Light surged.
Light roared.
It was a brilliance that could illuminate the entire world, a glory unmatched by any. The owner of this light was the ideal king, and the holy sword proved it. If "Ionioi Hetairoi" was a Noble Phantasm that embodied the qualities of a commanding general, then Saber's Noble Phantasm—Excalibur, the Sword of Promised Victory—was the manifestation of her supreme conviction. This radiant pride was something no one could deny.
Yet now, Artoria herself had stained that radiant glory.
The sword that should have been wielded in her Master's name for victory was now swung on behalf of someone else's Master, for someone who technically had nothing to do with her.
But... so what?
What Rider and Archer had said was true—"A king should live for their convictions." And what was she, a supposedly virtuous and restrained king, if not just a decorative figurehead?
With a smile full of bitter irony on her face, Artoria gripped the hilt of her sword tightly.
Her beliefs had never changed. Excalibur, the Sword of Promised Victory, was a blade of conviction. The stronger that conviction, the greater its unleashed power.
This strike was not for anyone else. It was wielded only for her own selfishness, her own belief. Not as the legendary King Arthur, but as the girl named Artoria, fighting purely for her own feelings.
The Holy Grail War, factions, Masters—all of that no longer mattered. This was a girl's prayer and longing. "Let this yearning reach the one I want to protect!"
For the first time, Artoria acknowledged her emotions—not as a king, but as a girl. Although this emotion may seem foolish or hard to understand, she could no longer afford to care.
Artoria knew well that this wasn't love. At best, it was a kind of gratitude. Gratitude that Yoru hadn't trampled on her when she was at her most vulnerable, but instead helped her.
It's easy to celebrate with someone who's already won, but far more meaningful to lend help when they're in despair. And for that reason alone, Yoru had earned Artoria's full support.
Even if he didn't appreciate it, it didn't matter. She was simply doing what she wanted to do.
"Excalibur—Sword of Promised Victory!"
With that proud and confident cry, the dragon factor that had always bound her was now fully unleashed. The torrent of magical energy burst out like a flash flood, forming countless spirals and swallowing the entire courtyard.
Although there appeared to be nothing in front of her, the force of Artoria's strike distorted even space itself.
A power from this world directly affected the otherworldly domain of Rider's Reality Marble. Under the blazing light of utter annihilation, all darkness was banished. Between the two worlds, Artoria forcibly carved open a path.
In the next moment, she raised her sword high.
"My name is Arthur—Artoria!"
No hesitation. No doubt. No fear. At this moment, she faced the magnificent world before her with resolute determination.
"Not as the King of Knights, but simply as the girl Artoria. I do not fight for the Holy Grail. I do not fight for the Holy Grail War. I fight only for the one I care about!"
Saber's sudden intervention placed her directly between Rider's army and Yoru. Her declaration rang out clearly to both sides.
"Saber, what is the meaning of this? Are you interfering with a fair duel?!" Rider hadn't expected Saber to appear and angrily demanded an answer. In response, she merely smiled lightly.
"Didn't you hear me? I said I'm not here for the Grail, not to fight in the Holy Grail War. I'm here as the girl named Artoria, standing before you to protect the one I love!"
Her words left Rider speechless. Even Yoru was stunned, completely at a loss.
He hadn't said anything to Saber. So why was she acting like this?
Perhaps sensing Yoru's confusion, Saber turned around and locked eyes with him, her azure eyes meeting his icy blue ones.
"I don't care what you think, whether you already have a wife and child. I'm just expressing my feelings. You may ignore them if you like—but at least show respect for the feelings of a king."
Artoria said this with a regal calm, leaving Yoru with no words to reply.
"Well now, how interesting... To be admired by the famous King of Knights isn't something that happens every day," Rider laughed. "But Saber, were those words you spoke just now the truth? You've abandoned the Holy Grail War and your Master? You fight now only by your own will?"
"Yes," she answered. "I've severed ties with my Master. From this moment on, I act solely on my own will. You can rest assured, Rider."
"Betrayal, huh... That's not something I'd ever expected from you, Saber."
"So what? Even saints have their limits. And it wasn't I who betrayed my Master. He betrayed me from the very beginning."
Saber raised her sword and pointed it at Rider.
"I must admit, both you and Archer were right. I was too self-righteous. It's precisely because of that arrogance that I lost the hearts of my people. It wasn't my people who betrayed me—it was I who betrayed them!"
Her words left Rider silent. Once, he'd looked down on Saber, believing her unworthy of being called king. But now, her actions and speech made him completely rethink that view.
"I don't know what changed you, but I must admit—now, I recognize you as a true king, Saber!"
"Whether I am a king or not is none of your concern," Saber replied. "But I am curious to see whether you are worthy of being called one. Will your sword tell me that, Rider?"
Rider was briefly stunned by her forceful words. Then, he burst out laughing. Behind him, his army erupted into cheers as well.
"If you want to find out, then ask away! My army, too, is eager to see whether the famed King of Knights truly lives up to her legend!"
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