Chapter Fifty-Two: The Conqueror King's Final Battle

I believe that the Emperor must have smiled when he departed, having gained a vassal like Waver and witnessed his growth.

“Is Rider really going to fight? Why not let Saber or Berserker make the first move? Even if Rider defeats Archer, there’s no way to win against Saber and Berserker together.” Waver stood behind the King of Conquest, trying to persuade him.

“Impossible? In my dictionary, the word ‘impossible’ does not exist. My dictionary contains only one word—‘conquest’!” The Emperor did not even turn his head as he replied to Waver.

“Idiot! Idiot! Such a fool! Fool! Fool! Big fool!” Waver shouted at the Emperor as he watched the golden ship carrying the gleaming figure arrive atop the bridge.

“Haha! Fool, you say? Antipater often called me that as well. But remember, little Master—while you are still my Master, remember my royal path! Though you are but a child, I must say, I am glad that it was you who summoned me. Haven’t you noticed? Through our time together, you have already become a man.” The Emperor, who had started with a wild laugh, suddenly softened his voice.

Waver took a deep breath and looked at the Emperor with unwavering eyes.

“My Servant, I, Waver Velvet, command you by the power of the Command Spell.”

“Rider, you must achieve ultimate victory.”

“Once more, by the Command Spell—I command you, Rider, you must seize the Holy Grail.”

“And finally, by the Command Spell—I command you, Rider, you must conquer the world. Failure is not permitted.”

With Waver’s shout, the Command Spells on his hand vanished into the air.

“Looks like you really were right to summon me. You’re all fools! Hahaha!” The Emperor laughed boisterously at the gleaming figure in the sky.

“But, little Master, I promise you—I will fulfill your commands!” As his laughter faded, a force even greater than Kiritsugu’s surged through the surroundings.

“King of Heroes, did you hear that? My Master has ordered me to defeat you! He is now a true man!” Yet, contrary to expectation, the gleaming girl did not rage at the Emperor’s provocation, but instead said, “The bond between king and vassal is truly moving.”

“Naturally. But I must confirm one thing—” said the Emperor, turning his back to the gleaming figure.

“Tch, mongrel.” The gleaming one made no move, acting as usual.

“Waver Velvet, I ask you—are you willing to be my vassal?”

Waver, whose eyes were already moist, shed tears upon hearing the Emperor’s words. But this time, he was no longer timid; he shouted to the Emperor, “King! Only you are my king! I obey you! I pledge my loyalty to you! Please guide me here! Please let me share your dream!”

“Haha! To think that after hundreds of years, I could have another subordinate today!” The Emperor’s laughter grew louder, and with it, the gleaming one descended to the ground.

“Come, let us drink together. I believe even when I return to the Hall of Heroes, you will still love my wine.”

---

“King of Heroes, do you realize that your actions are driving you toward the abyss of failure? Whenever I drink this fine wine again, I will recall the words I spoke that night.” The Emperor took the offered cup from the gleaming one, clinking it with hers before draining it in one swallow.

“Conquest, is it? Haha, if you have the skill, come at me, mongrel!” With both kings tossing their cups aside, they returned to their respective sides of the bridge; the true battle between kings had begun.

“Mongrel! Remember what you said—surrender all your mana!” The gleaming one shouted, and with her voice, the Emperor’s mana, once overflowing and unstable due to the Command Spells, returned to balance.

Seeing the gleaming figure immersed in golden light, the Emperor laughed even louder.

“Come then, let me witness the King of Heroes at your peak!” With that, he raised his sword.

“Gather here, my comrades! Tonight, we shall be recorded as warriors in the greatest legend!” At his command, the field shifted, and the bounded field of Kiritsugu’s house once again appeared.

“The enemy is the peerless King of Heroes—an impeccable opponent. My vassals, display our might before this primal spirit!”

He pulled Waver onto his mount.

“Come, little Master—no, Waver, as my vassal, charge with me!”

The once-timid Waver now showed not a trace of fear, only the thrill of affirmation from his idol.

“Yes!”

“Ah~ la la la la la!” With the Emperor’s call, Waver and all the Heroic Spirits behind him shouted in unison.

“Ah~ la la la la la!”

As the morale of the Emperor’s army surged, the gleaming one’s side seemed ready as well.

“So this is your resolve? Not bad. As a superior mongrel, let me judge you here!” A slender golden arm emerged, but its height and length had clearly changed.

When a golden key appeared in the gleaming one’s hand, the atmosphere within the bounded field began to shift.

“Rider! Let me witness your might!” At her words, the key transformed fully into the blade that belonged only to her—E.A.

“Enuma Elish, Star of Creation that Divides Heaven and Earth!” With her words, the bounded field began to collapse.

Waver, seated before the Emperor, recognized the Noble Phantasm. “A Noble Phantasm that opposes the world!?” he murmured.

As the Noble Phantasm was unleashed, the earth began to crumble.

“Hold tight—Waver!” With a tug of the reins, the Emperor’s mount leapt across the fissure.

---

As the bounded field collapsed, the battlefield returned to the original bridge.

Stopping his mount, the Emperor lifted Waver and set him down.

“King...!?”

“Waver, remember this: displaying dreams is a king’s duty, but witnessing and recounting the king’s dreams to future generations is the vassal’s duty.” With the Emperor’s words, Waver understood what he meant: the dream of dying alongside his king here was impossible.

“Live on, Waver. Witness everything—that is your duty. Tell all you and your king have shared to future generations, and let them interpret it as their own.” With that, the Emperor tugged the reins and did not look back. “Come, Bucephalus! Charge once more!”

“King...!”

Rider began his final charge in the Holy Grail War, and the gleaming one granted him the dignity of a king. Countless Noble Phantasms unfolded behind her. Unlike before, she did not use the Chains of Heaven, but unleashed her Noble Phantasm once again.

But this time, instead of wild mana surging forth, it was fully infused into the blade.

“Archer!”

“Rider!”

With the gleaming one’s altered shout, a figure stepped out from the golden light.

“Bang!” “Splat!”

The first sound was E.A breaking the Emperor’s weapon, the second was E.A piercing his body.

“Well done, King of Conquest. I have witnessed your might here.”

“You’ve witnessed it? A pity—I still haven’t reached the distant sea of stars.” The Emperor’s voice was no longer booming, but subdued. Yet in that moment, he suddenly stood, pulling E.A from his chest, blood flowing to stain the earth.

“My vassal, inherit my will and conquer anew. Find for me that distant sea of stars, so live on...” As the Emperor’s voice faded, he vanished before the gleaming one.

“I’ll await your challenge in the Hall of Heroes,” the gleaming one whispered so only the two could hear.

“Of course.” The Emperor offered a final smile.

...

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