FATE: Target of Grand Master

Morgan immediately stepped forward, grasping the cross wand in his hand.

"Don't you think it's absurd for a human to try to defeat a god? Ereshkigal, if you want to kill Xia Yan, just say so. I'll show you how ridiculous that idea is."

"That's right. If you want to hurt the performer, you'll have to step over my dead body first."

Nero also summoned the "Primordial Flame," preparing for battle.

Just as Morgan and Nero were filled with righteous indignation, Xia Yan gently patted their shoulders and then walked to the front amidst their surprised gazes.

"Ereshkigal, as you wish, I will not use Servants, but only the power of being human."

This reaction was unexpected by Ellie.

Her original plan was that Xia Yan would refuse, after all, no fool would really think that humans could defeat gods, right? Then, she could use this to persuade him that instead of doing useless work, he should stay in the underworld with her, at least that way he could save his life.

Although Ereshkigal joined the Goddess Alliance, she did not truly intend to destroy humanity. Rather, knowing that something even worse was yet to come, she wanted to preserve humanity by saving their souls.

Because in Ereshkigal's eyes, no matter how hard humans try, they can never defeat the gods, let alone the being that comes after them.

"Let's begin then."

Ai Lei was surprised that this human named Xia Yan not only did not refuse, but also started a battle on his own.

Watching this human rush towards her at an incredibly slow pace for a goddess, Ai Lei didn't react for a moment. It wasn't until Xia Yan raised his Gan Jiang and Mo Xie swords and came within a meter of her that Ai Lei summoned a black spear from the ground to block Xia Yan's attack.

it hurts!

Xia Yan immediately took two steps back.

The black gun possesses the magic of Ellie, the mistress of the underworld. For Xia Yan, a human, this is like being near a scorching ember; even without direct contact, it will cause a burn-like effect.

"See...see that, Xia Yan? It's impossible for a human to shake a god. You should just give up."

Although Ai Lei was still putting on a brave face, her tone clearly carried a hint of admonition.

Xia Yan released the twin swords that had twisted and deformed after only a moment of contact, glanced at the back of his hand which was blackened by Ai Lei's magic, and then, without saying a word, summoned a new pair of black and white twin swords and launched an attack on Ai Lei.

Ai Lei was surprised by Xia Yan's actions again, but the subsequent development was the same as the first time. Just as Xia Yan was about to make contact with Ai Lei, he was repelled by the magical beast soul summoned by Ai Lei.

Tick-tock... Tick-tock...

Even though the magical beast summoned by Ai Lei was not of high rank, it was still a divine beast. With just one strike, it broke Xia Yan's defensive stance. The beast's sharp teeth pierced Xia Yan's body as if they were solid, and blood flowed down Xia Yan's arms and abdomen, staining the ground crimson.

"Xia Yan!"

Morgan and Nero were about to step forward when they saw this, but Xia Yan stopped them by raising his hand.

Both of them read determination and rejection in Xia Yan's eyes. It was the first time that Xia Yan, as their Master, had shown them such a look.

"Stop, Xia Yan."

Ai Lei, who was Xia Yan's rival, actually started to dissuade him.

"You don't need to risk your life in my underworld just to save face."

"So, in your eyes, Ellie, the reason I did this was because of my pride."

Xia Yan summoned the black and white swords once more and staggered toward Ai Lei.

Ai Lei looked at Xia Yan, whose body was almost half stained red, and felt at a loss.

She dared not retaliate, fearing that her attack would kill Xia Yan. However, she could not remain indifferent to this human's attack and let him attack her, otherwise her dignity as a god would be ruined.

In desperation, Ereshkigal could only summon the "Guardian Spear of the Underworld" to protect herself.

Click!

The black and white swords shattered like glass simply from the impact.

Compared to the black spear she summoned the first time, the "Guardian Spear of the Underworld" that Ai Lei was holding now contained stronger magic power. In the brief moment of contact, Xia Yan was thrown back and crashed heavily to the ground.

Morgan and Nero immediately ran to Xia Yan's side, trying to take him away, but Xia Yan still waved them off.

"Trust me, I know what I'm doing."

These eight short words made Morgan stop what he was doing.

If it were my old self, I would have definitely dragged Xia Yan away without considering his feelings. But now, even without any reason, I am willing to believe him.

No, it's not without reason.

I believe in him, I believe in Xia Yan, and that's why.

Just as Nero was trying to persuade Xia Yan, Morgan stopped her.

"Shut up, you idiot emperor! Didn't you hear Xia Yan say to trust him?"

"But..."

"There are no 'buts'. I'll just ask you one question: do you believe in Xia Yan?"

Nero remained silent, and then, instead of replying verbally, expressed her trust in the performer through her actions.

The two stood up, gritted their teeth, and slowly took two steps back.

"Hey? Why aren't you trying to persuade him? Aren't you his Servants?"

Ereshkigal couldn't understand Morgan and Nero's behavior at all. Were these two Servants just going to watch their Master die?

"Shut up!"

Morgan revealed a ferocious expression.

You can't possibly understand the heartache we're experiencing right now!

Nero, standing to the side, said very seriously, "It is precisely because we are followers that we believe in Xia Yan and believe that there must be a reason for what he did."

"Hahaha, well said!"

Gilgamesh took a Noble Phantasm from the Gate of Babylon and threw it at Xia Yan, who was barely supporting his body.

This is the Chains of Heaven! It is a Noble Phantasm that increases in hardness the higher the divinity of the object it binds.

Legend has it that Gilgamesh used it to capture the "Bull of the Sky" with Enkidu. It can be said to be the most trusted Noble Phantasm in Gilgamesh's treasury, and his trust in it even exceeded that of Ea.

One end of the Chains of Heaven wrapped around Xia Yan's waist, and then Gilgamesh pulled him up.

Just as Xia Yan was about to collide with Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk used his other hand to support Xia Yan.

"I have taught you once; the rest is up to you."

After saying that, Gilgamesh placed the other end of the Chains of Heaven into Xia Yan's hand.

"Let me make this clear first: this is a loan from me. Remember to return it to me when you're done."

"Thanks."

Xia Yan understood that Gilgamesh had seen through his intentions, which was why he chose to help him.

Gilgamesh did not deliberately conceal the process of handing the Chains of Heaven to Xia Yan, and Ereshkigal saw it all clearly.

"Gilgamesh, I just said that Xia Yan can only use human power!"

Gilgamesh looked at Ereshkigal and smiled, "That's right. Don't be fooled by the fact that my strength is in no way inferior to that of a Servant; I am indeed human now. Since I am human, my Noble Phantasm naturally also possesses human power."

Ai Lei did indeed forget about that.

That's right, Gilgamesh was still a human living in this era at this time.

"I also said that Xia Yan must use his own power!"

Ereshkigal reiterated Gilgamesh's transgressions.

However, Gilgamesh was prepared.

"I merely lent him the Chains of Heaven, not used them for him, so this is naturally considered his power."