bookbashuk Page 58
Page 58
This is certainly not due to any external changes, but merely an optical illusion. When Kiritsugu's optic nerve is processing images, his retina receives four times the normal brightness.
The inner side of a specific space can be separated from the 'flow of time' and manipulated at will.
This kind of "practical operation" is a type of inherent barrier, belonging to large-scale magic.
However, this attempt is by no means the kind of "magic" that cannot be reproduced again, and compared with "time manipulation" such as reversing cause and effect or interfering with the past, this "time adjustment" that slows down the past and accelerates the future is not an extremely difficult magic trick.
Separating the innate physical body from the outside world is the most natural thing, and the interference from the world is also the least. Adjusting within this minimal barrier takes only a few seconds.
The flow of blood, the burning of hemoglobin, and the time required for muscle tissue to start and finish all increase "fourfold".
All you need to do next is to utilize the reflex speed that allows you to read bullet time.
The Contender pistol held in his left hand had already fired the "Origin Bullet".
But in the slowed-down time, the bullet's trajectory became clearly visible, and every wisp of airflow was clearly visible.
“0.05、0.10...0.25、0.30...”间隔0.05s的读数，根本就是天方夜谈，但在这里却成功进行。
Right now, the trigger, already pressed against his right hand, has been pulled, and the specially made bullet is fired instantly.
Chapter 79 Kirei Kotomine's Pain
The origin bullet fired from the Contender pistol traced an almost invisible arc in the air, hurtling towards Tokiomi Tohsaka with a whooshing sound.
However, even faster than the Origin Bullet is the specially designed bullet fired by the sniper rifle, which catches up at an even higher speed and follows closely behind.
The air currents it stirred up along the way whipped up dust from the ground, as if slicing through the tranquility of the battlefield in that instant.
Bullets streaked across the battlefield like lightning, reflecting a brutal scene of smoke and fire.
On the battlefield, every corner was filled with smoke and fire. In this chaos, bullets found a straight path and flew precisely toward their targets.
Before the Origin Bullet, a specially designed bullet struck Tokiomi Tohsaka's fire defense barrier.
The bullet struck the barrier, sparking a burst of sparks. The barrier rippled instantly, and crimson flames rose up, but they could not withstand the powerful impact.
The specially made bullets are made from water-attribute magical minerals, with fine runes engraved on the surface, and they faintly exude a cold aura.
As the bullet spun at high speed across the battlefield, it carried extreme precision and ruthless killing intent straight toward Tokiomi Tohsaka's fire defense barrier.
Sniper bullets sliced through the smoke and flames. In the ruins, broken steel bars and scattered concrete seemed to make way for the bullets as they moved, like a swift water snake, silently approaching the target.
It cut through the billowing smoke and blazing flames, the swirling air currents along its path like invisible blades, slicing the battlefield in two.
When the bullet struck the defensive barrier engraved with the Tohsaka family crest, flames instantly engulfed it.
However, just as the flames engulfed the bullet, the specially designed bullet suddenly burst out with intense water vapor.
The moisture was released from the water-attribute magical mineral material hidden deep inside the bullet, and it spread out instantly, forming a powerful shockwave.
The water vapor expanded rapidly in the flames, as if a cold, giant dragon roared and broke through the crimson fire.
The scorching flames and the icy steam collided violently, hissing as the heat waves and mist intertwined, creating a brief but deadly gap.
The water vapor evaporated rapidly, dissipating into the air with a chilling cold and a blazing heat, like a brief but deadly nightmare.
This gap, like a gaping wound, created a slight flaw in the originally impenetrable Crimson Lotus Flame defensive barrier.
The blazing flames seemed to lose their power at this moment, and the Crimson Fire Dragon fluctuated violently under the impact of the enchanted water vapor, temporarily losing control.
Before Tokiomi Tohsaka could react, the impact of the specially made bullet had already opened a crack in the Crimson Lotus Barrier, paving the way for the subsequent Origin Bullet.
The "Origin Bullet" followed closely behind, flying out along the trajectory of the specially designed bullet with perfect speed and accuracy.
In a mere 0.2 seconds, it pierced through the gap in the Crimson Lotus Barrier and struck directly at Tokiomi Tohsaka's heart.
Having never experienced a bullet-sniper attack, Tokiomi Tohsaka also lacked the reaction speed granted by "Time Control," leaving him no time to mount any defense.
Blood gushed out, spraying from Tokiomi Tohsaka's chest and staining the surrounding air and ground red.
His body collapsed limply, his eyes still filled with disbelief.
In that instant, time seemed to stand still, and the entire battlefield fell into a brief silence.
Kiritsugu Emiya calmly observed everything, his gaze as resolute as steel.
The sniper rifle was still emitting wisps of smoke, and Kiritsugu's hands remained firmly gripping the gun.
He didn't relax at all, quickly adjusted his breathing, and continued to observe the battlefield's movements.
The surrounding smoke and ruins were still burning, and the air was filled with the smell of sulfur from the explosion and the sound of metal breaking.
He holstered his sniper rifle, quickly turned around, knowing the area had been exposed. With Tokiomi Tohsaka down, Kirei Kotomine would undoubtedly arrive immediately; he wasn't entirely confident he could eliminate this man.
"Maiya, this is indirectly avenging you, isn't it..." Kiritsugu muttered to himself, his voice carrying a complex emotion.
He tidied up the equipment on the ground, quickly packed everything into his backpack, and then took out a pack of cigarettes he had bought when he arrived in Fuyuki. He had only smoked one cigarette from the whole pack.
He lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and felt the nicotine spread through his body, bringing a brief sense of calm and relaxation. The smoke rose slowly around him, as if creating a moment of tranquility for him amidst the war-torn ruins.
But Kiritsugu knew very well that this tranquility was just an illusion.
A moment later, on the ground not far away, there was a half-burnt cigarette and footprints left by Kiritsugu Emiya, as if they were the only traces of his brief stay.
Kirei Kotomine is rushing over; he has been focused on the battle between Assassin and Lancer.
The battle was tense and chaotic at the moment, and his attention was completely focused on the fighting in the distance.
Until he heard a scream suddenly coming from the gem communicator, it was his teacher, Tokiomi Tohsaka.
Kirei's heart sank. He quickly turned around and continued to call out to Tokiomi Tohsaka, but received no response.
An ominous premonition spread through his heart, as if a cold, icy blade were slicing across his back.
He immediately realized that something terrible had happened.
Qi Li quickened his pace and ran towards the main battlefield.
He traversed the battlefield filled with smoke and fire, his steps swift yet steady, each one carrying unwavering determination.
The place that was supposed to be the main battlefield was now deserted, with only the cawing of crows rising and falling.
In the distance, Tokiomi Tohsaka lay unconscious in a pool of blood, his clothes stained crimson with blood, his life rapidly slipping away.
Kirei quickly knelt beside him, trying to check his injuries.
The bullet struck him squarely in the chest, but failed to penetrate his heart; the jeweled pocket watch he often kept on his chest mitigated some of the bullet's power.
The gemstone pocket watch was a gift he brought back from his last trip to Europe. His teacher had proudly shown it off to him, saying it was a farewell present from his two daughters.
Inside the pocket watch was a family photo of the four of them. The teacher was so happy that she forgot that Kirei was a widow and took the initiative to share this family joy with him.
Looking at his chest pierced by the bullet, Kirei Kotomine was puzzled as to why his teacher hadn't used magic to heal him immediately, but instead had fainted from blood loss.
This wasn't his teacher's style; this man wouldn't give up on any possibility of survival.
They were urgently treating him, trying to delay his death. If they could wake him from his coma and let him perform his own healing magic, he might be able to survive.
The whereabouts of the Hero King are unknown. He knew nothing about the Realm of Boundaries and could only assume that the Hero King was dead and that Tokiomi had also met a tragic end after his defeat.
Looking at the bullet lodged deep in Tokiomi's chest, a thought suddenly welled up in his mind—a desire that had suddenly arisen when his wife committed suicide in front of him.
"Should we push the bullet in deeper...?"
"Since death is already imminent and the teacher doesn't seem likely to wake up, perhaps... perhaps it's better to end... the teacher's suffering sooner."
He wanted to find excuses for himself, and as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he was filled with guilt.
But the person in front of him was clearly his mentor!
Why, why, why do I really want it so much...
Chapter 80
Kirei Kotomine still remembered the first words Tokiomi said to him right after the Holy Grail War began:
"Although we met because of the Holy Grail War, no matter what happened in between, I still consider it my pride to have you as my disciple."
Kirei almost forgot to suppress his emotions and burst out laughing, but Tokiomi, completely unaware of what his beloved student was thinking, continued with utter sincerity:
"While good manners cannot be forced, your diligent attitude towards cultivation as a cultivator is something even I, your teacher, deeply admire—Kiri."
“Teaching you is just like my father teaching me. Kirei, I am truly fortunate to be a teacher to a student like you.”
......
Would Adam and Eve, the original humans, have picked the fruit of knowledge hanging on the Tree of Eden without being tempted by the primordial serpent Samael?
The answer is yes, it's just a matter of how long it will take.
Even without the allure of the serpent, humanity would still be corrupted by desires and lose its purity.
"Teacher, facing you is like facing a father. Thank you for your guidance..."
"What are you talking about, Kirei? Quickly, give me the jewels from my pocket..."
Tokiomi Tohsaka suddenly awoke from his coma, whether due to Kirei Kotomine's previous treatment or a final burst of energy as he sensed impending death.
Faced with this sudden turn of events, Kirei's balance between guilt and malice was abruptly disrupted.
The violent malice deep within his heart surged instantly.
Those fingers, which had been unsure whether to remove the bullet or continue pressing down, finally made their choice.
The Origin Bullet, lodged in the gap between his ribs, was only meant to continuously sever Tokiomi Tohsaka's magic circuits, but it did not directly take his life.
But at that moment, Kirei Kotomine pressed him down and stabbed him straight into the center of his heart.
Only a trained agent could possess such precise technique, devoid of any murderous intent. Even the assassinated Tokiomi himself might not be able to comprehend the meaning of the excruciating pain in his chest.
However, during the period when the blood sent by the heart's last beat flowed through the brain, Tokiomi still had the energy to think.
Although he had already been assassinated once, even if he came back to life, he might lose the ability to use magic. His coma was caused by directly using magic to heal him.
Kirei had clearly made timely treatment, and all she needed to do after waking up was to use the magic stored in the gem.
Maybe then we can survive.
But why would you do that? Is it to end my suffering?
Even on his deathbed, Tokiomi Tohsaka never doubted that Kirei Kotomine acted with murderous intent.
With wide eyes, Tokiomi stared at Kirei's cheerful smile, his hands covered in blood, but his eyes remained filled with confusion until the very end. He died with a bewildered expression, unable to rest in peace.