Curtain Rise — King of Knights, Sun King, King of Heroes, King of Magic —
"All hands, gathered, I see!"
The Hero King's powerful words resonated through the Command Room.
The Rayshift members were assembled. In addition to them, Ozymandias stood tall, alongside Artoria Pendragon—now reborn and harboring the 'World Holy Grail'—all awaiting the King's command.
"—Umu. Good expressions. It seems you have stripped away all fatigue and weariness."
Fuhaha! The Hero King laughed with satisfaction. Fou, perched on the Hero King's shoulder, looked out at everyone.
—It's finally time, Fou.
(Yeah. —It begins. A truly difficult battle.)
They exchanged looks of determination and nodded to each other.
"Very well—there is no need for a pep talk at this late hour! You are already the Braves of the Stars who have saved the world five times over! There is no need to light a fire under you; you stand firmly on your own two feet! Therefore—I shall merely announce the opening! Roar! My Treasures!"
He swung his fist and raised his voice high.
"From this moment, we commence the conquest—the trampling—of the Sixth Singularity!! This is the final obstacle blocking the path to the Magic King's absolute confidence, the 'Seventh' Grail! —Mongrels! You know my style!"
The Rayshift members responded to the Hero King's query in unison.
"Combat must be efficient! Consumption must leave no regrets! Gouge them, pierce them! Crush them until not a scrap of flesh remains!!"
—The Hero King's basic policy! We're totally used to it by now!
(It's incredibly violent, but it's the truth, so it can't be helped! Ea, don't get dyed by his influence!)
—It's okay! I won't let my judgment be dulled by sentiment, but for opponents who choose opposition, I will crush them with all my might, with respect and pride!
Fou laughed at Ea, who puffed out her chest with a hmph.
(Yeah! That's a Princess for you! Resolve is what keeps you from being tainted!)
"That is the reason for my ruthlessness. Truly, the enemy is too pitiable. —I leave the selection of treasures to you."
—Leave it to me. Without a shred of worry, please demonstrate the King's authority! Gil!
"Umu, that is my intention!"
The three nodded firmly to one another.
"Good, we shall trample them until nothing remains! Roman! Give us a summary of this stage!"
"Leave it to me."
Roman transformed, taking the form of Solomon. This was proof that he, too, was serious and giving his all.
"The era is the 13th Century. The location is Jerusalem, known as the 'Holy Land.' ...I have many thoughts on this, but let's ignore them for now. The exact year is 1273. It is the period immediately after the Ninth Crusade ended and the Kingdom of Jerusalem disappeared from the earth."
Matching Roman's explanation, Sheba-nyan operated the console to bring up data.
"I know it... It's that place where they still haven't decided whose religion it belongs to... the place of those religious people where if you say the name, the Real Assassins come for you..."
"Ah. —And the end of the Crusades. In other words, the withdrawal of Western nations from Jerusalem has had a massive impact on Human History leading up to the modern era."
—So, it is more than sufficient to be a Singularity.
"Umu. It is the Holy Land, after all. If that place is threatened and occupied, it is equivalent to dismantling the very nature of human faith. Humans are creatures that cannot live without clinging to something. It would be like the ground they took for granted suddenly vanishing beneath their feet."
"However—"
Ozymandias interrupted Roman's words.
"The Singularity has transformed. The battle for the possession of the True Holy Grail has ended, the Holy Land has been occupied, and the war within that Singularity has taken on the aspect of a Cold War where two powers glare at one another!"
He raised his voice high.
"On one side! The Pharaoh of Pharaohs, summoned by the greed of the Crusaders! Naturally, that is Me! And on the other—"
Immediately, the King of Knights stepped forward and spoke.
"The 'Lion King,' and the Knights of the Round Table who have sworn oaths to serve him. They protect the 'Holy City Camelot' built upon the Holy Land. These are the two powers glaring at each other, sparks flying beneath the surface."
"The Knights... of the Round Table..."
Mash murmured.
"So there is a possibility... that we will be hostile."
"Yes. Without a doubt. Knights do not overturn the oaths they have sworn. As long as they have taken up their swords, a solution through dialogue is impossible."
At the King of Knights' flat assertion, Ritsuka cracked her knuckles.
"If both sides have things they can't yield, then we crash into each other, and the one who doesn't break wins! Easy to understand!"
"..."
"—Mash. I will confirm your resolve."
Olga Marie walked over and fixed her gaze on Mash. There was no longer any hesitation in the determination harbored in her eyes.
"Can you fight? No matter what emotions you may harbor, can you swear to be the shield that protects Ritsuka?"
At Olga Marie's question, Ritsuka and Mash looked at each other.
"Senpai..."
"—Yeah. I believe in you. In the answer you choose, Mash."
Hearing Ritsuka's voice, Mash nodded strongly.
"—I will protect. Senpai, everyone, the future. Tomorrow. —That is my battle!"
At that powerful vow, Artoria spilled a smile.
"—Yes. I believed that you, of all people, would surely say that."
Hearing that answer, Olga Marie exchanged a nod with Roman.
"—In that case, in the name of Chaldea Director, Olga Marie Animusphere, I will convey to you... the True Name of the Heroic Spirit dwelling within you."
"Eh—!?"
Ritsuka caught Mash, whose eyes went wide.
"This is a necessary ritual to carry through your resolve and your battle. —I thought perhaps you should find it yourself... but whether you know the True Name or not, you will never change. You will surely accomplish what needs to be done. —Right? Mash."
At Olga Marie's words of trust, and...
"Mash. —I believe in you."
...at Ritsuka's gentle smile, Mash nodded firmly.
"—Please tell me. The name of the Hero who saved me..."
"Yes. —Your shield is a shield, yet not a shield. It is the 'Round Shield' that invites all heroes. The foundation of Chaldea's summoning system, the embodiment of the anecdote that became its basis."
And then, it was declared.
"...He is the purest knight among the Knights of the Round Table. The Knight of Purity who, by his very nature, stood in the seat that invites all disasters."
The King of Knights sang it out... the true source of the Snowflake Guardian—
"True Name: Galahad. The noble Knight of the Round Table who saved you and protected your life."
Simultaneously with Olga Marie's words, Mash swayed, wobble.
"Whoops, are you okay?"
"Y-Yes—I am okay, I am fine. It is just... I am happy."
In Ritsuka's arms, Mash smiled proudly.
"To be able to know the name of the benefactor within me... I am very, very happy—"
"—The path to the White Castle has been opened. From here on, you shall accompany me into a battle to return the Knights who were 'forced into madness' to the heavens."
Softly, the King of Knights extended her hand.
"Lend me your strength. Successor to the will of my Round Table, and her Master. —To strike down the City of Despair they have built, and to win the future of all life."
"—Yes!!"
Grasping that hand firmly, Mash looked back powerfully at Ritsuka and the King of Knights—
"That is why I told you it was a needless worry. As if Mash would put down her shield now over the presence or absence of a name. A Hero is one who does what must be done. That remains the same even for a Demi-Servant."
Han, Gil snorted. Roman laughed as if resigning himself.
"...Yeah, you're right. I really am a chicken through and through—"
—That is your irreplaceable virtue. Doctor Roman.
(Yeah, yeah. Much better than arrogance!)
"I feel like I was just praised!?"
As Roman looked around wildly, Sheba-nyan offered her support.
"Roman-sama is wonderful♥ But, you could become a Beast anytime now... kya♥"
"Ahahahaha! The day Romani shows that kind of guts will never come! The Land of Steel will arrive first!"
Sheba-nyan blushed, and Da Vinci-chan slapped her knee laughing.
"Fuhahahahahaha!!"
"Hmph—"
The two ancient High-Spirited Kings laughed.
"A-A-Anyway! We can't let our guard down! According to observation reports, the Knights of the Round Table seem to have obtained a special power!"
"Umu. I have heard from the club members sent ahead to the Singularity. The 'Gifts,' was it?"
"Gift? You mean blessings?"
At Ritsuka's question, the King of Knights nodded.
"Blessings granted by the Lion King. Simultaneously, eternal oaths. By swearing blessing and loyalty, their status as Knights of the Lion King is guaranteed... It is a power granted by the Holy Grail passed down in the legends of the Round Table."
"Expanding and displaying information gathered from the Club Member Net."
By Olga Marie's hand, a vision was displayed.
"'Ferocity,' 'Reversal,' 'Nightless,' 'Rampage'... All of them are abilities that won't be easily dealt with. If possible, I want to avoid Servant combat, but—"
"We can't really say that. It's impossible for Knights who have sworn an oath to avoid battle."
"Exactly. —Ritsuka, you truly possess a proud heart."
Ritsuka winked at the King of Knights' praise.
"I'm the same way! Well, I'm a dragon, though!"
"Fear not. Countermeasures have already been taken. —Is that not so, Artoria?"
Nodding at the Hero King's question, she drew the Holy Sword and raised it high.
"I will sever their Blessings. With the protection of the Holy Grail, which is the World itself, the current me can make that possible. —I will assuredly strike down the Knights of the Round Table we confront."
"Reliable—!"
She smiled at Ritsuka and exchanged a glance with the Hero King.
"—I will surely answer your expectations."
"You are the main axis of this Singularity. At the signal of your single stroke, I will unleash Artoria and the Traitors. —Do not blunder."
"Yes, certainly."
The two Kings nodded firmly to each other. It was a signal swearing the completion of the battle to come, and an exchange of resolve.
"Haha! If the enemy is defined, then preparation is needed! You lot! Once you perform this 'Rayshift,' first meet with Me and speak the names of the 'Impossible Heroes'! With that alone, the alliance shall be fulfilled!"
"Impossible... Heroes..."
Ozymandias sang. Of the bonds cultivated in a battle that only he, only the Pharaoh, remembered.
"I dare not speak of what kind of battle it was. However, certainly—there were those who challenged a God and laughed with Me, and I have carved that into myself. In that case! There is no hesitation in joining hands with you! There was a noisy brother and sister! There was a graceful and beautiful woman! There was my younger sister bearing the sun! There was one who preferred shadows yet whose nature never bent! One who fought knights, one who built chariots, one who spoke with refugees! The White—no. I shall not speak of this."
The King was looking into the distance. At a place that was not here.
The golden eyes gazed upon the 'Impossible Battle' that no longer existed now. —No, the very fact that the 'Singularity' existed became the proof and result of their battle.
"—The Pharaoh has already acknowledged you! All that remains is for you to demonstrate it! The will to overthrow the lump of meat impersonating the 'Magic King'!"
The Pharaoh showed the way.
'Go through the desert.' —Here, the policy was set.
"—Good! Then let us head out! The club members certainly left behind the keys to the 'Breach,' the footprints! Collecting those footprints without missing a single one is the essential point of this journey! When we have grasped all of their results without fail! Our complete victory will be guaranteed!"
—And then, we pierce the 'Lion King' waiting in the Holy City.
That is the Order this time. The mission this time.
The purpose of our journey—
"Do not fear! Look forward! Do not yield! Look up to the heavens! Mandates of Heaven, Fate, Destiny! All of them exist to be grasped and changed! —As long as I am here, defeat is impossible, not even one in ten thousand!! Therefore—!"
He raised his fist high.
"Advance unwaveringly!! The path we walk is!! The one and only absolute! The road to the future of humanity!!! Treasures!! Shine upon my back——!!!!"
In response to the loudly shouting Hero King, the staff united as one and chanted.
"Roger! Grand Order, Executing—!!"
—Come on, let's go! Fou!
(Yeah!)
Wielding determination, the Princess and the Beast burned with resolve!
"I'm off, Director! Mash Kyrielight, proceeding to perform protection!"
Taking a combat stance, Mash entered the Coffin.
"Fujimaru Ritsuka, heading out!!"
Drawing Doujigiri Yasutsuna, she drew a circle overhead, instantly donning her armor.
"I have Gil-kun, so I should be fine, right? Even if I don't go! Or rather, I can't leave Chaldea anyway~. The system would go down."
Che, she pouted. Ozymandias comforted Da Vinci.
"A King has a King's mission, and a warrior has a warrior's mission! You need only remain calm and composed! Your dropout would be worse than the rout of a million armies! Such a foolish policy is unnecessary!"
"That is how it is. Leave the front lines to us. Contact Semiramis!"
Slowly entering the Coffin, the King of Knights, Artoria.
"I am going."
"Gil. —Please take care of everyone."
He patted the head of Marie, who bowed deeply.
"Leave it to me. You should enjoy your coffee and watch their exploits at your leisure."
There are no worries, —Gil conveyed to her.
"—Yes!"
"—Now then, let us begin our excursion! King of Heroes, Gilgamesh! We shall scatter the mobs—!!"
—It begins. Our battle!
The Rayshift begins.
Consciousness floats.
The Sixth... The King's journey raises its curtain!
Artoria Pendragon
Height: 171cm Weight: 57kg Class: 『Knight King』
Alignment: Lawful Good
Strength: B+ Endurance: A+ Agility: A+ Mana: A+ Luck: A
Noble Phantasm: EX
Class Skills
King of Knights: EX
One who stands at the pinnacle of knights. The Eternal King, the Ideal King.
As a knight, she nullifies all attacks from Human attributes and possesses a Super-Effective damage modifier (3x) against Knights.
Because it is an ideal, that radiance can never be defiled.
Decree of the King of Knights: EX
A skill that gives form to Artoria's spirituality, having sworn to protect Human Order and a world that can shine even without being in the Uttermost Distance.
Super-Effective against the Round Table. Resonating with the World Holy Grail, a single swing of her sword grants the effect of Absolute Resolution.
It becomes possible to sever 'Blessings' and 'Karma.' However, those cut are completely erased without exception or measure. Resurrection is nullified.
Is it mercy for her compatriots who have become Beasts, or a coup de grâce for the Round Table she herself cannot stop—?
Personal Skills
Mana Burst: A+++
The ability to jet and boost magical energy. Due to the effects of the World Holy Grail, a release like a great flood is possible. However, since the contents are not full, it is not infinite.
Intuition: A+++
The Knight King perceives and witnesses everything. As if gazing upon everything from the Uttermost Distance.
Charisma: B
Sufficient charisma for the ruler of a country.
Noble Phantasms
Invisible Air (Barrier of the Wind King): A+
Type: Anti-Army / Anti-City Noble Phantasm
Superimposing the legend of the 'Storm King,' it has been reborn as a wide-area destruction Noble Phantasm that whips up storms in the area, generates tornadoes from the tip of the sword, and destroys the entire vicinity centering on the lance.
Rhongomyniad (The Lance that Shines to the Ends of the World): EX (Normally A++)
Type: Anti-Fortress / Anti-World Noble Phantasm
The pillar of light that fastens the texture of the world. The Lance of the End constrained by the Thirteen Restraints.
It demonstrates its true value when the Thirteen Restraints are released.
Excalibur (The Sword of Promised Victory): EX
Type: Anti-Fortress / Anti-Evil Noble Phantasm
The Holy Sword forged by the planet. While being a fantasy, it is the Supreme Holy Sword standing at the pinnacle of Holy Swords.
It is always in a state with the 13 Restraints removed, and its power is no longer in the realm of a mere Noble Phantasm. It is a destroyer of civilizations. Human History's final ideal, radiance, and defense mechanism wielded against the cancer cells born of Human History.
With the backup of the World Holy Grail, rapid-fire is possible.
Avalon (The Ever-Distant Utopia)
Possesses the effect of immortality, suppresses the owner's aging, repels curses, and heals wounds. When the True Name is released, it decomposes into hundreds of parts and deploys around the user, sending the owner to the 'Fairyland' not of this world, shutting out all attacks and communication.
Not defense, but Isolation. The world's strongest protection.
—Artoria has further imbued this with the effect of healing the 'Soul' and 'Body,' and sealed its use for herself.
To be of aid to a 'Sinner' she heard of from Merlin. —To help fulfill that mission.
Even if it is 'He' from another world. Because there is no error in that vow—
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