Kamen Rider Date A Live

As Joan of Arc spoke, the sword and the banner clashed, and in an instant, the two intersecting objects began to converge with light in a frenzy!

Countless particles of light drifted toward the sword and banner in Joan of Arc's hand, surrounding her and making her appear breathtakingly beautiful, leaving agitω momentarily mesmerized.

The truth behind this radiance is glory, the very dream that all warriors who have perished on the battlefield throughout history have pursued and longed for throughout their lives.

At the tender age of seventeen, she decisively ended the 116-year-long war between Britain and France, winning every battle she fought. This achievement is unparalleled, this glory incomparable; it transcends time and will live on forever. She is a true national hero.

And now, this glory is gathered in the sword and banner that Joan of Arc holds high. She takes pride in this glory, uses it as a blade to cut through everything, and as a radiant light to protect everything. At this moment, Joan of Arc, who has upheld her beliefs, has quietly withdrawn the sword from her hand and put it back at her waist. She is now Joan of Arc, who holds the banner tightly in both hands, and loudly sings the true name of this glory in her hands.

Its name is—

"The glory of salvation and blessing!!!!!"

It wasn't that she waved the flag at the enemy, nor that she used it to defend herself against attacks. Rather, at the moment when the light within the flag reached its zenith, Joan of Arc threw her flag into the sky!

Surrounded by dazzling light, the flag was like an arrow released from a bow. No one doubted that the flag would pierce through the sea monster's body, but—something surprising happened.

The banner did not pierce through the sea monster, but instead ignored its flesh and entered its body directly, and then—it emitted light.

The light that had been gathered on the flag was released after entering the sea monster's body, enveloping the sea monster and everyone present.

Indeed, not only the three inside agitω were illuminated by the light, but also all the Masters and Heroic Spirits outside felt this pure light of blessing and redemption.

The masters unconsciously closed their eyes, as if drawn by the light, feeling it. At the same time, they didn't realize that their physical strength and magic power were slowly recovering.

The other heroic spirits outside were less affected by this move and did not unconsciously close their eyes, but they all showed an intoxicated expression—even Archer, who had just arrived, was no exception.

"This is Joan of Arc... the radiance of a saint... Although she resembles the little girl, the Knight King, before she understood things, she is also different. It truly makes me realize once again that this Holy Grail War was worthwhile! Wahahahahahaha!!"

Although Joan of Arc's figure cannot be seen, Rider can imagine her feelings and expression when she used this move—no regrets, absolutely no regrets! Even if I am falsely accused and die a violent death, I have no regrets! If I could choose again, I would choose to take up my sword and banner and fight once more! Not only to liberate the country from war, but also because it is history created together with my comrades who support me! I must spread the light of redemption and blessing throughout the country!

What admirable character! One cannot help but admire Joan of Arc!

But this is precisely the difference between Joan of Arc and Artoria. Although both acted for their countries, Lydia wanted to go back in time to change everything, denying the history she and her companions had created. Joan of Arc, however, did not do so; she accepted everything openly. This radiance is the best proof of that!

As Rider snapped out of his reverie and burst into laughter, Archer also withdrew his intoxicated smile, revealing a slightly wicked grin.

"Hmph... Conqueror King, what you said is quite good. I mercifully agree. This trip has indeed been worthwhile."

As he spoke, Archer stared at the sea monster. After a while, he returned to his ark, turned to Rider, ignored the other three recovered Heroic Spirits, and said with a smile full of fighting spirit.

"By the way, Conqueror King. When the lackey returns, tell him that I will be waiting for him on that bridge, as the place for our final battle."

Archer's words made Rider's eyes flash, and he gave him a serious look.

"...Do you know what you're doing, Babylonian Hero King? You received those messages too, didn't you?"

"Oh? You only realized it now?"

The title "archer" brought a smile to his face, ignoring the warning tone of "rider" that followed.

"So what do you plan to do, Rider? Are you going to vent your anger with violence right here and now?"

"While it would be a pleasure to do so, I don't want to waste my magic at a time like this if my opponent is you."

After Rider frankly and openly stated his position without any pretense, he glanced at Archer and said with disdain.

"Of course, if you are unwilling to miss the opportunity and insist on fighting me, I am ready to accompany you at any time."

"It's alright. I'll allow you to escape, Conqueror. I wouldn't be satisfied if I didn't defeat you when you were in perfect condition."

Upon hearing Archer's composed declaration, Rider mischievously raised an eyebrow and said...

"Hmm? Haha. That being said, it's actually because all the Heroic Spirits present seem to be looking at you with hostility, right?"

"...Anyone who provokes me must atone with their death!"

Knowing this was no joke, and with the hostile gazes from the other three Heroic Spirits making Archer wary, he pursed his lips in annoyance, stopped talking, and flew away.

Chapter 180: The Annihilation of Caster (End)

Chapter 180: The Annihilation of the Caster (End)

While these things were happening on the outside, something was also happening inside the Sea Demon, at agitω.

Just as Joan of Arc proclaimed the true name of this move, its purpose is to bestow the blessing of redemption upon all things.

Yes, the blessing of redemption is just like what those Christians say: God loves the world and all things. Although we don't know if the real Jehovah truly loves the world and all things, agitω can see from Joan of Arc's move that Joan of Arc did indeed have that intention, to redeem those unfortunate people within her power.

Feeling this intoxicating glory, agitω subconsciously placed his hand on the Philosopher's Stone on his chest, which was emitting a faint glow.

After Jeanne unleashed this attack, the Philosopher's Stone on his chest took on this appearance, emitting a faint glow as if resonating with Jeanne's technique. At the same time, agitω also felt a subtle change in the power of light within his body, which began to concentrate its power of light towards his belt and start storing it in the Philosopher's Stone within it.

agitω didn't understand what was going on, but didn't try to stop it, because agitω vaguely felt that this might be the way to break through the current stage and sublimate the belt and the power of light.

At this moment, Gilgamesh was staring blankly at the light spreading everywhere. The madness in his eyes had quietly faded, and he was simply staring at the light. He didn't even notice the waves of pain coming from the Command Seal in his hand or the lack of magical energy being transmitted to him.

Indeed, while Agitω was engaged in fierce combat, Ria's true master, the magician assassin Kiritsugu Emiya, held a sniper rifle with smoke rising from its muzzle, silently savoring the glory. Uncontrollably, tears welled up in his eyes, without even him noticing...

On the banks of the Weiyuan River, a group of bystanders watched in horror as Ryunosuke Amusei, the Caster's master who had met Agitω once before, wore a happy smile. However, there was a large hole in his chest, as big as a bowl, from which bright red blood flowed continuously, staining the earth red.

Unaware that his master was dead, or perhaps no longer caring about such things, Gil stared at the glory for a while before finally uttering a sound.

"Ah...ah...ah..."

The voice was incredibly hoarse yet so ordinary that agitω almost thought there was something wrong with his ears—caster speaking in a normal tone?! This was illogical!

However, agitω then thought that even his current self is unscientific proof, so talking about science or not is really stupid!

Just as agitω's thoughts began to wander, Jill, on the other hand, started to have a series of thoughts.

Incidentally, the effect of this move wasn't just that. Although everyone was unharmed, the sea monsters summoned by Caster let out a shrill and tragic wail after being covered in light—because their bodies, like the light covering them, gradually turned into light.

It's not as beautiful on the outside as it seems. Only the sea demon experiencing this attack can understand the feeling of having its flesh ripped away piece by piece, bit by bit, to erase that sensation... It's truly worse than death.

Logically, as the summoner of the Sea Demon, Caster shouldn't have stood idly by and watched the Sea Demon die. But now, Caster, who was staring intently at the light, was completely oblivious to the matter, as if his mind and body had been stolen away by the dazzling light.

Yes—he had seen this light in the distant past.

Didn't he once chase this light as a knight?

That exceptionally vivid memory transported Gilles de Rais back to the distant past.

During the long-awaited coronation of King Charles in Jules, a beam of light shone through the cathedral's stained glass windows.

The pure white light, like a blessing, gently enveloped Joan of Arc, Gilles de Gaulle, and everyone else who were present as heroes of the nation, and they were all immersed in the joyful melody of Arsnova.

Ah, yes, that's right—it's this light.

He can still recall it clearly. Even today, after falling into the path of evil and committing countless heinous acts, the memory of that day has not faded at all; it remains deeply etched in his heart.

Even if the ending is stained with humiliation and hatred, and is despised by thousands, no one can deny the glory of the past, no one can overturn it, and it remains deeply hidden in one's heart.

It is something that neither gods nor fate can take away or defile...

A tear rolled down his cheek, and Gilles de Rais looked somewhat lost.

What am I confused about, and what have I missed?

Isn't it enough to simply look back and admit mistakes?

"What...am I doing..."

Before Jill could utter her unspoken murmur, a sudden embrace silenced her.

"Finally awake, huh... Jill!!"

"...Zhen, Zhende..."

Feeling the lovely person in his arms, Gilles spoke with a bitter tone. The moment he fully returned to normal, he knew that he was now a heinous criminal and would never again be the glorious French Marshal Gilles de Rais.

However, just before Gilles could push Joan away and try to calm himself down to say these words, a sharp pain suddenly shot through the spot where Joan was holding him.

"Idiot, idiot, idiot!!!! You did all that for me, do you think I'd be happy?! Jill! Even if you had really resurrected me then, I would never have been happy! You idiot! Was it really necessary to get so much blood on your hands for me...?"

As she spoke, Joan of Arc unconsciously tightened her embrace, which became the source of Gilles' pain—"Joan of Arc, I'm a fragile mage now, not a tank warrior! It hurts!"

However, Jill only kept these thoughts to herself and didn't say them aloud, while continuing to say what she had just wanted to say.

“…Joan of Arc…kill me.” With that, Gilles closed his frog-like eyes and continued resolutely.

“I am no longer the Gilles de Rais you once knew. Even though I am now lucid, the number of lives I have taken will not decrease in the slightest. Only death now can atone for my sins, however small. It is too late for me to… regret it…”

Gilles' words made Jeanne's body stiffen slightly. But in reality, Jeanne didn't have much time left, because the sea monster was almost completely dissipating, and apart from Agitω, none of those present could fly. Besides, Gilles would probably be killed by the other Servants soon after he appeared!

No one present was stupid; they easily understood this principle. However, for agitω, everything now depended on Jeanne d'Arc herself and her own choices.

Unwittingly bearing the weight of their decision, Joan of Arc slowly left Gilles' body, lowered her head, and then suddenly drew her sword, piercing Gilles's core with a single strike!

Caster – Annihilation complete…

Chapter 183: The Last Leisure Before the Challenge (Part 1)

Chapter 183: The Last Leisure Before the Challenge (Part 1)

P.S.: What a great day! The first episode of "I'm Going to Become a Twintail" is here, and Accel World Volume 17 is coming soon too—everyone, cheer!

PS2: The book review section is so lonely, let's get some people here, or just join my author group!

(Is today my last day in this world...?)

As usual, Shido stayed on the rooftop basking in the sun of this world. Jeanne d'Arc was also by Shido's side, her expression somewhat indifferent, but much better than yesterday. Unlike Shido, who came to the rooftop to recover his magic, Jeanne d'Arc simply came here to relax.

Twenty, feeling the abundant magical power within his body, Shido's eyes turned cold, but the next moment they returned to a lazy gaze. He stretched out his hand towards the sun, seemingly grabbing something.

Just yesterday, after agreeing to fight the evil of the world tomorrow, everyone quickly dispersed and went home. After all, tomorrow was a crucial battle, and these heroes carried the lives of an entire world's humanity on their shoulders! This was a battle they absolutely could not afford to lose!

However, before everyone parted ways, Lancelot, having regained his senses, formally thanked Shido. This made Shido a little embarrassed, as a renowned knight was giving him such a grand gesture of thanks—it was a bit much for him to accept! Do you know how much pressure I'm under?!

However, after thanking him, Lancelot bid farewell to Shido in a very dashing (pretentious) manner and followed Ria. Meanwhile, Kariya watched helplessly as his own Servant followed someone else, and he was too embarrassed to step forward to stop her. You can imagine how much he felt at that moment.

Looking left, looking right, and then looking at Sakura in his arms, Kariya was conflicted. But before he could finish his dilemma, Lancelot pulled him away—seriously, Kariya, where are your human rights as a master?

(Kariya: In the Command Seals.)

(Author's note: ...Hilarious commentary!)

After silently mourning for Kariya, with mixed feelings, Shido carried the unconscious Jeanne d'Arc towards the Waver's house.

However, before parting ways, the Command Seal in Shido's hand, which contained two unknown Heroic Spirits, suddenly emitted a stream of light and entered Ria's body without anyone noticing...

Time flies, especially for the Heroic Spirits. As time passed second by second, the sun rose as always, but Shido's mood grew heavier and heavier, because only he knew that when facing Archer... he had to be prepared to die!

However, just as Shido was planning to stay on the rooftop until nightfall, thinking of strategies and storing up magic power to prepare for the two major battles that night, a ladder suddenly appeared at the edge of the roof. Shido and Jeanne were startled and immediately transformed into spirits, standing in the corner of the roof to see who had come.

As Shido expected, the first person to climb up was indeed the true master of this house, Gulan Macage. Following Gulan up was Waver, who looked bewildered and didn't know why the old man had come here alone.

However, Shido could see something. Although he felt a little apologetic, Shido looked through the old man's diary when the old man was not at home and realized that Waver's behavior was very different from that of the old man's original grandson. Waver was too gentle.