Chapter 733 Marduk's Axe: I Split Apart
"..." Fujimaru didn't respond, his eyes filled with guilt and self-reproach.
"Hey hey, don't be like this." Sakatsuki lightly kicked him. "I don't think we need apologies between us, do we?"
As he spoke, he raised his head to meet the gaze of the two Baal Lahmus who stood with arms crossed, watching him with mocking expressions. He let out an annoyed scoff: "More than that, I really hate being laughed at by these two things."
Not pressing the attack further—they probably want us to be executed by 'him' personally, right?
This kind of ending is truly in the worst possible taste.
"So, make your decision, Master. Should we go for a divine wind suicide attack or just flee in panic?" Sensing the killing intent approaching from behind, Sakatsuki remained unfazed, even finding the leisure to joke. "Whatever you choose, I'll support you with both hands... though I don't actually have hands anymore."
"Still cracking jokes at a time like this..." Fujimaru lowered his gaze, his eyes sweeping over the people before him.
Sakatsuki, severely wounded; Anna, completely exhausted; himself, drained of magical energy; and Merlin, who, while unharmed, wasn't particularly useful either.
In the distance, the Jaguar Warrior's pained cries grew increasingly desperate.
Even the wisest strategist—no, the wiser one is, the clearer they'd understand the dire predicament and danger of this moment.
At this point, the so-called choices were nothing but lies. The real options had long been predetermined.
"Fujimaru, you need to decide now." The doctor urgently reminded him. "That black-robed man is getting closer step by step! We can't stop his punches anymore!"
See, even the doctor was subtly urging him.
Urging him to escape, to retreat and prepare thoroughly before making another attempt.
This wasn't shameful behavior, even if it meant abandoning the most important treasure of this journey.
Fujimaru tightened his grip on the axe handle. He could feel the immense power flowing through this divine weapon—the very power Uruk desperately needed.
Their enemies had already demonstrated overwhelming strength. Even without deploying their full forces, four divine-level combatants were terrifying enough.
They had nearly been defeated in just the initial encounter.
If the enemies abandoned meaningless skirmishes and launched a full assault on Uruk—
How could a defensive line that struggled against a single black-robed man possibly withstand four times the invasion?
"If retreating means preserving our lives..."
"Fujimaru! Fujimaru! He's coming!"
The doctor shouted frantically, though his warning was unnecessary. The boy could already hear Sakatsuki's body tensing up and see the lingering fear in Anna's eyes.
Yet he still lowered his head to look at the back of his hand.
Though covered by gauntlets, Fujimaru knew what remained there.
The Command Seals—symbols of miracles and hope.
And so, he smiled.
"Then why not use these lives for something more meaningful?"
"Seems you've found your answer." Sakatsuki had been closely observing Fujimaru's state. When he noticed the change in the boy's eyes, he smiled.
"Then give the order, our Master."
"Mm." Fujimaru lifted the Round Table Shield once more, stepping forward to the front lines. For a fleeting moment, a slender yet resolute figure seemed to overlap with him, their hands jointly grasping this massive shield that spoke of glory.
"However, there's one thing you got wrong."
"Oh?" Sakatsuki effortlessly rose to his feet with a push from his legs, his demeanor undiminished even with both arms severed. "And what might that be?"
"We never actually formed a contract." Fujimaru turned his head slightly, a sly smile playing on his lips. "How could I dare call myself your Master then?"
Sakatsuki paused, his expression shifting from confusion to understanding before finally bursting into laughter.
"You've grown cunning, Fujimaru."
"All thanks to your teachings, Sakatsuki." The boy's eyes sparkled as he chuckled like a clever little fox.
"Wait, you two—stop right there!" Though he didn't fully grasp their cryptic exchange, the doctor sensed something ominous from their movements. "What's going on? Shouldn't we be retreating?"
Ignoring the doctor's question, the black-robed figure had already closed the distance. Without dodging or evading, it raised its fist and struck against the massive shield Fujimaru had raised.
BOOM!
The same tremendous force transmitted through the shield, but before it could reach him, Fujimaru released his grip.
And Sakatsuki spun—delivering a swift side kick!
BANG!
Two overwhelming forces converged through the shield, canceling each other out in a perfectly timed maneuver. Seizing this brief moment, Fujimaru disengaged his armament and pressed his hand—marked with three Command Spells—against Sakatsuki's back.
"Let silver and steel be the essence.
Let stone and the Archduke of Contracts be the foundation.
Let my great master be the ancestor.
Let rise a wall against the wind that shall fall.
Let the four cardinal gates close.
Let the three-forked road from the crown reaching unto the Kingdom rotate.
Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill.
Repeat five times.
But when each is filled, destroy it.
I hereby propose.
My will creates your body, and your sword creates my destiny.
In accordance with the approach of the Holy Grail,
if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer!"
As the familiar incantation flowed from the boy's lips, not only the doctor in the command room but even Anna and Merlin beside him widened their eyes in astonishment, their hearts surging with emotion.
And in the distance, the feathered serpent deity ruling over this divine realm turned her gaze toward this radiant brilliance, her eyes shimmering with delight as she gave a gentle nod.
Thus, an ancient and sacred contract was forged beneath her temple. As flesh began to regenerate, the white-clad hero stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the boy and responded in a resounding voice:
"My fate shall be with your sword.
My will shall become your destiny.
Follow the call of the Holy Grail.
If you will abide by this oath, this truth, then answer!"
The contract was hereby sealed!
The light of magecraft illuminated the night sky.
As if sensing something amiss, the towering Baal Lahabmu lowered their arms, peering intently downward.
Beneath the towering pillar of light, the black-haired boy showed little outward change—except for the emotionless expression as he retrieved the hidden talisman from his chest and crushed it, releasing an extraordinarily pure surge of magical energy.
A gift from the great pirate who once ruled the seas—Francis Drake's treasured talisman, embodying the spirit of exploration.
When carried, it provided immense magical energy recovery. But when used as a one-time catalyst, it unleashed a burst of A-rank pure magical energy—enough to sustain a top-tier Servant in full combat for two hours.
At the same time, Fujimaru raised his hand, one of his crimson Command Spells dissolving away.
"The rest is up to you, Sakatsuki."
"Ah, of course." With a lighthearted laugh, the revitalized hero spread his arms, feeling the boundless energy coursing through him. When his eyes opened again, they gleamed a brilliant gold.
That radiance brought reassurance to his allies—and stole the breath of his enemies.
Just like the tri-colored sword now grasped in his hand, materialized as if from thin air.
"This is—?!" The moment the divine sword came into view, the Baal Lahmus' expressions twisted in horror. Spreading their armored wings, they fled skyward like startled birds—all except for the lone figure in black robes, who remained calmly rooted to the spot.
As if utterly oblivious to the heart-stopping energy swirling around the blade.
"Running won't help. Besides, where could you possibly hide?" Slowly raising the divine sword, its tip passing over the black-robed figure to point at the Baal Lahmus in the sky, Sakatsuki grinned and unleashed the blade's true name without hesitation:
"The sword that shatters civilizations without destroying life—Sword of the War God!"
By the time the Baal Lahmus looked up and caught sight of the colossal magic circle descending upon them, it was already too late.
The wrath of the War God rained down from the heavens!
A torrent of light crashed down like pillars from the sky, slamming the Baal Lahmus to the ground with agonized roars. Even the black-robed figure couldn't evade, engulfed by the Noble Phantasm's might. Only now did Fujimaru find the chance to respond to the doctor's earlier question.
"I may not fully grasp the extent of that hero's strength, but I do know my own power is far too insignificant against the threat of the Three Goddess Alliance and the demonic beasts."
Gripping the Axe of Marduk tightly, Fujimaru's eyes showed no regret even after expending a precious Command Spell:
"Handing over the Axe of Marduk like this would be no different from slow suicide. To save this Singularity, we must never abandon the future."
As the last Master, he was merely an ordinary human. Even with the Third Magic's mystic code, he was still far too weak.
But the weak have their own ways of fighting.
If the gap in strength was insurmountable, then he would bridge it with wit and effort.
And if even that wasn't enough—he would stake his very life on it!
Watching the star-like pillars summoned by the Sword of the War God, Fujimaru's eyes blazed like fire.
"As long as I can grasp the light of victory, this insignificant life is worth gambling!"
This was Fujimaru Ritsuka's resolve.
And as it turned out, this time, his gamble paid off.
Empowered by the Command Spell and their contract, Sakatsuki briefly regained his peak form. Seizing the Baal Lahmus' underestimation, he swung the Sword of the War God—a symbol of destruction—pinning them down completely.
But then, another cry of alarm rang out. To Fujimaru and Anna's disbelief, the black-robed figure stood bathed in the light of annihilation, raising an arm.
As effortlessly as tearing paper, he ripped apart the luminous pillars cast by the Sword of the War God!
As the smoke cleared, the black-robed figure emerged unscathed, lifting his chilling bone-white mask to lock onto the stunned group.
"Yes, just like that!" Even writhing in pain under the light, the Baal Lahmus cackled venomously. "You're a weapon forged by Mother herself! Tear apart these insects blocking our way!"
"Never!" As the radiance of the Third Magic flared once more, Fujimaru completed his transformation, shield in his left hand and axe in his right, standing firm before the black-robed figure.
Sakatsuki was maintaining his Noble Phantasm's output—he couldn't let this creature interfere!
The black-robed figure remained indifferent to Fujimaru's resolve. Calmly, he raised a fist and swung.
Just then, Sakatsuki glanced up, feigning nonchalance as his gaze met the black-robed figure's—and the latter's movement faltered.
Perfect opening!
With a clang, Fujimaru instinctively dropped his shield and shouted, gripping the sharp Axe of Marduk with both hands as he swung it fiercely toward the hooded figure's skull.
If Anna's scythe couldn't break through, then he would use this divine weapon to shatter the enemy's defenses!
Crack! Crack!
Two shattering sounds rang out simultaneously. Not only did the hooded figure's mask fracture—but to Fujimaru's shock, the divine axe in his hands, said to be capable of slaying the Mother Goddess Tiamat—
Shattered upon impact!