『 The Durindana Pilum(Ultimate Unbroken Spear) clashed violently with the Golden Pierce of the Stars. Amidst that searing, terrifying radiance, Hector was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground.
His right wrist had been blown clean off. Accompanied by a cry of agony, he fell to his knees, yet there was no regret or disappointment on his face, for his mission was accomplished!
The Golden Durindana Pilum(Ultimate Unbroken Spear) shimmered with a dazzling, cold light under the setting sun. As Hector slowly began to vanish, he let out a weak laugh.
"This old man… has reached his limit. But I still managed to buy a little time. No matter how powerless, no matter how hopeless, there are still things we can do, right?"
"Think hard about it!" Hector dissipated where he knelt.
Mandricardo, bathed in the twilight, watched his idol fade away. His gaze trembled, and his heart began to pound violently.
"Brother…!" The beautiful youth Paris, who always smiled like the sun, now had eyes brimming with tears. Watching his brother depart, Paris was filled with overwhelming grief!
At the same time, he finally understood the meaning of his arrival in this place!
"…Orion!" Paris looked at Orion with a determined gaze.
Orion lowered his head, not daring to look at him. He thought Paris was going to blame him for failing the mission, but Paris's next words made his heart skip a beat.
Paris spread his arms wide and declared with unwavering resolve, "I will become the arrow!"
The mascot atop Paris's head, Apollo, was stunned for a moment, then cried out anxiously, "Wait a minute, Paris-chan, this is…"
"It can be done, right, Lord Apollo!" Paris interrupted Apollo. "When I shot Achilles in the heel, Lord Apollo, you must have imbued the arrow with your Authority!"
"If you are the God of Archery, then turning me into an arrow like that is something you can do, isn't it!"
"…I can do it," Apollo said in a deep voice. "But, does it matter? This means actual death, you know."
"It doesn't matter!" Paris's eyes shone with unparalleled brilliance. He stated firmly, "If such a thing as fate actually exists, then this, right now, is the divergence point!"
"I must stand up right here!"
Apollo fell silent for a moment, hesitating no longer. He had felt the boy's resolve. His Authority erupted, enveloping Paris.
But the problem was… someone else was needed to buy ten seconds. This didn't refer to time for conversation, but rather to withstand the Moon Goddess's main cannon for ten seconds!
Mandricardo showed a look of hesitation. He gripped the wooden sword in his hand tightly, wanting to step forward, but fearing he would be unable to complete the task.
Apollo looked toward Mandricardo. "Mandricardo, can you do it?"
"…Probably, I can do it." Although his words were somewhat hesitant, Ritsuka Fujimaru heard an unprecedented determination in his tone. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Fiamma (A Certain Magical Index): "By burning his Spirit Origin, turning into an arrow? With the help of the Sun God of Archery, Apollo, it can indeed be done; there is no need to doubt that. But for Mandricardo to block for ten seconds? Relying on that trash Heroic Spirit?" ]
[ Fujimaru Ritsuka (Type-Moon): "Every Heroic Spirit has a meaning for their existence, and Mandricardo is no exception! There is no such thing as trash. Please take back those words, sir." ]
[ Aqua (KonoSuba): "Isn't it obvious whether he's trash or not soon enough? Just like Kazuma, clearly useless, yet still complaining about me, this great Goddess." ]
[ Hidan (Naruto): "Just looking down on him, that's all. He doesn't even have a decent Noble Phantasm. You don't actually think he can fight a god just because he inherited a tiny bit of legacy, do you?" ]
[ Lu Mingfei (Dragon Raja): "Maybe… maybe a miracle will happen." ]
[ Saten Ruiko (A Certain Magical Index): "That Uncle Hector's weapon, the Durindana Pilum, is still there… surely it will be of some use!" ]
[ Beryl (Type-Moon): "Young lady, you're thinking too much. You think Mandricardo has the Knight of Owner, able to use anything he touches as a Noble Phantasm? Besides, even if he really did, he wouldn't be able to use the Noble Phantasm's original abilities." ]
[ .....]
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
Watching Mandricardo, who had a look of world-weariness and radiated the aura of a slacker, the crowd had absolutely no hope for him.
To withstand an Anti-World Noble Phantasm, one would at least need a decent Noble Phantasm of their own, right?
From start to finish, they hadn't seen Mandricardo release any Noble Phantasm; of course, he didn't possess any Noble Phantasm either.
They simply couldn't imagine how Mandricardo could block Artemis's main cannon for ten seconds.
Could it be… Mandricardo intends to use his own physical body as a catalyst to summon the next Heroic Spirit?
The crowd sneered; in that case, they could only treat this as entertainment.
.....
『 "Eh?" Ritsuka looked at Mandricardo in confusion. It wasn't that she looked down on Mandricardo, but the facts were right there—Mandricardo possessed absolutely nothing capable of reaching Artemis!
"Lord Hector, my name is Mandricardo, King of the Tatars and also an adventurer."
"As the one who sought the sword you once held, the one who swore an oath, please, allow me—" Mandricardo took a deep breath, an unprecedented determination flashing in his eyes!
Then he looked at Ritsuka. "Ritsuka, although it's a bit earlier than expected, I part ways with my friend here…"
Ritsuka realized something at that moment, revealing an expression of reluctance and grief.
"I'll be troubled if you make a face like that." Mandricardo was equally reluctant deep down. He lowered his head, murmuring, "…Originally, we were summoned to save the world."
"But, I am doing this purely for my own personal reasons."
Mandricardo revealed a faint smile, a look of longing appearing on his face. "I want to help my friend, I want to help you."
"If I want to help you, I can't think of any other way than this."
Not for that sword, but for Ritsuka Fujimaru, to help this one and only friend!
"I once swore an oath to the heavens and the fairies, not to wield a sword until I obtained the peerless sword, Durandal." 』
『 .....』
〜A Certain Magical Index World〜
The blonde, blue-eyed, kingdom-toppling beauty was stunned. So, his prototype was Bradamante, one of the Twelve Paladins of Charlemagne?
He really didn't look the part at all. Moreover, she had never imagined that the peerless holy sword the other party spoke of was actually Durandal.
That was one of the three great holy swords of Europe, the sword of the Paladin Roland, who was also the first person in history to be called a Paladin!
It was even rumored that hidden within Durandal's blade were the tooth of Saint Peter, the blood of Saint Basil, the hair of Saint Denis, and a piece of the Virgin Mary's raiment. There were even legends that within that blade… lay the hair of Jesus!
If true, its value was even more terrifying!
Because Durandal itself was the sharpest sword in the world. This sword also had the alias "Sword of Angels," and its wielder could receive the protection of God and angels!
It symbolized eternity and permanence, also known as the Sword of Constancy! And the blade was indestructible, signifying the Unbreakable Blade!
Hidden World—
The Magic God, High Priest, nodded.
It is precisely this kind of oath with great restrictions; if fulfilled, the power unleashed is all the greater, much like a monk's vow of asceticism.
Either remain trapped within the oath forever, never to break free in one's lifetime, or shatter the oath and be reborn from the ashes!
Once achieved, even a Servant as weak as Mandricardo could erupt with brilliant radiance.
—
〜Oregairu World〜
"Komachi didn't actually guess it right, did she?"
Hikigaya Komachi looked dazed. Is Mandricardo-onii-chan, who is super-duper like her own Onii-chan, about to exit the stage?
But this makes sense. After all, a guy like Onii-chan would definitely stand up at a time like this.
"A friend made with such difficulty,"
Hikigaya Hachiman felt a sense of loss in his heart. He could feel the grief and conflict within Mandricardo.
Reluctance—the reluctance to leave a friend even outweighed the fear of death. But… watching a friend fall into despair would undoubtedly be even more painful…
—
『 "Now, I can fulfill this oath. So… how should I put it?"
"Even if I can welcome such a boast-worthy moment as a hero, as a Master and Servant, as a friend, going ahead first still makes me feel awful."
Tears flowed uncontrollably in his heart, yet the courage and determination to move forward grew even stronger!
"But, here and now, I will become a friend who can help you. Making you care about me is impossible, right? But if you want to cry, cry later."
Having said that, Mandricardo straightened his bent back. Step by step, he walked to the very front of the group, standing once again in the position Hector had held!
Under the setting sun, that Durindana Pilum(Ultimate Unbroken Spear) still shimmered with a dazzling cold light.
Mandricardo took the masterless Ultimate Javelin into his hand and shouted aloud, "Noble Phantasm—Oath of Not Bearing a Sword, I shall break that oath here and now!"
"What I hold in my hand is the promised, peerless, indestructible Ultimate Sword!"
"To protect my friend, I WILL UNLEASH THIS POWER RIGHT NOW!!!" His figure was bathed in boundless light, like the rising sun!
The moment the oath from his life was fulfilled in its complete form, what he held in his hand was no longer a wooden sword, but truly the Peerless Holy Sword!
This was the Phantom Noble Phantasm whose existence even he had not realized!
"Second Noble Phantasm!"
"SERMENT DE DURANDAL—!!!"
⦍Oath to Not Wield a Sword⦎
If one is a hero, there comes a moment when one must stand up!
This moment was the moment Mandricardo became a hero for the sake of his friend!
Mandricardo raised the Holy Sword in his hand to block the main cannon of the Moon Goddess Artemis head-on!
In the sky-piercing light and heat, his vision was stripped away in one second. In two seconds, his sense of touch vanished. The terrifying heat was melting Mandricardo's flesh and blood!
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!" Mandricardo roared to the heavens!
His internal organs were crushed, his senses torn apart, his flesh scorched, HIS BODY RIPPED ASUNDER… BUT… EVEN SO!!!
HE ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT LET ARTEMIS'S MAIN CANNON HARM RITSUKA AND THE OTHERS!!!
Mandricardo's Spirit Origin burned madly!
He pleaded in his heart, almost begging: Please, Durandal! HE ALSO WANTED TO BECOME A HERO WHO COULD PROTECT HIS FRIEND!!!
The Holy Sword spewed forth a terrifying edge, once again erupting with terrifying magical energy. In that instant, THE BRILLIANCE EXPLODING FROM THE HOLY SWORD ACTUALLY WITHSTOOD THE DIVINE PUNISHMENT DESCENDING FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE UNIVERSE!!!
"I'M COUNTING ON YOU, ORION!!!" Mandricardo shouted with the last of his strength!
Orion responded loudly. Hearing the answer conveyed to him, Mandricardo's expression gradually relaxed.
Then, the worry regarding that matter disappeared. Entrusting everything to himself, dying for the sake of a friend.
In the final light, Mandricardo's figure slowly dissipated, his gaze becoming increasingly gentle and reluctant.
As expected… It's still lonely. Just for an instant, in that short split second, just a declaration, just a concept, just wanting a bit of comfort…
Even so, right now, from the bottom of his heart, he considered Ritsuka a friend, even though he had never done a single thing a friend should do. But…
"I'm doing this now not because I'm a Servant, but because I, I AM YOUR FRIEND!!!"
He rejoiced, he stood firm, and vanished like smoke within that light.
How terrifying, how tragic, how brave!
In this instant, the friend named Mandricardo surpassed his own legend! 』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
"Second Noble Phantasm, SERMENT DE DURANDAL!!!"
"Mandricardo… actually did it?!!"
The crowd's eyes widened, watching the figure vanish in the light, and their expressions all moved.
Not to save the world, not to save Human Order, BUT SIMPLY TO SAVE HIS OWN FRIEND!!!
They could no longer underestimate Mandricardo, because he broke his oath. After all, he truly stood up, because he became a hero for his friend!
.....
『 Thank you… Thank you. Thankful for the companionship of my friend. A sharp pain struck Ritsuka Fujimaru's heart. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes forcefully, yet couldn't say a single word.
But what made the girl despair even more was…
Apollo, along with Paris, had also begun to burn their own Spirit Origins, solely to transform into the arrow compatible with the Divine Construct Bow.
"Paris is also… leaving?" Ritsuka said with trembling eyes.
"Mn." The beautiful youth with green hair and red eyes nodded. He comforted Ritsuka, then looked toward Orion. "Mr. Orion! We leave the rest to you!"
"Ah… yeah, leave it to me." Orion felt grief in his heart but did not show it. He forced a smile onto his face, but his entire body was breaking down, blood spurting from his arms.
Little Da Vinci naturally saw this; her face revealed grief and helplessness. 』
『 .....』
〜Type-Moon World, ???? Worldline〜
"Is that girl named Ritsuka Fujimaru about to collapse?"
Outside the universe, the Alien God U-Olga Marie looked at Ritsuka Fujimaru in confusion.
Why suffer?
Aren't the Heroic Spirits of Pan-Human History already dead people? Why feel pain over their deaths?
They will just be summoned back again anyway; at best, they are consumables for saving the Human Order.
Why suffer?
U-Olga Marie didn't understand, but looking at the girl's appearance, on the verge of collapse, a complex emotion faintly arose in her heart as well.
Somewhere In Unknown Cave—
"…A person of flesh and blood. It is precisely because of this human nature that she bonds with Heroic Spirits, and inevitably, she cannot withstand this immense grief."
The King of the Cavern sighed. This was also why he constantly appeared in Ritsuka Fujimaru's dreams, burning away the girl's despair and grief.
If not for that, the girl named Ritsuka Fujimaru would have long since collapsed and lost her mind.
—
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
The crowd naturally noticed Ritsuka's abnormal state, but this was absolutely not the time to lose focus!
Pull yourself together! SHOOT DOWN THE MOON!!!
.....
『 "Ritsuka, what are you still dazing out for!" Goredolf roared.
"You still have Command Spells, right?!"
"Even if you use them all up, MAKE ORION STAND UP!!! AND THEN SHOOT THAT ARROW!!!" Goredolf naturally sensed Ritsuka's breakdown and shouted.
If one is a hero! There is always that moment when one has to stand up!
"Orion… shoot down the moon!" The bright red Command Spells flashed. Ritsuka took a deep breath and spoke with determination!
Paris and Apollo's Spirit Origins burned madly, finally transforming themselves into a golden spiral arrow. But even at the end, he was still smiling.
Orion tremblingly grasped that golden arrow.
Using Achilles' armor as the bow, and Paris himself as the arrow. This Divine Construct Bow, this Heroic Spirit Arrow!
This moment of shooting down the Goddess was exchanged for the lives of countless Heroic Spirits!
HOW MUCH HAD BEEN SACRIFICED FOR ALL OF THIS!!!
Orion's eyes overflowed with anger, grief, ferocity… and that final determination!
"ARTEMIS!!!" That call toward the distant beyond was like the roar of a lion!
Orion roared, questioning his own heart!
Is it because he, standing here now, is a Grand?
Or is it because he is the man who shot down the Goddess?!
The answer was surely both…
Brilliant golden light burst forth, and Orion's figure turned into a shining ball of light!
That was… Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash's pupils constricted. They seemed to think of something; they wanted to say something!
But it was already too late…
"I, to truly shoot down the Moon Goddess Artemis, HEREBY RETURN MY GRAND TITLE!!!"
The man's angry, solemn, low roar resounded throughout the entirety of Atlantis!
Everyone was moved by it!
"The title of Grand is not what I need; the proof of my love only needs to be entrusted to this arrow!" 』
『 .....』
『 Viewers of Myriad Worlds 』
The viewers were dumbfounded.
Abandoning the Grand title again?!!
Is this Grand title so hated?! Every single one of them abandons the Grand title at the drop of a hat?!!
The Grand title is going to cry!
.....
( Translator-kun: This is what Fate PEAK is! Also, no one wants the Title "Grand" because it's a debuff. )