Chapter 67 – There Are So Many Flowers in the Underworld…

[ On one side, Gilgamesh stared intently at Nega-Genesis, seemingly deep in thought. He turned his head toward Mash and said: “Mash!”

“Ye-Yes!” Facing King Gilgamesh’s call, Mash tensed up slightly and responded nervously.

“To deal with that accursed barrier, we need your power!” Gilgamesh’s expression remained unchanged, his calm demeanor unshaken as he addressed everyone.

“Bear the weight of the King’s remembrance! That castle of chalk that a certain king sent her heart out for— The Materialization of such a place it may be able to withstand that thing!” ]

…..

~Type-Moon World in the Fourth Holy Grail War Timeline~

“The King of Heroes was talking about is you—the King of Knights!”

The King of Conquerors, Iskandar looked at Artoria and slowly spoke.

The White Chalk City refers to Camelot, right? I thought this King of Heroes wouldn’t acknowledge the King of Knights as a King?!

Artoria, the King of Knights, hesitated for a moment before replying. Her piercing green eyes were fixed on the screen, her expression a mix of surprise and contemplation.

“It must be…”

Her voice was soft but firm, carrying the weight of her thoughts. She had always seen Gilgamesh as an arrogant and self-centered ruler, someone who would never acknowledge her as an equal. Yet, the words on the screen spoke otherwise.

Gilgamesh, seated nearby, swirled the wine glass in his hand, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. He said nothing, his silence speaking volumes.

~Type-Moon World in the Fifth Holy Grail War Timeline~

“They look so similar… Even their hairstyles are the same!”

Tohsaka Rin’s voice was filled with disbelief as she analyzed the image of Gilgamesh on the screen.

“Even the class rank are the same! Why is there such a huge difference?!”

Tohsaka Rin held her head, her thoughts swirling internally.

Shirou Emiya, standing beside her, scratched his head in confusion.

“I don’t get it either. How can the same person be so different? It’s like they’re two completely different people.”

Rin groaned, her frustration evident.

“It doesn’t make any sense! The Gilgamesh we know would never sacrifice himself for anyone. He’s too busy calling everyone ‘Zasshu’ and acting like he’s above it all.”

Gilgamesh, overhearing their conversation, let out a derisive snort.

“Foolish girl. Do you truly believe you understand the complexities of a king’s heart? The man in that video is but one facet of my greatness.”

Rin crossed her arms, still glaring at Gilgamesh, but she reluctantly turned her attention back to the screen.

[ “You mean we’re going to slam Mash’s Noble Phantasm, the distant hope fortress Lord Camelot against it?” Ishtar turned to Gilgamesh.

Regarding Mash’s Noble Phantasm, they were quite familiar with it. While it was effective for defense, using it offensively—aside from smashing things—they couldn’t think of other methods!

Mash hesitated for a moment, while Fujimaru Ritsuka furrowed his brow and continued: “But, if it can defend against the expansion of that space…!”

Merlin looked at Tiamat and added: “Exactly! While Mash holds the space steady, someone must deliver the final blow to Beast!”

Saying this, Merlin turned to Fujimaru Ritsuka and slowly spoke: “But who could do that…!”

Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka looked at Merlin, puzzled!

“Nega-Genesis denies past life while attempts to give birth of new life within that space! Therefore, only the living are allowed to exist!”

After Merlin finished speaking, everyone turned their gaze toward Fujimaru Ritsuka. Without hesitation, Fujimaru Ritsuka stared at the white expanse of space ahead.

“I’ll go!”

Clenching his fists tightly, Fujimaru Ritsuka resolved himself. They had sacrificed so much to defeat Tiamat; it couldn’t end here!

Watching Fujimaru Ritsuka’s bravery, Gilgamesh smirked and slowly said:

“When the space manifests, I won’t be able to act! Take this with you.”

A golden ripple opened beside him, and a dagger-like Noble Phantasm appeared in Gilgamesh’s hand. He then tossed it to Fujimaru Ritsuka!

“Aim at her head—that’s her weak point!”

After catching the dagger, Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded slightly, his expression becoming incredibly serious!

“But within that space, even my special privileges will be useless!”

Ereshkigal voiced her concern, her powers unrelated to that space!

“In that case, I’ll deploy my Noble Phantasm alongside Mash!” Merlin smiled at Ereshkigal and then looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka: “We’ll pave the way for you!”

“Master…!” Mash called out, worried for Fujimaru Ritsuka’s safety.

Understanding Mash’s concern, Fujimaru Ritsuka placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, gazing at the white void ahead, and softly said: “Mash! You just need to face the future and give all your strength—that’s all you need to do!”

Feeling her master’s trust, Mash regained her spirit, her tone becoming resolute: “Yes! I believe in you, Master!”

As they spoke, the mountains imprisoning Tiamat began to crack, trembling violently. The previously halted expansion of Nega-Genesis resumed its slow advance forward!

Ereshkigal, struggling to maintain control, tightened her grip, her voice weakening: “My barrier won’t hold much any longer!”

Knowing there was no time to waste, Mash and Merlin began deploying their Noble Phantasms together!

A magic circle appeared beneath Merlin, who held his staff in both hands!

“From the stars of the inner sea and the tower of insight…” 

Beside her, Mash closed her eyes and began reciting the incantation: “True name unleashed—I will stand on the seat of catastrophe!” 

Meanwhile, Merlin also closed her eyes: “From the four corners of paradise, let them know:”

“Their story is filled with blessings.”

Then, Merlin appeared in a sea of flowers, petals dancing endlessly in the sky above!

Mash opened her eyes, and a skirt appeared on her body.

“Only those free of sin may pass…”

“That which heals all wounds and grudges, our glorious homeland.”

At this moment, Tiamat broke free from Ereshkigal’s restraint!

“Manifest yourself,” Mash raised her shield forward!

“Now is a Castle of Distant Ideals”

 (Lord Camelot)

A burst of white light erupted from the center of the shield, and the ethereal image of a fortress appeared behind them, standing before the group!

Tiamat’s Nega-Genesis approached the group, enveloping the sky above them. However, thanks to Mash’s Noble Phantasm, they narrowly avoided being reduced to black particles!

On the other side, Merlin opened her eyes, revealing a smile as she stood amidst the sea of flowers, waving her staff.

“Eternally Secluded Utopia!!” 

 (Garden of Avalon!)

Countless petals surged forward, paving the way for Fujimaru Ritsuka!

Fujimaru Ritsuka raised the dagger in his hand and followed the path of petals into Tiamat’s Nega-Genesis, charging toward her!

Meanwhile, Ereshkigal finally couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed, her knees hitting the ground.

Ishtar cried out in alarm: “Ereshkigal!!”

Ishtar rushed over to catch the slowly falling Ereshkigal, her face pale as she realized: “I should have known!”

“You didn’t just break the taboo of the Underworld—you also lent your power to the living!”

“Using your power like this means you can’t possibly leave unscathed!”

Ereshkigal’s eyes trembled with pain, but Fujimaru Ritsuka had already entered Nega-Genesis with the help of the petals, running toward Tiamat.

Ereshkigal’s voice softened as she gently said: “So what? I am the Mistress of the Underworld!”

“To protect the Underworld, I simply chose the most effective method!” Her trembling hand was gripped tightly by Ishtar.

Looking at Ereshkigal, who seemed to still harbor some lingering determination, Ishtar grew anxious and confused:

“You finally found someone you could communicate with! If you disappear here, what meaning does it hold?!”

Ereshkigal lowered her face, biting back tears.

“Who knows if next time there might be an even more romantic unexpected meeting? My fundamental divinity is even more gloomy than it is now…”

“Perhaps we won’t be able to chat smoothly anymore…”

“But it doesn’t matter! I don’t like who I am now. Instead, I admire the way humans live.”

With great effort, she reached out her hand, lifting a petal from the ground. Her weakened face once again revealed a smile, tinged with joy:

“It’s wonderful!”

“Ereshkigal…” Ishtar silently tightened her grip on Ereshkigal’s shoulder.

“My Underworld is actually full of flowers….” Then her entire body turned into points of light, dancing with the petals, dissipating into this world! ]

The Underworld has flowers, but just this one blooms, named Ereshkigal!

The Underworld has flowers, but just this one blooms. Though it may wither, it remains incomparably radiant!!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep