When Kae Hinako returned to the team, the atmosphere was a bit awkward for a moment.
However, it was precisely because of the earlier misunderstanding that the people of Chaldea were able to experience Bagest's strength firsthand, and their morale visibly soared.
"So, Miss Bagest is really strong, huh..." Fujimaru Ritsuka sighed. "She doesn't even need any triple blessings—she's this strong on her own? I feel like she's even stronger than the original Round Table Knight, Gawain."
"Eh? N-no, I'm not that amazing..."
Bagest scratched her head awkwardly at the comment.
"If my opponent were really that Gawain, I'd probably still fall a bit short..."
"No, based on my observation, Miss Bagest's spiritual foundation metrics are indeed not inferior to the Gawain we previously encountered, the one with triple blessings." At this moment, Dr. Roman's spiritron projection appeared again, explaining calmly.
"Wait, you've already met the Round Table Knight Gawain?" Bagest was stunned. "Don't tell me he's also in this Singularity?"
"You didn't know?" Guinevere looked equally surprised. "Our main enemies in this Singularity are the original Round Table Knights from Proper Human History and their lord, the Lion King."
The group then exchanged glances and quickly recounted their previous encounter with Gawain in Camelot.
"This... this is heartbreaking."
Upon hearing what the group had gone through with Gawain, Bagest's expression turned grim.
"To think that the proud Knights of the Round Table wouldn't fight to protect the weak or for the people, but instead blindly wield their blades in loyalty to their king? Outrageous! Unforgivable!"
She then turned to Guinevere, her eyes firm.
"Guinevere! If there's a battle with the Knights of the Round Table—especially Gawain—please let me join. I'll make them remember what knights are supposed to fight for!"
"O-oh, sure." Guinevere nodded. "Don't worry, without you, we wouldn't stand a chance anyway. You'll definitely be in."
"Miss Bagest seems... kind of mad, huh..."
Though Bagest wasn't visibly furious, Fujimaru Ritsuka—keen at reading people—could feel the anger simmering beneath her calm exterior and whispered to Guinevere.
"Ah, well..."
Guinevere thought for a moment.
"Bagest really loves knightly tales from Proper Human History... especially stories about the Round Table. You could say the knights are her idols. She's also very passionate about the strong protecting the weak... So seeing what the Round Table Knights are doing here is probably like... watching your idol completely fall from grace."
In any case, Bagest's fighting spirit was now at its peak—which wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
After that, the group escorted the refugees further into the mountains.
At first, because Bagest's armor looked similar to the knights of the Holy City, the refugees mistook her for a pursuing knight. But once they explained that she was on their side—and after Bagest slew several monsters threatening the refugees—they finally earned the refugees' trust.
Later, after a full day of traveling—balancing the refugees' pace and foraging for food—they finally approached a village in the mountains.
And that's when a Servant appeared to block their path.
"What business do you have in our village, outsiders? Have you come to steal our last hope?"
The Servant who appeared wore a white, skull-like mask stitched to his head. His right arm was much bulkier and longer than his left, wrapped in dark cloth, giving off an eerie vibe.
"So, it's you... Cursed Arm Hassan."
Seeing the familiar figure, Guinevere muttered softly.
For FGO players—especially veterans who started from FSN—Cursed Arm Hassan was a very familiar face.
While his stats weren't impressive, his Noble Phantasm had a special one-hit-kill potential. In the Fifth Holy Grail War of Fuyuki, he shined brilliantly—assassinating Caster Medea and Lancer Cu Chulainn, and even helping corrupt Saber Artoria. His contributions to Zouken Matou's plan were immense.
Unconcerned with good or evil, he simply fulfilled his duties as a Servant, like a loyal tool—earning him the nickname "Peerless Loyalty" among fans.
And now, even in this sixth Singularity, he was dutifully protecting his village.
—Just... a bit inflexible.
"I know of your efforts in helping our kin within the Holy City... But don't think I'll let you stroll into our village so easily. You are outsiders, and outsiders cannot be trusted... Nor can I let you leave! If you go back, who's to say you won't expose our location to those knights?"
His voice rose sharply.
"So! Fight me, outsiders! Kill me first if you don't want to die! This is a battle to the death! I will not give you the chance to betray us!"
As he declared this, Guinevere looked at the lone Hassan, then at their own large group—especially Bagest—and nearly lost composure.
"Wait. You want to fight us? Alone? Are you serious?"
"Such insolence! Is that the attitude of one prepared to fight? Or are you just not ready to die here?" Hassan barked back.
"Hannam!"
At that moment, someone among the refugees finally couldn't take it. She stepped forward, calling a name loudly.
"These people saved us from the Holy City's Knight Gawain! They've been protecting us all this way! You shouldn't be treating them like this!"
Guinevere turned toward her. It was the mother from the pair he had saved from the Executioner Knight earlier. She held her child tightly, glaring at Hassan.
Seeing her, Hassan's tone softened slightly, though his face remained hidden behind the mask.
"Saliya... I didn't expect to see you here... Is Rusid with you as well? Did these people really save you?"
"Yes," Saliya nodded. "They rescued us from that Knight Gawain. So please, don't fight them..."
"No. Even with your plea, I can't allow it!" Hassan shook his head firmly. "I've abandoned the name Hannam. Now, I am only Cursed Arm Hassan, protector of this village!"
"You don't get it!" Saliya blurted. "I'm not begging for them—I'm worried they'll kill you! That's why I'm asking you not to do something so stupid!"
But Hassan still looked unconvinced. Seeing this, Guinevere exchanged a glance with Bagest.
Understanding immediately, Bagest stepped forward without a word.
"Outsider! Halt! I haven't granted you—Waaah!"
Before he could finish, Bagest struck him with a punch so fast he couldn't react, sending him flying into the rocky wall behind.
"Hopefully, that'll knock some sense into you."
She then nodded lightly to Saliya and Rusid before returning to the group.
"Ugh... that hurt. What kind of monster strength is that? She didn't even use a Noble Phantasm and still did this to me?"
Hassan groaned, pulling himself free of the rock.
"That's why I told you not to mess with them," another voice chuckled.
A black-haired man stepped up beside Hassan, wearing a teal breastplate with muscular arms exposed, holding a red longbow and wearing a bright smile.
Guinevere's eyes lit up instantly.
"Arash!"
"Eh? You recognized me right away? Am I really that famous?" Arash blinked.
"Of course! You're the great hero Arash!" Guinevere declared.
Arash, the Great Hero! Beloved by all FGO players—easy to summon, easy to raise, powerful in story, invaluable in gameplay. Guinevere's first Servant to reach Bond 5, Bond 10, and even level 100 with Holy Grails!
Just equip him with Kaleidoscope, let him charge NP, nuke the first wave, exit, and let the backline handle the rest—a true MVP and friend to all beginners!
"Ugh... Sir Arash... But still, about this..."
Hassan seemed awkward, but Arash cut him off.
"Honestly, I don't know what you're so hung up on. They protected the refugees, didn't they? Weren't you happy about that yesterday? You even said, 'Wonderful, wonderful! I don't know how to thank them! Such joy!' and 'I ought to give them a grateful hug!'"
"Hey! Don't say everything out loud like that!" Hassan yelped, flustered. "Arash, stop selling me out!"