Started as a comics editor

Chapter 279, Version 1.6
Early November.

FGO version 1.6 has been officially launched.

This game, which was touted as Avalon's first game, has actually faded in popularity over time as Avalon has released more and more games.

Although this game was also amazing when it was first released, its revenue also shocked a lot of people.

It even made the manager of a venture capital fund regret it for a long time.

However, this game carries a very distinct anime/manga (2D) label and is also touted as the 'first successful mobile game'.

Furthermore, Avalon subsequently released many games that, in terms of gameplay alone, seemed to far surpass this game.

Therefore, many people have the misconception that the game's success is due to the benefits of being an early adopter.

Ok.

This also includes some people from Jiuxiao and Yiyou who had studied FGO in depth and tried to imitate its successful trajectory.

...FGO's success was merely a matter of luck in taking advantage of a market gap.

This perception, given Avalon's constant barrage of new games on the market, seems both inexplicable and quite reasonable.

After all, the newcomers are too dazzling.

Therefore, many people selectively ignore FGO's huge and loyal user base, the deep emotional connection brought about by continuous operation, and the horror fan fiction ecosystem and cultural influence formed by relying on the ANF community.

While it's undeniable that the game's success was partly due to seizing a market gap... attributing its success solely to this point only shows how drastically the market has changed recently.

With major companies joining the mobile game market and Avalon releasing more new games, many people have developed a misconception—

"...FGO's core gameplay is still card collection and development, driven by numbers, with limited depth in battle strategy. Its popularity mainly relied on the IP and the lack of competing products at the time."

"Yeah, players have more discerning tastes now. Avalon has made something even better. FGO? It's just a label-selling troll."

"It feels like we're falling behind the times! It's only keeping us going with the nostalgia of veteran players!"

"..."

There are actually quite a few arguments like this.

But actually, they only need to take a stroll around ANF to know.

Although Avalon has released many new games since then, FGO's popularity has never declined; in fact, it's still on the rise.

This is partly because while the gameplay itself isn't particularly outstanding, the game quality is genuinely high, and its very distinct anime/manga style isn't a debuff on the ANF website; in fact, it's a plus.

On the other hand, it's because... for a long time, Avalon only had this one cash cow.

Therefore, many activities are based on this game.

In this situation, even players who hadn't played the game before would have basically read the prequel comics and seen a lot of fan art and fan fiction due to the frequent events.

This boost to the game is absolutely terrifying.

Although Avalon has been releasing new games ever since... FGO seems to have been forgotten.

But the updates have never stopped; there are just too many players underwater.

This is also why Tang Yao chose to promote the new version of FGO as a trial run.

no way.

The player base is there for all to see.

The result, of course, was a resounding slap in the face to all those who had looked down on them.

Everyone who thought FGO was outdated was taken aback by Avalon's small-scale test.

No.

Why are there so many players?!

How can the hype surrounding just one version be so exaggerated?!
And when the game is officially released, it will be even more terrifying!

The game's popularity exploded like a long-dormant tsunami that had been gathering terrifying power!

……

When the familiar Chaldea logo lights up on the phone screen.

Su Deqiang felt a sudden surge of energy, as if he had come back to life.

He had been waiting for this moment for far too long—the Divine Realm of the Round Table in FGO version 1.6 was finally updated!
As a veteran player since the game's launch, he had already learned about the special nature of this chapter through various channels... It's currently the chapter with the largest storyline!

This really excited him.

Although Avalon's other games are also fun, he will play them as well.

But as a manga reader and a long-time anime fan, he still really wants to play the new version of FGO!

So ever since the new version started its pre-release hype, he's been paying close attention and looking forward to it.

And today.

Finally, I can play it.

The Sixth Singularity!
finally come!

Moreover, it has been confirmed that the Knights of the Round Table will appear in this singularity!

If the Knights of the Round Table have all appeared, why would King Arthur be absent?

Certainly not!

As the mascot of the entire series, she can even be considered an iconic figure.

The player, as Gudako, travels through Orleans, Rome, the Atlantic Ocean, London, and North America.

I can finally see her.

The story of Saber is finally about to unfold.

This is also what excited Su Deqiang.

Su Deqiang is already looking forward to the spectacular scenes featuring the Knights of the Round Table!

With this in mind, he officially began the storyline.

There are countless other players who are progressing through the story at the same time as her.

And the plot of the Sixth Singularity...

It can be said that it exceeded their expectations from the very beginning! According to the doctor in the game, the enemies in the first few singularities were just disrupting history and deviating from it.

But this sixth singularity is a history that has deviated from its original course, a history that cannot exist.

Therefore, the road ahead will be more dangerous than anything encountered so far, and the enemy will be much stronger.

The doctor set the foundational value of humanity for this singularity to the most special EX level.

This instantly piqued the players' interest!

And once they entered the singularity, it was even more unexpected for the players.

Because the main stage of the story is not in ancient Britain.

But it was in Jerusalem in 1273 AD...

"Ok?"

Su Deqiang was very confused after realizing the timeline he was in.

But soon.

He couldn't care less.

Because the plot is starting to move forward...

He started playing the game at 1 p.m.

And this is what we call playing.

When Su Deqiang came to his senses, it was already past midnight.

Aside from picking up takeout twice, he didn't leave the chair during that time.

On the phone screen.

The plot is currently at the point where the village has been attacked.

He was completely stunned...

good news.

The Knights of the Round Table did indeed appear in Chapter Six, and all of them did.

But the bad news is that they are not shining, righteous heroes, nor do they have any charismatic dramatic scenes; they are the villains of the entire story.

The preceding plot had already definitively established this point.

Just entered the game.

Players then encountered an unprecedentedly powerful enemy—the Purifier Knights.

Later, during their arduous journey through the desert, they encountered refugees struggling on the brink of death.

And from the refugees' mouths, an incredible name was repeatedly mentioned—Sacred City Camelot! It stands at the edge of the desert, radiating a sacred yet cold light.

Legend has it that it was the ideal land established by the Lion King, which sheltered the chosen ones.

But this so-called protection is built on a cold selection process—the so-called Holy Light! Holy light descends upon the Holy City every day, and only those who are blessed and chosen, and who are qualified, can enter.

As for the refugees who were not chosen... Under Su Deqiang's horrified gaze, a holy yet icy white light swept across the desperate crowd on the screen. Those refugees touched by the white light were instantly annihilated like dust before they could even scream.

This is no utopia! This is a cruel trial ground! Where is the expected knightly glory? Where is King Arthur's glory?

When Su Deqiang saw this scene, he really wanted to ask.

Less than half an hour into the show, the huge psychological gap brought not disappointment, but an unbelievable shock!
The appearance of the Knights of the Round Table, who followed, brought this shock to its peak.

And this is just one of the lines.

The sixth singularity is also intertwined with countless other lines.

One mystery after another.

Each clue is connected.

Whether human or follower, everyone lives for their own purpose and searches for a path.

This intuitively reflects the thoughts of different roles in different situations.

And this... it's a feeling that none of the previous singularities have ever given us!!!

It is vast, complex, and captivating.

Although Su Deqiang was somewhat bewildered, he couldn't help but admire how well it was written... the situation between countries, the tension of the war, and the tragedy of life and death.

As for the Knights of the Round Table, their image was completely ruined in this chapter... a truly shocking revelation.

but……

Although this wasn't the kind of plot Su Deqiang wanted to see, he was still deeply captivated!
And what's unfolding on the phone right now seems to be another moment of collapse for the Knights of the Round Table.

...Tristan, the Knight of the Round Table, once again led the Knights of the Righteous to sweep through the village where the villagers were hiding, carrying out the twisted orders of the Lion King. The great hero Arash, who was in charge of guarding the village, moved the women and children to caves in the mountains and organized the men of the village to resist. However, he did not expect that in addition to Tristan, Lanstrom was also in the party.

And then the players arrived.

Lanstrom and Arash have disappeared.

In the devastated village, only Tristan and the Knights of Justice remained.

The flashbacks and dialogues interspersed throughout the story gradually reveal Tristan's tragic fate.

This Knight of the Round Table.

He is blind now.

Unable to bear the extreme sorrow of having to fight his former brothers and even personally carry out the holy extermination, he chose to blind himself and accept the Lion King's reverse blessing.

The healing music turned into thorns, and the belief in protection twisted into slaughter.

His Bond Mystic Code's only lie, that fatal lie about Black Sails, seems to have become a cruel metaphor for his current fate—he betrayed his own heart and became the executioner of the Lion King's twisted ideals.

Su Deqiang looked at Tristan with his eyes closed on the screen and listened to his deep, sorrowful yet resolute voice as he carried out his orders. He felt a mix of emotions.

It turned out to be the case.

This was far removed from his imagined Knights of the Round Table... yet it was so profoundly and movingly portrayed.

How awesome.

As he pondered this, he continued to advance the plot.

The Chaldea group officially clashed with Tristan.

Although they outnumbered and outgunned.

But the battle remained difficult.

Despite their combined efforts, Sanzang, Cursed Arm, Mashu, Touya, and Xiaobei were unable to defeat Tristan.

Meanwhile, in the western sky, a huge pillar of light suddenly descended from the heavens, crashing straight into the neighboring West Village.

This is precisely the punishment from the Lion King—formerly King Arthur—the Holy Lance Longominiard.

five minutes later.

This holy lance will also land in the village where the player is currently located.

This was Tristan's true objective: to first engage and restrain the players, and ultimately let the Holy Lance Longominiard destroy everything.

The players, as Gudako and the Chaldea group, had no chance of rescuing the villagers and escaping within five minutes.

But in despair.

A familiar figure appeared before my eyes.

Arash, who had just disappeared from the sight of the Knights of the Round Table and was already severely wounded, walked step by step with his bow in hand.

He took a direct hit from Lancelot's Noble Phantasm and fell off a cliff. Although he hadn't left the scene yet, his injuries were already too severe, and his life force was rapidly waning.

But even so.

Arash still wanted to give it his all one last time.

He will use his Noble Phantasm, "Meteor Shower," to bombard the Lion King's Holy Lance!
then……

Su Deqiang witnessed the most stunning performance and sacrifice in FGO to date!

In fact, he was no stranger to Arash, as Arash was one of the most frequently used and deadly Servants in the game.

Almost every player knows him. And in this chapter, this great hero is still the same as always, a cheerful guy with a smile on his face at all times.

He was humble. When others said that Omoteto was more useful than him, he smiled and admitted his inferiority, praising Omoteto for bringing so much delicious food to everyone.

The children didn't believe he was the great hero Arash, but he didn't argue. Instead, he silently used his power to protect the village.

He treated the villagers with kindness and equality.

It seems.

He really doesn't seem like the legendary hero.

but.

When the Lion King's merciless holy spear descended from the sky, it was like divine might.

When everyone was at a loss, Arash, covered in blood, stepped forward and raised the Noble Phantasm named after his heroic deeds in life!
"Lord of the Sun."

"O Radiant Lord who bestows all wisdom, dignity, and strength."

"See my heart, my thoughts, and what I will accomplish."

"Come, God of creation, witness my deeds, my death, my holy sacrifice."

"After releasing this all-out attack——"

"My strong body will surely shatter at any moment."

"────A shooting star (Stella)!!"

When the lines began.

When a super high-quality performance, or even a visual masterpiece achieved to the extreme in LIVE2D, appears on a mobile phone screen.

Arash, covered in blood, unleashed this final attack.

The tiny arrow flew towards the holy spear, which carried an awe-inspiring divine might and seemed like divine punishment.

When the music starts.

Su Deqiang's eyes widened slowly.

Suddenly, a thought popped into my head—to shatter the stars.

They showed no fear in the face of collapsing mountains and collapsing earth, and did not hesitate even if they were to die.

This is probably what a true hero is.

Immediately afterwards, an overwhelming sense of tragic grandeur exploded in my heart.

He couldn't help but sigh again.

This is really well written...

What about selling the top spot with a token? What about outdated gameplay? Faced with such powerful and soul-stirring character development and dramatic tension, those criticisms seem so pale and laughable.

Su Deqiang stared at his phone screen for a long time before he finally calmed down.

Then, he glanced at the time.

Continue to advance the plot.

I won't be sleeping tonight!
He can't sleep until he finishes his work!

He now had a very bad impression of the Lion King's Temple. He couldn't accept Tristan's massacre of refugees and the survival of the fittest in Saint Basil's method. On top of that, the Lion King had annihilated the entire village by throwing down the Holy Lance...

Su Deqiang is now very eager to know.

……Why?
Time passes slowly.

The light from the phone screen shone on Su Deqiang's face.

He wasn't sleepy at all; on the contrary, he became more and more engrossed in the game.

Because... the plot of the Sixth Singularity is truly amazing, filled with difficult choices and tragic sacrifices. The refugee leader, the serene Hassan, uses himself as poison, attempting to perish together with Tristan. The Hundred-Faced Hassans sacrifice themselves one after another just to fight for a sliver of life. Every time Bedivere swings his silver arm, it is accompanied by immense pain and the erosion of his own existence... Every turning point is like a heavy hammer striking Su Deqiang's heart.

As the plot unfolds...

The truth about Camelot, the holy city he cared about most, was finally gradually being revealed.

original.

The Lion King who sat enthroned, holding the holy lance Gormynard and radiating divine brilliance, was no longer Artoria Pendragon.

She was corrupted by the divinity of the Holy Lance and became a cold, absolute deity who sought to save humanity through eternal stillness.

That pure white holy city was nothing more than a huge, cold museum that preserved samples of selected humans.

This completely overturned Su Deqiang's entire understanding of King Arthur, and the impact was no less than a spiritual tsunami.

It was under such an impact.

The final battle has begun.

Su Deqiang led the Chaldea group to stand before the Lion King.

The Lion King, sporting a familiar face to the players, launched an attack wielding the Holy Lance.

And it was at this critical moment.

Mashu's petite body unleashed astonishing power, raising the great cross shield that bore countless bonds high. Brilliant light burst forth, constructing an absolute barrier against divine punishment—a distant utopia.

The divine Lion King's holy lance, powerful enough to tear through space, struck the light shield, stirring up destructive energy ripples that caused the entire space to groan in agony!
Mashu gritted her teeth, supporting this last bulwark protecting humanity's future, enduring unimaginable pressure every second.

The player, controlling Gudako, immediately understood that this was their only chance! They had to break through the Knights of Purification's blockade, rush to the throne, and confront the one who was no longer the king!

However, just as Gudako was about to act, a figure, a figure with a broken body but radiating an incomparably firm light, blocked the steps leading to the throne.

It's Bedivere.

This one-armed knight, who has traversed 1500 years of time and drags a heavy silver arm that is not made of flesh and blood, blocks the player's path to fulfill a promise and tells the player.

Now, it was his turn to atone for his sins.

Upon seeing Bedivere dragging his broken body before him, the Lion King loudly questioned him about his identity.

And then there's the king who doesn't recognize him.

Bedivere was not surprised, but slowly raised the silver arm in his hand and told his king... "You will understand once you see this."

Followed by.

He unleashed his Noble Phantasm—[Grip His Sword Tightly, Silver Arm].

off screen.

Su Deqiang's heart clenched suddenly.

He instantly recalled the fragmented clues in the plot: Bedivere's unusual reaction to the Silver Arm, his attitude towards the Lion King, and the Holy Sword he repeatedly mentioned that had not been returned...

Players already learned this from the previous parts of the story.

This singularity of King Arthur is a King Arthur whose nature has changed due to some error.

What was that mistake?
Bedivere has never told the players.

Now, it's time to reveal the answer.

original.

That silver arm was actually the Sword of Promised Victory, which should have been returned to the Lady of the Lake a thousand years ago.

According to the correct history, King Arthur asked Bedivere to return the sword so that he could die, and Bedivere went three times before finally deciding to complete the task.

But in this timeline, Bedivere couldn't bear to see his king die, and even refused the third return of the sword.

So when he returned to the forest, the king had disappeared. Unable to die, King Arthur picked up the Holy Lance and wandered the world alone for fifteen hundred years.

Realizing what he had done, Bedivere, with Merlin's help, embarked on a journey of redemption with the Holy Sword, wandering for 1,500 years in search of King Arthur.

this moment.

When the silver arm unfolds.

The Lion King had a splitting headache. He finally remembered who Bedivere was and painfully begged Bedivere to drop the holy sword and stand on his side.

Because she already possesses the Holy Lance, she no longer needs it.

But Bedivere flatly refused.

The Holy Sword is entrusted to its rightful owner through the hands of a kind-hearted person.

The Lion King has fallen and become the goddess Longominiad.

As a member of the Round Table.

Bedivere has a duty to punish sinners.

and.

Bedivere's loyalty is not to the Lion King, but to... her from the past.

In the final battle, Bedivere and the player joined forces to attack the Lion King.

The Lion King was thrown into chaos by pain and the holy sword, brandishing the holy spear while shouting not to come any closer.

But this journey was far too long.

Bedivere took his first steps, one after another, resolutely walking towards his king.

His steps were slow, even somewhat unsteady, as if the heavy silver arm and the obsession of a thousand years were dragging him down.

But his spine remained straight, without the slightest hesitation, only a kind of tragic determination.

He unfurled his silver arm, which transformed back into a holy sword, and walked step by step toward his king.

On behalf of the Knights of the Round Table, he began to pay homage to his king.

You bore the brunt of that dark era all by yourself.

You alone failed to experience the splendor of the round table.

Valiant King of Knights! Great man who saved Britain! You are the shining star! This time... the sword can finally be returned.

The lines kept jumping around.

The phone screen then switched to King Arthur in his normal state.

With the appearance of the holy sword, the group launched their attack.

The Lion King was gradually suppressed until he was defeated.

In the instant she fell, she finally remembered the forest, the hill, and... the one-armed knight who had worried about her until the very end.

finally.

Bedivere approached his king, knelt on one knee, and raised the holy sword.

Queen Arthur slowly lowered her head, her gaze softening as she looked down at the knight kneeling on one knee: "Bedewell, my last and most loyal knight, you have fulfilled your mission."

"..."

The moment the holy sword was returned.

Bedivere's body vanished in the smoke.

Only tiny specks of silver light, like stardust, remained, slowly dissipating from the spot.

He burned everything he had to complete the mission that was 1500 years overdue—to return the holy sword to the queen, awaken her soul corrupted by divinity, and free her from this eternal shackle, allowing her to return to death, the inevitable destiny of humankind.

off screen.

Su Deqiang stared blankly at the screen.

There were no earth-shattering explosions, no dazzling special effects. Compared to Arash, Bedivere's silent disappearance and the scene of him kneeling to return the holy sword brought a shock and sorrow that struck his soul like the heaviest blunt weapon.

A lingering obsession that transcends a thousand years...

Unfulfilled duties...

The final atonement...

The deepest loyalty to the king...

Suddenly, the sound of birds chirping came from outside the window.

Su Deqiang slowly put down his slightly hot phone, took a deep breath, and tried to calm the surging emotions in his chest.

But it simply can't be done.

His eyes stung as he recalled many things, from Arash's heroic sacrifice to Bedivere's redemption across a thousand years... Throughout the entire chapter, every character was imbued with a breathtaking depth and soul.

A top-notch story, profound character development, and soul-stirring emotional power.

he thinks.

This should be the pinnacle of storylines in current anime-style mobile games!

none of them!

Avalon, a third-rate teacher...

That's really awesome.

Su Deqiang paused for a moment, then glanced at the time; it was past eight in the morning.

He thought for a moment, then opened the Avalon Game Assistant community section... As expected, it was already flooded with posts related to the Sixth Singularity.

It's only 8 a.m.!

Countless players shared their shock, sadness, and reflections.

Can be imagined.

How many players, like Su Deqiang, stay up all night grinding for progress?

As he watched the players, who were just as deeply moved as he was, engaging in enthusiastic discussions, the shock he felt at the ending was gradually replaced by a deeper emotion—gratitude.

I was moved by the profound portrayal of the characters.

I was moved by the brilliance and darkness of humanity depicted in the story.

I was touched by the production team's dedication.

FGO may not be the most visually stunning in terms of gameplay, but with its unparalleled story, characters, and emotional power, it once again proves its irreplaceable status and value.

It's not some outdated game that's out of date; it's the most unique jewel in the crown of the Avalon ecosystem!
At least in the realm of anime-style mobile games, this game is truly irreplaceable.

This chapter.

That's really... amazing!!!
(End of this chapter)