Chapter 403: It Has Descended

San Yue Qi gasped, and in her mind flashed the members of the Train Group—always calm and reliable Yang Shu, the trash‑can‑flipping Star, Jizi aunt who cared deeply for her, and the dutiful Pam…

Also the newly‑met Miss Ge Ni Wei Er, who had shared life and death with them and finally smiled as she turned into light particles and vanished…

(Everyone… is striving in different places…)

(I can't… just collapse here!)

An inexplicable force, as if stemming from the deep‑seated bonds of their shared journeys, rose from within her heart.

She steadied herself and drew the Ice Bow to a full moon!

This time, what gathered was not frost but a radiant brilliance warm and steadfast, as if bearing countless memories and the colors of their travels!

"The journey of the Starlight Express—"

Her voice no longer hesitated, filled with a declarative tone,

"But it's the track that connects countless stars and hopes!"

"Take a look—"

"Our shared journey! Our unchanging bond!"

"The track to the stars (StarlightExpress)—depart!!!"

The bowstring vibrated!

No arrow flew; instead, the space before her seemed torn apart by an invisible colossal force!

A massive train head, shimmering with metallic luster and blue energy patterns, let out a long whistle and surged forward with overwhelming momentum, roaring out of the void!

The phantom of this "Starlight Express" barreled forward, crashing straight toward Artoria—and the heavy, solitary king's path she represented behind her!

At the instant the train appeared, Artoria already held her sword before her, the Wind King Barrier compressed at full power, ready to meet this unprecedented impact.

However, as the train phantom drew near, what she felt was not pure destruction but an immense warmth and solidity, a bond that supports each other and pushes forward together!

That power was so bright, so hopeful, contrasting with the bonds of the Round Table Knights in her memory that eventually diverged and scattered…

It formed a stark contrast.

(A journey like this…?)

(Not shouldering everything alone, but together with companions…)

(If Camelot back then… if everyone of the Round Table…)

An indescribable flutter and sudden clarity brushed her heart.

The sword she was about to swing moved half a beat slower involuntarily, and the gathered power quietly waned a little.

"Boom—!!!"

The train phantom struck the barrier solidly!

Like a torrent washing over reefs, the golden barrier surged violently!

Artoria was pushed backward by the impact and resonant spirit force, her feet carving deep ruts into the ground!

Eventually, the train phantom exhausted its power and faded away slowly.

Artoria leaned on her sword, breathing lightly, her armor dusted with a hint of frost and light particles.

She looked up at San Yue Qi opposite, whose body, having nearly exhausted her mana from releasing a Noble Phantasm, was already flickering with pale blue light particles.

San Yue Qi stood with effort, a relieved smile on her face: "Huh… you scared me to death… Saber, are you okay?"

Artoria was silent for a moment, then slowly sheathed the Curry Stick.

"A very… warm Noble Phantasm."

She whispered, "It carries a precious bond. Berserker, you have a journey worth protecting."

She looked down at her hand and finally shook her head.

"My… perhaps, next time."

Having said that, her figure began to glow with golden light.

"Saber!" San Yue Qi exclaimed.

"I'm glad to fight side by side with everyone."

Artoria gave a slight nod to the crowd, then her gaze fell on Ailisi Feier, a faint yet sincere smile appearing, "Ailisi Feier, may you… attain a happiness belonging to humans."

The golden light faded, Saber Artoria Pendragon exited.

Almost simultaneously, the blue light on San Yue Qi accelerated its flicker.

"Ah, I'm also running out of time…"

She looked at Chang Ye Yue, her smile radiant, "Sister, thank you for looking after me these past days! I don't know why, but this adventure was super—exciting! I'm going back to find Yang Shu and the others!"

She then turned to Tengwan Lixiang and Mashu: "Lixiang, Mashu, you both keep it up! Guarding humanity and all, that sounds so cool!"

Finally, she waved at A Xing: "Star! See you later!"

Berserker San Yue Qi turned into a sky of icy‑blue light particles and vanished.

All Servants of the Holy Grail War have now withdrawn.

Thus, in the Fourth Holy Grail War, every Servant has withdrawn.

As the Spiritual Cores of the last two Servants faded, the massive magical energy stored in Dongmu City's ley lines finally found an outlet.

The sky warped, space twisted, golden light converged, and a softly glowing Holy Grail phantom slowly emerged—a sign of the Great Holy Grail's arrival.

"Holy Grail… it really has arrived."

Weber murmured, his eyes complex.

After all that, his longing for the Holy Grail had been washed away to almost nothing.

As the final victor, Chang Ye Yue naturally held the right to make a wish upon the Holy Grail.

Everyone's gaze fell upon her.

Chang Ye Yue, holding the Black Umbrella, looked up at the golden Holy Grail phantom, her crimson eyes calm, seemingly contemplating what wish to make.

However, before she could speak—

"Puff."

A comical sound, a bit like a balloon deflating, and also a bit like…

The sound of popcorn popping came from that Holy Grail phantom.

Immediately after, under everyone's stunned gaze, that solemn golden Holy Grail phantom, a symbol of the "Universal Wish Machine," burst like a punctured soap bubble with a "pop," exploding into countless tiny golden light specks that fell like the cheapest festival confetti, scattering everywhere.

The light specks drifted and combined in the air, eventually forming an enormous grin‑wide smiley symbol!

(￣▽￣)~*

The smile lasted about two seconds, then faded away like fireworks.

At the same time, in everyone's mind, a clear voice was heard, accompanied by a carefree, joyous feeling:

【Wish? Ah~ sorry, everyone! The prize you fought hard for has already been prepaid! No need to thank—by your dearest (crossed out) audience & sponsor Aha Liu】

At the end of the message, a virtual "air kiss" emoticon was also attached.

Everyone: "……"

The scene fell into a death‑like silence.

Only the mournful whine of the morning wind passing through the ruins.

After several seconds, Weber finally turned his neck stiffly and looked at the others: "Was that just… an illusion?"

"No… it wasn't an illusion."

Tengwan Lixiang rubbed his forehead, feeling his mind glitch, "It's a... message from some kind of existence."

"So,"

Mashu summarized, her expression a bit blank, "The Holy Grail… was used up early by that Mr. Aha?"

"Probably… that's it."

Chang Ye Yue's voice gave away no joy or anger; she seemed to have anticipated this mishap, "A cheerful style."

"What kind of ending is this!"

Weber couldn't help but clutch his head, "We fought for half a day, people died, the world almost faced Destruction, and in the end the Holy Grail is gone? And some inexplicable guy treated it as a joke?!"