In short, the whole thing was rather embarrassing.
As Bavanzi had suspected, since they had all entered the Singularity only as projections in the Fate Simulation, the massive flood stored within Bavanzi's observation orb was also naturally cleared out along with the projection. There was simply no way to bring it into the Singularity. Thus, Bavanzi could only watch helplessly as Tristan retreated with composure.
Guinevere naturally had no solution either and could only stare blankly.
With his current abilities, trying to chase Tristan down was practically suicidal. After all, those blades of sound were formless. Even with Guinevere's time-stop, the attack frequency Tristan had just displayed would make dodging a huge challenge. He might die countless times on the road, so Guinevere wisely chose not to pursue and create more trouble for himself.
"So… Guinevere, you were… just watching the whole time?"
Bavanzi scratched her cheek lightly, looking rather embarrassed.
This was bad. It meant she had rushed over to challenge Tristan, believing herself to have an advantage, even feeling smug for forcing him back. Yet, from start to finish, the opponent hadn't used his full strength at all. He simply sighed, lamented about breaking his oath, and left on his own. Otherwise, he could have easily killed her right then and there.
Wasn't this… clownish beyond belief?
The more she recalled the details of the fight, the more Bavanzi wanted to crawl into a hole in the ground.
And the fact that Guinevere had witnessed the whole thing—absolutely mortifying!
But then Guinevere gently ruffled her hair and smiled:
"Yeah, Bavanzi, you've improved a lot. That battle was really exciting. Your probing at the start and holding back your strength were well executed, and your final sneak attack was remarkable. It's just a shame the opponent was too strong. Otherwise, this time, you would've won."
"Eh? R-Really?"
Being praised like that, Bavanzi lowered her head, flustered, but her mood visibly brightened.
Not bad. Although losing and being spared still stung, the fact that she got praised by Guinevere made it feel like a victory overall.
At that moment, several commoners cautiously approached. Most had fled during Bavanzi's fight with Tristan, but these few had been too frightened to move and had stayed behind. Now, seeing the battle over and the area seemingly safe, they came closer.
As soon as they drew near, they dropped to their knees with a thud, bowing deeply to Bavanzi:
"Thank you so much, beautiful lady. If not for you fighting that monster, we would all be dead. We don't even know how to repay you…"
"Eh?"
Looking at the commoners thanking her so earnestly, Bavanzi suddenly felt awkward.
"A-Ah… I didn't really do anything worthy of thanks. Don't get the wrong idea. It's not like I fought that guy for your sake. Who would care about the lives of small fry like you? So naturally, you don't need to thank me for such a trivial matter… Got it? If you got it, then hurry up and leave."
Seriously… Being showered with gratitude by a bunch of commoners—wasn't this something that always happened to Artoria? Why did it have to happen to her today… What a hassle.
Even as she spoke awkwardly, Bavanzi couldn't help but think, almost resentfully, of Artoria.
Her curt reply made the commoners glance at one another in confusion before whispering among themselves:
"The benefactor lady said that… What does it mean?"
"Oh, I get it. Clearly, she doesn't want us to waste time thanking her. She must mean she expects no reward and wants us to hurry to safety instead!"
"So that's it! Our benefactor is truly kindhearted!"
Whatever they discussed, the result was that—despite being told to get lost—they still bowed gratefully to Bavanzi, praising her kindness before reluctantly leaving.
"What is wrong with these people…?"
Watching the departing commoners, Bavanzi felt baffled.
But… on second thought…
The feeling of being thanked wasn't so bad?
So this was the treatment Artoria had always enjoyed? A bit enviable, honestly.
"Unbelievable. You look so smug even though you claim to hate it. Sharing similar abilities with someone like you is embarrassing."
Just then, a somewhat familiar voice reached her ears. Bavanzi turned and saw Koyanskaya.
"Ah! It's you! That dumb, stupid, bad-tempered one!"
"Who are you calling dumb, stupid, and bad-tempered?!" Koyanskaya bristled instantly.
Without even giving Guinevere a chance to reintroduce Chaldea's group to Bavanzi, the two were already at each other's throats. Guinevere merely shrugged helplessly, not even bothering to break it up.
He was used to it. Even without Koyanskaya, Bavanzi would still fight with Artoria. Nothing new.
"In any case, having Bavanzi join us is reassuring," Ritsuka Fujimaru concluded.
"But it does make the vehicle feel a bit cramped. I have a feeling more passengers will join us later… Looks like we'll need to upgrade the Sphinx's seating," Da Vinci added.
And so, another passenger boarded the Sphinx aircraft. Of course, the group made sure to seat Bavanzi and Koyanskaya apart—otherwise, the bickering would never end.
The journey eastward continued.
Along the way, they encountered several groups of bandits. Guinevere dealt with them swiftly, and with Bavanzi's assistance, it was almost effortless—sometimes so fast that Fujimaru didn't even have time to call for mercy.
During the last encounter, they even rescued a group of refugees from the bandits. Escorting them along, they began asking for information about the Singularity.
"Yes, we're all heading to the Holy City together. For us now, it's the only safe place left on this land," explained a mother carrying her child, grateful for Chaldea's help.
"The invaders came, the land burned, the Holy Land was seized… But the Lion King drove away those merciless Crusaders and opened the gates of the Holy City to us. We don't know where the knights came from, but we're thankful they killed the Crusaders."
"Eh? The Holy City allows outsiders inside?"
"Of course. His Majesty the Lion King allows anyone to seek refuge. The city holds a ceremony once a month called the Holy Selection, when refugees are admitted. As long as we arrive by then, there's nothing to fear."
Some villagers refused to follow, disliking the Holy City's knights, and instead fled to the mountain tribes. But the highlands are harsh. Survival is difficult. So most chose the Holy City.
With this information gathered, the group regrouped and discussed:
"It seems the refugees trust the Holy City knights," Fujimaru said.
"It looks like the Holy City and mountain tribes are at odds but still take in refugees? Yet would the Holy City attack ordinary people who side with the mountain tribes?" Mash pondered.
"Not necessarily. The Holy City may not be as benevolent as it appears… The information only proves they control public opinion. It doesn't mean they treat commoners kindly. Clearly, word of Tristan's massacre of mountain tribe villagers hasn't spread," Da Vinci analyzed.
"But the key mystery is the Lion King's identity. Tristan's lord was Arthur… but perhaps it's simply that the Lion King is his summoner. We need to see for ourselves."
"Eh? You're wondering about the Lion King? There's nothing to wonder. That Lion King seems to be the proper human history's Artoria. Wasn't she called King Arthur?" Bavanzi interjected.
"And the Holy City knights are basically members of the Round Table. I've heard of Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot being there. Wonder how the big gorilla and dumb dragon will react… Oh, and my sister Mordred seems to be there too. But I haven't met any others besides Tristan."
"I see…" Da Vinci frowned deeper.
"That makes it stranger. If it's King Arthur, why allow Tristan to slaughter civilians? Historically, Tristan wasn't a killer. Unless influenced by a Master, he wouldn't act that way."
After their discussion, their questions only grew.
"In any case, we need to reach the Holy City and meet the Lion King in person to learn more."
And so, the Sphinx set off again. After a long journey, they finally reached the ruins of Jerusalem by nightfall and saw the white city Romani had detected.
Much like the royal city of Camelot built by Queen Morgan in the Fairy Kingdom, this Camelot bore similar architecture, but even grander. A massive white chalk wall seemed to shut the city off completely, imbued with a powerful barrier to protect this flawless ideal city.
Outside the walls lay countless tents where refugees camped, bringing a strange liveliness to the desolate land.
As Guinevere and the Chaldeans arrived and hid the Sphinx, they heard noise coming from the city.
"It's starting—the Holy Selection!"
And then, though it was clearly nighttime…
The surroundings suddenly shone as bright as day.
…