IBHJ Chapter 641 (Patreon)

In that moment, countless wooden stakes piercing the earth took flight towards the sky like shooting swords.

They blanketed the sky like pouring rain.

Tens of thousands of stakes converged as one. [The Lord of Execution's] power heightened without limit. Finally harnessing Dracula’s might, Vlad focused his Noble Phantasm and formed an enormous, one thousand meter-long spear, sending it down towards Adam’s hand.

Grasping the weapon, Adam overcame his lack of experience and now fought evenly against Shudde M'ell.

Of course, this wasn’t due to any deficiency of the Primordial Human’s abilities. Adam simply lacked battle experience, much like Shirou initially in the Fourth Holy Grail War.

But thanks to having a weapon to rely on, he could still match blows with Shudde M'ell.

However...

His spear occasionally emitted motes of light, clearly fading by the moment.

With the Greater Grail destroyed, the time the Heroic Spirits could linger grew shorter and shorter.

"No good. At this rate, when we disappear things will get troublesome," Saber said, tightly gripping her faintly glowing holy sword. "Don't forget there are still magical beasts in some regions that haven't been cleared out yet... We should move to deal with them."

Facing against Shudde M'ell, her invisible sword was actually emitting hints of starlight.

"Don't unleash your Noble Phantasm here, Saber!" Mash suddenly warned.

"Why not?" Saber asked curiously.

Mash took a deep breath. "Mr. Fujimaru and I encountered this monster before in one of Red Caster's Noble Phantasms. This monster has powerful anti-magical defenses on the exterior. We had to fire a projectile directly into its oral cavity before we could finally destroy it."

Mordred's eyes widened. "So you mean the best way for Excalibur to wreck that thing is by blasting it straight down its throat?"

She nodded.

"Then let's move out, our target is clear!" Saber declared.

Everyone nodded before charging toward Adam and Shudde M'ell's raging battle.

While running, Mordred looked over at Saber and was silent for a moment before saying, "I'm afraid we'll have to part ways here... mother..."

"Even now, you still call me that?" Saber asked, not breaking stride as she quirked a brow.

"I said previously, and you agreed - until the end of this Holy Grail War, you would be my mother," she reminded her.

Saber sighed softly. "Very well. Then, Mordred, I know it's not my place with your real mother waiting for you in Chaldea. But spend more time properly interacting with her once you arrive. Although I don't know her specifics, she's still me - so she definitely doesn't hate you. After all, I never hated my Mordred either."

Mordred was silent for a moment before taking a deep breath. "What about you then? You'll probably still be stranded in that prison of time and space, just like that silly mother of mine."

"I will continue seeking ways to save Camelot," Saber said with determination.

"You still haven't let it go, huh?"

Saber gave a self-mocking laugh. "How could I possibly let go?" Then her expression turned serious again. "But after being caught in that Beast's Paradise and shown the world of my dreams, I now understand the me of then can no longer accomplish that goal. So I will strive to grow stronger and wiser before attempting it again. And if fate allows, perhaps we may still meet again one day in some world. After all, such is the existence of Heroic Spirits right?"

"I see... You really are stubborn," Mordred sighed.

The group rushed onto Adam's massive body.

Astolfo piloted his hippogriff, circling near Adam as he outlined their full plan.

Understanding their intentions, Adam used the spear to lock Shudde M'ell's throat in place. Then, grabbing the tumor-like bulge of its head, he fiercely smashed it into the ground.

Boom!

"Hiss hiss hiss—!!!"

Shudde M'ell let out a bizarre screech as corrosive fluids gushed out continuously, but were unable to harm Adam at all. Using the spear, Adam speared through its throat, nailing it to the ground. Then, grabbing both sides of Shudde M'ell's oral cavity, he forcefully tore it wide open.

Seeing her chance, Saber, who had climbed onto Adam's body, decisively fired her Excalibur straight down the creature's gaping maw without hesitation.

“Ex—Calibur!”

Bright light descended, as if from the heavens themselves.

It surged directly into Shudde M'ell's gaping maw.

Ah...

What was that?

Trapped within the creature's twisting interior, Amakusa Shirou gazed at the boundless starlight. Murmuring: "I see...so that is...the light of paradise?"

Ah...

Tears streamed down his face.

Boom boom boom boom—!!!

Amakusa Shirou and Shudde M'ell were annihilated together by Excalibur's might.

The battle had ended.

Saber's body grew fainter and fainter as the fiery blasts illuminated her visage. She turned to face Mordred, a tranquil smile on her face.

"Actually, I don't dislike you at all. Rather, I'm quite fond of you... Thank you, for your clumsy attempts to change my stubborn convictions, Mordred. If we meet again, I hope to see true joy and delight on your constantly smiling face."

Saber revealed a dazzling smile before fading into motes of light.

"Saber..."

Mordred mumbled, a bitter smile on her face. "You sure made...quite an impossible request."

With Saber gone, Astolfo, who had been maintaining [Otherworldly Phantom Horse], was also close to disappearing.

Piloting his hippogriff, he circled near Adam.

Seeing Astolfo, Adam stretched out his palm. Astolfo landed his hippogriff and smiled. "Farewell, Adam."

Adam gazed at him with saddened eyes.

"Ah, don't be sad. See me off with laughter and joy! After all, I saved the life of a future great hero." He grinned. "Even Charlemagne would praise me now, no? At least I saved you."

Astolfo chattered lightly before his expression grew serious. He stared intently at Adam. "You're a good kid. But never forget who you are. No matter how powerful you become, always remember - your name is Adam. You must become a hero, just like me!"

Adam nodded solemnly.

"Then I can rest easy," Astolfo said, smiling as his figure started fading away.

He was often seen as thoughtless and irrational - a bit of a fool. Yet he was the first to remind Adam not to lose himself amid the newly gained power.

The battle had ended. But things were not over yet.

Scattered Chthonians still existed. However, they could no longer pose any real threat.

With Spartacus, Vlad, Adam, and Mordred's tunneling Noble Phantasm coordinating, they swiftly cleared out the remnants. Even the underground was thoroughly emptied.

And so, at last, it was truly over.

Maintaining his Dracula form, Vlad glanced back at Spartacus while resisting Dracula's corrosive effects through pure willpower. His face was icy as he said, "Time to settle our debts, rebel."

"Indeed, oppressor," Spartacus was utterly fearless.

The still-growing, over seven hundred meter tall Adam stood behind Spartacus. But Spartacus forbade him from interfering.

Before they could clash, Adam went with the others to speak with Darnic as promised.

Despite Adam's honestly terrifying current state, Darnic faced him with an impassive, composed expression, completely unperturbed.

"Mr. Darnic, you agreed previously that after this matter concluded, you would be willing to converse with us," Adam said.

"No need for further talk. I grant you all freedom, and will hereby sign a magus' contract on behalf of the Yggdmillennia clan, vowing to never again create existences similar to you," Darnic stated plainly before bringing out the document.

"R-really?" Adam's eyes lit up with delight, and his brethren were also extremely elated.

"Of course," Darnic nodded. Cold laughter echoed in his heart. Our clan didn't specialize in homunculi anyway!

How could magi not be crafty? If they forcibly kept these homunculi around, Adam, who had become quite fearsome, would definitely not let matters rest. Better to decisively make the promise for now. That way, they could still gain their friendship.

Hmph. Giving up a promise that wasn't needed anyway in exchange for goodwill - wasn't this an exceptional deal?

Moreover, the homunculi craft had been researched and improved by Caster Avicebron anyway. They didn't actually possess that technique to begin with.

What do you call this?

This is called empathy!

Darnic sneered coldly in his heart.

He was a political mastermind that could even trick the Magus Association after all. The previous battles were mainly fought by Heroic Spirits, thus he had no chance to display his skills.

But from now on, he would probably have many chances to showcase them.