"Not going to unleash your Noble Phantasm?"
Though the duel had ended, Gawain had yet to sheath his sword. Instead, he leveled it at Alaric and declared, "Since you intend to join us in the campaign against the Lionheart King, you must fully understand your strength. How can one expect to sharpen their blade only at the last moment?"
Gawain could sense that Alaric's power was far from fully revealed. Within them lay a much greater strength yet to awaken.
Moreover, the Holy Sword bestowed by the Lion King had not yet shown its true brilliance.
If the duel ended like this, Gawain would be dissatisfied. He wished to witness Alaric at his peak. As the last seat of the Round Table and the new Red Dragon, Alaric needed to demonstrate his true power.
"Feel free to draw on the magical energy of the Holy Grail—after all, it is part of your strength," Gawain said, reversing his grip to plunge the blade of his sword into the ground.
"Unleashing your Sword of the End, is it—"
At this, Alaric silently gripped his sword hilt and replied firmly, "Very well, Sir Gawain. I underestimated this duel with you. I trust you won't hold back either!"
Gawain grinned broadly.
"Excellent, Sir Alaric. Then come at me!"
The second battle was about to begin.
Crackle—!
Scarlet lightning surged as Alaric shifted into a low stance, preparing to draw his blade.
Bang!
In an instant, Alaric vanished, leaving a web of cracks spidering across the ground. Scarlet lightning flashed, and waves of air surged violently in his wake.
Facing Alaric's ferocious strike, Gawain didn't dodge. Instead, he met him head-on. As Alaric's sword descended, Gawain raised his own to counter.
But the red light bursting forth from Alaric's attack made Gawain's heart race with excitement.
[Piercing Thunder Flash]
Fueled by excess magical energy, it ignited like a booster, amplifying Alaric's strength beyond expectations.
Gawain, momentarily caught off guard, wavered under the assault as cracks spread outward from beneath his feet. But his hesitation was brief. Quickly recovering, Gawain regained the upper hand, using one hand to suppress Alaric.
Alaric, unable to break free, released his grip on the sword and charged forward barehanded, closing the distance for direct combat.
Gawain, seeing the challenge, discarded his sword and met them with his fists.
Bang! Bang!
The explosive impacts of their blows shook the air, their shockwaves fracturing the ground.
Boom!
After several exchanges, Gawain landed a powerful punch that sent Alaric tumbling. The force of the strike sank the earth beneath him. Seizing the moment, Gawain grabbed Alaric by the collar and hurled him like a rag doll.
Clang!
Mid-flight, Alaric's hand found the Sword of the End, embedded in the ground. Gripping it tightly, he spun, landing gracefully as he drew the blade once more.
Simultaneously, Gawain retrieved the Excalibur Galatine.
With their swords ready, the battle resumed with even greater ferocity. Gawain's blade erupted in sun-like flames capable of melting anything in his path. Alaric, engulfed by the blazing inferno, drew upon the Holy Grail's infinite magical energy to withstand the assault.
Hiss!
The ground beneath Alaric melted into molten lava. But instead of faltering, he stomped hard, unleashing scarlet arcs of lightning that overturned the terrain.
"Double Slash!"
"Triple Slash!"
Dozens of strikes followed in quick succession, each powered by the overwhelming force of [Piercing Thunder Flash]. Alaric's relentless barrage pushed his body to the limit, counterbalanced by his regenerative dragon blood.
After a final clash of blades, Alaric withdrew, maintaining a safe distance. Gawain, ready to pursue, hesitated. His narrowed blue eyes betrayed an understanding: Sir Alaric was preparing for something monumental.
Boom!
Magical energy surged skyward, painting the heavens red. A great sun now loomed above.
Alaric's voice rang out:
"To the farthest sky, descending upon the earth!"
Gawain's grin widened.
"It's coming!"
He tightened his grip, summoning his own Noble Phantasm. The flames of the Excalibur Galatine erupted, its power rivaling the sun itself.
Both knights reached their peaks.
Alaric, pouring Holy Grail energy into their blade, transformed the Sword of the End into a crimson force of destruction. Gawain, wielding only his magical power, matched it with his sun-scorched might.
"The purifying flames of the sun that burn away all impurity!"
Gawain roared, sacred flames spinning around him.
As their ultimate attacks collided, the battlefield became a spectacle of annihilation: the blazing sun versus the crimson calamity, man versus dragon.
"Sword of Victory (Excalibur Galatine)!"
"Sword of End (Ex Rhongomyniad)!"
Their final cries echoed as torrents of power tore apart the earth and sky.