Although the battle at the Mio River concluded with the evaporation of the Great Sea Demon, for some, the crisis was only just beginning.
By the riverbank.
With the complete death of Caster and his summoned creatures, a massive amount of soul-based magical energy surged recklessly toward the location of the vessel.
“Ugh…” Irisviel, who had been feeling relieved by the victory, suddenly turned deathly pale and let out a pained groan.
Her hands gripped the front of her clothes tightly over her chest as she suddenly fell backward.
“Irisviel!” Artoria turned pale with fright.
Ignoring her own weakened body from overdrawing her magical energy, she reached out to support her.
But someone was faster than her.
A golden afterimage flashed by, and Arthur steadily caught the silver-haired noblewoman just before she fell into the mud.
He looked at Irisviel’s beautiful face, which was distorted by pain, and frowned slightly.
Knowing the plot well, he naturally knew that as Servants were eliminated, Irisviel’s bodily functions as the “Lesser Holy Grail” would gradually be replaced by the functions of the Holy Grail, causing her immense pain.
“Her body…
is breaking down.” Arthur placed his palm against Irisviel’s back, feeling her magic circuits, which were in a state of extreme disorder.
“How…
how can this be?” Artoria anxiously grasped Irisviel’s hand.
“She clearly hasn’t suffered any external injuries…
Could it be the toxic gas from earlier?” “It’s not toxic gas; it’s the burden of being a vessel.” In the sky, Morgan slowly descended.
She put away her magic spear and glanced at the unconscious Irisviel.
Her eyes held the cold insight of a Queen of Magecraft: “This woman is a homunculus, specifically created as a ‘Holy Grail Vessel’ to house the souls of Heroic Spirits.
The soul of that Caster who just died was too filthy and too large; her fragile body simply cannot withstand it.” “Then what should we do?!” Artoria looked at Morgan.
Although she disliked this sister of hers, she had to admit that Morgan’s mastery of magecraft was far superior to her own.
“Hmph, why should I save her?” Morgan turned her head away coldly.
“She is the master (proxy) of an opposing faction.
Wouldn’t it be exactly what you want if she died?” “Morgan.” Arthur’s voice deepened, carrying an unquestionable tone.
“Save her.
Now is not the time for petty squabbles.” Morgan looked at Arthur’s serious expression and curled her lip.
Though somewhat reluctant, she ultimately compromised: “Take her to the nearest magecraft workshop…
which would be that Einzbern castle in the forest.
This place is too filthy to perform the treatment.” …Half an hour later, at the Einzbern Forest Castle.
In a spacious European-style bedroom, Irisviel lay on the bed.
Her breathing was weak and her brow was furrowed, clearly in extreme agony.
Artoria stood by the bed, her face full of self-reproach.
As a knight, seeing the person she swore to protect collapse before her eyes made her feel an immense sense of failure.
“Ordinary healing magecraft is useless.” Arthur stood by the bed, watching the scene, and spoke slowly: “Her pain stems from the forced filling of souls.
To alleviate this pain, we can only rely on that thing…” Saying this, Arthur turned to look at Artoria, his gaze burning: “Saber, you should be able to feel it, right?
Inside this lady’s body, there is a ‘half’ that is connected to your soul.” “What?” Artoria was taken aback for a moment.
Then, she closed her eyes and sensed carefully.
The sensation she had ignored earlier during the battle due to the surging magical energy now became clear in the quiet environment.
It was…
a warm, nostalgic feeling, as if she had returned to her distant homeland.
It was right inside Irisviel’s body!
“This is…
my scabbard?!” Artoria snapped her eyes open, looking at Irisviel in shock.
“Avalon?!
How…
how could it be inside Irisviel?” “I suspect your ‘true master’ buried it within her as a Conceptual Weapon to protect his wife and simultaneously to summon you.” Arthur explained, while reaching out his hand, his palm igniting with pure Crimson Dragon Prana: “Avalon possesses the ultimate healing ability, but it requires a supply of magical energy.
Currently, in order to suppress Caster’s soul, Irisviel’s own magical energy is no longer enough to drive the scabbard.” “So…” Arthur looked at Artoria, “we need to help ‘ignite’ it.” “We?” “Exactly.” The corners of Arthur’s mouth curled up slightly.
“You are the owner of the scabbard, and I…
possess a ‘Dragon Factor’ that is of the same origin as yours, and even stronger.
Together, the two of us will activate the Avalon inside her.” “I understand!” Artoria’s eyes were firm.
Without any hesitation, she directly grasped one of Irisviel’s hands.
Arthur grasped the other.
“Morgan, please construct a magical energy guidance array to prevent energy leakage.” Arthur turned his head to the Queen leaning against the doorframe.
“Tch, you certainly order people around quite easily.” Although Morgan complained, her hands moved extremely fast.
Several blue Rune Symbols instantly sealed the room, turning it into a temporary absolute safe zone.
“Begin.” Following Arthur’s command.
Two massive surges of golden magical energy were simultaneously injected into Irisviel’s body.
Hum—!
In an instant, Irisviel’s body erupted with a dazzling golden light.