Although Fujimaru Ritsuka had specifically said to show mercy whenever possible, Gawain completely ignored it. Without hesitation, he drew his sword and began cutting wildly, his magical greatsword roaring like a storm, tearing the bandits into pieces, blood flowing in rivers.
After the first bandit was slain, the rest quickly realized they had provoked someone they should never have crossed. They immediately scattered in fear. Yet Gawain gave them no chance to escape.
With a flick of his hand, his holy weapon transformed into twin guns, and he began firing at will. Every bullet seemed to have eyes, striking the fleeing bandits squarely in the back, killing each one without leaving a single survivor.
"G-Gawain-senpai?!" Ritsuka stared wide-eyed at Gawain's merciless actions. "Why… why go so far as to completely wipe them out?"
"Because they deserve to die. That's all."
Dispersing the guns into ether, Gawain replied coolly:
"They had already chosen to murder travelers. It's clear this wasn't their first time either. Therefore, they should have been prepared to pay the price.
"I may not have the right to judge them in the name of justice, but as the target of their killing intent, I have the right to defend myself with lethal force. It's that simple."
"But… they probably only turned to this because their living conditions were too harsh," Ritsuka said softly, looking at the twitching bodies of those struck in vital points, their deaths certain but their corpses not yet still. Mash, standing beside her, nodded:
"Yes… if we had shared some food with them, maybe they would have—"
"No such chance."
Gawain cut her off coldly.
"Anyone who has already chosen to kill and rob through murder can never go back to a normal life. Killing has ceased to be their last resort; it has become an easy method. Even if food were no longer scarce, they would still kill to satisfy greed when necessary.
"For such beasts, sparing them will only bring more disaster to the innocent. And…"
He turned his gaze to Ritsuka.
"Didn't you hear what they were shouting just now? 'Kill them all, and there'll be meat to eat.' But do we actually have any meat among our rations for them to notice?"
Ritsuka froze.
Indeed, while Ra had provided them a rich supply of food, the meat had long been consumed during their trek across the desert. What remained were mostly flatbreads and other dry goods—no meat left.
Then, recalling the bandits' earlier comments about a 'delicious-looking woman,' Ritsuka's hair stood on end. She had assumed they were referring to something else… but now it seemed they had meant it literally.
"Since you call me 'senpai,' let me teach you something,"
Gawain said as he walked past her.
"There's no such thing as a perfect solution. To save something, a price must always be paid.
"I do not endorse sacrificing the few for the many, but know this—
you cannot save everyone.
"You can only do your utmost to save those you can and should save.
"If you cannot harden your heart even this much, how will you face harsher trials ahead?"
With that, he returned to the Sphinx vehicle, leaving Ritsuka staring at his back, her face slightly pale.
She suddenly realized: though they had fought side by side many times, though she had seen several possible futures of this man and even come to admire and rely on him… she had never truly understood him.
"Hey, Kouhai, don't take it so hard."
At that moment, Kotomine Hina's voice came from behind.
"That guy isn't wrong. I've seen plenty of such scum over the years. He's right—it's best to put them down quickly."
"She's right," Da Vinci added, walking up and nodding.
"Though it may be hard for you kids to accept… these people are nearly ghouls already. They live only by hatred, envy, and harming others. Even so, their lives won't last long.
"As Gawain said, mercy to villains is cruelty to the innocent."
"...Yeah. You're right. I know." Ritsuka nodded lightly, biting her lip.
"Sorry for worrying everyone… I guess I was being too naïve. I know Gawain-senpai is correct… but I still can't fully accept such slaughter."
She looked apologetically at the group.
"Sorry… I guess I'm still too soft."
"Not at all. These things shouldn't be your burden in the first place," Kotomine Hina shook her head. "Don't worry—if you really can't handle it, leave it to me. I hate humans anyway. I won't blink no matter how unrelated ones die."
"W-wait, Senpai, that's the opposite extreme!" Ritsuka blurted.
"But, Ritsuka," Da Vinci interjected again, "this age may be twisted, but we came here to reject it.
"If you can't yet abandon your innocence, that's fine."
Ruffling Ritsuka's and Mash's hair, Da Vinci smiled.
"Until then, we veterans will carry it a little longer for you."
"Now, let's head back to the Sphinx before Gawain waits too long."
"Mm!"
When they returned, Gawain noticed Ritsuka seemed to have regained her usual energy. But behind that vigor, he could see something else in her eyes—a faint glimmer of resolve.
"…Not bad. Just a little, but she's starting to have the right spirit," Gawain murmured.
Later, as the Sphinx rolled across the endless wasteland, the sun nearly setting, a holographic screen suddenly flickered before them.
"Finally! We made contact! Are you all okay? Did you run into another accident?!"
On the other side, Doctor Roman shouted anxiously. But upon seeing Gawain, he blinked, then sighed in relief.
"Phew… Gawain is there too. I know it's cheeky to say, but it's always reassuring seeing you in a Singularity."
"If you know it's cheeky, then don't say it," Da Vinci teased.
"Anyway, no need to worry—we've made it through for now."
She recounted all that had happened since entering the Singularity.
When Roman heard about Ozymandias, he admitted it was troublesome but reassured them that a reliable Servant could be found—like Richard, a Crusader knight. The idea left everyone barely holding back laughter.
Then they told him Richard had already been defeated, leaving Roman shocked.
"How?! Then who built that massive Crusader-style city?! If it exists, it means the Holy City was taken by knights. But if the Crusaders lost… then who's there— Wait! I'm detecting Servant readings ahead! More than one!"
The group exchanged glances and quickly decided to investigate, hiding and moving toward the signal.
They arrived to find an Assassin standing before more than forty civilians, surrounded by a single Archer.
But they were too late. The standoff had reached its end.
"If you have any knightly honor left, keep your promise. I offer my head in exchange for one day—do not move a step, do not raise your right arm."
With that, the Assassin took her own life, telling the civilians:
"Run, compatriots… the Eastern Cursed Arm will shelter you."
"She really cut off her own head… Well, I must keep my promise now. Impressive."
The red-haired Archer sighed.
"But… how unfortunate."
In the next instant, a fleeing civilian's head flew from his shoulders.
"My Demon String 'Failnaught' needs no arrows. A mere pluck sends blades of sound."
His eyes opened—blind, yet radiating killing intent.
"You were careless, Hassan. You should have forbidden me to move my fingers."
With a soft pluck, more notes rang out, and one by one, the fleeing civilians fell dead in pools of blood.
"How can you slaughter civilians?!"
Ritsuka nearly leapt out, but Da Vinci stopped her, signaling silence.
"Don't. If we rush out now, we'll be killed too. He's not just a top-class Heroic Spirit; he's blessed. Hina and Gawain aren't at full strength. Not a good match…"
But before she could finish, Gawain had already moved, about to leap from cover.
"Find another position to stay hidden. I can't just sit and watch him butcher civilians. Whether I can win or not, I'll fight."
"Hey! Don't be reckless!" Da Vinci tried to grab him.
At that moment, Roman's hologram flashed again.
"Wait! Another Servant signature approaching fast!"
"Hm?"
Suddenly, a blood-red arrow streaked through the night toward the red-haired knight. Though his sound blade cut it midair, it drew his attention.
"Who?!"
"Hmph. So you're the true Tristan?"
From the other side of the wasteland, a figure Gawain knew all too well leapt lightly into view.
"Perfect. I've wanted to see which is stronger—yourself or me."
The newcomer was none other than Bavanzi.