Just then, strange sounds of battle came from the forest outside the castle.
"Hahaha! Isn't this the dead Assassin? And now you've come back to assassinate me! Do you think I've become too much of a threat? In the end you're nothing but rats hiding in the dark, using dirty tricks like making your Servant fake death just to get protection from the Holy Church!"
Tia heard Kayneth's scornful voice.
"Moon Spirit Marrow Fluid is my own invention, the ultimate Mystic Code! Even under the attacks of Servants, it can show great defensive power! How about that! Surprised, aren't you! I may not be able to attack, but stalling until my Saber defeats that King Arthur is more than enough!" Kayneth's proud voice rang out again.
Tia frowned slightly.
Moon Spirit Marrow Fluid was strong, but how could it possibly withstand a Servant's assault? Even an Assassin on the level of Hundred Faces Hassan should be able to break through it!
No, I can't just let him die. If I get the chance, I still want him to help strengthen my Command Seals too.
With that thought, Tia sent a message to Lancelot with her mind: "Lance, go save Kayneth, we can't let him die."
But Lancelot had already gone into spirit form and was moving close to Kayneth.
"I… have arrived…" Lancelot said, then suddenly appeared and launched into a fierce attack against Hundred Faces Hassan.
But in an instant, many more Assassins appeared around him.
"Lance! Hundred Faces Hassan isn't just one person, it's a whole group, be careful!" Tia warned.
"I… already know…"
"Hm? Knight of the Lake? Why are you here to save me?" Kayneth was baffled to see Lancelot helping him. "Your king is about to be defeated by my Servant!"
"The king… will never… lose…" Lancelot answered, before throwing himself back into the fight against the many Hassans.
Even so, King Arthur's situation was already looking grim.
With only one arm usable, King Arthur was being pressed down hard, holding on only thanks to his past combat experience. Without backup, defeat was only a matter of time.
At this point, Emiya Kiritsugu was even considering using a Command Seal, but doing so would immediately expose him as the Master. He still believed his identity as a Master hadn't been revealed yet.
Just then, Gilgamesh suddenly opened the Gate of Babylon, and a staff as tall as an average adult slowly emerged.
Its shaft was long and slender, with a large circle enclosing a smaller circle at the top. It looked strangely familiar.
"Blacksmith, this is a Noble Phantasm that removes all curses and heals all wounds. If you release its true name, the Knight King will be completely restored," Gilgamesh suddenly said.
"Huh?" Tia let out a surprised sound.
"What, are you shocked by my actions? Hmph! I have no desire to see such a fine play end so soon. Since the Knight King's Master refuses to use a Command Seal to lift the curse and let the Knight King wield his Noble Phantasm, then I'll lend a hand myself!" Gilgamesh continued.
Tia froze for a moment, then realized Gilgamesh was simply enjoying himself, caught up in the thrill of the spectacle. He didn't want it to end too quickly.
That was fine. Tia could use this chance to add another item to her own treasury of Noble Phantasms.
She thought this as she reached out, preparing to analyze the weapon.
But then Gilgamesh suddenly spoke again: "Blacksmith, have you prepared your answer to my question?"
Tia's face fell the moment she heard Gilgamesh bring up that line again. She was only trying to build up her stock anyway. Sure, she was a descendant of a divine-age blacksmith, and in the future, she would even become the vessel for the spirit origin of Servant Senji Muramasa. But right now, Tia had no idea how to forge a completely original Noble Phantasm with just her own power. All she could do was break down the core of an existing one and then recreate it into something new. The only difference was that while the strength was weaker, it still carried a True Name release and various effects.
So when Gilgamesh kept pressing her for an answer, Tia had no idea what to say. Knowing his temper, if she gave the wrong reply, he really might…
Should she just be honest? No way, she didn't dare…
All she could do was give an awkward smile.
"I see. Looks like you haven't done it yet. But no matter, this king said I'd give you a few days, so I'll give you a few days," Gilgamesh said, seemingly willing to spare her for the moment. He tossed the staff Noble Phantasm over to Tia.
Tia really couldn't figure out what Gilgamesh was thinking, or what it would take to please him. What she needed to do now was analyze the Noble Phantasm and lift King Arthur's curse.
At this time, Diarmuid and King Arthur, still locked in battle, also noticed the commotion. The two were fighting fiercely, but Diarmuid in particular completely forgot Kayneth's order to defeat King Arthur. Instead, he held back, waiting for Tia to restore King Arthur's body.
"Hmph! Come at me with full strength!" King Arthur immediately sensed it and shouted sharply.
"Is that so? In that case…" Diarmuid's expression hardened. He leapt high again, ready to unleash his Noble Phantasm once more. But this time, since King Arthur had demanded it, Diarmuid poured his full power into the release.
Meanwhile, Tia was holding the staff Noble Phantasm and staring blankly.
At least, that's how it looked to anyone else.
Her magic crest lit up, and the mana from her origin flowed through the staff. Before long, she had finished analyzing it.
Wasn't this Medea Lily's Noble Phantasm, Pain Breaker?
Medea Lily was Medea before she was betrayed—the princess of Colchis, pure and innocent, loved by all, with no means of attack. Her Noble Phantasm was a purely healing one.
Using her magic crest and her own origin to reforge and analyze it, Tia raised the staff high.
"Pain Breaker!"
She shouted the Noble Phantasm's name. The tip of the staff sparkled with tiny lights. Holding the staff—nearly twice her height—she swung it toward King Arthur. The glittering lights scattered out at once. It was clearly a wide-range healing Noble Phantasm.
King Arthur was caught right in its range. The lights wrapped around him, and his body was instantly restored. Even the curse on his right hand was completely dispelled.
"Thank you!" King Arthur gripped his sword with both hands and, with sheer force, sent Diarmuid flying. Then he turned back to Tia and gave her a word of thanks.
(End of The Chapter)
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