Like hanging by the beam and stabbing the bone with an awl, came the biting chill.
Shirou ran at full speed, the cannon of light relentlessly pursuing from behind.
Suddenly, he leapt high, destructive power grazed the corner of his clothes.
Landing without even time to adjust his body, he forcibly controlled his muscles, arriving before the Ahoge King.
Seeing this, Artoria quickly pulled back her strength, her holy sword clashing with Shirou's blades.
BOOM!
The ground shattered like tofu smashed by brute force, their magical energies colliding and detonating everything around.
"Run!"
One wave had barely settled before another surged.
Fujimaru Ritsuka and Olga Marie fled desperately.
The entire cavern now shook like an earthquake, as if it could collapse at any moment.
"Director, Master!"
Mash raised her shield again and again, blocking flying debris for them.
The air twisted and quivered under magical pressure, the space itself compressed tighter and tighter.
"Haaah!"
Artoria shattered the giant boulder Shirou had projected to block her view.
The Holy Sword burst at full power.
No technique, just pure, violent magical release.
Everything ahead was destroyed, including the projected Noble Phantasms falling like sword-rain.
"You should have realized it by now!", Artoria shouted, "You stand no chance against me. Let that Servant face me!"
"She will face you," With a heavy stomp, Shirou appeared before the Ahoge King, "But not yet!"
"Stubborn fool!", Artoria's face darkened.
'Those three, are they really worth him risking everything?'
Her strikes pressed harder and harder, "At this rate, your body will collapse first!"
"If you care about me that much, then stop insisting on fighting!"
Shirou's blades didn't stop, twin swords carving afterimages.
"What did you say?"
Artoria froze, "Care about you?"
"If not caring, then is it jealousy?"
Shirou didn't think his bond with the Ahoge King had reached that stage.
But Artoria's eyes widened, and she lunged instinctively, driving him back.
Gaining enough distance, she roared in anger, "Fine! Since you're so stubborn, then I'll grant your wish!"
She raised her holy sword high, vast magical energy flooding and spilling from it.
Shirou took a deep breath, crouching down as if drained of all strength.
It was finally here.
"Mash!", He shouted.
"Here, Senpai."
Without a trace of hesitation, Mash stood in front of Shirou.
This sight only enraged Artoria further. Her magical energy turning violent and wild.
"This is bad…", Shirou's muscles spasmed uncontrollably.
"I'll be out for hours, Mash. If you can't hold out, it'll all be over."
"Eh! Senpai!"
Mash turned back in a panic, only to see Shirou collapse into sleep.
"This isn't what you said it would be, Master!", Mash's voice broke with tears.
Fujimaru Ritsuka clenched her fists, no longer joking in the slightest.
"I believe in you, Mash. Just like Senpai does!"
"I…"
Shirou's peaceful, sleeping face appeared before her eyes.
It was absolute trust in her.
Setting her shield before her, Mash gritted her teeth, "I understand. I will protect Senpai!"
"If you can, then prove it."
The King's expression was ice-cold. Without a moment's doubt, she cried out the True Name of her miracle:
"Ex—CALIBUR!"
Light gushed forth, roaring, howling.
"AAAAAAHHH!!"
The black shield, carrying her indomitable will, clashed with the light cannon.
In that instant, she nearly collapsed, nearly swallowed whole by it.
"MASH!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka cried out, but was stopped by Olga Marie.
The director set up a barrier, shielding them from molten, exploding rocks struck by the beam.
"If you go now, you'll only drag her down. No—", she looked straight at Ritsuka, cruel words leaving her lips, "you're not even qualified to drag her down."
Just like before, all they could do was watch Shirou fight with his life on the line, unable to help at all.
Not even the most basic assistance.
"But Mash, she…"
This beam was different from the ones before.
Even a novice like Ritsuka could feel it.
Mash's face was twisted in pain, her body retreating step by step.
At this rate, she and Shirou would both be consumed.
"So, it's about time you made up your mind!"
Olga Marie clenched her fist, "I understand your feelings. I really do."
"If so, then let me—"
"You are Mash's Master. And Mash is your Servant!"
Olga Marie's words struck hard, "You two are bound together. So think carefully, what can you do now?"
"I…", Ritsuka looked at Mash, but her painful expression made her turn her gaze away.
"Don't run away!"
Olga Marie's voice cut sharp, "Raise your head! Stand tall! Your Servant isn't just fighting for me and Shirou, she's fighting for you too! Make your resolve already!"
Ritsuka's fingers clenched tight.
Mash was right there.
Just like Senpai, fighting with everything to protect her and the director.
And all she could do was watch?
Truly nothing at all?
She asked herself what she could do.
She asked others what she could do.
'Tell me, Senpai… what can I do for Mash?'
Shirou's words echoed in her ears.
("A Noble Phantasm is instinct. As long as the wielder follows their heart, the radiance will bloom naturally.")
("So the only thing you must do, trust!")
("Believe in your Servant. Stand by her side.")
"Yes. That's all I can do. I believe in Mash, so I'll stand with her!"
Facing the overflowing magical power, the ultimate Sword Beam, Fujimaru Ritsuka broke through the barrier.
Her movements carried not a shred of hesitation.
"Ritsuka!"
Olga Marie had no time to stop her.
Within the cannon's light, Mash was already on her knees, her body barely shielding Shirou.
"I'm sorry, Senpai… I might disappoint you again."
Her strength gave out, her eyes closed.
But then, a hand covered hers. Crimson Command Seals gleamed.
"Mash."
"Master!"
Mash opened her eyes, forcing out words with difficulty:
"Why? You'll die."
"No," The Command Seals shone blindingly. Ritsuka's voice was firm, "Precisely because we want to live, I stand here."
"I believe in you, Mash. Just like sleeping soundly Senpai, I believe absolutely. So don't give up. Let's fight together."
'Yes… If I fell here, I'd betray Senpai's trust.'
So—
"Please watch me, Master!"
Mash stood tall. Her wounds healed under the Command Seals, magical power surging endlessly from within.
Her black shield pulsed like a heartbeat.
Then, the miracle to protect humanity revealed itself.
The pure-white city of Camelot, the Round Table of Knights, centered on the Round Table, walls of a fortress spread outward.
Its strength was bound to the will of its wielder.
As long as her will stood, the walls would never fall.
Its True Name: Now is a Castle of Distant Ideals(Lord Camelot)!
"A Noble Phantasm appeared"
In Olga Marie's eyes, Mash's shield had formed an unbreakable wall.
And with her shout, the dark radiance of Excalibur was miraculously repelled.
"This Noble Phantasm…", For the first time, the Ahoge King showed surprise toward Mash.
The next instant, she was swallowed by her own beam.
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