As Artoria questioned Rozen expressionlessly, all the Knights of the Round Table turned their gazes toward him.
Gawain's eyes were filled with seriousness.
Agravain's eyes were cold and sinister.
Although Tristan's eyes remained closed, for some reason, it was still possible to sense his gaze. Within it, there was a faint hint of displeasing pity.
As for Mordred, her eyes were wild and ferocious, and a reckless smile played on her face. She seemed ready to lunge at Rozen at any moment to decapitate him, radiating extreme danger.
The Knights of the Round Table were either observing Rozen's response or directing clear hostility toward him.
"Senpai…"
Mash couldn't help but tighten her grip on Rozen's hand, her heartbeat accelerating once again.
Within her, an emotion called anger began to surge.
However, it was clear this wasn't Mash's own emotion.
She could only continue to suppress it.
Rozen, on the other hand, remained as calm and composed as ever.
"An enemy… is it?"
Rozen spoke indifferently.
"Depending on the circumstances, it's not impossible."
Such a blunt and candid response caused the tense atmosphere to momentarily freeze.
Immediately after, a subtle but oppressive killing intent began to envelop Rozen.
Evidently, Rozen's reply had already made the surrounding Knights of the Round Table view him as an enemy.
Only Artoria remained as expressionless as ever. However, her gaze deepened as if giving serious consideration to his words.
In this atmosphere, Rozen, undaunted by the presence of the goddess before him, declared solemnly:
"The actions I've undertaken—Lion King, I trust you're aware—are for the purpose of saving the Human Order and preserving the foundation of humanity. That is why I've traversed countless Singularities to arrive here."
Rozen fixed his gaze directly on the Lion King.
"For that reason, as Chaldea's Master and humanity's sole representative, I'd like to question you."
And what was this question?
"Why did you establish the Holy City?" Rozen asked coolly. "If your intent was merely to protect humanity and refugees from the anomalies of this Singularity, why would you conduct the Holy Selection and screen individuals with pure souls?"
Given the vastness of the Holy City, it might be challenging to accommodate every human being in this Singularity. But if combined with the Mountain People's efforts, it shouldn't be an impossible task.
Yet, the Holy City only accepted those with pure souls. Not only was this puzzling, but the hostility toward the Mountain People—so severe that they were hunted across the wilderness—was exceptionally brutal.
"And also, the Holy Grail of this Singularity should be in your possession, right?" Rozen continued, unreserved. "If you're here to protect the Human Order, how do you plan to handle the Holy Grail?"
If Artoria's purpose was to preserve the Human Order, she shouldn't have hoarded the Holy Grail's power or constructed a grand Holy City, proclaimed herself the Lion King, and established a kingdom.
Whether as a Heroic Spirit or a deity, they were no longer entities of the living world. They had no business interfering so deeply in the affairs of this age, an era on the brink of collapse. Establishing a kingdom here was far too strange.
If Artoria had merely intended to provide temporary shelter for the refugees before Rozen and the others arrived, her actions would have been understandable.
However, every move Artoria made seemed to suggest that her intentions were far from temporary.
So...
"What exactly are you trying to do?" Rozen asked without hiding his confusion. "To me, are you a friend or an enemy?"
Rozen laid all his cards on the table, holding nothing back. Even though the person before him was the legendary King of Britain and now a deified goddess, Rozen showed no fear.
His demeanor earned not just hostility but also admiration from some.
For a mere human to face the King of Knights and a goddess with such composure and unyielding confidence was no easy feat.
Even the Knights of the Round Table, when faced with Artoria's overwhelming divine presence, felt their nerves stretched taut. Yet Rozen seemed utterly unaffected. His poise alone was enough to earn the respect of knights.
Respect, however, was one thing. As knights, their loyalty lay with their king.
If Rozen were to oppose Artoria, the Knights of the Round Table would undoubtedly draw their swords and cut him down without hesitation.
In contrast, Artoria's attitude toward Rozen was calm and detached—neither angry nor joyful, remaining as lofty and unreachable as ever.
And then...
"The relationship between humans and deities has always been complex throughout history."
Artoria's voice, ethereal and distant, broke the silence.
"Humans pray for the protection of deities, yet at times, they rebel against the will of the gods. Sometimes they are friends, other times enemies. Even though the Age of Gods has ended and deities have left the present world, the entanglement between humans and gods persists."
"The relationship between humanity and the divine remains extraordinary. Humanity cannot escape the shelter of the divine, and deities cannot forsake the faith of humans."
"I was once the King of Humanity, and now I am a Spirit of the Heavens. With the Human Order burning due to the ambitions of the Mage King, leaving humanity in ruins, it is only natural for me to act for the sake of humanity's future, to leave behind a shred of hope."
Artoria answered Rozen's question.
"What I intend to do is humanity's gospel. My actions are for the sake of humanity and nothing else."
Saying this, Artoria did not explain her actions further.
"You are the last protector of the Human Order and humanity's final Master. Being protected by two deities, you must be an extraordinary individual among humankind. That is why I welcomed you and allowed you to enter this Holy City."
"You are a guest I recognize. If you wish to stay in the Holy City, the Knights of the Round Table will welcome you on my behalf."
"If you desire the Holy Grail, I can give it to you. But not now—only after everything is over."
"These are my words. Consider them carefully, human."
Leaving these words behind, Artoria turned away, vanishing like a ray of light.
"'We bid farewell to the King!'"
The Knights of the Round Table bowed their heads in reverence.
The divine presence that shook the entire throne dissipated completely.
Rozen watched Artoria's departure in silence, falling into contemplation.
As for Mash, she tightly clutched her chest.
There, an inexplicable sadness was spreading.