Shin-to, Central Park.
"Mm, I understand, thanks for letting me know, Gray. Also, thank Rei and the others for me, and send them my regards."
Hanging up the phone, Naoki walked to the steps and sat beside Artoria. "Gray told me that Morgan and her Berserker have arrived in Fuyuki City, and they're staying at the Fuyuki Grand Hotel."
"Morgan?"
Artoria, who was watching pigeons, couldn't help but frown. Regarding her older sister, especially after learning that Morgan had tried to resurrect her, causing Gray so much suffering, she didn't know what feelings or attitude to adopt toward her.
"If they're staying at the Fuyuki Grand Hotel… should we inform Merry?"
After a brief pause, Artoria changed the topic.
Naoki thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No need. Merry will surely notice on her own, and if action is required, she can definitely ensure her safety."
That was Merry, the Flower Magus. In the years Naoki had known her, he'd never seen her miscalculate or get hurt.
"However, since Morgan has arrived in Fuyuki City, it means we might have to fight her. Given the current situation, Morgan's Servant can only be a Berserker…"
Which Berserker? If not considering a Holy Relic, the candidates with ties to Morgan would likely be Knights of the Round Table, and among them with Berserker aptitude…
"Agravain, Mordred, Lancelot… probably just those three?"
"Sir Lancelot and Sir Agravain?" Artoria frowned again. "I can understand Sir Mordred having Berserker potential, but why those two?"
"Oh, right, you don't know yet, Lia. Agravain is just my guess, but as for Lancelot… actually, in the Holy Grail War ten years ago, the Berserker summoned was Lancelot."
Naoki explained, "Because of the issue with Queen Guinevere, he often went into a frenzy afterward. I think that might be why he has Berserker aptitude. He himself seems to believe this class suits him perfectly, as a sinner."
"A sinner… does Sir Lancelot think that way?"
Artoria's heart couldn't help but ache. Lancelot, the noble Knight of the Lake, an exemplary knight, ended up viewing himself like that?
It shouldn't be this way. Lancelot didn't do anything wrong.
Seeing Artoria start to blame herself, Naoki sighed helplessly.
*PLAK!*
A firm chop landed on her head. The sudden strike startled Artoria, her eyes looking at Naoki in confusion. "Master? What are you—"
"Regarding your grudges and loves, I can't say much. I haven't experienced anything like that myself, so I can't understand your feelings. But what I want to say is, now isn't the time to dwell on past mistakes."
"Mm, you're right. Sorry, Master, I got lost in thought."
The issue wasn't Lancelot being a Berserker in the past but Morgan's presence now. Since Morgan had arrived in Fuyuki City, Artoria didn't believe she wouldn't come to meet her.
No, more accurately, she would definitely come, for whatever purpose.
"By the way, ten years ago, did you ever fight Morgan, Master?"
"Twice… no, it should be three times." Naoki said with a wry smile, shrugging. "But back then, I didn't have the power I do now. Facing her, I could only keep running. It was only the third time, when she deliberately sought me out, that I had to fight her and her Master."
"Did you win?"
"Who knows?"
Naoki looked toward the Fuyuki Bridge not far away. "Back then, it was Morgan and Lancelot attacking Arthur together, while I, due to Morgan's plan, fought her Master one-on-one… Even now, I think surviving back then was pure luck, dodging all the shots and such."
Given Naoki's abilities at the time, there was no explanation other than extraordinary luck.
"So, Master, you don't know Morgan's true strength?"
"That's right. What about you?"
Artoria shook her head. "It's embarrassing, but though I know Morgan is a Magus on Merlin's level, and as the ruler of the British Isles, she outranks me, I've never seen the extent of the Magecraft she can wield."
In fact, Morgan's invasion of the Round Table focused heavily on political intrigue, hiding in the shadows to incite lords across regions and arranging for her children to join the Round Table… Morgan rarely used Magecraft openly, yet Camelot continually suffered losses due to her covert actions.
Naoki sighed slightly. "So, we don't know Morgan's strength. That's a bit troublesome. Though you and I both have Avalon, and our Magic Resistance is high, so we shouldn't need to worry too much, but…"
"The issue is the Berserker." Artoria said. "I don't think Morgan would summon a Berserker carelessly. The Servant she chose must be an ace, capable of playing a decisive role in specific situations."
"An ace, huh…"
If it was an ace, it must be prepared for a specific purpose or person. And if talking about Morgan's target…
(Me, or Lia? So, the Berserker is a Servant guaranteed to defeat me or Lia?)
Who?
*BLETAK!*
Suddenly, Naoki's heart pounded—or rather, twitched. Immediately after, a sensation of his strength being continuously drained spread through his body, only to vanish without a trace moments later.
Just as Naoki sensed something was wrong, his body returned to normal.
(What was that feeling…?)
Standing up and suddenly looking in a certain direction, staring at a building in his line of sight, Naoki couldn't shake a sense of foreboding. And at that moment—
A red light flared in his chest. A bright red floral pattern appeared without warning on Naoki's chest.
"Th-this…"
Merry's Magecraft?
What in the world was happening at the Fuyuki Grand Hotel right now?