"Servant signatures has been detected!"
Almost at the same moment this announcement was made, the target causing the Servant response appeared.
"Whoosh..."
Amid a piercing sound of something cutting through the air, a shadow-like figure shot forward like a black stream of light.
The trajectory of this black light was aimed directly at the Lion King.
"————!"
The Lion King's expression darkened as she abruptly turned to face the incoming black stream of light.
The black stream of light hurtled toward the Lion King without losing momentum, colliding decisively with her.
"Clang————!"
A resonating metallic clash rang out like the tolling of a great bell.
A jet-black Holy Sword descended like a thunderbolt, striking the Holy Lance that the Lion King raised in response. The heavy impact of their clash created a thunderous sound.
The Holy Lance and Holy Sword collided fiercely, unleashing shockwaves that rippled outward.
At the same time, the Servant holding the jet-black Holy Sword and streaking forward like a black stream of light finally revealed their full appearance.
"It's you?"
Rozen was the first to catch sight of the figure's full appearance and wore an astonished expression.
"You're...!?"
Mash was equally stunned, her reaction mirrored by Roman, Da Vinci, and Olga Marie back in Chaldea, who were visibly shaken.
But it wasn't just Rozen and the others. Even the Knights of the Round Table each displayed a drastic change in expression.
"It's her!"
Gawain's eyes trembled violently.
"..."
Tristan's face turned grim.
"This..."
Agravain's icy expression grew darker than ever.
As for Mordred, her expression froze momentarily before twisting into one of rage and fury as she roared out.
"Have you finally appeared, Father?!"
The figure clad in heavy black armor, holding a jet-black Holy Sword, had pale, almost unhealthy skin, with an equally pallid complexion. The only striking features were her icy, merciless golden eyes and platinum-colored hair, which exuded an ominous aura.
And yet, this figure was not a stranger to anyone present.
Rozen, Mash, and even those in Chaldea had all seen her before.
Mash could feel a wave of emotion erupting from within her—a mix of joy and complexity. Clutching her chest, she stared at the figure and called out her name.
"Artoria..."
Indeed, the assailant was none other than the Saber-class Servant that Rozen and the others had previously encountered in the Singularity at Fuyuki City—Artoria [Alter].
The true King Arthur had now made her appearance here.
"Hmph."
Artoria [Alter] glanced at the stunned Rozen and snorted coldly.
"You're late. You'll pay for making me wait so long."
After saying this, Artoria [Alter] shifted her gaze to the Lion King, who had raised her Holy Lance to block the black Holy Sword. A cold smile spread across her face.
"And you... it's been a while, Lion King."
At these words, the Lion King's expression turned exceptionally dark—darker than it had ever been before.
"So, it's you again?"
The Lion King spoke in a low tone.
"Black King."
————Black King.
Half a year ago, this figure had manifested in the Holy City of Jerusalem, slaughtering the demonized Crusaders, seizing the
The true identity of the Black King was her.
"To think the Black King is actually King Arthur..."
"What kind of twist of fate is this?"
"My God..."
In Chaldea, Olga Marie, Da Vinci, and Roman were all left with their jaws hanging.
But the truth was undeniable.
The Black King was the same Artoria [Alter] who had opposed Rozen back in Fuyuki City's Singularity.
Two individuals, both once known as the King of Knights and King Arthur, had taken vastly different paths—one deified, the other corrupted. And now, they faced each other here as enemies.
"I've been waiting for this day for so long. Someone capable of standing against you has finally appeared."
Artoria [Alter] directed her words toward the Lion King, her voice filled with determination.
"Now, I'm taking him away."
The moment this declaration was made, the Lion King's eyes flashed.
"Do you really think I'll let you succeed?"
Before the Lion King could finish her thought, Artoria [Alter] had already made her move.
"I wasn't asking for your permission."
Artoria [Alter] declared as she raised her Holy Sword, which began to glow—not with radiant brilliance, but with pitch-black light.
"Devour the light."
Artoria [Alter] unleashed the power of her Holy Sword.
"Excalibur Morgan!"
The terrifying torrent of black light, which had once pushed Rozen to the brink of death multiple times, was unleashed in full force.
"Boom————!"
With a deafening roar, the black pillar of light engulfed the Lion King.
"...!"
The Lion King attempted to respond, but at such close range, with the Holy Sword and Holy Lance already clashing, even a deity couldn't evade the attack.
The pitch-black radiance blasted the Lion King away, carrying her along like a beam of light. She was pushed back into the heart of the Holy City.
"Boom————!"
Inside the Holy City, the black pillar of light struck the ground, unleashing a storm of dark winds.
The Lion King endured the full force of the Holy Sword's attack and was blasted into the Holy City, disappearing from sight.
"Clang..."
Artoria [Alter] finally lowered her Holy Sword, then immediately rushed toward Rozen.
"Why are you still standing there in a daze?" Artoria [Alter] commanded coldly. "Start retreating."
Leaving no room for argument, Artoria [Alter] leaped down onto the battlefield, landing heavily and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Break through their lines! Let as many refugees escape as possible!"
Artoria [Alter] shouted her orders, prompting the Mountain People who had joined the fray to let out cries of determination as they began to carve a path through the battlefield.
The Knights' formation was quickly disrupted.
The refugees, seeing hope, rejoiced.
"Hurry!"
"Run!"
"Escape!"
Amid their desperate cries, the refugees began to flee for their lives.
"Stop them!"
Agravain shouted, and the Knights also mobilized, clashing fiercely with the Mountain People.
"Such a departure is unbearably sorrowful."
Tristan began to play his harp.
"Apologies, but I cannot allow you to leave."
Gawain finally grew serious.
"Father————!"
Mordred abandoned the dragons she had been fighting and charged at Artoria [Alter] in a frenzy.
But Artoria [Alter] didn't even spare her a glance, instead grabbing the stunned Mash.
"Alright, retreat."
Thus began their battle to escape.