Morgan seized the perfect opening. She raised her magical staff high, its core blazing with intense blue light.
Streams of red magical energy were forcibly extracted from Artoria Alter's body, flowing straight into Morgan's staff.
Even though Artoria Alter possessed a Holy Grail within her, granting her virtually limitless magical energy, that sudden drain caused her body to freeze for a critical instant.
The enhanced Mash didn't miss the opportunity.
Purple light erupted from all four edges of the cross-shaped shield in her hands.
She swung the longest edge—the side with the highest magical output—directly toward Artoria Alter.
Mash Variant: Full Severance of Restraints · Overheavy Lake Light
A violent purple explosion detonated across Artoria Alter's body.
She staggered violently, losing her balance.
The attack wasn't over.
Morgan conjured a blue-white sphere of energy and launched it into the sky.
In the next instant, a massive conical spike of pure energy materialized directly above Artoria Alter's head.
This time, the wounded Artoria Alter couldn't dodge. She took the full brunt of the strike.
Thanks to the flawless teamwork between the enhanced Mash and Morgan,
Artoria Alter crashed hard onto the ground. Her armor was left shattered and broken in numerous places.
She glanced at the enhanced Mash, remembered Morgan's earlier mockery, and bit her lip. Then she glared at Morgan with pure resentment burning in her eyes.
"Damn it…"
If only that shield weren't protecting you…
Morgan's face lit up with delight at the sight of Artoria Alter's expression. She instantly flashed forward, appearing directly in front of her.
"Yes. That's exactly the face I wanted to see."
"I've always wanted to see you look at me like that."
"With that jealous expression."
Morgan wished she could immortalize this moment. She'd probably smile in her sleep just thinking about it.
She could even show it to the Artoria Alter waiting back in their Chaldea.
Back in Adam's Chaldea, Morgan and Artoria Alter had been locked in constant rivalry.
One scene that particularly stuck with Adam was how Artoria Alter loved to taunt Morgan while eating—opening her mouth wide to proudly display her "spoils."
That single incident had infuriated Morgan more than almost anything else, and it was likely the moment their deep grudge had truly taken root.
In the end, Adam had tried to ease the tension by making them work together.
Judging from the current situation, however, his efforts had clearly failed.
(Although Morgan and the Lancer version of Artoria actually got along quite well.)
————————
Seeing that the battle was over, the Chaldea group finally approached.
Mash looked at her enhanced counterpart with sparkling eyes full of admiration.
"Mentor! That purple light attack from your shield was incredible!"
At the mention of the technique, an extremely absurd image immediately flashed through the enhanced Mash's mind.
(Mash, it's Daddy~!)
She quickly shook her head, trying to purge the embarrassing thought from her memory.
"That was…"
Olga Marie stared at Morgan with open curiosity, as if she were witnessing a figure from legend come to life.
"So this is Morgan?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded from the side.
"She really carries the presence of a true queen."
Morgan paid little attention to either of them. Her eyes were fixed on Adam as he walked over.
"Mission accomplished, husband."
"Next time an opportunity like this comes up, you have to call me again."
Only then did Ritsuka and Olga Marie notice the unusual way Morgan had addressed Adam.
Husband?!!
Adam, unaware of their shock, crouched down beside Artoria Alter.
Her Saint Graph had been critically damaged and could no longer be sustained, even by the Holy Grail. She was already beginning to fade away.
Artoria Alter looked at the enhanced Mash's shield, gave a bitter, self-mocking laugh, and finally sighed toward the heavens.
"In the end, no matter what…"
"Am I once again destined to face this lonely end all alone?"
Adam sat down beside her.
Artoria Alter looked at him, then at the enhanced Mash and Morgan. Though still filled with questions, none of it seemed to matter anymore.
Remembering Morgan's earlier taunts, she naturally assumed Adam had come to mock her as well.
"What? Did you come to mock me too?"
Adam shook his head.
"Artoria, would you like to come to Chaldea?"
Artoria Alter raised an eyebrow, unsure what he was getting at.
"Is this some new way of mocking me?"
Adam shook his head again.
"Of course not."
"I need you, Artoria."
"This world's Chaldea needs your strength."
When the words "I need you" left Adam's mouth, Artoria Alter's heart unexpectedly skipped a beat. On the surface, however, she maintained her defiant attitude.
"What makes you think I'd ever join you?"
Adam, who knew her well, immediately sensed the slight change in her demeanor. He knew he was close.
"At the very least, our goals are the same, aren't they? For the preservation of Human Order."
Artoria Alter remained silent for a long moment, clearly still conflicted.
"Chaldea has unlimited food supplies."
Her head shot up instantly. She stared at Adam, swallowed nervously, and just before she disappeared completely, she said:
"If I'm not satisfied… then be prepared to face the Tyrant's wrath."
Hearing those words, Adam knew she had accepted.
Perfect. Another powerful Servant had just been added to this Chaldea.
At that moment, Cú Chulainn's body also began to fade.
"Looks like my time on stage is over too."
"Kid, when you get back to Chaldea, don't forget to summon me. Preferably as Lancer."
Adam replied with a straight face:
"I'd actually prefer you come as Berserker."
Adam walked over to where Artoria Alter had vanished. A golden, diamond-shaped crystal—the Holy Grail—floated in her place.
His own Chaldea already possessed over a hundred of these.
Suddenly, the sound of slow clapping rang out.
Clap… Clap… Clap…
"My, my. I didn't expect you to get this far."
"This has exceeded the planned schedule… and gone well beyond my tolerance limit."
The moment Adam heard that voice, he knew exactly who it was.
Lev.
He slowly turned his gaze toward the man standing among his Servants—the one who called himself Earth's Grand President.
U-Olga Marie
***
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