Fate: How About a New Savior?

Shiomi's Magecraft barrier was a one-sided defense. It blocked frontal attacks while allowing those from behind to pass through—designed as a defensive Grand Magecraft meant to function in coordination with allies.

In just a few short days, the Rhongomyniad had clashed twice in this Singularity. Shiomi found himself unable to describe what he felt. This Singularity had begun collapsing with the appearance of the Tower of the End, and its darkened skies were now illuminated by the radiance of Rhongomyniad, each repelling the other.

The Lion King was aware that Morgan possessed Magecraft on par with Rhongomyniad and had already prepared for the possibility of her launching a Rhongomyniad strike on the royal capital.

At this moment, Morgan was being held back by Agravain. Intent on settling the battle before that happened, the Lion King failed to notice something else—

Or perhaps she simply never knew.

Among the Chaldean party was a girl. Her village had upheld a certain mission for a thousand years, and she was the embodiment of that very mission.

The light of the end clashed and canceled out, scattering into drifting feathers. The top of the tower glowed under a blinding light. At the climax of the Rhongomyniad clash, Gray was thrown back, tumbling several times across the ground. The Lion King was forced to the foot of the throne, her feet gouging two deep marks into the floor.

Though the Rhongomyniad's strike had been blocked, the Lion King straightened up with an emotionless face, ready to retaliate at any moment.

Shiomi clenched his fists and thrust them forward—two crimson spears spiraled in from both sides. The Lion King, drained from her previous attack, was forced to fend them off hastily, losing her balance.

The ground trembled beneath her feet as a relentless barrage of Magecraft erupted. Lightning, frost, flame, and gales—each wave wrung the magic circuits dry, drawing out more mana as countless Grand Magecraft spells detonated around the Lion King.

Finally, overwhelmed by the onslaught, the unbalanced Lion King fell backward onto the damaged throne.

Through the haze of smoke, Gungnir shot forth toward her. She merely raised her head to face the deadly strike.

Slash—!

The spear grazed her cheek and pierced the throne, not so much as nicking her skin or hair.

"What's this supposed to mean? Do you think showing me such mercy will make me surrender?"

The Lion King said as she slowly raised her spear.

"How utterly foolish. You wield a weapon that can slay a goddess, and yet you hesitate again and again."

A voice rang out—familiar, yet as if heard for the first time. It sounded just like Add's voice when he shut down his personality simulation. Ten years ago in Blackmore Village, Add had spoken in that same tone.

"You are…"

A knight in silver armor appeared, supporting the dying Bedivere, approaching from behind Gray.

Kay—King Arthur's foster brother—should have perished alongside the other Knights of the Round Table who chose to follow King Arthur, slain when the Lion King entered this Singularity.

More precisely, it was a personality model created to seal Rhongomyniad. Morgan had personally chosen Kay, among Arthur's closest confidants, as the basis—specifically because he had the least interest in fame or in mystery.

To counter the Lion King's Rhongomyniad, Add exhausted the vast mana he had amassed over the years to manifest this personality model in a form akin to a Servant. Of course, his appearance now wasn't just coincidence.

When they arrived at the Sixth Singularity, he sensed the presence of the Lion King—causing Add to enter a state of unprecedented hibernation.

They waited until the situation reached a critical point before reviving Add. Naturally, the unique environment of the Tower of the End also contributed to the manifestation of Kay's simulated personality.

"Even if we did this all over again, I still wouldn't support your so-called plan, Artoria."

Kay grabbed Bedivere's left hand and slung him over his shoulder. "I only came out because some idiot insisted on seeing you one last time."

"This is enough… Thank you, Kay."

Bedivere slid off Kay's shoulder, collapsed to the ground, and struggled to rise, managing to kneel on one knee.

"Who are you…?"

The Lion King looked past Shiomi, toward the knight kneeling at the base of the steps—still in human form, the Rhongomyniad nearly slipping from her grasp.

"Bedivere, one of your knights."

Shiomi drew Gungnir and stepped aside to clear the path for the Lion King as she tried to rise.

"Bedivere…"

The Lion King clutched her head. Shock, confusion, pain. She had forgotten the Holy Sword—and with it, the knight who had grieved endlessly before her death. That part of herself had been lost.

"I sinned… because I didn't want to lose my king, I made a foolish mistake…"

Bedivere raised his silver arm, and the Holy Sword separated from it as his breath grew weaker.

"In that forest, I hesitated to carry out your order. If I had returned the Holy Sword to the lake, you would have truly died…"

Summoning the last of his strength, he raised his head and offered the Holy Sword with both hands to his king.

"This time… I can finally return it…"

For 1,500 years, the Holy Sword had kept Bedivere alive. The moment he returned it, he would vanish. Even so, he had no regrets. To atone for failing to fulfill his king's final order, he was willing to give up his life.

"…Raise your head. The Holy Sword has indeed returned to my hand. Be proud, Bedivere. You have fulfilled the mission your king entrusted to you…"

With the return of the forgotten knight and the Holy Sword once again in her grasp, her memories returned.

That forest. That hill. The knight who had wept ceaselessly, worried for his king to the very end—his face slowly faded before her eyes.

"The Knights of the Round Table… all stubborn to the core. Not that their king was any different. Even with the chance to pull the Sword of Selection, she still charged into hell without hesitation."

Kay turned away as if annoyed and walked off.

"Even so, I still don't believe it was a mistake, Kay."

The Lion King—Artoria—used the tone of the past to address the figure who was merely a projection of her elder brother's personality.

"I know. That's why I followed you and joined the Knights of the Round Table."

Kay's voice gradually faded as he walked toward Gray.

Watching quietly, Shiomi put away his spear and looked at Artoria, who was now standing, holding the Holy Sword, a mix of emotions in his gaze.

"Sorry for the trouble, Tenkei Shiomi," said Artoria.

"It's no trouble at all. As long as you're willing to admit you were wrong."

Shiomi chuckled.

The Lion King put away the Holy Sword and calmly replied:

"That's something I cannot do. Even now, I still believe I was right."

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon com / PinkSnake