Camelot, within the castle.
"Ian-kyō, you are saying—"
"She can fight on even terms with you?"
Artoria looked at the Mélusine before her, frowning slightly.
"It seems... a little hard to believe."
"Are you doubting me?"
Mélusine became a little indignant.
Holding her twin swords, she reverted to the attitude she had when she first met Ian.
"This time, I absolutely will not lose again!"
Mélusine's eager expression did not get a response from Artoria.
Instead, she looked towards Ian.
"Ian-kyō, what are your thoughts?"
"Is it necessary to have another match?"
"After all, you are the First Knight of the Round Table. If I use you as the standard for selection, I would feel more at ease."
"Eh, wait!"
The moment Ian was mentioned, Mélusine recalled their meeting in the forest.
The difference in their strength was vast.
And—
Mélusine looked at Ian, her throat twitching slightly.
This guy, when he gets excited from fighting, subjects her to the ultimate humiliation.
When it was just the two of them, it was barely acceptable.
But now...
How could she possibly do it now!
"I don't want to fight him!"
"There are other people, right—"
Mélusine shouted.
"Have someone else be my opponent!"
"Are you... really sure about this?"
"Yes!"
"Anyone but him is fine!"
"Alright, I understand."
Artoria's expression was serious.
"Since Ian has already approved of you, then there is nothing to hesitate about."
After saying this, Artoria stood up herself.
At first, Mélusine thought she was going to find an opponent other than Ian for her, until Artoria drew the Sword of Promised Victory (Caliburn).
"Come."
"Since you do not wish to have Ian-kyō as your opponent—"
"Then allow me to take his place."
Artoria pointed the Sword of Promised Victory (Caliburn) at the Mélusine before her.
"Is that alright?"
"..."
Although she could sense that the Artoria before her was no simple opponent, recalling the humiliation from Ian, she felt it was no longer a problem.
"Arondight says it's no problem!"
Gripping a sword in each hand, Mélusine became serious.
However—
Although it was a duel, there were not many spectators.
Aside from the duelists Mélusine and Artoria, there were only Morgan and Ian watching from a higher place.
"Is this the person you brought back in the rain?"
Morgan looked at the Mélusine before them.
"Yes."
Ian nodded.
"She's very skilled."
"Is that so?" Morgan was thoughtful. "If even you say so, then I'll have to take a good look at her performance."
"If you're lying to me, I'll punish you tonight."
The princess's fingers gently teased the dragon's chin.
On the other side.
Pointing the Sword of Promised Victory (Caliburn) at her opponent, Artoria spoke.
"Let's stop when a victor is clear."
"However, I hope you will use your full strength."
"Of course!"
The battle was about to begin.
The one who attacked first was, once again, Mélusine.
She greatly enjoyed this feeling of taking the initiative.
However, having experienced failure before, Mélusine was much more serious this time.
Right from the start, she displayed her impressive speed.
Wings spread—
Mélusine left countless afterimages around Artoria.
As if every one of them was her, yet as if none of them were.
"Here I come, Arondight!"
The phantoms converged in an instant, coalescing into Mélusine's form.
This was her proud specialty, a five-hit combo.
She couldn't take down Ian last time; this time, she would take down Artoria no matter what!
A cold aura radiated from the dark blue blades.
The surface of Arondight was instantly covered in frost as it thrust towards Artoria.
I won't be disgraced this time!
But Mélusine soon discovered she was wrong.
Facing the five frosty thrusts, Artoria did not even show a flicker of fear.
A dodge to the left, the first thrust was avoided;
A bend at the waist, the second thrust was evaded.
All five thrusts were thus evaded by Artoria in a near-perfect manner.
If—
Ian, who had taken the attack head-on with his body, was a monster-like existence.
Then the Artoria before her was in no way inferior.
It's just that her monstrous aspect was her ability to almost completely predict the direction of every incoming attack.
Mélusine even wondered if she could even touch her once.
What is with these two!
Could it be they're both dragons?!
However—
Just as Mélusine was thinking this, Artoria sheathed her sword.
"Alright."
"You pass."
"..."
Mélusine was confused.
The match had only just begun, how could it be over already?
And Artoria, as if she knew exactly what Mélusine was thinking, quickly explained with a smile.
"'Stop when a victor is clear.' Your performance was indeed very impressive."
"I must apologize. I did look down on you a little earlier."
"Ian's recommendation was, as expected, sound."
"..."
Mélusine pouted.
So after all this, my test is still inseparable from that weirdo who humiliated me?
I can't stand it!
I absolutely can't stand it!
"Can we continue?"
Gripping her two Arondights, Mélusine in turn stopped Artoria who was about to sheathe her sword.
"I... haven't yet tasted the strength of your offense."
"At least let me try, please?"
Although she felt her words were somewhat like asking for a beating, Mélusine did not regret doing so.
A swordswoman should be a brave hero who draws her sword just like this!
"Are you serious?"
Artoria frowned slightly.
"I am serious."
Mélusine crossed her two Arondights.
"Even if something happens, it will be my own responsibility!"
"I understand."
Ian wasn't the only one who was constantly getting stronger.
Not to mention, Artoria herself had some pent-up feelings in her heart.
She raised her Sword of Promised Victory (Caliburn).
In that moment, a golden light gathered on the blade.
Mélusine felt her breathing quicken.
She seemed to understand the feeling Ian had spoken of, the excitement that coursed through one's body when facing someone they considered an "enemy."
"Arondight, I'm counting on you."
As Mélusine said this, she prepared to try and receive such an attack head-on.
But—
The unexpected happened in this very moment.
The burning golden sword suddenly began to tremble.
It looked as if it was overloading and breaking down.
Crack—
Crack—
The crisp sound echoed across the dueling ground.
Several cracks had appeared on the blade of the Sword of Promised Victory (Caliburn)