Standing at an imposing height of 1.8 meters, the figure was entirely wrapped in white bandages. A leather cuirass adorned his body, and a red mask covered his entire face, with black markings drawn around the eyes.
Despite his strange appearance, the divine pressure he exuded was so immense that no one would dare comment on how peculiar he looked.
"Your Majesty."
The bandaged figure spoke in a raspy, guttural tone as he approached the Last King, who remained afloat on the sea, gazing upward in contemplation.
"You look quite... battered this time. Was your opponent truly so powerful?"
"...It's you."
Recognizing the figure, the Last King's lips curled into a faint smile. "So, you've awakened as well. But don't misunderstand—this isn't the work of a Campione. My opponent this time was a heretic god."
"Oh? A god?"
"Yes, and an exceptionally strong one," the Last King replied calmly. "Stronger than any enemy I've ever faced before. She's a warrior so powerful that one can't help but feel, it's an honor to fight her."
"...Your Majesty, you regard that god with such high praise?"
Although the figure's face was hidden beneath the bandages, his tone betrayed his astonishment.
Yet there was also a hint of joy in his voice. He could sense it—an invigorated fighting spirit reawakening within the Last King.
In that case, there was nothing to fear. As long as the Last King regained his resolve, no one could stand against the wielder of the [Divine Blade of Salvation].
Such was the bandaged man's unwavering faith in his king.
"Then… it seems idleness is no longer an option."
The dullness in the Last King's gaze gave way to clarity and determination. Rising to his feet, he turned in the direction where he could sense Artoria's presence.
In that moment, as if by some unseen connection, he felt her gaze locking onto him as well.
Perhaps even he didn't notice it, but a flicker of anticipation and delight lit up his smile.
"It seems she's just as impatient as I am. Very well then…"
He raised his hand, fingers tightening as though grasping something unseen.
With a voice like thunder, he recited a chant that reverberated across the heavens and seas.
"To the revered King of Thunder, the warrior who masters all weapons, I offer my prayer. Awaken now, the supreme bow once granted unto me in ages past. Let it be reborn in my hands this day!"
In an instant, it was as if all color had drained from the world, leaving behind only lifeless shades of gray.
Cracks spread outward from the Last King's hand, accompanied by the sound of shattering glass. Moments later, the cracks burst apart, revealing a magnificent longbow.
At his waist appeared a quiver filled with arrows, each radiating an aura of devastating divine power.
Gazing at the bow, the Last King's expression softened with nostalgia.
"As I thought... the bow suits me best."
Calmly, he drew an arrow from the quiver and nocked it to the string. With practiced ease, he pulled the bowstring until it formed a perfect full moon.
"Indra, God of Thunder, lend me your power to pierce my foe."
The next moment, the arrow transformed into a brilliant streak of lightning, tearing through the fabric of space as it shot toward a distant horizon.
The wind tousled Artoria's black skirt as she stood motionless in the sky, exuding an air of calm detachment, like a student waiting at a train station for a friend.
Suddenly, her eyes snapped open.
"It's coming."
Though the lightning arrow crossed tens of thousands of miles in the blink of an eye, it reached her even faster than she could perceive.
Artoria tilted her head slightly, allowing the bolt to graze her hair before reaching out with one hand to catch it mid-flight.
The unstoppable force of the arrow's momentum carried her far across the land. The earth split beneath her, mountain ranges crumbled into valleys, and the destructive energy coursing through the lightning seeped into the ground, leaving the land scorched and barren.
Without intervention, it would take tens of thousands of years for life to return to the area the lightning bolt had crossed.
Despite being carried such a vast distance, Artoria held onto the arrow tightly, gradually depleting the energy contained within it.
Finally, with a sharp glint in her eyes, she tightened her grip and redirected the arrow's trajectory.
Spinning on her heel, she hurled the lightning arrow back toward its origin with even greater force.
The arrow streaked across the sky, retracing its path in an instant. It whizzed past the Last King's side, carving a massive canyon in the ocean behind him that stretched beyond the horizon. Within the chasm, remnants of lightning crackled violently.
The Last King glanced over his shoulder at the destruction, letting out a resigned sigh and a wry smile.
"Honestly... Indra himself granted me that arrow, and she just tossed it back. Talk about disrespectful," he said, turning to the bandaged man at his side. "Don't you agree?"
"..."
The bandaged figure was silent, clearly shaken.
A divine weapon bestowed upon the Last King by the gods themselves had not only been caught with ease but also returned with even greater force. Such a feat was beyond comprehension.
Before the figure could compose himself, a razor-sharp presence descended upon them.
Landing lightly on the ground, Artoria's piercing gaze swept over the bandaged man before settling on the Last King.
"Is he one of the reinforcements you summoned?"
"He is my trusted companion," the Last King replied warmly. Then, his eyes shifted to Mordred, who stood behind Artoria.
"And this one?"
"My loyal knight."
Artoria paused, her expression softening ever so slightly before she added, "And… my daughter."
The statement visibly startled Mordred, her body trembling slightly.
"...Oh my."
Even the Last King appeared taken aback, his gaze flickering between Artoria and Mordred.
"Well, that certainly is unexpected."
"Why the surprise?" Artoria asked, frowning. "Do you think I'm too young? Surely, as a god, you're not foolish enough to judge my age by appearance alone."
"That's not it," the Last King clarified. "I'm simply surprised that your daughter is also a heretic god. It's rare in myth for both mother and child to achieve godhood simultaneously."
"But I suppose this works out well. Two against two—perfectly fair."
He nodded, raising the [Divine Blade of Salvation] and pointing its gleaming tip at Artoria. The blade's sharpness radiated so intensely that it was almost blinding.
Artoria glanced at the Last King and spoke again, her voice calm but piercing.
"I doubt he's your only ally."
---
T/N: ERRR sorry for such an unstable upload schedule! to be honest... im currently translating 31 fanfics! yeah they are all in my patreon, and soon they'll start being public but the first one i released the blue eyes white one got blocked not even a full day in :sob: but ill try webnovel for it once more before moving it to scribble hub! if you are interested in just checking out the future fanfics u might see here go check out my patreon!
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