Under the onslaught of the Mountain People, the Knights' encirclement was soon breached, creating an opening that sent the refugees frantically fleeing in that direction.
Logically, this should not have happened.
After all, the Knights were beings that existed between humans and Servants. While not Demi-Servants like Mash, they were far stronger than ordinary humans. On the other hand, the Mountain People were just ordinary humans. Compared to the Knights, there was a significant gap in strength, so breaking through their defenses so easily shouldn't have been possible.
However, it seemed that the Mountain People were no strangers to fighting against the Knights. They were highly trained and often fought in groups of three, forming small squads to hold off a single Knight. Using hit-and-run tactics, they would divide and isolate the Knights, taking them down one by one, which resulted in a surprisingly effective battle performance.
The Mountain People were clearly well aware of the Knights' weaknesses. Their absolute obedience to the Lion King and overly rational thinking left their actions somewhat rigid. By employing guerrilla tactics and adapting on the fly, the Mountain People managed to outmaneuver and manipulate the Knights at will.
This was likely the result of training under Artoria Alter.
As a result, the Mountain People were able to successfully open a breakthrough.
Of course, this was the extent of what they could achieve; they had no means to fully cover the refugees' escape.
Artoria Alter was fully aware of this. It was precisely why she instructed the refugees to escape as best they could, without any strict demands for success.
Under normal circumstances, even with a path open for escape, at least half of the refugees would still have been left behind.
However, this time, it was not just the Mountain People on the scene—there was also Chaldea.
"Break through to the east!"
"The defenses there are the weakest!"
"The escape route is already mapped out! Follow the planned path to retreat!"
Olga Marie, Roman, and Da Vinci seemed to have been fully prepared in advance, immediately planning an escape route. Even though the Mountain People couldn't provide full cover, they could guide the refugees, maximizing the chances of a successful escape.
Additionally, with the dragons causing havoc, the result was nothing short of miraculous: every refugee managed to escape without harm.
Naturally, Rozen played a significant role in this success.
Rozen, using Heaven's Eye and the power of Magic Defence, intercepted the Knights' attacks on the refugees, shielding them and ensuring every one of them survived.
Furthermore, Rozen even held off the Knights of the Round Table.
"You will remain here," he declared.
With those words, Rozen personally controlled several massive dragons to tangle with the pursuing Knights of the Round Table.
Then, Rozen turned his gaze toward the interior of the Holy City. After much hesitation, he finally let out a sigh.
"This will have to do for today."
As much as he wanted to engage the Lion King in a decisive battle, the sheer number of people present made it impossible for him to fight freely.
General magic and curses were ineffective against the Lion King, who wielded divine authority. Releasing his Beast Vassals would create destructive power so immense that the collateral damage would turn the surrounding people into mere cannon fodder. Rozen was unwilling to let that happen.
He had considered using the power of Natra Cinereus to turn the surrounding people into mist, thus sparing them from lethal damage. It would have been akin to his battle with Zeth in Vebel. However, Rozen had not forgotten that the Lion King still held three Holy Grails as trump cards.
With the power of the Holy Grails, it would be a simple matter for the Lion King to neutralize the effects of Natra Cinereus.
Moreover, the Lion King possessed other divine abilities, making it unlikely she would be completely helpless in such a scenario.
Given that the Holy Punishment Ritual would prevent the Lion King from allowing the refugees to escape, aiding their retreat was the best choice available.
Unless, of course, Rozen was willing to disregard the lives of the refugees entirely.
Even if Rozen could steel himself to make such a decision, Mash certainly could not.
However...
"I will return, Lion King," Rozen declared.
Leaving those words behind, Rozen began his retreat.
Mash had long since been pulled away from the battlefield by Artoria Alter, who was assisting with the retreat.
Seeing this, the Knights of the Round Table and the Knights desperately tried to stop them, but they were ultimately thwarted by the dragons Rozen had summoned.
Finally, Artoria Alter showed no mercy and unleashed her Noble Phantasm once more. With a sweep of her holy sword, a torrent of pitch-black light struck the Knights of the Round Table and the Knights, sending them flying and completely cutting off their pursuit.
Thus, the group successfully retreated.
All that remained were the Knights of the Round Table, some kneeling on one knee, and the Knights lying on the ground, severely weakened.
"Curse it all!"
Mordred punched the ground in frustration, cracking it open.
"To think that we, the Knights of the Round Table, would suffer such a defeat at this moment."
Tristan sighed, his face filled with melancholy.
"The Black King..."
Gawain lowered his gaze.
"This is an unbearable humiliation...!"
Agravain seethed with fury.
Since being summoned into this era, the Knights of the Round Table had not suffered such a loss.
With the Lion King's blessing, they had gained strength far surpassing their original power. Except for Agravain, the other three Knights now possessed strength exceeding that of Artoria Alter. Otherwise, they would not have been able to take a direct hit from Artoria Alter's Noble Phantasm and only be left kneeling with minor injuries.
And yet, despite all this, they were still utterly outmaneuvered by Artoria Alter. Naturally, their hearts were in turmoil.
After all, their opponent was still the very king they had once served.
Mordred alone was consumed by unbridled rage.
Her rebellion against the king would not allow her to tolerate such a loss to Artoria Alter, even with the Lion King's blessing.
Even if Artoria Alter was not the same Artoria she had hated in life, she was still, in essence, King Arthur.
And because she was King Arthur, Mordred could not help but draw her sword against her.
She had to.
"I'll go after them!"
With that, Mordred immediately stood.
However, a voice stopped her.
"Even if you catch up, with that human Master among them, you won't be able to kill the Black King."
As that voice rang out, the Lion King herself, wielding Rhongomyniad, slowly approached.
"My king!"
Gawain, Tristan, and Agravain immediately knelt.
The Lion King, unscathed, walked onto the battlefield from the Holy City.
"It seems both the Holy Selection and the Holy Punishment have failed," Artoria said expressionlessly.
"Please punish me, my king," Gawain, responsible for the Holy Selection, spoke up.
"This was an exceptional situation. You are not to blame," Artoria said, glancing at Gawain.
"Father!" Mordred spoke up, her tone fierce. "Let me go after them! I swear I'll kill the Black King!"
It was clear Mordred had no intention of giving up.
Artoria did not stop her this time.
"If that is your wish, Tristan, go with her," Artoria said calmly. "Also, summon Lancelot back. The three of you can pursue them together."
With three Knights of the Round Table blessed by the Lion King, the odds should not be insurmountable.
"Understood!"
Mordred laughed maniacally.
"As you command."
Tristan bowed his head.
Artoria then gazed in the direction of Rozen's retreat.
For a long time, she said nothing.