Chapter 19: Assembling at the Holy City
Inside the magnificent, shimmering temple, Ozymandias, seated high upon his throne, looked toward Shirou and the others as they stepped into the sanctuary once more.
"I am the guardian of the laws of the gods. However... hmm, that you were able to overcome King Hassan is proof enough for me. Your potential exceeds my expectations."
Ozymandias's voice resonated through the temple.
When he first manifested, Ozymandias had been at odds with the Mountain Folk. King Hassan, however, had managed to bypass those divine beasts and infiltrate Ozymandias's temple with ease. Although Ozymandias had fought with all his might, King Hassan simply slipped back into the shadows, leaving Ozymandias with no way to retaliate. Then, with a single strike that Ozymandias could not react to, King Hassan had slashed his neck.
It was an assassination technique of the divine realm. Had Ozymandias not possessed a bonus to his combat abilities while within his temple, and had he not possessed immortality, he would have lost his head long ago. Since then, until the wound on his neck healed, Ozymandias had been unable to move freely.
Shirou's group had arrived at the temple just as Ozymandias's wound was finally closing.
"Since you have managed to enlist King Hassan's cooperation, there is no need for me to be stingy any longer."
With those words, Ozymandias tossed the Holy Grail toward them. Gudako hurriedly reached out to catch it.
"We finally got it!" Gudako looked toward Shirou with excitement. "This is all thanks to Orihara-senpai!"
Shirou smiled and did not dwell on the matter, giving the secretly lurking King Hassan some face.
"The Holy Grail alone is not enough."
"Indeed."
Hearing Shirou's statement, Ozymandias nodded. "The Holy Grail alone cannot repair this Singularity. Unless we stop the Lion King's Holy Spear, we cannot eliminate the chaos of this era."
Declaring this, Ozymandias spoke with pride: "I am the Sun King! I am the God-King! Now, I lend my power to you brave warriors. Let us fight together!"
Following Ozymandias's command, the temple floating in the sky accelerated, moving toward the Holy City.
...
Mordred stood outside the door of the Round Table hall, removing her helmet to reveal that exquisite face—the spitting image of the King—her gaze fixed upon the tightly shut door.
"The 'Rebel Knight' Mordred, requests an audience with the King!"
The area was empty, save for Agravain, who was dutifully standing guard. The knight nicknamed the "Iron Sword" still wore his usual emotionless expression.
"Does Sir Mordred have business? The King is very busy. If it is not a matter of importance, please withdraw."
"I am obviously here to talk about something important!"
Mordred glared at Agravain with a vicious expression like a small lion, causing the corner of Agravain's mouth to twitch slightly.
"Returning having just suffered defeat, I see. You certainly have the nerve to come here. Pray, report to the King, you 'Knight of Rebellion'."
Leaving behind this taunt, Agravain took advantage of the moment the King opened the gates to leave quickly, as Mordred dared not lash out.
"Tch, he's great at yapping, but runs faster than anyone!" Mordred clicked her tongue in annoyance.
As she stepped inside the hall, the hostility radiating from Mordred gradually faded, replaced by the nervous, restless expression of a troubled child returning home to face a parent.
"Sir Mordred, what do you have to report?"
The Lion King on the throne spoke softly, the tone as calm as a quiet lake under the moonlight—the very sound of it put one's mind at ease.
"I encountered those people from Chaldea near the Eastern Village," Mordred reported, offering a knight's salute.
"Is that person called Orihara there as well?" The Lion King asked, as if suddenly remembering the matter.
"Uh... th-that... that guy is there too..."
Mordred couldn't help but blush crimson, truly ashamed to speak of her shameful encounter. However, the Lion King's gaze turned cold.
"Tell me everything you know."
Bound by the command, Mordred had to swallow her humiliation and reveal everything that had occurred. Upon hearing the name of the red-haired youth, the Lion King could no longer remain calm.
"Shirou Orihara...!"
Hearing the name, the Lion King's brows furrowed slightly. An unusual expression crossed her face, and her brilliant yellow-green eyes rippled with emotion. Seeing this, Mordred felt a twinge of confusion; it was the first time she had ever seen her father the King display such a lost expression.
But soon, the Lion King returned to normal, resuming her usual demeanor of observing everything with icy indifference.
"Sir Lancelot has already sent back intelligence before you. Bedivere, Ozymandias, and the others have arrived as well... it is likely there will be a battle soon."
Hearing the Lion King's words, the corners of Mordred's mouth curled into a grin.
"Ahaha, it's war then... This time, I will personally have my revenge on that guy!"
The previous defeat had left Mordred filled with resentment, and she had not expected the opportunity for revenge to come so quickly. Since he was the strongest of the enemy's side... she decided she would simply call upon Tristan, Lancelot, Gawain, and Agravain as well.
If the five of us gang up on him, isn't that a guaranteed win?
.
.
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Floating clouds surged, rolling white mists resembling icebergs drifting on the sea. The bright sun dyed these layers of clouds in orange, and the temple felt like a palace in the clouds at the end of the sky.
Although standing above the clouds was a stirring experience, the incoming cold air dampened Gudako's enthusiasm. She wrapped her arms around herself, her teeth chattering, and finally unable to bear it, she hugged Mash to seek warmth.
"Mash, save me with your body heat!"
"S-Senpai... I don't mind, but could you please not put your hands in such strange places!"
While Gudako and Mash were interacting playfully, Shirou was conversing with King Hassan.
"O man named Shirou Orihara, who exactly are you? There are countless dead souls beneath my sword, and life is something I should be able to strip away at will. But why... do I feel so powerless against you?"
"That, well... I'm just a little stronger than you, that's all. Don't think too much about it."
Although the strength of this First Hassan was indeed formidable—after all, Shirou's strike, while not at full power, had utilized nearly forty percent of his strength, and yet King Hassan had not been killed—it was worth noting that Shirou was now capable of easily destroying stars, and his physique was sufficient to withstand a supernova explosion without a scratch.
Plus he also has
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