In the sky, a three-horse chariot and the Ark of Radiance flew by, leaving behind a green and a golden trail of light.
Achilles's chariot was too small, fitting only four or five people at most, and even then, it would be a tight squeeze. There was no need for Fujimaru Ritsuka and the other girls to crowd in, so Mo Shuying had Child Gil summon the Vimana.
It's worth noting that Mo Shuying and Karna were following Achilles, partly to guard against any sudden actions from him.
Along the way, Mo Shuying's gaze kept darting towards Achilles's left heel. That's just how people are; they're always thinking of trying something new. For example, Mo Shuying really wanted to know if a person would truly die if shot in the heel.
"…Could you, um, stop staring?"
Achilles could feel Mo Shuying's gaze, and the feeling of his vital spot being constantly scrutinized made him very uncomfortable, like daggers in his back.
"Oh, don't worry about it. I'm just looking… really." Mo Shuying said casually, but still averted his eyes.
Achilles didn't believe him at all. A man's words are like a devil's lies. What he just said was no different from "just a little touch, nothing more!"
"Heheheh…" Achilles let out a dry laugh, involuntarily shaking the reins to make his beloved horses speed up, aiming to return as soon as possible.
For a moment, the three were silent, the atmosphere slightly awkward. Mo Shuying stroked his chin thoughtfully and then spoke.
"Mr. Achilles is a demigod, so he should possess Divinity, right?"
Achilles was startled, not understanding why Mo Shuying suddenly asked that.
"Yes, it should be C-rank, if we're talking about levels. My mother is, after all, a goddess."
Achilles's mother was Thetis, the sea goddess, and his father, Peleus, was also a very famous human hero. His father was also a descendant of gods, so it was perfectly normal for Achilles to possess Divinity.
"Oh, that puts my mind at ease then." Mo Shuying nodded, and Achilles looked even more confused.
Then, Mo Shuying asked again.
"Mr. Achilles, do you know that the little girl with the shield in our group, her Class is Shielder?"
"Shielder? Someone who uses a shield? Hmm, that girl's body isn't weak. She can wield a shield with considerable power. Yes, she's a good girl." Achilles thought of Mash. From a warrior's perspective, Mash's strength surpassed that of many warriors.
"Of course she's a good girl. I heard Mr. Achilles also possesses a shield? I wonder which is stronger, your shield or hers."
Achilles was one of the rare Servants with Shielder Class compatibility. This guy was quite versatile—Rider, Lancer, plus Shielder. If not for the weakness in his ankle, he could practically be described as invincible.
"Oh, though it might sound a bit arrogant of me to say so, in my opinion, that girl probably hasn't unleashed her full power yet. She likely can't even perform her Noble Phantasm's True Name Release. There's no need to compare such a presence to my 'Little World,' is there?"
Aegis of the Heavens, a shield Noble Phantasm that once blocked Karna's full-power attack, Vasavi Shakti. Similar to the Round Table shields, it could deploy an illusory world upon True Name Release, though one was formed from belief and the other from a Boundary Field.
"True Name Release, huh? It should be soon…" Mo Shuying looked up. At this very moment, the atmosphere on the Ark of Radiance was also somewhat awkward.
Child Gil: "…"
Looking at Black Lancer Alter, who was sitting in the main seat, Child Gil was furious but dared not speak. Why dared not speak? Because he couldn't win.
Beside him, Li Shuwen sat on another throne, a special seat for the elderly, weak, sick, and pregnant—no one would dare contend with him.
To Black Lancer Alter's left, there was another throne, which was Child Gil's exclusive seat. However, Child Gil chose not to sit there. If Mo Shuying were sitting in the middle, he wouldn't mind; a Master, after all, should be given some face. But with Black Lancer Alter sitting there, the nature of the situation changed. If he chose to sit on the side, wouldn't that mean admitting inferiority to Black Lancer Alter? That was unacceptable!
So the seat remained empty. Fujimaru Ritsuka also felt similarly; if she went and sat there, wouldn't she be admitting inferiority?
Thus, the scene became a little awkward. Mash lowered her head, not daring to speak, fearing that this strange atmosphere would involve her. However…
"You're Mash, aren't you?" Black Lancer Alter suddenly spoke.
"Ah! Yes! Yes, I am!" Mash jumped, bristling like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"No need to be nervous. Can you let this King see the shield in your hands?" Black Lancer Alter sat on the throne with her legs crossed, a faint smile on her face.
"This… okay…" Mash glanced at Fujimaru Ritsuka, but Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't really say anything, so Mash moved over with her shield and presented it.
Taking the shield, Black Lancer Alter touched it a few times, then spoke. "It's you, indeed… Sacrificing yourself to give your power to others? Placing hope in others' hands, that truly is your nature."
"…" Mash's eyes widened at Black Lancer Alter's words.
"Exactly! They say this shield was once the Knights of the Round Table's actual Round Table. So, when it comes to understanding the Knights of the Round Table, who would know more than this king right in front of us?"
"Your Majesty, could you tell me? Who was the original owner of this shield?" Mash asked excitedly.
Black Lancer Alter tilted her head. A name was already on the tip of her tongue, but then she suddenly frowned because she couldn't say it.
"Strange… The name is right there, but why can't I remember it?"
Black Lancer Alter frowned. Could it be senility?
"This..."
Mash was a little disappointed. After numerous battles, Mash felt her power was somewhat lacking. Without being able to release its true name, her own strength couldn't be fully unleashed, and her Noble Phantasm was even worse—she was still using a hypothetical one. This put immense pressure on Mash, who carried such a heavy burden.
"Don't be discouraged, young one. The fact that he chose you to inherit his power means he acknowledges you. You must believe in yourself. A knight's strength comes from their conviction; the power of conviction is what makes a knight invincible. Take it, and use it well."
Black Lancer Alter handed the shield back. Mash took it, then bowed deeply to Black Lancer Alter.
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint everyone."
Hearing her words, Mash found some confidence. Fujimaru Ritsuka, seeing this scene, felt a slight change in their opinion of Black Lancer Alter—at least they weren't as repulsed as before.
Just then,
"They've slowed down. There are Servants and many life and Mana signatures ahead. We must be there." Child Gil said. Everyone immediately looked outside and then paused.
Ahead, a massive city was brightly lit.
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