Miracle Summoner

In the vast and brightly lit hall, an invisible surge of divine energy roared like turbulent waves, crashing back and forth incessantly.

This space had completely transformed into a sacred temple. Ordinary followers who entered would likely struggle just to remain standing, let alone mere humans.

Mash, Bedivere, and Artoria [Alter] felt as though they had stepped onto another planet, bearing the overwhelming gravity of this place, their expressions growing increasingly grim.

In contrast, Rozen, a human, seemed utterly unaffected, his face calm as ever.

Seated upon the throne, Artoria observed the scene, her gaze sweeping over Rozen and his companions, displaying different emotions.

When her eyes landed on Artoria [Alter], they were icy cold.

When she looked at Mash, her gaze was filled with scrutiny.

But when she saw Bedivere, Artoria was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of confusion crossing her face.

However, she quickly dismissed Bedivere and instead fixed her gaze upon Rozen.

"You have finally arrived here, humanity's last Master."

Artoria spoke these words as if she had long foreseen Rozen's eventual arrival.

And indeed, she had.

"Our positions were destined to be irreconcilable. With that being the case, it was only a matter of time before I stood before you."

Rozen stated calmly.

"That is true." Artoria replied expressionlessly. "I simply did not expect you to be so tenacious."

Indeed.

A mere human Master—by Artoria's divine standards, he should not have been difficult to deal with. Even with the protection of two deities, he should never have become such a significant threat.

She had already considered him a serious adversary, dispatching three of the Knights of the Round Table immediately after Artoria [Alter] took him away. Later, she had even unleashed the power of Rhongomyniad to rain down the Light of Judgment upon the mountainous region, determined to eradicate his allies before they could gain strength. She had also sanctioned Agravain's actions, allowing him to massacre the Mountain People without mercy.

As a final measure, Artoria had brought forth the Holy Grail, layering ten barriers around the Holy City and transforming countless Knights into enforcers of absolute order, drastically increasing its military might—all to leave Rozen with no opportunity, forcing him into a corner.

And yet, despite all these obstacles, Rozen had still fought his way here.

"In a world where humanity has lost all hope, a human like you has emerged... Is this fate? Or is it the will of the planet itself?"

Artoria murmured, as if speaking to herself.

"Regardless, I must acknowledge that you have indeed become a threat. If nothing else, you should take pride in that fact alone."

With that, Artoria rose from her throne.

"—!"

Mash, Bedivere, and Artoria [Alter] reacted instinctively.

The moment Artoria moved, the divine energy radiating from her surged violently, flooding the hall like a tidal wave.

There was no doubt—this was the prelude to battle.

At that moment...

"Do you still intend to resist, Lion King?"

Artoria [Alter] finally spoke.

She raised her Holy Sword and pointed it at Artoria, her voice cold.

"Now that you've seen a human capable of standing against you, have you not once reconsidered? Have you not thought that perhaps humanity still has the power to overcome this crisis?"

Artoria had sought to enact a plan so utterly devoid of compassion because she saw no future, no hope for humanity's survival. Convinced that the Incineration of Humanity had doomed human history beyond salvation, she sought only to preserve its remnants—gathering humanity's last embers in order to summon the Tower at the End of the World.

Now, Artoria [Alter] was here to prove her wrong.

Because Rozen, a mere human, had come this far, even threatening a goddess like herself.

With such undeniable proof before her, would Artoria still claim that humanity had no hope?

The answer was clear: she would.

"Even with divine protection, he has only managed to reach this point. The path ahead... is one he will never be able to walk."

Artoria turned her gaze toward Artoria [Alter], her voice just as cold.

"You are a Heroic Spirit born from human history. You have not, like me, ascended into godhood. You do not possess the same vision as the King of Magic. You will never understand the true scale of despair that awaits humanity."

Artoria declared.

"I have wandered this world for over a thousand years. I have seen much. I have learned much. I have even glimpsed fragments of the Mage King's grand design. That is why I know, without a doubt—humanity has no hope. The history of mankind is already doomed to collapse. What awaits humanity is extinction. If we wish to preserve our species, to leave behind irrefutable proof of our existence, then my method is the most efficient."

This was Artoria's belief.

However...

"Efficiency does not equate to righteousness."

Without hesitation, Artoria [Alter] rejected her words and continued:

"You have long since strayed from the path. It's time you faced that truth."

Artoria [Alter] stated firmly.

To this, Artoria remained completely unmoved.

After all...

"Do you truly believe yourself worthy of saying that to me?" Artoria asked emotionlessly. "If my methods are 'twisted,' then is your very existence not the ultimate proof of such a path? Can you truly claim that you are right?"

At this moment, the Lion King challenged the Black King.

"If you wish to condemn my actions as inhumane, then what of yourself? A tyrant who abandoned all light, one who plunged into darkness in the name of order—do you dare speak of morality?"

"Answer me."

"Arthur Pendragon."

Artoria questioned her, one word at a time.

Artoria [Alter] fell silent.

It was a powerful argument.

Leaving aside her normal self, as Artoria [Alter], she had indeed forsaken conventional morality.

She was a tyrant.

She was a dragon of destruction.

As long as it preserved order, she was willing to accept any evil.

That was the very essence of Artoria [Alter].

With such an existence, how could she refute Artoria's logic?

And yet...

"Do you still remember why you drew the Sword of Selection and became king?"

Artoria [Alter] suddenly asked.

"...What?"

Artoria frowned.

Artoria [Alter] stared at her intently.

"You must have forgotten. Because you are no longer a king. You have become a god. You have lost sight of the purpose that once guided you."

She spoke softly.

"If you have truly forgotten, then let me remind you."

"We— became king for one reason and one reason only."

"And that is because we once saw the smiles of the people."

The moment these words fell, Artoria's expression wavered violently.