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Chapter 445: Blasting the Entire World With My Own Power

As members of Team A, there was a certain emotional bond between Ophelia and Mash. This sentiment was what drove Ophelia to attempt a conversation.

"Mash Kyrielight—"

Gazing at the armored girl, Ophelia spoke with a hint of emotion:

 "We haven't talked face-to-face like this in a long time, have we?

 Ah, it's been about two years, hasn't it?"

It had been two years since Ophelia, trapped in the coffin due to Lev's bomb in the control room, sank into imaginary space. After getting out of the coffin, the Crypters quickly left Chaldea, so there had been no chance to meet.

"Yes, it's been a while, Miss Ophelia."

Mash's expression was serious as she replied,

 "I've always wanted to talk to you too—about Chaldea after that, about the journey to restore humanity… about who I was before and who I am now, and about the title of 'Crypters'."

To Mash, all of Team A were respected senpais, no matter how things had turned out.

"Looking back, I never really communicated with everyone before."

Mash lowered her gaze and said,

 "I only ever expressed opinions based on the situation, never my own feelings. But now, things are different. I've received guidance from many people in many places.

About the meaning, reason, and purpose of personal existence. About concepts of good and evil, and what it means to be human."

"Even though we were in the same team in Chaldea, I never tried to understand the members of Team A."

Mash raised her eyes, her gaze unwavering, her heart surging like a spring about to burst forth:

 "That's why—I want to understand everyone.

I want to figure out what the time we spent together during that year after Team A was formed actually meant."

Her desire to speak was now burning like a blazing fire.

"Is that so? I'm glad."

Ophelia, surprised by Mash's thoughts, showed a faint smile:

 "You've always been so sincere about the matter of living, but I'm afraid not, Mash. Your journey ends here."

This calm declaration revealed their positions. Understanding this, Mash's expression became pained as she muttered,

 "Miss Ophelia!

 Why does it have to be this way—"

"You've seen many things I haven't, traveled to worlds I never knew."

Ophelia's expression softened, and she smiled gently:

 "I'd love to hear you talk about it. I really, truly wish we could talk more. Ever since we met in Chaldea, I've wanted that, honestly.

Maybe if it were the you of now, we could have an even better conversation than before. But—"

Her heartfelt words were not tainted by any falsehood, but what she spoke of was nothing more than a daydream-like longing.

"I will not, and cannot, change. I have the dignity of a Crypters in my heart."

Ophelia said:

 "I will not let you pass, nor can I. Even if the Knight is on your side, that outcome won't change."

"—Even if it means turning the planet to a blank slate?"

Mash gripped her shield tightly, staring at Ophelia.

"And if my answer is yes?"

Ophelia's tone was firm:

 "That is what it means to be a Crypters. That is my obedience to Lord Kirschtaria Wodime. It's strange, Mash—someone who should have been with us is now a pseudo-servant, standing before me as an enemy."

"I never intended to become your enemy. I want to talk with you—"

Mash said solemnly,

 "Yet you—"

"Me?"

Ophelia was stunned for a moment, then realized all the fighting had been initiated by herself. Chaldea had never attacked first. She replied,

 "Yes, I have no choice but to fight you."

The meaning of this battle was singular, and needed no doubt.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to stain the city with blood—"

Just as Ophelia turned to request permission from Skadi, the response was—

"No, what are you saying, Ophelia?"

Skadi stated matter-of-factly:

 "To kill a life recognized by me is a grave crime. Even though you're my daughter, who nurtured the Fantasy Tree, I cannot agree to your request.

Don't kill them—capture them alive, Ophelia."

The will of a god was absolute. Even in this tense atmosphere, her decision was made with ease.

"You heard her. Render them powerless, but do not kill."

Not objecting, Ophelia said to Sigurd:

 "Even if something unexpected happens, killing Mash Kyrielight absolutely isn't allowed."

To Ophelia, Ritsuka Fujimaru, the Master, was just a stranger, an irrelevant existence. As for the Servant Alaric, even less so.

Of those present, only Mash was someone Ophelia cared about.

"Understood."

Sigurd's deep, unexpectedly seductive voice rang out:

 "I'm not good at such delicate tasks, but if that's your order, I just won't kill the shield maiden. That's it, right?"

"Do as I say."

Ophelia clearly had no desire to talk further to Sigurd, simply giving instructions.

 Watching this, Skadi showed a motherly look of exasperation:

 "You really are a willful child, Ophelia. Oh dear, oh dear."

Thud. Thud.

With advancing footsteps, a boundless murderous intent swept forth like a raging tide—so intense even this castle could barely contain it!

"Magical energy perception is supposed to be restricted!"

Mash's face was grave as she whispered:

 "But Sigurd's magical energy—it's so strong!? And this feeling—"

"Murderous intent."

Ritsuka Fujimaru's expression was equally serious, staring at Sigurd, fingers twitching as if considering something.

"Is it showtime?"

Alaric stretched his neck and stepped in front of the other two, single-handedly withstanding the overwhelming murderous aura. He said calmly,

 "I've got a surprise for you this time. The fight should be pretty exciting, right?"

"...…"

Sigurd's blood-red eyes locked onto Alaric. The sense of pressure was completely different from a few days ago—like an awakened evil dragon, ready to strike.

Even facing a hero like Sigurd, Alaric grinned and said,

 "Miss Fujimaru! Show the god and hero of this Lostbelt a taste of our strength!"

At the same moment, Alaric decisively reversed the magical energy flow of the Servant-Master contract between himself and Ritsuka Fujimaru.

The only real function of a Master-Servant contract is to provide a magical channel and a certificate.

The magical channel allows the living Master to supply magical energy to the Servant, maintaining their existence and battle power. The certificate is necessary because Servants are echoes of the past; without a connection to someone living in the present, a Servant cannot exist long, even with sufficient magical energy.

However, Alaric possessed Independent Manifestation. As long as he had enough magical energy, he could operate as a Masterless Servant.

Reversing the magical channel meant that at this moment, the magical energy flow was reversed—Alaric, the Servant, was supplying a torrent of magical energy to Ritsuka Fujimaru.

This concept had existed for a long time—back when Alaric was troubled by magical energy reserves as a Master in the Holy Grail War, he'd hoped the summoned Caster could help.

Absorbing magical energy from ley lines to replenish himself—but it was all wishful thinking.

Not only did he fail to summon a powerful Caster capable of that, he couldn't even summon a Caster on the level of a writer-class Servant.

He had only summoned a useless, idle, freeloading Merlin.

But that didn't mean the idea was abandoned. With Alaric's talent, he could now achieve this on his own.

Only now, he was the one providing magical energy.

A continuous stream of magical energy poured into Ritsuka Fujimaru's magic circuits, then transferred into Mash's body through another channel!

With this, Mash's body was instantly filled with magical energy, which then flowed into the Round Table.

Realizing Alaric's plan, Ritsuka Fujimaru shouted:

 "Mash, deploy the Round Table!"

"Yes! Deploying the Round Table—Heroic Spirit Summoning Ritual—!"

Buzz.

Countless points of light rose and intertwined on the deployed Round Table, finally forming the summoning pattern of the Heroic Spirit Ritual.

Chaldea's "Heroic Spirit Summoning System: Fate," developed via the Fuyuki Grail system, could only be activated through Mash's Round Table.

Thus, Mash's Round Table was essential, and the Leyline merely provided energy. If that was all, even the Shadow Border submarine could suffice.

But due to insufficient electricity, there wasn't enough magical energy to supply the Round Table for summoning.

However, on this journey, Alaric had accumulated magical energy by clearing events. After entering the castle, he'd reached the critical point—able to support the miracle-level ritual of Heroic Spirit Summoning all by himself!

No need for leyline support—he could perform a true Heroic Spirit Summoning!

 Not just a fleeting Spirit Origin Shadow like Ritsuka Fujimaru's, but the real thing!

Honestly, if Chaldea performed a proper summoning, the Servant's Spirit Origin would be no worse than a regular Holy Grail War—maybe even better. And even with just his own Independent Manifestation, Alaric could reach high-level standards.

But since this was the first time manifesting in this state, and for speed, Alaric had overwritten the spiritual shadow summoned by Ritsuka Fujimaru. In other words, he manifested in an extremely crude way.

Such a Spirit Origin was a hastily constructed knight system; not yet broken down, but it would eventually fall apart.

Thus, Alaric needed a proper Servant.

"Don't even think about it—"

Sigurd wouldn't give Fujimaru time to finish the summoning. Drawing his demonic sword, he charged at Mash and Fujimaru, but how could Alaric let him?

Clang!

 The dark holy sword and the crimson magic sword clashed, dazzling sword light tearing through the snowy castle.

Even a god's abode struggled to withstand such might!

"...…"

Hair whipped by the wind, Ophelia stood motionless, quietly watching—the duel of knight and dragon-slayer.

Unlike the reports from a few days ago, Alaric now showed power to face Sigurd head-on!

His precise magical control allowed him to match Sigurd even in this state!

Rumble!

 With the collapse of the castle, Alaric and Sigurd's figures vanished into the ruins.

Chapter 446: Wild Eggplant

The time needed for Heroic Spirit Summoning wasn't long, but for top-class Servant combat, it felt endless.

Boom!!

Thunderous explosions shook the castle as a fierce wind tore through, breaking a giant hole in the ornate ice-crystal dome and sending down a flurry of cold air.

Even Ophelia instinctively stepped back. Ritsuka Fujimaru only avoided the blast thanks to Mash standing in front of her.

Always unfazed, Skadi showed a helpless expression. Above her, the dome—torn apart by sword light and the departing combatants—paused, then began to reconstruct itself in reverse.

After all, this castle was made of Skadi's magical energy. Even if destroyed, she could easily restore it with absolute control.

The castle's destruction was secondary; what shocked Skadi was the brief clash.

She knew the power of Ophelia's Servant, the dragon-slayer Sigurd, but she never imagined Chaldea's side could explode with such force.

As a god, Skadi could see the exchange clearly. Only three moves occurred inside the castle.

The first was a blade lock, with dazzling sword light spilling from their clash—just the aftershocks could cut through the castle like butter.

Impressive, but it was pure brute force. Both were evenly matched.

The second move extended the sword clash of the first, with Alaric's godlike skill matching the world-famous hero Sigurd, and neither gaining ground.

The second move was still a draw.

But in the third, Alaric abandoned the sword clash, using exquisite martial arts to deliver a familiar close-range punch. Though Sigurd was prepared and blocked it, he failed to gain the advantage and was forced out of the castle by Alaric's attack.

It looked mutual, but Skadi saw that Sigurd was forced out by Alaric.

In the third move, Alaric broke the balance with a slight edge.

Just three moves, and his strength was clear.

After a brief surprise, Skadi turned her attention to the recovering Ophelia, Ritsuka Fujimaru, and Mash.

As Skadi had said, she had love for humanity.

Because of this love, Skadi allowed Fujimaru and Mash to live in the Scandinavian Lostbelt. Because of this love, she needed to capture them.

Now that Sigurd was occupied—

"Brynhildr, It's your turn."

The moment Skadi spoke, Ritsuka Fujimaru realized her intent and shouted:

 "Mash, I'm counting on you!"

Heroic Spirit Summoning might be short or long, but a proper summoning required an incantation. The Spirit Origin Shadow Fujimaru usually used could be summoned instantly with a shout.

That was the difference between basic and proper summoning. Now, Fujimaru needed a proper summoning—which meant time was needed.

Alaric was holding off Sigurd, but if Skadi summoned Brynhildr, Mash would have to face her alone!

"Leave it to me!!"

Without even picking up the Round Table, Mash Kyrielight bounced on the spot, getting into a fighting stance before Fujimaru, right in front of Ophelia.

Whoosh—

Breathing out a long white mist, Mash, her expression serious, stared at Skadi and the reappearing Valkyrie Brynhildr.

Fujimaru's summoning required the Round Table for the descent ritual, so Mash had to fight empty-handed.

She had to buy time to the end.

 Alaric's effort couldn't be in vain.

"Mash—"

Even Ophelia looked doubtful at Mash's transformation. She was so different from the Mash she knew.

Does fusing with a Servant cause this change?

"As before, render them powerless."

Skadi said calmly:

 "Release the fire giants. Fight, Brynhildr."

"I obey your command, Scathach-Skadi."

Valkyrie Brynhildr nodded, spear of light in hand, charging Mash. From the ground, three fire giants burst forth!

Bang!

Mash would not sit still. Stomping the ground, she shot out, as Fujimaru's chant began—

"Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill.

Silver and iron. The Archduke of Contracts made a pact with the foundation stone.

Let the swirling winds block the four directions.

Close the four gates,

Release from the crown, wander at the crossroads to the kingdom!"

Bang!

Clad in her spiritual exoskeleton, Mash moved deftly, unhindered by its weight. She unleashed Servant-level pure power!

Not only strength, but Mash's martial skill was on par with first-rate Servants—fully displaying Galahad's abilities!

Even facing Brynhildr and three fire giants, Mash went full-force, becoming an iron wall that rejected all advances!

"Your body is under my command,

 My fate is on your blade.

Heed the call of the Holy Grail. If you will obey this will, then answer my summons."

"Haaa!"

Mash spread her fingers, gripping a fire giant's face like iron tongs, and hurled the five-meter-tall behemoth, sending it crashing into another giant and smashing through the castle wall, the flames buried in ice crystals.

"I hereby swear,

I am the one who embodies all the good of the world,

 I am the one who embodies all the evil of the world."

Brynhildr, spear in hand, ignored the fallen fire giant, trying to charge Fujimaru mid-summoning, but Mash grabbed her ankle and slammed her to the ground!

"Surrounded by three great words over seven days,

 From the ring of restraint,

 O guardian of the scales—!"

With Fujimaru's shout, the completed summoning ritual exploded, a vast wave of energy sweeping the castle like a storm.

Buzz.

A familiar blue glow appeared, reflected in Fujimaru's eyes. An invisible Spirit Origin took shape, finally forming into a young man.

"Yo, little lady, are you my Master?"

The youth in blue tights grinned wildly, like a hunting dog. The crimson spear in his hand was reflected in the eyes of Skadi and Valkyrie Brynhildr.