Thereafter, the group engaged in multiple rounds of discussion over various details and reached resolutions one by one.
To be precise, it was Rozen who gave out instructions regarding numerous tactics and strategies he had conceived, leaving the others to execute them.
Chaldea was also not idle. Upon learning that they were preparing for an expedition to attack the Holy City, they worked tirelessly through the night to devise the best possible attack route for Rozen and his group. They also conducted scans and observations of the Holy City's surroundings, ensuring that they could promptly inform Rozen and his allies of any developments on the enemy's side.
Everything was gradually being finalized through this conference.
At last, Rozen summarized with a single sentence:
"Tomorrow morning, we officially set out."
Thus, this night might very well be the last night they spent in this Singularity.
With this realization, the group dispersed.
Bedivere prepared to deliver orders to the soldiers of the Mountain People.
Hassan of Serenity wished to bid farewell to the Mountain People residing in the City of the Mountain.
Mash wanted to meet Lancelot one last time before their departure. It seemed she intended to convey to him the emotions imprinted within her Spirit Origin from Galahad, hoping to mend the relationship between father and son to some degree.
As for Artoria [Alter] and Jeanne [Alter], they had disappeared without a trace.
In the blink of an eye, Rozen was left alone.
Thus, he too departed from the palace, wandering through the streets.
Though he called it a stroll, in truth, Rozen was searching for someone.
Who?
Not Mash, nor Hassan of Serenity, nor even Artoria [Alter] or Jeanne [Alter]. Instead, it was the knight who, since their first meeting, had been effectively confined here by Artoria [Alter], forbidden from going to the battlefield or even stepping beyond the City of the Mountain.
Rozen knew exactly where to find him.
"As expected, you're here."
On a hilltop, Rozen found the knight gazing into the distance, as if he could see the Holy City itself.
"Hm?"
Bedivere turned around, looking at Rozen.
"So it's you, Lord Rozen," Bedivere greeted with a polite smile. "Apologies, even though we march tomorrow, here I am idling away."
Hearing this, Rozen responded with a faint smile.
"I heard from the soldiers that you've already given out your orders and could have gone back to rest. But I knew you'd be here, that you wouldn't return to rest."
Rozen said this as he stepped up beside Bedivere.
"...I just wanted to take one last look."
Bedivere fell silent for a long moment before turning his gaze back toward the Holy City.
Rozen did not look at Bedivere.
Because he knew just how complicated and sorrowful Bedivere's feelings were at this moment.
"Tomorrow, you'll see it with your own eyes."
Rozen's words carried a deeper meaning.
"Yes."
Bedivere nodded, his expression complicated.
"Are you afraid?"
Rozen, as if seeing through Bedivere's heart, exposed him.
"I'd like to say no." Bedivere smiled bitterly. "But that would be meaningless bravado."
In other words, he was indeed afraid.
Terrified, in fact.
What was he afraid of?
Failure.
Facing the Lion King.
Not being able to accept what he would see.
Failing to complete his final mission.
These were the fears weighing on Bedivere's heart.
Rozen saw through all of them, confirming one thing.
"As I thought, Lord Rozen, you knew about my condition, didn't you?"
Bedivere asked in a low voice.
"Yes." Rozen replied, devoid of emotion. "From the first day I met you, I noticed the magic cast upon you."
That's right.
Magic.
Bedivere was under the effect of magic.
A spell designed to conceal his true state.
"I suspect it was cast by a rather skilled mage, wasn't it?"
Rozen remarked.
The magic disguising Bedivere was highly sophisticated. Even with Rozen's mastery of magic, he hadn't noticed anything amiss at first glance. Only after using Spirit Vision and Mind's Eye to examine him did he uncover Bedivere's condition.
Because of this, Rozen had to come here.
He had one question.
"Your journey has been arduous, yet you're finally nearing its end."
Rozen turned his head toward Bedivere.
"I want to ask you—do you regret it?"
Regret?
This question made Bedivere's expression freeze.
Rozen continued.
"I want to hear all of your thoughts." Rozen spoke sincerely. "After all, after tonight, there will be no more chances."
These words touched Bedivere deeply.
He smiled.
A smile more painful than tears, one that conveyed nothing but sorrow and agony.
Rozen was certain—he had never seen a smile more heartbreaking than this in his entire life.
And yet, this smile spoke of Bedivere's entire being.
Because…
"I do regret it. I regret it more than anything."
Bedivere's voice trembled as if he were crying from the depths of his soul, speaking one word at a time.
"If I had another chance, I would never make that mistake again."
"Because of my selfishness, my King changed—changed into that form."
"The King we once knew, just, selfless, and righteous, could have departed with honor, having fulfilled her mission perfectly."
"But because of me—because of me alone—my King became a wraith in the Holy City and committed acts that defied human ethics, acts that enraged even the heavens."
"That is why I regret it. Truly, I do."
Bedivere spoke words that only Rozen could understand, his voice shaking, his face contorting.
Then, tears began to stream down the Round Table Knight's face.
If anyone else saw this scene, they would surely be shocked.
A knight of the Round Table, a man of great renown, now weeping so bitterly—who would believe it?
But Rozen knew just how much pain Bedivere carried.
"My journey is atonement, the punishment I deserve. There is nothing to regret about that."
"My only regret is the foolish decision I made all those years ago."
With that, Bedivere, his face streaked with tears, made his declaration with a voice akin to a cry.
"That is why this time—I will slay my King."
"I swear it."
Having made this declaration, Bedivere hugged his own shoulders.
His sorrowful cries echoed through the mountains.
Rozen said nothing.
Nor did he leave.
He merely stood there, silently witnessing it all.
Of course, Rozen was not the only one to witness this scene.
A silent figure stood in the distance, observing everything.
Who else could it be but Artoria [Alter]?
Artoria [Alter] watched as Bedivere wept, her gaze carrying a sense of relief.
"At last, you are willing to reveal your heart."
She murmured softly.
"Do not worry. Your loyalty, your devotion—even if others fail to understand, I have always known."
"You, Bedivere, will forever be the most faithful knight of King Arthur."
"I pray that you find your redemption soon."
Leaving behind these words, Artoria [Alter] quietly departed.
Without the slightest hesitation.