Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

The girl was imbued with the power of an angel.

The next moment, a dazzling flash of light emanating from the sword engulfed the field of vision.

"------"

When the light completely disappeared shortly afterward, Leticia saw Metatron, who was showing a look of astonishment for the first time.

"How can it be……"

The shock and disbelief should never have been on the face of the archangel.

"That was Methuselah and Noah's... not a fake based on magic, but the real thing!"

She stared incredulously at the Noble Phantasms in Shirou and Leticia's hands.

Shirou nodded and said, "Ah, this is the guardian sword that your god placed near Paradise, the 'Cherubim's Flaming Sword'—"

It's not a projection, but the real thing I found by chance on my journey to find the Holy Grail.

If it's genuine, it's not surprising that Gang was able to achieve that level of skill.

The so-called "cherubim" was not originally the name of an angel, but a creature widely circulated in Catholic legends.

In the Old Testament, they are described as winged creatures that obey God.

In later theology, it was defined as one of the highest ranks of angels, alongside Seraphim—that is, the "wisdom angels" in Chinese.

For the archangel Metatron, who does not appear in the fundamentalist canon but only in the Apocrypha, the cherubim can be considered one of her original texts.

To paraphrase one of the oldest Golden Kings, "It is the natural order of things that a son cannot rival his father; how can a Noble Phantasm, which deteriorates with each generation, possibly be comparable to its original form!"

Therefore, even the "Pillar of Flame," which was significantly more powerful, was blocked by the "Flame Sword," which had similar properties and possessed the original attributes.

Metatron's surprise was not limited to the Flame Sword.

"Why were you there?" she demanded.

The Holy Sword Wielder, who should have been sealed into her own body, has now appeared beside Leticia.

Shirou displayed a calm expression: "Have you forgotten?"

"You didn't completely remove the power you left within Leticia, which is why she can use your abilities."

"!"

"That's right, a portion of Archangel Metatron's power still remains within Leticia's body, so—"

My being "sealed within Metatron" can also be seen as me actually being "sealed within Leticia."

"That's ridiculous..."

The archangel realized his mistake.

Because he didn't want to harm Leticia, Metatron left a bit of his power within her when he separated Jeanne's spirit origin from her.

To the omnipotent God's Secretary, it was merely an insignificant little power, yet it became the crucial loophole through which Shirou escaped from her body.

This is not the first time—

Metatron was hit by Shirou's "Achilles' heel" twice in a row.

"It's easier to escape from Leticia's body than from mine... It's amazing that you could think of such a method."

"No, it has nothing to do with whether it's easy or not."

Shirou revealed a bold and fearless smile: "I'd rather Leticia be my mother than have you give birth to her."

"Master, don't say such nonsensical things...!"

Leticia blushed at the joke.

On the other side, Metatron's expression returned to calm.

Even if you escape, so what?

Since you're unwilling to become the guardian of the new humans, then you're the enemy of me and the world.

I will reject you—disappear along with the old humanity, Holy Sword Wielder!

Metatron's spirit origin reaction began to rise rapidly, and his magical energy became so dense that it could be seen with the naked eye.

Another, or more conventional, usage of "The omniscient and omnipotent one will rule (Univers Immortelle Metatron)".

Previously, Metatron used this Noble Phantasm to stop the flow of time, but now this is the true form of the Noble Phantasm.

Transforming into "the noblest angelic form imaginable to humankind," unleashing an area-of-effect attack and a full-scale heal—

No hero in human history has ever been able to withstand this Noble Phantasm.

Even if it were the pinnacle of all Noble Phantasms' firepower—a projection of hundreds of millions of Star Swords—Metatron was confident he could overwhelm the opponent head-on.

However, Shirou, who expected to draw his holy sword and confront the archangel, summoned another sword in front of him.

"That is……!"

The longsword has an elegant design and exudes a sacred atmosphere, with a hilt decorated like a flower bud.

Its rank as a Noble Phantasm is neither "EX" nor "A++", but only "C".

However, it is currently the only being that can threaten Archangel Metatron—

Joan of Arc's personal sword, Saint Catherine.

"The Holy Maiden within you entrusted this to me; you should understand what that means, right?"

Metatron was well aware of the power of this treasure, which was sublimated from the sacrifice of a life to save the country.

Using the deathbed poem "Lord, I entrust this body to your disposal—" as the activation incantation, the Holy Sword Catherine will leap from C-rank to EX-rank.

Her name is "La Pucelle".

That was a conceptual crystallization of weaponry created by interpreting Joan of Arc's experience of being burned at the stake as an attack.

A subspecies of a Reality Marble, a holy sword formed by crystallizing the mental world.

Most importantly, activating this Noble Phantasm will kill Ruler—it is a special attack Noble Phantasm that eliminates everything in existence at the cost of his own Spirit Origin.

The Noble Phantasm itself is incredibly powerful—but it is definitely not enough to seriously injure Metatron.

However, the side effect of "causing Joan of Arc's spirit base to collapse" was fatal to her.

After all... Metatron manifested in the world using Jeanne d'Arc's spirit origin as a vessel.

"stop!"

For the first time, Metatron's solemn face betrayed an undisguised panic.

The sealed Jeanne d'Arc cannot use the Crimson Saintess from within, but she surprisingly hands the sword to Shirou.

In this way, the use of the "Red Lotus Saintess" is no longer restricted.

It's amazing that he could think of such a thing...

No, wait a minute...

That was just for show! He had no intention of unleashing his special attack Noble Phantasm!

Metatron knew that the Holy Sword Wielder was a noble spirit who valued his comrades, and his pride would not allow him to exchange Joan of Arc's sacrifice for victory.

"Put down that sword and fight me fair and square, Holy Sword Wielder."

Metatron advised.

"If that Noble Phantasm is unleashed, Jeanne d'Arc will also disappear! I'm sure you wouldn't be able to accept that outcome—"

"Do you think...we don't have that kind of awareness?"

Shirou glared at her, and her words left the archangel speechless.

You could tell everything from his resolute expression.

His awakening, and her awakening.

A savior who abandoned the pride of heroic spirits.

A saintly woman who sacrificed her servants' spirit origins to save the nation.

The determination to perish together with oneself, even at such a cost, was so strong—

In that instant, the archangel seemed to gain a deeper understanding of the human species.

How did they, who seem so weak compared to elves and gods, manage to ascend to the throne of primates?

Cleverness, or rather, cunning, that even gods and angels can fool.

The ability to use any means necessary to achieve one's goals can also be described as despicable.

Most importantly, it is the courage to never back down or give up when facing an enemy far stronger than oneself.

If it were them (humans), perhaps they really could overcome that hopeless future...

"........."

Metatron slowly lowered his arm, which was now filled with power.

"Please do not underestimate human beings."

The red-haired youth pointed the sword hilt at the archangel as he spoke in a deep voice.

"After despair comes hope... These are the words Joan of Arc asked me to convey to you."

At this very moment, Joan of Arc must be praying silently inside Metatron's body.

I pray for the future of humanity, I pray for my victory.

Shirou felt himself connected to her.

Even though they are in different times and spaces, they can still clearly feel each other's presence like this.

Speaking of which, what exactly is the "response to a confession"? I really want to know the result.

With that thought in mind, Shirou infused the holy sword that Jeanne had entrusted to him with magical power.

Immediately afterwards, the buds at the bottom blossomed into full bloom.

The holy sword sensed its master's prayer and began to emit beautiful, illusory flames.

The shimmering flames transformed into explosive blades (energy), piercing through the night sky like stars.

This time, no one expected the "Crimson Saintess" to be powerful, but...

The Servants and Mages who were engaged in fierce battle with the Angel Legion all looked up at the same time.

All eyes were drawn to the blazing flame of life, its dazzling light truly beautiful.

Compared to the immense power unleashed by Metatron, neither its magical strength nor its mystique was worth mentioning, but...

In an instant, it seemed as if everyone saw the most dazzling brilliance in the world from those flames.

That was the flame that killed Joan of Arc.

Those who condemned her believed the flames were punishment for the witch, but Joan of Arc believed they were ultimate salvation.

It is used for purification, to become the foundation for the future, and to redeem oneself.

Even after a hundred, two hundred, or a thousand years, I will never forget this beautiful scene.

Just like the glimmer of hope that will never fade as long as humanity exists.

Volume 5, Chapter 258: Evolution! Shirou, the Perpetual Motion Pile Driver!

The power of the God's Book is gradually disappearing.

There were no external injuries.

After the beautiful flames symbolizing the saint's short life burned out, the pillar of fire behind Metatron also returned to darkness.

Within seconds, the ultimate, most perfect being was defeated so easily.

“Her spiritual foundation has disappeared.”

For some reason, driven by a sorrowful thought, Metatron pressed his hand to his chest and said.

She slowly descended, reaching the same height as Shirou and Leticia.