Offer Up Your Hearts

Imagine this: With the mobility of an elven horse that can move dozens of meters in an instant, making it difficult to catch up; with the regenerative abilities of a god's body and the silver armor that is impervious to ordinary spells; and with the attack of an EX-class instantaneous light cannon that has almost no cooldown, who wouldn't be confused by this?

Although the opponent did not demonstrate any special divine powers, his obvious strength made him feel troubled. Later, he even prepared to borrow the Lance of Longinus and try to clash with the Lion King.

However, just as he was preparing to fight, he sensed the enormous demonic aura that had appeared in the desert.

As expected, the demon Lionheart King did indeed return to seek revenge against the Lion King.

Since the Knights of the Round Table behind him were somewhat injured, and now was not the time to join the melee, he ordered everyone to split into pairs, conceal their presence, and escape in different directions to avoid the Lion King continuing the pursuit or being detected by the demon.

This resulted in their five-person team becoming a three-person team, with the other two, Gaheris and Bors, currently missing somewhere in the desert, their fate unknown.

"...Um."

Using a twig Rovey drew a rough map of the desert on the ground, confirming his current situation.

He then looked up and glanced around. At this moment, Kai was silent, Percival also had his head down. A dejected atmosphere permeated the group.

He was not surprised by the current situation; on the contrary, he understood it very well.

After all, as Artoria's sworn brother, Kai's psychological burden at this moment must be greater than he imagined.

First came the frustration of the infighting at the Round Table, then a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arrived, but because he was not strong enough, he could not free the Lion King. Instead, he was led by the Saint on a long escape to this place.

At this moment, Kai was filled with utter hatred, inwardly berating his own incompetence. If he were stronger, if he possessed strength comparable to Saint, could he then save his sworn sister?

Kai was deep in thought, experiencing immense pain.

Seeing this, Rovey couldn't help but sigh softly, and couldn't help but feel emotional.

'These guys are all so troublesome...'

Chapter 170 Offering Your Hearts

The sky had completely darkened.

Location: Near the mountains, several tens of kilometers from Jerusalem.

Forced to split up due to their escape from the Lion King's pursuit and the Lionheart King's encirclement, Kay and Percival, who were now the only ones remaining by Rovey's side, were somewhat demoralized.

Even the most objective and magnanimous Percival couldn't understand why they couldn't defeat the Lion King with such a good opportunity. So, what options did they have after the Lion King joined Agravaine and the others? How could they possibly have any chance of winning?

Especially Kai, who is Artoria's adoptive brother, suddenly stood up amidst pain and struggle.

He picked up his sword again and prepared to cross the desert once more, to fight the Lion King and Agravaine alone in a final battle.

In this situation, he couldn't think of any better way. Even a five-on-one fight hadn't been enough to defeat the Lion King, and continuing to delay would only prolong the suffering. Moreover, Percival, Bors, and Gaheris had already escaped, so his last obsession was gone. At this moment, it would be better to go back and die a glorious death, dying at Artoria's hands, than to suffer in vain.

Now, Kai even regrets following the Saint's instructions back then; perhaps the best choice would have been to have the final battle there directly.

At worst, the four of them could take several enemy knights with them on their way, weakening the Lion King's strength. And even if they died, so be it; at least they wouldn't have to suffer like they are now.

Let those who come after handle the rest...

However, if Rovey knew this guy's current mindset, he would definitely give him a good scolding.

How many should be replaced?

No, in your original history, you were all wiped out without a single one being replaced.

This directly resulted in Chaldea lacking the fighting power of several Knights of the Round Table, leading to them being chased and beaten by the Lion King's side, especially Gawain Never-Night Blessing, who was a true rookie killer. Without Grand Rank Hassan's intervention, they were completely helpless.

"Kai, where are you going?"

Percival was sitting on the ground holding the Holy Lance, realized what Kai was thinking and couldn't help but ask.

"..."

But this time, even Kai, the most lively of the Knights of the Round Table in his lifetime, who was known for his sharp tongue and talkativeness and always managed to liven up the atmosphere at crucial moments, seemed to struggle to even utter a single word.

His thoughts were obvious, and Percival knew he was determined to die, but at this moment, the straightforward and tongue-tied Percival didn't know how to persuade him.

This scene, however, was extremely unbearable in Rovey's eyes.

He knew that this internal conflict at the Round Table would be extremely painful for Kai and the others. He didn't really want to interfere with their feelings, but now that he had finally brought them to a position with a significant advantage over the original history, it would be unacceptable if they were to send it back.

Moreover, at this point, he also knew that if he didn't step in as a mentor, Kai would be the first to break down.

Thump thump thump...

Rovey raised his cane and tapped the ground a few times, then looked at Kai, who was about to leave, and said loudly.

"Sir Kay, are you going to desert? The world says your bravery is no less than Lancelot's, but after seeing you today, I am truly disappointed. If you want to run away, then go ahead and run. I will record your deeds on my stone tablet, so that people of this time will continue to tell your story. You, the deserter knight Kay."

"The Saint..."

Upon hearing this, Percival looked astonished.

"What did you say?!"

Kai, who was already on the verge of collapse, widened his eyes immediately upon hearing Rovey's shrill voice. He turned around abruptly and said in a deep voice.

"A knight will never surrender, much less desert. I am simply going to the battlefield where I am meant to be."

"Heh, it's just an excuse. If you want to escape, then escape. Why make up so many excuses?" Rovey shook his head, still with a mocking expression, and then continued, "No matter what, the fact that you are a deserter cannot be changed."

Seemingly enraged that his thoughts had been seen through and his inner thoughts exposed, Kay was about to confront Rovey, but Percival, following the guidance of the Holy Lance in his hand, stood up in time and stopped Kay.

He angrily demanded, "You are Saint, a pioneer who saved this Singularity, and you are indeed more powerful than us. But you are not Knights of the Round Table, so what can you possibly understand about us? As an outsider, you have no right to judge me!"

"Heh, are you getting angry out of embarrassment? Or have you gone berserk because your sore spot has been hit? Am I wrong? Isn't what you're doing just running away? Aren't you a deserter?"

Sitting by the fire, Rovey laughed instead of getting angry.

"I will burn my last bit of strength to wield the sword of rebellion against the king, and let my blood carry out my will. How can this be called desertion?"

"Coward! Do you dare to make an oath before me, before the Holy Spirit, before the Holy Son, before the Holy Lance, and before your own heart? Are you truly not deceiving yourself?!"

Rovey stood up abruptly, slamming his cane into the ground. A special magic and light emanated from him, and the holy light caused Percival and the Lance of Longinus in his hand to tremble.

He looked at Kai, walked directly in front of him without any hesitation, pointed to the sky, pointed to the ground, and then pointed to Percival's Holy Lance, forcing him to make an oath with words.

"I..."

Kai was about to answer, but Rovey's next words silenced him, making it difficult for him to continue speaking.

"Isn't your only wish to die quickly and return to the Throne of Heroes? Your suicidal attacks are also a way to deceive your own conscience, so that next time you can say, 'I tried my best, there was really no other way,' isn't that exactly what you're doing?"

"Now, why aren't you answering? You self-deceiving coward!!"

Rovey's words were like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, making Kai, whose inner thoughts had been completely exposed, look extremely ugly. His body trembled violently, and Percival's heart also wavered at this moment.

Because he had just gone to his death with similar thoughts to Kai.

It is easy for people to see others clearly, but it is the hardest for them to see themselves clearly. The same is true for Rovey, but his eyes can see the thoughts and desires of these knights.

That's why he was able to hit the nail on the head and directly point out what they were thinking.

Why does this guy want to die? Isn't it because he doesn't want to be enemies with the Lion King Artoria, but he also doesn't want to ignore the Humanity Incineration?

Simply put, they were caught in a dilemma, unable to reconcile loyalty and morality, and thus regretted leaving Jerusalem with him.

He would rather lose one more ally from Chaldea than not return with his own life and gain some satisfaction.

Let alone facing himself, even if Artoria from his own side were here, she would definitely criticize his cowardice severely.

"Yes, that's what I truly thought... I'm sorry, Saint, I..."

With his disguise completely ripped off, Kai seemed to have lost all his strength, slumping down to sit there. He clutched his hair and said in great pain, "Why... why did I answer the summons at this time? How could this happen? What should I do now?"

"There's no other way, Kai."

Percival, the most honest and innocent of them all, was the quickest to accept his own heart. He comforted Kay, saying, "The Saint is right, but now that we've taken that step, we absolutely cannot continue to hesitate or waver. Although living and then rebelling is a great disgrace to us, isn't enduring that disgrace a test given to us by God?"

"Just like how Bors and I found the Holy Grail with Galahad, but we weren't taken to heaven like Galahad, being entrusted with the Holy Lance was a test for me, and being entrusted with telling the story was for Bors. Moreover, I actually think that meeting the Saint is also our destiny, a mission that was already arranged for us, the Three Knight Classes of the Holy Grail."

Percival looked at Rovey, his eyes filled with determination and courage. He continued, "Saint, I have a premonition that this time you will lead us to defeat the Lion King, just as you led your people out of Egypt thousands of years ago. Therefore, as Holy Grail Knights, Bors and I will do everything we can to help you."

"..."

Looking at this guy who had suddenly spoken, with such a determined and fanatical expression, Rovey was speechless. Wasn't Percival's statement making it seem like he and Percival were ostracizing Kai? Wasn't this a veiled criticism of Kai?

Why does the taste have changed so suddenly?

Fortunately, Kai understood what kind of knight Percival was, so he knew what was going on and naturally didn't think that way, nor did he misinterpret Rovey's meaning. He knew that this was guidance and encouragement for him.

"Ah, if Galahad were here too, then all three of us Holy Grail Three Knight Classes would be together, and perhaps we could really witness the miracles of the past again."

Percival couldn't help but sigh.

In response, Rovey seemed thoughtful. He looked at Percival in front of him and said, "Don't worry. I also feel that the appearance of two of the Three Knight Classes Holy Grail Knights is not a simple coincidence. Perhaps you will be able to reunite soon."

'Once Mash Kyrielight arrives, everyone will truly be together, and his so-called counterattack will take place shortly thereafter.'

"Well, I hope so."

Seeing that neither of them had lost their fighting spirit, and reflecting on his own actions, Kai lowered his head in shame and offered an apology.

"I'm sorry, Saint, I was reckless."

"It's alright, after all, we're friends now, and even more so, comrades-in-arms." Rovey shook his head and smiled, "So it's only natural that I, as his mentor, would be in charge of providing psychological counseling."

Thank you.

Kai nodded.

Percival spoke up, "Saint, since we are going to attack the King, we will definitely need a leader. What do you think, Kai?"

"Yes, a suitable leader is needed to have a chance to defeat the Lion King."

Percival continued, "And this leader must possess wisdom, strength, insight, justice, and kindness simultaneously, just like the kings of the past..."

"..."

Actually, I quite agree with Kay's earlier points about Percival, but I'd rather not go for someone like Artoria.

Later, to avoid injuring her companions and knights, Artoria always fought alone, charging into battle by herself. This left many knights with no role to play, making them feel that the king no longer needed them, which sowed the seeds of future trouble.

Therefore, a leader cannot be like Artoria; someone with greater vision is needed. So, who is the person with such qualifications in this Singularity?

It's really hard to guess...

In the silence, Kay and Percival exchanged a glance, then knelt down on one knee before Rovey, offering their loyalty and recognition.

"I, Percival the Holy Lance Knight, am willing to entrust my life and the Holy Lance to the Saint!"

"I, Kai, the sworn brother of the Lion King, Knights of the Round Table, am willing to entrust my life and sword to the hands of the Saint!"

"At this moment, this body exists only to save my king!!"

The resounding sound echoed through the mountains, and under the watchful gaze of the sacred flame, Rovey nodded in satisfaction.

Their idea is undoubtedly the best, and with him taking the lead, it's not entirely impossible to launch a subsequent campaign against the Lion King.

"I am willing to accept your commission. Please get up."

"Um."

Seeing that Rovey did not refuse, Kay and Percival stood up happily.

Before he could finish speaking, Rovey looked thoughtfully at the two knights in front of him.

Considering that The Lion King would later bestow many difficult blessings upon those Knights of the Round Table, it would be difficult for these two to resolve the issue in a one-on-one fight.

So after thinking it over, he stopped hesitating and slowly raised his cane, placing it on their shoulders.

"Saint, what is this?"

Percival noticed something was wrong.

"Don't move yet. I will bestow my blessing upon you, allowing you to form a 'Holy Pact' with my staff. This will enhance your power, enabling you to fight more effectively here."

Rovey Wei said calmly.

When Kai and Percival heard that this was a blessing for them, they were extremely happy to accept it. Percival, in particular, could hardly contain his excitement, after all, it was a legendary Holy Pact.

As Rovey's voice faded, the Philosopher's Mace in his hand slowly emitted two different colored lights, red and brown, and two different blessings descended upon them.

The next moment, the blade in Kai's hand was immediately covered with a layer of blazing flames, and his magic power became even more turbulent. This blessing originated from Michael and was called "Flame".

Percival also felt himself becoming stronger, his strength suddenly increased significantly, and his body seemed heavier. This blessing came from Uriel and was called "Heavy Rock".

Being in the Holy City, the Holy Land region, Rovey felt that he was getting closer and closer to the God Child. Therefore, he could also try to use some of the divine powers that the Lion King could use, such as the power he was about to share. When they died or when needed, he could take it back, including their souls.

Kay and Percival also sensed this. Similarly, Rovey conveyed the truth to them and also told them about the hidden dangers. If they wanted to give up, they only needed to silently repeat it in their hearts. However, both of them ignored this hidden danger.

After all, a knight entrusting his life to the king is hardly a threat.