiscriminate attack not only countered Vlad III's kazikli Bey but also inflicted severe injuries on Alaric himself. Despite his lingering fear, the red dragon's blood within Alaric surged into overdrive, and the magic power flowing through him continuously replenished his body and skin.
Time seemed to stretch infinitely. In this almost apocalyptic scene, Alaric's consciousness accelerated to a level he could barely comprehend. Endless waves of pain crashed through his mind like a violent storm, giving Alaric the illusion of being a lone boat tossed on a raging sea.
"Excellent!"
His heart thundered like a storm, pumping magic power and fresh blood. At this moment, Alaric truly transformed into a humanoid dragon. His extraordinary ability to recover at a rate far beyond human limits manifested in real time. Alaric's body was caught in a constant cycle of destruction and regeneration, with the wounds inflicted by the lightning tree healing almost as soon as they appeared. Over time, Alaric's regenerative ability and physical strength continued to increase exponentially.
The tree of lightning lasted only a few seconds before it completely collapsed, yet its impact was monumental. The sky cleared, and even the sandstorm that had once dominated the heavens was temporarily dispersed by this strike, unable to reform. The endless yellow sands surged like ocean waves as if an invisible hand had overturned the entire landscape.
If such was the effect on areas beyond the tree's reach, the center where Alaric stood was beyond words. Though the tree of lightning had dissipated, the crimson molten sand that had sunken several meters deep had yet to solidify, still radiating enough heat to warp the air. The air was bone-dry, with not a drop of moisture remaining on this scorched land. The heat wave ebbed, carrying a thick white mist with it.
Alaric, his body covered in wounds, staggered to his feet from the sticky lava. Several deep puncture wounds, severe enough to reveal bone, marred his body, yet none of this was enough to end him. Many of these wounds were already halfway healed and seemed likely to fully regenerate in no time. Alaric shook his slightly dazed head, his gaze sweeping across his surroundings.
The sight that greeted him was nothing short of apocalyptic.
"Heh… Hahahahaha!!"
Even Alaric couldn't suppress his excitement, bursting into loud laughter. "Lord Impaler! What other Noble Phantasms do you have left?!"
Though the Holy Grail had given him an advantage, Alaric had managed to take on Vlad III's kazikli Bey by exchanging injury for injury, successfully enduring the enemy's anti-army Noble Phantasm.
Panting heavily, Alaric's chest rose and fell. To unleash such a tremendous amount of magic in such a short time and use a skill as powerful as the lightning tree, Alaric had pushed the Dragon Reactor within him to its limits, causing it to overload just to recreate the overwhelming power he once wielded with the Ruyi Jingu Bang. Without the Holy Grail's support, Alaric would have already died on the spot.
Having brushed so close to death, Alaric felt no fear—instead, his battle spirit soared even higher. By clashing directly with a Servant's Noble Phantasm, Alaric's mastery over his powers reached a new level. Unlocking his true potential required an imagination beyond measure.
"I understand now, Sir Lancelot! This is the true meaning of possibility! Imagination itself should be like this!"
Unlike the exhilarated Alaric, Vlad III, who had also been caught in the lightning tree's blast, struggled to rise. His entire suit of armor had melted away, and his injuries far outweighed all the damage Alaric had previously inflicted.
"Still able to move, Lord Impaler?!"
Seeing Vlad III rise once more, Alaric, brimming with excitement, clutched his chest. His bare torso was covered in scars, many of which had already healed but still left indelible marks. With one hand on his chest and the other extended toward Vlad III, Alaric, filled with emotion, shouted, "Lord Impaler! What do you think of my technique?!"
"A masterful display of power. As expected of the Holy Grail—"
Vlad III raised his hand, and a spear reappeared in his grasp.
"Right?! I also think this move was absolutely beautiful!"
As if affirmed, Alaric took a deep breath, his laughter echoing through the heavens. Completely consumed by battle lust, he lowered his stance and dashed forward in great strides, sprinting like a charging leopard.
"How will you handle this strike?!"
Screech—!
The moment Vlad III swung his spear, Alaric's speed accelerated again. A streak of crimson lightning sliced through the sky. But Vlad III wasn't one to wait passively. With a sweep of his hand, countless iron stakes chased after Alaric's form.
But at this moment, Alaric moved with inexplicable speed. Unlike a straight-line dash, he performed small-scale bursts of lightning-fast movement within his limits. Though only two-thirds as fast as his usual straight-line charge, he could fully control his direction. The crimson lightning, which should have shot forward in a straight line, swerved and changed course.
All the iron stakes missed their mark.
When Alaric appeared before Vlad III again, Vlad III finally noticed the change in Alaric's body—something that completely captured his attention—
Those gemstone-like eyes.
At that final moment, Alaric activated the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
"Farewell, Lord Impaler."
Splurt!
Blood sprayed as Alaric's hand pierced straight through Vlad III's chest. Skin, ribs, heart—after severing the lines of death, complete destruction followed. All of Vlad III's defenses were rendered meaningless before this blow.
As Alaric withdrew his hand, the now-lifeless Vlad III silently stood before him, gradually disintegrating into particles of light.
He was completely annihilated.
Screech!
Crimson lightning flared, instantly evaporating the blood on Alaric's hand. At this moment, Alaric felt better than ever before. He turned his gaze toward the distance, a grin forming at the corner of his mouth.
"Now, it's your turn—"