Chapter 123. Gathering the Strongest Heroic Spirits, Pursuing the Evil of Humanity!
Among the many Heroic Spirits, Karna — the one with an almost divine level of power — naturally received special attention. Amid the wild cheers like popping champagne from countless Indians, global public opinion exploded.
Driven by curiosity, nearly 80% of the world's population was intently observing him.
"So this is the son of the god Surya, Karna…"
Inside the Celestial Curtain, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka raised an eyebrow as he looked toward the upright figure at the center of the Heroic Spirit group, a gentle sunlight radiating around that young man's body, he looked at the Beast without the slightest fear.
That was the hero from the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata.
Although an extraordinarily handsome man, because of his sharp gaze, he was difficult for others to approach.
Emitting an aura that showed absolutely no mercy to enemies, his words and actions lacked any unnecessary excess, making it hard for people to feel his humanity.
With ghostly pale skin and ominous black attire, a Servant with such an obviously villainous aura at first glance was truly rare in this world.
But in fact, in widely circulated mythologies, he was also a profound figure with outstanding conduct.
Though the son of the sun god Surya, due to various fateful circumstances, he could not receive the glorious light of his father — a tragic hero.
Even though his life was full of misfortune, he himself didn't mind at all.
Because he had been granted strength far beyond normal people by his father Surya, he possessed enough integrity to believe that walking a difficult path was his natural duty.
Called the Hero of Charity, he was famous for never refusing any request from others.
Possessing martial prowess that was never treated fairly due to many prejudices, along with a noble spirit, Karna, even judged by heroic standards, could compete for first or second place among all Servants.
An extraordinary-level Heroic Spirit with absolute standards!
A peak-level existence, one of the strongest Servants, not inferior to Gilgamesh!
"As expected of the unparalleled brave Indian hero, just one look and you can feel that calm and powerful presence!"
Beside Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, Retsu Kaioh wore a solemn expression, his entire body tensed with muscle, simply staring at the Son of the Sun inexplicably made him feel full of vulnerabilities.
"His eyes are very special too."
Not far away, Hatsune Miku tilted her head, waving the two green onions in her hands.
In the eyes of normal people, Karna's eyes looked just like two suns, staring directly at them gave a sensation of being burned.
At the very least, right now her eyes hurt badly.
"Using weapons is romantic and all, but a true hero should kill with his eyes instead…"
In reality, high school girl Dekomori Sanae clapped in admiration, not holding back her praise.
Indeed, it perfectly struck her chuunibyou weak point…
Her best friend, Takanashi Rikka, was precisely a similar existence.
Famous far and wide for a pair of Evil Eye that could crush invisible boundaries!
...
Strong!
Brave!
Kind!
After learning about India's epic Mahabharata, the whole world lavishly praised this cold young man called the Son of the Sun, believing that he was a Heroic Spirit beyond standard who could inflict serious damage on Kaguya.
However, it seemed that someone was not satisfied with the world's attention not yet focusing on them.
[Boom boom!]
[The sky tore open, a blinding golden light pierced through the gray heavens.]
[A group of Heroic Spirits looked up in astonishment, even Kaguya, who was gazing down at Earth, slightly tilted her head, as a magnificent pyramid pierced through the cloud layers, surrounded by sphinx statues, the enormous statues majestic beyond compare.]
[A thunderous burst of laughter.]
[The clouds collapsed, the tides churned.]
[The cold surface of the Moon became clearly visible, with many impact craters starting to crack open.]
[A muscular figure with brown skin stood atop the pyramid, arms spread wide, wearing a bold, free-spirited grin. As the radiant pyramid rose, his eyes blazed like fire, like a monarch patrolling his domain.]
["My name is Ozymandias! King of Kings! O almighty gods, behold my greatness—then despair and bow your heads!"]
[An ancient breath spread out, a tyrannical and arrogant declaration echoed throughout heaven and earth!]
[Golden light illuminated all things.]
[Tearing apart the thick layers of clouds.]
[A figure exuding overwhelming dominance slowly stepped forward — it was a black-haired man wearing a golden necklace, his smile carried a hint of mockery and flamboyance. His upper body was bare, yet he was a King of Kings, with golden eyes like the sun, radiating the brilliance of the solar god.]
[Simply standing there, that dazzling appearance stole all surrounding light.]
[Though a king, he wore no armor.]
[Though he had guards, he needed no protection at his side.]
[As if believing no one could ever harm him — a mysterious posture filled with overwhelming pressure.]
[Beneath his feet was a glowing golden pyramid temple, exuding an aura of boundless divinity, like a funeral shrine that had once received countless ancient sacrifices. The glorious pressure it emitted subdued the world, causing all who beheld it to tremble.]
[One man, one pyramid, suspended in the void.]
[Even the starry sky itself seemed to dim.]
[His true identity was a Pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, also the most famous Pharaoh in all of Egyptian history—Ramesses II, also known as "Usermaatre Setepenre" (Powerful Justice of Re, Chosen of Re).]
[True name: Ozymandias — a King, politician, military strategist, war general, artist, and architect renowned throughout ancient Egypt, also the most famous cultural representative of ancient Egypt.]
[All Pharaohs of ancient Egypt were considered spokespersons of the gods, but Ozymandias alone was revered by the people as an existence equal to the sun god Ra.]
[In ancient Egypt, his title even surpassed that of the gods.]
[He was one of the three strongest members of the "Great Golden Trinity" (the other two being Gilgamesh and Karna), addressed mutually with Gilgamesh by the titles "Golden King" and "Sun King," one of the very few who could converse as equals with the King of Heroes. His spiritual rank was so powerful he could directly ignore the rules of the Holy Grail and reject the summoning of a Master.]
...
"It's him… the greatest Pharaoh of ancient Egypt!"
The people of all nations were profoundly shaken. No one could stop themselves from taking a step back, feeling inferior before that radiant magnificence.
What an astonishingly handsome figure that was.
What a dazzling nobility that was!
A sight that stunned all, illuminating the river of history.
The final man to compose the heroic epic of ancient Egypt's golden age!!
Ramesses II!
Someone secretly admired:
Perhaps only a perfect monarch like this could rule a kingdom, revive a nation, and uphold the final brilliance of ancient Egypt.
Many netizens, stunned by the astonishing commentary, couldn't help but start typing furiously on their keyboards.
"Alright alright alright, yet another Heroic Spirit no weaker than the Golden King!"
"Counter Force really went all out this time!"
"Able to rival Gilgamesh and Karna—truly worthy of Ramesses II."
"The Great Golden Trinity—that sounds badass."
"Might as well just call them 'Three Twinkle' instead."
"Feels like there's finally hope in this battle to save the world!"
"Hmph, even Beast Kaguya might not be able to handle this many peak-level Heroic Spirits!"
...
Scene transition.
On the Celestial Curtain, the background music suddenly turned sorrowful.
[The burly red-haired man in a red cloak looked toward Earth, his gaze landing on the edge of the Fuyuki City battlefield, the ruined city—on the roof of a tilted building stood a long-haired young man, and for some reason, the red-haired man broke into a hearty smile.]
["Yo, long time no see~."]
["Waver."]
Hearing that, everyone was confused, scratching their heads in puzzlement.
Was this "Waver" a new character?
Many speculated there must be a touching story hidden behind that name.
...
[Very quickly, one by one, legendary heroes of history—those who stood atop myth and epic—began to appear.]
[In the endless sea of stars, beams of light flickered like fireflies, countless rays gathering without end, forming a layered formation encircling Kaguya tightly!]
[Each and every light was a Hero who once shined brilliantly in Pan-Human History, unmatched and invincible!]
[Kaguya, her massive form occupying half the moon, calmly watched. She—who had not taken action for a long time—slightly moved, lifting her lips into a faint smile: "So they've all arrived?"]
["..."]
[In the blink of an eye, no one answered!]
[All Heroic Spirits attacked at once, forming a heaven-and-earth net that shook the very universe!]
...
"With all Heroic Spirits attacking together, isn't Kaguya doomed this time?"
Many viewers, their blood boiling with excitement, felt a warrior's spirit igniting in their hearts—yet when they saw the Heroic Spirits standing solemnly, seriously awaiting something, with the kind of caution one might show when facing a terrifying existence, a chill ran down their spines!
Could it be… the existence known as "Beast" is truly that terrifying?
A being that cannot be defeated even by thousands of Heroic Spirits?
At that moment—
[The void exploded—a blinding golden bolt of lightning tore open the sky over the moon!]
["Enemy of humanity, feel the light of the Sun!!"]
[BOOM BOOM BOOM...!!]
[Ramesses stood atop the Great Temple, smiling arrogantly. He raised both arms into the void—the massive Great Temple lit up with silver runes, extending into radiant lines, spreading continuously… world-shaking lightning erupted, streaking across the sky, bearing might equal to the "Light of Humanity"!]
[Ramesseum Tentyris: The Shining Great Temple Complex]
[Rank: EX]
[Type: Anti-Unit Noble Phantasm, Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm]
[Range: 1~99]
[Max Targets: 800 people / 1 person]
[A Noble Phantasm that materializes the majesty of Pharaoh Ozymandias into physical form.]
[By joining together and mixing several and more great temples and mausoleums, a Reality Marble.]
[Temples such as Dendera, Karnak, and others are fused into a monstrous Great Temple Complex beyond real-world logic—even great temples like Abu Simbel are included—forming a colossal structure impossible in the real world.]
[In a flash, the majestic pyramid, like a gigantic island, descended upon Beast Kaguya!]
[Then…]
[One after another, these overwhelmingly powerful Heroic Spirits launched their attacks.]
["Feel the mercy of the King of Gods."]
["You will be destroyed with this one strike!"]
[Endless heat surged. Karna hovered midair, his long white hair standing on end, expression icy. The sun's light enveloped his body, and in his hand was a terrifying god-slaying weapon radiating heat so intense the air warped around it!]
[Whoosh!]
[As his armor's radiance peaked, it was like a thunderstorm bolt hurtling straight toward Kaguya!]
[Vasavi Shakti: O' Sun, Abide to Death]
[Rank: EX]
[Type: Anti-Divine Noble Phantasm, Anti-Army Noble Phantasm]
[Range: 2~5]
[Max Targets: 1 person]
[A Spear of Light capable of defeating even the gods—a single, absolute strike.]
[This fatal spear, formed from lightning itself, was gifted by Indra. After stripping Karna of the "Sun Armor," Indra, moved by Karna's extraordinary nobility, felt he must repay him—thus, he granted this divine spear.]
[Manifested by trading with Kavacha and Kundala, this is a spear possessing overwhelming "Anti-Divine" power—sacrificing defense for destruction.]
[In the legend where Karna handed over Kavacha and Kundala to Indra, he relinquished and dismantled the golden armor, thereby attaining the Spear of God-Slaying.]
[Even the King of Gods found it difficult to control this spear of light. A single strike would cleanse all filth.]
[In an instant, a domineering and resolute spear pierced through the stars, carrying the power to scorch the world to death!]
...
["The evil dragon shall fall."]
["Awaken from the golden dream..."]
["Release yourself from its cradle..."]
["The Evil Dragon must be destroyed!!!"]
[Siegfried stood tall on the ground, roaring in rage, a storm blowing through his white hair. Pale blue lightning burst forth from his sword, drowning all in its path—so powerful that even the stratosphere of the mid-latitude region trembled.]
[Balmung: Phantasmal Greatsword - Felling of the Sky Demon]
[Rank: A+]
[Type: Anti-Army Noble Phantasm]
[Range: 1～50]
[Max Targets: 500 people]
[A twilight sword bearing both the properties of a Holy Sword and a Demonic Sword, having reached the A rank.]
[Perhaps because it was once owned by a king, it specializes in anti-army combat, unleashing a semi-circular shockwave slash.]
[At the same time, the azure gem on the hilt stores magical energy from the Age of the Gods—"True Ether"—used as a catalyst to amplify the Noble Phantasm. Normally, extracting even a small amount of True Ether is enough to bring out the sword's full might.]
[BOOM BOOM BOOM...!!]
[The sword energy erupted, like the twilight hour between ghosts and men, its dim light engulfing all!]
...
[Miracles beyond the imagination of humanity condensed…]
[An earth-shaking detonation.]
[The peak of the moon was completely blown away.]
[The stars trembled, the light of Noble Phantasms glittering—vast and oceanic in scale!]
[BANG!!]
[A blinding golden chariot descended, crushing all beneath it, radiating divine light as it slammed down.]
[BOOM!]
[A crimson sword beam shot forth, like a river of blood flowing backward, lighting up the starry sky!]
[WHOOSH!]
[An arrow born from a stream of light pierced through the sky, never dissipating—its pressure alone weighed down all of space.]
[CRASH!!]
[A golden ship drifted past, shaking the tides of the moon, like a comet colliding with Earth.]
...
[The Lord of the Clock Tower calmly gazed up at the sky, watching each Noble Phantasm release its divine might, dimming the stars—the blood-red moon blazing like a second sun. His hand trembled slightly as he raised his teacup.]
[What the hell is going on…]
[Goddammit, can you people not be satisfied without triggering an extinction event?]
[If they accidentally blow up the moon, all of humanity's doomed.]
...
["What a dazzling light…"]
[Kaguya gently smiled, almost indulgently, as she watched the Noble Phantasms exploding across the sky. She glided over the moon's surface, calmly receiving the ultimate attacks—crystallized miracles from the Heroic Spirits—the infinite light bursting all across her body.]
[However, a grayish-white celestial circle suddenly appeared before her.]
[Forming a grand cycle of reincarnation, protecting both the inner and outer sides of Kaguya.]
[Despite being attacks capable of slaying even a Main God, all of them silently vanished within the circle.]
[To strike Kaguya, one must defeat her in spirit!]
[Absolute invincibility!]
[Absolute defense!]
...
The viewers trembled as they lit a cigarette: "They opened with their ultimate moves—don't you think that's a bit overkill…"
"True, but that also shows just how immense the pressure Kaguya—the current Beast—is placing on even the strongest Heroic Spirits."
"Maybe the Evil of Humanity… isn't an enemy of any one human."
"But rather, an enemy that requires all of humanity—including heroes from the past and the future—to unite in order to stand a chance of winning!"