Chapter 610
The jaws were so large they seemed capable of swallowing a bull whole, and they were approaching from three directions, yet the Saber remained unmoved and stood rooted to the spot.
Finally, the Cerberus stirred as if looking at each other—the next instant, the giant beast leaned back, its three heads stretching towards the sky as it let out a howl that resounded throughout the entire arena.
"Grrrrrrrooooooooooaaaaaaa..."
It was a roaring trio that seemed to spew forth flames, and you could feel the heat.
Although Ayaka was shocked, she surprisingly did not have the thought of "quickly escaping from here".
The deafening roar shook the surrounding space.
Then, as if in sync with those vibrations, the "Shadow" that existed throughout the city began to stir.
The alleyways where sunlight never reaches, the spaces beneath parked vehicles, and the vast underground spaces beneath manhole covers.
Black, misty phenomena emerged from numerous locations and began to coalesce around the crossroads, forming solid, lumpy shapes.
Finally, the blocky objects entwined in several locations each revealed the same form as the Cerberus that was guarding the area.
"How is that possible...?"
The three-headed beast, which had been a single creature just moments before, now numbered several more and was positioned on the building and at the front and back of the road, forming a formation that completely surrounded the police team, Richard, and Ayaka.
The city streets, which had been quiet and still just minutes before, were suddenly enveloped in an aura of death.
The horde of giant beasts did not cause any trouble; they simply remained silent, staring at the group with their deep, dark eyes.
Even the "Shadow" born beneath their feet stir again, turning into black mist and enveloping the surroundings like a swarm of flies.
"Hey... what should we do next?"
"Have no idea..."
The number of Cerberus multiplied, but it stopped attacking and remained on the defensive.
Are they being monitored? What would happen if they tried to escape? Would they be attacked?
The crowd was undecided, and the situation reached a stalemate.
At that very moment--
Why were you there...?
A speechless boy's voice came from behind the crowd.
"!?"
Everyone quickly turned around and saw a red-haired boy walking around the barrier world as if it were none of his business.
The mysterious heroic Heroic Spirit of the King of Heroes was defeated earlier today!?
The police were on high alert, but the red-haired boy seemed completely uninterested in them—he was only staring at Sajyou Ayaka.
"I came to investigate because I sensed a 'familiar presence,' but what exactly is going on? Why are you there?"
The red-haired boy, Shirou Amamiya, asked in a tone that suggested he knew Sajyou Ayaka.
However, it was obvious that Sajyou Ayaka didn't know the other person at all.
Do you know... about me?
"You don't just know; who do you think took you in after you lost your master for almost ten years?"
"???"
Sajyou Ayaka looked puzzled: What... is this person talking about?
Shirou observed her reaction and frowned. "Can't understand? In other words, you haven't achieved 'self-awareness' yet?"
"I! I am Sajyou Ayaka!" the girl suddenly exclaimed excitedly.
"Oh, of course I know... Your sister told me about you."
"Elder sister?"
This word sent a sharp pain through Sajyou Ayaka's mind.
Sister... Oh right, I do have a very close sister...
Why haven't I thought about my sister until now?
My older sister's name is...
Oh, what's my sister's name again?
Her mind grew increasingly confused; the girl felt dizzy and her legs began to sway.
Richard I grabbed her arm and steadied his Master was about to fall.
"Th-thank you, Saber."
Sajyou Ayaka's emotions stabilized slightly. She turned around and thanked the Servant beside her, however—
"Huh...?"
Sajyou Ayaka was startled.
The Saber's ever-present composed smile vanished instantly.
As if witnessing the end of the world, there wasn't a trace of joy or sadness in their expressions, only pure amazement.
"Hey, Ayaka, am I dreaming?"
"Well, it's entirely possible that we're in Tsubaki Kuruoka's world (dream)."
That's not what I meant!
Richard I stared intently at Shirou Amamiya:
"My partners... are also confirming... Ahh... Oh my god, ahh... ahh..."
The Saber clenched his fists, stood motionless, and said to Ayaka beside him:
"Um... is the person speaking to you now King Arthur himself?"
"Huh? We're still talking about that topic!?!" Sajyou Ayaka was speechless.
"...?"
On the other side, Shirou couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
He did indeed have the experience of King Arthur, but his current Spirit Origin is not Spirit Origin of the King of Britain.
How did this Saber manage to assert that she was King Arthur? Shirou was completely baffled.
Speaking of which, Saber just mentioned "my companions"...
There was something odd about the air around him; did this guy have some kind of familiar that only he could see?
"You are Ayaka's Servant?" Shirou asked Richard I.
"Yes, yes!"
Upon being called, Saber immediately straightened her back and spoke stiffly and nervously:
"It's an honor to meet you. Please forgive me for not being able to kneel before you, for I too am a king who bears the expectations of countless people."
Even so, please allow me to offer you my highest respect, Arthur Pendragon, the progenitor of our chivalry.
My real name is ------"
"... Draw your sword."
"Why...??"
I have no interest in your real name; I don't want it taking up space in my head.
Shirou impatiently interrupted Richard I's chance to announce his name.
"Anyway, it's that one..." Her fans? I've seen plenty of vulgar people like you.
I can't agree with that! They clearly know nothing, they're completely unaware of the truth...
"You dare to call yourself a follower of chivalry (Arthur)? That's laughable!"
Shirou is not a true Arthur, but rather a subspecies of King Arthur limited to the "Lady Avalon World".
Therefore, the Saber before us should be worshipping and respecting the history of Artoria Pendragon.
That's why Shirou felt indignant.
How could you Saxons, who idolize and worship King Arthur as a trendy cultural phenomenon, possibly understand her loneliness?
I am the only one who truly understands and supports Artoria, although I also have this inexplicable possessiveness (do you agree with this sentiment?)...
To prevent her from being betrayed and hurt again, I will purge all those who try to get close to her!
Richard I: "..."
When the object of his worship was criticized to his face, Saber's excited expression froze.
"What... are you not convinced?"
Shirou raised an eyebrow. "If you're not convinced, then draw your sword and prove to me the weight of your feelings for 'her'."
Richard I: "..."
Sajyou Ayaka whispered, "Hey... Saber, this child seems a bit different from the King Arthur in your stories."
"Ah, yes, Ayaka, even I was surprised. King Arthur was such an eccentric ruler."
Sajyou Ayaka was a little worried that Saber might be disillusioned because his idol was so different from his ideal self, but she found him smiling happily.
"This is good, this is good, this is perfect... The excitement surging through my body is unstoppable..."
It reminds me of the days when I was a teenager, disguised as a traveler, Britain all over Britain in search of the King of Knights' legacy...
There's no mistake, he is the phantom I've been chasing my whole life!
Richard I said this, he drew his ornate sword, which was wrapped in brilliant light, from its sheath.
"King Arthur, please allow me to learn a couple of moves from you!!"
Shirou stood with his hands in his pockets, a beautiful lake appearing behind him, with countless holy swords emerging from the azure water.
"Come on, I'll make sure you never again dare to utter that name so lightly—"
Volume 8: 382 Thank you, Karen...
At the crossroads of the barrier world, a hurricane formed by intersecting sword blades is about to arrive.
Those were the foundations of the holy sword, produced in large quantities from the reflected lake water, falling like a torrential rain of death.
Although the legendary King Arthur possessed many divine weapons, he would often only use one of them in battle. There is even an anecdote that he lent the Holy Sword of the Stars to the Knight Gawain when he was using the Mythical Artifact Marmiadoise.
Why did he adopt this fighting style?
But Richard I no longer had the time to concern himself with such details.
In less than a second, countless deadly blades were closing in on him and shooting towards him.
Richard I swung his sword again with force, and leaped into the only "gap" created by knocking down the weapon.
Although he narrowly escaped all the attacks, other weapons embedded in the ground shattered the asphalt, and the debris swept into the air became a new disaster, raining down on where he stood.
However, Richard had vanished without a trace.
"So that's how it is! So that's how it is! A blade this sharp would become so wretched just from being inserted into the ground!"
Richard, moving with lightning speed, picked up one of the many swords stuck in the ground and shouted:
"Look at its beautiful appearance! Just holding it feels like stepping back into the glorious era when the Knights of the Round Table still roamed the land!"
The weight, the design, the aura, and the temperature... there's no mistaking it for Excalibur, the supreme sword synonymous with King Arthur!
Relics of the Stars forged by the fairies who lived by the lake! Really? Are all of these genuine holy swords now?
I'm so touched... Hey? Can I have this sword? Please?
If possible, please sign it for me later! I will treasure it for the rest of my life!!
After dodging an attack that would have shattered his Spirit Origin if it had hit, Richard I immediately looked at the attacker with envy and admiration, like a child.
His use of such language in a life-or-death struggle left even the numerous police officers who were observing from a distance, preparing to regroup, speechless.
Shirou frowned slightly: Normally, would anyone consider this many swords to be genuine?