Bailong really wanted to say that he had no idea what that ritual was.
No, it would be more accurate to say that what he wanted to do most right now was to move that Tower of Light away—to a place where Artoria could never find it, so that this magic ritual could never be held.
But he couldn't.
Because he knew very well that the so-called "Heroic Spirit Summoning Ritual," along with the so-called "Holy Grail War," was essentially a "probe."
It was a "delegation" sent by the planet's Counter Force after discovering the anomaly on this island.
He couldn't interfere with the actions of these "investigators," let alone eliminate them at the source—just as a local government couldn't go against an inspection team from the central government.
You get it, right? Once something happened to these investigators, the planet's Counter Force would automatically determine that there was a major problem with this period of history in this region. At that time, whether it was a Pruning Phenomenon or the arrival of a Type... even if they could win in the end, a shattered island of Britain was definitely not the result Bailong wanted.
"So, not only can I not stop it, I have to actively cooperate."
"And then find a way to muddle through."
Bailong organized his thoughts while opening the gate to the Reverse Side of the World, taking Artoria into the Star Pillar that stood at the end of the world, shining with brilliance.
—To be honest, this was also the first time he had entered this tower and truly seen the situation inside.
"It's actually nothing special, right?"
"It's just an ordinary tower. It was only chosen as the location for this summoning ritual because it occupies a special place."
Before Bailong and Artoria arrived, the magician had already arrived here and had drawn a seven-pointed star pattern on the ground inside the tower.
"Then, my King."
"The ritual is about to begin. Please stand in the center."
[Heptagram].
In mysticism, this is a pattern endowed with special magical power.
There is a saying that this pattern symbolizes the ultimate mystery of this world, its seven points corresponding to seven different basic elements—[Earth], [Fire], [Water], [Wind], [Light], [Darkness], plus the special existence of [Human Emotions]. They simultaneously constitute the foundation of this world's existence.
This corresponds to the legend that God created the world in seven days.
There are also those who believe that the heptagram contains powerful magical power. Whoever can draw a perfect heptagram with one stroke can witness a true miracle.
But the magician said that there weren't that many tricks to it.
"It's just that there happen to be seven people."
The magician explained with a smile.
At his invitation, Artoria stood in the center of the star.
"Do I not need to do anything else?"
She was a little puzzled—she had thought that this summoning ritual was a very complex and difficult matter, requiring the preparation of rare materials and lengthy incantations.
But now, the magician told her that she just needed to stand here?
"Well, theoretically, you do need to prepare some materials and incantations."
"But since it is you, my King, standing there personally, even if you have prepared nothing, someone will surely answer your call!"
The magician said with great certainty.
This was by no means flattery; he was just stating something that was bound to happen.
And at the same time, Bailong, who had roughly guessed who would respond to this Heroic Spirit summoning, couldn't help but close his eyes.
—He silently prayed for the princess who had been driven mad by teaching a stupid student.
He really hoped her temper would be better, and that she wouldn't get angry again because of problems with the children's education.
...
The ritual began.
Artoria, standing in the center of the heptagram, awaited what would happen next with a slightly apprehensive heart.
And at almost the same time, this summoning formula, which had long been filled with Merlin's magical power, had a very strong reaction with Artoria standing in it.
A storm of blue and white magical power spread rapidly outward with Artoria's body as the center. Inside this Tower of Light, which was rich in mystery, they even stirred up a cloud of magical dust that had condensed into a solid form.
Seven figures of different shapes appeared faintly at the seven corners of the heptagram.
They had different appearances, but they all maintained the same posture: kneeling on one knee, slightly bowing their heads to show their respect. Their right hands were placed on their hearts, performing the standard knightly kneeling salute to the person standing in the center.
For a knight, this was the most solemn etiquette—only when being knighted would they perform this "grand ceremony" to show their absolute loyalty to the king.
Artoria, who was revered as the [King of Knights], of course knew the ropes.
She knew even better what would happen next—she needed to draw her sword, place the blade on the knight's shoulder, and confer the honor in the name of the king.
But the problem now was... there were seven knights kneeling before her, but she was only one person. To whom should the sword in her hand be pointed first?
"Is there even a need to ask? Of course it's me!"
"I am Father's favorite... wait a minute, Father, why do you look like this?"
The knight with the same face as Artoria was the first to look up. She looked at Artoria standing in the center with a look of disbelief—then looked down at her own feet, her face showing a very confused expression.
Was this still her father?
Was this still the Britain she knew?
Where the hell had she been brought?
...
After seeing Artoria's appearance clearly, the other knights also showed a brief look of confusion.
—But soon, they reacted.
Appearances could change, but the spiritual core would not. The person standing there was undoubtedly the King of Knights they admired—otherwise, they would not have answered the call of the Holy Grail and come to this Britain that they had dreamed of.
"So... you are all my knights?"
Artoria was also stunned for a moment.
She swore that she had never seen these knights on this island. But at the same time, these excellent knights gave her a very intimate feeling—especially five of them, who gave her a sense of kinship.
"Ah, Father, let me introduce you."
"I am your favorite child! Mordred Pendragon—you were going to pass the throne to me."
Mordred, who had the intuition of a beast, suddenly had her eyes light up.
She had already realized that this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
She had to seize this opportunity!
"This person who looks like a gorilla is Gawain. His cooking is terrible, he can only make mashed potatoes."
"This guy in the armor is Gareth. She always can't control the fire when cooking and likes to burn the food."
"This guy is Agravain. He loves to say bad news when other people are eating, which is quite appetite-ruining."
Without giving anyone else time to react, Mordred introduced three knights in a row.
But when she set her eyes on the fourth knight—a little girl wearing thin white clothes, with light purple hair, and one eye covered by her hair.
This rebellious knight, who had just been talking non-stop, was instantly stunned, and the face that was almost carved from the same mold as Artoria's showed a very confused expression:
"Um..."
"Beautiful, who are you?"
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