"Wait…is he actually a Knight of the Round Table?"
Inside Chaldea, Roman's shocked voice echoed loudly.
"And not just any knight, but the Knight of the Sun, Gawain…"
Olga Marie swallowed hard, unable to hide her unease.
"This just became…"
Da Vinci's tone turned serious, her usual playful demeanor gone.
"Gawain…"
Even Mash held her breath, clearly stunned.
Gawain's name was absolutely legendary.
He was one of the Knights of the Round Table from Arthurian legend, one of King Arthur's earliest followers, and a knight who stood by the King's side until the very end.
Known for his integrity, humility, and loyalty, Gawain was celebrated as the most ideal and perfect knight. Among the Round Table Knights, he stood equal to Lancelot, the Knight of the Lake, who was often called King Arthur's right hand.
Gawain, however, was revered as Arthur's shadow, a king's successor should Arthur fall. He wielded one of the twin Holy Swords, the sister blade to Excalibur, and bore the blessing of sainthood.
At noon, his strength was unparalleled.
It was said that Gawain's power was three times stronger at midday, making him the strongest among the Knights of the Round Table. Even King Arthur and Lancelot, often hailed as the strongest knight, were said to pale in comparison when it came to raw strength.
Rozen, using his abilities as a Master, could clearly see Gawain's stats:
---
Class: Saber
True Name: Gawain
Alignment: Lawful Good
— Parameters —
Strength: B+
Endurance: B+
Agility: B+
Mana: A
Luck: A
Noble Phantasm: A+
— Class Skills —
Magic Resistance: B
Negates magical chants of three verses or less. Even high-level magecraft and rituals struggle to harm him.
Riding: B
Demonstrates skillful riding of mundane vehicles but cannot command Phantasmal Beasts.
— Unique Skills —
Numeral of the Saint (Ex):
A unique attribute of Gawain. For three hours between 9 a.m. and noon and three hours from 3 p.m. until sunset, his strength triples. This reflects the Celtic sanctity of the number 3. However, it is tied to the constraints of legend—if broken, it will cease to function.
Enhanced by a mysterious blessing, the effect of this skill has doubled.
Charisma (E):
The natural ability to command armies. While rare, this skill exerts a profound influence on the wielder's personality, combining consistent speech and conduct. As a perfected knight, it grants strong authority, especially over subordinate knights and soldiers.
Nightless Charisma:
Through the mysterious blessing, any battlefield where Gawain stands is locked in eternal noon.
---
Looking at these stats, Rozen finally understood why the sky had suddenly brightened and the sun abruptly risen.
It was because Gawain, empowered by an unknown blessing, could make any battlefield perpetually remain at noon.
What did this mean?
It meant that, no matter the location, Gawain would always be the strongest Knight of the Sun, his power tripled and peerless.
No, it wasn't just tripled anymore.
The mysterious blessing had further strengthened Gawain's Saintly Numbers, raising it to six times his normal strength.
Because of this, Gawain's parameters now exceeded any Servant Rozen and his allies had encountered thus far.
Perhaps, aside from Grand Caster Solomon, not even the Berserk King Cu Chulainn, empowered by a Holy Grail, could rival Gawain's current strength.
Rozen's expression grew heavier.
He was sure this so-called blessing wasn't something Gawain originally possessed.
It must have been…
"A Holy Grail's power?"
Yes.
This mysterious blessing could only come from the enhancement of a Holy Grail.
"But even if it's the power of a Holy Grail, this level of enhancement is far too excessive."
Having recovered several Holy Grails already, Rozen could confidently say that Gawain's current strength couldn't possibly come from a single Holy Grail.
Unless…
As a chilling possibility crossed his mind, Rozen's heart sank further.
"This just became a real problem."
That was Rozen's only thought.
While lost in thought, Rozen didn't notice that beside him, Mash had placed a hand over her heart, her face pale.
---
Thump, thump—thump, thump—thump, thump.
Mash's heart raced faster and faster. Her body grew uncomfortably warm, as if on fire.
"I…what's happening…"
Mash couldn't understand why her body was reacting this way.
She only knew that, ever since Gawain's arrival, something within her had been crying out—expressing joy, shock, disbelief, and sorrow all at once, leaving her physically overwhelmed.
But for now, none of that mattered.
---
At the gates of the Holy City, Gawain slowly emerged, his back to the blazing sun. His eyes swept across the crowd.
"My apologies for disturbing your rest at this late hour," Gawain spoke calmly yet confidently, his noble demeanor radiating. "I have come here for one purpose."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"If the visitors from Chaldea have arrived, I humbly request an audience."
Upon hearing this, the crowd murmured in surprise.
"He's... looking for us…?"
Rozen's eyes flashed sharply.
Even those in Chaldea were stunned by this sudden turn of events.
"Senpai…"
Mash tried her best to suppress the discomfort in her body, stretching out her hand to grasp Rozen's. Her palm was burning hot, her voice filled with tension.
Rozen, however, said nothing. He simply fixed his gaze on Gawain.
Gawain, too, refrained from speaking further. Standing tall under the blazing sun, his presence exuded dignity and righteousness, stirring admiration in all who saw him.
The refugees began murmuring amongst themselves.
"Chaldea?"
"What is that?"
"Visitors?"
"Are they guests of the Lion King?"
The chatter spread, while the knights of the Holy Order remained silent, still kneeling on one knee, showing no reaction.
Amidst this, Rozen pondered briefly before dispelling the illusion concealing him. He revealed his true form and stepped forward, bringing Mash with him.
"Rozen!"
From within Chaldea, Roman and the others exclaimed in shock.
But Rozen paid them no mind, striding forward with Mash.
Fou quietly perched on Mash's shoulder.
Mash, despite the discomfort wracking her body, clenched her teeth and followed Rozen.
The moment Rozen revealed himself and began his approach, Gawain's eyes locked onto him.
"So that is…"
Gawain's eyes glimmered as he watched Rozen and Mash approach.
Soon, Rozen stood before him.
"I am the Master of Chaldea."
Rozen met Gawain's gaze, his voice calm yet firm.
The surroundings fell into complete silence.