Passing through Emiya with Sitonai's charisma(?), we enter the cavern containing the Holy Grail.
"Hey... you, you actually know, don't you?"
"Future sight, Solomon?"
"Wow~ Calling my name, how bold?"
"This level of curse doesn't work on me. If it were worse, maybe. I've received too much love from goddesses?"
"... It doesn't seem like just one."
"....."
Solomon comes to my side and grins while speaking. I understand her words. But, I always prioritize possibilities. I don't look at the future because I'm expecting but also not.
Solomon knows that, which is why she says that while looking at me. She could have intervened earlier, but perhaps she was expecting Ritsuka's reaction?
"How long do I have to take care of this idiot?"
Gilgamesh, who was dragging the unconscious Merlin, voiced his complaint, and when Mash offered to carry Merlin instead, Gilgamesh said no and that he would drag him himself. It must be because giving Merlin a piggyback is too much of a reward.
"Please don't spoil the future. I had things to say if it were me..."
Well, even so, it doesn't change the current future...
"Hey, Fergus. Aren't you nervous?"
"It's fine, Olga. It disappeared because of someone."
[It might be better not to listen.]
"That's also true, Romani."
Solomon is someone you think you know but don't. She's the most dangerous non-human among the clairvoyants. There's a reason Goetia got angry.
"Uncle, you look relaxed now?"
"Thanks to Solomon... but you shouldn't spoil the future too much."
"That's true."
"You can see the future? Then... that's a relief, right? It means Fergus won't fight with his wives?"
"Not me... because in other worldlines, we fought plenty."
Like in the Fate route or in Heavens Feel... hmm.
"But you, perhaps the Heroic Spirit who gave you power is from Ulster?"
"Huh? To me, a Heroic Spirit from Ulster...? Could it be Conall?"
"No, Conall doesn't use a shield like this. Hmm... perhaps Ferdia?"
"Mash's outfit does look Ulster-like..."
No wonder he's Lancelot's son, look at the state he puts a complete stranger girl in.
The stomach is fully exposed, the lower body is visible in tights like a leotard, and the chest armor clearly shows the outline of the breasts. Even though it's Celtic culture... the Round Table guys don't do this. This kid who's honest about his desires...
"Mash is kind of erotic. She looks like a cosplayer you'd see at Akihabara or Comiket."
"S-senpai!"
Mash blushes and hides behind her shield. It's unfortunate that Ritsuka's words are fact... she really looks like that.
"Hey, it seems we've arrived."
Olga Marie stops and sees the Holy Grail existing beyond the large cavern in front. Have we arrived...
In front of the Grail, there was a black knight standing with Excalibur, still a holy sword even though blackened, thrust into the ground.
Artoria Alter...
"You have come, drifters."
As expected, it's not her who knows me, as Solomon said. She is already...
No, now is not the time to think about that.
"An interesting Servant. Let me verify if you are truly the shield's guardian."
Alter says with a sneer. Immediately, Alter charges like a missile. The black holy sword swings toward Mash. It's already too late for Mash to block. So, I draw my sword and knock away her holy sword.
Clang!!!
"That is...!"
"First time seeing it? It's the original of your holy sword, Excalibur."
My demon sword, {Caladbolg} (Carving, Cutting, Dressing Knife), classified as the original of all holy and demon swords. I drew it for her.
"Mash and I are enough to handle her."
"Huh? Me...?"
"Yes. Mash, do you remember the promise I made to you?"
"... You said if I awakened as a Demi-Servant, you would become my teacher."
"Yes... this is the long-awaited first lesson. Can you keep up?"
"... Yes!"
Thus, I rush at Alter with Mash. To her, I give advice on how to fight while shooting flames, and she swings her shield.
"Hmph, an immature Servant!"
Alter immediately fires the sword beam of the holy sword without mercy. A grand Noble Phantasm lightly swung. Mash grips her shield tightly and blocks the light of the holy sword, while I offset it with the mana of the spinning Caladbolg.
Thud...!!!
When the light of the holy sword ends, we simultaneously kick off the ground and charge forward. Mash blocks her sword, my fist shatters her armor, and when she attacks me in return, I block with my sword, then Mash's shield blows her away.
"As expected... you're using magecraft to convey the body's senses."
"It's also a method my teacher used. He used it occasionally for real... but in actual combat, uncle favors this method for safety. Did you teach Medb, uncle?"
"An interesting idea? Isn't it enough to just control the body?"
[You'll just get frustrated, so keep quiet, Solomon.]
"Hang in there, Mash!"
Receiving Ritsuka's cheers as well, Mash blows Alter away with a sincere shield charge.
Bang!
"Guh..."
As if gradually getting used to the power, Mash smashes Alter into the wall. Alter angrily swings her sword fast and fiercely, firing the light of the holy sword repeatedly.
KABOOM...!!!!
"Endure it, Mash! You can do it!"
"Grrr...!!!"
"Try blocking this too... prove it, knight! {Excalibur Morgan} (Sword of Promised Victory)!!!"
Then, the true light of the holy sword is shot.
Kwaaaaa──!!!
Mash's shield desperately blocks the light of the holy sword, but slowly begins to be pushed back.
"Ugh...!"
She is feeling fear. The shield grows heavier, and she is afraid. In front of the pitch-black light that swallows everything, she is being filled with terror.
Just as I was about to put my hand on her shoulder to encourage her, Ritsuka, who was safely in the back, runs over and supports the shield with her. The power of an ordinary girl was negligible. But...
"Mash! I want you to live... I want you to win! Even though I'm just a regular person who can't do anything... I'm your senpai! I'll be with you... so, protect me with your power! As your Master, I'll always be with you so you're not alone... as my Servant, as my kouhai, be with me!"
"Senpai..."
This is... spirited kids. As an adult, it's rewarding to guide them.
"Mash, believe in the Heroic Spirit who gave you power. Believe in Ritsuka who believes in you. Believe in everyone. Your shield is a shield of protection that can guard everyone. You can relax your strength. The power of that shield is a manifestation of the spirit. If there is impurity, it creates gaps and shatters in turmoil. But if there is not a hint of hesitation in that heart, it is an unbreakable fortress."
"Mr. Fergus.... Yes!"
Mash slowly relaxes the strength holding the shield and just holds it. Quietly, her spirit fills with the belief to protect everyone... and the white castle reveals itself.
The gate of Camelot reveals itself. A sturdy gate, not just a part of a wall, manifests and gradually pushes back the slash of Excalibur. The cross-shaped shield made from the Round Table. Its true power is...
Counter.
Along with the holy shield, like the holy spear Longinus and the mana holy spear in the form of Rhongomyniad, it reflects and swallows Alter.
"... In the end, I was defeated at the last moment... it was splendid protection."
She wasn't using the Grail's mana. Is she not the Grail's owner? I think she said she wasn't using the Grail's power originally... so the Guardian of Humanity is only up to here.
"Heh... I leave the rest to you, people of Chaldea."
With a sneer, the fallen Alter retreats. Following that, Setanta's body also glows and slowly retreats.
"Well well, I didn't do much. Since a bigger stage awaits next time, call me as Lancer then."
"Then you'll die immediately, Setanta."
"No way!? Anyway, see you later, uncle."
"Yes."
Setanta retreats with a smile. For now, is it over...
But it's just the beginning.
"Everyone did well. I didn't do anything, but..."
"Didn't do anything? It's thanks to Olga that I'm even here? That alone makes you an excellent Master, Olga. You called Sitonai to make it easier, right?"
"That's right. Are you grateful for calling me? Olga Marie."
"... Well, praising me like that won't get you anything..."
Isn't she cute? Olga... now, here it comes.
"It's nauseating."
A moment later, Lev walks over from the direction of the Grail. No, it's no longer human Lev... he disappeared, so.
"Lev?"
"Director, step back..."
Mash, sensing his abnormality, guards Olga Marie and Ritsuka, and Shirou (bear) under Sitonai also growls.
[Lev, you were alive after all... as I thought. It was strange that there was no body.]
"Is that Romani's voice? Ah, you survived thanks to the usual slacking off. This is... a bunch of uncontrollable trash. The 48th Master who showed mercy by pretending not to know out of ignorance, Mash Kyrielight who became a Demi-Servant, Romani Archaman who survived without listening to me... truly full of unexpected things, it makes me furious. Among them, the most unexpected is your survival, Olga Marie. You should have died, how are you alive? Ah, was it the measure taken by Saber? Doing unnecessary things, Fergus mac Róich. Just a Celtic magic swordsman at that."
"Do you really think so? This is, from my perspective, you're ignorant and unbelievable... I spoke in a place with staff including Olga Marie, so why does no one know..."
"What?"
"Never mind, I should be grateful to Lev, who wasn't interested, thanks to having eyes like a potato's eyes, I survived. But do you know? There might be something even more unexpected for you."
"What does that mean? Chaldea is finished. Humanity has met its end. This is a denial of human history. You are not declining at a dead end of evolution, nor perishing after battle with other species, but due to the meaninglessness and incompetence of humanity, you lost the general will of our king!"
"Oh my, is that so? I didn't know you'd dress up as a leprechaun and say that, Flauros."
"..... Wow, my king...?"
"In my world, you were quiet, but here you're running wild? You guys."
"... Kugh, a parallel world, is it? Still the same even if the gender changes... having you here changes nothing! If it were you in life, maybe, but what can a mere Heroic Spirit like you do!?"
"Hmm... it's not a problem because I'm not just a Heroic Spirit?"
"What? What does that──"
"I, strictly speaking, came here as a Grand, you know?"
"What....?"
Huh...? Why didn't I know? Now that I look... it's true? No way, but was the power sealed by the handcuffs Manaka made? For a Grand level...
"... I see. The restraining force is desperate too. To avoid overlapping of Grands, you brought in you from another world."
"That's not it?"
I really just came to play...
"No matter! My name is Flauros, Lev Lainur Flauros. As the overseer of 2015, I will judge humanity."
"Yeah, do your best, Flauros."
"You're the same everywhere, Solomon!!! You, our king will judge!"
"Tell Goetia to give me a ride later."
"You're the same to the end!!!"
Saying that, Flauros disappears via teleportation. Hmm, a hard counter...
"Um... sounds like Zelretch. Was Flauros originally like that? If my magecraft wasn't sealed, I would have summoned my Flauros."
"Good thing it was sealed."
[Hey... the singularity is collapsing now, so save the crazy talk for later and let's return!]
Thus, we Rayshift and return to Chaldea. Merlin is still unconscious...