"Holy Selection…"
Upon hearing this somewhat familiar term, Rozen felt a sense of inevitability.
This term was one Rozen had heard from the mouths of those knights as well as from the refugees in the camp. As such, he had long known it was of great importance.
However...
"A ritual, is it?" Rozen asked pensively. "What kind of ritual?"
Hearing this, Mash shook her head.
"That... I'm not sure," Mash replied with some difficulty. "I've asked many refugees, but none of them know. The Purification Knights only told them that it is a ritual that only those with pure souls can pass, while those stained by the world's impurities cannot."
Upon hearing this explanation, a glimmer of thought flashed through Rozen's eyes.
"The Purification Knights, huh?" Rozen murmured under his breath.
"Yes." Mash seemed to catch Rozen's muttering. She nodded as she explained, "That's what the refugees call those knights, and also how they refer to themselves."
Is that so?
If that's the case, then things are getting interesting.
"What should we do next, Senpai?"
After relaying all the information to Rozen, Mash sought his opinion.
The staff at Chaldea refrained from speaking, seemingly using this time to observe the interior of the Holy City. However, their efforts were not going smoothly. Nevertheless, they trusted Rozen's intellect, believing that he would come up with the best course of action.
In truth, Rozen had already decided on his course of action.
"When will this Holy Selection begin?" Rozen asked.
"According to reports, it's supposed to happen in the next few days," Mash promptly replied.
"Alright." Rozen nodded immediately, making his decision. "We'll observe this so-called Holy Selection and see if we can find an opportunity to enter the Holy City and meet the Lion King face to face."
This way, Rozen could confirm the Lion King's identity, uncover the truth about the Servants in the Holy City, and determine whether they were friend or foe.
As for storming in directly, Rozen had considered it but ultimately abandoned the idea.
He had already discovered that the Holy City was like an independent space, entirely separated from the outside world. Even Space Manipulation Magic couldn't get him in. Flying silently over the walls was also impossible.
There were only two ways to enter the Holy City.
One was to go through the main gate.
The other was to destroy the Holy City's walls and force his way in.
With Rozen's power, breaking the walls and entering wasn't a difficult task.
However, this approach posed problems. Not only would it potentially offend the Lion King, but given the sturdy nature of the city walls, even a minimal show of power could cause significant destruction.
To make matters worse, countless refugees were gathered around the Holy City, and people lived inside as well. If Rozen released excessive power, many innocent humans might perish along with the city.
For this reason, Rozen had no choice but to wait for the Holy Selection and enter through the main gate.
"I just don't know what this Holy City really is."
Rozen gazed at the white fortress in the distance.
Completely isolated from the outside world, it repelled the power of Spirit Vision and Heaven's Eye the moment their magic waves touched the city walls, preventing any observation of its interior. This left Rozen with the impression that the Holy City was no ordinary structure.
More precisely, considering Mash's intelligence, if the Holy City had truly been constructed only half a year ago, the speed at which such a grand fortress had been built was itself extraordinary.
"Was it built using the Holy Grail's wish?"
"Or is the Holy City itself part of the Lion King's power?"
The answer would be revealed during the Holy Selection in a few days.
However, this time, Rozen's plans fell through.
Because he didn't need to wait a few days. An opportunity to enter the Holy City had already arrived.
"————"
In the next moment, the world changed.
This was not a metaphor.
At least, the sky itself underwent a transformation.
The previously dark night sky suddenly disappeared, replaced by a bright daylight.
Yes.
The night had vanished, replaced by day.
"...!"
Rozen's pupils constricted instantly.
"Senpai...!"
Mash also gasped in shock.
"Fou!"
Fou jumped in surprise.
The surrounding refugees erupted in a cacophony of voices.
"What... what's going on...!?"
"Why did it suddenly turn bright...!?"
"Is this an illusion...!?"
"No... no, it's not...!"
"This is...!"
The refugees were either shocked or overjoyed, creating a chaotic scene. Only the Purification Knights turned uniformly toward the main gate and knelt on one knee.
At the same time, exclamations erupted from Chaldea.
"A massive magical energy signature has appeared!"
Roman shouted.
"Location: the main gate!"
Da Vinci quickly followed up.
"This is... a Servant...!?"
Olga Marie seemed wide-eyed in astonishment.
Rozen and Mash had already turned their gazes to the main gate.
There...
"Clang—clang—clang—clang—"
Amid powerful, rhythmic footsteps, a knight appeared.
His visage was as noble as a prince.
His posture was as dignified as a nobleman.
His aura was as scorching as the sun.
His gaze was as imposing as a warrior's.
As he appeared, the sky, now as bright as day, saw the sun rise.
Faced with this sight, both Rozen and Mash's expressions changed.
"Fwoosh!"
Without warning, Rozen's cloak ignited in small flames, scattering sparks like stars.
"Thump... thump..."
Mash felt her heartbeat quicken, her body surging with power, leaving her mind blank.
Inside Chaldea, the staff cried out in shock.
"What's with this reaction...!?"
"These readings are off the charts!"
"This spiritual foundation's parameters have completely surpassed any Servant we've ever observed!"
Roman, Da Vinci, and Olga Marie were all visibly stunned.
As for the refugees, they began to cheer.
"It's Gawain!"
"Sir Gawain!"
"The Sun Knight, Gawain!"
"The Knight of the Round Table is here!"
—The Knights of the Round Table.
A group of noble knights in Arthurian legend, serving their king in Britain.
They were celebrated for their great deeds and admired by countless authors.
The king they served was none other than the wielder of the Holy Sword, the legendary king of Britain.
—The King of Knights.
—King Arthur.
Rozen had previously encountered a Saber-class Servant, the Holy Sword wielder, from the Knights of the Round Table in Fuyuki City's Singularity F.
Now, one of the Knights of the Round Table had appeared.
Right before Rozen.