Shinji Matou at Your Service-Chapter 976: Death and Immortality!

Upon hearing Roa's explanation, Fabro's gaze returned to its cold and mechanical state.

"—So all the beasts I sent out were killed. Those eyes are truly terrifying. But tell me, can those so-called Mystic Eyes of Death Perception reach me, the one who possesses the Primordial World, from such a distance?"

"That..."

Roa hesitated for a few seconds, then shook his head.

"I don't know. At the very least, I can't do it. Araya Souren, what do you think? You're the one who knows that woman best."

Before Roa's voice had even faded, another man dressed in black stepped out from behind Fabro. If Roa and Fabro resembled twins, then with Araya's appearance, they completed a trio—identifiable by their expressions. Fabro was emotionless, Roa was amused, and Araya looked perpetually troubled, even his voice carrying that same melancholy.

"I don't know either. As far as I understand, the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception doesn't have such an ability. But considering it's that woman, nothing that happens with her would surprise me."

Roa chuckled softly, not surprised by the response: "After all, she's a vessel connected to the Root. She's even less bound by logic than the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception."

"Which is why I opposed your reckless attacks on Ryougi Shiki from the beginning. She's not an opponent that can be dealt with so easily. Acting rashly will only alert her to the danger," Araya cautioned, his voice heavy with the memory of having been killed by her once and his unique understanding of her terrifying power. He was more cautious than anyone else.

"Don't be like that. Fabro meant well. He wanted to help his allies and make our cooperation smoother," Roa said his tone light.

Araya gave a sullen grunt, clearly not appreciating Roa's explanation.

"Let's not say meaningless things. You and I both know that Fabro wasn't the one who truly wanted to test Ryougi Shiki—it was you. You don't fully trust me, and you wanted to see if she is as terrifying as I said."

Roa wasn't fazed by the accusation, still smiling as he responded: "It's not about trust. I was simply curious. In some ways, your immortality is more complete than mine. I wanted to know what kind of existence could frighten someone like you. And yes, I also wanted to give Fabro a little reminder. You heard what I said earlier—because of his chaotic nature, his way of thinking is becoming more and more disordered. Verbal reminders don't work on him anymore. He only responds to pain. He—or rather, the beasts within him—will only settle down after feeling pain. And there's no better person to deliver that than Ryougi Shiki."

"You haven't changed at all, Roa. Still as twisted as ever."

Fabro, the subject of their discussion, responded in a flat, emotionless tone, showing no sign of anger, which left Roa feeling a little disappointed.

"You've become so dull, Fabro. What a shame. You were so much more interesting 200 years ago."

"People change," Fabro replied.

Araya, however, disagreed: "People's exteriors change, but their essence never does. The outcome was already determined the moment life was born."

Their differing views reflected the different paths they had chosen. One became a heretical vampire, while the other imprisoned himself in eternal stillness.

The emotionless gaze of Fabro met the troubled eyes of Araya, and the atmosphere between them became even more tense as if the clash of their ideologies had stirred the air itself.

"Whatever the case, whether people change or don't, one must first attain immortality to even be qualified to debate the matter."

Roa stepped between the two of them, breaking their locked gazes. Though it would certainly be interesting to see these two individuals who had reached the pinnacle of their respective paths fight, now was not the time for a battle.

"By the way, Araya, has Assassin returned yet? This is a rare opportunity. We should hear his opinion as well."

"Assassin."

"I'm here."

As if to prove the truth of the saying birds of a feather flock together, another voice, eerily similar in tone, answered from the shadows. This time, however, the speaker did not reveal himself, opting instead to remain hidden—fitting for a Servant whose role was that of an assassin.

"What's your opinion?"

Araya asked.

"Yes. There is no such thing as true eternity in this world. What people call eternity is merely the delay of fate. When fate arrives, all things will meet an equal death."

Though Assassin's tone was respectful, his words fundamentally denied the existence of Dead Apostles.

Roa's amused smile finally faded, replaced by a faint hum of discontent: "How typical of a Guardian of Humanity. That is the most standard answer imaginable. Let's not discuss whether your answer is correct for now. I have a question for you—As an assassin, do the people you kill die because their fate has arrived?"

"Indeed," Assassin replied, his tone as calm and unchanging as a still pond.

"And is your death part of that fate?"

"It is."

"If everything is ruled by fate, then what is the meaning of human existence?"

"Because there is death, there is meaning to existence. An eternal existence is what is truly meaningless."

There was no doubt—this was another clash of ideologies.

Fabro then asked, "When will my fate arrive?"

"It will come when it is time."

Hearing this response, Roa's face twisted into a clear expression of mockery.

"Fabro, there's no need to say anything more. The dead cannot understand our choices. You should focus on fulfilling your duties as a Servant. In the end, you will naturally have the opportunity to realize your wish. Now, tell me—where is the target currently?"

"Master—"

Assassin's response was clear: I only follow the orders of my Master.

"Speak."

"They have reached the foot of the mountain. Contact is expected in five minutes."

"What now? Keep running up the mountain?"

Araya asked.

"No need. We'll face them here. If we keep running, Fabro's beasts will get hungry again. Besides, here we don't have to worry about being seen. We can unleash our full power."

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As Roa spoke, he crouched down and placed his hand on the ground.

"I can already feel it—the tremors of the earth. No matter how many times I see it, it's still awe-inspiring. The legendary army that supposedly blocked Alexander the Great several times—the army led by the King of Persia."

"And what of it? In the end, they're merely the slaves of a magus. That so-called Noble Phantasm, Athanaton Ten Thousand, is not truly immortal."

As Fabro spoke, his coat billowed out like a sail catching the wind, expanding dramatically.

In the next moment, the black sail transformed into a sea, and one after another, beasts of all shapes and sizes surged out from his body, spreading across the mountainside. Beneath that black coat was no longer a human body but a Sea of Chaos made up of six hundred and sixty-six different life forms.

"I'll show them what a truly immortal army looks like!"