A certain crossover anime's nuclear-powered sword immortal

Gudako said, "To be honest, I don't really know much about Merlin."

“Telling my own story is a troublesome thing. I usually just use lies and silence to get by, well, just to pass the time. So, you can ask me a question, and this time I will answer you honestly,” Merlin said.

"So……"

Gudako pondered for a moment, then asked, "Why would you obey King Gilgamesh?"

"This..."

Merlin paused for a moment.

"To be honest, because I am very similar to King Gilgamesh, neither of us has any feelings for humanity itself. He is a fair judge of humanity, so although he will protect humanity, he will not show special favor to any individual."

"On the other hand, I am just an observer and have no intention of associating with humans. Whether it is humans or individuals, they have nothing to do with me in the end."

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Anna's Future

Hearing Merlin's explanation, Gudako frowned. "But, I think you two both really like humans, don't you?"

Merlin smiled.

"You're really shameless to say such things, but I don't deny that he and I both really like humans."

"But isn't it strange that she has no attachment to humans, yet likes them?" Gudako asked.

"This is what is called a difference in perspective. King Gilgamesh thinks that what humans have created is very valuable. On the other hand, I am very interested in your fate, especially that unfathomable person you brought. What will your future be like... In order to witness that moment, I will continue to live."

"Well, in other words, neither Gilgamesh nor I are human. I am a hybrid of a succubus and a human. Although I can learn from humans, I still don't understand human emotions. Ultimately, a succubus is just 'someone's dream'."

"However, even so, I can still experience joy, because only I have 'my own purpose'."

Upon hearing this, Gudako tilted her head. "That's...?"

"Of course, it's a happy ending for all of you humans."

Merlin laughed and said, "I want to see humanity's final end, the 'dream' of the last human. Humans are foolish and flawed creatures, but the history you depict is very beautiful."

As he spoke, Merlin looked up at the beautiful starry sky adorned with countless stars.

"No matter what the final outcome, it is something of value that will remain in this universe."

……

After arriving at the front line, everyone was tired from the long journey, so they went to rest.

Shirou noticed that Anna had not returned to her room, so he followed the girl's figure to the top of the city wall.

"Good evening." Looking at the girl sitting by the city wall with her long purple hair flowing down her back, Shirou greeted her, "Aren't you going to rest?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I'm resting here. But what about you? Aren't you going to sleep?"

Anna asked.

“I don’t actually need to sleep.” Shirou smiled. “For me, sleeping is more of a pastime. Besides, I sometimes have interesting dreams in my sleep. I don’t know where these dreams come from, but they’re quite useful.”

Then, Shirou flipped his right hand and took out a flower wreath.

"This is from that old woman. She said you will definitely become the most beautiful girl in the city in the future."

Anna's eyes flickered, revealing a delighted smile.

"This is from that florist lady..."

Anna reached out and took it, staring at the wreath in a daze.

"That old woman stayed in her sunless home, tending to those withered flowers. She told me so many things. Even though she was blind, she remained calm and invited me to eat butter cake with her... saying it was delicious, even though she couldn't taste anything anymore..."

"I think it must be because it's really delicious."

Upon hearing Shirou's words, Anna lowered her eyes and spoke in a somewhat low voice.

“I hate humans, but they are still kind. Uruk, that city, was once my dream. I wanted to be treated gently by humans, I wanted to treat people gently, I always wanted that. In the past, I thought how wonderful it would be if it could be like that… I think you understand my story now, right?”

As Anna said this, she turned her head slightly to look at Shirou's pale golden eyes.

“Yes, I know, you are Medusa.” Shirou nodded.

Anna's Spirit Origin is the same as Rider's, but like Gorgon's two older sisters, she now manifests in an 'idolized' form similar to a loli or a young girl, and therefore does not present Rider's 'full' and beautiful form.

The current state of Ana (Medusa) is different from that of Medusa during her Rider days. While she says she "hates humans," she is more shy and unsure how to face them.

"This is a dream that I can no longer recall now that I'm an adult and have matured. I really can't accept it."

As Anna said this, tears welled up in her eyes, and she handed the wreath in her hand to Shirou.

"Because that old woman's grandson was killed by a monster in the North Wall... Let's set off to fight Gorgon after dawn. That's why I came here. But through this journey, my reasons have changed a little."

Anna stood up on the city wall and gazed at the sunrise in the distance.

"I used to fight for myself, but now I fight for the people of Uruk."

“But if that happens, you will also…” Shirou looked at the girl at that moment.

Anna smiled and shook her head. "That is my mission."

Upon hearing this, Shirou suddenly spoke up.

"What I hate most is fate."

As he spoke, Shirou reached out and placed his hands on the girl's shoulders.

"Anna."

"Huh? W-what's wrong...?" Being stared at like that, Anna felt inexplicably nervous and couldn't help but swallow.

"You must already know your future fate, right?" Shirou asked.

“Hmm…” Anna lowered her eyes upon hearing this, her expression inevitably tinged with sadness. “Ever since I came into this world, I’ve constantly told myself that I can’t live, I can’t stay here, I can’t laugh, but… I really want to live, I really want to stay here, and I really want to laugh, but…”

"So, have you ever thought about growing in a completely different direction?" Shirou asked.

“This kind of thing…” Anna paused for a few seconds, “After defeating Gorgon, I will also…”

"No, there is another way, but it requires you to make a small sacrifice."

As Shirou said this, he lowered his head, watching the girl's dark purple eyes widen.

"Waaaaah...waaah...!?"

……

The Blood Temple is located in the southeastern part of the Mesopotamian Plain. Currently, due to the absolute monster front being besieged by monsters, the road is filled with monsters and pterosaurs, making it impossible for ordinary people to reach it.

roar----!!!

As the monsters began their siege, the soldiers opened the city gates and poured out.

Quetzal Koyatl charged at the forefront, wielding his serrated greatsword.

"Leopard Man!"

"coming!"

Upon hearing the call, the leopard-man whistled, and a pterosaur soaring through the sky carried the enormous stone axe to Quetzal Koyatl.

Then, after the pterosaurs released it, the stone axe fell from the sky like a meteor.

come down.

Quetzal Koyatl raised his hand and caught it, causing the earth to tremble.

Then, she grabbed the handle of the stone axe with both hands, spun it around, and flung it away violently.

With this power alone, it would be enough to send the stone axe to the Temple of Blood.

The stone axe spun and flew 30000 meters before crashing down on the Blood Temple.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Tiamat

boom----!

While the Blood Temple was being struck by the stone axe, Shirou and the others had been waiting there for quite some time.

"Let's go, everyone," Merlin said, waving his staff.

The group immediately entered the Blood Temple.

The ground was covered with some kind of viscous liquid, and below the roots hanging from the top stone wall were 'eggs' containing human corpses.

“These are all…” Mash looked at the underground world of the Blood Temple with some shock.

This place resembles a giant ovary.

These humans will serve as breeding grounds, eventually becoming nourishment for the magical beasts.

"That Gorgon is truly despicable!" Gudako said angrily, looking at the eggs.

Then, they arrived at the center of the ovary, where purple water gushed forth, revealing Gorgon's enormous body.

Gorgon looked at Shirou with some anger.

"You've chased me all this way, what good would killing me do you?"

“The benefits are enormous,” Shirou replied with a smile.

"Tch! You think I'd be afraid of you once I've entered my Blood Temple?!" Gorgon's voice seemed to be roaring.

At that moment, Ishtar spoke up.

"You are ultimately an imposter of the goddess by borrowing the power of the Holy Grail. Besides, Mother doesn't need other creatures to produce magical beasts. To use humans to produce magical beasts is something no goddess would do."

Upon hearing this, Gorgon's expression changed instantly, and his eyes gradually turned bloodshot with anger.

At this moment, Anna took off the hood from her head and looked up at Gorgon.

“Gorgon, you can’t even see your own form; you’re just an ordinary monster,”

The moment Gorgon saw Anna, his pupils dilated violently, and a look of terror appeared on his face.

"What's with this chill... I'm going crazy! What's going on, Jingu! Get that hideous monster out of this temple right now!"

"You really can't see me." Anna looked at Gorgon with some disappointment. "If you were still willing to look at me, perhaps there would still be a sliver of a chance to salvage the situation."

Shirou placed his hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Use your divine power with confidence and end the future you don't want."