"I was really foolish, truly,"
Sitting by the campfire with the others, Grim raised his lifeless eyes and continued.
"I only knew that the Fire Giant would be large enough to withstand the meteors they would throw next, but I didn't realize it would be used in conjunction with Ash's Water Mirror Magic, allowing the meteors to bypass the Fire Giant and target us directly... I used all my magic to summon the Noble Phantasm. My Noble Phantasm is strong. It worked well in past battles against other shadows... But why did it end up like this this time?"
He sighed again but could not form a coherent sentence.
"I'm sorry, I was too self-assured."
Not just him, the others were also sighing, and the entire atmosphere around the campfire was filled with frustration.
"I was too self-assured. How could I have arrogantly claimed that there was no essential difference between our strengths?"
Percival also fell into a deep mood, reflecting on his actions.
"Looking back, I was too conceited. The Knight of Rendingien... He's not one for straightforward melee combat. He's clearly an exceptional mage. His magical prowess in this Britain must be unparalleled by many."
"His martial skills are just one of his many abilities. I was so proud of myself seeing only the part I could handle, thinking I could match him in combat, and foolishly offering my judgments."
"You're right," Redra nodded. "I think we should head back for now."
"...No, Percival, don't go that far. What you said wasn't wrong. It was a very accurate assessment."
Grim gently patted Percival's shoulder, offering comfort.
"Though his magical prowess is impressive... His magical power itself isn't remarkable. It's actually pretty similar to mine—probably weaker than Artoria's at this point."
"His impressive performances are due to his efficient use of magic—his magic manipulation is exceptional, almost divine-level. Even the former Grim praised his mastery of magic."
"The former Grim, as you know, was a god in the greater human history. He said those spells didn't even seem like something from this world. That's why we don't know the exact effects of those spells, and countering them is troublesome."
"Ah..."
Hearing this, Guinevere opened his mouth but then fell silent.
He wanted to tell them that he recognized every one of that knight's moves, but he didn't know how to explain it to his companions.
Could he really say that the knight was actually from a game he loved to play and that he knew all his moves from there?
That would be absurd, wouldn't it?
"You're all making valid points," Redra spoke again. "So, maybe we should head back after all."
"Although his magic is powerful, at this point, it seems to just make up for the deficiencies in his magical energy. The true challenge of this trial doesn't lie in his magic."
Grim continued his analysis.
"The real trouble, of course, lies with Ash... or rather, the tactical system they've built around Ash's Water Mirror Magic."
"After all, this is just a remnant of the past Knight of Rendingien. His individual strength is formidable, but it's not enough to easily wipe us all out. The real reason we're struggling is Ash's support."
"And their teamwork is impeccable. Compared to them, we're just a scattered group fighting separately..."
At this point, Grim sighed again and shook his head.
"But, that can't be helped. They've fought side by side countless times. The Knight of Rendingien was even the lover of the previous Prophecy Child. Their bond is unshakable, and it's not something we can compare to with our temporary alliance."
However, as Grim mentioned the "previous Prophecy Child," "lover," and "bond," Artoria, who had been silent up to now, suddenly straightened her back and raised her head above the rest of the group.
"If they're lovers... then they should be well-coordinated when fighting together, right?" Artoria asked.
"Well... I can't say for certain, but if they've been in love for a long time, then they're probably very well-coordinated."
Grim scratched his head.
"After all, when it comes to love, it really tests physical coordination. A glance or a motion, and the other can understand your intention, like tapping your butt... Ahem, anyway, with that kind of understanding, teamwork in battle is hardly a problem..."
"Exactly, but we don't have any lovers on our team, so it's no surprise our coordination is lacking. So..."
Not noticing the shift in atmosphere, Redra nodded along. "So, we should really head back—"
But this time, before he could finish his sentence, he was cut off.
With a heavy thud, a staff slammed into Redra's head, cutting off his words, then moved to tap the heads of Grim, Percival, and Guinevere, one by one.
Yes, a physical "interruption."
"That's enough! How long do you plan to sit here sulking?!"
The three, all rubbing their heads where bumps had formed, looked up to see Artoria standing in front of them, hands on her hips, looking fiercely determined.
"If the trial were so easy, what would be the point? We're the Savior Squad, aren't we? If we can't even pass this test, then it just proves we're nothing special!"
"Now, snap out of it! We can always try again! If we fail once, we'll try twice, and if that fails, three times! If we keep challenging it, we'll win! No matter what, we can't lose to that ridiculous couple!"
"Good grief... Getting lectured by my own words."
Grim massaged his forehead, looking at the others.
"Is this her troublesome character trait? She was the most downcast earlier, and now that everyone else is discouraged, she's all fired up? Is she being rebellious or what?"
"No, no, that's not the important thing!"
Redra protested.
"Didn't you notice? Artoria was the only one who made sure to strike Guinevere lightly, but when she hit me, she went all out! What's the deal with that?!"
He pointed out, still rubbing his head.
"Well, you talk so much nonsense!"
Artoria glared at him.
"Anyway, get your spirits up! If we're failing because of poor coordination, then we just need to train harder. If we keep fighting together, we'll improve and eventually win on the strength of our bond!"
"No, with all due respect, I think it'll be difficult to surpass them in teamwork—ah."
Halfway through, Grim looked at Guinevere, then at Artoria, and immediately realized something.
"Got it. It's rare to see you so motivated, so I'll step aside and let you and Guinevere work on your coordination!" Grim laughed heartily.
"Enough talking! You're the elder, but you don't even get the hint that I'm trying to keep things under wraps?!"
Artoria gritted her teeth in annoyance.
Meanwhile, Guinevere awkwardly scratched his face, unsure how to respond.
After all, he and Artoria were still in that ambiguous phase where nothing had been explicitly addressed. He wasn't sure how to react to Grim's teasing.
In the end, he just nodded at Artoria.
"Then, I'll leave the support to you, Artoria. I'm looking forward to it."
"Okay! Leave it to me!"
Artoria nodded firmly, her face set in determination.
Seeing her serious little face, Guinevere couldn't help but smile.
There was no special reason. It was just that every time he saw her, a smile instinctively appeared on his lips.
In that moment, he thought to himself: After we pass this trial, I'll confess to Artoria.
"Alright, everyone's rested enough. Let's set out again."
Grim planted his staff in the ground and slowly stood up, pulling out a small bell from his pocket.
"Come on, gather around. I'll cast a life-saving magic for you first."
"Life-saving magic?"
Guinevere was surprised, then looked at the bell in Grim's hand. Suddenly, he recalled the sense of familiarity from when he saw him perform this motion earlier on the stairs.
"Wait, isn't this a farewell spell?!"
"Huh? You recognize this magic?"
"Ah—"
Realizing he had spoken too much, Guinevere wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, scrambling to think of an excuse to cover it up.
But Grim didn't press the issue. He merely nodded at Guinevere and said with a knowing smile,
"That makes sense. You'd naturally know the true name of this spell."
"Ah?" Guinevere blinked in confusion, but Grim didn't pursue the topic further. He turned to the rest of the group and called out,
"Alright! Let's try again!"
[You begin your challenge against the Past Shadows once more.]
As the familiar surge of magical energy fills the air, the night sky unfolds once again, and countless small meteor fragments rain down, turning into an unavoidable magical storm.
"Here I go—Blazing Inferno Cage!"
[Grim steps forward, using his Noble Phantasm first, summoning the Fire Giant to shield against the Star-Creation Rain.]
[With Grim's cover, you quickly advance.]
After the meteor shower, a dark purple-black hole appears in the sky, and meteors shoot out toward the Fire Giant. Meanwhile, Water Mirrors appear again.
[Realizing the Star-Creation Rain can't break through the Fire Giant, Yusse immediately casts the Aste Meteor spell.]
[With Ash's Water Mirror Magic aiding him, the meteors easily bypass the Fire Giant and head toward you.]
"Artoria!"
Grim shouts urgently.
"Got it!"
Artoria responds, quickly channeling her magic into Grim.
[With Artoria's powerful support, Grim successfully casts his Noble Phantasm again.]
[A second Fire Giant appears to intercept the meteors.]
[With both Fire Giants blocking the meteors, you finally reach the Bell Tower.]