As Morpheus clashed with the blackened Artoria, Ritsuka and the others rushed forward, only to halt, stunned by the surreal sight before them.
A massive, dark entity pulsed like a heart made of flesh, grotesque and terrifying. The writhing mass seemed alive, a living existence.
Within it, vast mana flowed, gathered, and transformed into power for its wielder.
"What… what is this?!" Ritsuka, an ordinary human, voiced her confusion.
Olga Marie stared, whispering, "This… this is an advanced mana furnace!"
The way the mana circulated, its rapid condensation, and its sheer volume told Olga Marie one thing: this surpassed any mana condensation device humanity could currently create.
"Is this the Greater Grail?"
Was this what they came to destroy?
"If we take this down, Saber will vanish!" Cú Chulainn shouted.
…
The blackened Artoria wasn't mindless. She was fully aware, far more lucid than Medusa or the Assassin, akin to the red Archer.
Thus, she praised the human before her.
"You're impressive, and your sword is too. To match me like this!"
Morpheus had clashed with Artoria's dark blade hundreds, perhaps thousands, of times using his short sword.
Both moved at blinding speeds, as if transcending limits.
To Artoria's praise, Morpheus surged forward, slashing upward diagonally. A violent gust merged with surrounding mana, forming a radiant sword beam!
Artoria's eyes widened in surprise. She raised her longsword to block!
Boom!
A massive eruption of mana hit Artoria with overwhelming force.
She countered with her own mana burst, but being a split-second late, the blast pushed her back several meters.
"I can not only match you, but I can defeat you with the very attacks you pride yourself on," Morpheus said, aiming his Sword of the War God at her.
"Oh? You think you can replicate my attacks?"
"Not quite. I'd say I've replicated the prototype of your Noble Phantasm," Morpheus shook his head, his sword still pointed at her. "Or try defeating my Sword of the War God first. Otherwise, you're not worthy of facing that attack."
"Sword of the War God?" Artoria smiled faintly. The name hinted at its origins. Many mythologies had war gods, but few were directly titled as such.
If he boldly named his sword, she could deduce his identity!
"No need to guess. I'll tell you. This sword is mine, gifted by Ares, hence the Sword of the War God. Clear now?" Morpheus declared openly.
Yet this only deepened Artoria's confusion. Did any figure in mythology match this man?
"I know you well... your weapon, your past," Morpheus said suddenly, startling her. Why would he say that? Did they know each other?
"Hah! Are you saying you know me from some novel?" Artoria mocked.
Morpheus shook his head. "I've spoken with you... pleasant chats, actually. But I must say, are the pasts of every Artoria across worlds so consistent?"
Her eyes narrowed. That statement carried immense implications.
"You've met another world's me?"
"Exactly. That's why I know you so well," Morpheus nodded. "For fairness, I'll share about myself. For instance, your draconic bloodline fuels your vast mana."
His lips curled, and a terrifying aura erupted, overpowering even the blackened king's presence, making Artoria feel breathless.
It was as if a creature at the food chain's bottom met its apex predator!
"My trait: Dragon Slayer!" Morpheus declared, revealing a trait he'd deliberately acquired.
Artoria felt the overwhelming force. Bloodlines granted power but also weaknesses. Pure vampires feared anti-vampire attacks; high divinity meant strength but vulnerability to anti-divine constructs.
Her draconic blood wasn't pure, yet this suppression felt like she was a true dragon facing its natural enemy.
It was as if his Dragon Slayer trait was of the highest order!
"My Dragon Slayer trait, specialized against dragons, comes from defeating the primordial dragon," Morpheus said.
"Primordial dragon? Sword of the War God…" Artoria's mind flashed to a distant tale... not even a legend, barely a rumor among magi, often dismissed.
It was just a story.
"The tale says Medea joined the Greek gods against the Giants, standing with Heracles. But there was another, a mysterious figure with little record.
"Later, Medea and Artemis faced Typhon, the monster who made gods flee. Medea fought Typhon's spawn, while Artemis slew the Father of Monsters.
"But a lesser-known version claims a mysterious figure fought alongside Artemis, perhaps even as the main force…"
Artoria looked at Morpheus. "That figure was said to have joined the Argonauts' voyage but vanished after an attack by the Mother of Monsters.
"The rumor claimed, had he not vanished, he'd be an indelible mark on human history…"
"Sounds like some random fantasy," Morpheus remarked.
"It's just a story, a rumor among magi," Artoria said. "I thought it was just that... a story. But now, I wonder if it was real."
Clap, clap, clap! Morpheus applauded lightly, smiling. "You're right. It's not a story... it happened. I was on the battlefield against the Giants, fought Typhon with Artemis, and sailed with the Argonauts. Then, an attack by the Mother of Monsters pulled me into a temporal rift."
"I never imagined meeting a human from the Age of Gods, with power rivaling divinity," Artoria said.
"You're off on one thing. This area's time is 2004, right?"
"Correct. Though it's a unique zone, it's 2004."
"In 2004, I was actually six years old," Morpheus spread his hands. "I'm a human of this era, sent to ancient Greece by accident, where I had those experiences."
A fantastical tale, like something scribbled on a whim, tempting one to dismiss it as absurd.
Yet the man seemed sincere. He sighed. "Saving humanity's a hassle, but it's gotta be done. I want to live in a world with games, cola, and fried chicken.
"So, my time in the Age of Gods wasn't bad. Got some perks, like this sword."
He looked up. "To save Human Order, don't stand in my way, blackened king. I'll send you back to the Throne of Heroes!"
Artoria closed her eyes, then snapped them open, raising her weapon. "Come, human. If that's your stance, there's no turning back!"
It's you or me!
Mana surged within Artoria, its ferocity momentarily overcoming the Dragon Slayer's pressure.
Perhaps because her draconic blood wasn't fully pure.
Morpheus withdrew his aura, letting her gather strength. His short sword vanished, replaced by a peculiar rune.
The rune of the Sword of Promised Victory.
Light gathered in his hand.
Black light and blazing white light erupted simultaneously!
"Excalibur Morgan!" Artoria shouted, unleashing her Noble Phantasm's torrent!
The white light matched the black's power, clashing, intertwining, and consuming each other!
The white light overwhelmed the black with its sheer volume, extinguishing the dark sword's beam!
Artoria stared, stunned. She hadn't expected him to mean it literally.
"You actually… replicated my Noble Phantasm…"
"Yep. From the Age of Gods, a weapon that defeated a monster nearly destroying planetary civilization. But I'm just imitating... you hold the real one," Morpheus smiled, watching the fading Artoria.
"See you in the future."
Artoria gave him a deep look, her lips parting to say something unexpected.
"What if I said I'm the one protecting Human Order?"
"What do you mean?!"
Morpheus shouted, but it was too late. The blackened knight vanished, leaving an empty space.
"Hahaha, hahahahaha!"
A manic laugh rang out. Morpheus turned to see Lev, his face twisted in a mocking grin. "Serves you right, Saber! I gave you the Grail, and you still wanted to preserve this era. Now your own side took you out!"
His taunts aimed at Saber were clearly meant for Morpheus.
He was thrilled, finally getting some payback after his earlier setbacks.
But Morpheus just stared, as if watching a clown.
"This Singularity's at its limit. Stay here and perish, awaiting humanity's end!" Lev bellowed, a massive mechanical construct appearing behind him, an unknown entity, as he was pulled into a temporal rift.
"What's going on?!" Olga Marie and the others rushed over. Cú Chulainn, the Caster, was glowing, fading with the Grail's disappearance.
"I leave it to you. If fate allows, we'll meet again," he said lightly, as if the area's destruction meant nothing.
As Cú Chulainn vanished, Morpheus raised a hand, snapping his fingers. A magic circle's patterns appeared on the ground, floating upward. His inscribed magecraft activated, forming a protective barrier around them.
Romani shouted for them to return, awaiting Mash's actions. Morpheus looked where Artoria had vanished.
"So, you test my strength first, then drop the truth? Why does everyone play like that?"
***
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