Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover-Chapter 128: [] The King’s Path

Let's start with a long history.

12000 BC: The dawn of the Second Age of Gods. The avatar of the wandering star soldier "Sefar" invaded Earth but was defeated by the first Holy Sword wielder. However, forging the Holy Sword from the Reverse Side of the World drained Earth's vitality, forcing it into dormancy. All mythical creatures retreated into the Reverse Side of the World, and the world began shifting toward humanity. Within Gaia, the embryonic form of humanity's Counter Force—Alaya—began to emerge, leading to the decline of the Great Source.

2600 BC: Gilgamesh, King of Ancient Babylonia, bid farewell to the gods. The Mesopotamian deities attempted to bind humanity and divinity through the "Chains of Heaven," but their plan ultimately failed. The gods had no choice but to acknowledge their waning presence in the human world.

1000 BC: King Solomon returned the Ten Commandments to the Lord. Before his death, he linked the concept of magecraft to humanity, allowing humans to wield magical systems independently of divine power. This significantly weakened the authority of the gods, enabling humans to explore mysteries with their own hands.

500 AD: The legend of King Arthur (Artoria Pendragon) came to an end. With the fall of Britain, the remaining vestiges of mystery were eventually erased by humanity's Counter Force, Alaya.

From the rise of the Great King and the birth of the first Holy Sword wielder to the moment the King of Heroes raised the banner of severance from the gods, to the fatal blow struck by the King of Magecraft, and finally, to the death of King Arthur, who also wielded the Holy Sword—these marked the final punctuation on the age of mystery.

It began with the Holy Sword and ended with the Holy Sword. After ten thousand years, there were no gods left on the planet. Humanity could finally measure the vast land with their own feet and grasp the world's wonders with their own hands.

"To sum up, while the Great Source had been declining since the first Holy Sword wielder, the true turning point in humanity's separation from the gods was undoubtedly caused by the King of Heroes."

Sakatsuki clapped his hands, wearing a pleased expression.

Wasn't the downfall of Britain precisely due to its lingering mystery, which attracted the Counter Force's intervention?

And when it came to driving out the mystery, that golden king had certainly played no small role.

Of course, such words were mere jest, banter for the drinking table, meant to elicit a chuckle and be forgotten. However, the golden Heroic Spirit in question thought otherwise.

"Back then, we severed the Age of Gods to prevent the deities from ruling over humanity. And as history has proven, I and those mongrels succeeded. Walking among these modern skyscrapers, even I cannot help but marvel at human progress."

Archer spoke in an even tone, but his next words turned ice-cold.

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"What I never expected was that, in this modern era, you humans have created gods of your own."

"That thing—it's called a nuclear weapon, isn't it?"

The ancient king narrowed his crimson, reptilian eyes, staring at Sakatsuki.

"In my eyes, such things are like handing a spiked club to an infant—good for nothing except bashing your own head in."

"Answer me, chef."

"Why has humanity in this era done something so laughably foolish?"

Faced with Archer's interrogation, Sakatsuki merely let out a cold chuckle.

"Don't get it twisted, King of Heroes. 'Gods' will never truly disappear, because, in essence, they are simply beings greater than humans, things beyond human comprehension. That is why people revere them with fear and awe, calling them gods."

"And the irony of it all—no matter how much humanity develops, aren't they always chasing after such things?"

Refilling his cup, Sakatsuki gazed into the liquid, murmuring.

"Your grand achievement merely made 'gods' more controllable, bringing them ever closer to humanity."

"MK-24, Atlas Academy's forbidden research, the Tsar Bomba, the five great magics that disrupt order, the future of artificial intelligence... The authority to end the world has never vanished—humanity has merely seized it from the gods."

"Even the Ultimate Ones have been trampled beneath human feet, haven't they?"

"Interesting, so you don't deny the existence of gods, Sakatsuki?"

Archer crossed his arms, his meaningful gaze seeming to pierce through all secrets.

"Since you refused to pass judgment on Saber's past, what verdict will you offer for the modern age?"

Upon hearing this, Sakatsuki smiled faintly.

"If a god must exist, then why shouldn't that god be me?"

Bang!

The sound of a cup slamming heavily against the table rang out. Rider seemed entirely unaware of his own loss of composure, his fiery gaze locked onto Sakatsuki as if trying to tear away his mask and see through the fog that shrouded his true self.

Even the King of Conquerors, who swore to ride to the ends of the earth, had never been so arrogant as to claim dominion over all.

"..."

Artoria had not touched her drink. She simply stared at Sakatsuki, realizing that this young man possessed an enthralling quality.

That quality was called confidence.

He was truly confident—confident that he could rule this world by his own power.

"To wield all power unto myself, to become the eternal and sole god of the mortal realm. If I am to be king, then this shall be my kingly path, King of Heroes, King of Knights, King of Conquerors!"

With golden eyes ablaze, the young man sat across from the legendary kings, boldly declaring his almost insane ambition.

"I shall redeem all suffering, I shall guide all ignorance, I shall accomplish all good, I shall eradicate all evil—this is the path I shall walk, the path of absolute sovereignty!"

Supreme Sovereignty!

After the three kings had each spoken of their own paths—order, strength, and responsibility—Sakatsuki finally revealed his will, voicing the most dazzling and exalted ambition of all.

If one is to be king, then one should claim all glory!

If one is to be king, then one must wield the supreme authority!

If one is to be king—then one must reign upon the throne, bearing all burdens, judging all matters, as the most noble of all!

This was Sakatsuki's kingly path!

Silence fell once more. In the face of Sakatsuki's now-undisguised belief—or rather, his sheer ambition—even the three kings could not hide their astonishment. To openly declare such words before them was no different from issuing a challenge.

Just as when Archer had made his intention to kill Rider unmistakably clear, Sakatsuki's declaration positioned him in direct opposition to the three kings.

Why had this young man suddenly stopped hiding?

"Holding back your true nature must have been exhausting, no? Especially when you carry an obsession that is not your own."

Among the confused onlookers, only Archer smiled to himself, admiring the scene he had orchestrated.

Just then, an angry voice rang out.

"Berserker, tear him apart—tear Tokiomi Tohsaka apart!"

"Roar—!"

A ripple spread through the kings' confrontation. Two figures descended from above, and from behind Archer, a black knight materialized from spirit form, emerging from the wall with a submachine gun aimed at a man in a crimson suit.

"You beast, you dare to appear before me again..."

Though his Master was in danger, Gilgamesh remained unfazed. Slowly setting down his cup, golden ripples shimmered in the air. With a crisp metallic clang, a massive war hammer emerged, striking Berserker and sending him flying.

***

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