"Like a loaded cannonball"—a phrase that might sound exaggerated when describing a punch. But for the gray-haired woman who had just struck, it felt like an understatement.
Kingu—Enkidu's vessel—was sent flying, blood erupting from his mouth. His divine clay body, forged to withstand gods, had never suffered such damage. If not for the Holy Grail embedded within him and his ability to reconstruct his form through magic, that blow might have ended him.
He gritted his teeth, not out of fear for his life, but for what his death might mean—for his mother and for his mission.
Desperation surged. He tapped into the Grail's reserves, forcibly regenerating his shattered form. Then, with a burst of speed, he retreated into the sky, vanishing into the distance.
"So strong… it was only one exchange…" Fujimaru Tachika whispered, stunned. As the last Master of Chaldea, he had witnessed countless battles between Heroic Spirits. But to see one so effortlessly overpower another—especially one as formidable as Enkidu—was rare.
"Master…!" Mash Kyrielight stepped protectively in front of Fujimaru, her shield subtly angled toward Amber.
Amber, still channeling Fu Hua's form, calmly withdrew her hand and turned to face the Chaldeans. She searched her mind for something Fu Hua might say—stoic, wise, composed—but came up empty. Instead, she glanced at Merlin, who was quietly munching on metaphorical popcorn.
Her friend had once said Merlin had the highest emotional intelligence in the Round Table. She hoped he could read the room.
Merlin smiled, disarmingly harmless. "To think the gods' strongest weapon would retreat so easily… Your strength is truly unfathomable."
"I'm grateful you arrived when you did," he added. "Otherwise, I—a magician with no strength to tie a chicken—would've had no way to protect Fujimaru and Mash."
A new voice chimed in, dry and unimpressed. "A magician like you always pushes the burden onto others."
A cloaked, purple-haired girl stepped from the woods—Ana. Though she mocked Merlin, her presence was clearly protective. She knew his capabilities, and her words were meant to mislead the newcomer.
Another Servant? With Merlin?
Fujimaru glanced at Amber, curious. Why did Merlin know her name?
Amber's navigation pinged. Merlin was casting illusions. She spoke up, voice steady: "Illusions won't work on me."
Do they think I'm hostile? I helped them! And with a face this dignified—Fu Hua's immortal grace—how could anyone mistake me for a villain?
Merlin chuckled, unfazed. "Oops… That was a contingency I prepared for Enkidu. Seems our new ally triggered it. My magic is just a parlor trick, really."
Amber, remembering her friend's nickname for Merlin—"Britannia's Juggernaut"—thought skeptical, but let it slide.
Navigation hesitated, then disengaged the alert.
Merlin stepped forward. "Let's start fresh. I'm Merlin and this is Ana."
Amber nodded. "Fu Hua… or, as some call me Red Kite."
"Red Kite?" Fujimaru echoed, puzzled.
Mash tilted her head. "… Could it be a reference to Suzaku? Or a Chinese mythological bird?"
Amber's attire—Shenzhou-style robes—clearly influenced their guesses.
Merlin's smile sharpened. "She's the master of Li Sushang, heroine of the novel 'The Broken Sword of China.' The Red Kite Immortal who's protected Shenzhou for millennia."
"Eh…" Fujimaru blinked. A fictional character becoming a Heroic Spirit? Once surprising, now routine.
Still, he had never seen one this powerful.
"I'm Fujimaru Tachika. This is Mash Kyrielight," he said quickly, then gestured to the small creature on his shoulder. "And this is Fou."
No sooner had he spoken than Fou launched himself at Merlin, delivering a swift punch that knocked the mage to the ground.
"You ferocious beast! I shouldn't have adopted you!"
"Fou! Fou!"
"Have you forgotten my kindness all these years?"
"Fou!" (Now with extra sass.)
"How many meatball lovers have you seduced with that cute face? You are just popular for being adorable—!"
The absurdity of the scene left the Chaldeans stunned. Was this really Britain's legendary chief magician?
Amber was equally baffled, but forced herself to maintain composure. She stretched her expression into something resembling calm, though her eyes betrayed her confusion.
Ana sighed. "Such disgraceful behavior should be reserved for midnight solitude."
Fou, chastened, returned to Fujimaru's shoulder. Merlin dusted off his robes—though they were spotless—and smiled sheepishly. "Saved by your blessing, Ana."
"There's no clause for gratitude in our contract. Reflect instead." Anna replied flatly.
"So strict.." Merlin muttered.
Mash, still processing, asked, "Mr. Merlin… You've been in Avalon, right? How do you know about novels from the outside world?"
Merlin chuckled. "Avalon's dull. I observe the outside world for entertainment."
He didn't elaborate. In effect, he has the highest rank of clairvoyant, able to see everything 'now', and Avalon is outside the world in the starry sea, without the concept of time, which also results in 'now' being only a limit of no substance to Merlin, those were the same for him be it past or future.