Atalanta's Noble Phantasm, though classified as an Anti-Army Noble Phantasm, could have its attack range adjusted. The smaller the range, the greater the destructive power of each arrow.
If the attack range was limited to the top floor of the Fuyuki Grand Hotel, its power would surge to the point of piercing and obliterating several upper floors!
*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*
Countless beams of light relentlessly struck the building. Concrete and steel reinforcements were utterly unable to withstand this ferocious assault. In mere moments, the entire top floor was shattered into pieces, with countless fragments of debris raining down from the heights.
If Morgan and Merry hadn't used Magecraft to clear the surrounding area of people earlier that day, there would have been massive destruction below. Of course, if Rei hadn't known this, she wouldn't have allowed Atalanta to unleash her Noble Phantasm.
Watching the collapsing roof amidst the dense rain of light, Atalanta suddenly noticed a peculiar flash.
"Rei, it failed."
[Hmm, as expected. I didn't think your Noble Phantasm alone could kill those two women. Leave that spot, meet up with Mordred, and surround them on the ground.]
"Alright—but is this okay, Rei?" Atalanta asked. "Naoki might not be happy if we act so recklessly like this."
[I'll explain to Master later, but for now, the fact that Merry caused Master to become this weak—I don't care how Master punishes her later. Personally, I need to make her pay a heavy price.]
Even through their communication, Atalanta could hear the strong dissatisfaction in Rei's tone. She could even imagine Rei's furious expression.
[Of course, Atalanta, don't feel too pressured. Though I want you to shoot them dead with all your might, in truth, you and Mordred alone shouldn't be able to fully stop those two.]
Merry and Morgan were both exceptional Magus. Considering Merry was a candidate for Grand Caster, Morgan, on her level, undoubtedly possessed comparable power. If they seriously wanted to escape, Atalanta and Mordred would be powerless to stop them.
"That's quite interesting."
Atalanta's gaze sharpened.
"Besides Naoki, no prey I've targeted has ever escaped—by the way, what about Naoki? Doesn't he need help?"
[No need. We don't have to worry about him.]
No need to worry?
Atalanta glanced at the hotel's first floor. Though she couldn't see details due to her angle, she could still make out some movements. And from those movements alone, it was clear a fierce battle was raging inside.
Naoki in his current state—could he really be okay?
[I know what you're worried about, Atalanta. But you really don't need to worry, because Master can't possibly lose, especially not to himself—hurry and join Mordred. I'll plan your route to surround those two.]
"Alright."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the deserted streets.
Riding on falling flower petals, Merry brushed off the dust clinging to her body. "Phew, that was close—almost died. That attack style, it's definitely Atalanta's Noble Phantasm."
Atalanta attacking this place meant…
"The situation here has been exposed. Now Little Gray and Rei must be furious. I'm definitely in for trouble later."
Though she said that, there was no trace of fear on Merry's face. After all, this was a situation she'd anticipated from the start, and she was mentally prepared.
Looking at Morgan beside her, Merry smiled. "Let's part ways here, Morgan. I won't interfere with what happens next."
"Not going to see it through to the end?" Morgan pointed to the hotel nearby. "It's not over there."
"I'll find the best spot to watch it to the end, but if I stay here, forget seeing it through—I'll be chased for dozens of blocks by a bear cub with a knife. I don't have the stamina to play with kids. Plus, afterward, I'll have to face an angry King—Whoa!"
Before she finished speaking, a flash of red lightning suddenly shot from the distance, startling her into quickly jumping aside.
From the direction of the red lightning, Mordred, fully armored, sneered. "Tch, missed. Still the same, only good at running, you damned Merlin."
"That was dangerous, Mordred. What if I actually died?"
"If you died, why would I care? Just die already so you stop harming Master." Mordred said, her face and tone brimming with anger. "By the way, with what you did to Master today, that's enough to brand you a traitor, right? As a Knight of the Round Table, it's my duty to purge traitors of the Round Table!"
(But I'm not a Knight of the Round Table.)
Merry looked at Morgan as if asking for help. "Morgan, aren't you going to handle your daughter?"
"Such sharp words, Mordred." Morgan said, smiling at her daughter. "But 'traitor of the Round Table'—coming from you, that's quite ironic, 'Rebel Knight.'"
"And, from the look of you, are you planning to swing your sword at your own mother?"
*KLANG!*
Just as Morgan finished speaking, a sword wreathed in raging red lightning struck at her head. If she hadn't blocked it in time with her staff, she'd have been split in two.
Slightly shocked by Mordred's unwavering gaze, Morgan quickly retreated far back.
(Those eyes—she's serious, Mordred. She genuinely wants to be my enemy. Has she cast aside her hatred for King Arthur and become fully loyal to him? Just like Agravain…)
Another of her offspring had joined under King Arthur's banner. The familiar sight left Morgan a bit disheartened.
Meanwhile, Merry, watching this family drama, couldn't help but clap. If there were melon seeds nearby, she'd probably be munching on them. Mordred swinging her sword at Morgan—something like this was a once-in-a-millennium event.
"Don't move."
Suddenly, something sharp pressed against the back of her head, accompanied by Atalanta's voice.
Raising both hands in surrender, Merry smiled. "You got here fast, Atalanta. Don't be rough, okay? I'll be very cooperative."
"Rei told me to shoot your head off directly."
"Then I'm out of here!"
As soon as she spoke, before Atalanta could release her bowstring, Merry instantly transformed into a flurry of flower petals and vanished. In an instant, only Morgan remained in the arena, facing Mordred and Atalanta.
The corner of Morgan's mouth twitched several times.
(Merry, you… you planned to run away all along?)