"Senpai?"
Mash keenly noticed Rozen's actions. Seeing his furrowed brows, she immediately whispered to him in concern.
"...It's nothing."
Rozen shook his head, signaling Mash not to worry. Yet, his gaze had already swept across the surroundings.
Right now, Rozen was standing atop the walls of the sacred city's main gate. Beside him was Mash, and the other members of the Round Table were all present as well. Even Artoria had donned a lion-like helmet, standing in the center of the gate's walls, exuding an extraordinary divine aura.
That aura was far more intense than when Rozen had seen Artoria previously. Ordinary people might not notice it, but many could faintly feel it, causing the cheers from the refugees in the camp below to unconsciously quiet down.
Gawain stood beneath the walls, in front of the main gate, at the forefront of the refugee camp, surrounded by numerous Knights.
However, these Knights, unlike before, did not kneel. Instead, they surrounded the area, forming a visible, precise perimeter that seemed determined not to let a single person leave.
The reason Rozen furrowed his brows was precisely because of this.
Under such circumstances, leaving aside Artoria, whose expression was obscured by her helmet, as well as Gawain, who stood under the gate in front of the walls, the other Round Table members showed a variety of expressions.
Agravain maintained his perpetually stern face.
Tristan's expression remained indifferent as he played his harp, appearing completely detached.
But Mordred, gazing down below, showed a mix of pity and ruthlessness in her eyes.
That expression was not of someone preparing to conduct a sacred ritual but rather of someone expecting to witness a perfect funeral.
"Could it be..."
Connecting this to some faint signs and clues from before, Rozen seemed to realize something, his expression darkening.
"Senpai..."
Seeing Rozen like this, Mash also seemed to sense something and tensed up.
Rozen held Mash's hand, signaling her to wait and observe for now.
"Fou!"
Noticing this, Fou leapt into Mash's arms and burrowed into her clothing, quietly waiting for what would happen next.
And then...
"Thank you for waiting."
At this moment, Gawain stepped forward, his voice calm and steady.
"First, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude, on behalf of our King, to all of you who have gathered here and placed your hopes in our sacred city."
"Now, the earth is no longer a place where humanity can survive. The flames of destruction have spread across the land. Humanity has reached its true end."
"Food, water, habitable places, and safe havens—none of these will remain. To put it bluntly, all of them will vanish entirely."
"Except for our sacred city—Camelot."
As he spoke, Gawain spread his arms wide.
"Our sacred city is the complete and perfect millennial kingdom. Beyond this gate lies the ideal world awaiting all of you."
"Here, you can live in peace without worrying about survival or the future of your descendants."
"Here, resources that no longer exist on the surface will be made available to you, allowing your remaining years to shine brightly."
"Our King will accept all people. No matter their race or faith, no one will be excluded."
"The only condition is that you must receive our King's absolution and recognition. You must prove your worthiness."
After delivering these words, Gawain stepped back.
The refugees naturally raised their eyes, focusing on the divine and kingly figure radiating an immense aura—Artoria.
Artoria raised her head slowly.
"The essence of humanity is to fall into corruption."
Artoria's voice echoed gently but firmly.
"My sacred city requires only residents who are worthy—those whose souls are unsullied and unshaken by evil."
Declaring this, Artoria raised a hand.
"Now, I shall perform the Holy Selection."
"Humans, before this brilliance, reveal your true nature."
As she finished speaking, a dazzling light radiated from Artoria's raised hand.
The light spread rapidly, like a tide, instantly enveloping the entire area.
"Senpai!"
Mash, also shrouded in the light, couldn't help but call out.
"Don't worry. Stay calm."
Rozen held Mash's hand tightly, while his Mind's Eye went into full operation.
Through the power of the Mind's Eye, Rozen realized that this light was neither invasive nor aggressive. It carried only a sense of transparency and divinity, as if it were X-rays scanning everyone present.
Then, something extraordinary occurred.
"Ah!"
A cry came from one of the refugees.
His body had started to emit light.
"This... what is this...!?"
"A miracle!?"
Apart from the first individual, two others among the refugees exclaimed, their bodies similarly glowing.
Even more astonishingly, light began to shine on the city walls as well.
"Se... Senpai...?"
Mash looked shaken.
Her body, too, was glowing.
Even Rozen's eyes narrowed as his body unexpectedly began to radiate light.
This sight stunned the members of the Round Table.
"Unexpected..."
Agravain's face showed rare surprise.
"This truly is..."
Even Tristan raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting."
Mordred smirked.
Even Artoria turned her gaze toward them.
"As expected, you two are unique. To be the hope that can save humanity, to be blessed and protected by the divine, is not without reason."
Artoria said this before turning to Gawain.
"Summon the three qualified refugees into the city, Sir Gawain."
Artoria's tone was indifferent.
"...As you command."
Gawain lowered his gaze and looked at the bewildered refugees.
"Everyone, I regret to inform you that only three among you possess the qualifications to enter the sacred city. The rest have been deemed unworthy."
Before the refugees could react, Gawain continued.
"However, your suffering ends here. Our King, in their boundless mercy, will not allow you to endure further pain on this land."
"Thus..."
Gawain spoke in a restrained voice, making the announcement.
"What follows is no longer the Holy Selection but the Holy Punishment that succeeds it."
"Knights."
"Begin."
With Gawain's command...
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
One by one, the Knights unsheathed their swords.
And then...
Splurt!
As one Knight nearest to the refugees swung his blade, cutting down a refugee, blood splattered across the ground.
"Wh-what...!?"
Mash's face turned pale.
"...!"
Intense emotions surged in Rozen's heart.
And as for the refugees, after a moment of stunned silence, their eyes widened in horror.
Then...
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah————!!!"
Screams of despair echoed across the sky.