"We must succeed!"
Indeed, they had to succeed.
If they failed, they wouldn't even get to see the Lion King, let alone defeat her!
Therefore, no one among the Servants present voiced any objections to Rozen's declaration. Instead, they all wore resolute expressions.
Artoria [Alter] was the first to speak.
"Do you have a plan?"
She entrusted the solutions to these three obstacles entirely to Rozen.
Rozen smiled slightly.
"I'll handle the first obstacle," Rozen said indifferently. "Whether it's the gates and walls of the Holy City or the barrier set up by the Lion King with the Holy Grail, I have the means to destroy them all."
There was no doubt about it.
At least in terms of destructive power, Rozen no longer needed to fear anyone. Ever since he had acquired the strength of his Beast Vassals, which were akin to natural disasters, his only concern in every battle was the collateral damage caused by excessive destruction, never a lack of it.
If not for the fact that the Holy City itself was the embodiment of the Holy Lance, a Noble Phantasm in its own right, Rozen could have simply summoned his Beast Vassals and wiped out an entire city with ease.
Moreover, he didn't even need to unleash his full destructive power. Against barriers, walls, and gates, he possessed the precise force required to suppress and break through them.
Thus, the responsibility for overcoming the first obstacle naturally fell to him.
"As for the second obstacle..."
Just as Rozen was about to address it, the girl standing closest to him spoke up.
"Please leave it to me."
The one who said this was none other than Mash.
"I will block the Light of Judgment and ensure that it threatens no one."
Against a force a thousand times stronger than the most powerful Noble Phantasm, Mash made this declaration with unwavering determination.
Everyone immediately turned their gazes toward her.
Including Rozen.
He could see the fear and apprehension in Mash's eyes—but more than that, he saw her resolve.
This pure-hearted girl was still the same as always. She still feared battle, still feared bloodshed. Yet, she chose to stand up once more.
Perhaps a large part of her decision was influenced by Rozen's own willingness to take on the first obstacle without hesitation.
(I am Senpai's Servant. If I can't fight by his side to destroy, then at the very least, I must become his shield and protect everyone.)
With this thought in mind, Mash stepped forward.
Rozen understood her feelings perfectly, so he did not stop her.
"Are you sure?"
He only asked this to confirm.
"Yes!"
Mash replied firmly, with an air of determination that left no room for retreat.
"Alright!" Rozen nodded, as if acknowledging her resolve. "Then I'll leave it to you, Mash."
The others also spoke up.
"With the lady's shield, we can rest assured."
Bedivere expressed his unwavering trust.
"If it's your shield, then there's no need for doubt."
Even Artoria [Alter], without the slightest hesitation, voiced her confidence.
As Knights of the Round Table, the two of them understood the uniqueness of the shield in Mash's hands.
Even Jeanne [Alter] commented:
"Before you even fully unlocked the power of your Noble Phantasm, your defense was already as tough as that ridiculously sturdy Saint. Now that your True Name has been revealed, and you've gained all the power you should have, trusting our backs to you shouldn't be a bad choice."
Even she, in her own way, acknowledged Mash's strength.
"Please don't worry, Lady Mash," Hassan of Serenity added. "I will stay by Rozen-sama's side and protect him for you."
"Th-Thank you..." Mash couldn't help but lower her head.
Thus, the second challenge was entrusted to Mash.
"That leaves the third obstacle."
Jeanne [Alter] smirked slightly.
"So, how do we deal with that insufferably handsome guy?"
How indeed?
That was the real problem.
Although the Holy Lance's shell and the Holy Grail's barrier were formidable obstacles, and the Lion King's Light of Judgment was terrifying, Knight of the Sun Gawain was just as fearsome an opponent.
Even in his normal state, Gawain was already incredibly difficult to handle. But now, with his blessing, he was permanently in his strongest form, and this form had even been enhanced further. On top of that, he wielded the sister sword of the Holy Sword, a weapon whose power was on par with Excalibur.
Under these circumstances, even Artoria [Alter] likely wouldn't stand a chance against him. Even if every Servant present fought together, the outcome would be uncertain.
And even if they could win, the losses would be catastrophic.
How would they then face the Lion King in battle?
To stand a chance against the Lion King, they couldn't afford significant casualties here.
Recognizing this, Jeanne [Alter] was well aware of what needed to be done.
"You Round Table folks plan to charge straight for the Lion King, don't you?"
She glanced at Artoria [Alter], Mash, and Bedivere, then sneered.
"Then I'll take care of the Knight of the Sun. Let's see whose flames burn hotter—his solar flames, or my flames of vengeance!"
At these words, the others immediately sensed Jeanne [Alter]'s true intent.
"Are you planning to sacrifice yourself to hold off Gawain, you walking powder keg?"
Artoria [Alter] asked bluntly.
"And do you expect to survive your battle with the Lion King, you hopeless daydreamer?"
Jeanne [Alter] scoffed in return.
In just a few words, the two had exposed each other's intentions.
Yes.
Artoria [Alter] never intended to survive her battle against the Lion King.
She knew exactly how terrifying the Lion King had become. To correct her, she was willing to pay any price.
The same went for Jeanne [Alter].
Despite the strength she had gained through her contract with Rozen, and despite the fact that she could handle most Knights of the Round Table, against Gawain in his enhanced state, her only option was to risk everything just to hold him off.
These two Alter-ed servants, in their darkened forms, actually displayed the highest resolve among all the Servants present.
Though fallen into darkness, though cold and ruthless, precisely because of this, once they chose to sacrifice themselves, they would never turn back. They would dedicate themselves completely.
Because, at the end of the day—
Artoria [Alter] was still King Arthur.
Jeanne [Alter] was still Jeanne d'Arc.
Their hearts had never changed. They were still as pure and noble as ever.
Watching the two of them, Rozen suddenly grinned.
"None of you are allowed to die!"
Yes.
No one was allowed to die.
Not only that—Rozen had already decided that he would take every single one of them back to Chaldea.
And for that reason...
"Don't worry. I've already prepared a suitable opponent for the Knight of the Sun."
Rozen smirked mischievously.
"A most fitting opponent."
As soon as those words fell, Rozen's coat fluttered slightly, scattering fiery sparks into the air.
Light, brilliant as the sun, began to shine.