Many things were already known to Guinevere, Merlin, and the others, but the same things remained unknown to Ritsuka and Mash.
For example, because Ritsuka didn't know Guinevere had gained a Noble Phantasm from the Dragon Heart, her first thought after Guinevere cut a path to them was still to find an escape route.
"There's no need. It's merely one hundred thousand. We just have to slaughter them all."
Crimson mana swirled, and a frenzied aura surged. After Merlin used Concealment Magecraft to hide Ritsuka and Mash as well, only Guinevere remained, standing proudly alone in the desolate ruins.
Her thoughts focused, she needed only to concentrate on the slaughter, as the mindless Magical Beasts continued to charge with pure malice.
Sword intent flared, and fierce wind pressure erupted. Within tens of seconds, a thick layer of Magical Beast corpses piled up around Guinevere, only to be instantly pulverized by her explosive mana.
"Fou! Fou!"
"Fou, stop making a fuss. Mr. Merlin is our ally."
When they first reunited, Merlin was immediately greeted by Fou's flying kick. This world's little 'Beast' Fou had been thrown off a tower by Merlin, a grudge he held to this day.
Of course, Merlin had done far more than just that to earn Fou's enmity.
But now, Mash held him tightly in her arms, afraid he might fall into the constantly roaring horde of beasts.
Since Guinevere had refused to flee, the situation had become one where they could only watch the slaughter.
"Mash, are we just going to watch?"
"Senpai?"
"Ruler... no, Miss Saber just said this was a rare training opportunity, didn't she? She even mentioned that the Magical Beasts in the Absolute Demonic Front weren't this frenzied."
"Senpai, you're not thinking of...?"
The Concealment Magecraft deepened, which was the only reason the four people and one 'Beast' could stand here safely. This also made Ritsuka quickly realize...
Guinevere's "rare training opportunity" didn't just refer to her, but to them as well.
So, as Mash facepalmed with a pained expression, she first placed Fou in Merlin's arms, letting Fou frantically try to scratch Merlin's face.
Then, she heard Ritsuka's request to Merlin.
"Mr. Merlin, we'll be counting on you when we can't hold on any longer."
As Ritsuka spoke, she and Mash moved back to an area not far from Guinevere, hoping to ease into the training pressure.
Next, she used the sword borrowed from Mash and, after a deep breath, proactively slashed at a Magical Beast before her.
In the next second, Mash followed her lead, continuing to guard her back and flanks.
One minute, two minutes, ten minutes. This was the limit of their single endurance run, marked by the frenzied roars of the Magical Beasts after losing sight of them.
Under the continuous high pressure, their coordination steadily improved, and their combat skills visibly sharpened at a rapid pace.
"How wonderful. Truly Humanity's Last Master."
With another Mana Burst, Guinevere once again pulverized the wall of Magical Beast corpses that had gathered.
The Dragon Core Necklace from the Albion Spirit Tomb. Without the endless Mana provided by this Noble Phantasm, Guinevere would have fled long ago.
"Hah... This continuous sword swinging is indeed effective. My swordsmanship, which I thought was already refined, can be refined even further, stripping away more unnecessary movements."
Mind and body became one, the sword moving as if an extension of her arm. Unconsciously, the sword had become a part of Guinevere's body. Previously, infusing Mana into the sword required conscious effort; now, by the time she realized it, the Mana was already there.
It was as if her previously conscious breathing had become entirely involuntary.
Because of this, Guinevere began to sense the sword's will, feeling as if the blade possessed a consciousness of its own.
Her initial impression was that it was displeased with her for constantly calling it the Replica Holy Sword.
'Didn't I name you the Sword of Destined Judgment?'
'But when you think of me, your first reaction is still "Replica Holy Sword," a replica of my sister sword!'
The sword swung faster. In a trance, Guinevere felt as if she and the sword were having this very conversation.
But when she came back to her senses and actively questioned the sword again, it offered no further response, and once more required her to consciously infuse it with Mana.
By now, dusk had fallen, and the number of Magical Beasts Guinevere had slain had unknowingly reached thirty thousand.
The dense stench of death and blood clung to both her body and her sword, refusing to dissipate.
"Guinevere... is she a monster?"
From the first round until they could no longer fight, Ritsuka and Mash had struggled through seventeen rounds. Now, no matter how much Merlin used his Healing Magecraft on them, their bodies refused to rise.
Their bodies were telling them...
'Your training has already exceeded your past limits several times over. If you keep this up, you'll start pissing blood!'
"Senpai, you have to admit something: there's a huge gap between people. Not to mention, you're a normal person, I'm a Pseudo-Servant, and she's a genuine top-tier Servant.
Didn't Dr. Romani say? Chaldea detected a Grand Saint Graph reaction from Lady Guinevere."
"With Lady Guinevere here this time, I think our journey will go smoothly."
They were still under the protection of Merlin's Concealment Magecraft, but the current Merlin looked rather unsightly. His face was badly scratched, robbing him of most of the Mage of Flowers' elegant demeanor.
In contrast, Fou seemed temporarily satisfied.
"Ahem, I think it's best if you don't rely on Guinevere. The first wave of Magical Beasts you encountered? Guinevere specifically lured them here to test you."
Having suffered while Guinevere reveled in the slaughter, Merlin didn't hesitate to sell her out.
However, Merlin also knew that Guinevere wouldn't mind. In fact, she would likely use this to make things clear and subject Ritsuka and Mash to even harsher training in the days to come.
As Merlin spoke, his gaze fell upon Anna amidst the horde of Magical Beasts.
As a still-immature Servant, she had also joined the fray after Ritsuka pointed out that this was an excellent training opportunity.
"Hey, Master of Chaldea, want to play a game? Let's guess: will Guinevere slaughter the entire horde of Magical Beasts, or will the Goddess behind them finally snap from watching her children die in vain?"
After careful consideration, Merlin decided there were some things he should tell Ritsuka and Mash.
For example, he explained the general situation of this Singularity.
"Are you saying the peculiarity of this Singularity is that King Gilgamesh didn't become a tyrant after returning from the Underworld? And that three Goddesses formed an alliance, vowing to destroy Uruk?"
"Yes. And if Uruk falls because of this, it means the Human Order of this era is beyond saving, with no hope of restoration."
Upon hearing this sudden news, not only did Ritsuka and Mash exchange stunned glances, but even Dr. Romani in Chaldea's face grew grim.
"Do you know who the three Goddesses you mentioned are?"
"Now, now, don't be so hasty. You'll have to uncover the unknown on your own. I can only tell you that the true name of the girl you just encountered is Ishtar."
Merlin smiled, his tone infuriatingly smug. Then, Fou promptly punched him again.