—Someone is trying to breach the city gates.
Staring at the golden meteor, Gawain and the other two immediately understood.
"Intruders from outside? Coming straight here really saves us the effort of searching for them."
Looking at Lancelot, Gawain said, "Regarding what you said earlier, let me confirm it myself now, Sir Lancelot."
"Yes, I have no objections."
The golden meteor charging toward them was undoubtedly the group Naoki had just met. Lancelot was very clear about this. They had intended to come here from the start, so she wasn't surprised they'd attack in this manner.
However—
(Even if he's the Holy Sword wielder acknowledged by His Majesty, we can't let you break into the castle like this—it's better to subdue him first, have him repeat what he said, and gain Sir Gawain and Sir Tristan's approval.)
With the collective request of the three Knights of the Round Table, the city gates would surely be opened. If Merlin, who was responsible for opening the gates, refused to do so, it would prove that something was indeed wrong with His Majesty's condition.
That's what Lancelot thought.
(But for now, let's see if you can withstand Sir Gawain's hand, Sir Natsukawa.)
It was morning, the time when Gawain's Numeral of the Saint was in effect. With her power amplified threefold, Gawain was the strongest among the Round Table.
Standing in front of Tristan and Lancelot, Gawain faced the high-speed meteor head-on, raising the Holy Sword in her hand. "This sword is the incarnation of the sun. It is a mirage of the sun that burns all that is impure—"
Releasing her Noble Phantasm outright!
(If you're truly the Holy Sword wielder who inherited from His Majesty, let's see you withstand this attack!)
Staring at the meteor, Gawain shouted the true name of the weapon in her hand, but before she could—
*BOOM!*
Abruptly, a radiant beam of light shot out from within the White Dragon Nation. The dazzling light cannon, shining like the sun, pierced the sky, striking the meteor before Gawain could swing her Holy Sword!
(An attack from inside the city?!)
(Was that His Majesty?!)
Gawain and Lancelot's faces lit up with joy, while only Tristan frowned. "An attack launched from the rooftop of the throne room… it must be Magecraft."
"Magecraft? Then it's Merlin?"
"Tch!"
The joy on Gawain's face vanished instantly, replaced by a cold sneer. If it had been an attack from His Majesty, it would have proven His Majesty was still alive, but since it was from that witch…
"What's the meaning of this, Merlin?" Gawain asked into the air. "The front gate is guarded by me, so your magical assistance isn't needed. Do you not trust me, Gawain?"
[No, it's not that. I trust Sir Gawain's strength 100%, but even for you, it'd be tough to face an opponent whose power far exceeds yours.]
Power far exceeding hers?
Gawain narrowed her eyes, looking toward the meteor's crash site. "You're saying I'd lose to this group of intruders of unknown origin?"
[If the opponent attacks at full strength—by the way, that attack just now didn't cause them any damage. At best, it only slowed their advance. The next Magecraft attack will come in one minute.]
"No need!"
Gawain swung her Holy Sword, forming a wall of flames around her, completely isolating the city wall behind her.
*DONG!*
Standing with her sword outside the wall of flames, Gawain said coldly, "With Gawain here, no one will pass through the front gate! I swear on the name of the Knights of the Round Table, I won't let anyone disturb His Majesty's rest!"
*SHUA!*
As Gawain's words fell, within the meteor crater filled with smoke and dust, a fierce gust of wind suddenly blew, instantly clearing away the thick dust.
The figures of Naoki, Jeanne Alter, and Artoria became visible to the Knights of the Round Table.
Brushing the dust off himself, Naoki waved his hand helplessly. "Attacked head-on like that again. Last time I managed to dodge, but this time I was itching to test it, and I didn't expect the power to be that strong. My hand's numb."
"If you hadn't tried to block it, we'd already be in the city by now. Why were you itching to do that?" Jeanne Alter glared at him, annoyed. "My cloak's covered in dust because of it, even my hair."
"I'll clean it for you when we rest later. How about you, Lia?"
"No, I'm fine. That impact was no issue. I'm used to it." Artoria said, looking at the towering walls of the White Dragon Nation, which rose hundreds of meters high.
This was the White Dragon Nation. Though she had sensed it from afar, observing it up close…
(It's remarkably similar to Camelot.)
If the ruler of this city was King Arthur, it was only natural. But rather than resembling Camelot, it was more accurate to say its exterior mimicked Camelot. Its original structure should differ from Camelot's.
Of course, right now, more pressing than that was the massive wall of flames blocking the front gate outside the city wall.
Seeing the blonde female knight standing in the center with a familiar Holy Sword in hand, despite this being their first meeting, Artoria knew who she was.
"Sir Gawain from the other world."
"Yes, just as Gawain said, she's… large in every sense. It really would be hard to know where to look during a fight." Naoki said, eyeing Gawain—at a glance, she seemed like the type suited for childbirth, and if she had kids, she definitely wouldn't need to spend money on formula.
As for the red-haired girl on the other side, there was no doubt she was Tristan.
In stark contrast to Gawain, she was… lacking in every aspect.
(No wonder Tristan was so melancholic. In a certain sense, it's indeed quite a pitiful thing.)
With that thought, Naoki reached out to hold Artoria and Jeanne Alter back. "Wait here for now. I'll handle this."
"You sure you're fine on your own?"
Jeanne Alter, unaware of Naoki's true strength, asked with a frown. "If you're too cocky and die, I'm not burying you. I'll just help burn you."
"Can't you show your concern a bit more honestly?" Naoki gave a wry smile. "Don't worry, it's just three Knights of the Round Table. Even with the Holy Grail, it'll just take a bit more effort. I'll adjust and suppress all three of them."
After all, they were knights under Arthur. Naoki didn't feel right attacking them too harshly, as it would be hard to explain when that guy returned to normal.
(Just tying up the three of them should be enough.)