"'Sun-Crowned King'? That is the title of your kingship?"
Even facing an army vastly superior and completely out of his league, in Iskandar's view, this was by no means a battle to fear or dread.
Excitedly patting his warhorse's head, wasn't the Kingly path he, Iskandar, yearned for precisely about experience and the tyranny of conquest?
Therefore, even if he died on this path, he would feel no regret or fear, because this was the path he desired.
"Follow this king forward!"
Charging at the forefront towards Ryuya's army, Iskandar's figure was etched into the scorching desert. As the two armies clashed, his Reality Marble quickly shattered, his forces were defeated, and they faded away, returning to the Throne of Heroes.
"Waver."
When only he remained alone, Iskandar set Waver down from the Gordius Wheel. As his subject, Waver should witness the King's advancing path from here!
Then, he charged forward indomitably, determined to see his conclusion through.
"…"
Iskandar fell under the blade of sworn conviction. Looking at Waver, whose eyes were filled with tears yet remained motionless in his stance, Ryuya then glanced towards the Heroic Spirit who had already returned to the Throne.
"Do you seek revenge against me, young man?"
"No! Impossible!"
Shaking his head, vehemently denying he would ever defy the King's will, Waver cried out loudly, "The King's command was for me to live! So I will live, with all my strength!"
"Truly admirable loyalty."
Somewhat understanding why Golden Gil ultimately spared Waver in the original work, Ryuya, as a King, could also appreciate the feelings of the departed Iskandar.
Nodding in comprehension, he passed by Waver and looked towards the remaining few.
"And you? Will you come one by one?"
"That is only natural! As a knight, a fair and just battle allows no retreat!"
Brandishing his twin spears, Diarmuid thanked Kayneth beside him, "Thank you, my Lord. Although there were some unpleasant moments in this Holy Grail War, being able to serve you loyally at the end brings satisfaction to my life."
Kayneth: "Lancer, you should understand, in my eyes, you were merely a tool for battle. But even so, hearing you say that... even I... feel a rare hint of joy."
Nodding, Kayneth also converted his remaining two Command Spells into a magical boost, allowing Diarmuid to fight to his heart's content.
Of course, before Ryuya, Diarmuid lasted only a few rounds before being defeated.
In his final moments, he simply gazed quietly at the sun within the Rashomon, uttered a sigh resembling relief, and turned to ash.
After Diarmuid, Kayneth's stirred passionate blood cooled. He realized the gap between himself and a true genius was like the gap he himself had over ordinary magi. Continuing the fight was meaningless and would only cost him his life.
Deeming it pointless to stay, he prepared to return to the Clock Tower to further refine his magecraft.
As for Kirei, having failed to find what brought him pleasure in this Holy Grail War, and looking at Hassan, he still couldn't understand why people fight and kill.
Thus, the final Servant was naturally that one person.
The Oldest King of Heroes, Gilgamesh!
"This king's turn."
Looking seriously at Ryuya, Golden Gil had never been more solemn. Ea in his hand erupted with maximum magical energy.
Resolved to use his full power without holding back, a serious golden Gil was still formidable.
Unfortunately, even then, he was no match for Ryuya. With the King's unrestrained laughter, as he returned to the Throne of Heroes, he left his final words:
"Interesting! Truly an interesting battle! If we meet again, Sun-Crowned King Ryuya, this king would like to share a drink with you! Hahahaha..."
Following Golden Gil's disappearance, the Greater Grail, having absorbed three Servants, was about to initiate the ritual to summon the Lesser Grail.
"Tohsaka Tokiomi."
"Ah... Yes."
Watching Gilgamesh vanish, Tokiomi wasn't sure what to say. Sighing, he heard Ryuya call him and responded, somewhat flattered, "Do you have any instructions?"
"Your wife will bear you two daughters in a few years. Both children possess exceptional talent."
"I know the Tohsaka Family's Magic Crest can only be inherited by one. You might find it difficult regarding the other child. Have her adopted into the Einzbern Family."
In the original storyline, the reason Sakura was adopted into the Matou Family was primarily her exceptional talent, rivaling Rin's, making it impossible for Tokiomi to nurture both without sufficient Magic Crests.
Choosing to place his hopes on the elder sister, Rin, and being unaware of Zouken's true nature at the time, Tokiomi gave the younger sister, Sakura, to the Matou Family.
In this Snowfield City world, Zouken was already under Ryuya's control.
But Ryuya didn't want Sakura living with the Matou Family. Even if Zouken wouldn't harm her, the other Matou Family's members were... well, let's just say it's better not to.
Not bothering with someone like Kariya, Ryuya thought it better for Irisviel to care for Sakura.
Having a 'Sakura Einzbern' in the future sounded quite interesting, didn't it?
Moreover, after they left, Sakura's presence could accompany Irisviel.
Not giving Tokiomi time to think, Ryuya unilaterally decided this matter.
Then, he returned Hassan, the big-eyed Gilles, Ryuunosuke, and the berserk Lancelot to the Grail.
"Mmm, with this... is the magical energy sufficient now?"
The Holy Grail War was, in principle, a battle between the last remaining Master and Servant. Technically, the final Master needed to retain one Command Spell to make their Servant commit suicide to monopolize the wish.
In reality, the magical energy of six Servants was enough for the Lesser Grail's birth.
As the six Servants faded one after another, the All the World's Evils representing the Lesser Grail emerged from beneath Snowfield City, right below the chosen banquet location.
"Sigh..."
Letting out a long breath, Ryuya knew the Land of Trials scenario was about to end. But before that...
"Gil, Enkidu, Ishtar." These were the three beloved from Uruk.
"Lily, Merlin, Morgan." These were the three wives from Camelot.
"Words that can be spoken, deeds that can be done… all have been accomplished here. Although I could drag out this Holy Grail War, delaying our parting a little longer, that wouldn't be fair to Tia, Eresh, Vivian, and the others."
He could forcibly prolong this Holy Grail War. If he wished, Ryuya could stay here for ten, twenty years. But what would be the point?
The Land of Trials was, after all, a Life Simulation he modified using points.
This illusory world was not a place a King should indulge in. Being able to see his past lovers here proved his actions were correct. He could continue striving in the future to achieve the most beautiful outcome.
Before that, he wouldn't indulge in false happiness or hesitate to stop, because that would be an insult to the Kingly path he chose, an insult to his role as a lover and a King.
Ending this Holy Grail War, then continuing his journey until completing the most beautiful Country of the End… that was what Ryuya must do.
Therefore...
"Understood, go ahead. This king won't say anything."
"Exactly, Is, don't worry. When this lady returns, I'll definitely tell Vivian all about this. She'll be so jealous."
"Sensei, may your martial fortunes prosper."
"Go, Is."
"Hubby, do your best!"
Knowing Ryuya would leave eventually, watching the man's figure, Enkidu called out one last time:
"Sisters! This competition isn't over yet! We still have the final round! Let's all keep doing our best when we meet next time!"
Beast of the Apocalypse, Devourer of Heaven and Earth (SSS).
Seeing his lovers' understanding, Ryuya didn't hesitate. Canceling 'Nonexistent in this World (SSS)', he transformed into the most terrifying Beast and devoured the Grail of All the World's Evils.
Then...
"Beast of the End (SSS)!"
Legend says God created the world in seven days. But the demon Satan was God's lifelong enemy.
In an ownerless world, the Beast of the Apocalypse will become the ruler of this world, transforming into the sole existence!