104: Chapter 104 Snowflake Shield
Despair.
If the previous raid mechanics were merely a sense of frustration in the gaming experience, then at this moment, the dimensionality-crushing power of Goetia brought a trembling that originated from the depths of the soul.
On the screen, that terrifying stream of light—an amalgamation of the ashes of thousands of years of human civilization, painting nearly the entire universe pure white—was pouring down toward PD with a destructive temperature of hundreds of millions of degrees!
At this distance, even a mere wisp of the residual energy would be enough to instantly vaporize any matter on the Earth's surface.
"It's over... There's no way to dodge this..."
Just as PD, ashen-faced, closed his eyes in despair...
"Senpai, please step back!"
A girl's voice, filled with determination and tragedy, suddenly rang out in the deathly silent, empty temple.
On screen, the pink-haired girl who had always silently held up her cross-shield in front of the player, acting as the most solid barrier, suddenly took a step forward!
Her seemingly fragile body blocked firmly in front of the Master.
Gripping the shield, which was even larger than herself, with both hands, she slammed it heavily into the ground, embedding it deep into the scorched rock!
"Mash?!"
PD's eyes snapped open.
"What are you doing?! Come back! That's a guaranteed-death story event! You absolutely can't withstand it!" In the live stream, countless viewers were frantically sending messages in the chat.
"Utterly foolish."
Goetia, on the throne, looked down at the girl holding the shield; in his violent killing intent, there was a rare hint of condescending charity.
"Demi-Servant Mash Kyrielight. You only have a mere three days of life left, and your body is already riddled with holes. Why waste your final moments protecting such a worthless Master?"
Goetia's voice carried an almost bewitching magic:
"Give up. As long as you drop that shield now and do not oppose me, once I have completed the work of reshaping creation at the Polar Star, I can grant you a flawless, eternal life. I will grant you true 'freedom,' freeing you from the torture of this miserable fate!"
Facing the Beast I's offer of surrender, which was almost like a gift, and facing the light of destruction capable of vaporizing souls.
PD and countless players in the live stream held their breath, fists clenched tightly.
However, Mash did not take a single step back.
"Thank you for your kindness, Demon God King. However, I refuse."
The girl's voice was not loud, but it was incredibly clear amidst the tragic BGM, "My life is indeed very short. But, because of Senpai's company, because of this journey... I have already obtained the 'freedom' I wanted and have seen the most beautiful scenery in this world."
"So, it's alright, Senpai."
"I... do not feel afraid."
The girl turned around to face the blinding white light directly.
In her eyes, there was no longer the confusion or fear of her dwindling life; instead, there was a belief as unbreakable as that of a knight.
"True Name, Camouflage Deployment (Release)——!"
Accompanied by Mash's shout, which pierced through the roar, a gentle yet incredibly resilient magical energy erupted from the cross-shield!
"I stand at the seat of calamity!"
"That is our hometown, which heals all wounds and calms all grudges!"
In the stunned gaze of all the players, a magnificent, pure white phantom of a huge city wall, radiating sacred brilliance, rose up behind Mash!
It was the City of Ideals that would never fall, forged by the faith of countless Knights of the Round Table!
"Manifest——"
The girl used all her strength to press the shield firmly in front of her, facing the stream of light that destroyed everything!
"【The Farthest-Reaching Ideal City (Lord Camelot)】！！！"
Boom————！！！！
The third Noble Phantasm from Goetia slammed heavily against that chalk-white city wall!
Between heaven and earth, only extreme pure white and ear-piercing roars remained; the entire game screen's view was almost tearing apart in the violent shaking.
In the background music, the passionate, soul-stirring symphony seemed to be offering the grandest anthem for this wall that represented the unyielding will of humanity!
All players stared fixedly at the white light that swallowed everything, their breathing even stopped.
Through the blinding halo, the players could vaguely see that thin figure in the center of the light stream.
The huge cross-shield let out an unbearable moan under the hundreds of millions of degrees of heat, and the space in front of the shield had been completely burned through and twisted.
Mash's feet were deeply embedded in the ground, which had begun to melt, and her thin shoulders were trembling violently.
"Ugh... Aaaaaah——！！！"
The girl gritted her teeth, letting out a throat-tearing scream, holding the shield firmly at the very front.
One second... Two seconds...
Even though everything around was turning to ash under this terrifying heat, the phantom of the chalk-white city wall consistently split the torrent capable of piercing the planet in two, not allowing even a shred of destructive power to reach the Master behind her!
"She blocked it!! Awesome!! Mash is invincible!!!"
PD jumped up on the spot in excitement, his eyes red as he waved his fists frantically, "As long as this shield is still here, we can win! We can counterattack!"
Lin Feng, Chu He, and tens of millions of players across the network who finally saw the dawn of hope in their despair all let out cheers of ecstasy at this moment, having survived.
But...
Just when everyone thought a miracle had happened and were preparing to welcome the next round of battle...
The original passionate, grand, yet oppressive and despairing BGM suddenly stopped without warning.
In its place was a brand new, ethereal, yet endlessly gentle and determined BGM——《Color · Shield of Snowflakes》.
This sudden, sacred, and sorrowful melody instantly shattered the psychological defenses of all the players.
"This BGM... what's going on? Why did it suddenly become so ethereal and sad?" PD felt his scalp tingle; an indescribable soreness and an ominous premonition rushed straight to his head.
The girl turned her head, across the screen, toward the "Senpai" who had accompanied her on the long journey, from the sea of fire in Fuyuki all the way to the end of time, and revealed a smile as pure and gentle as when they first met.
...
This was a scene as if time had stopped.
There is no substance on Earth right now that can withstand the heat of the light band.
However, this is limited to the scope of physical laws.
Her protection is a protection of the spirit.
If her heart has no filth, no hesitation, it will become an invincible barrier that will neither melt nor shatter.
Goetia understands. He certainly understands. As long as it is her city wall, it will definitely be able to defend against this third Noble Phantasm.
But——
Ah, aaaaaah!
The time of hell continues.
While defending against this heat capable of piercing the stars, she fantasizes.
The journey so far, the journey from now on. The past where she existed, and the dream of the future where she is no longer there.
... That's great.
That should be okay, Master.
Thank you so much for taking care of me these days. I always wanted to repay Senpai for what you gave me, which is why I endured my own weakness and traveled until now.
Until now, I have finally felt for myself that my life has meaning.
... Captain Drake was right. At the moment of death, I will surely know my wish.
... It must be so. That is why we hope you can agree.
... However, I am still a bit unwilling.
I am always being protected by others. At least for the last time, I hope to be able to help Senpai once.
... That's right.
Even after experiencing so many battles, her heart feels that it is still not enough. Her gratitude toward the Master is just that strong.
Even if it was just a trivial, small opportunity like "we met one morning."
The humanity she possesses is that she is often protected, and as long as she is in front of the Master, she can stand up for him.
Look.
The body will be unable to withstand the heat of the light band and will evaporate. But that spirit will not be disturbed by any existence.
Shield of Snowflakes remains unscathed and will always protect her Master.
... That is why I said it.
She is not some brave warrior, nor is she the theme of the story.
Just a very ordinary girl.
...