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Fate In Bleach (444)
🕑 Added 2025-03-11 17:00:09 +0000 UTCChapter 444 - Scope
Iskandar, the King of Conquerors, and Artoria, the King of Knights, naturally found Ailin's manner somewhat discourteous.
However, Artoria had just received news of the "White Knight King" from Ailin, and wouldn't hold a mere discourtesy against him.
And Iskandar, having personally invited Ailin to the feast, had to endure whatever he said or did.
He had brought this upon himself!
"Well, Berserker, the three of us have each revealed the wishes we would entrust to the Grail. What about you? What do you seek from the Grail?"
The Grail system, created by the three founding families, connected to the Throne of Heroes.
Every Servant who answered the Grail's call possessed a wish of their own.
For example, Gilgamesh desired to punish those who dared to covet his treasures.
Iskandar sought a physical body, to once again embark on his journey of world conquest.
Artoria yearned to save her homeland.
Even Diarmuid longed to fulfill his duty to his lord.
So, what was Berserker's wish?
Aside from his own curiosity, Iskandar also wanted to know Berserker's wish so he could find an opportunity to mock him, to reclaim some lost face.
"My wish?"
Ailin raised an eyebrow and shook his head. "Please, my wish is not something this Grail can grant."
"Hahaha, Berserker, are you perhaps trying to evade the question because your own aspirations are too… insignificant?"
"King of Conquerors, you overestimate yourself. You are not worthy of my evasion."
Ailin swirled the wine in his goblet, smiling at the three of them. "As I told you before, I am not of this world."
"Those words were not a deception, but the truth. I do not know how your world came to be. But the world I passed through before was created by a 'God'."
"However, for reasons unknown, the creator 'God' departed before completing the creation of the world. Then, this half-finished world began to evolve under its own nascent consciousness. By the time I left, it had evolved for millions of years."
"But because of the 'God's' departure, this world was inevitably entering a state of decay. Barring unforeseen circumstances, in a million years, that world will return to chaos. I left that world to seek a way to save it, beyond its boundaries. So, do you understand now? A mere Grail could never grant my wish to save a world."
"Tch, saving the world…" Iskandar clicked his tongue.
Undoubtedly, compared to the three of them, Berserker's ambition could truly be called "grand."
While they were still striving for their own goals, Berserker had already embarked on a journey to save his world.
And they could tell that the "world" Berserker sought to save wasn't merely a planet like theirs, but a true "world."
A mere Grail certainly couldn't save a dying world.
Not even Gaia and Alaya, the two Counter Forces, could achieve such a feat.
Of course, this was because they didn't know that the size of the Shinigami world, due to the disappearance of the "God" who created it, was actually comparable to the planet they currently inhabited.
"Indeed, the Grail's power cannot help you achieve your wish to save a world."
"Then, Berserker, if the Grail cannot save the world, fulfill your dream, why are you participating in this Holy Grail War?"
Artoria and Gilgamesh, who had been listening silently, also turned their attention to Ailin.
They, too, wanted to know why Berserker, knowing the Grail couldn't fulfill his wish, still participated in the war for the Grail.
"Well, how should I put it?"
Ailin set down the golden goblet. "I actually have a method in mind to save that world."
"That is, for me to become the creator god, and continue the unfinished creation of that world. While the Grail cannot directly grant my wish to save the world, it can provide some assistance on my path to godhood."
"Oh? Becoming a creator god?"
Hearing Ailin's words, Artoria, Iskandar, and Gilgamesh were all stunned.
This world, too, had "gods."
Among the three of them, the strongest and most ancient King of Heroes was a demigod from the Age of Gods, possessing two-thirds divinity and one-third humanity.
Artoria, in legend, possessed the bloodline of a mythical red dragon.
And dragons, in legend, were creatures comparable to gods.
Iskandar, in his own legend, was the son of Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology.
Therefore, for Iskandar, Artoria, and Gilgamesh, "gods" were not some unattainable concept.
Seeing the expressions of the three, Ailin knew that while their mythological legends were all related to "gods," their relationships with those "gods" were not particularly good.
Those high and mighty "gods," in order to kill Gilgamesh, had even created the divine weapon Enkidu.
But unfortunately, Enkidu ultimately became Gilgamesh's friend and assisted him in resisting the gods.
Even after Enkidu's death, he transformed into his true form, the "Chains of Heaven," becoming Gilgamesh's most trusted weapon.
"What expressions are those? You can't possibly think I want to become a 'god' like those in your world, can you?"
Ailin scoffed. "I say, even if you're ignorant, you can't possibly believe that the 'gods' of your world have the power to create worlds, can you?"
"Haha, hahahaha…"
Ailin's words immediately drew a burst of laughter from Iskandar, masking his embarrassment.
Even Artoria and Gilgamesh averted their gazes, avoiding Ailin's eyes.
After all, they had indeed thought that just now.
However, with Ailin's words, they came to their senses.
The gods of this world did possess great power.
But, they had endured the accumulation of legend, their legends were sublimated into Noble Phantasms, in terms of strength, they were not inferior to the gods of myth and legend.
Especially Gilgamesh.
As the most ancient king, possessing all the treasures in the world, his strongest Noble Phantasm, Ea, even granted Gilgamesh the power to slay gods.
But, as Berseker said, the "gods" of their world did not have the power to create worlds.
Clearly, the godhood Berseker sought to achieve was not like the "gods" of this world.
"Berseker, if not for Goldy, you would undoubtedly be the victor of this 'Holy Grail Q&A'."
Iskandar slapped his thigh, expressing his utmost approval of Ailin's wish.
While they were still confined to their own ambitions, Berseker had already set his sights on the world, striving to save it.
"Ha, what good is victory?"
"King of Conquerors, this feast was originally organized by you. For you, this feast, if it could determine the Grail's owner without bloodshed, would undoubtedly be a welcome surprise."
"But if the final victor wasn't you, you would uphold your kingly way and seize the Grail from the victor."
"After all, you are the King of Conquerors, who desires to conquer all that he desires. Therefore, from the beginning, I haven't taken this feast of yours seriously."
"Because, no matter what conclusions are reached at this feast, those who do not wish to relinquish the Grail will ultimately resort to violence."
"Since ancient times, or rather, in any world, the best way to resolve a problem is with overwhelming strength."
"Well said!"
Even though his own intentions had been exposed by Berseker, Iskandar still applauded Ailin's statement.
Especially Ailin's final words, which resonated deeply with Iskandar's own beliefs.
The best way to solve a problem was with overwhelming strength.
"Berseker, I've decided, after I've plundered Goldy's treasures, I will use my full strength to give you a dignified defeat."
"Hmph, mongrel, you look crude, but your dreams are quite grand."
Gilgamesh's face darkened.
Iskandar had decided that he was stronger than Gilgamesh?
He truly had no self-awareness.
"Berseker, our battle was not yet concluded. After I deal with this ignorant mongrel, I'll see if you, who aspire to godhood, have what it takes."
Iskandar and Gilgamesh had both issued challenges to Ailin.
Only Artoria, the King of Knights, remained silent.
But from the fierce determination in her eyes, the other three could sense that no matter which of them she faced, Artoria would fight with all her might, to seize the Grail.
"I welcome the challenge."
Clink!
Ailin gently tapped the golden wine vessel he had placed on the ground, causing it to emit a faint chime.
Although both Iskandar and Gilgamesh had declared war, Ailin showed no fear.
It didn't matter if Iskandar and Gilgamesh intended to fight him after defeating each other.
Even if they joined forces, Ailin didn't believe he would lose.
"However, Iskandar, uninvited guests have intruded upon the feast. As the host, shouldn't you do something?"
As Ailin's voice trailed off, dark figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding them in the garden.
Ailin remembered that because of the encounter between Gilgamesh and Iskandar, Tokiomi Tohsaka, wanting to learn more about Iskandar, had ordered Kirei Kotomine to use Command Spells to have the Assassins attack Iskandar.
"What do you mean?"
Iskandar scooped a ladle of wine from the barrel.
"All who come to my feast are guests. Gentlemen, would you care to join us for a drink? This wine will be as one with your blood!"
"King of Conquerors, it is an honor to receive your invitation. However, we have come not to partake in your feast, but on the orders of our master, to claim Berseker's head."
"Hmm?"
Ailin, who had been preparing to watch the show, was taken aback.
What was this?
The drama was turning his way?
Was he becoming the main attraction?
However, Ailin quickly understood.
Given his performance over the past few days, it wasn't impossible for Tokiomi Tohsaka to consider him a greater threat to Gilgamesh than Iskandar.
The Assassins' power wasn't enough to simultaneously deal with two powerful Servants, to probe their Noble Phantasm information.
In that case, it would be better to focus their attacks on one, to gather information on Ailin's Noble Phantasms.
"I see."
"What do you say, Berseker?"
Regretfully pouring the wine from his ladle back into the barrel, Iskandar asked Ailin.
"Since they've come for me, let this be a demonstration of my power, to give you a better understanding of me. After all, I have a fairly good understanding of you. It wouldn't be fair if you remained completely ignorant of my capabilities."
"Then, gentlemen… Welcome to my world!"
As Ailin's voice fell, golden light instantly erupted from his body.
When their vision cleared, they found themselves in a strange space.
The sky of this space was clearly divided into blackish-red and gold, splitting the space evenly in two.
Countless gears, rotating at different speeds, formed the boundaries of this space.
On the ground, countless identical-looking Zanpakutō were embedded in the earth.
At the very center of this space was a hundred-meter-high hill.
The hill, too, was covered in Zanpakutō.
Judging by their aura, the Zanpakutō on the hill were far superior to those embedded in the ground.
Iskandar and Artoria, seeing this seemingly endless forest of swords, finally understood why Gilgamesh had said that the treasures in his vault were beyond his own comprehension.
And why Berseker had said he understood the feeling of having treasures beyond his own comprehension, prompting Gilgamesh's apology.
The Zanpakutō that filled their vision were the past, present, and future Zanpakutō of Berserker's world.
Even Berseker couldn't know the exact number of his Zanpakutō, or the abilities of each one.
"A Reality Marble?"
The Assassins, seeing this space, wore serious expressions.
A Reality Marble was the highest form of magecraft, nearing True Magic.
Every magus who possessed a Reality Marble was a symbol of immense power.
They hadn't expected to encounter a Servant with a Reality Marble in this Holy Grail War.
