Let's not talk about the red-haired uncle speeding toward the dock with a sword in his hand and a chariot crushing thunder. Let's focus on Kiritsugu first.
He hadn't expected to see so many figures from the Arthurian era in this Holy Grail War, but it wasn't a bad thing to learn that the enemy knight before him was the legendary Balin. After all, there were many well-known legends about this knight, and they were quite clear. Since he had already summoned the Knight of the Sword, the one in front of him could only be the Knight of the Spear.
However, it was a little surprising that the Spear Knight was wielding a sword.
Kiritsugu knew there must be many people watching the battle at the dock. Even if they hadn't come in person, they'd surely arranged for familiars or other instruments capable of remote observation. The enemy knight's words—introducing himself as Balin—were essentially confirmed. The Servants summoned by that group were the famous knights, along with the legendary blacksmith Aslan from Arthurian lore.
Because Aslan and King Arthur looked very similar—well, of course they did. They were cousins, after all. If they looked too different, it would raise serious questions. In fact, it was precisely due to this small issue that, in the original legend, some of Aslan's accomplishments were mistakenly attributed to King Arthur.
Moreover, most of the recorded tales revolved around battles, which led many to believe that Aslan wasn't much of a warrior. Although the legends mention he studied under Balin and Morgan, people were more inclined to believe Aslan's true power came from the dragon that accompanied him, rather than his own combat skills.
How could anyone possess such formidable fighting ability while also mastering inhuman-level blacksmithing at a young age? In this era, aside from magi, there are few who would believe such things exist—even dragons. So Aslan's identity as the "Son of the Dragon" might not seem particularly special to the average observer.
If anyone in the Holy Grail War were likely to "play the pig to eat the tiger," it would be Aslan. If most believed he was just a legendary blacksmith—renowned for his forging skills, knowledge of fairy script, and the protection of a dragon—then he could easily enter the battlefield unchallenged. At least, until he got hit with a beam cannon.
Because of this confusion in the legends, the Servant Aslan wasn't able to bring out many powerful Noble Phantasms, and even his stats had dropped by 10%. But it wasn't a big problem. After all, if the original is strong enough, even with some weakening, he's still above second-rate warriors.
Kiritsugu was quite pleased by this. Most ambushes succeeded through surprise—and that was its own kind of strength, wasn't it?
While the two warriors clashed below, Kiritsugu also spotted an Assassin standing atop a crane, silently observing. The figure wore a black robe and a skull-shaped mask. It was strange that an Assassin who should have already been eliminated was still alive—but then again, this was the Holy Grail War. Wasn't trickery part of the norm?
However, Kiritsugu's serious mood was soon shattered—because the way Merlin made his entrance was far too ridiculous, and the words he spoke were even more childish. King Arthur was clearly right there, and yet someone else suddenly leapt into the fray, pretending to be King Arthur—complete with a golden holy sword, silver armor, and long silver hair...
Wait a minute.
Wasn't the Sword of Promised Victory supposed to be unique to King Arthur?
In fact, even Artoria, who was sitting beside Irisviel, nearly spat out her warm coffee when she saw that shameless old man suddenly appear in silver armor, holding a golden holy sword.
Where the hell did that bastard get another holy sword?
Artoria never imagined Merlin would actually fish a sword out of the lake for himself. Maybe, just as the legends claimed, when her sword was thrown into the lake, a mysterious hand reached up to receive it... and that hand belonged to that bastard.
Honestly, judging by how Merlin looked, it wouldn't be surprising if people mistook him for a lake spirit.
But the worst part?
He had the audacity to pretend to be her.
Was that really how she appeared in the old bastard's eyes?! So frivolous?!
Why would she attack someone in the name of King Arthur?
If everyone present started thinking that this was King Arthur's personality, it would be a disaster—a complete social catastrophe!
Artoria could barely restrain herself. She nearly burst onto the battlefield just to scrub that old man's face with her sword. That bastard was clearly doing it because he was shameless. Well, the holy sword in her hand could definitely help him lose some face.
Merlin had seemed mature and composed ever since she took the throne, as though the antics of their journey had been a passing phase. Though she knew his nature was rotten, she hadn't expected this level of unreliability.
At that moment, Artoria finally understood why Aslan was always so annoyed and disgusted by Merlin's antics. They were supposed to be close friends, and yet every time they met, Merlin had either a palm print or a hammer mark on his face.
Now it all made sense. It really was Merlin's fault.
A peculiar smile tugged at Artoria's lips. She was seriously considering unleashing her Noble Phantasm and bombing the old bastard before he could react. If it weren't for the Holy Grail War—and her mission to remain hidden—Merlin would've already been buried in a golden torrent of death beams.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—the sky thundered, snapping everyone's attention back to reality.
The red-bearded uncle drove his ox cart straight into the battlefield, thunder trailing in his wake. He looked at the three people on the field, each wielding a holy sword. Then he looked at the sword in his own hand and raised an eyebrow slightly.
From a health comparison standpoint, his sword suddenly seemed a little lacking.
Ah, well.
Anyway—
"Everyone, put down your weapons! In the name of the Conquering King—Iskandar!"
-End Chapter-
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