Seeing that familiar figure, Gawain roared:
"Impossible! Impossible! Why are you here? And more importantly, Knight Bedivere! As a Knight of the Round Table, do you intend to betray our king?"
After being struck repeatedly in spirit, Bedivere's appearance further shook Gawain's will to fight. Yet after a brief hesitation, he gritted his teeth and raised his sword once again.
Absurd, utterly absurd! If this is how it is—if all of you intend to defy the King—then I shall execute every last one of you traitors in His name!
He roared as he swung his massive blade toward them with ferocious force.
At first, Guinevere had thought that with Bedivere and Gareth joining, their lineup against Gawain was much stronger than when Chaldea had faced him before. They might not be able to win, but surely it wouldn't be too overwhelming... yet—
The reality was otherwise.
Even three against one, the pressure Gawain unleashed was overwhelming. Gareth had already found a chance to secretly coat everyone with demon-dust and hardening powder; her own spear and shield had been well-honed. Yet when Gawain struck with a single swing, he still sent her flying, shield and all, only refraining from finishing her off because other foes were present.
Bedivere fared no better—barely managing to parry under Gawain's storm-like assault, like a small leaf-tossed boat struggling in a tempest. If not for Guinevere's repeated time-stops, perfectly timed to restrain Gawain for a few fleeting instants, Bedivere might already have been defeated.
Thus, the three fought in tandem—not inflicting much damage, but keeping Gawain fully occupied so that he could not go after Chaldea. And thanks to that time, Chaldea's forces shattered the Purging Knights' encirclement, escorting the surviving refugees to safety.
Soon after, they returned to reinforce Guinevere's group.
"Eh? When did two more Servants join this side? Are they fellow warriors who couldn't stand the Knights' cruelty?" Fujimaru Ritsuka exclaimed.
"Oh! Gareth is here too?" Recognizing her companion, Bavanzi's face lit up with delight. "With so many allies now, shouldn't we be able to take that guy down in one go?"
At this moment, seven Servants stood on their side. Surely seven versus one would be enough?
Yet Gawain, hearing her words, grew not fearful but furious:
"You dare think that mere second-rate fighters like you could defeat me, who bears the King's blessed gift?!"
So saying, he hurled his holy sword skyward once again. The blade spun in the air, radiating a brilliance like the sun itself.
"Sacred Sword, Drawn!"
"This sword is the replica of the sun—its flames of purification burn all impurity!"
"Damn! We can't let him unleash his Noble Phantasm!"
Everyone's faces paled. Gareth instantly assumed a combat stance, her spear of Siliad Tree whirling in her grasp, golden light blooming along its shaft. She thrust at the airborne blade, hoping to knock it away before its release.
But Gawain suddenly kicked off the ground, launching himself skyward like a cannonball. With one fist he shattered the golden arc Gareth sent forth, and with the other he seized Galatine.
In that instant, roaring flames erupted from his sword, forming a torrent of fire that engulfed the sky for hundreds of meters.
All present were struck with dread at the sight of that blazing inferno.
Then, gripping his sword in both hands, Gawain descended from above:
"Excalibur Galatine! Wheel of Victory!"
"Fall back! I'll block it!"
At that moment, Bedivere stepped forward. Placing his left hand upon his right prosthetic, a radiant glow flared across it.
"O Silver Arm, grant me your brilliance!"
"Devour my soul, race forth—Silver Meteor!"
Chanting swiftly, he charged headlong toward the descending Gawain, his prosthetic arm trailing a golden arc of light, waves of magic surging from it.
"Grip thy sword—Switch On Agateram!"
When the Star-forged sword-arm clashed with Gawain's Sun-forged blade, a blinding flash erupted, forcing everyone to shield their eyes as a violent storm of magic swept outward, driving them back.
The radiance lasted only a few seconds before a figure plummeted to the ground—Bedivere. Guinevere instinctively caught him, though the impact drove her backward several steps.
Gawain, meanwhile, though leaving a crater where he landed, quickly rose to his feet. His expression grew complicated as he stared toward them:
"That arm... it blocked Galatine? Could it truly be Nuada's Silver Arm?"
But Bedivere could not answer—spent from channeling such immense power. Having barely parried Gawain's Noble Phantasm, he collapsed unconscious.
"No time—retreat, now!" Da Vinci commanded, mechanical arm hoisting Bedivere up. "If more Purging Knights arrive, we'll be trapped!"
"Agreed," Guinevere nodded, calling to Bavanzi and Gareth, "Fall back for now—we can't bring Gawain down like this."
But Gawain was unwilling to let them go:
"What? Do you think the Holy City is a place where you come and go as you please?!"
Once again he raised Galatine, ready to strike:
"For daring to disrupt the Holy Selection, prepare to die here!"
"That's enough."
Guinevere stepped forward again—this time sheathed her spear, drawing instead her Calia Knight Sword, scabbard and all, holding it horizontally with one hand on the sheath, one on the hilt.
"Since that guy risked everything... I can't hold back any longer either."
She drew the blade slightly, faint sparks spilling from the exposed steel.
Instantly, a terrible foreboding swept through Gawain—battle-honed instinct warning him that advancing further would mean calamity. He froze.
"Oh? Sharp senses."
Seeing his hesitation, Guinevere smirked and said:
"Since you noticed, step back for now, Sir Gawain. I don't like using this move... but if you force me, I'll blast you and your precious city into the heavens."
"Nonsense!" Gawain retorted. "Camelot's gates admit only the pure, and only the pure may strike within them. Your attack cannot breach the walls!"
"Is that so? Perhaps you simply lack the firepower. With enough force, no defense is absolute."
Drawing the blade slightly more, Guinevere unleashed a surge of magical energy—tens of times stronger than before.
"Shall we test it? Whether I can blast you—and Camelot's walls—together? Oh, and from your tone, you already know—you wouldn't survive this."
"... I don't know what trick you're hiding, but such an attack must carry a heavy price," Gawain said coldly.
"Indeed, the price is steep," Guinevere admitted, "which is why I'd rather not use it. So—shall we make a deal? Don't push me to that point, and I won't waste this strike on you or your city."
"... Get out of my sight before I change my mind!"
Gawain ground out the words. Smiling faintly, Guinevere turned and hurried to join the retreating group, leaving Gawain behind, face dark with conflicted emotion.
Thank goodness Heavenly Fire Judgment scared him.
Even while running, Guinevere reflected. The idea to draw the sword just enough to intimidate had come on a whim—thankfully Gawain's instincts had read the danger. If it had been someone like Mordred, brash and reckless, the bluff might have failed.
After all, Heavenly Fire Judgment could only be drawn twice. Using one in a simulation would be far too extravagant.
With Gawain no longer a threat, the group pressed on. Though pursued by Purging Knights while escorting the refugees, the combined strength of so many Servants made their breakthrough unstoppable.
Meanwhile, after watching them leave, Gawain turned back toward the Holy City and proceeded to the Royal Court to request an audience with the Lion King.
But in the court, a black-haired, black-eyed, black-armored man awaited.
"Gawain has returned. Officer, where is His Majesty? I must report something urgent."
"The King has retired. Whatever the matter, tell me—I shall relay it. I am already aware of the events at the gate. Punishment will follow. For now, return to your quarters."
"I see... so I cannot meet the King even now." Gawain fell silent for a few seconds before his gaze fixed upon the aide before him.
"Speaking of which, though there's nothing urgent for the King... there is one thing I believe I must tell you, brother."