The Holy Spear, Rhongomyniad.
The anchor that holds the surface world, the Holy Spear at the end of the world.
Amakusa had heard of the existence of this Holy Spear, but he never imagined he'd witness its radiance firsthand.
"Useless!"
Yet, his faith in Semiramis quelled the shock in his heart.
The emergence of the Holy Spear was indeed astonishing, but even so, Basmu wouldn't be destroyed so easily. It was one of the eleven sons of the Goddess Tiamat, a monster feared by gods, the pinnacle of Phantasmal Species!
Though its temporary summoning could only manifest its upper body, the deadly venom it emitted was enough to pollute the space and poison all enemies.
Moreover, when Semiramis appeared here, her second Noble Phantasm was already active.
Sikera Usum.
Due to this Noble Phantasm's effect, the entire room—except around the two of them—was filled with toxic gas stronger than the Hydra's. Even if Heracles himself arrived, he wouldn't withstand it.
"Even the Holy Spear can't hope to stop me."
"Is that so?"
Naoki's slightly weakened voice echoed in Amakusa's mind.
"Indeed, if it were the third stage of the Holy Spear, we might've won already. But the second stage only lets a fraction of the Holy Spear's light leak out, a mere sliver of its power. That's not enough to defeat Tiamat's venomous serpent."
"But… have you forgotten how many people are on my side?"
"—!"
Naoki's side was never just two people. Angelica and Mordred—both had been unseen since landing in the Hanging Gardens!
No, not unseen. At least after deciding to confront the Black Faction, Semiramis had confirmed through Magecraft that both had joined the battle, which was why she came here.
"Do you think, with all this commotion, Angelica and Mordred wouldn't notice?"
"Just two more people. Within this garden, no one needs to be feared."
Semiramis declared proudly.
Normally, that would be true, but unfortunately, nearly everyone on Naoki's side was anything but normal.
*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
The sound of cannon-like explosions rang out from the air as dozens of golden meteors suddenly fell, striking Basmu as it faced the Holy Spear.
"GGGGAAAAAAA—!"
The monster roared in agony.
This attack style…
"That woman who tosses Noble Phantasms like trash?!"
Semiramis immediately looked to the sky—as expected, Vimana now hovered above the Hanging Gardens. At its forefront, Angelica stood with arms crossed, gazing down.
"A descendant of the Goddess Tiamat? Though a notoriously ferocious venomous serpent, it's ultimately just a beast."
Behind her, a series of ripples opened. From the Gate of Babylon, every Noble Phantasm with tales of slaying monsters, dragons, and serpents—even those capable of purifying deadly venom—was drawn by Angelica and rained down.
A shower of golden meteors tore through the night sky!
*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
The relentless roar of explosions filled the air, with flames and tremors dominating the battlefield.
The spreading toxic gas was swiftly purified. Noble Phantasms highly effective against dragons, serpents, and monsters pierced Basmu's body one by one, the piercing pain forcing it to thrash wildly.
"AAAAAAArrrrrrr—!"
Wails and groans echoed through the Hanging Gardens.
Thanks to this sudden reinforcement, the Holy Spear's light, previously only matching Basmu, instantly broke through its barrier. With godlike speed, it surged toward Semiramis and Amakusa!
"Shirou!"
Without hesitation, Semiramis rushed to Amakusa, embracing him and vanishing from the spot.
Grand Magic: Spatial Transfer!
Within this garden, Semiramis's Magecraft could reach the realm of True Magic. Even spatial transfer was no issue for her.
Unfortunately, for spatial transfer, someone present was equally adept.
After vanishing briefly, Semiramis and Amakusa reappeared.
(Spatial transfer ineffective? This space has been sealed?!)
"Who permitted you to leave as you please in my presence, mongrels?" Angelica coldly pronounced their death sentence. "Attempting spatial transfer before the Ainsworth Family—ridiculous, even foolish."
*BOOOOOMMMMM!*
The moment her words fell, a wave of light fully engulfed the Master and Servant's vision.
It was over.
Though there was still time to cast defensive magic, no Magecraft could withstand this Holy Spear. The difference in mystery was too vast.
(This time, I've failed again?)
In this final moment, Amakusa's heart held not anger but regret.
Despite gaining a second life, striving relentlessly for sixty years, controlling Karna and Achilles as trump cards, and recreating the Hanging Gardens… After so much preparation, he still couldn't fulfill his wish?
The salvation of all humanity—just one step away! The final step! The Greater Grail was within reach! If he could seize it, connect with it, and wish for the materialization of souls, his long-held desire would be realized!
Yet, he could no longer take that final step.
(Was my greatest mistake misjudging Mister Naoki's strength? Or was it acting too hastily, clashing with him too soon?)
Perhaps both. Misjudging Naoki's power and losing the trump card Karna. Not anticipating the Holy Spear, leading to failure at the end. Ignoring Angelica's presence, resulting in this outcome.
Had they fought after securing the Greater Grail, it would've been better. At least Achilles and Atalanta would still be there.
In the end, Amakusa's gaze pierced through the Holy Spear's light, straining to see Naoki.
If not for him, if he hadn't appeared, the outcome wouldn't be like this.
"Ahhh… What a pity… If there's another chance…"
If there were one more chance, he would surely succeed.
With that thought, Amakusa and Semiramis were consumed together in the Holy Spear's wave.