"Mash, can we make it in time?"
"Senpai, I'm already moving as fast as I can! But... are you sure this is okay? Leaving the East Village to Arash, sending Bedivere and the others to provide scattered support, and just the two of us going to help Miss Ruler..."
"Mash, this isn't about support. It's about letting you unleash Galahad's fury! I've already told Ruler through our Master-Servant Contract not to be in a hurry to take Lancelot's head!"
After emerging from the underground Atlas Institute, the group split up. Only Da Vinci-chan, whose stamina was completely shot, remained in the desert. She planned to accompany Nitocris to the Sun King's "tomb" to apologize on behalf of the group for being unable to keep their appointment.
As for the "wild" Holmes? He refused to leave the underground facility, merely repeating his warning to be wary of Dr. Romani and wishing the group good luck.
Mash was in the driver's seat of Unit 1, the vehicle Da Vinci-chan had built, while Ritsuka continuously supplied it with "energy."
"Senpai, will your Mana really last that long?"
The distance from the Atlas Institute to just outside New Camelot City was over a hundred kilometers—a journey that would normally take Unit 1 three hours.
Given the vehicle's immense Mana consumption, Ritsuka shouldn't have been able to sustain it.
But as her Mana drained at an alarming rate, Ritsuka finally understood the nature of the divine protection she had received from her contract with Guinevere.
It was the Mana Absorption property of the Replica Holy Sword. Ritsuka could slowly draw Mana from the atmosphere or make an effort to grab the monsters Unit 1 ran over, rapidly replenishing her own reserves from their blood.
"Mash, we'll be fine now! Whether we make it in time depends on the route you take!"
"Senpai, leave it to me!"
The Mana from the Sea Demons tasted foul, but Ritsuka endured it. Seeing that Ritsuka could recover this way, Mash shouted her affirmation.
Meanwhile, seven-colored beams of light continued to streak across the sky. They originated from the highest peak of East Village, scattering toward New Camelot City.
Viewed from above, Mash and Ritsuka appeared to be chasing these rainbow lights.
"Senpai, the sky! Over East Village!"
"Mash, focus on our task. We've already decided to trust Arash!"
Having learned more about the Lion King, Ritsuka's trust in Guinevere had deepened. She believed Guinevere must know even more about the Lion King's secrets.
For instance, Guinevere's choice to leave Arash behind likely meant she had confirmed he possessed the strength to withstand the Lion King's Divine Punishment.
"I see... I guess I was getting worked up over nothing."
The environment within the underground Atlas Institute hadn't supported Chaldea's holographic communications. Holmes's warning had been delivered without Dr. Romani's knowledge.
However, when Dr. Romani's projection reappeared, Ritsuka had no intention of hiding the matter.
She mentioned Holmes, the warning, and the 2004 Holy Grail War.
"Dr. Romani, we all trust you. We'll wait for you to tell us the story behind this in your own time."
As her words faded, the anomaly over East Village began to take shape. Even from dozens of kilometers away, Mash and Ritsuka saw the clouds in the sky scatter, revealing an inverted Tower of Light descending from above.
According to Dr. Romani's recent warning, this Tower of Light's Mana level exceeded three million. He had said the highest-tier Noble Phantasms had Mana levels between one thousand and three thousand, which was why he'd dismissed his own anxiety as "getting worked up over nothing."
But now, the Tower of Light had truly formed and was about to fall. Mash, Ritsuka, and even Guinevere and Lancelot—still locked in combat—pulled back from each other, their gazes fixed on the sky above East Village.
"See? This is the Lion King's Divine Punishment. Ruler, the Lion King doesn't care if we die, not now that He is about to gather the people He needs. You lured me out, but didn't He use me to find the Mountain People's most important and hidden village?"
"Is that so? And then what?"
Guinevere rested her Holy Sword on the ground, its blade still wreathed in golden Execution Flames.
At Guinevere's words, Lancelot's cold demeanor faltered for a moment, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
Then, without waiting for the Lion King's Divine Punishment to descend, their swords clashed once more. The sword auras they unleashed continuously tore apart the surrounding wasteland.
Thanks to the Blessing of Rampage, Lancelot constantly interspersed his Noble Phantasm Releases into his sword strikes, keeping Guinevere on the defensive.
Fortunately, Guinevere's Holy Sword was of high quality, so there was no risk of it being severed by Lancelot's "plasma cutter."
As they traded blows, the Tower of Light above East Village truly began to descend, carrying enough power to obliterate the entire mountain peak.
Ten thousand meters, one thousand meters, five hundred meters...
Just as the Tower of Light's apex was about to reach the summit of East Village's mountain, everyone in the Singularity heard a single word: "Stella."
Then, a shooting star streaked against the wind, striking the Tower's tip. The light of a firefly had successfully extinguished the brilliance of the moon.
"Ruler, is this your confidence? But a Noble Phantasm of this magnitude surely can't be fired in quick succession, can it?"
As the Tower of Light shattered and a second sun seemed to appear in the sky, Lancelot was momentarily dazed. In that instant, Guinevere struck, knocking off the helmet he always wore.
"You're right. But the Lion King's Holy Lance Release also can't be fired in quick succession—especially not a Holy Lance in its Restraint Release state."
The Holy Lance's Restraint Release normally requires the approval of several Round Table Knights. But the Lion King is different. She has ascended to godhood through the Holy Lance's influence, becoming one with the weapon itself. She needs no one's approval to unleash its full power.
Even so, even with a god's Mana, the Holy Lance cannot be fired repeatedly.
"But... that arrow came from Arash, didn't it? According to his legend, after firing his ultimate arrow, his body disintegrated.
"How will you face the Lion King's next attack? Agravain said your god-like state only allows you to fight the Lion King in her normal form."
Hearing this, Guinevere tilted her head slightly. If Lancelot were truly loyal to the Lion King, he wouldn't be asking such calm questions. He should be more hysterical—demanding her death at any cost.
But surprise or not, Guinevere only swung her sword faster. Lancelot's withdrawal would be her greatest aid... wouldn't it?
"Sir Lancelot, let me tell you something: the King of Knights' Holy Sword is in my hands! When the time comes to release its restraints, you'll have to give me your approval too!"
With a single slash, she severed a few strands of Lancelot's hair. To him, the whereabouts of the Sword of Promised Victory were far more shocking than the Lion King's Divine Punishment being repelled.
But then, the Inversion blessing on him activated again, and the two resumed their clash of unparalleled martial skill.
Guinevere had dueled Gawain for a full day and night; against Lancelot, she could last even longer. Lancelot lacked Gawain's Nightlessness blessing and had far less stamina.
As time wore on, Lancelot's defeat seemed inevitable.
But two hours later, an unexpected interruption occurred: Gawain and Agravain arrived, their faces etched with impatience.
Mash and Ritsuka were only two minutes behind, plummeting from the sky.