"Lia, I'm so frustrated! Why won't she just die!!!"
Inside the Absolute Demonic Front, in the tent belonging solely to Guinevere and the King of Knights, Guinevere had kicked off her shoes and flopped onto the bed, lying on her stomach with her legs kicking up, whining like a little girl.
As for the King of Knights, she knew Guinevere wasn't really complaining but simply seeking her affectionate 'comfort'.
So, after dismissing her armor and sitting on the edge of the bed, she expertly traced a line down the small of Guinevere's back. Guinevere shivered, and then her entire body relaxed.
"Next time, let's bring her more death, until Anna truly finds a way to deny her future self."
In the afternoon, Gorgon did not pursue them. Seeing the glow of the [Chains of Heaven] in the distance, Guinevere and the others knew the battle was paused. Neither side would fight again until they or Gorgon's side were ready.
"Lia, what did the King of Heroes say? His Gate of Babylon is said to contain the prototypes of all Noble Phantasms in human history. Can he really not find a single one that can bestow the concept of death upon Tiamat?"
"His answer was yes, he has one. But Merlin smoothed things over, saying that merely possessing a Noble Phantasm doesn't mean he can release it. If he just fires it like an arrow or a cannonball, even a Noble Phantasm with that ability would be far from achieving such a feat."
Lying limp, Guinevere pouted. She knew the King of Heroes was also 'cursed', seemingly with a knack for messing up at critical moments.
For instance, in the original Singularity storyline they knew, the King of Heroes had actually died from overwork due to endless administrative duties, forcing Mash and the others to retrieve him from the Underworld.
"Speaking of which, since we can't do anything about Gorgon and Quetzalcoatl isn't ready yet, shouldn't we go to the Underworld and look for Ereshkigal-chan?"
"Ereshkigal-chan?"
"You know who I mean! Ishtar's older sister, Ereshkigal!"
"Shouldn't we leave this training opportunity for Ritsuka and Mash? In the battle against Gorgon, all they managed to do was maintain their fighting spirit."
"Isn't that enough?"
"Is it?"
"Alright, fine, it's not enough. But Ereshkigal's situation is different. If we send Ritsuka, she'll just end up honing her girl-charming skills.
When has Ritsuka ever lacked opportunities like that?"
After their conversation, Guinevere sat up and hugged the King of Knights from behind.
The battle against Gorgon had humbled their overconfidence, significantly boosting Guinevere's initiative. She no longer intended to wait for Ritsuka and Mash to advance the future.
"Guinevere, have you decided? But if we go, how will we win over Ereshkigal?"
"Of course, we'll bring Ishtar along. If Ereshkigal refuses to submit, we'll beat her into submission and hang a sign around her neck that says 'I am a Useless Goddess.' Speaking of which, I wonder if Ishtar has found her Bull of Heaven yet."
Hugging and talking, Guinevere began to do what partners do. If not for Merlin's cough outside the tent, and the fact that this wasn't the right place to go further, Guinevere would have definitely taken the opportunity to start a round.
"Merlin really is a bastard!"
Guinevere grumbled resentfully. The King of Knights sighed, her expression turning serious. She patted Guinevere's shoulder, and as their eyes met, her thoughts were transmitted to Guinevere's mind.
"I understand. If Merlin has come at this hour, he must have something important to say. I truly hope so!"
After biting the King of Knights' lip one last time, Guinevere jumped off the bed and wove her armor from mana.
Two seconds later, the King of Knights was also ready. When they stepped out of the tent together, not only was Merlin there, but all the Servants who had fought against Gorgon were present as well.
"Sir Merlin, it seems you truly have important news?"
"Yes. Siduri sent word: the King of Heroes has died from overwork on his throne."
For the second time tonight, Guinevere's mouth twitched. She couldn't help but think about the plot, and through their Spirit Origin connection, she asked the King of Knights:
"Did he really die from overwork so quickly?"
"I don't remember it happening this way, but Sir Merlin wouldn't lie about something like this."
Exchanging a look, Guinevere and the King of Knights both took a deep breath. Then, Guinevere questioned Merlin:
"What do you want us to do?"
Outside the tent was no place for a serious discussion, and though it was a temporary residence, Guinevere didn't want everyone crowding into her and the King of Knights' private nest.
After her question, they moved to King Leonidas's command tent, where Merlin explained the situation in detail.
"You heard correctly. The King of Heroes has indeed died from overwork on his throne. Therefore, we need to go to the Underworld and retrieve his soul as quickly as possible, before Gorgon and Quetzalcoatl notice.
With his death, all the signal cannons along the Absolute Demonic Front's walls have become completely inoperable."
"So, what's your specific plan?"
"I, Ushiwakamaru and her Lord, and King Leonidas will stay behind. The King of Knights will also remain as our final trump card."
"You want to separate me and Lia?"
"Only one of you can guarantee a win against Gorgon. Moreover, with the King of Heroes' death, our Master-Servant Contracts with him have been temporarily severed. We are all powerless."
"Frankly, the fact that we haven't vanished immediately is all thanks to my efforts."
The command tent contained only tables and chairs. After hearing Merlin's words, Guinevere carefully sensed her own state and discovered that her Master-Servant Contract with the King of Heroes had truly been severed. The Mana Supply from him was no longer flowing in.
"But in that case, you all—and we—should have immediately transferred to a new Master. Without the King of Heroes' Mana Supply, Lia can still share my Mana for a short time, but if we get too far apart, she'll weaken."
"That's why I'll have the King temporarily adopt Anna's method of sustenance. I hope you, Ritsuka, and Mash can retrieve the King of Heroes' soul as quickly as possible."
Guinevere fell silent. She knew exactly what Anna's method of sustenance was: simply put, it involved hunting Magical Beasts to obtain Mana.
But...
"Lia, let's trade Holy Swords. You haven't forgotten that my Holy Sword can absorb Mana from the blood of its prey, have you?"
The Holy Swords were successfully exchanged. Only Guinevere could trade with the King of Knights to obtain Excalibur.
After swapping swords, Guinevere wasted no more time. She kissed the King of Knights' lips once more, then called Mash and Ritsuka to join her. They boarded the Vimana and sped toward Uruk at full throttle.
As for her earlier idea of dragging Ishtar to the Underworld or leaving Mash and Ritsuka behind, Guinevere could only say that plans can't keep up with reality.
Yes, plans can't keep up with reality...
Just after Guinevere's group flew away from the Demonic Beast Front, they encountered Ishtar heading toward the mountains near the City of Kutha. She was disheveled, her clothes torn and tattered.
"We meet again, dear Ishtar. Don't tell me you not only failed to retrieve the Bull but also got thoroughly thrashed by it?"
Aboard the Boat of Heaven Maanna, Ishtar's expression flickered. From the look on her face, Guinevere had hit the nail on the head.