Davidian's Holy Grail War

But what is the price for forging the holy sword?

This was the only question in Ritsuka's mind before she began this final trial.

Chapter 454 Memories

Merlin added that, based on past experience, the first obstacle is usually the most difficult and painful, and the task of the four people besides Custer is to overcome these obstacles and continue forward.

"It's alright~ After all, it's a gradual process from painful things to joyful things, so it will become easier and easier." Merlin added with a smile, and at this moment he also emphasized again that the mission of the fairies of Paradise is to forge the Holy Sword.

By doing so, the British Lostbelt will lose its origin, and human history will settle down. Without the Imaginary Tree, the British Lostbelt will, like other Lostbelts, slowly come to an end.

Most importantly, the creation of the Holy Sword is also related to the protection of human history. If Britain were to merge with the broader history of humanity, it would become a world without the Holy Sword. In that case, Chaldea would lose its means of defeating the alien gods.

"Well, even the alien god couldn't stop the [collapse], so it's a draw... or you could say it's a stalemate. That's all for now. Any questions?"

Ritsuka could only say that there was nothing for the time being, for the time being... but his expression at that moment was really a bit scary to the people around him. They didn't understand why Ritsuka's expression could be so serious at this moment.

Caster smiled and comforted him in her usual style, after all, she was the Child of Prophecy. She had fought all this time for this moment, and had rung the bells to get here. Besides, after the fourth bell in Orkney, she knew that forging the Holy Sword was her mission.

"I originally planned to come here alone after Noknare became queen, so... there's no need to think about those unnecessary things. Besides, you all need that thing called the God-Made Weapon, right?"

Then we must hurry. I must protect my Britain, and you must reclaim your world. What is needed for this is the same; it is simply that the moment has finally arrived.

This is the end of our journey, the end of a pilgrimage that has been joyful from beginning to end. Head to the chosen place, Fujimaru Ritsuka! It would be a waste not to enjoy this rare trip to Avalon; the escort duty before arrival is entrusted to you!

Hearing his words, Ritsuka's expression softened slightly. The group then began to move towards their chosen location, and Merlin continued to tell them about the calamity along the way.

Although the prophecy mentions only two calamities, there is no limit to the number of calamities that may befall Britain. Unless the root of the calamities is destroyed, new calamities will be born.

In other words, if Kornunus is not completely destroyed, then the calamity will not end.

Moreover, thanks to Morgan's efforts, the fairies born in the Fairy Kingdom are now able to travel to Pan-Human History. Therefore, the calamity will not be limited to Britain, but will gradually spread to the entire blank Earth, burning Pan-Human History.

It's like a smaller-scale version of the burning of humanity by the Magic King; that's Merlin's final conclusion.

As for Bagst... she's beyond saving now; the only option is to defeat her. Fairy migration is indeed one method, but Bagst was never able to leave the island in the first place.

"But I'm not too worried about that. With Gareth around, defeating her won't be difficult."

Merlin looked at Gareth, and Gareth nodded in return. She was used to doing this kind of thing; if Ritsuka and the others hesitated, she would never have felt that way.

Merlin then brought up the matter of Kornunus, which was more difficult. Kornunus was already a powerful god, and the curse that had accumulated over the years had strengthened his physical body; the layer of the curse was equivalent to a 400-kilometer-thick layer of star-grounds.

To defeat it, we would need to use the God of Wisdom's power to break the curse, the full fighting force of Chaldea, and the divine weapons used against Cornunus. Only then would we have a chance.

Ritsuka's expression twisted in disbelief. This was incredibly difficult. Furthermore, Merlin had said he couldn't leave Avalon and therefore couldn't offer much help, leaving the others speechless.

"Sigh, if only there were a weapon capable of killing gods right now."

Hearing this, Mashu's face darkened. She had given the black spear to Bogzat in Norwich when she lost her memory, and afterwards she forgot to retrieve it. Originally, it should have been the perfect weapon to slay a god.

But Castor suddenly said, "Isn't that perfect? ​​Don't they have Muramasa?"

Isn't his specialty god-slaying? He even boasted before that he cleaved a colossal god in two in Olympus! He can definitely do it this time too, right? It would be perfect to make up for the lack of any outstanding performances along the way.

"Huh? Really, is this all the willful words you finally managed to say? Hmm, alright then. If a truly excellent opportunity arises, I will make my move."

Muramasa knew he was lying; he couldn't possibly leave. Merlin had let him in, not intending to let him out.

The next moment, Caster vanished before their eyes. While everyone was still wondering what had happened, Merlin said that this was the first hurdle; Caster was beginning to confront his memories.

During this time, they will have to face the enemies that appear here.

Castor's memories manifest in abstract and sharp forms to oppose them, but this is not a difficult thing for them.

That's true in terms of sheer intensity, after all, they have Gareth on their team, but as the game went on, Ritsuka started to feel very uncomfortable.

How could anyone's memories be this painful? Are they crazy?! What did these demons eat? Even if this is the most painful part, it's still ridiculously painful!

After defeating the monsters, Caster reappeared, patting her chest and saying she was terrified. Everyone had disappeared; she was so worried…

"You're the one who disappeared. We're here fighting a bunch of strange Morse. No... let's keep going. I'd like to see what kind of things you've encountered. And how much have you been hiding from me?"

The group continued forward, and with Castor's second disappearance, they once again faced a sudden enemy.

[Still the same old thing...it's still the same old thing!? This isn't much better than before, is it? Caster!]

Then, as usual, they appeared, advanced, and began the third battle. Ritsuka didn't know what Castor was feeling, but he himself was really about to break down. These three painful battles were practically the same, weren't they?

Isn't it said that memories go from painful to pleasant? This hasn't lessened at all!

"Alright~! We're finally getting to Spring Memories! Since it's called Spring, it should be full of happy memories! The obstacles that appear will definitely be the easiest, so please take them down in a flash!"

After saying that, Castor disappeared again. At this moment, Ritsuka could no longer hold back and began to vent his emotions on Merlin.

Chapter 455 Savior of the Stars

"If I could, I wouldn't want to fight these tangible memories. Why are they all such difficult ones? Merlin, don't you have a heart? I feel like my heart is being ripped out."

Despite Ritsuka's accusations, Merlin simply says that everything ends with the Summer Memories. The Spring Memories are purely composed of the character's happy memories, so the obstacles that appear here might be her dressed up in her finest attire or a giant, delicious meal!

"That would be great if that were the case, but I have a feeling things aren't that simple." That was all Ritsuka said in response, while asking his final question.

"Merlin, what was the price for forging the Holy Sword?"

When asked this, Merlin couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. But he still chose to tell everyone the truth; he wasn't one to lie.

"As the price for establishing the concept of the Holy Sword, she will disappear. This is the mission and function of the Paradise Fairy. Forging the Holy Sword is not as simple as it seems."

The experience, memories, spiritual origin, and even destiny she gained—all of these must be used as materials to forge the holy sword. This is not a sacrifice, but merely an equal exchange. And not just anyone can do it; only she could accomplish this.

Ritsuka's eyes widened. He had only asked if Caster knew about this.

Merlin's answer was yes. Her life would end once her mission was complete. This was the only thing she was certain she had been told from the beginning. Therefore, there was no coercion; it was her own will that brought her here.

“I understand how you feel, but I also hope you can understand that there were no other options for you. She came because she knew, and even with the surrounding circumstances, she still went to the place she chose based on her own will.”

Just as they were talking, Castor appeared out of nowhere.

Ritsuka couldn't hold back any longer. No battle? Huh? No battle?!

Seeing their stunned expressions, Caster realized what was happening. After a moment of disappointment, she quickly composed herself and reassured everyone that it was great; she herself had come back as soon as she came to her senses!

"Is that the chosen spot on that hill? Alright, let's race to see who gets there first!"

She laughed and ran two steps, but Ritsuka called out from behind:

"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! What's going on?! You can't do this!?" He stomped his feet like a child as he spoke, something Ritsuka would never do before, but the people around him didn't say anything. They understood why Ritsuka was acting this way.

"Is that really all there is?! You had no happy memories before we met?! Is our short trip the only happy memory that distracts you? Is there only pain besides that?!"

Whether it's the breeze of Salisbury or the snow of Orkney, are your happy memories limited to what we experienced together? What's the point of saving Britain then? What reason do you have to save it?

Castor didn't turn around; she pretended not to hear and kept running.

However, Muramasa placed his hand on his shoulder and said, "Yes, you are right, and it is right for you to be angry about it. Since you have such feelings, I am at ease. Let the elders handle the rest."

Ritsuka wiped away his tears, choosing to believe Muramasa at that moment. Muramasa led them to chase after them; now they had to work harder to resolve the situation before that guy actually threw himself into the furnace.

(For this part... you can probably imagine Jugglus Juggler going crazy on the rooftop in the last episode of Orb.)

They were eventually able to enter the chosen place, which was almost identical to Merlin's Imprisoned Tower.

"At the center lies the Cosmic Furnace, the place where the fairies of Paradise return. By casting the fairies of Paradise into it, the Holy Sword will be established. Not only this Lostbelt, but even you, whose concept of the Holy Sword has been scribbled out, can finally be granted the Holy Sword."

It is not a temporary recreation of heroic spirits from a recording tape, but a weapon belonging to humanity of this era, used to defeat alien invaders.

Faced with Merlin's explanation, Castor simply asked if this would save Ritsuka and the others' world. Merlin replied that it would probably be a transformation from 0 to 1.

Castor immediately laughed. "Then we have no choice but to do it! Britain can be restored to its original state, and the outside world can be saved. It's a win-win situation!"

"Stop doing it, this is too absurd."

Ritsuka's words came from behind her, but Castor turned around with a smile and a playful expression, saying to him:

"But you're the one who told me I never ran away."

With just one sentence, Ritsuka was rendered speechless, and he really didn't know how to refute her now.

The Cosmic Furnace opened at that moment, and the bright pillar of light awaited the perfect material: the fairy of paradise.

Before entering, Caster finally stopped hiding her feelings and decided to pour out all the secrets she had kept inside for so long:

"Whether it's humans or fairies, Britain or missions, I hate them all."

Fighting is terrible, mutual hatred is exhausting, and an ordinary, uneventful life is the happiest.

But if I said that, everyone would be very disappointed, so I had no choice but to act as a prophet should.

Therefore, throughout this journey with everyone, I have always felt like I am walking on thin ice.

I'm always worried that this time I only tried hard once, and next time I'll definitely give up halfway.

The fact that I, someone like this, have managed to get this far is the biggest surprise to myself.

Forging the Holy Sword means eliminating the Fairy Kingdom.

Although I can't like fairies and humans, I can clearly see their deepest desires.

In truth, every fairy is in deep pain and hopes to find redemption.

Even if this is the punishment the sinners deserve, I don't think they brought it on themselves.

After all, aren't we all the same?