Fate: How About a New Savior?

The fall of Camelot's gates invigorated the battlefield. The soldiers, once on the brink of despair, now surged forward with renewed morale, cheering as they stormed through the gates.

Inside the city, the allied forces quickly split into three divisions as planned, spreading out to attack different sectors.

"Well done, my disciple." Scáthach landed beside Shiomi as soldiers rushed past on both sides.

Morgan arrived next. "Gawain's troops outside have been nearly wiped out. Gawain himself vanished into the sandstorm. Arash is leading the assault to take the city's high ground, and the rest of the soldiers are following Sakura and the others toward the gate—"

A two-meter-long halberd suddenly flew in, aimed at Morgan mid-sentence.

Naturally, Shiomi's ice Magecraft intercepted it, but it still cut her off.

Morgan frowned, scanning ahead with irritation.

The troops pushing toward the center were taking heavy losses. A group of black-clad Enforcement Knights had blocked their advance.

"Agravain's Mad Enhancement Enforcement Knights..." Shiomi frowned. "Looks like getting inside was only step one. Meeting the Lion King won't be that easy."

"Then I'll carve a path to Artoria's throne for my husband." Morgan raised her hand, launching a magic spear the instant it formed.

The Mad Enhanced Knights who tried to block it were pierced through, the spear detonating in their midst.

Though many were blasted away, the remaining numbers made the effort feel like a drop in the bucket.

Soldiers continued to pour out from every direction inside the city. The long staircase leading up to the royal palace was lined with Enforcement Knights brandishing all manner of weapons.

Shiomi didn't even bother counting anymore—he already knew their forces were nowhere near enough.

The Lion King, wielding the Tower's authority, could endlessly produce these tireless warriors who knew only battle.

"What are you all dawdling for?! Kill them already!"

Mordred leapt from the gate and plunged into the ranks of Enforcement Knights, cutting a brutal path through them. Her sword cleaved through armor and sent blood flying. Stained in crimson, her expression grew increasingly savage, reminiscent of the 'Rampage' gifted to her by the Lion King.

"Saber! Watch out!"

Sakura had just entered the city and joined the fight when she shouted a warning.

A chilling aura descended from above. Mordred looked up sharply—descending upon her was a knight in violet armor, swinging a longsword radiating lake-blue Mana.

Clang!

Lancelot's blade struck where Mordred had left an opening—but it didn't land.

Because she wasn't alone. Mash had charged in.

"That shield..." Lancelot's eyes widened as he recognized it. And from Mash's face, he saw a resemblance to another knight—one whose eye was always covered by her hair.

"Hah! A full family reunion!" Mordred sneered with a laugh.

"Sir Mordred, leave Sir Lancelot to me!" Mash declared, furious—a stark contrast to the shy, reserved girl Mordred remembered.

The Spirit Origin granted to her by Galahad had likely begun affecting her heart. Her armor had also transformed slightly, a magical skirt forming at the hem, and her magical energy was stronger than ever.

"Normally, I'd let you take this, but not this time!" Mordred raised her sword beside Mash. "Since we both rebelled against our fathers, let me help you show some filial piety!"

"Yes!"

With Mordred's voice carrying a half-joking, half-serious tone, Mash charged forward with her toward Lancelot.

At that moment, Scáthach swept aside two Enforcement Knights and called out to Shiomi, who was also fighting nearby.

"I'll lead the younger ones. You and Morgan, hurry to the Lion King!"

"Got it. Caren, Marie, Ritsuka—you stay here and lead the other Servants with Grand Master. Gray, Bedivere, you're coming with me and Morgan!"

The front path was blocked by Lancelot and a large force of Enforcement Knights. With Mordred and Mash locked in combat, they had no choice but to find a way to circle through the city and reach the stairs leading to the royal palace.

As they ran through Camelot, they noticed the buildings were lavish and elegant, far beyond what this era should have been capable of constructing—yet there wasn't a trace of life.

The citizens who had once entered the Holy City didn't live here anymore. The Lion King had taken them all—souls and all—into the Holy Lance.

"Stop."

Morgan's sharp voice halted Gray and Bedivere, who had been following Shiomi during the breakout.

Even so, only Shiomi had sensed the danger in time. The other two moved half a step too late, brushing against the dense threads suspended in the empty street.

"What... is this?"

Gray's arms were bound by the threads, crossed tightly in front of her, and her legs were frozen in place. She could feel that even a slight pull would be enough to tear her body apart.

Bedivere was caught as well, the threads around his neck tightening, making it hard to breathe.

"Above!"

Without even glancing up, Shiomi hurled Gungnir. It traced an arc over his head, clashing with a streak of red light and erupting in a burst of flame.

"To me, fate is like the Grim Reaper," Tristan said calmly.

As the smoke cleared, Shiomi slashed through the threads binding Gray and Bedivere. He stepped forward with his spear, now facing off against Tristan.

"Just a few days ago, you tried everything to escape Camelot with Morgan. And now, only a few days later, you've returned with her. Such futile behavior. I didn't expect the man the King took an interest in to be so disappointingly shallow. It saddens me," Tristan said indifferently as he plucked his bowstring.

Arrows rained down from all directions, dense as a torrential storm.

And that wasn't all. Every time Shiomi tried to push forward between the attacks, he was met with those nearly invisible, razor-strong threads.

This entire street had been transformed into a deadly trap.

"The King still holds expectations for you... but I won't let you appear before her again and poison her heart," Tristan said coldly. "Especially not while accompanied by a knight who betrayed her and a demonic concubine who seeks to destroy this city. I've woven an inescapable net around you. Even if this body is torn apart, I'll see you all strangled within it."

"Leave this to me and Lady Gray. Please go ahead with her." Bedivere clenched his fists. He knew Tristan's web wouldn't be able to hold back Shiomi and Morgan. "The one the King wishes to see is you."

Shiomi shook his head. "But the one who needs to fulfill his duty and seek redemption is you. I can't promise I'll have the strength left to hold back against the Lion King, waiting for you to finish here."

"Then, my husband, go and face Artoria. Once I've dealt with this, I'll bring them to you."

Morgan drove her magic spear hard into the ground, then flicked her silver hair. A few strands twined around her fingers and drifted into the air, transforming into familiar spirits.

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon com / PinkSnake