Ominous "points" and "lines" dominated Shirou's vision.
Perhaps it was because he had already lived through two more complete lifetimes than an ordinary person, both ending in natural death.
It took the boy only an instant to understand what they were.
All things have a beginning, and therefore all things must have an end.
What the "Mystic Eyes of Death Perception" perceived was the endpoint of all things.
"Death."
According to Touko's explanation, the "Mystic Eyes of Death Perception" could, in principle, be considered the ultimate form of precognition.
What those eyes saw was not a flaw that existed in the present, but the most distant possible future.
Even seemingly invincible celestial bodies such as the Moon and Earth would one day die.
Therefore, although it was extraordinarily difficult, the "Mystic Eyes of Death Perception" could perceive even their deaths.
Shirou moved his gaze. Human bodies, walls, even the air itself were covered in black lines.
The hazy lines constantly shifted as though they were flowing, yet they always remained firmly attached to some part of each individual object.
Simply seeing those lines reflected in his eyes made Shirou feel as though his nerves were being compressed.
Even so, it was far less taxing than seeing the world through Crimson Moon Brunestud's vision.
It appeared that even among "Rainbow" class Mystic Eyes, the burden placed on the brain varied considerably.
Shirou suspected it had something to do with their "output."
He had once heard that during the Age of Gods, the "Mystic Eyes of Death Perception" could reduce an entire army to nothing with a single glance.
At that level of "output," they might even rival Crimson Moon's eyes.
"Those eyes... What exactly are they?"
Nrvnqsr Chaos broke the silence.
Shirou glanced at the black clad Dead Apostle, whose body was covered in countless "lines," and murmured,
"Here I come."
Until now, his idle conversation with the Dead Apostles had only been a way to buy time.
There was no longer any need for it.
Shirou stepped forward.
Holding the unlit "Blades of Chaos" in both hands, he took a step as naturally as though he were strolling through a garden.
Was it an illusion?
Though the movement looked almost slow, it closed a distance of more than ten paces in an instant.
To an outside observer, it must have been an incomprehensible sight.
Perhaps the red-haired boy, his mind as still as water, had taken complete control of the battlefield and created that visual illusion.
"!"
Nrvnqsr and Vlov instinctively counterattacked.
The Dead Apostles summoned even more Beasts and ice spears.
Their attacks surrounded Shirou like an impenetrable net.
But it was meaningless.
Every attack was effortlessly erased before it could reach him.
The atmosphere at minus one hundred degrees Celsius and the synthetic Beasts comparable to creatures from the Age of Gods were no different.
Shirou swung the twin blades without pouring any Mana into them and destroyed every attack.
Nrvnqsr Chaos realized that something was wrong.
"What is happening? Why... Why aren't the Beasts, why aren't we, returning to the Chaos?!"
Shirou lowered his head and scoffed.
So in the end, you're the first one to panic when faced with something like this.
Even after transforming yourself into an Undead being, the weakness buried deep inside you remains unchanged.
"I do not understand. What exactly did you do to us just now?! The System Tree within me should exist far beyond the limits of human imagination!"
Shirou could not be bothered to answer.
This creature had lived for thousands of years as a Dead Apostle and had once been a Magus who sought The Root, yet he could not understand such a simple "phenomenon"?
This was what it meant to "kill" something.
"Very well. It seems you have become an obstacle to us... Then how will you deal with this?"
Nrvnqsr Chaos's coat whipped violently around him.
Countless creatures crawled and squeezed their way out of the darkness.
The only way to describe them was as spiders resembling crabs.
Each was perhaps even larger than the mammoth Nrvnqsr Chaos had previously summoned.
Their numbers were equally staggering. They shot out one after another like roe bursting from the belly of an overstuffed fish.
Merely looking at them was enough to pollute the mind, so Shirou sent them all to their deaths before they could even touch the ground.
"Impossible!"
"Hey! Calm down, Nrvnqsr!" Vlov shouted.
Although he too was overwhelmed by the pressure Shirou radiated, he barely managed to maintain his composure.
The black clad Dead Apostle, however, stared with bulging eyes as he staggered backward.
"To kill every last one of my Magical Beasts... How could that possibly be real? It defies all reason...!!
"We are Undead! As long as I exist, my other selves, whether Beasts or Phantasmal Beasts, can return to the Chaos within me and be reborn after death!"
"Why...? You merely cut them down, yet every one of my other selves, even their original 'Seeds,' has died?!"
Given Nrvnqsr Chaos's age and knowledge, it was impossible that he had never heard of the "Mystic Eyes of Death Perception."
However, his blind faith in his own eternity had caused him to deliberately ignore the possibility of his own "death."
The vampire's expression twisted hideously.
He spread his arms and tore open his chest as though ripping apart the darkness itself.
"▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄!!"
A massive serpent emerged from the swirling Chaos. It was more than a hundred times larger than a Dead Apostle and possessed nine heads.
All nine heads twisted and roared at once before lunging at Shirou.
"..."
Shirou remained expressionless.
This was probably the strongest monster Nrvnqsr Chaos could imagine.
Each of the serpent's nine writhing heads bore a glowing "point."
Could it only be killed by destroying all nine heads at the same time?
Ah... I see. It really is somewhat troublesome.
Unfortunately for the creature, it had encountered Shirou.
He had already dealt with monsters like this countless times in his mind.
The twin blades flashed.
Nine strikes unleashed in an instant reduced the enormous serpent to mangled flesh.
"How...? Even that creature...!"
Nrvnqsr Chaos's voice trembled. He had already fallen into confusion.
Vlov remained calm and continued firing ice spears one after another.
But honestly, Shirou had already grown accustomed to them.
Neither the brutal environment nor the harmless attacks posed any threat.
Shirou calmly dealt with the vampires' assault, and within the narrow opening between their attacks, he saw it.
The source of death beyond the lines.
That point was the ultimate point of death, the origin from which every other "point" and "line" emerged.
Vlov's ultimate point lay just below his throat, while Nrvnqsr's was located directly in the center of his coat.
The "deaths" of two members of the Twenty-Seven Ancestors were reflected perfectly in Shirou's eyes.
It did not matter if they possessed hundreds of lives.
Their ancient existence was equally meaningless.
What Shirou intended to kill was their existence itself.
"...?"
The vampires did not even see Shirou attack.
They merely felt a gentle breeze brush across their faces.
The Shirou who had been standing before them vanished.
Then Vlov's head flew through the air.
Nrvnqsr's body was sliced apart from the shoulders down like pudding, and his upper half fell to the ground.
"To think... something like this could happen."
Vlov's headless body remained standing where it was, motionless even as blue flames enveloped it, as though it were gazing up at the moonlight.
"Ah... I can no longer feel the pain or that cold."
"It frightens me, yet it also feels strangely familiar. It is almost as though I have become one of the dead."
As he murmured those words, both the Dead Apostle's head and body were consumed by flames.
"I understand now... Those are the 'Mystic Eyes of Death Perception,' aren't they?"
Nrvnqsr's severed upper and lower halves began to disintegrate where they lay, rapidly crumbling like clods of earth.
"So our 'death' truly does exist... How regrettable that I could not witness it until the very end..."
His voice carried both resignation and bitter regret.
Then Nrvnqsr perished along with the hundreds of Beasts still remaining inside him.
…
"As expected of Shirou-sama. I knew that you would be able to defeat them."
The Rose Maiden clapped softly as she emerged from the snowfield, strolling over with perfect nonchalance.
Shirou turned and glanced at her. "Rita Rozay-en, you used me."
Although she had acted in self defense, the end result was that Shirou had become Rita Rozay-en's blade, eliminating the troublesome Dead Apostles of the White Wing faction for her.
"Please don't put it that way. I have been on your side from the very beginning... Those Mystic Eyes truly are extraordinarily beautiful."
The Rose Dead Apostle gazed at them in rapture. "Would you consider entrusting them to me as the featured item of this auction, the Eye Catcher?"
"I refuse. Unless you want to end up like them, don't ask me that again, not even as a joke."
"Hehe♡ You don't seem to be in a very good mood. Could it be that you failed to experience happiness within my 'Mystic Eyes of Roses'...?"
A sword flew past Rita Rozay-en's cheek, silencing her.
The Dead Apostle woman smiled awkwardly, then glanced to the side.
"Enough hiding. Come out, you two from the Church."
Soon after Rita Rozay-en spoke, Ciel and Noel emerged from the snow.
"A-Are you all right, Shirou?"
Noel asked anxiously, and the red haired boy nodded.
Ciel, meanwhile, stared intently at Shirou.
She extended her hand. "Nice to meet you. My name is Ciel, and I belong to the Burial Agency."
Considering what she intended to do next, Ciel chose to approach him sincerely and revealed her affiliation without hiding anything.
"Shirou Amamiya."
Shirou took her hand.
Ciel narrowed her eyes.
Steady breathing, a well proportioned build, long limbs, and a flawless stance.
It was rather late to think this now, but this man really was far stronger than she had imagined.
How much effort had he devoted to martial arts to reach such a level?
Moments ago, the Dead Apostles had been killed instantly, without even having time to react.
Of everyone watching, Ciel alone had barely managed to follow Shirou's movements.
The sight had also sent a chill through her.
Had she been standing there, she would probably have been killed just as helplessly... though she herself could not be killed.
"How long are you two planning to hold hands?!"
Noel pushed her way between them and forcibly separated their hands.
"Honestly, Ciel. The moment I look away, you start seducing the boy I had my eye on..."
She muttered quietly enough that no one else could hear, then returned to the blonde Rose Maiden's side.
Ciel said, "Noel, the woman beside you is Rita Rozay-en, the Fifteenth of the Twenty-Seven Ancestors."
"Whaaaaaaaaaat?!"
Rita Rozay-en smiled at her. Noel screamed, her face turning deathly pale as she collapsed onto the snow.
Ciel turned her attention back to Shirou.
"Shirou-san, forgive my presumption, but would you hand over the 'Idea Blood' of Nrvnqsr Chaos and Vlov Arkhangel to me?"
The "Idea Blood" was what allowed the Twenty-Seven Ancestors to stand at the pinnacle of the Dead Apostles.
Even someone like Vlov, who had originally been a Sixth Rank, a Knight, could immediately rise to the Ninth Rank, an Ancestor, after inheriting a Principle.
Following the deaths of Vlov and Nrvnqsr, their "Idea Blood" had separated from their bodies and remained unclaimed.
Shirou frowned. "That is rather presumptuous. Why do I have to give them to you?"
"The Idea Blood of the Twenty-Seven Ancestors cannot be destroyed. If they are allowed to circulate, new members of the Twenty-Seven Ancestors will eventually be born."
Ciel continued, "The most appropriate course would be to entrust them to the Church, which has more experience safeguarding them than any other organization."
Shirou said, "I've heard some unpleasant rumors about what goes on inside your Church."
Ciel replied, "It's true. The Church is not as upright and incorruptible as it presents itself to the public."
She continued, "Even the Burial Agency, where I serve, will accept anyone powerful enough as long as they formally profess faith in God. Because of that, certain individuals who should never have been allowed inside have joined our ranks."
Shirou said, "In that case, I can't hand the 'Principles' over to you."
"Even if you cannot trust the Church..."
The girl he had only just met looked at him earnestly.
"Please trust me, Shirou-san."
"I will safeguard the Dead Apostles' 'Principles' and ensure that they are used for the right purpose."
Shirou fell silent.
After a while, he spoke.
"All right. I understand."
"What?! Wait, Shirou-sama! Are you really going to hand over the Principles?"
Rita Rozay-en cried out in astonishment, but Shirou nodded without concern.
"I have no use for them anyway. I might as well give them to someone suitable."
"Are you... serious?"
Ciel was just as surprised.
She had never imagined that Shirou would so readily hand over the "Idea Blood" he had won through a battle to the death.
"If you keep asking, I might change my mind," Shirou said with a smile.
"Why...?"
Ciel stared at him blankly. "Why are you willing to do this?"
Shirou replied, "Hmm, if I had to give a reason... I suppose I trust my own judgment."
"Ciel-san doesn't seem like a bad person. You're different from the other members of the Church I've met, and I feel like I can trust you."
Although Shirou's Mystic Eyes had awakened, they still retained the effects of his "Gram Sight."
He could faintly sense the kindness and purity within the girl's heart.
"..."
Ciel stared at Shirou's face in utter astonishment.
By the time she recovered, she realized that her cheeks had grown slightly warm.
She turned away to hide her embarrassment. "T-Then I'll collect them now, before you change your mind..."
Just then,
"That won't do, Shirou."
"!!!"
Everyone looked up toward the source of the voice.
Moonlight filtered through the clouds and quietly spilled over the slowly melting snowfield.
Within that pure white light stood two beautiful silhouettes.
"Honestly, giving such a precious treasure to a girl you've only just met..."
"If Irisviel finds out, she'll be angry with you again."
One of the silhouettes let out a melodious, captivating laugh.
Judging by its outline, it belonged to a slender woman.
Shirou would have recognized that figure even if she had been reduced to ashes.
"Professor...?"
"Correct~♡"
The clouds dispersed, gradually revealing iridescent silver hair and a dreamlike face.
"Who are you?!" Ciel shouted.
"Nice to meet you. You may call me Lady Avalon."
Surrounded by flower petals, the female Magus gave them a mischievous smile. "My apologies, but I'll be collecting the 'Idea Blood.'"
"No. I already decided to give them to Ciel-san."
Shirou looked up at the Succubus, a trace of displeasure in his voice.
"I finally understand. You were the one who secretly placed the train invitation in my room, weren't you?"
Shirou had suspected that someone within his household was secretly working against him, and the possibility had left him uneasy.
In reality, his reasoning had been wrong from the start.
The person who placed the invitation in his room did not necessarily have to be a living member of his household.
Lady Avalon could also enter and leave Shirou's room whenever she pleased.
"Why did you do this?"
Lady Avalon replied, "For my King's plan, it was necessary for Shirou's Mystic Eyes to awaken."
Shirou froze. "Your... King?"
Isn't your King supposed to be me?
"Of course. Shirou will always be my eternal King, my Arthur."
Lady Avalon smiled brightly.
"It's simply that I'm currently on vacation and free to do as I please..."
"Another King happened to ask me to serve him, so I agreed!"
"Besides, earning two salaries to help with the household expenses sounded like a wonderful idea!"
Shirou narrowed his eyes at the silhouette beside Lady Avalon.
"...Shouldn't you have asked for my permission first, Professor?"
"But I did check with you," Lady Avalon said innocently.
...
Several months earlier, a phone call had arrived at the Amamiya residence.
"Ah, Shirou? It's me, Lady Avalon! I want to take a part time job!"
"Professor? Where are you right now? Besides, you don't need to report something like that to me, do you?"
...
The corner of Shirou's mouth twitched.
That counted as checking with me? How was I supposed to know what you were talking about?!
"Shirou-san!"
Ciel shouted anxiously.
The "Idea Blood" were peeling away from the remains of the Dead Apostles and flowing into the Magus of Flowers' palm.
"I can attack her, right?"
At Ciel's question, Shirou nodded. "Yes. Please teach her a lesson for me."
Six Black Keys extended from the Burial Agency girl's hands as she charged toward Lady Avalon.
Her attack, however, stopped before the two figures.
Ciel moved faster than the naked eye could follow, and her Black Keys could even cut through space. Despite that, she could not advance another step.
The silhouette beside Lady Avalon merely raised one hand, and that alone was enough to stop the Burial Agency girl's attack.
It was not simply a matter of strength.
The space before them was filled with the "concepts" of delay and stagnation.
As Magecraft, it was an ultimate achievement, an alteration of the laws of the world itself comparable to a "Fairy Domain," an "Idea Blood," or a "Reality Marble."
Moreover, its nature was unlike anything Shirou had ever encountered.
"A Divine Spirit's... 'power'..."
Shirou moved.
Before the blinding light could engulf Ciel, he caught the girl in his arms and carried her out of the attack's path.
Was that just now...?
"Are you all right, Ciel-san?"
"Ah, I'm fine... Sorry, I let my guard down. But that attack..."
They both looked up.
The moonlight faded completely, and the silhouette beside the Magus of Flowers finally revealed her beautiful true form.
Her gilded golden hair was arranged in a crownlike coil behind her head.
Her refined face was solemn and dignified, while her radiant yellow green eyes emanated an extraordinary sense of sanctity and majesty.
Her figure, on the other hand, was exceptionally voluptuous.
Expressed numerically, her bust measurement had undoubtedly reached three digits.
Mature, sensual curves flowed from her chest to her waist and hips, creating a graceful silhouette that invited the imagination to wander.
"..."
For a moment, Shirou wondered whether something was wrong with his eyes.
His gaze remained fixed on her enormous breasts, which surpassed even Morgan's, as he checked them again and again.
"Are you... Artoria?"
"You didn't mistake me for someone else this time."
The blonde woman's solemn expression softened into a faint smile, like an ancient glacier finally beginning to melt.
"It's been a long time, Shirou."