"This is the Holy Grail… an extraordinary magical furnace… Why's something like this in an island nation…?"
"According to records, it's likely the Great Holy Grail crafted by the Einzbern family about 400 years ago," Roman's voice crackled through.
"Whoa, that's incredible," Ritsuka marveled.
"This is… the Holy Grail…" Mash murmured.
As each voiced their thoughts about the chamber, my gaze—or rather, that of Gilgamesh's vessel—was fixed on a single point.
"That's enough talk. Here it comes—the final assassin guarding the cause," the Caster declared.
A deathly pallor, heavy black armor, gleaming golden hair.
And those stagnant yellow eyes. A sword steeped in darkness.
"…"
Staring at the knight radiating overwhelming presence, an indescribable irritation and disgust welled up within me.
What is this feeling? Before I could process it, the vessel spoke on its own.
"What's with that appearance? In the short time I looked away, you've fallen prey to base distractions again."
"It's surprising to see you here, King of Heroes," the knight replied.
I was taken aback. The black swordsman and the King of Heroes know each other? Though, as a hero, it's hard to imagine anyone unaware of the King of Heroes…
"What?! You can talk?! You've been silent all this time?!" the Caster barked.
"When everything is watched, I chose to play the scarecrow," the knight said, glancing at Mash. "But… you have an intriguing Noble Phantasm, girl."
"Me?!" Mash stammered.
"Don't let your guard down, kid," the Caster warned. "That's the renowned Knight King, Arthur Pendragon. Wielding the second sword of selection—none other than the world's most famous blade, Excalibur."
"Excalibur! The ultimate treasure forged by the planet's inner sea!" Roman exclaimed in awe.
Arthur Pendragon… the name doesn't ring familiar. Wasn't Arthur a male king?
Unless my eyes deceive me, this knight… is a woman.
"She's… a woman…" Mash whispered.
"Cross-dressing knight? Britannia's living in the future!" Ritsuka chuckled.
Exactly. I've never heard any legend claiming Arthur Pendragon was a woman.
"Women couldn't become kings back then. She likely had to act as a man for her family's sake," Roman suggested.
"Quit chattering! That Knight King is targeting Mash!" Olga Marie snapped.
"Interesting. Truly interesting," the knight sneered, dismissing me. Facing Mash, she lowered her dark blade. "Ready yourself, girl. Let my sword test the truth of your defense!"
The irritation surged, a near-murderous rage. Like a cherished treasure defiled with filth.
"You dare call me an afterthought?" I growled. "Mash!"
"Yes!"
"She wants you. Focus your strength. Tainted as she is, that's still a star's radiance."
"If you let go of that shield, you'll vanish instantly—along with your Master."
"—!"
With the vessel's control slipping, I could only entrust Ritsuka's protection to Mash.
Our brief bond taught me how to ignite her strength.
Mash fears not her own death but harm to those she cherishes. She's just a kind-hearted girl.
Far nobler and stronger than I, who wields the immense privilege of the King of Heroes.
Please, Mash—don't die.
"I understand! I'll protect Master!" Mash declared.
"That's reckless! Your Noble Phantasm's True Name is still unknown, and she wields Excalibur—the strongest holy sword!" Olga Marie protested.
"What are you talking about, Director?" Ritsuka grinned brightly.
"Huh?!"
"My Mash has the strongest shield!"
"You…!"
"Let's do this, Mash! Show your power!"
"Yes! The name of my Noble Phantasm, given by the Director—!"
"Vortigern, Hammer of the Vile King. The aurora inverts—swallow the light!"
Mana surged into the knight's sword, forming a massive bundle of darkness that shone.
A holy sword fallen to shadow, a ravenous dragon devouring all brilliance in tyrannical fury.
"I'm deploying my Noble Phantasm!"
The foundation that watches over humanity. A wall bearing the name of the observatory that guards and weaves human history.
"Excalibur Morgan—the Sword of Promised Victory!"
A tsunami of despair and ruin, far surpassing a dragon's breath, erupted.
Releasing immense mana, it grew, its relentless force a hammer of judgment to crush all foes.
"Virtual Noble Phantasm: Pseudo-Deployment—Lord Chaldeas, Foundation of Humanity!"
A fleeting yet eternal wall rose, bearing the observatory's name, guarding humanity.
Fueled by resolve, Yuki's unyielding wall stood to protect what lay behind.
A clash of contradictions reenacted. Black tyranny and white snow shook the space, raging to obliterate all.
"God—!"
"Don't pray to gods, fool," I snapped.
"!"
"No hollow being can help. Pray only for your friend's survival."
Don't cling to something and close your eyes.
Look—see that soft yet unbreakable resolve.
See it answer—the Round Table.
"Ngh… ugh… aaah!" Mash strained.
"It's okay! I'm here! Everyone's here! You're not alone!" Ritsuka shouted.
"Vanish—!" the knight roared.
The light of ruin surged, a dragon's roar ready to swallow its prey.
"I'm not just protected! I'm—Mash's—!" Ritsuka began.
Mash glanced at her Master.
"—!"
"Ritsuka!" Mash cried.
"Gil's—Master!" Ritsuka bellowed.
The red sigil on her hand glowed, one stroke vanishing.
Power surged through Mash, her shield gleaming with greater strength and resilience.
"OOOOHHHH!"
"I held nothing back, yet that shield's durability is astounding," the knight muttered.
The shield prevailed. Mash and her Master endured Excalibur's light, still standing.
"She did it! Mash and Fujimaru did it! To withstand that holy sword! Mash is a top-tier Heroic Spirit!" Roman cheered.
"You're praising the wrong thing, fool," I said.
"Huh?"
It's not about heroes or Noble Phantasms. Those don't matter.
It's their heart—their way of being—that deserves boundless praise.
They are the ones worthy of walking shoulder to shoulder.
"Now, I've tested the shield's strength. You're next, King of Heroes," the knight said, her yellow eyes locking onto me.
Just what I wanted. After such resolve and spirit, I can't stay silent.
Here, I define myself.
"Stay out of this, dog," I told the Caster.
"Hah, as if I'd interfere," he smirked.
Judgment falls on this nameless soul. This is my first true test in this reincarnated life.
"Your insolence in treating me as a side act is forgiven, thanks to Mash's efforts."
Now—let the curtain rise on my stage, King of Heroes unmatched!
"My armory is—more than sufficient!"
Great work, Mash.
The next battle is a judgment to define the nameless.
Please, watch warmly.