The sight of such misery left even Astolfo and Robin Hood, seasoned as they were, gasping in shock.
"This is beyond cruel. Whoever did this is an absolute lunatic, a deeply disturbed psychopath by today's standards... and a severe case at that!" Astolfo ranted furiously. Had Gilgamesh heard this critique, he might have raged and attacked Astolfo a hundred times over. Fortunately, Gilgamesh had already returned to his Throne of Heroes, sparing Astolfo a dire fate.
Robin Hood nodded slightly, carefully inspecting the victims' conditions before frowning. "They're in terrible shape. It's a miracle they're even alive. With significant mana expenditure, we might save a few, but with so many people here, what's your plan?"
Before Morpheus could respond, Robin Hood continued, "If it were me, I'd end their suffering myself. Death would be better than this. I didn't like Gilles, but he wasn't wrong about one thing... for these people, death might be a release."
Morpheus understood Robin Hood's thoughts. He nodded gently. "You're right. Ordinary healing magecraft could restore their vitality and mend their wounds, but only at great mana cost.
"A magus's mana is limited. Without accessing the Greater Source, saving even one or two people would drain a vast amount of stored mana. Even if a magus risked their life to save more, four would be the absolute limit."
When Rin Tohsaka saved the gravely injured Shirou Emiya, she didn't rely solely on her own mana. The jewel from her father, filled with immense stored mana, was crucial. Yet, even that drained the jewel entirely.
This showed just how difficult it was to save a single life.
But Morpheus didn't need such methods. He had many ways to save people, even those reduced to pulp, as long as they still lived. Though his current abilities made these techniques challenging, he possessed the knowledge. With further training and an elevated status, he could wield those magics.
For now, he had a method for these people.
"My magic has a unique relationship with the Lesser and Greater Sources, so there's no need to worry."
Morpheus spoke without destroying the magic circles that bound and sustained the victims' lives. These circles enslaved them but also kept them from dying outright.
In a twisted way, it was a symbiotic relationship... the circles enslaved them yet ensured their survival.
Morpheus drew the Sword of the War God, slicing his hand. Blood dripped onto the floor as he began carving a magic circle.
Soon, the circle took shape, adorned with unique symbols and angelic sigils. Morpheus scattered coins around it, seemingly at random.
Robin Hood was astonished to see the coins, though scattered, aligned as if guided by an unseen force, resonating with the chaotic underground environment.
Morpheus then took out clumps of earth, molding them into rough human shapes. He placed them around the circle, their number matching the victims in the room.
With everything prepared, Morpheus opened his mouth.
He chanted, but the sound was like a hymn... soft yet resonant, weaving a unique rhythm.
As this rhythm spread, Robin Hood was shocked to see the surroundings warp!
Space twisted, the ground softened, as if this mystic place might swallow them whole.
"What's happening?!" Astolfo cried, nearly summoning his Noble Phantasm, Hippogriff. But in the next moment, the basement returned to normal!
The normalcy was abrupt, as if the prior distortion was an illusion.
As Robin Hood and Astolfo were about to question it, a radiant light flared in the dim basement. Before them appeared a feminine figure, holy and pure, with wings... a blazing angel!
The angel's form was hazy, holding a staff entwined with a serpent.
"In the name of YHVH, the divine shall heal all…"
With the final chant, the power of Raphael erupted in the room. Immense mana surged, yet it was gentle, not violent.
This potent mana flowed freely into the pitiful mortals, as if finding its rightful home.
As it poured in, Robin Hood sensed their heartbeats strengthening, growing vigorous!
Not only that, their depleted blood was replenished, new blood coursing through their veins.
Their minds stirred, signals flowing through their bodies, like ancient machines cleaned, oiled, and infused with new vigor!
These human machines were truly reviving!
It was a feat worthy of the term "resurrection"!
The angel vanished, but the victims' bodies brimmed with mana and vitality. Were they not still bound by the magic circles, preventing their awakening, they might have stirred and questioned their saviors.
"That summoning just now…" Robin Hood's expression was puzzled. He now understood Morpheus's earlier words about YHVH being part of a spell, not a prayer. This man could summon angels!
As an Englishman, how could Robin Hood not recognize the angel summoned?
"Raphael, right?"
"Correct. Raphael. Using Raphael's power, I restored their vitality. Without crossing the abyss, it's not true erasure of death, but at least they can live out natural lives... birth, aging, sickness, and death... without issue."
Morpheus admitted it freely; there was no need for secrecy. He had more pressing matters to consider.
"That's incredible! An angel! You're the true saint! If Gilles saw this, he'd be so ashamed he'd off himself!" Astolfo blurted out another jewel. "After all, his beloved Saint Jeanne followed your God, right?"
"I'm not so sure if this world's Jeanne truly follows God…" Morpheus muttered, drawing puzzled looks from the pair.
"Alright, one of the toughest tasks is done. Now for the next." Morpheus clapped his hands and made a call. A gentle voice answered.
"Morpheus-nii, what's up?"
It was Sakura Matou.
"Have people come check for their relatives. Living for revenge traps them in a cycle. Now's a chance to break free... they should seize it."
"I understand. Not all their relatives will be here, but at least it's a joyful moment for some. Surviving is already a miracle…"
Sakura spoke softly, chatted briefly with Morpheus, then hung up.
Morpheus turned to Robin Hood and Astolfo.
"Alright, we can leave now. Others will handle the rest."
"I'm off then. Gotta see the sights. I'll think about staying or returning later," Robin Hood said, waving to Morpheus. "See you in a bit."
He headed out, and Astolfo, seeing him leave, shouted, "Wait for me! Don't leave me here alone!"
Chasing after him, Astolfo waved goodbye to Morpheus. As they departed, Morpheus erased the traces of the magic circle on the floor before leaving.
The church above hadn't fully collapsed but was heavily damaged. If the Holy Church intended to station people here, repairs... or even rebuilding... would be necessary.
…
Under the night sky, a group clad in black robes, concealing themselves, hurried toward the church.
They had just received word from the Saint, who, guided by divine revelation, learned that enslaved brothers and sisters languished here. Though divine punishment had been delivered, these captives still needed rescue.
God had restored their bodies, but reintegrating them into the community required human effort.
After all, they were all human.
"Quick, find the entrance!"
The group scattered across the church's ruins, searching. Soon, someone located the unconcealed entrance.
"Here!"
"Hurry, let's check!"
They rushed into the basement, stunned by the sight. Then they saw the people entombed in coffin-like containers.
"This… this is…"
"I know him! Didn't he die in the fire ten years ago?"
"That's my husband!"
"My child!"
Cries of shock and recognition echoed. Some found their loved ones, while others searched desperately for familiar faces but found none.
"Don't panic! Let's free them first. The divine revelation says their injuries are healed, but their mental wounds need our collective care!" Sakura Matou called from the basement entrance, snapping them back to focus.
Many were on the verge of tears, some already crying, but they quickly steadied themselves. After so many years, the fact that some survived was astonishing, a testament to divine greatness.
They swiftly dismantled the surrounding magic circles, gently lifting the unconscious victims, wrapping them in prepared blankets, and carrying them out.
Fortunately, cars were affordable in Japan, and most families had one. They helped each other, loading the victims into vehicles and heading home.
Once most had left, Sakura sighed in relief. To the few remaining followers, she said, "Alright, head back. Take these days to settle them. They've endured immense suffering; we must care for them."
"Don't worry, Saint. We're family... we'll help each other!"
After they departed, Sakura relaxed, glancing aside before shaking her head and walking off.
Moments later, Rin Tohsaka emerged from the shadows, staring after Sakura with disbelief.
Her little sister was a Saint of some mysterious church?!
And from what those people said, they were likely survivors who lost kin in the tragedy caused by the Holy Grail War ten years ago.
So, all these years, while Sakura appeared to be a foster daughter in the Matou family, she had secretly built a formidable force, aiming straight at the Holy Grail? No, she likely wasn't after the Grail... her goal was probably to destroy it from the start!
Rin realized how naïve she'd been.
She thought she'd prepared thoroughly, but in this Holy Grail War, everyone else was far more prepared than her... except, perhaps, for a certain last-minute battlefield entrant…
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL