Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover

Chapter 312: [312] Orion Hórkos



[Once there was a hunter, the greatest archer of his age, whose skill surpassed heroes of any era. His mighty physique granted him strength to slay any beast, whether barehanded or with his bow.]

[His arm strength was peerless in all the world. Before such pure violence, even phantasmal beasts and demonic creatures would flee in terror—he could even shatter Cerberus' jaws.]

[All beasts were within his reach. None could deny the truth of his boast.]

[Though he ultimately fell to divine trickery, slain by the one he loved, he still ascended to the heavens as a constellation.]

[Later, when summoned as a heroic spirit, this hunter would stake his life once more to protect a shining future, shooting down the very moon itself.]

Golden spiritrons of staggering density flooded the colosseum like a cascading waterfall of light. In the predawn glow, they reflected the fleeting glance of this mythological hunter.

"This story feels so familiar..." Fujimaru pondered, but the doctor reached the conclusion faster.

"That's Orion. Super Orion—the greatest hunter in Greek mythology. His tale with the moon goddess Artemis still echoes through time. Were he summoned as a Servant, he'd undoubtedly rank among the very strongest... no, he might even qualify for the Grand!"

Forgetting his usual caution about revealing his knowledge of the Throne of Heroes, Dr. Roman stared transfixed at Sakatsuki's actions, his eyes gleaming with scholarly fervor.

"Combining ancient divine curses with modern magecraft to achieve targeted summoning through that book... No, that's not quite right. True targeted summoning wouldn't require this much effort—the weight of dragging a Grand from the Quantum Time-Lock would crush any caster. So this isn't Order Summoning? Just the byproduct of some incomplete ritual?"

The doctor's emerald eyes shimmered with insight. Even if this represented Sakatsuki's sole success after countless sleepless nights of trial and error, every detail lay exposed before that penetrating gaze.

Bang!

Suddenly, Dr. Roman slammed the table and stood abruptly, ignoring the startled looks from others as he muttered wide-eyed:

"Is this... alchemy? No, phenomenon forging? Wait, not quite—it's phenomenon editing!"

"But how? In modern terms, this borders on the domain of the First Magic! Yet he's currently wielding the Third... No, theoretically possible—wait, absolutely impossible—unless... if approached that way, then perhaps... uh..."

The overclocked thinking proved too much for the chronically sleep-deprived doctor. His mind short-circuited as he collapsed back into his chair, reduced to incoherent babbling.

Regardless, for this former King of Magecraft to react so dramatically, the magic Sakatsuki was now wielding must be truly extraordinary.

Of course, the most shocking thing remained Sakatsuki himself.

After speaking the opening lines, he realized with horror that he couldn't stop!

The mana, faith, and spiritrons gathered by the Heaven's Cup were all in disarray. Some supreme will had descended, forcibly seizing control of his body and compelling him to speak these highly specific words!

What was happening?

The Heaven's Cup trembled as vast energies were siphoned away by his words, draining it to the point where the cup itself threatened to become mere kindling for the ritual.

This was the Heaven's Cup, built upon the foundation of a Holy Grail—a theoretically infinite mana source!

Yet while its reserves might be boundless, its output had limits. When extraction exceeded peak capacity, it began damaging the very foundation.

Just as Sakatsuki prepared to grit his teeth and abort the incantation, the energy drain finally ceased. The Fate Compendium in his hands transformed rapidly, morphing into an ornate bow with wing-like protrusions.

Familiar sensations flooded his mind along with archery skills. Though visibly weakened, Sakatsuki smirked at Draco, who hesitated warily before him.

"I wanted to be gentle about this, but it seems the Counter Force has other ideas."

"Tch—" Overwhelmed by sudden primal dread, Draco instantly retreated while sending all seven beast heads lunging at the fading figure.

Facing this coordinated assault, Sakatsuki simply raised his hand calmly, lifting the mythological bow.

Even as the sheer weight of the Quantum Time-Lock's records pressed down, causing cracks to spiderweb across his arms and face from the mere act of drawing the string.

In that moment, he poured all remaining strength into pulling back the bowstring. An arrow's outline materialized—not through mana or projection, but as the reenactment of ancient myth given form by modern faith.

Nocking the arrow, Sakatsuki closed his eyes, letting the echoes of the past guide his release as the ultimate shot tore through the air.

Aimed at the Beast of Sodom—mankind's depraved evil, Beast VI/S.

"Orion Hórkos!"

This was the pinnacle shot of the supreme hunter.

Against anything demonic or bestial, it nullified all defensive skills and Noble Phantasms before striking. It carried the additional effect of bringing all beasts within his reach.

Even endlessly regenerating foes would suffer continuous automatic attacks within its effective range.

For Draco—both the Beast of Sodom and holder of the Beast class—this was indisputably a lethal strike.

Under this brilliant shaft of light, the blood-and-mud-stained monstrosity unquestionably began her descent.

The arrow pierced her body repeatedly. As agonized screams echoed, Draco's dress withered, her form shattered, even her eyes dimming with mortal anguish as she staggered toward oblivion.

The outcome was decided—

This conviction spread through all present. Romulus rose first, bellowing triumphantly before the entire audience followed suit, their roaring cheers nearly lifting the colosseum's roof:

"ROMA! ROMA! ROOOOMA!"

The unique admiration of Roman citizens reached Sakatsuki's ears unmistakably. Even with closed eyes, he could feel their jubilant emotions rising like golden rain, replenishing his Third Magic.

Amid this luminous sea, one particular crimson strand stood out—brighter than mere affection, more intense than simple attachment, vivid as a blooming rose.

Nero...

Sakatsuki sighed ruefully at the emperor's ardent feelings.

Normally, he wouldn't reject such fiery passion. No one could refuse this most beautiful and prideful flower of Rome.

But before her bloom, his gaze had already fallen to the abyss's depths, never to look away.

"After all... crimson roses grow there too..."

Opening his eyes, he exhaled his final hesitation.

Crack!

A faint but unmistakable sound silenced the entire arena.

For the beast-slaying hero had raised the divine bow once more.

Even as his body fractured like porcelain!

Was this coup de grâce? Would he personally send the dying beast to the underworld?

Or perhaps...

Murmurs spread as the warriors sensed no killing intent from Sakatsuki, only deepening their confusion.

Distant familiar voices shouted urgent warnings, but Sakatsuki could no longer spare them attention—or perhaps lacked the strength to respond.

Lifting the Grand bow through sheer willpower, having rejected the Counter Force's protection, brought only soul-rending agony.

And one gentle, vast touch.

Do as you will, little one.

A blessing from beyond spacetime—just a single phrase, yet it drew a smile from Sakatsuki.

"Yes, I will."

Plucking that crimson thread from the emotional sea, weaving it with his own soul, he placed his entire being into this final shot—leaving nothing in reserve.

Making the dying Draco look up in shock.

"Hey, you runaway villainess—"

The near-shattered soul smiled:

"—time to come home."

Thus, the second arrow left the bowstring, flying toward its destined rose like a wandering child returning.

Carrying confessions and promises from beginning to end, and salvation that defied death itself.

This was the Grand Archer's second shot—Sakatsuki's first and final arrow.

Behold, the hunter who pierces fate!

***

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