What on earth had happened, Lin Luo couldn't comprehend, yet for Misaka to instantly possess such immense power, there were only two conceivable explanations: either the Root and the Counter Force were at play, or it was the influence of the World Heart.

"Why stop me? I am good, she is evil. She must be purged." The girl stood aloof in the night sky, like a celestial deity, arcs of lightning dancing between her fingers—a power both pure and utterly violent. Merely gazing upon it quelled any thought of resistance.

"What good or evil? Misaka, you..." Lin Luo trailed off, a memory suddenly surfacing. Not long ago, Misaka had told him she was the natural enemy of some entity. At the time, he hadn't given it much thought, but now... Good? Evil?

What an idiot I was! It's simple: one is the Evil of This World, the other is a benevolent heart. They are completely opposing existences; that's why they are natural enemies. Now that the Evil of This World was vanquished, Saber had been tainted by it, so it was natural for Misaka to target her. No—

Not Misaka. It was the World Heart. Lin Luo didn't know the specifics, but one thing was certain: the Misaka standing there was merely the World Heart wearing Misaka's appearance. If it were the true her, she would never utter such resolute words, nor would she desire murder.

"It's not like that, Misaka." Lin Luo shook his head. The influence of the World Heart had granted Misaka unimaginable strength, but he knew this state couldn't last, or the real Misaka would be replaced by the World Heart... On this point alone, Lin Luo was certain.

So, he raised his head, facing the destructive light capable of turning any life in this world to ash, and shouted, "This world knows no absolute good or evil; it is not for any single person to judge. You don't need to do this. If you truly kill her, you will become an empty shell without self, so listen to me... Ugh!"

Before Lin Luo could finish speaking, a flash of electricity blinded him, followed by a searing pain in his chest as blood sprayed forth.

"Those who obstruct the good shall also perish," Misaka stated coldly. Her finger remained pointed at Lin Luo, the lightning she had unleashed still crackling.

Staring at the wound pierced clean through his chest by the lightning, Lin Luo stood stunned, unable to react. Avalon, the Utopia detached from the mundane world... Avalon, which even the Five Great Magics couldn't penetrate, was instantly shattered by Misaka's lightning.

Though the Avalon he currently possessed was incomplete, lacking the might of the true King of Knights wielding it, it was still Avalon—Avalon that could withstand even the EA of the King of Heroes. Just one strike... a complete rout.

It was confirmed: the girl suspended in the void was, in this era, utterly unrivaled.

What Lin Luo found even harder to fathom was that Misaka had actually attacked him. There was no killing intent, only the pure desire to eliminate the enemy before her. If the scabbard hadn't absorbed the majority of the force, Lin Luo knew he would likely have been reduced to dust in that single blow.

"Damn it, how could it come to this..." Lin Luo fiercely suppressed the pain wracking his body, refusing to collapse, managing only a despairing, bitter smile.

Unhealable. His injuries could not be mended.

Because he was now a Rule-level powerhouse, the amount of life force required for a Divine Healing spell to mend a Rule-level expert was far beyond what he could afford at the moment.

Fortunately, he possessed the innate ability to control electricity himself, so even though he was pierced by lightning, he wasn't dead, and the strike hadn't hit a vital point.

But what now? He was completely lost.

The Evil of This World was eliminated, but the final opponent turned out to be Tohsaka Misaka. This scenario... this was absurd!

"The one who should kill this person is me. Get out of the way!" At that moment, to Lin Luo's utter surprise, Gilgamesh suddenly roared in fury. She aimed the Ea at Misaka, her colossal magical energy churning violently before surging outward: "Enuma Elish!"

An attack capable of cleaving heaven and earth shot toward Misaka, but—

Smack.

Misaka merely flicked her wrist, and the torrent of magic dissipated into nothingness.

"Hmph!" But it wasn't over. Black Saber seized the opening, leaping from behind Lin Luo, unleashing a wide arc of dark light filled with destructive power toward Misaka.

Different attacks, the same result. With mere turns of her hand, all the black light vanished without a trace.

"This... what kind of monster is she?" At this moment, even the King of Heroes' expression changed. Turning clouds into rain, she effortlessly negated their Noble Phantasms. Such an enemy was unprecedented.

Black Saber's expression was even graver, for the target of that power was herself.

"You all choose to ally with evil? Then... perish together." Cold, merciless words escaped Misaka's mouth, and she raised her hand, sending a blinding bolt of lightning toward the trio.

"Zha Zha, don't underestimate this King!" Gilgamesh gritted her teeth, unfolding the Gate of Babylon. Instantly, an ancient shield appeared before the three of them.

Crack.

It held for less than a second before the shield shattered... Which was inevitable, considering even Avalon couldn't withstand Misaka's attack.

However, that second was just enough time for the trio to escape certain doom. The King of Heroes and Black Saber each grabbed one of Lin Luo's arms and retreated like lightning. Facing this unprecedented foe, the three who had been fighting separately now fought with a united front.

This was hardly strange; the instincts of both the King of Heroes and Black Saber warned them that being struck by that lightning wouldn't mean returning to the Throne of Heroes, but complete annihilation from this world—a death from which even the world itself couldn't save them.

No one wanted to die, so they had no choice but to combine their strength against the formidable enemy.

"Zha Zha, isn't that girl one of yours? Figure out a way to suppress her!" Having dodged Misaka's attack, Gilgamesh yelled furiously at Lin Luo.

"..." Lin Luo was speechless. Suppress her? With what?

His intuition told him that the current Misaka was dominated by the World Heart... Damn it! How could this be happening? Wasn't the World Heart already integrated as the host's core? Why was it still stealing minds?

Lin Luo found it completely incomprehensible, enveloped by a profound sense of powerlessness. How could he possibly deal with such an enemy? Setting aside her sheer power, could he treat her like a common adversary given her identity?

"Bad, it's coming again!"

The dazzling lightning bolt surged toward the trio once more. The King of Heroes generously pulled out defensive Noble Phantasms from her treasury, treating them as expendables to block Misaka's assault. But they only held for a few seconds before a colossal pillar of lightning descended from the heavens...

"It's over." Having no room to retreat and no time to react, Lin Luo, the King of Heroes, and Black Saber all knew this strike was unavoidable. They could only watch.

However, just at that moment—

"Hold the world in your hand, become the god of my realm, come forth... Glorious Empire!"

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out, and in an instant, the surrounding environment shifted. The three felt as if they were transported into a world made of gems, and the fatal lightning strike vanished before them.

"Hm?" Misaka seemed momentarily unresponsive to the sudden change in environment, perhaps captivated by the glittering jewels. She tilted her head, frozen in place.

"Rin?" Following the sound of the voice, Lin Luo could hardly believe it. The one blocking Misaka’s attack was Rin. And not just her; Mugino, Misaki, Lei—everyone who had retreated from the outer edge of the battle had arrived.

"We saw everything clearly. This lightning-user is having a fit, don't tell me you've lost your nerve over this," Rin said, a nonchalant smile playing on her lips, hands on her hips, addressing Lin Luo loudly.

"Uh..." As if infected by her optimistic smile, the despair that had nearly consumed his heart suddenly eased. Lin Luo laughed, "How could I? I am brimming with fighting spirit now."

Yes, it wasn't time for despair yet. Misaka, whose power easily negated the EA of the King of Heroes, had her attack isolated by Rin's Reality Marble. What did that imply?

Misaka wasn't invincible.

Although the World Heart made her power unimaginably strong, she wasn't the only host of the World Heart. Only the World Heart could suppress the World Heart. Furthermore, he possessed the Heart Codex within him; there was no reason he should be suppressed by the World Heart. Therefore...

Misaka, you are not invincible, and there are those who can restrain you.

Misaka, you are not invincible, and there are those who can save you.

...

Taking advantage of Misaka's stunned silence, the group quickly gathered. Rin asked, "Do you have a plan? To quiet down this lightning girl. Let me make one thing clear: my Reality Marble will only last thirty seconds."

"There is a way, provided I can get close to her," Lin Luo said gravely. Since it was the World Heart's influence, he would attempt the same contract as the first time... While he couldn't guarantee success, Lin Luo vaguely felt this was the only option.

Lin Luo quickly explained his strategy to the group. To his slight surprise, even Gilgamesh and Black Saber were willing to assist.

He could somewhat understand Black Saber's aid, as Misaka was targeting her. As for Gilgamesh... well, as the oldest King, having nearly been annihilated by Misaka, she was likely unwilling to accept that outcome. If it were him, he would feel the same way.

After hearing Lin Luo's proposal, Rin pressed, "How much confidence do you have?"

"Fifty-fifty," Lin Luo replied, admitting to having no certainty; the odds were balanced.

"Fifty-fifty..." Rin murmured, looking up at Misaka, who was slowly regaining her focus in the void. She frowned, muttering softly beneath her breath so the others couldn't hear, tinged with slight reluctance, "Speaking of which, this lightning girl grew up to have such a great figure. I thought she was flat-chested... I guess people in high-tech eras have better nutrition?"

"Ah... never mind. Don't blame me if I die." Rin grit her teeth and snapped her fingers lightly. The world of gems began to tremble. "Imperial Bombardment: Gem Barrage!"

Then, countless gems fired in a volley toward Misaka.

The moment Rin's attack launched, Misaka had fully recovered. She faced it without fear, raising a hand to summon—but, to her surprise, the external lightning did not gather to her. "Hm?"

It was that instant of hesitation when the brilliance of the gem explosions completely enveloped Misaka. But... she was completely unharmed.

A faint light shield protected her front; even the violent explosion had no effect on her whatsoever.

"I see. You've isolated my power," Misaka stated calmly, as if understanding dawned.

"Of course. You're not the only one possessing a World Heart, lightning girl," Rin forced a smile. Using her Reality Marble twice in one day put immense strain on her, especially since she had only just recovered from her injuries.

"It doesn't matter. I can break it in five seconds," Misaka said dismissively, reaching a hand toward the high heavens.

"Hmph, but we won't give you those five seconds!" A cold voice sounded from behind Misaka. Mugino Shizuri spread her black wings, unleashing countless black arrow feathers from her hands and wings: "Fallen Angel's Wings!"

Misaka frowned slightly. The opponent's power wasn't great, but it carried a mystery similar to her own, so it couldn't be underestimated. She reached out to block, but then—

"Excalibur... Glorious... Holy Sword!" Black Saber brandished her dark Holy Sword, unleashing boundless black light that surged toward Misaka.

"That attack is useless," Misaka merely glanced at it and dismissed it. Attacks devoid of the World Heart's power were not worth her notice.

In general terms, this judgment was correct, but Black Saber's attack wasn't meant to harm Misaka; its purpose was merely to obscure her vision, because...

"Chains of Heaven!"

The iron chains Gilgamesh summoned with her last dregs of mana were hidden behind the black light. When Misaka ignored the black light, she also failed to perceive the Chains of Heaven, and then—Clank, clank.

In an instant, Misaka's limbs were bound.

The Chains of Heaven was a Noble Phantasm intended for gods. It wasn't an offensive weapon but a restraint against divinity. The higher the divinity, the harder it was to break free... Misaka wasn't a god, but she had participated in a divine conflict, thus possessing some measure of that quality. Perhaps the Chains of Heaven could be effective.

The result was as initially predicted: Misaka's expression shifted slightly upon being caught by the Chains of Heaven. She struggled but couldn't break free.

"Hmph, Zha Zha, you've finally been caught!" The loli Gilgamesh sneered. The mighty King of Heroes being brought so low by a mere human was an unprecedented first. The fact that the Chains of Heaven worked provided some small balance to her pride.

"I see. A restraint against the divine? I can break something like that in five seconds too," Misaka calmed down immediately after realizing she couldn't break free. Her slender fingers reached for the chains binding her arms.

Beep.

However, before she could make a move, a dry sound echoed in the air. It was Misaki Shokuhou pressing the switch on her remote, launching a psychic attack at Misaka. Both their abilities were based on controlling electromagnetic waves. While her power couldn't harm Misaka directly, this time they were fighting the World Heart.

Thus, under Shokuhou's interference, Misaka's delicate body shuddered violently, as if struck by something. For a moment, she looked vacant, lost in thought.

And then, in that brief moment, the final attack arrived. Lin Luo instantly appeared before Misaka using teleportation. Before she could collect herself, he tightly embraced her.

"You..." Mmmph! The instant she was held, Misaka reacted, but it was too late. As she opened her mouth to speak, Lin Luo sealed her lips with his own, while his right hand pressed against her chest, the location of the World Heart.

Come on, Heart Contract, one more time.

Fifty percent hope wasn't low, was it? No, certainly not low. The first contract only had five percent hope, and it succeeded then, so it absolutely wouldn't fail now. Therefore—

"Remember, Misaka, one more time."

"Mmm... yes." Misaka squirmed, emitting faint moans. In the next moment, light shimmered dazzlingly, and the electric current coiled around Misaka instantly retracted into her body. Then, as the light of the Heart Contract washed over her, Misaka finally returned to her original size and fell into a deep sleep in Lin Luo's arms.

Clank, clank.

At this time, the Chains of Heaven also slipped off Misaka's body. The Reality Marble then vanished, too, as Rin, having just recovered and overexerted herself, fainted.

Gently placing the two girls side-by-side on the ground, Lin Luo assessed the situation. He wasn't sure of Misaka's exact condition, but she was out of immediate danger. As for Rin, she was merely exhausted from overexertion; unlike before, she hadn't burst blood vessels or fried her nerves. She just needed sleep.

"Ah, it's over," on the other side, the golden-haired, red-eyed girl sighed wryly after recalling the Chains of Heaven. Having expended all her mana, she could no longer remain in this world.

"Thank you this time, King of Heroes," Lin Luo stood up and looked toward her. Although this tsundere loli Gilgamesh had caused him quite a bit of trouble before, without her help this time, he and the others would have struggled greatly to save Misaka.

"Tch, Zha Zha. But, that was quite exhilarating," the girl smiled faintly, then closed her eyes. A shower of light followed, and she vanished from their sight.

"And so, my battle has ended too," Saber's voice came from behind him. Lin Luo instinctively turned back, and when he saw the astonishing sight, he froze completely.

Not only him, but Mugino, Shokuhou, and Lei were also struck speechless by the Saber before them. It wasn't that Saber had changed drastically; it was that there were now two Sabers before them.

One was a girl in blue and white armor, bearing the golden Holy Sword, a look of satisfied relief on her face. The other was clad in pitch-black armor, sitting listlessly on the ground, her expression vacant. Clearly, even Black Saber was shocked.

"What is happening?" Lin Luo turned his bewildered gaze to the blue Saber. He knew that was definitely the genuine King of Knights, which made the situation even stranger.

Facing the bewildered Lin Luo, the girl simply smiled and explained, "The curse of the Evil of This World has faded, allowing me to break free through my own strength. However, for some unknown reason, I have become two people."

As she spoke, she pointed to the Black Saber on the ground. "That is the part of me that gave up persisting in my self, carrying some of my darkness." Then she pointed to herself, "And I am the part that desires to be a King. Now I can face death with peace."

Lin Luo understood. Though he didn't grasp the mechanics, "Are you content with this? To accept death calmly and become a Heroic Spirit?"

"Yes, it's time to conclude," the girl nodded.

"Not going to live for yourself even once more?"

"One of me is already living for myself," the girl said, then pointed toward Lin Luo, adding playfully, "Besides, the Scabbard is in your hands."

Lin Luo was momentarily taken aback, then smiled, "That's true. If there's a next Holy Grail War, I might call upon you."

"Yes, I will look forward to it. Then, I will fight for my own wish," the girl said, hands behind her back, smiling with narrowed eyes.

At that moment, her figure began to fade, but before disappearing, she said, "Right, please take care of the other me."

Lin Luo certainly understood what she meant. Even though she had split into two, the Evil of This World and the Holy Grail were both destroyed; Black Saber couldn't exist independently. Thus, the only way to ensure her continued existence was through him.

"Do you want to come with me?" Lin Luo extended his hand toward Black Saber. He didn't know how the King of Knights knew about his ability, but that wasn't the point now.

"...Yes." A faint, mosquito-like whisper, and Black Saber nodded gently. The next moment, the contract was complete, and she transformed into a Command Seal, entering the back of Lin Luo's hand.

Thus, the Fourth Holy Grail War concluded. Although the developments in every aspect were unexpected, the final outcome was acceptable.

"Well, next, we're going back to sleep for three days and three nights..."

Boom!

Boom!

The words hadn't fully left Lin Luo's lips when, suddenly, he felt two immensely powerful forces surge up from the deepest strata of the earth, resonating sharply within his perception field. They far surpassed anything he had encountered before, rivaling, perhaps even eclipsing, the might of Mikoto from moments ago.

"Are they finally here? Gaia-Alaya?" Lin Luo, having glimpsed the raw truth behind this world, knew exactly what those forces represented—the Counter Force.

Sensing the palpable hostility emanating from those two streams of power, Lin Luo didn't hesitate. He instantly warped to Mikoto and the others’ side.

"Everyone gather close to me! Do not stray even an inch!" "Ugh..." Mugino and the others didn't grasp the situation, but Lin Luo's voice, laced with sheer panic, brooked no argument.

They immediately clustered beside him. "Starlight Avenue!" Following the command, Lin Luo materialized the Book of Contracts and immediately linked it to the Starlight Avenue existing in another dimension, enveloping the entire group.

"Anywhere will do! Get out!

Leave this world now!" Responding to Lin Luo’s roar, the Starlight Avenue lifted free from the ground, hurtling toward an unknown plane of existence. Yet, precisely at that moment, two small figures abruptly manifested on the very patch of earth where they had just been standing.

"Oh dear, oh dear, Yeye-chan, it’s all your fault for being so slow! Look, they’ve gotten away now," complained a petite girl, perhaps eleven or twelve, pouting petulantly.

"Don't call me Yeye-chan, Gaia," replied the other girl, similarly sized but utterly expressionless, her gaze fixed silently on the Starlight Avenue as it receded from their world. High atop the Starlight Avenue, Lin Luo stared at the Lunar World, now just a vanishing speck, his fists clenched tight.

"Lunar World, I will return. I swear, I will return..." PS: With this, Volume Three concludes.

Please look forward to Volume Four. V