Seeing the unfolding scene, Morpheus knew it was his moment to step in. He leapt down from the wall with Scathach and Lancer Artoria, landing in the Emiya courtyard.
Saber Artoria froze the moment she saw Lancer Artoria.
Even Emiya Shirou couldn't help but remark, "Saber, that person looks just like you."
Saber Artoria gave a wry smile. Of course they looked alike—they were the same person.
She hadn't expected to encounter another version of herself in this Holy Grail War.
And one wielding the sacred spear, no less.
Ushiwakamaru noticed this as well, silently raising her guard. If these two teamed up, she could very well be taken out.
Saber Artoria's gaze, complex with emotion, settled on Lancer Artoria. "Was it you who saved my Master just now?"
Morpheus nodded. "Correct. No need for thanks—it's only because he's one of mine."
Saber Artoria blinked, turning to her Master. Emiya Shirou quickly clarified, "I don't know him, Saber. I've never met him."
Morpheus said, "Not now, but in the future, you'll become a Heroic Spirit, summoned by me to serve under my command."
Emiya Shirou's eyes widened in disbelief.
Was that even possible?
"..."
So, her Master would become a Heroic Spirit in the future? She hadn't seen that coming. Her Master had such potential?
Ushiwakamaru subtly sized up Emiya Shirou. Saber's Master had such capabilities.
You really couldn't judge by appearances.
"I see," Saber Artoria said, nodding in realization while still thanking Morpheus. "Even so, I'm deeply grateful for saving my Master."
Then, with a surge of killing intent, she turned to Ushiwakamaru. "Before I formally thank you, allow me to deal with this one first."
Ushiwakamaru tightened her grip on her weapon.
Morpheus interjected, "No need for the hassle. Both of you, come at us together."
Saber Artoria and Ushiwakamaru froze in unison.
Morpheus continued, "This Holy Grail War is down to just you two Servants. The others have already been dealt with. Once you're out of the way, the war is over."
"Impossible."
"How could that be?"
Battles between Servants were no trivial matter, often causing massive shockwaves and tremors.
Yet tonight, neither Saber Artoria nor Ushiwakamaru had sensed any significant disturbances.
Were the other Servants taken out instantly?
No matter how you looked at it, that seemed impossible.
Seeing their expressions, Morpheus smiled faintly. He knew exactly what they were thinking. Raising two fingers before them, he declared, "Domain Expansion: Radiant Arena."
In an instant, a vast domain unfurled, enveloping Saber Artoria, Ushiwakamaru, Emiya Shirou, and even Gin, two kilometers away.
"Now do you understand?"
All of Morpheus's battles tonight had taken place within his domains. No matter how earth-shattering the fights, not a ripple escaped to the outside world.
He had truly perfected the art of keeping the Holy Grail War discreet.
Saber Artoria, witnessing this, couldn't help but exclaim, "Is this a Reality Marble?"
Ushiwakamaru, seeing her Master pulled into the domain, rushed to Gin's side, shielding him.
Morpheus shook his head. "Not a Reality Marble, but a Domain Expansion. It's similar, though, with the same effect. This place is perfect for your battle."
Turning to Lancer Artoria and Scathach, he said, "Pick your opponents."
Lancer Artoria nodded, naturally choosing Saber Artoria.
That left Scathach to face Ushiwakamaru.
Gin, witnessing this, gripped his sniper rifle tightly, his cold gaze flickering over Morpheus, as if calculating his next move.
Morpheus said calmly, "I'm in a good mood today. I'd advise you not to try anything."
With that, he cast a chilling glance at Gin.
The look sent a shiver up Gin's spine, spreading through his entire body.
His body felt frozen, unable to move a single finger.
In that moment, Gin's heart raced with dread, realizing the vast gap between an ordinary human like himself and a transcendent being.
A single glance from Morpheus could end him.
Gin abandoned any reckless thoughts, adopting a neutral stance, eyes down, pretending to be a mere bystander, detached from the world.
Seeing Gin's compliance, Morpheus spared him further trouble.
He then turned his attention to the two battles unfolding.
The fight between Scathach and Ushiwakamaru escalated to a fever pitch from the start.
Neither held back, each strike a lethal blow.
With her divine spear techniques, honed to the realm of gods, Scathach effortlessly suppressed Ushiwakamaru, driving her into a corner.
Faced with a life-or-death crisis, Ushiwakamaru had no choice but to unleash her ultimate move.
"Wandering Tales of Shana-oh."
In an instant, Ushiwakamaru split into eight copies, attacking Scathach from all directions.
Each of the eight Ushiwakamarus was ferocious, wielding her tachi in a relentless storm of strikes, giving Scathach no room to breathe.
Yet Scathach, with her godlike spear mastery, blocked all eight assaults.
Her defense was impregnable, leaving no openings for Ushiwakamaru.
The eight copies launched attack after attack, only to be repelled by Scathach time and again.
No matter how fierce, cunning, or relentless her strikes, Scathach parried them all.
Her spear techniques and skills, perfected to the divine realm, shone brilliantly in this moment.
Morpheus realized that in her earlier fight with Cú Chulainn, Scathach had held back.
This was her true, unbridled form.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
Not only did Scathach fend off Ushiwakamaru's attacks, but she counterattacked, her demonic spear piercing through one clone after another.
In the blink of an eye, the eight Ushiwakamarus were reduced to one.
Only the real Ushiwakamaru remained.
Even so, she showed no fear, no hesitation. Her fighting spirit burned brighter and purer than ever.
Gripping her tachi tightly, she launched her final assault on Scathach without hesitation.
This strike was do or die.
A glint of approval flashed in Scathach's eyes. Tightening her grip on her demonic spear, she unleashed her Noble Phantasm.
Gáe Bolg!!!
Without question, this was the greatest respect she could show Ushiwakamaru.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
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