In the Type-Moon universe, there are many artifacts that claim to be the true Holy Grail, with at least 726 of them having been investigated by the Holy Church. Throughout history, numerous conflicts over these artifacts have occurred worldwide. However, the Holy Grail contested in the Holy Grail War is an artifact said to be capable of granting any wish to the one who wins it. The Holy Grail is essentially a mass of pure magical energy, having absorbed magical energy from ley lines over 60 years.
Meanwhile, the Holy Grail in the Campione world is an extraordinary vessel used to store magical energy. To empower it, it must be fed the essence of other Heretic Gods, particularly the Earth Mother Goddess. Simply put, it steals the life force of the Earth Mother Goddess and stores it as magical energy, with the total magical energy equivalent to several dozen Campiones.
Although there are some differences between the Holy Grail of the Campione world and the Type-Moon universe, their fundamental nature remains the same—they are vessels that contain vast amounts of magical energy.
As a Reincarnator, Ren had a crazy idea pop into his head.
Since the Holy Grail of the Type-Moon universe can summon Heroic Spirits in the form of Servants from the Throne of Heroes, why couldn't the Holy Grail of the Campione world summon incarnations of Gods and Goddesses from the Domain of Immortality in the form of Heretic God incarnations after applying the Fuyuki City Holy Grail War ritual formula to it?
If this plan succeeded, Ren wouldn't need to frantically search for Heretic Gods to gain more Divine Authorities. To achieve this, he needed two things: the ritual formula and the Holy Grail. The ritual formula was Alice's task to create, while the Holy Grail would be obtained from Guinevere.
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Back to the present.
A tense silence filled the air between them.
Still in Lancelot's embrace, Guinevere struggled to hide the anxiety creeping into her chest. However, Ren's sharp eyes could see the faint blush on her pale face and the subtle tremors in her petite body.
After a moment of trying to steady her breathing, Guinevere finally spoke in a voice she forced to sound calm, "So... is King Ren's goal to kill me? Are you worried I'll interfere with your ritual to seize Divine Authority after you defeat a Heretic God?"
"Hm...?"
Ren tilted his head slightly, a relaxed smile playing on his lips. His gaze exuded confidence that bordered on arrogance—a hallmark of a Campione.
"That's only partly true. My main reason is that I want to borrow your Holy Grail."
Hearing this, Guinevere's eyes widened. Her expression of surprise quickly turned into one of firm refusal.
"Of course, that's impossible!"
Without showing the slightest surprise—as if he had anticipated this response—Ren raised his golden bow, his deft fingers forming an arrow of shimmering golden magical energy. He aimed it directly at them.
"I don't care if you agree or not, Guinevere. I'll take it by force."
Guinevere let out a long sigh, her expression showing both exhaustion and irritation.
"My goodness. Not a single Campione has a good temper. You're all truly tyrants."
*SWOOSH!*
Without another word, Ren released the arrow from his bow. Like a flash of light, the projectile shot forward at supersonic speed, the air around it vibrating and ringing loudly from the shockwave it generated.
Of course, Lancelot didn't stand idly by. With incredible reflexes, she swung her spear to deflect the incoming attack. However, there was one thing she underestimated—the kinetic energy of an object moving at the speed of sound.
*CLANG!*
A loud clang echoed as the arrow and spear collided. Lancelot's spear managed to deflect the projectile, but the impact was tremendous. Her hand holding the spear went numb instantly, and the shockwave from the collision reverberated through her entire body.
"Ugh... Cough!"
Guinevere, however, was in a far worse situation. The shockwave from the impact caused the girl to feel her internal organs shake violently. Her face turned drastically pale, and before she could hold it back, she vomited fresh blood, staining her white nightgown.
"My princess!" Lancelot exclaimed, her face showing deep concern.
Realizing that she couldn't involve Guinevere any further in this dangerous battle, Lancelot made a quick decision. With a smooth motion, she leapt down from her horse, landing gracefully on the debris-strewn floor of the mansion. Her spear was pointed directly at Ren, her blue eyes gleaming with determination and anger.
"I won't let your plan succeed, Devil King! No matter how strong you are, I will protect my princess with my life!"
*TAP!* *TAP!* *TAP!*
The horse carried Guinevere higher, away from the battlefield—a precautionary measure Lancelot took to protect her daughter.
"Interesting..."
Without showing the slightest fear, Ren instead smiled broadly. There was a glint of excitement in his eyes—the excitement of a true warrior who had found a worthy opponent.
"You know, you're the first Heretic God I've fought since obtaining Hou Yi's Divine Authority. Don't disappoint me."
"Huh..."
Lancelot straightened her posture, a powerful aura radiating from her entire body. Her armor gleamed under the moonlight breaking through the clouds.
"Believe me, this battle might just be your downfall." Lancelot replied coldly.
"Oh really? Try me if you can." Ren smirked.
"..."
For a few seconds that felt like an eternity, the night wind blew between them, carrying the scent of smoke and dust from the ruins.
*WHOOSH!*
Then, as if an invisible signal had been given, they both moved at the same time.
Lancelot sought to close the distance. After all, the weakness of an archer is close combat.
*SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!*
*CLANG!* *CLING!* *CLANG!* *CLING!*
However, she had to deflect arrows that shot toward her like machine gun fire, forcing her to split her focus. Despite this, Lancelot easily deflected the arrows bombarding her thanks to her skill called Mind's Eye, which enhanced her senses to the maximum level, allowing her to predict her opponent's movements, track beings with divine speed, anticipate attacks, and block them.
*SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!*
On the other hand, Ren was no conventional archer who would stand still while shooting. He fired arrows while running and maneuvering without affecting his accuracy. His body moved like the wind, while his fingers never stopped drawing the bowstring.
*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
The brief confrontation devastated the mansion. Fortunately, the servants had fled after the first explosion. The walls cracked and crumbled, pillars gave way under the pressure of the inhuman battle, and the once-glossy floor was now nothing more than a war-torn battlefield.
*SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!*
While running and changing positions, his hands never ceasing to fire arrows, Ren tried to psychologically affect his opponent with taunts.
"What a shame, your beauty is hidden behind that helmet and armor. You must have never enjoyed freedom, let alone a passionate night. Care to try a night with me?"
*SWOOSH!*
*PU-CHI!*
In an instant, a mistake occurred. Her focus faltered, and one of Ren's arrows, shot with incredible speed, pierced through the thick armor on her shoulder. Lancelot staggered back, red blood dripping from the seemingly small wound.
"H-How did you know?"
However, the wound was far from fatal. As the Goddess of Steel, Lancelot's body was protected by the Divine Authority: Steel Body, granting her extraordinary resilience against physical attacks. This small wound wasn't even enough to slow her down.
"No comment." Ren chuckled.
*SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!*
*CLANG!* *CLING!* *CLANG!* *CLING!*
Lancelot deflected the arrows aimed at her vital points.
"You want to see my face? Very well. I'll grant you the honor of dying while gazing upon it." She brandished her spear, her blue eyes gleaming with the same fighting spirit. "And as for your offer... Perhaps after I defeat you, we can discuss it."
"I like your style, Lancelot. Let's see who will kneel by the end of this fight!" Ren felt his blood boiling with fighting spirit.
They were two warriors who found joy in their battle. And with that, the true fight had just begun.