Fate: Hero and Sword

Another arrow fired and the same result occurred as she opened her eyes.

She was the Raid-Boss of the Holy Kingdom of Camelot.

A King.

Her armour and defense was too high of a level for even moderate leveled magical and physical attacks to do any harm to her let alone a mere arrow imbued with no magics or special properties.

"You've made your choice," she said, before entirely dismissing her opponent. "Your name will not be remembered."

Her opponent was hiding in the shadows, making it difficult to pinpoint his or her location as Arturia didn't possess a high enough reconnaissance and independent action skill, but she knew someone who did.

Tristan, I leave it to you.

One of the skills of the Ideal King, the ability to communicate with her subjects on a mental basis, a sub set of a commander-class skill set.

"By your orders, your majesty."

The far sight of an Archer class was not to be underestimated. No matter how far Tristan was from Arturia, he was still able to accurately spot the man hiding in the trees. Moreover, although his job-class could be labelled as Archer or Sacred Archer, it didn't mean that he attacked with arrows.

He was the Knight of Lamentation, one of sorrows and regrets.

And his attack was one that was far from ordinary.

The signing of pain, of laments, the arrow that fired from the string of a harp.

Failnaught, the arrow that had never once missed.

In YGGDRASIL's standards, it was a single-target unblockable attack that could only be survived by tier seven class magic that allowed users the ability of Greater Teleportation.

It was an attack that created a vacuum of air that launched forward.

No matter the obstacle, and no matter how the enemy attempted to dodge, it was inescapable unless one was able to get out of range or shift dimensions.

The assassin in the trees stood no chance.

From the moment Arturia had turned her back on the assassin, the assassin had long since fallen to the ground, landing with a heavy thud from atop a distant tree.

Vincent had been breathless moments earlier, yet now he was forced to take in a heavy breath of air. He couldn't understand what had happened. One moment Arturia was facing his attacker, and in the next his attacker had died the moment Arturia turned her back on him.

He was left stupefied, but before he could reflect on it, he realized a pair of curious teal-eyes were staring down at him.

"I-I thank you for your benevolence," he stuttered out in a daze, trying his best to force the trembling of his body to stop. "I'm willing to listen to any request on behalf of your intervention."

"Request?" Arturia asked puzzled. "It almost seems like you wish to reward me," she said offhandedly, surprising Vincent who shuddered as if lightning had struck him.

"Is that not the case?" He asked uncertainly, the disbelief evident on his furrowed brows.

It was too unreal. He had never met anyone in the Roble Holy Kingdom who would do something without a motive. Even the Holy Queen may only come to his aid to gain his loyalty and a footing into the South. If the woman before him hadn't come to his aid for any sort of benefit, then what had caused her to step out?

"Will you really have me repeat myself for something so trivial?" Arturia asked, a rare smile coming to her lips as she realized that she didn't need to currently display the dignity of a King, but a Knight instead. "Besides, someone with your strength of beliefs should understand why it is that I would step out against injustice. For it is part of my duty."

The commandments of Chivalry, and the oaths of a Knight.

To fight on the side of the fair and the just.

Vincent fell silent, seeing for the first time that it wasn't just his family that held on to such impractical ideologies such as Chivalry. But there was no way that he couldn't remain suspicious of Arturia's origins. To begin with, the concept of Chivalry wasn't something known throughout the world and had only been introduced to the Roble Holy Kingdom through its national hero that had disappeared long ago. It was only those that had fought by the Holy Maiden's side that understood the concept behind it. As such, Vincent couldn't help but speculate which line of blood Arturia stemmed from.

He shook his head, a feeling of satisfaction taking root within him.

Regardless of what he thought, he was just glad that he and his family weren't the only ones to cling onto tradition.

"Then on behalf of myself and the Berferd Family, I thank you for your aid," Vincent composed himself and bowed in the proper manner of a Noble.

Unexpectedly, Arturia responded in kind, bowing in a similar manner as she had dealt with all types of aristocracy in her rule in Britain. It was just that her manner in responding to Vincent's gesture only furthered his suspicions of her origin as no commoner could understand the etiquette of nobles.

Which family did she come from? Vincent couldn't help thinking as Arturia inquired about his current state. Of course, Vincent held no information back from his saviour and explained everything, causing Arturia's expression to crease.

"You said you came with others?" She inquired of him.

He nodded his head dispiritedly. "I'm not sure if they're alive or not. I ran from them in hopes of drawing away our attackers, but aren't sure if I was able to draw all of them towards me."

Arturia nodded her head. "A valiant effort, but now isn't the time for rest," she said in praise, her intentions evident.

"You mean you'll help me?" Vincent asked softly.

Arturia stared for a moment longer before confirming Vincent's question with a nod.

She didn't know where Shirou was or what he was doing, but she had faith in her master. The only reason she and her Knights were still searching for him was because of their loyalty and the emotions Arturia felt, yet now a situation had arisen. Besides, a phrase had appeared in her head as Vincent had explained his situation.

It wasn't wrong to help others.

She was certain that her master would understand. It was a heartfelt sort of feeling.