Crazy Britain:They’re All Raising Me

At this moment, standing before Gawain was an additional terrifying woman.

She wore a giant hat, from which hung several tattered magenta ribbons. Above the hat, several roses were pierced by sharp black thorns. Her body was dressed in a torn white gown, which was hard to distinguish whether it was a wedding dress or a ceremonial robe. It wasn't just the damage that exposed so much of her skin; it seemed that the design itself was meant to expose large parts of her body, showcasing her slender, perfect form—almost like a masterpiece carved by an artist.

Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that her body resembled a marble sculpture—her skin was as white and lifeless as marble, but around her neck and limbs, it appeared to be covered in ink-like stains, as if her body were rotting away like swamp mud. Her hands, blackened at the tips, had pale claws that gave off a strangely disturbing sense of coordination.

Moreover, her pale face had no color, with two pure white, lifeless eyes. Below her eyes, there were black streaks resembling tear marks. Her mouth was bound by a black silk ribbon, and two fangs, protruding from her upper jaw like a vampire's, clung tightly to the ribbon, giving her an eerie yet strange beauty.

However, what attracted Gawain's attention the most wasn't her face. It was the six enormous, broken claws protruding from her back, three on each side, wrapping around her body like an otherworldly embrace. Some of the claws were pressed against Gawain's side, making his spine shiver involuntarily.

Naturally, when the ghastly face turned toward him, Gawain's first instinct was to draw his sword and cut her down. But as his hand gripped the hilt, he couldn't help but squint at her face.

"Wait..."

Suddenly, he recognized the identity of the female specter in front of him.

"...Bavanzi?"

He gasped in disbelief.

It was Bavanzi, without a doubt. Although he had never seen her in this form before, he had seen this outfit in the game. This was Bavanzi's third ascension in FGO. It couldn't be anyone else. But why had she suddenly turned into this?

Image of Bavanzi's Third Ascension 2.jpg

Image of Bavanzi's Third Ascension 3.jpg

But before Gawain could contemplate further, Bavanzi let out a scream, one filled with terror.

Without warning, she lunged at him, her long, sharp nails slashing directly at his face.

"Shit!"

Gawain's face changed instantly. He quickly leaned backward, causing the sofa behind him to topple, narrowly avoiding the strike.

However, Bavanzi was relentless. She chased after him, her white claws aimed at his eyes. As she did, she mumbled frantically, her voice filled with the madness of someone driven to the edge:

"Destroy... destroy... tear it all apart... eat it all...!"

Her sudden change of demeanor left Gawain no time to think. He rolled away, stumbling to his feet. As he dodged, he shouted:

"Calm down, Bavanzi! It's me!"

But she acted as if she couldn't hear him. Her pursuit continued, and they began to chase each other around the cramped room. Gawain ducked and dodged, barely escaping the life-threatening attacks.

—What's going on? Could this be Bavanzi's dream manifestation?

From his previous experiences, Gawain knew that Servants seemed to change when they entered the dream realm. Mordred had become a younger version of herself, Jack the Ripper had become a harmless childlike figure. So, Bavanzi transforming into her third ascension didn't seem out of place.

—No, that's not it.

If this were just a dream manifestation, she wouldn't be so uncontrollably crazy… She wouldn't fail to recognize him. This wasn't right.

With that thought, the answer became obvious.

Though Gawain didn't want to believe it, words appeared on his vision screen:

[You have triggered a Special Subjugation Mission: Subjugate the Nightmare Embodiment II – Camilla, the Maiden Queen of Despair]

[In the dream version of London, now a temporary sacrificial ground, you are facing Bavanzi's dream manifestation, not yet fully transformed. Once her transformation completes, she will become a complete Nightmare Embodiment.]

[You must subjugate her before the transformation is finished.]

[Mission Reward: One random attribute increased by one level; Hunter Rune – Echo of Blood]

What is this? A boss battle, already?

But this wasn't just any enemy—this was Bavanzi!

Gawain's expression darkened, but just then, Bavanzi lunged again. Her claws shot toward his throat, forcing him to dodge once more.

Though Gawain had received two physical enhancements, his strength had only reached C-rank, and his other stats were still at a normal human level. Soon, he was cornered, with no way to escape.

His hand gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, but even so, he couldn't draw it.

Then, as Bavanzi hurtled toward him again, he released his grip on his sword and opened his arms wide.

The next instant, her cold, deathly hands gripped his throat. Her sharp claws dug into his skin, and the tremendous force pinned him against the wall.

At the same time, the six claws sprouting from her back folded inward like wings, slamming into his sides and pushing him back toward her.

Her half-naked body pressed against him. The icy chill from her skin made Gawain shudder.

Then—she bit down.

She ripped the black silk ribbon off and sank her fangs deep into his neck, draining his blood.

Like someone desperate from thirst, she greedily sucked his blood, her heavy breathing and low moans filling Gawain's ears like the frantic kiss of a lover.

As she drank, she muttered in a broken voice:

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... don't hate me, don't hurt me... they made me do this... this is the only way... only way they won't hurt me... I'm sorry..."

Even as his strength drained away, Gawain reached up and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

Despite the terror of feeling his life slip away, he spoke softly, trying to comfort her:

"It's okay. No matter what you do, I'll forgive you. Don't be afraid, Bavanzi..."

But his words didn't stop her. Instead, her grip tightened, and she continued drinking.

Unlike Jack, who would stop at a single comforting hug, Bavanzi was far more unstable—and much more dangerous.

Still, Gawain made no move to resist. Because in this moment, she was not just anyone.

She was Bavanzi—the girl who had entrusted her life to him.

He knew that he wasn't anything extraordinary. Even if he tried his best, he could only protect a few people. But she was one of those people.

She was someone he could never abandon.

And as the last of his strength faded away, his voice weakened, but he kept trying to reach her:

"Don't be afraid… no one will hurt you… because… I'm here…"

"I'll… protect… you..."

But Bavanzi didn't stop. Trapped by her past fears, she was no longer the princess he knew. She was the infamous vampiric fairy, Bavanzi.

Realizing this, Gawain smiled bitterly.

Using his last bit of strength, he reached up and gently patted her head.

Then he collapsed.

But as his hand fell from her head, Bavanzi's lifeless eyes flickered.

What she saw was the lifeless form of Gawain.

His eyes remained wide open, but his face had drained of all color.

"G-Gawain…?"

Her eyes widened in shock.

She called out his name, waving her hand in front of his face, but received no response.

"Gawain… Gawain?!"

Her face twisted in terror as she dropped to the floor beside him, frantically feeling for signs of life.

But she found nothing.

No breath. No heartbeat. Not a drop of blood left in his body.

The only thing she found was the gruesome wound in his neck, the ruptured artery, and the terrifying bruises from her own hands.

She recoiled, trembling as she sat on the floor, her body shaking uncontrollably.

Then she looked down at her hands. The same hands that matched the marks on Gawain's neck.

Even as she lowered her head, a few drops of blood still dripped from her lips, staining her ruined white gown.

"I… I killed… Gawain?"

Her beautiful face twisted into an agonizing, horrific expression. Was it madness or sorrow? She couldn't tell. She sobbed for a moment before suddenly bursting into manic laughter.

"I killed Gawain!"

Then, the last vestiges of her sanity vanished. She scratched at her own face, attempting to tear away the blood-soaked flesh. But as soon as her nails pulled free, the wounds healed instantly, leaving no trace.

"Haha… Hahahaha—HAHAHAHAHAHA—!"

She laughed wildly, clutching her head before turning and running, slamming the door open as she fled into the night, desperate to escape her despair.

And as the sounds of her manic laughter receded into the distance, a faint noise echoed through the empty room.

A corpse, which should have been dead, trembled slightly.

Just then, from the doorway, a familiar orange-haired figure peeked inside:

"What… happened?"

Then, another voice followed from behind:

"I'm not sure... Senpai, I waited for a while after I woke up but didn't see Dr. Jekyll. I was worried, so I came to look for you..."

"I heard something here... Could Dr. Jekyll have come as well?"

Ritsuka Fujimaru cautiously stepped into the room, peering around.

The moment she entered, her eyes immediately fell on Gawain's lifeless body in the corner.

"Ah?"

Her face instantly changed, and she rushed over to him, checking for signs of life.

"Dead… dead?"

Her words trembled, and she collapsed to the floor, her face contorted with confusion:

"How… how did this happen…? Mash, you said that if someone dies in the dream, they die in reality too, right?"

"Yes, that's what Dr. Jekyll said..." Mash's voice faltered, her head hanging low in sadness.

"Damn it!"

Ritsuka slammed her fist on the floor, eyes squeezed shut. The pain in her voice was clear:

"Dr. Jekyll was such a good person… How could he die just to save me?"

"Senpai..." Mash's voice trailed off.

But before either of them could continue mourning Gawain's death, a new sound echoed through the room.

Hearing it, Mash instinctively lifted her head, her eyes widening as she looked toward the source of the noise.

Then, as her brain processed what she had just seen, her body froze.

Just now… she thought she saw Gawain's body twitch.