Alaric wanted to say he had no idea what the ritual was.
More than that, he wanted to uproot the Tower of Radiance and hide it where Artoria could never find it, ensuring the magecraft ritual could never take place.
But he couldn't.
He knew the so-called "Servant Summoning Ritual." Along with the "Holy Grail War." was essentially a "probe"... an investigation by the planet's Counter Force after detecting anomalies on this island.
He couldn't obstruct these "investigators" Or eliminate them at their source. It was like a local official defying a central inspection team.
Get it? If something happened to these investigators, the Counter Force would deem this region's history critically flawed. Whether it led to Human Order pruning or a Ultimate One's descent, a shattered Britain was the last thing Alaric wanted, even if he could win.
"So, not only can I not interfere, I have to cooperate."
"Then find a way to muddle through."
Sorting his thoughts, Alaric opened a gate to the Reverse Side of the World, leading Artoria to the radiant Pillar of the Stars at the world's end.
Truth be told, it was his first time entering the tower and seeing its interior.
"It's not that special, is it?" He said.
"Just an ordinary tower, chosen for this summoning ritual because of its unique location."
Before Alaric and Artoria arrived, the magus had already reached the tower, etching a seven-pointed star on its floor.
"Now, my king." Merlin said.
"The ritual is about to begin. Please stand in the center."
The seven-pointed star.
In the study of Mysteries, this symbol held profound magical significance.
Some believed it represented the world's ultimate secrets, its seven points corresponding to seven fundamental elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Wind, Light, Darkness, and the unique existence of Human Emotion, together forming the world's foundation.
It echoed the legend of God creating the world in seven days.
Others claimed the star contained immense magical power, and drawing a perfect seven-pointed star in one stroke could manifest a true miracle.
But the magus dismissed such notions.
"It's just that there happen to be seven people." Merlin said with a smile.
At his invitation, Artoria took her place at the star's center.
"Don't I need to do anything else?" She asked, puzzled.
She'd expected a complex, arduous ritual requiring rare materials and lengthy incantations.
But now, the magus was saying she only needed to stand there?
"Well, theoretically, some materials and chants are required." Merlin admitted.
"But with you, the king, standing there, even without preparations, someone will surely answer your call!"
His words were no flattery... just a statement of inevitable truth.
Meanwhile, Alaric, who had a hunch about who might answer this summoning, closed his eyes.
In his mind, he silently prayed for the princess who'd been exasperated by her inept student.
He hoped her temper had softened, that she wouldn't lose it over her children's upbringing again.
The ritual began.
Standing at the center of the seven-pointed star, Artoria felt a flicker of unease, awaiting what would come.
Almost instantly, the summoning array, charged with Merlin's magic, reacted strongly with Artoria at its core.
A blue-white storm of magical energy erupted from her, spreading outward. Within the Tower of Radiance's mystic aura, it stirred a tangible cloud of magical dust.
Seven distinct figures flickered into existence at the star's seven points.
Their appearances varied, but their posture was uniform: kneeling on one knee, heads bowed in respect, right hands over their hearts in a standard knightly salute.
For a knight, this was the most solemn gesture, reserved for their knighting ceremony, symbolizing absolute loyalty to their king.
Artoria, hailed as the King of Knights, understood the significance.
She knew what came next... she had to draw her sword, place its blade on each knight's shoulder, and bestow their titles as king.
But the problem was… seven knights knelt before her, and she was only one. Whose shoulder should her sword touch first?
"No need to ask! Obviously me!" A voice declared.
"I'm your father's kin... wait, Father, what happened to you?"
A knight bearing Artoria's face looked up, staring in disbelief at the woman in the center, then down at her own feet, her expression utterly bewildered.
Was this still her Father?
Was this still the Britain she knew?
Where had she been summoned to?
Seeing Artoria's appearance, the other knights briefly shared her confusion.
But they quickly recovered.
Appearances might change, but a Spirit Origin didn't. The woman before them was undoubtedly the King of Knights they revered... otherwise, they wouldn't have answered the Holy Grail's call to return to this Britain that haunted their souls.
"So… you're all my knights?" Artoria asked, stunned.
She swore she'd never seen these knights on the island. Yet, they felt strangely familiar... especially five of them, who stirred a sense of kinship in her blood.
"Oh, Father, let me introduce them!" The outspoken knight said, her eyes gleaming.
"I'm your favorite child, Mordred Pendragon... you were going to pass the throne to me!"
Mordred's beast-like instincts sensed a rare opportunity.
She had to seize it!
"This gorilla-like guy is Gawain. His cooking's awful... only good for mashed potatoes."
"This armored one's Gareth. She always overcooks everything, burning dishes to a crisp."
"This one's Agravain. He loves dropping bad news during meals, ruining everyone's appetite."
Mordred rattled off introductions for three knights without pause.
But when her gaze fell on the fourth... a slight girl in thin white robes, with pale purple hair covering one eye... Mordred froze.
The rebellious knight, whose face mirrored Artoria's, wore a look of utter confusion.
"Uh…"
"Who are you, lady?"
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