Chapter 32: Diarmuid, A Gracious Exit

Tokiomi Tohsaka left.

His departing figure was a picture of desolation. In a mere two days, he had aged from a spirited, middle-aged man into an old one. Not everyone could be like Gilgamesh, accepting failure with such equanimity. That man truly possessed the heart of a king.

At this thought, Zoran turned to Shendu. "What did Archer say to you before he finally faded away?"

Hearing his voice, Shendu looked up. "He said he enjoyed himself."

"That's it?" Zoran asked.

"That's it," Shendu replied.

Shrugging, Shendu lowered his head back into his book.

In the conflicts of the previous night, with Zoran acting as his guarantor and providing nearly infinite mana, Shendu could not lose. The synergy between the Noble Phantasm-grade Horse and Dog Talismans was simply too broken. One could only say that Gilgamesh's defeat was well-earned.

In the original history, if Zoran hadn't interfered, Gilgamesh would have obtained a physical body in this era, eventually influencing the Fifth Holy Grail War. But Zoran's arrival had undeniably shattered that trajectory. Whether this would cause a butterfly effect, he didn't care.

This wasn't his home, after all. And in the end, he was a Demon; he simply didn't care.

He wondered if Gilgamesh had managed to impart his "philosophy of joy" to Kirei Kotomine. If not, the man might suppress his desires until the day he died. If that were the case, Tokiomi Tohsaka should actually thank him. He had indirectly saved Tokiomi's life by preventing him from being stabbed in the back by his treacherous apprentice.

As for Tokiomi's question... Zoran was a demon who acted only according to his whims. He had never reached the Root of this world, nor was he interested. His only goal, his only one, was the Holy Grail.

He stood up and said to Shendu, "Let's go. There are still many eyes watching us."

Shendu rose, naturally tucking the manga volume into his suit jacket. Standing at the door, he chuckled. "I thought at least someone would chase us out and say something stupid about having to pay."

Zoran replied, "Tokiomi Tohsaka already paid for us."

"Is that so?" Shendu blinked, sounding bored. "I suppose that's one less bit of fun."

The two stepped out into the rain. By the roadside, a girl waiting for the tram frantically poked her companion, her face full of shock.

"Did you see that? Those two weren't using umbrellas!"

Her friend asked strangely, "So what if they weren't?"

"But..." the girl hesitated, "the rain seemed to be avoiding them. It was magical."

"Maybe you just saw it wrong."

"Impossible! One of them was practically floating! I saw it with my own eyes!"

…

It was the third day of the Holy Grail War.

There weren't many pedestrians on the streets, especially as Zoran reached a street corner where the road was completely deserted. He stopped and reached out his hand. Invisible magic radiated outward, and an instant later, the sound of glass shattering echoed in the air.

"Come out," he said.

Around the corner, Kayneth appeared before Zoran and Shendu, holding an umbrella. His expression was strange, and he opened his mouth to speak.

However, Zoran interrupted him. "I haven't seen it."

Kayneth's expression froze instantly, leaving him stunned. His intended words had been predicted.

Zoran felt a bit helpless. These magi, every single one of them, had nothing but the Root on their minds. It wasn't entirely incomprehensible, though. Humans always crave higher levels of power, fantasizing about an omniscient existence that can explain the ultimate truth of all things. Anyone with a goal or a pursuit could hardly escape this conviction.

Unfortunately, Zoran didn't believe in that nonsense.

At the same time, his and Shendu's existence had plunged many Masters into a state of doubt and despair. They saw no hope in this Holy Grail War. Kayneth was one of them.

As one of the Twelve Lords of the Clock Tower, he could not see through the "magus" before him at all. Undeniably, Kayneth was a genius. He had become a Lord at a young age, a powerful magus, and even earned the right to lecture at the Clock Tower. But facing Zoran, it wasn't enough.

The bounded field he had prepared for so long shattered under a casual wave of the other's hand. Did the so-called "geniuses" of the mortal realm even reach the threshold to be granted an audience with the being before him? Kayneth didn't know. The only thing he was certain of was that the opponent's power was strong enough to destroy everyone like crushing insects.

This level of power shouldn't belong to a magus. Yet, he had witnessed it with his own eyes.

Kayneth clenched his fist slightly and called out, "Lancer."

Diarmuid Ua Duibhne appeared by his side, spear in hand, bowing. "Lord."

"Lancer," Kayneth whispered. He raised his hand, and two Command Seals slowly faded. "I grant you the opportunity for a fair duel. As a knight, challenge the Caster before you."

"Lord!" Diarmuid's pupils trembled.

Caster's strength was now known to everyone. At this moment, he was absolutely no match. But a second later, he realized the underlying meaning, and a smile of epiphany spread across his handsome face.

Bowing low, Diarmuid saluted Kayneth. "I understand. Thank you, my Lord, for granting me a gracious exit."

His Master, Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, had set aside his pride. Simultaneously, he had shown respect to Diarmuid as a knight and honored his knightly will.

Spinning his spear in a brilliant flourish, Diarmuid's spirit soared as he shouted:

"Caster! In the name of Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, warrior of the Fianna, I challenge you to a glorious knight's duel!"

Zoran slowly floated backward, leaving the space to Shendu. He understood what Kayneth was doing. The man's heart was filled with despair. They had tried uniting, but the result was that even the mighty Archer was dead. Facing an invincible opponent, since the outcome could not be changed, it was better to lose with grace.

At this moment, Shendu stood with his hands in his pockets. In his human form, he seemed somewhat languid, but his aura of pure evil never left him. He said disdainfully, "You are no match for me."

Diarmuid smiled. "I am aware. But to die in a duel with an opponent like you is my honor."

Shendu shrugged. "It seems you are prepared for death."

"Of course! Release your Noble Phantasm! Caster!" Diarmuid's voice was like thunder.

He knew that Shendu's current state was not his peak. If he struck now, he might gain a slight advantage. But as a knight, his honor would not allow it. A duel between knights must naturally be fought at full strength and with fairness. This was the knightly spirit he had carved into his bones.

Diarmuid Ua Duibhne was that kind of man. More importantly, he was grateful that the powerful Master was willing to give him such a chance. Otherwise, given the disparity in strength, he wouldn't even be standing right now.

Moving his gaze slightly, he silently gave a heavy salute toward Zoran.

"Very well," Shendu moved his body slightly. "It seems I have a candidate for today."

He extended his arms, and the Glory of the Ancient Demon unfurled in an instant.

The world changed color for a moment, then returned to its natural state. It was a battle with no suspense whatsoever. It was merely a knight charging toward an unbeatable foe, only to find fulfillment in his demise.